Stereotypes - Are Minimalists Boring?

 

“The Island” – Starring Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansen

This movie is a futuristic science fiction film that the main character has a hard time fitting into the highly structured, community that he is living in. Each person in the community is given only what they “need” for each day. They are given a pair of pants, shirt, and shoes that match what everyone else wears. They are given a breakfast that is best catered to their individual health needs. Their chambers are only provided with a bed and nothing more. This form of minimalism is meant to just give each person what they might need essentially saying that if they have what they need, they should be comfortable and happy. Lincoln Six Echo, the main character however, is not conforming to this structure due to its lack of passion and purpose in life and desperately searches for answers (Bay).

Why do I bring this up as my artifact this week? I think it serves as a good representation that minimalism can be done incorrectly. Fulfillment will not come from empty houses and basic needs. Our stories and lives have value in many different ways that can still be represented with a minimalistic lifestyle without removing all things.

There are several misconceptions about what a minimalism represents. Because of this, there are many stereotypes out there about minimalists. These are some of the stereotypes made about minimalists and minimalism:

·       Only owning 100 items or less

·       Vegan/Vegetarian

·       White walls and no furniture

·       Not having a car

·       Not having kids or pets

·       Always traveling

·       Not having decorations

Does this sound familiar to you? Don’t make assumptions my friends, Minimalism is not so drab and boring but offers much more than mere objects can provide. An article that was published by BBC where many experts that have studied minimalism give their opinions on the newbies trying to become minimalists based on these stereotypes. Many of them validate that it is not all about white walls and owning nothing. These are the same type of minimalists that decide to purchase products advertised on Instagram because they are labeled minimalist. It is missing the entire point of the lifestyle and missing out on what it has to offer (D’Silva).

A popular series on Netflix, Tidying Up, with Marie Kondo is a popular series that teaches a true form of minimalism. What Marie Kondo does NOT teach is that you must get rid of all of your belongings. Her message is to surround yourself with the things that bring you joy. That could apply to clothing, books, furniture, relationships, and anything else in a home that truly sparks joy in one’s life. Many people on the show declutter their homes and are shown they have more room to feel peace and serenity by following these teachings (Wallis).

Works Cited

Bay, Michael, director. The Island. DreamWorks Pictures , 2005.

D’Silva, Beverley. “Have We Got Minimalism All Wrong?” BBC News, BBC, 24 Feb. 2022, www.bbc.com/culture/article/20210330-is-a-simple-minimalist-life-the-key-to-happiness.

Wallis, Jade Sandberg, director. Tidying Up with Marie Kondo, The Jackal Group, 1 Jan. 2019, www.netflix.com. Accessed 17 Mar. 2024.