The Afrominimalist's Guide to Living with Less
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4.3 • 17 Ratings
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- $13.99
Publisher Description
Forget the aesthetics of mainstream minimalism and discover a life of authenticity and intention with this “warm, engaging guide” (Laura Fenton, author of The Little Book of Small Living) 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. “By detailing her own maximalist-to-minimalist transformation, Platt puts readers at ease” (The Washington Post) and 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.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Children's book author Platt (Ana & Andrew) recounts her transformation from bargain-shopping maximalist to mindful minimalist in this inspiring guide. While "You can whittle down your belongings to fit into a single carry-on suitcase," she writes, "unless you do the work to understand why you had so much stuff in the first place... you'll end up back at square one faster than you think." In each chapter, she presents questions intended to make readers aware of patterns ("Do I believe that owning certain items causes people to see or respect me differently?") then helps readers whittle down their possessions using a four-step process: acknowledging that one has too much, forgiving oneself for past choices, letting go of possessions (by asking what purpose items fulfill), and paying it forward to charitable organizations. Platt eschews traditional minimalism and frames what she keeps in terms of an "afrominimalism" that's influenced by the African diaspora (her "curated" belongings, for example, consist of "Ankara pillows, playful textiles, and mud cloth"), but her guidance will apply to consumers of any background. Readers looking for ways to happily live with less should check this out.
Customer Reviews
Love this book!
I’ve unconsciously adopted many of the principles outlined in this book, but it’s amazing to read how it all connects to living life with intention. Amazing book and easy read!
A refreshing take on simple living with an important Afrocentric cultural oerspective
I’ve considered myself a minimalist for about 15 years. I write and consult people about living a minimalist lifestyle. I found the @afrominimalist on Instagram and I love how she highlights the privilege behind minimalist culture and she helps people find a way to simplify their lives without forsaking color, texture, and vibrancy in their style. Thank you for this!