The Joy of Less, a Minimalist Living Guide Read Online Free PDF Page A

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PHILOSOPHY
 

6
Be a good gatekeeper

 
    British writer and designer William Morris penned one of my favorite minimalist quotes: “Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” It’s a wonderful sentiment, but how exactly do we put it into practice? After all, we don’t intentionally bring useless or ugly things into our homes; yet somehow, some less-than-desirables seem to find their way in. The solution: we have to become good gatekeepers.
    It’s pretty straightforward, actually. Things come into our houses by one of two ways: we buy them, or they’re given to us (in other words, we get them for free). No matter what we’d like to think, they don’t slip in when we’re not looking, seeking shelter from the great outdoors. They don’t materialize out of thin air, nor are they reproducing behind our backs (except perhaps the paperclips and Tupperware). Unfortunately, the responsibility lies squarely on our shoulders: we let them in.
    As you evaluate your possessions, ask how each item came into your life. Did you seek it out, pay for it, and excitedly bring it back to your house or apartment? Did it follow you home from that conference in Chicago, or from that trip to Hawaii? Or did it sneak in disguised in colorful paper and a pretty bow?
    Our homes are our castles, and we devote plenty of resources to defending them. We spray them with pest control to keep the bugs out; we use air filters to keep pollutants out; and we have security systems to keep intruders out. What are we missing? A stuff blocker to keep the clutter out! Since I have yet to see such a product on the market (and if one appears in the future, you heard it here first), we must take matters into our own hands.
    Of course, we have the power to exercise complete control over what we buy; we just need to use it. Don’t let down your defenses when something slips into your cart—in fact, don’t escort any item to the checkout counter without extensive questioning. Ask the following (in your head!) of each potential purchase: “Do you deserve a place in my home?” “What value will you add to my household?” “Will you make my life easier?” “Or are you going to be more trouble than you’re worth?” “Do I have a place to put you?” “Do I already have something that could accomplish the same task?” “Will I want to keep you forever (or at least a very long time)?” “If not, how hard will it be to get rid of you?” The last question alone saved me from lugging home a suitcase full of souvenirs from Japan—because once something has memories, it’s a bugger to get rid of.
    See, that’s not too difficult. All we need to do is stop and think “Why?” before we buy. But what about those things we don’t choose to acquire—and oftentimes don’t even want? (Gifts, freebies, promotional items, I’m looking at you!) It can be hard (or rude) to refuse them; yet once they take up residence in our homes, they can be even harder to evict.
    The best defense is a good offense, especially when it comes to freebies. Learning to decline them politely is a valuable technique, which comes in handy more often than you think. Pass up the magnets, pens, and paperweights with corporate logos and accept a business card instead. Turn down the perfume and cosmetic samples at the mall (hey, wait—what are you doing at the mall?), and the miniature detergents and dishwashing liquids from the supermarket. Decline the toaster when you open a bank account, and ask for an equivalent deposit in cash (it’s worth a try!).
    If you’re attending a professional meeting or conference, review the booklets, pamphlets, and other materials while you’re there; if they somehow hitch a ride in your luggage, distribute them at the office. And by all means, leave those little lotions, shampoos, and conditioners in the hotels where they belong. Unless you honestly plan to use them, don’t let these miniatures