Culture & Lifestyle
Book review
The art of living with less Uncovering the positive impact of minimalist living at home, and in our lives Writing | Bonnie Evie Gifford
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inimalism has been in fashion for many years. Whether it’s paring down your wardrobe, hitting back at your hoarding habits, or going for that more sleek, streamlined look throughout your home, the chances are, you’ve encountered the concept somewhere along the way. In his latest book, Joshua Becker sets out to show that creating a minimalist home is so much more than just an aesthetic choice. Minimalist living is a state of mind, and a way of life. THE BECKER METHOD Living a simple, uncomplicated life is, in many ways, one of the hardest things to do. In a society that is widely driven by consumerism and materialism, the Becker Method (which this book
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is based on) asks readers to identify what they hope to achieve through the minimising process. Highlighting that downsizing our possessions can not only lead to freedom from clutter, but to an overall better quality of life that allows us to identify and focus on what matters to us, Joshua’s latest book makes it clear that the move to creating a minimalist home is a continuous one. As our goals and interests change, we acquire new skills and hobbies, the people in our lives change, and so too will the things that are truly important in our homes. FROM A PLACE OF EXPERIENCE A popular minimalist blogger, author, and advocate, Joshua offers practical guidelines for simplifying not only our lifestyle at home, but how we can
address the underlying issues that contribute to our over-accumulation. Inspired by his own family’s journey into living a more minimalist life, Joshua speaks of the positive impact their changes have had not only on their lifestyle and sense of wellbeing, but how their decreasing focus on the material has become a launchpad for more fulfilling, productive and personal endeavors – such as founding the charity The Hope Effect, which supports orphans. Along with his own family’s experiences, The Minimalist Home is interspersed with true stories from others who have started living a more minimalist life. While it can be great to hear how different individuals have applied this new way of thinking, it can grow repetitive in places.
