#beyond minimalism

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[imanatasya]

Before Minimalism: Scarcity & Materialism

This the 2nd of a series of posts with regards to going beyond minimalism.

Before we had this movement of people having to declutter or do spring cleaning, there was a time where people simply did not have enough*. Everything which was within a household was purposefully bought and used, and if people needed an item but did not have it, they would go over to their neighbours to borrow whichever item this was. 

My nenek (grandma), lived in this age, as did my parents to a certain extent. But I see this most in my nenek, because everything she owns till today, she mentally notes its price. Its amazing how its all in her head, she being illiterate, and although, I may never know if the prices are true, it clearly showed that there was a lot of value attached to each and every item. 

People were frugal, and necessarily so.

These days, many of us, in the age of materialism, where we are able to afford basic household items, but beyond that, are able to splurge on expensive clothes or cars; people are having too much. Not everything within a household is necessarily there because it is used on the regular. In fact many of the items we own end up being stored in the storeroom, collecting dust and adding up to the clutter. 

For me, it got to the point, where I had too may pieces of clothes that I couldn’t “find” anything to wear, so eventually I’d usually end up using my mom’s cloths (we’re the same size, and her taste is pretty contemporary, if you’re wondering), because I “didn’t have anything,” to wear. On top of that it was pretty ridiculous, the amount of time, I would spent dressing up. When I finally realised this, I felt excessive. 

We weren’t being frugal anymore, we were excessive. 

Yet, it is encouraging that there is a movement away from materialism as seen in many of the first world nations. Many of us are realising, that there is little value in attaching our happiness to these tangible objects. People feel like they have enough, or rather they’ve had enough (of things) 

Some go back to the basics, purging modern life entirely. Some go back to being frugal. And some others, decide to embrace a middle ground between modern life and frugality. (I’m in that last gang)

Overall however, the common ground for these groups of people is that they have chosen not to spend their money carelessly on things. They, and some of us included, have become the anti-materialists. 

To be continued..

*I’m writing in a 1st world context