Hmmm.. movie hero laying low reminds me more of fasting after a feast. Fasting is temporary.. breaks with the next meal. Minimalism tends to stay even if it doesn't occupy all parts of one's life.
We practice minimalism in every possible way.I buy only few clothes and use it to max.same goes with shoe or bags.I never felt like competing with others when it comes to saris or jewelleries as most in my family circle do come from humble background and lead really simple life. i guess all this buying for special occasion or spending for branded things depends on the type of friends or cousins one have. The high price sari I ever used is my wedding sari which was 6000 inr in 2007 and it was considered expensive in my family.My friend was wearing 25k priced sari on her wedding day which was quite normal in her community.So frugal life or minimalism or economical way of life...all depends on your background or friend circle.
Actually it depends on us. We can have friends circle who like to buy expensive/more frequently. Does not mean we cannot be friends and still be ourselves in terms of minimalism we follow. But if we have a mindset that thinks a lot about 'what others are thinking about us', then it can get confusing.
I have embraced the capsule wardrobe and capsule kitchen concepts, so I don’t have too much clutter in those areas anymore. I have just 10 sarees and don’t mind repeating them. At most I will get a new blouse. If I really need to wear a different saree in India I just borrow from mom, aunt or SIL. It is a big mental relief not to have a bursting closet. I also don’t buy gold jewelry as I have no occasion to use it. I do admire my friends who will patiently get dolled up and perfectly accessorize especially during Golu-hopping.
I will spend ONLY on luxuries/vacations/ entertainment that truly matter and gives happiness to ME and my FAMILY.That for me is minimalism.
I understand the value of minimalism now during Covid time when we don’t have to dress up to socialise..and expenditures on apparel and accessories seem to be unnecessary and we feel like saving more money.. I’m re using many of my well worn tops and salwar sets to wear at home itself so they are utilized well, and haven’t made dress purchases since feb, except for T-shirt’s or night wears.....this would also help me reduce clutter in my wardrobe.. Also I have become minimalistic for self grooming products..stopped buying deosprays as it’s not necessary when I’m at home..I also make sure that the shampoo/face wash/conditioner/ hair oil/ body wash/lotion / cream / soap etc gets over before purchasing new pack online ..
I'm so glad many of us here view & embrace the idea of Minimalism. It's the need of the year, ocean filled with plastic floor, forest fire, melting snow caps. Industrialization is main concern of global warming. Indians in early age have been taught to use minimal resources. Right from "dont waste food" from childhood. Reduce Reuse Up cycle. We have one blue marble to live , keep it blue
@Vedhavalli, Leading a simple life is minimalism. Unfortunately, society appreciates simplicity much better when it comes to affluent families as opposed to middle-class families. Only last week, I taught six enemies of mind to a set of teen-aged children and introduced the concept of Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Mada, and Macharya. When talking about desires, I asked them to identify the dominant desires that they carry in their mind to be fulfilled. I told them their desires become actions, actions become tendencies, tendencies become habits and habits become their character. It is their character that determines their destiny. I have introduced a life application called, "What is in your wardrobe?" and asked them to find out a) how many clothes they wear regularly?, b) How many are worn occasionally?, c) How many are never worn except once after purchase?, d) How many are given away to charity?, e) How many new clothes in their wardrobe (purchased within a year)? and f) How many shoes and how many are regularly used? One of the parents responded to these questions through WhatsApp and told that how these questions brought awareness to her. You call it minimalism and I call it as the ceiling on desires. I recently watched a video of two car sales personnel approaching someone who came to buy a BMW in the showroom. One of them is reluctant to answer his questions about the price and the fittings that the car comes with while the other was patiently answering all his questions and offered to give the car for a trial ride. The reason for the reluctance from the first salesman was the outfit he was wearing. Finally, the second one asks which financing company he prefers to choose and the buyer responds that he was going to buy the car by paying the full amount. That is why there is a proverb, "Don't judge the book by its cover".