Community Poll Results: What are the Biggest Obstacles Faced as a Minimalist?

The Minimalist Life facebook group is one of the very best resources for learning from experienced and well-practiced minimalists. With over 250,000 members, it is the largest online group for minimalists to share ideas and connect. At Quaint, we turn to The Minimalist Life often to continue to our learning, and we regularly ask for their input and support.

We posed the following question to the group:

Over the past week, we've heard genuine stories and responses to this prompt, and we're excited to share the 7 most common themes and categories.

Challenge #1: Family Life and Kids 🏡

It was clear from the poll that minimalism gets exponentially more challenging when living with a partner and kids. More than 40% of responses were directly related to the challenges of practicing minimalism with a family.

For example, consider this story from a father of two adult children in graduate school:

We’re now a house with 4 adults, ages: 57/53/25/22. My kitchen isn’t big enough to meet the demands of 3 cooks.We’ve had to use bookshelves in my office and basement space to accommodate all of our supplies. The kids have multiple mugs and tumblers depending on work, school, social, etc. We’ve been battling sports bottles for 20 years.This situation is temporary. Maybe 4 more years while the kids finish graduate school. Then a lot of the excess kitchen and basement stuff will move out.

Similarly, this women shares her feelings on family members who don't also have an appreciate for minimalism:

Family members who don't have the same calling [for minimalism] create blockers for me.

Other members of the Facebook group share minimalism challenges with kids toys and items:

Kids toys. Minimalism was much easier before kids. Definitely possible to stay minimal during the baby phase but once they hit toddlerhood and alllll the toys start coming it’s so hard to stay minimal

Definitely toys and other stuff like children blankets. So many clothes for them too, because we can’t afford to replace and they are constantly staining stuff.

Challenge #2: Clothing 👕

Easy to sympathize with, clothes are a challenge for nearly every minimalist.

Consider this response around clothing for different occasions and seasons:

Still clothes, shoes, and accessories. I have different occasions in my life that require different types of clothing and I live in a place with 4 distinct seasons. I keep this in check because I have a small closet. I limit myself to what fits comfortably in it. But, it’s still a personal challenge for me. Even after being on this journey for 5 plus years.

Closets are a common source of stress for many minimalists, but what about individuals who experience changes to their body:

I still feel bad getting rid of items I’ve barely worn. I recently lost 60 pounds, and I went through my closet last night. I want to hold on to stuff because of the money I’ve spent but I’m seeing this as as opportunity to bless another woman. I have lots of designer items so I’m sure it’ll make another woman happy to receive at no cost.

Challenge #3: Sentimental Items 🤎

The second most common response from the poll were challenges surrounding minimizing sentimental items. Fittingly so, items of sentimental value are challenging to part with because feel attached to them.

Consider these heartfelt responses from the poll:

Sentimental value objects I just cant get rid of it breaks my heart… also regrets over getting rid of something after a few months…

Things that are sentimental to me. Especially from my loved ones who have passed on.

Adjacent to sentimental items are gifts from family members, friends, and colleagues. Minimizing the items gifted to us can feel like betrayal, says this person:

Minimizing gifts from friends is a challenge for me. That person spent time and attention for that gift, and it feels wrong to part with it.

Challenge #4: Perception of Others 🤔

Minimalism is perceived as a radical lifestyle and this perception poses a challenge to minimalists. Being accepted for your own choices is all one can ask, but minimalism has not yet been socially normalized.

For example, take these shared experiences and responses by three different individuals:

Someone saying to me "why did you get rid of that."

People's respect for this value/principle.

Other people feeling sorry for me and thinking I'm going minimal out of some sort of crisis and trying to give me stuff to replace what I've consciously gotten rid of.

These similar sentiments from each individual give insight into the social challenges of minimalism.

Challenge #5: Myself 🙋‍♂️

Somewhat surprising to see, multiple poll respondents shared that their desires and habits pose challenges to their minimalism journeys:

My biggest obstacle is MYSELF.

My biggest obstacle to overcome was scarcity mindset and problem solving consciousness.

The balance between not needing it and letting it go and just throwing stuff away just to buy it back 3 months later. I try to avoid the redundancy.

Challenge #6: Consumerism 🛍

The most direct challenger to minimalism, consumerism, was a frequent response to the poll. Many highlighted the juxtaposition between the ease of consumerism and the difficulty of minimalism.

I used to be a borderline hoarder and shopped as a coping mechanism. So during times of stress it’s hard to not revert back to it

I like shopping and decor.. 

I still love going to garage sales and thrift stores.

Challenge #7: Collections 📚

Responses of many collections were noted - things like books, records, stamps, and coins were the most common collections that people struggle to minimize. More than anything, however, books were the most frequent response when considering the bucket of collections:

Getting rid of books that I keep saying I’ll read.

Getting rid of my books is tough. I’ve managed to get rid of many, but still have a lot left. I’ll get there eventually 

I want to collect paper books that I read, because I mark important lessons and I love paper books. I don't really enjoy they pdf books. So it's hard for me with books. Now I have plans to have library in my future home. But while I don'thave my own house it's hard to take the books everywhere, because I travel to different places, and I don't have consistent home.

I do really well with getting rid of most stuff. The biggest thing I have right now is my yearbooks. I turn 40 in 2024 and have only looked through them a handful of times. Maybe this will be the year I finally take that step

Like sentimental items, collections are challenging to minimize because they hold additional value, giving way to a direct blocker to minimizing.

Reflection 💬

Do you experiences any of these challenges? What are the biggest roadblocks in your minimalism journey? And, how do you plan to overcome them?

Let us know in the comments!