Review of The Pocket Guide to Minimalism

[Brett Linette]

[Following is a volunteer review of "The Pocket Guide to Minimalism" by Katy Moeggenberg.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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The Pocket Guide to Minimalism by Katy Moeggenberg is a book about giving space to the things that matter by getting rid of the things that don't. Some people will tell you that minimalism means living off of nothing but the clothes on your back. This book would tell you otherwise. Unlike other books that decide what you should get rid of, this book helps you figure out what's important to you so that you can decide what to get rid of for yourself.

When you've read so much on minimalism, it can feel like you've read all that there is to read. I kid you not when I say that this book on minimalism is different from any book on minimalism that I've read before. I don't understand why so many books on minimalism try to sell the idea of minimalism; if we're reading the book, we're already sold. Rather than selling you the process, this book takes the time to hold your hand through it.

Minimalism is a process. It's worth noting that this book breaks the process into three steps (minimizing, organizing, and maintaining). As informative as every step was, I learned the most from the second step (which was organization). Making one's drawer empty enough to see every item that's inside of it is something that I never thought to do. I can't count the number of times that I bought an item that I already had because I couldn't see where it was. Not having one item hidden under another has been life-changing. This is just one out of the hundred tips that this book has to offer.

As incredible as a lot of the tips are, giving items away to friends was one tip that didn't sit well with me. Most people are friends with like-minded people. If you can't make use of something, what are the odds that one of your friends is going to be able to? You might just be passing the burden of having it onto someone else, and the fact that you're giving it to them as a gift is only going to make it even harder for them to get rid of than it was for you.

All things considered, I'd rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. It has shown me the light. While I'd miss the expensive stuff, I'll fall in love with the little things. I'd recommend this book to those who have so much stuff in their house that they can barely make it from one room to the next without bumping into something. Since there's only one error in this book, it's safe to say that it was professionally edited.

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The Pocket Guide to Minimalism
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[Ruth Frances A]

Well, I like this review. It is practical and touches on something so sensitive. The little things, like the dress that I wore the Christmas before last, or the items that we keep even when we don’t need them. Hoarding, a habit that we must control. Minimalism, as defined by this book sounds like a good plan. Thank you for this.

[Brett Linette]

Well, I like this review. It is practical and touches on something so sensitive. The little things, like the dress that I wore the Christmas before last, or the items that we keep even when we don’t need them. Hoarding, a habit that we must control. Minimalism, as defined by this book sounds like a good plan. Thank you for this.

Thank you so much for the comment, Ruth, let alone such an eloquent one.

I loved your review of "Entanglement - Quantum and Otherwise" by John K Danenbarger.

[Thera reads]

By reducing the clutter in our lives, we can create more physical and mental space for ourselves, leading to a greater sense of peace and contentment.