Is everything really "junk"? · Mindful Simplicity For Women

Is everything really "junk"?

I’ve been noticing an interesting trend in 2026 in the decluttering and simplicity space. A lot of creators have shifted from “let’s clear what no longer serves us” to a much stronger message that almost everything is “junk” and that we should stop buying nearly anything at all.

It’s made me pause—not in a negative way, but a reflective one. It raises some good questions for me: What’s the difference between clutter and comfort? When does simplifying become freeing—and when does it start to feel limiting? And who decides what’s “junk” anyway?

I’m finding myself less interested in extreme rules and more interested in discernment—keeping what supports my life as it is now, and being thoughtful about what I bring in next. Some things really are excess. Others add ease, creativity, or quiet pleasure.

I’m curious how this trend is landing for you. Does it inspire you? Or does it make you want to define simplicity on your own terms?

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