Minimalism vs. maximalism

Is millennial minimalism ruining whimsy?

My house is littered with trinkets and knick-knacks that seem to seep out from every corner and crevice. One may call my home cluttered, but I choose to think of it more as a whimsical way of living. 

I have always been intrigued by the world of trinkets. You may be thinking “Girl, this is just overconsumption,” and maybe you’re right — I may overconsume a little too much. I like to be surrounded by my clothes, books and snow globes, which bring me an immeasurable amount of joy that no man could ever bring. 

I like objects that feel like they have souls. This new shiny fad of millennial minimalism haunts me. Why would anyone want everything they own to be beige or taupe constantly? The trend of having fewer possessions may be sustainable, but at what cost?

The idea of living in a house devoid of things is terrifying to me. I prefer spaces that feel busy and full of life. I want my outfits to scream whimsy, and I especially enjoy going to thrift stores and finding things that make not just me, but my soul, happy. 

According to Business Insider, millennials are buying and owning less, breaking the mould of American consumerism, choosing to fashion living spaces with overly beige interiors. The thought of being surrounded by nothing would leave me feeling empty, both emotionally and literally. 

Do I overconsume? Honestly, I probably do. I like my life and bedroom to be full, bursting at the seams with things I have collected from thrift stores and received as gifts from friends or myself — items that hold memories
and that I hold close to my heart. 

Although I love the whimsy that trinkets bring, I can’t help but feel like, sometimes, I fill the sadness I experience in life with material things. Even so, I won’t stop buying trinkets that bring me immense joy in a world where everything seems geared toward money and work.

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