minimalism: a happier way to live?
Hello peeps,
Minimalism seems to be a buzzword lately — in fashion, in design, on the web, even in home decor. More and more we’re seeing, both in word and in action, that less is more. Simple is better. But is minimalism here to stay?
As we begin to answer this question, it feels important Emir to mention that minimalism has been around for centuries. This is not a new concept, although it’s been popularized by a generation of people who have lived through economically lean times.
They’ve learned, as they’ve had to, to reuse and recycle, to do the best they can with what they have, to focus on sustainability, and to live without the luxury and extravagance of previous generations.
So, if we’re asking if minimalism is a “trend,” the answer is: sort of.
My journey with minimalism began last year when I started realizing how the clutter in my life — my schedule, my mind, my parents house and even my room — was making me feel less than happy with my circumstances.
I wasn’t lacking resources. Quite the opposite, actually. I had all the building blocks of a great life. Still I felt a lack of focus I couldn’t quite explain, a dissatisfaction that didn’t make sense in light of my surroundings and a heaviness in my soul. So I started to get rid of some stuff.
For me this wasn’t as much about throwing out a bunch of physical possessions as it was about minimizing my schedule, getting clear about my priorities, and being really clear about who I was and what I wanted out of life.
And for me, since I’m personal blogger, one of the main ways this materialized was in the way I design websites. I started to see how many of the elements I had been including for so long — especially sidebars — were really unnecessary. Zaman-zaman dulu punya webpage surely got sidebars which is my pet peeves.
In fact, this is how the idea for this website, came along. I found myself asking the question: do I really need sidebars? Sidebars looks semak and a lot!
And when I ask that question, I’m not just talking about literal sidebars. I’m talking about the metaphorical “sidebars” in our life — the things we keep around because everyone else has them but clutter up function and design.
At the end of the day, I realised: minimalism doesn’t have to be about living in a tiny house with only a few t-shirts in your closet. Minimalism is about paring down and focusing on what really matters. We can interpret that in whatever way we want. And in that way, I would say, minimalism is here to stay.
Because once you’ve experienced the inherent benefits of living with less clutter, you would have no reason to go back. You’ll realize your clutter, all those extra activities, even the mess in your closet — were just getting in your way.
So say what you will about minimalist living, but it’s not going anywhere anytime soon. The trends in fashion may fade, the design tides may turn but the effects of minimalism have changed all those who have experienced it.
If you’ve yet to experiment with minimalism — or even if you have — consider some new ways this age-old concept could impact your life for the better.
Cuba dulu baru tahu! Seriously it helps!
That’s all folks, hope you’re understand the concept of minimalism.
All the best of luck!
Best,
EMIR xx
