Why are people giving up their extravagant and expensive lifestyles?

 Why are people giving up their extravagant and expensive lifestyles?

Minimalism is a lifestyle that focuses on living a simple but satisfying life by keeping only the essentials and important things.

After the global economic recession of 2008, the idea of ​​consuming less began to spread worldwide.

Minimalism aims to achieve financial freedom, improve mental health, protect the environment, and increase social awareness.

In the modern world, the influence of consumerism is increasing, which encourages people to buy and collect unnecessary things.

But in contrast, a new trend has emerged in which people are simplifying their lives and choosing the path of consuming and spending less.

This trend is called ‘minimalism’.

Minimalism is a lifestyle that focuses on keeping only the essentials and important things, getting rid of unnecessary things, and living a simple but satisfying life.

This trend is especially popular among the younger generation, who are adopting it in response to environmental concerns, financial pressures, and the pursuit of personal happiness.

What is minimalism?

It is a philosophical and practical lifestyle that applies the principle of ‘less is more’. People start spending more thoughtfully on everything from fashion, gadgets, food, travel, home decor to small decisions in daily life.

This trend is not just about saving money. It is also an attempt to redefine life’s priorities. Its core spirit is to value experiences over things, satisfaction over appearances, and balance over consumption.

This trend is not just about saving money. It is also an attempt to redefine life’s priorities. Its core spirit is to value experiences over things, satisfaction over appearances, and balance over consumption.

How did it start?

The start of this trend was not sudden. Its roots are tied to the culture of overproduction and consumption after the Industrial Revolution. In the second half of the twentieth century, cheap goods began to be produced in large quantities on the global market.

Advertising developed the idea that ‘buying a lot is success’.

However, over time, its negative effects began to be seen, including exploitation of natural resources, environmental pollution, mental stress, families drowning in debt, and dissatisfied lives.

The global economic recession of 2008 forced many people to think deeply about their spending and lifestyle. Then, the debate about climate change, plastic pollution, the harmful effects of fast fashion, and mental health problems increased.

Social media and documentaries also made this topic global. Against this background, many began to adopt the idea of ​​consuming less as an alternative.

What is its purpose?

The first purpose of this trend is to adopt a conscious lifestyle. One of its goals is to make people financially stable by reducing unnecessary expenses.

The second purpose is environmental protection. If fewer goods are produced, fewer resources are used, less waste is generated, and pollution is reduced. In this way, it includes an effort to reduce pressure on the earth.

The third purpose is peace of mind. Excessive goods, comparisons, and a ostentatious life make people tired. Less consumption simplifies life, reduces the burden of decisions, and increases self-satisfaction.

What are its good sides?

1. Financial freedom

The habit of spending less increases savings. The possibility of getting into debt decreases. A sense of security for the future increases. This trend can also be useful for people with low incomes.

2. Improvement in mental health

Less things, less rushing and less comparisons calm the mind. The pressure to ‘look like others’ decreases. People learn to be satisfied with themselves.

3. Environmental benefits

Less consumption reduces plastic, fuel, water and energy use. Waste is reduced. This helps to maintain the balance of the earth in the long term.

4. Time savings

Buying more means more thinking, more arranging and more care. Consuming less saves time. That time can be spent on family, creativity, health or self-development.

5. Attention to value and quality

This trend encourages people to choose durable and quality products over cheap but perishable products. This reduces long-term costs and also reduces waste.

6. Social awareness

The idea of ​​less consumption teaches us to question labor exploitation, child labor, fast fashion, and inequality. People start becoming responsible citizens rather than just consumers.