Fragments of Nostalgia

Looking back at the earlier times in my life, I don’t think I was very minimalist. I think I would classify myself as very much the spendthrift. I was caught up in the craze of all the lavish lives that the people around me were living. There was always this constant need to make them see I couldn’t be intimidated by their lives so it was like a constant competition to me, breaking away from who I really was on the inside to keep up with the illusion that people expected something from me.

But, like I’ve shared before, I came down from my high horse not by my own making but the change of course in my family's finances. So, even though my first exposure to living a minimalist life wasn’t voluntary, it still made me see the things I hadn’t. I matured quickly in understanding and began to take in the changes that were happening in my household.

One of the things that inspired me to know that living a minimalist life wasn’t bad at all was the oneness and togetherness it brought to my family. Initially, it would be my parents sprawled in the living room, watching TV. Then we’d be watching ours in the other room. My big sister would probably be ticking off new things she’d purchased and adding more items to the list, the works.

Then suddenly and subconsciously, because it wasn’t planned, all of us would be gathered in the living room. Our TV subscriptions had expired so we couldn’t watch anything on TV. We had to be careful of the light bills so we had to be together in one place at night, instead of doing our own thing. Dad bought a lot of board games and we’d gather around while he taught us Scrabble(I still can’t defeat him at it), and other card games.

Then my little sisters would organize talent shows where our entry tickets were paid in the form of little bits of fish from our plate, or helping them a little with the dishes. Little and amusing things. And then they’d entertain us with their not-so-melodious voices. We would clap boisterously till our hands stung and cheered for them regardless.

Afterwards, we’ll bring up funny stories of each other. And, in the end, everyone will be sprawled on the floor with laughter. Thoughts of fees, bills and taxes were still there but for the time being, they were pushed away and we were able to enjoy ourselves as a family.

Spending time with each other became a norm. Those evenings when we’d lounge outside and get fascinated as my Dad would tell us about the stars and the planets. He has a vast knowledge of astronomy so we were always left slack jawed the entire time. That’s when my love for stargazing started. And it never stopped since.

We spent years living that life and when the finances of the family started coming back up, it became engrained in us. The talent nights are a little rare now since my younger sisters are growing up and really fast too. But we still do it when we can. When all of us are together, we’d switch off the TV and just talk. Not just trying to catch up with our lives but strengthening that bond that makes us a family.

Now, I said I could have gone back to living a life that isn’t outrightly lavish but not so minimalist if I didn’t get to witness the life of a particular friend of mine. And as I was writing this, I suddenly remembered her. She had just come back from her school out of state and she invited me to her apartment which was away from her parents' home.

Now, her parents are the insanely wealthy type so I expected her apartment to be screaming of opulence. Then, I got in, and she literally had to close my mouth for me. I had a gaping mouth at the beauty of her home and not because it was lavish but because of its simplicity. I don’t know if the sheer simplicity of something has ever called to any of us before but at that moment, it was like a pointer to something beautiful. Something true.

It was a one-room apartment but she was perfectly comfortable in it. There were very basic things she needed and I guess she was trying to show me that this was who she was. We talked a lot that day and she even showed me her bank details. She made me know that living a minimalist life didn’t mean you’re poor, you just choose to live simply.

It's been years since that day and that’s just how it is. I remember these memories fondly and perhaps I should give my friend a call. I don’t know if she’s still that way but I’ll tell her how her mindset contributed to how I see and live life now. Simply.

All images are mine.

Jhymi🖤