Hello everyone, I am so glad I am here again to join another wonderful KISS writing-prompt. I have been taking a much needed break for the past 4 days to rejuvenate and glad to say, it worked. I feel well-rested. When I logged in this morning and saw this prompt, I knew I had to write to share my thought pattern and experience on the subject.
I believe whether one chooses maximalism or minimalism, it is because it fits into one’s personal preferences and lifestyle. What’s the essence of a practice that is neither functional nor satisfying?
There are so many ways to choose minimalism. It can be in day to day life such as choosing to wear a monochromatic well-ironed outfit over an excessively patterned or textured cloth. Asides the fact that this choice fits well into a minimalist’s personal preference, it is also a more functional wardrobe essential because styling monochromatic looks can be well suited for both formal and informal events, you don’t have to draw unnecessary attention plus the fact that you look like, “I dress how I want to be addressed, like a well put-together clean and easy person” …and that, I believe, is the essence of minimalism fashion.
It doesn’t degrade maximalist, it just embraces simplicity and functionality. Now, a lot of people often mistake minimalism for stinginess. In situations where decluttering one’s wardrobe turns to an affair of quantity over quality, then that’s not logical. Decluttering is more about keeping what still brings value, still in use and has quality than irrationally trying to reduce the number of pieces in one’s wardrobe by all means. Minimalism is more about intentional ownership, knowing that every piece you own serves you, and less about reducing the numbers or complete erasure.
Now, let’s talk lifestyle, minimalism at its core is about balance. Bridging the gap between simplicity and functionality. While it’s not a bad idea to have a clean, minimalist room décor, the important question I ask myself before purchasing is, “will this item serve me in the long run?"
Having a room filled with clutter is indeed a mental stress for minimalists, so the aim is to find items that elevates one space, in tune with one’s natural simplicity and still very functional. It’s even better if such items can perform more than one function. For instance; when choosing to buy my content creation gears, I had a choice to either get a led light and tripod stand individually or get a model that has both led light, tripod stand and overhead tripod; though, the latter was more expensive than my budget, I had to opt for it because it is more functional and less clutter. I can have my gears assembled in one stand rather than taking spaces for two separate gears.
Minimalism is supposed to enhance and brighten up one’s life…think rainbow… than become restrictive, hence counterproductive. Whilst minimalism is supposed to bring you comfort, there is absolutely none in being stingy to one’s self, practicing deprivation instead of minimalism. I once introduced a friend to minimalism lifestyle and it got so extreme for her, she would only eat the littlest quantity of food twice a day, thankfully, we were able to properly enlighten her. Minimalism shouldn’t interfere with one’s well-being or basic needs. If you crave chocolate, have it! Restraining oneself just on the claims of minimalism is exhausting. You don’t have to overthink doing or buying things for yourself as a minimalist.
Personally, my approach to minimalism is knowing that I don’t ever want to do anything in excess. And that goes to both the pros and cons of minimalism.
Pros including; caution on gluttony, overspending or cluttering. Cons however includes; deprivation, stinginess or embodying minimalism as an identity rather than a tool. I think this last one is where most people get it wrong. I don’t view minimalism as an award of honor or the measurement for how disciplined one is, it’s a personal choice to make life simpler. We all experience emotions in different ways and although, my minimalist lifestyle makes my life fuller, it doesn't mean a maximalist isn't enjoying life too.
I think the worst is when one becomes judgmental of other people’s lifestyle and choices. Minimalism becomes restrictive rather than flexible. Instead, it adapts to change and embraces others. Minimalism should be about making one’s life simpler, finding joy in the little things and being at peace with oneself. Minimalism should serve and not the other way round.
All images are mine.
Thank you for reading! :)
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I hope you have a GREAT day as well.
I quite enjoyed your piece. It was more than enlightening. If people mistake minimalism for stinginess or depriving one's self of their needs, then it's not the practice, it's them.
I hope to see your posts around more.✨
You are right, people need to understand that minimalism is a lifestyle not an identity.
Thank you sharing your thought! Wishing you a great day!