Minimalism – what are your thoughts?

Minimalist, minimalism, minimalistic living...

I love the idea.
I love the approach.

Clean spaces, uncluttered lives, simplicity in everything. It’s really tempting. The thought of breaking free from excess, from the weight of things, from the noise of more. It sounds peaceful, almost poetic...

But then, will life have any color left???

_{Had to choose between these two blue pottery items for a gift—guess which one I picked!}

Is life only about the absence of clutter, no chaos, no trouble in making your TV lounge a little more artistic, no struggle to match cushions, rugs, or curtains? What about the personal essence that lies in the layers, in the details we choose to adorn our lives with?

Nature? Is it simple? Ok, nature isn’t going anywhere. You can always find arts and beauty in it. The sky will still shift from dawn to dusk. Flowers will still bloom. Rivers will still carve their paths. But what about US? This human instinct; this undeniable urge to create, to beautify, to leave traces of our existence from birth to the grave? People place beautiful headstones even on graves… Forget everything else—who doesn’t know about Taj Mahal? That marvel (ivory-white mausoleum), carved from exquisite marble… Why did Shah Jahan have it built? Does it make any difference to his queen that her tomb is so magnificent? And yet, to ease their own hearts, to satisfy an unrelenting instinct, people go to such great lengths, because minimalism doesn’t come naturally to us. We crave permanence, beauty, and grandeur, even when simplicity would do. A plain grave would serve its purpose, but we carve names into stone, build towering tombs, and turn grief into something larger than life. The Taj Mahal isn’t just a burial site, it is a statement, a refusal to let love and loss fade into the ordinary.

_{Baltit Fort, Hunza — proof that history itself is a testament to humanity's love for display.}

Minimalism may value restraint, but history proves that when it comes to emotions, we’ve always leaned toward excess.

Minimalism, at its core, is about living with less. That's a beautiful thing to do. Decluttering not just physical spaces but mental and emotional ones too. Again, awesome!

Still, isn’t a little noise necessary? I have always thought about this: What if? What if, everyone spoke in a measured, minimalistic way? How would we find peace in it? Wouldn’t it all start to feel dull? If interactions became precise and controlled, wouldn’t life feel lifeless? If no one stirred up a little trouble now and then, what would even be the point?

Because let’s be honest: what is life without a little drama? I can’t believe I’m the one saying this, but it’s true, isn’t it? The unexpected moments, the loud, unfiltered joy, the occasional mess. The little disruptions that make everything feel real. If no one ever caused a bit of trouble, added a spark of unpredictability, or challenged the calm, wouldn’t life become monotonous?

There’s always that one child in every home whose sole purpose seems to be giving their parents a headache—always up to something. Well, I have never been that child. But who knows? My parents might say otherwise. Lol.

Then there are those legendary members of the extended family whose absence would make weddings and gatherings suspiciously peaceful. Do we like this absolutely strife-free environment? A little chaos is necessary, don’t you think? I remember there used to be an aunty (our father's cousin's wife) at every wedding function who would get upset over something or the other. For example, she didn’t get her milk soda, no one gave her a seat near the stage, or she didn’t get a separate couple's room...

Okay, a little context before this—
In our weddings, people don’t just show up at the hall; they stay at the wedding house for 4–5 days, sometimes even longer. And to entertain such a guest... well, kudos to our elders!

_{A stunning 3D mural spotted in an Istanbul restaurant}

The conversation took a different turn from where it started… I was actually talking about a minimalist lifestyle. So, what do you think about it? How much is too little, and how much is too much? What should the balance be?

There’s always a battle going on in my mind:
Is it an absolute necessity? Or do I like to have a bit of color? A bit of couture... A bit of extravaganza ;)))

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_{Sharing this picture again because this truck art is just too marvelous. Featuring a portrait of our folk artist, Isa Khelwi.}