Taking a blanket approach that minimalism is the ticket to freedom for everyone is not taking a high-level, simplistic view, in my opinion.

People are different, and are in different stages of life and respond differently to their environments.

I’ve witnessed efforts to achieve minimalism that caused anxiety and depression. It can be distressing to give things up that you’ve worked hard for, that give you comfort, or that have been a part of your life for a long time.

And it's entirely possible to give up too much and not feel freedom but instead feel loneliness and depression.

I've also been witness to beginner minimalists expressing feelings of failure, anxiety and envy. For some, it seems that minimalism has become more of an aesthetic to live up to (those perfect white, calming spaces on Instagram) instead of a personal philosophy that's adapted to work for them.

If that’s the case and you can't create a home that lives up to the perceived perfection of the online version of minimalism it's easy to feel like you've failed. It can become an obsession in and of itself (aka: keeping up with the minimalist Jones's).

Minimalism can also become extreme. Many minimalism groups online are wonderfully supportive and helpful, but some of the participants are extreme in what they give up and/or get rid of. Living with just one plate and cup and one chair and mattress on the floor is great if it works for them, but it's not going to work for all, or even most, I would suggest.

Why we need to think beyond minimalism

The meaning of minimalism is, of course, different for everyone. It's a wonderful philosophy that at its core simply means to get back to basics and enjoy people and experiences, not things.

But I've been hearing more and more from clients and readers of this blog that they are turned off from even considering minimalism because paring down to a capsule wardrobe is too daunting and they're not inspired by empty walls.

So they dismiss the concept entirely. Which is a shame.

That's why I've stepped back to look at this challenge from a 30,000 ft. view. I believe that if you’re craving a simpler, slower and more meaningful existence you only need to: