12 Surprising Downsides to Marie Kondo’s Minimalism

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Marie Kondo burst onto the scene with her philosophy of decluttering and people worldwide flocked by the thousands to her ‘spark joy’ method. Their closets got emptied, books were donated, and for a brief moment the world felt lighter. The idea of a life without the mess that bogged us down, a simple life, a peaceful life. Honestly, who doesn’t want a home that feels like a sanctuary?

Minimalism is the shiny new gadget that seems perfect at first, but it has quirks. There’s more to it than the folded clothes or the artfully arranged spaces. Before you Marie Kondo your entire life, here are some surprising downsides you should keep in mind.

Minimalism Can Be Expensive

Embracing minimalism can be a deep hole in your wallet – it’s not as simple as it sounds. Decluttering can result in a shopping spree for attractive organizers, matching containers, and beautiful furniture. You’re spending money to replace perfectly functional things because they ‘don’t fit the vibe.’ Suddenly, inadvertently, a minimalist lifestyle can turn into an expensive aesthetic.

It Is Emotionally Draining to Let Go

Parting with sentimental things is what minimalism is all about, and for many, it’s easier said than done. Something you received as a gift from someone you love, or maybe some childhood keepsake, can be a heart tugger. Decluttering is a deeply personal, sometimes painful process — and people can find themselves paralyzed by the emotional weight of deciding what stays and what goes.

It’s Not Always Practical

Everyday realities don’t always align with minimalism. The lifestyle is too restrictive for families that have children, or for people that have hobbies that require the use of tools and equipment. Minimalism goes into hiding when you have kids; that means toys everywhere and random socks and art supplies strewn across your house like the aftermath of a sugar high.

Pressure to Keep the Aesthetic

After you’ve taken the plunge and adopted the minimalist look, however, there’s an unspoken pressure to do so forever. A single coffee mug left on the counter or an unmade bed can feel like a betrayal of the entire philosophy. Keeping up a space that is picture perfect can be more exhausting than the clutter.

Misplaced Priorities

Sometimes, minimalist living can take us away from living meaningfully and become more about appearances. We may spend more time agonizing over the number of things we own than enjoying the things those things represent. It’s the difference between spending hours curating your Instagram feed, and forgetting to enjoy the sunset in front of you.

It can Alienate Friends and Family

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Not everyone is as enthusiastic about minimalism. A gift giver friend or a spouse who loves to collect gadgets may feel judged and misunderstood. Blanketing your life with the essentials can cause friction in relationships if other people don’t see eye-to-eye with the way you live.

The Over-Simplification of Complex Lives

Life isn’t black and white and minimalism ignores the nuances of human existence. Joyful and not joyful can be a way to oversimplify emotions and relationships and even values. Some people even think of it as boiling life down to a checkbox system, which isn’t for everyone.

Regret

Sometimes, people who participate in a major decluttering project, like the Kon Mari Method, later regret parting with certain things. What makes it worse is that they realize it too late. Maybe their bread maker had a few more uses in it and didn’t get the glory of family brunches that it deserved. Another proof that life isn’t all black and white, and changes, even in emotion and decisions, are inevitable.

Creativity May Suffer

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While minimalism often prefers clean, clear spaces, messiness is often part of the magic for many a creative mind. Although a Pinterest-worthy clutter free desk might sound inspiring, some writers, artists, and designers work best in environments where their ideas roam free.

Environmental Concerns

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It’s not always eco friendly to dump unwanted items into donation bins or the trash. Many thrift stores are bursting at the seams with low quality donations that end up in landfills, proving that minimalism isn’t as green as it seems.

Overwhelming for Beginners

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Some find it intimidating to start a minimalist journey. With so many books and videos and Pinterest boards telling you that you have to be perfect, it’s really easy to feel like you’re failing before you’ve even started. Not everyone will be delighted by the first time they fold clothes “the right way.”

Might Kill Spontaneity

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With a strictly minimalist home, there’s not much room for impulse. Want to throw a last minute dinner party? Not possible unless your sparse kitchen has more plates, or serving spoons. This philosophy can put people in rigid structures, Where even for spontaneity you’d feel like you have to plan.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.