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The Afrominimalist's Guide to Living with Less by Christine Platt Published by Simon and Schuster on June 15, 2021
Genres: House & Home / Sustainable Living, Self-Help / Personal Growth / Happiness
Pages: 224
Format: eBook
Source: Library
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Forget the aesthetics of mainstream minimalism and discover a life of authenticity and intention with this practical guide to living with less…your way.
When Christine Platt set out on her journey to live with less, she never intended to become The Afrominimalist. She just wanted to tame the chaos in her closet! But after struggling with the austerity and whiteness of mainstream minimalism, Christine realized why minimalism often seems unattainable for so many: the emphasis on all-white, barren aesthetics distracts from the practice of living with intention. And so, she decided to do things her way by curating a life of less influenced by the African diaspora.
In The Afrominimalist’s Guide to Living With Less, Christine gets right to the heart of how childhood experiences and expectations manifest in adulthood, the delicate dance between needs and wants, and the complicated weight of familial and societal pressures. A far cry from Konmaried closets, capsule wardrobes, and conspicuous consumption, Christine’s brand of “living with less” is more than a decluttering regimen. Inspired by her personal journey, Christine presents a radical revisioning of minimalism, one that celebrates the importance of history and heritage, and gives you permission to make space for what really matters…your way.
Beautifully illustrated with original black-and-white prints and line drawings, The Afrominimalist’s Guide to Living With Less is a testament to the idea that anyone can be a minimalist and a warm invitation to a life curated with intention, perfect for readers of Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus (The Minimalists), Marie Kondo, Joshua Becker, and Courtney Carver.
I am currently reading The Afrominimalist’s Guide to Living With Less by Christine Platt. Are you looking to free up space and understand why you have so much stuff in the first place? Then this is a book you should check out.
You may be familiar with Marie Kondo’s book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing. That made a huge splash in the organizing and interestingly enough in the book world too. I heard people got really sensitive after Kondo suggested you should lose a little weight from your bookshelves. Lol! I am so glad I wasn’t around to see that drama unfold on the internet. I really don’t see why everyone got so upset. Nobody is going to bend your arm to get rid of books. They are your books!
Which goes to whyThe Afrominimalist’s Guide to Living With Less by Christine Platt is such a good book to check out if you are trying to minimize your belongings in a way that works for you. Platt emphasizes that you need to understand why you have so many things if you want to stay a minimalist. I read Kondo’s book and was inspired to try the methods that she presented. A few stuck with me but there were others that I either never tried or they didn’t work for me. Either way, I didn’t make a huge lifestyle change because once the trend faded, so did my dedication to the changes I made.
Choice and Cultural Legacy
Which leads me to why I am vibing so well with Christine Platt’s Afrominimalist book so far. It centers on choice and emphasizes what is right for you and your lifestyle. The book starts off with a look into Platt’s journey and how she became a minimalist. She explores the psychology both personal and cultural that contributed to her having so much stuff prior to becoming a minimalist.
I think it is super cool that she is incorporating historical moments and cultural history to support her argument on why Black people may hold onto certain items or take certain actions regarding finances. When you think about it, it really can’t be separated from present-day behaviors and in order to move forward, the cultural history and trauma behind the behaviors has to be addressed. She gives an example of people your grandparents age never saving because why would they when at any moment they could be killed for just being Black. They were living in the moment and enjoying their life while they could.
Favorite Moments So Far
I love the For the Culture breakout boxes! They provide historical context that supports why some people may make certain financial and material decisions. I also like that she has freed herself and encourages the reader to do the same, from the confines of someone else’s definition of minimalism. It doesn’t have to be all-white decor or a tiny house. It just has to fit your needs and personality.
I can’t wait to finish reading this book! But I will have to wait a little bit because…my Libby loan expired. 😳 So I have to wait a few weeks to get the book back. Hey it happens! 🤷🏽♀️ But in the meantime, let me know if you have read this book and your thoughts on it.
Friday Night Highlights is a quick Friday evening post featuring anecdotes and highlights of my current reads of the week. If you feel inspired, it’s the perfect time to grab a new book for your next weekend read.
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