Minimalist discuss everything wrong with minimalism | Why minimalism is unsustainable

Minimalism is not always sustainable! There are some common minimalist practices and "rules" that are actually unsustainable and pretty wasteful. If you want to be a minimalist but in a sustainable way, this video is for you! I explain some of these mistakes and how to avoid them.
Enjoy :)
Timestamps
0:00 Intro
1:02 the Overconsumption problem
2:27 the "One in one out" rule
4:40 Reckless decluttering
6:34 the "Brings joy" mantra
8:17 Minimalism as a lifestyle vs minimalism as an aesthetics
9:04 Concluding thoughts- not all minimalists are bad
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[@binnchanveasna7867]

I don't call myself a minimalist, but I have picked up some useful living habits from minimalism recently. But the more I'm into it the more I agree with you that minimalism has a lot of flaws. Sometimes it's a bit too extreme, for instance, throw away things you don't need to make spaces for things you need is fine for me, but throw things away just to own less is just a life style for some people. It's not an ideal way for every person to live their life.

[@alicechoux973]

I agree. The extreme can be great for some people but not for everyone

[@SchneewittchencheN]

I like that you reflect beyond the catchy quick advice of „just get rid of it“. You’re videos are very professional, you deserve way more views!

[@alicechoux973]

Thank you so much! It really means the world to me!

[@shroumling]

this is an extremely well executed video with a fair and understandable criticism on minimalism. it brings me joy knowing how much intention you and others have put into the decluttering process. thank you so much for sharing!

[@alicechoux973]

Thank you so much for your words!❤️ I'm happy you enjoyed it!

[@sandraolsson1532]

Spot on! This is the exact things that I've found contradictory, tryin to live both frugal, sustainable and minimalistic, and thus struggle with myself.

[@alicechoux973]

Thank you! Yes finding a balance is difficult. For me it became easier when l accepted that l can't always be perfect and that l have to compromise sometimes

[@amandamccall6190]

I've been waiting on a video like this, you completely articulate the thoughts I've had while exploring Minimalism. It is contrary to environmentalism in many respects. Maybe rather than decluttering continually, we flip it and say, this is what I have and I'm not adding to it, can these possessions sustain me in the coming years? Thank you so much for making this.

[@alicechoux973]

Thank you so much! I agree. I also declutter but it's taking me years because l only declutter things if they are unusable or if I'm 100% sure l don't need them

[@amandamccall6190]

Alice, you are a breath of fresh air 💕

[@alicechoux973]

@@amandamccall6190 thank you so much! I can't even say how much this means to me!❤️

[@amandamccall6190]

Alice, I think you are a very courageous young woman, and I wish I'd met you in my teens, you are living as I had dreamed but never did. You are a change maker, always be your authentic self 💕🌏

[@alicechoux973]

@@amandamccall6190 oh my god thank you so much! It literally took me a day to reply and l still have no words for your kindness! ❤️

[@robbrien8506]

Some goods points that dig a little deeper into the standard, generally good advice out there.

[@alicechoux973]

Thank you so much! I'm happy you liked it❤️

[@pamsunderland6095]

I am Minimalish and agree with most of what you say. Some minimalists seem to waste things. Btw love your Earrings

[@alicechoux973]

Thank you for your comment ❤️

[@MelindaPlainandSimple]

You make a lot of good points. Some people declutter just to declutter or to make space to buy more things. I am decluttering, but I don't think I'm doing the things you talk about in the video. I hope not. I have too much stuff because my parents taught us we had to keep everything forever. It's overwhelming. When I die, someone will get a dumpster and throw it all away if I don't deal with it now. It will ALL end up in the landfill. To prevent that, I am trying to minimize my belongings responsibly while I can. I give as much as possible away before taking things to the thrift store. I am only buying things we need. I'm using up what we have (i.e., cleaning supplies). I use what I already have instead of buying something new (i.e., clothes). I am keeping and using what I want/need/love/use. I am trying to be intentional and mindful. It's a slow process. It's not always easy to find a new home for some things, but I try. And when I have a stack of boxes in my living room waiting for my next giveaway, my progress comes to a halt. So I exercise patience. I can't change the past, but going forward, we will be much more mindful in our choices.

[@alicechoux973]

I totally feel you! My family is the same we keep EVERYTHING! I am also buying less and minimizing for the exact same reasons as you. But l think that there's nothing wrong with how you are doing it. Thank you so much for your comment it means a lot!

[@MelindaPlainandSimple]

@@alicechoux973 Good that you are doing it now. The younger you are when you figure it out, the better. I'm 62. The first thing I had to declutter was the noise that said I had to keep everything. It's still hard and a lot of work. Thank you again for your video. I listen to videos for motivation, for tips, and to learn from others who have some insight and experience to share. It's because of people like you that I am making these choices.

[@zoeyanaqvi-zn7482]

Well said. God bless 🙏 you

[@shasita3361]

The main point of minimalism to me, is to live with just the things that are important to you. This way, there is less clutter, and you buy less. I am against decluttering just to declutter. But for me, it was important to get rid of things that were weighing me down and stressing me out. I made mistakes, buying things I did not really need or liked as much as I thought. I can't undo those mistakes. I can only try to prevent a repeat. I guess it depends on your interpretation of minimalism.

[@alicechoux973]

I totally agree with your interpretation of minimalism. I try to be very intentional with everything a buy and declutter but l still make more mistakes that l'd like to.

[@trekkie-cat]

I love being minimalist. I don't need alot to be content and feel absolutely NO guilt for getting rid of stuff!

[@mewpie85]

I'm a budding minimalist but I'm wary of how I'm doing... being anti-consumerism helps, too. When I donate, I don't normally donate to GoodWill or any other company because that just puts monies into a CEO's pockets plus landfills. I try to donate gently used items to people in my life who could use it or sell it.

[@alicechoux973]

That's a good way to do! I still donate to charities but only if they are true charities and l know what they do with the items and the money

[@ignaziareeves2848]

excellent video. i’m binge watching to get motivated and i think people push the ‘donate’ angle because if they don’t, they get a lot of negative comments about waste. i can see and hear their stress about it in their subsequent videos. to me, if i throw stuff away, then it’s gone, it’s not forwarded to be anyone else’s problem and that’s the end of it. yes i’ve added to landfill and i’m an awful person BUT, i am now committed to end over-consumption. i don’t go to malls, no catalogs, no ads, don’t watch tv, definitely no one in, one out rule. that defeats the whole purpose and i love that you address this so well. i also don’t buy organisation containers. i use old tupperware and the like. we need to be happy with health, family, friends & experiences. not things. and i actually have more time and energy without all the ‘stuff’. one thing that helped a lot was packing away kitchen stuff for special occasions, like we do with xmas decor. eg the extra tongs and spatulas and cutlery are all stored away for festive occasions. even all bakeware is packed away for that one time a year that i bake muffins or whatever. my kitchen only has a setting for six and, well, basically it looks like the way it does when you first leave home or get married and haven’t learnt to cook yet 😋 everyone is different and i mean no disrespect to anyone 🖤🕊

[@alicechoux973]

Thank you! You made a very interesting point about throwing away instead donating! I like your approach to festive items. I don't have them mainly because l have no space to store them but even if you use something sporadically but that one time you love it it still has a value!

[@PGBlanks]

Sometimes it feels that there is an overglamorization of minimalism, especially the aesthetic side of it. And it leads to us throwing away perfectly useful things and replacing them with brand new things that are more aesthetically minimalist. Which is counter to the whole point of minimalism!

[@alicechoux973]

exactly! I agree with limiting your buy and I declutter regularly, but I don't throw away stuff that are still good, it makes no sense!

[@annamarieholstpahus8910]

Your perspective is so frugal and and sensible!🙌💪 I suggest you add ' mindful' or the expression 'essential living' to your intro. (English is a not my first language either) Minimalism is not an aim in itself but a means to an end: a sustainable, sensible, meaningful way of living. As you say yourself: " you don't have to be rich to be a minimalist" 👍😘

[@jeannebowes2898]

Donating old bedding to the humane societies and vets is appreciated . We get many burned out families in our area so there is a community call out for supplies, same for the food bank and homeless center. Our Social services puts ads out in the newspaper for specific requested supplies, same for the local children’s home. Our city is yard sale city in the summer, We have had many over the years. So many opportunities to share. Electronics are recycled by individuals here, we have metal and paper recycling, Also a Home Restore center for building materials. A company here collects compost and resells. We have a community tool share system.

[@alicechoux973]

You seem to have a great community around! I'm not against donations, I'm against mindless donations. When l donate l try to do it like you. I try to understand who needs what and then l target the donations so that l'm sure that my donation is a gift and not a burden. Good tip for the bedding and vets l knew that pounds accepts old sweaters but l didn't think at beddings, Thank you!

[@wellyano6964]

I'm so glad you're highlighting the fact that donating items is not a guilt free solution. I put off decluttering because the math just doesn't add up. If I'm not purchasing second had, the same amount of items i'm donating then it's reasonable to assume it's going to landfill. How many thrifted items does the average person have in their home? Not many. Unless we're all regularly shopping at thrift stores the environmental benefit is probably minimal. It's the BUYING that is guilt free. The DONATING is not.

[@alicechoux973]

Totally agree! Donating became one of my biggest pet peeves. It's so easy to feel good because you donated and often it becomes an excuse to buy even more! I've done it myself and now l feel so bad!

[@trekkie-cat]

I don't feel any guilt donating. Why would I?

[@trekkie-cat]

​@@alicechoux973I don't feel bad about donating at all

[@alicechoux973]

@@trekkie-cat thank you. I still donate at times but now that I know the issues, I leave it as the last resource.

[@FrogeniusW.G.]

Very good + meaningful points! Thank you! I fully agree.

[@alicechoux973]

Thank you❤️

[@as0205_]

Loved this video ! So interesting

[@alicechoux973]

Thank you!❤️

[@roy_eappen]

Nice video. I've often thought of minimalism as a mindful assessment of what is important to me. It prevents me from frivolous spending and it rationalizes the few collectibles I value. Reducing consumption and perhaps helping the environment are just byproducts of this to me, not the end result. Not sure if I'm looking at it the right way.

[@alicechoux973]

Thank you! ❤️ From what you are saying you are being very mindful and that's great! Even if reduced consumption is a byproduct it's still a great achievement!

[@MrGrumpyGills]

Minimalism per se is not unsustainable, on the contrary. If some people equate buying crap => declutter crap => buying new crap (rinse & repeat) with minimalism they are simply mistaken. That's just being a regular mindless consumer and one step away from being a hoarder (just stop the decluttering and there you are). Calling this lifestyle minimalism doesn't make it so. Decluttering is only the means to an end, a process on the way to true minimalism. I've been decluttering stuff I bought for various reasons (boredom, frustration with work and life, too much money to spare, collecting things I thought I loved etc.) for a few years now and I'm almost done with it. I've become very mindful about what is allowed into my home. No more collecting just for collecting's sake, no more spontaneous buying. By now I know very well what I want to wear (colors, style, fabric) and what fits my body type, and don't settle for anything else. My wardrobe is small and everything gets worn and enjoyed. If a piece of clothing happens to not fit anymore and is still in great condition I either sell it or give it directly to somebody who'd be glad to use it. I don't donate to "charity". I recently sold most of my video game and console collection since I didn't actually play the games anymore and there was no sense in keeping them put away in boxes on a shelf. Fetched quite a bit of money, too! I only kept the games and consoles I really use and love. Most books I've sold or gave away by now and only own very few. Same goes for DVDs and CDs. My art supplies and DIY projects have been pared down to what I actually use or do - I kept too much for a "fantasy self" and "for later". I won't fill the now empty spaces in my apartment with new stuff. I very much look forward to finally being done with decluttering and can't imagine why some people like to do this over and over. Sorry for the wall of text :)

[@alicechoux973]

I couldn't agree more with you, that's why l tried to differentiate between minimalism and how minimalism is interpreted. No problem for the wall of text l really enjoyed hearing how you practiced minimalism over the years. Very inspiring! Thank you for taking the time of watching and commenting my video😊 also out of topic but l love your profile picture

[@nataliazart]

Totally agree. To me is more about: stop the decluttering and wear what you have.

[@alicechoux973]

Couldn't agree more! Thank you for watching

[@peseni4600]

I’m delighted to find a video like this since I watched a video about minimalism. I found that this is actually another marketing strategy for the consumer to feel less guilty for what we’re all doing to this world. But it encourages the individual consumption in the end as it did with organic, ecological and biological products. These all are another market and we can’t easily imagine the profit of this. I love the idea but it’s not a universal nor individual notion so It is open to lot of questions therefore critics.

[@alicechoux973]

Thank you! I agree with you: I like minimalism as an idea but it's far from perfect and it needs to be adapted to everyone's life

[@kimberlyespinoza7970]

Wow! Alice, you hit the nail on the head. New subbie here.

[@alicechoux973]

Thank you so much❤️ l'm happy you enjoyed it

[@ingenuity168]

Minimalism is the first step to buying less. Minimalism us one in one out but not in a wasteful way. Minimalism also includes being eco friendly and sustainability.

[@ShoppingwithRina]

Great point

[@intentionaldes2654]

I'm currently struggling with this because I am playing the minimalist game, and I am having to reconcile the sustainability with keeping things and trying to be minimalist. Currently, I am passing on almost every product I am decluttering to give it another life, but there is still a certain amount of waste along with it

[@alicechoux973]

I totally feel you! I'm trying to do the same and it's super hard to find the right balance! I tend to separate more easily from things in good conditions because its not too hard finding a new owner. The rest l try to use it as much as possible but yeah waste is inevitable unfortunately

[@trekkie-cat]

Minimalism is being content with less and not being a slave to consumerism. Its a lifestyle not a game! I feel no guilt donating.

[@sonalsharma5293]

Very good points !! I do agree with you. For me.. I have changed to mindful shopping n better quality over quantity. They last much longer n even after u are dead bored with them , can still be use for use by others . For expensive n occasionally worn party wear I like to share with my sisters , we move in different cities n circles so ok to wear once or twice as probably we do with such clothes . Then maybe our daughters will alter n use them further. Same with gadgets.. try to buy better quality that lasts n fewer that multitask. Bags n shoes too . Better quality.. versatile n classics n take proper care n they really last u. I m not a minimalist but mindful I can say.

[@alicechoux973]

I love the idea of sharing between sisters! I have a brother so we can't share clothes but we share books, movies and things like this. And totally agree for quality over quantity!

[@cristinaferigioni1624]

“I don’t want to criticize anyone” but O came for the TEA 😂❤️

[@alicechoux973]

I'm a nice person l really don't want to judge people 😊 but yeah there are things l disagree with

[@MusicBoxAlsoWater]

I actually drive around with clothes and give them to homeless people and ask them if they would like the items until I have nothing in my trunk. I know they're going directly to someone who can use them.

[@alicechoux973]

That's a great idea! I will try it too

[@antonello1061]

Love your accent, love your wave

[@alicechoux973]

Thank you! :)

[@Antistylestyleclub]

💛

[@anakamaruddin2975]

Yes....good points here...

[@alicechoux973]

Thank you❤️

[@tomlambert915]

some people just want to live like they are on vacation all the time. i experienced this when i was a truck driver and also with another employer that flew me to different cities every week. if you hardly ever get home what's the point of having a residence ?

[@zoeyanaqvi-zn7482]

True... this life should be lead like a traveller and a learner bcz its temporary journey after all in which clutter can create stress and loss of focus. God bless you

[@monica_has116lentilsand2cats]

💯 agree!

[@alicechoux973]

Thank you❤️

[@b4rs629]

Me looking at my small humble video game collection... >.> cuz' I don't trust digital games on console lol.

[@alicechoux973]

ah ah ah fair enough! I still have my books and DVDs. my logic is: if you enjoy it, it has a purpose.

[@isusestecalea921]

Truth.

[@alicechoux973]

Thank you!❤️

[@Mloofylicious]

The biggest mistake of the minimalists is assuming people would consider human rights when they're shopping for a new shirt on Black Friday at Zara. They're either stupid or refuse to acknowledge that sustainability will never succeed because it would be the end of fashion industry, and that's unlikely to happen. Ever.

[@alicechoux973]

Actually I assume the opposite. If people were more considerate of human rights when buying, the fashion industry wouldn't be as exploitative as it is now. The fashion industry wouldn't end with people buying more consciously as we will still need clothes and we will still want nice clothes. It will be the end of fast fashion, which is different. Regardless, this is idealistic and theoretical. I agree with you that it is unlikely to happen. But I personally still prefer to consider human rights in buying new things because it makes me sleep at night, even if I now that my impact is minimal.

Perhaps we could also use less labels such as "minimalism" or "minimalist". Doesn't it just create more confusion and misunderstanding as everyone has a different idea about what the label means?

[@alicechoux973]

I agree with that. I think it can be difficult for content creators not to use these lables otherwise they are not picked up by the algorithm so I doubt they'll disappear

[@Simplyluvly]

But Marie Kondo is not a minimalist. Read Fumio Sasaki's book if you wanna be a minimalist. And yeah, I'm sick of people called themselves as a minimalist just because they have fancy, expensive and aesthetic stuffs. I need a real minimalist KZbinr with non fancy, expensive and aesthetic stuffs.

[@alicechoux973]

I agree she's not a minimalist and she doesn't even claim it but she's often taken as an example that's why l mentioned her. I fear have some nice fancy things but l also have a lot of normal things and messy corners!

[@pbgall2905]

Contradicting statements. Makes no sense. Get the junk out of your house and then stop accumulating. Invest your money and use the profits to help others, try new experiences and leave a legacy for the next generation. No one needs all that crap. It doesn’t make you look wealthy. It just makes you look like an emotionally imbalanced horder.

[@zoeyanaqvi-zn7482]

well said

[@kimzanders9550]

I disagree with this video. Minimalism is not about one-in-one-out or getting rid of stuff. It is about intentionality--being intentional about one's time, attention, belongings - it is about intentional living.

[@alicechoux973]

I know and l totally agree with you but this is not how a lot of people take it. A lot of people do only focus on the decluttering part and often take it as an excuse to buy more. Thank you for the watch and the comment though l really appreciate it😊

[@dougmacbride6527]

"...Western countries consume too much...objects in landfills will never break down..." - she says as she wears earrings that are not a basic necessity for life and will eventually end up in a landfill - but she can tell everyone else how to live...hypocrite...

[@alicechoux973]

those earrings were a gift I received 5 years ago and they are actually made of recycled textile. I could throw them away or use them. I opted for using them as long as I can, which is actually what I advocate: use what you have before buying new and don't declutter just to buy new shiny stuff. I don't see hypocrisy in that, especially because I never said that you should only have the minimum indispensable to survive. Also I'm not telling people how to live, I made a reflection partially based on my own mistakes. I said in many occasions that I was the first one to donate everything and I'm ashamed of that. Anyway, thank you for having taken the time to watch the video, from what you quoted you went pretty further in it and I honestly appreciate that.

[@jerrystraka7856]

RULES?? i live minimalistically, but there are no rules. it is NOT a written regime. it is an attitude

[@alicechoux973]

I agree, but as I said these are criticism to how minimalism is often portrayed in social media not on minimalism itself, which I know is very different from the simplified version many present