Minimalism

[JambledUpWords]

Recently, I’ve noticed a surge of minimalism in terms of not owning much or buying extra things. Minimalism also has overlaps between zero waste, environmentalism and veganism. Here are some examples:

This video talks about the modern origins of minimalism and how some people practice it

She’s an extreme minimalist as well as a raw vegan

This is another minimalist on what she doesn’t buy

This is an old video from Raw Alignment on everything she owns

One of the most viewed videos on minimalism. The first part is parody but the second part is what he really does.

Personally, I see some benefits to minimalism but realistically, it’s very hard to do for me. At times, I think it can be detrimental if you get rid of everything deemed “unnecessary” in the case of the extreme minimalist for things like furniture or actual books. When it’s done to that point, it reminds me of a hoarder mentality, but on the opposite end of the spectrum.

So what are people’s thoughts on this? Do you think this will last? Is it elitist? Is it as environmentally friendly as it claims to be?

 

[Love Soze]

I got rid of like 70% of my stuff in the past few years. It's actually really liberating. Now, I'm not sitting in an empty room like a freak, but I don't miss anything I got rid of.

 

[EH 110]

I got rid of like 70% of my stuff in the past few years. It's actually really liberating. Now, I'm not sitting in an empty room like a freak, but I don't miss anything I got rid of.

Same. I hate clutter and having a bunch of useless crap sitting around, collecting dust. I probably still have more than most minimalists do, though. I feel great when I look around and I don't see all the junk I used to have.

 

[DNA_JACKED]

While the people in the videos take it to extremes, minimizing clutter and dependence on consumerism is actually really liberating in a way. I experienced that when I first moved out on my own into a shoebox apartment. Not only was it way easier to find something when I did need it, but moving became so much easier. When you are younger, and moving locations every year or two chasing a career or education, being able to fit everything you own into a single truck bed/trailer is amazing. It makes you feel so much less tied down, so much freer to chase whatever it is you want at the drop of a hat, whereas owning large amounts bogs you down and makes you more likely to stay in one place.

 

[The Fool]

I was never into explicitly stating I'm a minimalist or incorporated it into my persona, but all I need is a computer, a futon, and a fridge to hold my beer

 

[SigSauer]

Same. I hate clutter and having a bunch of useless crap sitting around, collecting dust. I probably still have more than most minimalists do, though. I feel great when I look around and I don't see all the junk I used to have.

"Clean your room." ~ Jordan Peterson

But no seriously. Cleaning your room is the first sign of an improved mind. You need to work on your small things first before you work your way up to the top.

Like Drake said

"Started from the bottom now we here."

 

[666DEATHGAY]

I thrive in the chaos. My favorite superhero is the joker. Maximalism is more for me.

 

[Marco Fucko]

All you need is a recliner, a laptop, a wireless lapboard and a tv to use as a monitor.

inb4 a woman comes in and says you need things

 

[Autopsy]

"Clean your room." ~ Jordan Peterson
[...]
Like Drake said
"Started from the bottom now we here."

That post was really just an excuse to quote Jordan Peterson and Drake in the same breath, wasn't it?

Anyhow, having things is not inherently bad. If you have a choice between occupying unused space with air or things, things is usually the better choice, even if they are not immediately useful. The balancing act is learning to have all things available without being inconvenient or cluttered, both of which remove the utility of having things compared to their cost, not chucking them all out the back-door without so much as a yard sale and claiming it somehow made you better off.
Sympathies to claustrophobic people, though. It's a pretty common fear.

 

[SigSauer]

That post was really just an excuse to quote Jordan Peterson and Drake in the same breath, wasn't it?

Yes.

Anyhow, having things is not inherently bad. If you have a choice between occupying unused space with air or things, things is usually the better choice, even if they are not immediately useful. The balancing act is learning to have all things available without being inconvenient or cluttered, both of which remove the utility of having things compared to their cost, not chucking them all out the back-door without so much as a yard sale and claiming it somehow made you better off.
Sympathies to claustrophobic people, though. It's a pretty common fear.

Well, the entire concept of "cleaning one's room" is rather introspective in that by being organized and not being messy is improving one's conscience of all the unclean and impure things in their lives. It's a method of improvement, not just for one's room, but also for one's mentality. I think that's rather the point of the "clean your room" philosophy.

 

[RG 448]

So what are people’s thoughts on this? Do you think this will last? Is it elitist? Is it as environmentally friendly as it claims to be?

Meh, no, sorta, probably.

 

[Крыса]

I'm a minimalist hoarder.

I rarely get new stuff but when I do they're here until Kingdom come.

 

[ProgKing of the North]

I collect shit related to my hobbies but otherwise get by on the bare minimum. I'm a min-maxxer

 

[Jeremy Galt]

Sorry minimalists, I gotta have all my toys. Gotta have all my comforts. Gotta have beautiful things to look at, feel and fondle and play with.

Minimalism is fine for those who don't know how to build anything, for those who can't fix anything, for those who can't enjoy anything, who don't make enough money, and especially for those who want to feel morally superior to those of us who like STUFF.

Anyone who truly wants to be a minimalist should join a Trappist monastery. As a monk, you will own nothing, you will live in a small cell and pray most of the day, while looking at the sign above your door: "MEMENTO MORI" which means: remember you will die.
They are the TRUE minimalists.

Yeah, I'm one of then greedy capitalist pigs ??

 

[Love Soze]

inb4 a woman comes in and says you need things

I was the first commenter and I'm a wahmen. I actually go back and forth on whether minimalism is more prevalent in women or men. Right now I'm leaning more towards women. Women tend to be more into spring cleaning, decluttering, etc. But then again, women be shoppin'. ?

 

[JM 590]

Hoarders are just minimalists who died and went to Hell

 

[Khorne Flakes]

Just looks like another excuse to feel superior to others.

 

[Some JERK]

I've already lived like a destitute university student. I have no desire to go back.

 

[Kaede Did Nothing Wrong]

I think the ticket is to be less materialistic instead of replacing shallowness with compulsive trends. that last video, dude wants to live in a crate&barrel catalog and videotape his gay ass doing mundane shit all day. not striking me as philosophical or counter-culture tbh.

 

[Recoil]

Shilling minimalism as an aspirational lifestyle choice is just another way to get you to buy more shit.
@Kaede Did Nothing Wrong beat me to the punch - some of these people look like they live in a catalog (I was gonna say West Elm).