Article Review Sample

“You Probably Have Too Much Stuff” is an article written by Carl Richards and it was first published in the New York Times on 13th August 2012. In the article, Carl Richards advocates for the practice of rational minimalism. The author urges all individuals to examine and evaluate the things that are important in their lives so that they can begin to buy and hold on to the necessary things.

Richards recounts the story of an individual named Andrew Hyde who set out to explore the concept of minimalism at a point when he only owned 15 items. With time, the items that he owned increased to 36 and now he owns approximately 60 items. All this started when Hyde set of a trip around the universe and sell all the items that he deemed unnecessary. This experience transformed Hyde’s life after a short period of bewilderment. In fact, Hyde reiterates that he was very confused and surprised by the whole idea because when they was growing up, they were fascinated by the thought of big house full of various items.

Further, Carl Richards confesses that when he came across Hyde’s original story of owning only 15 items, he was very inspired to the extent that he went home and identified 15 items to give away. Some of the items were clothes he has stopped wearing, but held on to them with no specific purpose. In addition, Richards elaborates that though he still owns more than 39 items, he was fascinated by the thought disposing off some of them. In the process, he realized that some of the items were actually costing him. Additionally, he indicates that holding on to items that we no longer need or use costs us, especially with regards to the time spent contemplating and organizing them. To underline his point, he outlines some examples that can compel us to act.

Consequently, he concedes that maybe the strong attachment to some items comes from the perception that we should always be prepared for difficult challenges. In fact, he states that when Friedlander David interviewed Hyde about his project, it emerged that a considerable number of Americans like to ready themselves for the worst, that is, they prefer having back-up strategies in all their undertakings. On the other hand, the rarely consider how insignificant the consequences are when they are unprepared or when they run out of some vital items.

Finally, Carl Richards advises the reader that if the notion of cutting down on ones items is appealing, but relatively daunting, one should consider starting in a simple manner. One does not need to reduce them to 39 items to feel the effect. Instead, the exercise should be about reevaluating and examining why you own the items that you own and the costs of owning them.

In conclusion, in his article “You Probably Have Too Much Stuff” Carl Richards underlines that minimalism is much more that living an economical and thrifty lifestyle. According to Carl Richards, minimalism can help an individual to be a healthier and happier person by freeing up his/her time and resources to concentrate on people and things that are important and crucial in life.