From morbid obesity to bulimia to anorexia, food & diet related ailments are on a continuum, rather than unique phenomena. In the same vein, collectors, to hoarders to minimalists may have much more in common than they are dissimilar.
Frost & Hardl (1996) describe compulsive hoarding, in part, as the failure to get rid of large numbers of seemingly useless possessions and cluttering living spaces to such an extend so as to preclude activities for which the spaces were intended.
On the other extreme, some minimalists approach their lifestyle with such zeal that they deny themselves every creature comfort. Their behaviours occasionally approach self-flagellation. Extreme advocates of survivalism advocate shunning contemporary conveniences. They hold out that these modern-day inventions infringe upon our "natural" way of living.
Towards the middle, collectors often accumulate substantial quantities of goods, but approach that behaviour in a more structured manner, preferring to collect themed items, or items of nostalgic value. Conservationists approach minimal living in such a manner that they seek to preserve "nature." Intuitively, this method of minimalism has parallels to collectors' strategies, focusing on specific components of a comprehensive effort to use as little as possible.
Author Everett Bogue, in his book, The Art of Being Minimalist, suggests that we should sell virtually everything we own, and then Rent! Unfortunately, that strategy still has us consuming; just not owning. It is one of the more extreme approaches to everyday minimalism. It, too, has the flavour of a hoarding compulsion, with its seeming inflexibility.
Minimalism in everyday life requires recognition that we do not live in a "bubble," and that we must interact with the world around us. Getting rid of all our possessions may make us feel noble, but it certainly does not make us feel comfortable. Sleeping on a bed that is too luxurious? Get rid of it and sleep on straw. No, that is not minimal enough. Sleep on bare ground, because bare floors says that we have a home. The extreme approach can be carried to ridiculous ends.
Modern minimalism should approach life with moderation. Minimalism should bring us the satisfaction of knowing that we are doing better (or, at least, as well) living minimally than living with excess. We shudder when we see television shows about extreme hoarders. We cringe in fear when we see survivalist militias advocating the overthrow of all government and bureaucracy. We need to recoil when we contemplate extreme minimalism in our lives.
Choosing to live minimally is a lifelong treat of indulgence. Although sacrifices of current convenience must be made, the resulting cornucopia of benefits potentially is more than we can consume. The primary difference, however, is that we figuratively are consuming mounds of delicious fruits and veggies, rather than stuffing ourselves with fats and sweets.
