Messy Minimalism: Realistic Strategies for the Rest of Us

by Rachelle Crawford, Denaye Barahona (Foreword)

"Messy Minimalism gives us permission to do minimalism our way--the imperfect way, the messy way, and, most importantly, the real way. . . approachable for everyone."―Courtney Carver, author of Project 333 and Soulful Simplicity , and founder of Be More with Less Think minimalism means a perfectly curated, always tidy home? Think again. Drowning in tides of toys, overflowing closets, and a crazy schedule, Rachelle Crawford assumed you had to be naturally organized to keep a tidy living space. Then she found the messy, real-life kind, that is less about perfection and more about purpose. Thus began a journey toward decluttering her home, calendar, and soul. With empathy, grace, and humor, Crawford--who curates the popular Abundant Life with Less site--shares doable ways to own less and live more fully. Laying out practical strategies for reducing waste, curbing consumption, decluttering, and finding lots more joy, Crawford offers no-nonsense solutions for the rest of us. Learn to become a more conscious consumer, create a capsule wardrobe, inspire family members to join you, free up more time for the things that matter, and create a tidy(ish) home. The messy minimalist way is a no-judgment zone, one in which we learn sustainable habits and grace-based practices. It's about living lightly on the earth and making room for purpose. Becoming a messy minimalist is not about turning into someone else; it's about clearing away clutter and expectations to unearth who you really are. It's about carrying fewer things so that we find ourselves holding onto what truly matters.

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook, Self Help, Personal Development, Adult, Reference, Unfinished

220 pages, Hardcover

Published December 7, 2021

Reviews

[Val ⚓️ Shameless Handmaiden ⚓️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

Having been on the minimalism journey for quite some time and having read a multitude of books about minimalism and decluttering, I had come to the conclusion that I had oversaturated myself and probably wouldn't get much out of this; however, I had checked it out from the library, was struggling with insomnia, and wasn't feeling fiction... so enter this book and my ensuing surprise.

Does it offer anything groundbreaking that I haven't heard before? No.
Did it change the way I think about decluttering? Nope.

But as a perfectionist who seems to struggle not with the decluttering part. but the still bringing in shit I don't need part, this book really resonated. And it's not like I haven't heard it before or realized it before. I mean, it's fairly simple: no matter how much you declutter, you will still be overrun with crap and guilt if you don't stop hitting up amazon, Book Outlet, or all the other numerous stores out there.

This book did a deep dive into that and maybe just explained it in a way I hadn't heard or listened to before. And the writing was also very much my style of conversational.

I enjoyed it.

[Brigette · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is a good book, and I want to make that clear. However… wow. So much religion. So much Jesus.

I can understand one, possibly two references to Jesus/religion in the context of personal story, and it would even make sense considering that it was at a church that she first heard about minimalism. However, the religion just seeps though, and there’s too much. Telling people that they need less (but first you need to find Jesus!) takes away from the relatability and what would otherwise be a very good and inspiring read.

[Natalie Shawver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Over the years, I've read a lot of minimalism books. What I've found is that most tend to be quite vague, never really offering any actionable advice ... just mere musings on what you could do to clear the clutter—not HOW to clear it.

Messy Minimalism was quite different. Written in the midst of a global pandemic, Crawford looked around her home and realized that things just weren't working for her or her family any longer. The amount of "stuff" was simply too much to bear and time spent organizing and cleaning meant less time spent doing the other kind of "stuff" - "fun family stuff." She learned about minimalism and went all-in, ensuring she modeled the way for her husband and children.

The reason I enjoyed the book more than other minimalism books I've read is because throughout each chapter, Crawford gives step-by-step instructions for how to tackle various rooms and items in your home, as well as provides sample conversations for how to speak with you family about your change in lifestyle. These hit home for me. And, at the end of each chapter, she gives specific to-dos that can be implemented vs. just thought about. It was because of her that I immediately got rid of everything I could from our kitchen counters (yes, at first they looked bare ... but afterwards ahhhhh ... pure bliss). Did you know that if your kitchen is tidy and uncluttered you're more likely to want the rest of your home to be the same? And if it isn't, you're more likely to be stressed and anxious about the rest of your home and resist the urge to minimize? Yeah, no thanks.

Nothing she offered was ultimately groundbreaking, but for whatever reason, the strategies really stuck with me and I've already put a few into practice myself (and look forward to a few more on the horizon!). If you're in the mood to purge - but also to make minimalism a lifestyle that works for your family (hint: it doesn't mean bare walls and a cold home with no decor) - give this a read. It's quick and will start your new year off on the right foot.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a hard time relating with this author much of the time because our lives are so different. (She, a religious stay-at-home mom in the mid-west vs. Me, a non-religious, child-free, full time employee on the east coast) However, Rachelle provided a very accessible version on minimalism that seemed to truly resonate. Where some of the other tidying/minimalism/organizing books I’ve read have felt aspirational and left me with long, daunting to do lists, Messy Minimalism left me feeling like it is possible for me to live a more minimalist lifestyle, it may just take some time. I flew through this one. Now, excuse me while I continue to dream about a capsule closet and weekends spent with more fun and fewer chores.

[destiny ♡ howling libraries]

DNF @ 20%

I could see this being pretty useful for someone who is definitely wanting to try out minimalism but doesn't know where to start! I'm in the boat of "I've been hardcore de-cluttering my home for two months and am content with my progress thus far" and this isn't really doing anything for me in that vein. 🤷‍♀️

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[Christine Kayser · Rating 3 out of 5]

If Marie Kondo's method of tossing all unread books, folding underwear, and doing one big ol' purge isn't for you, this book might help. Nothing groundbreaking, but it has a gentler approach to decluttering.

[Anya · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just a total rip-off and same old same old but different wording.
If you put a definition onto a word that doesn't match the initial definition, that's on you. If you get tricked by "perfect minimalist Instagram photos" that's also on you.
If you prioritize Netflix to cleaning or tidying up, that's your choice.
Minimalism isn't preaching for you to be perfect.The core idea is to live intentional and this is going to look different for each individual.

Nothing new here that you can't get from free podcasts or online forums. Skip this one and rather read the first two original books of the minimalists.

[Marissa Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved how this book didn’t simply tell you to discard all your belongings, and that’s it. Instead, it insightfully explains the philosophy and culture of simple living, and make your space one that reflects you, your interests, and what makes you happy, without being overwhelming. It also was refreshing in that is expressed that there is no one correct way to be a minimalist, and that there is a spectrum where one needs only to live intentionally. The narration was engaging, honest, and entertaining. I highly recommend!

[Rebecca Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m sure this book will be an amazing kickstarter for others wanting to minimize but not become a minimalist. As I read the book I found myself agreeing more with other authors who have written about this subject.

[Hillary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Accessible, but more emphasis on personal experience/memoir than practical assistance.

[Grace Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is my favorite decluttering book I’ve read so far. It’s about more than just getting rid of stuff—she gets to the root issue of why we accumulate stuff, so when we declutter, we won’t just fill our house again with all the things. She’s witty, real and explains how to do it imperfectly and be okay with that. She’s a Jesus lover too, which is always a plus.

[Heidi Barr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciate Rachelle Crawford's perspective so much—“Think minimalism means a perfectly curated home that is always tidy? Think again.” A great tool to identify some realistic strategies to keep close at hand.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book makes decluttering and minimalism seem attainable for the average person! Full of pointers and inspiration....excuse me while I go purge my kitchen utensils now!

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Messy Minimalism was an okay read. It started out really good, but then I found myself bugged a little by certain things.

The idea of minimalism-ish (not extreme) is one I tend to agree with, but find difficult to achieve at the moment. I liked how the book made me focus, again, on "why do I want to buy it?" and intentionality.

All in all, some positive elements and a nice listen.

[Connie D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another nice book on how to reduce buying and holding onto things in order to live a calmer life. Like many books, she suggests useful questions and strategies for getting rid of things. I especially liked her new (for me) ideas about reducing the wardrobe.

A main difference from other books is that Crawford reminds us to relax our expectations, allow ourselves to stay a little messy, and do things at our own pace. She also reminds us to experience progress as it happens, to notice and enjoy the clear empty spaces so that we want to retain them, and to enjoy the slower pace possible with fewer things.

I no longer have little kids at home, but I liked her ideas about how to deal with kids' toys and reactions to decluttering.

[Caroline Grace Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

This could have been a blogpost. She did have a few helpful thoughts as a messy person who became a minimalist, and why (key point: messy people can do well as minimalists because it quite literally involves less items to organize and maintain) but the author parrots a lot of other writers on the subject and doesn’t bring much to the table besides relatable-ness. Also didn’t really appreciate her views on tricking her kids into being minimalists. Thankful for parts of her perspective, but it could have been a blogpost.

[Andrea · Rating 1 out of 5]

It had such promise and crashed in a big way. For starters it took me more than one try to get into this book because the text is incredibly small. At one point I even used a magnifying glass, which was awkward.
The book itself starts out ok but it doesn't even get to the point until page 107. The rest is just blah blah blah.
The cover says that minimalist Joshua Becker praised this book and I can't help but wonder if it's because he's briefly mentioned in it. That being said, his books are much more helpful and interesting.

[Candace H-H · Rating 5 out of 5]

favorite book on minimalism

I’ve read quite a few books on minimalism and this is absolutely my favorite. I feel like Rachelle is a friend chatting with me and she is definitely relatable!

[Traci D'Antonio · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a book on minimalism! I read a new one now and then to refresh my motivation. This book is funny and relatable. I get exhausted by decision fatigue and this book reminded me to just donate what I don’t use and/or love.

[Ina]

Struggled to get through the first chapter.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how this book is approachable, inspirational, and actionable. It also gives us the grace to be human and make mistakes. It doesn’t tell us to get rid of all our stuff, but reminds us how to live with less to live more intentionally and with purpose. The goal of messy minimalism is to make space and time for ourselves because we’re not spending our time taking care of all our stuff. It makes minimalism approachable because we don’t need to be perfect. We just need to start.

She mentions her faith throughout the book because it’s important to her but I didn’t find it peachy or judgmental but more of an overall spiritual reason to approach minimalism. It gives us time to do more of what we love

My favorite quotes from the book
* “Your home us a living space, not a storage storage”

* “Just because we have the space doesn’t mean we should fill it”

* [paraphrased] “I was so busy because I didn’t want to be alone with myself. I thought I worked well under pressure and rushed but I didn’t. I was just addicted to it”

Living intentionally with less stuff as well as less in the schedule is something I strive for. I can never be a minimalist because I just love stuff too much and I’m a learned hoarder. I’m sentimental, I love collecting things, and I love gifts from friends. I also live with people who love things. But getting in the mindset of not mindlessly consuming, hoarding, keeping things has cleared up my space and mind and has been really freeing and healing. I’m intentionally thinking about things I allow in my space and pass forward things that don’t serve me purpose. I also want to make sure I don’t bring new things into my space that won’t give me a headache later on, which is great for me wallet. Also helps me with gifts for people and thinking if it’s something they’ll have to later declutter or if it’ll add actual value to their lives.

I wanted a book to reinforce ideas I had while giving me a new perspective and this book was easy and fun to read while being completely non threatening.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved how down to earth the book is! Sometimes minimalism seems like a pie in the sky wish for this homeschooling momma. But now I feel a lot more empowered and validated. I often get frustrated at how messy our home gets. With 4 sometimes 5 people home all day schooling/working, crafting, playing legos, games, etc. It can get pretty hectic and messy. I have put in a lot of effort to keep clutter to a minimum and I have realized that just because we have less possessions, doesn’t mean our house doesn’t get messy…and used for what it was intended for…life! I still have a lot of ways I can improve, and more areas to declutter, but I feel much more encouraged after reading this book than others I have read.

[Carisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this approach to minimalism to be much gentler and relatable than others I’ve read. The author is often funny and personable. Other reviewers commented on a lot of religion in the book, but that didn’t stick out that much to me other than it played a role on how her minimalism journey started. By the end I’d completely forgotten about those references until I read other reviews. It’s not wildly different than other minimalism books, but much less preachy or self righteous (funny given the other reviewers complaints about religion). My only complaint is that it was a little repetitive.

[Rachel Carl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really gets to the heart of the matter in today’s more more more mentality. Asking ourselves the why we buy instead of will it make my life better? Practical tips on how to rethink that mindset or at least evaluate if you’re trying to fill a void with stuff. Then she goes through helpful and practical tips on how to clean out and live more minimally. I love how she doesn’t focus so much on the rules of minimalism as much as she does how to simplify your life, as that will look different for everyone. Definitely an incredibly helpful book.

[Hilary · Rating 2 out of 5]

“Messy Minimalism” tried to blend practicality with humor, but the silliness often undercut its message. The corny anecdotes made it feel more like a quirky blog post than a serious guide. That said, there are moments where it effectively reinforces the core principles of minimalism. Unfortunately, the tone could be grating, making it hard to stay engaged. Overall, it’s a mixed bag—some useful reminders buried under too much fluff.

[Torrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars, rounded up

Did the world really NEED another book on becoming minimalist? Probably not. But because fighting against the tendency to want to accumulate more and more clutter all the time is a constant battle, I'm basically going to read nearly every halfway decent book that comes out on the subject.

The "spin" on this particular book is that "minimalism" doesn't have to mean always clean and perfect. In fact, the author does a great job pointing out that perfectionism can be the worst enemy of minimalism because you're always going to be chasing an ideal that doesn't exist. Seeing as how I definitely skew towards perfectionist tendencies myself, it was a good reminder, and there was actually a plethora of solid one-liners in this that totally made me see certain things in a totally new way.

All in all, a solid addition to the ever-growing collection of books out there on pursuing a less cluttered and simpler lifestyle.

[G. Lawrence · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly there to give you a bit of pep to declutter, really. The tips are much the same as many other books like this, and I think the lady who wrote this was pretty rich and that's why she was drowning in toys and bizarre kitchen implements I've never heard of. If you want some encouragement to get on with decluttering, this certainly does that

[Roxana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of personal stories that didn’t feel super relevant all the time, and I didn’t feel engaged until about 2/3 of the way through when she got to the practical suggestions, but I think this would be a great book for someone completely intimidated by or new to the idea of minimalism!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sooo good! An easy read and practical! If you read one book on minimalism, read this one!

[Bettie Toxic · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book, good tips, would be better without the religious junk.