Why I Strive Towards Extreme Minimalism
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Why I Strive Towards Extreme Minimalism

The reasoning behind a North American college student and nomad.

670
Why I Strive Towards Extreme Minimalism
Stacey Keba

Last summer, I spent six amazing weeks as a camp counselor at Interlochen Summer Arts Camp in Northern Michigan, and a part of my identity among both my coworkers and my campers was that I was striving to be a minimalist. One night during bunk-talk, me and my co-counselor asked all of our campers to assign their bunk mate what animal they are. When it came around to me and my co, we had all of our campers shout (shout-whisper?) what they thought we were in animal form.

For me, they thought I would be a turtle. When I asked why, they said, "Well you've always talked about being able to carry everything you own in a backpack and suitcase, so it's like you have your home with you just like a turtle has their shell."

For the past seven months, that comment has resonated with me, and it has helped me take more active steps to becoming an official “turtle” so to speak.

It hasn’t been an easy journey though as camp life and college life are polar opposite in terms of fashion and general hygiene upkeep. Throughout the summer, I was limited to a uniform and 1-2 outfits of “rec/street clothes” and only had a few minutes each day to wash my face and shower. And on top of that, makeup was just not a thing anyone had time for. However, in college, I love to look well put together and professional on a daily basis.

This factor equates to owning and needing more material goods, which makes it a lot harder to fit everything in a suitcase and backpack. But I refuse to stop trying.

And this is why:

After observing my habits for the past few years, I've come to believe that possessions tie me down. Being a minimalist allows me more freedom and gives me more flexibility to leave home and travel, move, explore on a whim.

And my family inspires to do exactly that. I've had a cousin who lived on a boat; a cousin who backpacked South America; a father who walked to Florida, biked around the continental US and was in the 82nd airborne. So here I am, eager to make my mark not out of obligation but out of this burning need. Why the burning need? I have this crux where I hate staying in the same place for too long, especially if I don't have a chance to stretch my legs.

I love the idea of being able to pack up my life in 30 minutes just so I can go catch a last minute flight, hop in a car, ride a train, or do something spontaneous. I wouldn't need to spend hours, days, or weeks planning on what to bring, what to leave behind, or what to get rid of.

Pairing down all my items has been and will forever be a continuous struggle because consumerism and materialism are deeply ingrained in American society. There's advertising everywhere that appeals to me in one way or another, whether it's emotionally, ethically, or logically. However, with consumerism and materialism, there's another catch. Both of those ideals are directly linked to other ideals such as beauty, fashion, and health. As someone who has questioned how beautiful, trendy, and skinny I am over the years, becoming a minimalist helps to reject those bogus influences that I let interfere with my overall view of myself.

Even though adopting this new lifestyle isn't easy, it is worth it. Since I've embarked on this journey, I've found a freedom inside of me despite society trying to infiltrate my lifestyle by telling me that minimalism is "wrong", "weird", and "un-American." But I don't care. I'm happy roaming around with my turtle shell.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

53950
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

34741
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

957133
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

181793
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments