Clean capsule wardrobes, oversized coats in neutral colors and plain backgrounds on every image. It’s likely to picture such a combination when hearing “minimalism”. Well, what we see on Pinterest and Instagram as the so-called “minimalism style” is only half the story. Actually, it’s about focusing on the basics from every point of view. So it’s a motto, which is worth it to have a closer look on – especially at the beginning of an exciting new year.
We Have It All
Sale discounts and wardrobes which are bursting at the seams – let’s be honest, we live in a world, in which materialistic values play important roles. After we were taught excessive consumption in the last decades, the “trendy” minimalistic lifestyle questions what is actually essential in today’s era of extreme accessibility. Airbnb shows that we don’t have to own a holiday home to enjoy a getaway. Car-sharing companies like Lyft show that we don’t need an own car to drive from A to B. Eventually, capsule wardrobes show that we don’t need hundreds of clothes to be perfectly dressed. So yes, today’s society (especially the younger generation) has started to focus on access rather than ownership. In fact, it’s the same inspiration like in the 60s or 70s, when the minimalistic style was present in visual arts and music.
Back To Basics
Back then, minimalism proponents like the artist Yves Klein or the musician Philip Glass tried to focus on the core competences of their genres. This is also what Joshua and Ryan from The Minimalists do today. With their essays, blog posts or public appearances, the mentors show people how the minimalistic lifestyle can become a daily routine. And they are doing pretty good as they have been featured in magazines like the New York Times and in TV shows of BBC, ABC or CBS. Unsurprisingly, their explanation of minimalism is very simple: “Minimalism is a tool to rid yourself of life’s excess in favor of focusing on what’s important – so you can find happiness, fulfillment, and freedom.“ This made me think for a minute. We all want to be happy and free, don’t we? So dedicating the first Monthly Topic of 2018 to this “simple happiness” seemed pretty appropriate. This month, we will go a bit deeper than the clean looking Instagram and Pinterest feeds. Of course they look very cool and inspiring but there’s a story behind this whole trend, which should be told more and more. So for this new year, let’s put those overestimated resolutions aside and go for a simple one instead: happiness arising out of conscious and deliberate decisions.
We wish you all the very best for 2018!
Carmen & the CARMITIVE Crew
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