Youth talk

If your internet feed is anything like mine, then in recent years you might have been bombarded with a slew of everything from blogs and news articles to YouTube videos of what is known as the minimalism.

Here is an area of interest I have been meaning to write on for the longest time, but have shied away from because of the slight complexity of the issue, the different contexts in which it is expressed and finally, the bad taste it has left in the mouth of some.

I decided to pursue this topic regardless, for it is a concept I am immensely drawn to, and one that ever since discovering, I am trying to live by. 

So, what is minimalism and why has it been garnering a lot of attention lately? ‘Minimalism’ can be used to describe anything from a simplistic house design to certain artistic work belonging to the visual arts category to a whole lifestyle that advocates living with less junk and this is the minimalism I want to talk about today, the minimalism that prompts one to question the value material possessions bring into one’s life.

For some, the idea of a ‘minimalist’ conjures up images of a sole man who can fit his entire possessions into a backpack, and who lives as a nomad travelling the world while documenting his travels on his website, but it’s much more than a life dictated by owning only what is absolutely necessary.

Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus of The Minimalists describe it best as a lifestyle that ‘helps people determine what truly adds value to their lives – what things actually serve a purpose and bring joy’.

Why this appeals to me is that I find that over time, owning lots of items tends to be more stifling than inspiring. Of course, this can’t be said for everything. We all have collections of stuff that bring us joy, and that is quite alright. This lifestyle only advises against that which we can do without. It serves as a gentle reminder of the truly important aspects of life – experiences – and, in some cases, the experiences that some things enable us to have.

Unlike some, I don’t see minimalism as self-righteous snobbery or in any way an act of limiting oneself. On the contrary, I say it’s a great life-philosophy for those who feel trapped in the consumerist culture of today, although it’s not for everyone.