Nobody wants to be thought of as superficial; a person more about appearance and less about substance. But when it comes to our stuff and our homes, superficial-related issues often arise unknowingly. Being challenged by these issues doesn’t mean you’re a superficial person. However, they are worth investigating. While some of these pitfalls may seem innocuous, they can lead you astray from your simplifying goals. 

Let’s look at some typical superficial-related minimalism challenges:

Keeping things in your home for visitors to admire. This may seem obvious … but only if you realize you’re doing it! It doesn’t mean you acquired these things for the purpose of impressing people (though maybe you did). They may be things that were free or that you once used or enjoyed. But you keep them because the admiration turns into an excuse to not let go, or even as an advantage to keep. When people visit, you can’t help but like the ooh’s and aah’s or the elevated impression you leave. It might not be the sole reason that you keep these items but if you’re already having difficulty letting go, this may tip you over the edge.

Use this as a learning moment. Why do you care what they think? Are you using this as an excuse to keep more items in your home? Dig deeper each time a reason to keep something is tied into how it will effect others’ view of you.

Keeping things that make you think you’re a certain type of person. Sometimes we want to see ourselves in a particular way, just as we do with others. You might want to think of yourself as very intelligent, or an artist, or great at fixing things, or into a cool sport. And whether it is true or not, keeping things associated with these attributes when you don’t need or use them is a way of lying to yourself. 

Why do you want to think of yourself as someone you’re not or prove to yourself with objects that you are someone you already are? Does some of this relate to an aspirational identity that you’re trying to achieve? This minimalism challenge is the toughest one as it’s the most deeply personal. It’s often the one that causes the most stress when trying to downsize your home as well.

Wanting to be a minimalist. Let’s say you let go of most of your things in order to become a minimalist. You want the beautifully unencumbered space (and perhaps a bit of the admiration from others that comes with it). You have some degree of financial security so you develop a more disposable lifestyle where you buy something when you want it but are quick to trash it. This means you have less stuff at a given moment, and you’re not attached to your things, but you’re driven by the appearance of minimalism without concern for the environmental impacts. It’s even easier when you have a large home and can afford beautifully designed furniture that easily hides your stuff. 

Why do you want to become a minimalist? What strategies will you use to ensure you have minimal stuff and minimal purchases? You can incorporate minimalist design while also being mindful of your reliance on constant purchasing and disposing.

Organizing for show. One benefit of minimalism is that it helps you organize. Organizing is great because it can help simplify your life and keep you from feeling overwhelmed. But you can be incredibly organized and have way too much stuff. You also may get caught up with the “showy” organizing that’s plastered on Pinterist and Instagram and magazines. That look focuses too much on fancy bins and other containers that drive up your spending and results in … more stuff! 

Are you letting a certain look dictate your decisions, rather than being a bonus when appropriate? Do you want to be seen as an organized person, with a home you’d find in a magazine to impress others or yourself? You can utilize well designed organizing tools to help with functionality and spruce up the look of your space. Just be sure not to let them become the driving force.

These common pitfalls are why I teach meaningful minimalism. It’s why I’m more focused on process than before and after photos. It ensures that even the least superficial person doesn’t accidentally get caught up in perception versus substance. 

Take a look at your space, your things, and your downsizing goals. Are there any areas where you’re allowing superficial impulses to influence your decision making?