Organising and Minimalism — How Less Stuff Means More Order
Minimalism has similarities with organising, both ask you to get rid of your stuff. Is becoming a minimalist for you or will you just stay organised?
What is minimalism?
Minimalism is an idea, or rather more of a pushback against over-consumerism. Have you ever wondered if becoming a minimalist is the way for you? It has similarities with organising. As both organising and minimalism ask you to get rid of your stuff. Whatever you have left, you need to organise. In minimalism, people deliberately want to live with less.
I tried becoming a minimalist and would love to do it. However, realistically, this is not happening now at this stage in my life (a thirty-something mother with two children, a husband, and two full-time jobs).
On this page, I tell you a bit of the journey, hoping you understand the difference between minimalism and organising and allowing you to make a decision on where you sit on the spectrum.
What have I learned about organising and Minimalism?
In my study to find out more about this fascinating topic, this is what I found:
I learned that minimalism is an extension of the work I do with decluttering and organising. It is also flexible to different life circumstances; you can practice this if you are single and travelling the world, like Collin Wright does. You can be a minimalist with a family, like Joshua Becker and Leo Babauta do.
Minimalist the movie
If you are interested in this topic, I strongly encourage you to watch the movie “The Minimalist”.
After watching the movie and the YouTube videos, I then really, really wanted the bag that Matt D’Avelia and the Minimalist endorse, the reason was I want to focus on what is important in my life, travel, writing, and studying. Going back to my golden era as the 18-year-old backpacker who travelled through Australia.
I got excited about getting rid of a lot of my stuff which as an organised I do regularly anyway.
I felt nostalgia for the time I backpacked around Australia as an eighteen-year-old. All my worldly possessions I had fitted into one backpack I call this year (a “short” 17 years ago) the best year of my life. Life was simple, adventurous, and budget-friendly. Plus I wasn’t as jaded as I am now ;-)
Minimalism and the capitalist society
Fast forward all these years, it also showed that even though in the whole scheme of things, I am pretty good with tossing stuff. I am definitely a product of a capitalist society (which makes me somewhat sad, but it is a reality most of us are in).
Can you learn to become a minimalist?
One of the great things I learned about minimalism is that it can be used in many different instances;
Food and eating
Exercise and health
Spaces
Possessions
Clothes (this is why I am so passionate about the capsule wardrobe)
Some of these I am still exploring, and I love the many layers this topic has.
I am now constantly asking how I can minimise things, spaces, actions, and decisions, etc. Can I minimise in order to make life simpler, more meaningful, and quieter?
The key insight: whether you follow minimalism or organising we still need stuff
Whilst I would like to live a super simple life, the last thing I learned was that we need a lot of stuff as a family of four.
Recently, we went on a short break, and we needed a lot of stuff. Initially, I was frustrated with how difficult it can be to be a minimalist both at home and on the road. Then it occurred to me that we simply use a lot of stuff in this day and age.
In summer, if we want to go to the beach, we “need” bodyboards, surfboards, wetsuits, and towels.
In winter, we need skis, jackets in several thicknesses, hats, scarves, roof racks, snowshoes, etc.
Clearly, it is all up for debate whether or not we need these things, but as a sporty family that skis and surfs, we need some gear.
Now in my thirties, I want comfort; I am not the 18-year-old backpacker I was. I have responsibilities, more money, and I want to be comfortable as well.
If this resonates
Organising Unpacked walks you through the principles behind a calmer, simpler home not just the tips, but the thinking underneath them.
Why becoming minimalist doesn’t work for me
Whilst I sat with the topic of minimalism for several weeks, I also found it a bit restrictive and spartan – even though it takes a different shape and form for every person.
A key thing that Joshua and Ryan mentioned is that you don’t need to call it minimalism if you don’t want to. So, I have come up with two different terms, “enoughism” and “completism”. They are in my mind slight variations on minimalism; they have a more positive ring to them, and they might make more sense, fit better during certain periods of life, or certain lifestyles.
Both “enoughism” and “completism” will be explored further in other articles (I am very excited as I have debuted on Medium for those articles).
For now, I know that whatever you call it, whatever you do declutter and organising fit into any of the terms and can complement whatever “ism” you want to bring into your life at whatever stage of life you are in.
Becoming minimalist or getting organising
You can make up your own mind.
Everyone needs to find their way in their living spaces. You might want to go minimalist or simply organise and cull regularly. Irrespective, organised living will be a key feature no matter where your comfort zone and ultimate aim lie. And I would love to be part of this organising journey with you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between organising and minimalism?
Organising is about creating systems for the things you own. Minimalism is about deliberately owning less in the first place. They overlap; both involve letting go of what you don't need, but you can be organised without being a minimalist, and being a minimalist still requires organising what remains.
Do I need to become a minimalist to be organised?
No. Minimalism is one approach, not a requirement. Many people are highly organised while still owning a reasonable amount of things — especially families with different needs like sports gear, seasonal clothing, or hobbies. The goal is a home that works for your life, not a specific number of possessions.
How do I start decluttering with a minimalist mindset?
Start by asking whether each item earns its place in your life right now — not whether you might need it someday. Focus on one category at a time (clothes, kitchen, paperwork) rather than trying to overhaul everything at once. You don't need to remove everything — just be deliberate about what you keep.
