Cutting Through The Clutter

Why I Embrace Minimalism in a Cluttered World.

"I remember that as a kid, my perspective on minimalism began to form in middle school. I was sitting in social studies when my teacher, Mr. Kavadas, showed us a documentary about The Story of Stuff. I never imagined that a single video could significantly shape the way I think and see the world. This initial exposure led me to explore more about minimalism, eventually prompting me to watch the Minimalism documentary on Netflix. This further reinforced my understanding of what it truly means to be a minimalist.

What is Minimalism?

Fundamentally, anyone can be a minimalist. At its core, minimalism is about embracing and reinforcing your values. If you think about the things you own that truly don’t bring value, they often just sit around, collecting dust and occupying mental bandwidth. This philosophy encourages reducing items that drain your energy. Consider the unseen costs: the emotional burden of clutter, potential debt, stress, space, depreciation, pollution, labor, and transportation expenses.

When I purchase something, I approach it differently than the average person. Instead of evaluating an item at face value, I assess it from a value standpoint. I consider how many times or how long I will actually use it, its durability, and longevity. Essentially, I calculate the price per use and weigh the real cost, not just in dollars, but in terms of my actual time and energy.

What I love about minimalism is that it adds value in the areas that truly matter. Whether you’re aiming to retire early, save for a specific goal, go on a trip, or simply spend more time with loved ones, minimalism helps you prioritize what genuinely matters."

Conclusion

We live in an age dominated by a capitalist, consumer-based society, where everyone is vying for social status within a hierarchical system. I personally believe we need to shift towards a less consumer-driven mindset and embrace a more minimalist approach."