Minimalism is all
about embracing simplicity and letting go of excessive accumulation. It is a
movement that prioritizes experiences, relationships, and personal growth over
material possessions. And in Jordan, where approximately 3 tonnes of waste are
generated per year, or equivalent to 6 Burj Khalifa’s per year, according to Beitak Baytak, a warm embrace to minimalism, not only helps declutter
space, but can also help the local environment.
According to the same
statistic, by 2050, the total annual waste in Jordan is predicted to rise to 6
million tonnes. While minimalism was introduced to the western world by Marie
Kondo, it is not necessarily a new phenomenon, even to those living in the
region. For decades, many nomads, shepherds, and farmers, simply lived off of
what they only needed, not through decadence, the case was to use the land
around them, rather than making space, saving space.
Now, in a new world,
where shopping, clothing stores, and sales almost seem to glimmer throughout
every corner in Amman, the saying “less is more” tends to get oversaturated
with the amount of stuff there simply is in the city.
Transformation: embracing simplicity
Indeed, Jordan has
experienced a surge in abundance with the rise of consumerism and the availability
of various products. This shift has led to an increase in material possessions
and a culture centered around acquiring more stuff. So, the story goes, not to
simply embrace the new western term of minimalism, but to simply shift back to
what was here in the Kingdom before.
Isam Jundi decided to
embrace a minimalist
lifestyle and his motivation was…his mother. In an interview with
Jordan News, Jundi said “growing up in a
family, especially my mom, that prioritized organization and avoiding
unnecessary accumulation, the concept of minimalism became ingrained in me
subconsciously. It is a system that has shaped my perspective on living with
less and finding value in simplicity.”
He continued by saying
“I was overwhelmed by the clutter in my home and the realization of how much I
was contributing to the waste problem. Minimalism seemed like the answer to
both.”
Jundi took the first
step towards minimalism by organizing his living space and storing unused items
at his parents’ house. While minimalism has many positive aspects, there are
some challenges facing people who follow it as a way of life. He highlighted
“one of the challenges I faced with this lifestyle was my strong attachment to
certain collectibles. But as time went on, I started to realize that if these
things don’t bring me happiness and I don’t even use them, it is probably best
to let them go. “Told Jordan News.
As far as strategies
he uses, he highlighted “one strategy I use to overcome that attachment is to
take pictures of my belongings and save them digitally and have a pack up for
the backups and I put them in several locations. It is like digitizing them and
storing them on a hard drive. Whenever I want to experience the feeling of
having those items with me, I can just look at the photos. It is a great way to
preserve the memories without cluttering up physical space.”
To strike balance and
pursue multiple hobbies Jundi said “I encountered a challenge with organizing
the necessary equipment since I have a lot of hobbies. However, I discovered a
solution by designating specific boxes and dedicated spaces for each hobby’s
equipment. This approach helped me overcome the problem and maintain a tidy and
effective setup” he added.
And minimalism has
even taken precedence in his professional life. As a photographer, Jundi
highlighted that he has even deemed himself as a minimalist photographer, where
he used to take over 20 pictures before getting the perfect shot. However, once
he started embracing minimalism, he started to
take 5 to 7 photos, realizing it is about capturing
the moment and the essence of the photograph.
Increasing pressure on the waste management and
infrastructure
While having stuff
around us may make us feel
safe, stable, and even part of the culture that
highlights social status in the country, according to EcoMena, this is not
necessarily the case. In an interview with Jordan
News, EcoMena highlighted “the growing industrialization and high
population growth rate has led to rapid increase in solid waste generation in
the country which has, in turn, put increasing pressure on waste management
infrastructure.”
For Malak Izraqi, she
told Jordan News that she is not only
a minimalist, but uses it as an opportunity to be more sustainable as well. For
her, minimalism is a vessel that helps her practice upcycling and recycling to
continue to reduce waste. This extends even to her home in repurposing old
furniture and finding innovative ways to reuse them.
Making the most out of what you have
She said, “it is not
just about having less; it is about making the most of what you have."
And if you don’t know
where to start, certain programs in the community have made it certainly
easier. Just a small Facebook search led us to find events such as
clothes and book swaps, which are frequently hosted by Prana Space[3] , or garage sale groups where you can sell and purchase
items that are used, including a sustainable group.
So as a parting gift,
here is how to embrace minimalism, not the Kondo way, but the Nashmi way.
اضافة اعلان
- Each season, take inventory of your
clothing. Experts recommend trying on every piece, feeling how it fits,
and noting your feelings. Create a seasonal catalog on your phone. If
something doesn't fit or serve a purpose, consider donating it within your
family or making a list of friends who might need it.
- When grocery shopping, make an effort to
use reusable bags instead of plastic ones. If you must use plastic bags,
try to reduce their use gradually.
- Before making a purchase, inquire within
your circle to see if someone you know already has the item you need. This
reduces the need for new purchases while still fulfilling your
requirements.
- Organize your home with dedicated storage
space for everything. Label and maintain it systematically.
- Ladies, streamline your beauty products.
While it's tempting to buy the latest makeup or skincare items, assess
what you can use, reuse, or discard before acquiring new ones.
- Medicine is often wasted in households.
Create a designated storage area for medications, regularly discard
expired ones, and keep seasonal supplies to help declutter effectively.
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