The big myth about minimalism is that you have to get rid of all your stuff. But there's more to it than that...
Less is more: That’s what most people think about minimalism, but what do we really understand about the concept? Is it simply living with fewer than 100 things, buying less, throwing out old clothes and stuff, or a design style you tell your interior decorator to follow? Minimalism is actually a way of life you can’t simply ignore. With more eco-warriors in Singapore and people practising sustainable living and living the ‘less is more’ motto, minimalism is a growing movement. Here’s what you need to know about it.
What is minimalism?
While getting rid of stuff is a good first step (and the most visible one), minimalism is about the benefits we experience once we’re on the other side of decluttering. For some, it’s a tool to achieve freedom from fear, depression, anxiety, and even consumerism.
That doesn’t mean having material possessions is a bad thing. The problem stems from the emotional baggage we assign to our physical stuff, making it hard to let go of them. This is where minimalism comes in: it allows you to make more conscious (and better) decisions. That takes skills!
The minimalist movement in Singapore
It’s no surprise that minimalism has started to pick up in Singapore, and you have the culture of consumerism and competitiveness to thank for that. With the KonMari trend still making its rounds (despite Marie not actively practising it anymore), minimalism is something anyone can pick up as easily as buying milk and eggs from the supermarket.
The small and growing community thrives on the online Facebook group, Minimalism in Singapore, where members share tips and stories about their journeys, as well as hold regular meetups. You’ll find posts on repurposing items, PSAs on recycling e-waste, ‘before and after’ photos of rooms and desks, and motivational quotes.
There are other sources you can look into if you want to find out more. One example is Minimalist in the City, a blog run by Dave and Kate. It chronicles their journey towards minimalism and financial independence. There’s also Kris Tan of The Declutter Professionals, who lends his expertise to families looking to reorganise their homes.
Misconceptions of minimalism
No, people who practice minimalism aren’t all monks or part of a weird cult. Real fact: it isn’t really about frugality or being stingy or anti-consumerism. Sure, it saves you money in the long run, but minimalism shouldn’t deprive you of things. It’s more about making better choices in what you buy. Things like investing a little more for a good quality sofa that’ll last you years rather than a cheaply-made one that you probably have to scrap in a year or less. Or buying shoes that are versatile and hardy instead of going shopping spree crazy during the sales period for something you’ll only use once and never touch again.
Interestingly, the minimalist style is still a much-coveted trend when it comes to fashion and decor. Heck, people in Singapore are doing ‘Muji’ home renovations just so their HDB flats can look as zen as the Japanese lifestyle store. But it’s not “all about the aesthetics”. In truth? Minimalists are ordinary people who give up accumulating possessions so they can focus on more meaningful things.
Get in on minimalism in Singapore
You best believe it’s actually pretty easy to get started. First, identify an area you need help with – and if you have more than one, that’s okay too. Decluttering is a long journey, and sentimental items are always a tough roadblock. While everyone has their own way of getting on the bandwagon, here’s a Singaporean version of the 30-day game:
- Sort your items into categories of “Discard”, “Donate”, “Maybe”, and “Keep”.
- List your “Donate” and “Maybe” piles on Carousell or Facebook groups.
- Discuss various methods for getting the best bang for your buck.
- Place all these items in a few boxes which are labelled and easily accessible.
- After 30 days, re-evaluate if you really need them.
- On day 31, ruthlessly donate everything. Out of sight, out of mind.
After that, you can build a capsule wardrobe so you won’t waste too much time deciding what to wear.
The movement can extend beyond the house and into other areas of your life, too. You can apply minimalism to finance (cutting down on subscription services, for example) and, of course, your digital space. Unsubscribe from mailing lists that no longer serve your needs. Uninstall programmes and apps on devices you no longer use.
So, what’s the end goal?
Is minimalism a continuous journey, or is there something bigger we need to achieve? Morbid as it seems, you should abide by the Latin saying “memento mori” – remember that you have to die. That said, don’t expect this new lifestyle to kick in overnight. Start small and build up your lifestyle from there.
Interested in embracing minimalism in Singapore? Go ahead and confront that storage room to purge your stuff!
