Once in a while, I always paid a visit to bookstores to get updates of what books recently went out. I know I have no extra budget allocated on books, but I make sure to save up to get some books that I really want. One of the books that caught my eyes recently is a book titled Goodbye, Things: On Minimalist Living by Fumio Sasaki. When I read the word ‘minimalist’ on top of its cover, I thought, oh is it another Marie Kondo kind of thing? Though I haven’t read Kondo’s book, I get a glimpse of what she’s trying to do because EVERYBODY was talking about it.
It gets me wonder, what is it about minimalist living that hooks everybody up? Is it just the thought of having fewer items, is it about decorating home like Japanese’s houses with minimalist furniture, or is it really a state of mind that tells you having more stuff doesn’t equal happiness?
While Kondo teaches us how to organize better, Sasaki’s book plunged more into the latter statement. I often find people showing their new stuff on social media (be it a gadget, wallet, shoes, bags, cars, etc.). Though I don’t keep up with the latest trend and sometimes cannot differentiate items only by its logo, I understand the urge to show off something in this age is real. But having no branded stuff doesn’t make you have less value in this life. I think everybody already understands that. It is the same with certain subjects or events. You don’t need to watch Stranger Things 2 if you don’t want it, you don’t need to be afraid if you watch it a month later than everybody else. You don’t need to buy stuff because everybody has one, you don’t need to get envy with people going to Coldplay concert if you don’t feel it worthy enough, you don’t need to think something is important because everybody thinks it is important.
I think, deep inside we understand what minimalist living is about, having enough and take matter only in things important to us. Sadly, it is always a constant struggle to get into that state of mind nowadays. But then, we should believe in people, and in ourselves. We can do better and someday, make a happier living without any guidebook.