Every couple of months I look around my room and realize I have so many “things.” Yes, “things.” “Things” ranging from tagged clothes to old notebooks to new hair products. Some are “things” I use on a daily basis, while most are “things” I thought I had to have or just wanted for fun. 

That’s the problem with overconsumption in today’s world, it just sneaks up on you. It’s so easy to buy trinkets on TikTok shop or to just buy clothes because they’re on sale, and not because we actually like them. Before we know it, our rooms, our closets, and our heads are filled with items that barely matter to us. 

Minimalism is one way to step back from this cycle. It’s not about throwing everything away and living with one outfit for the rest of your life. Instead, it’s about asking yourself: does this add value to my life? Do I regularly reach for this product? Do I actually like it or is it just the latest trend? If the answer to any of these is no, maybe it doesn’t deserve a place in your room, or even in your thoughts. 

We, as high schoolers, are particularly susceptible to this mindset. Personally, I know I’ve fallen victim to this. When the new UGGs drop for the season or a new water bottle trend appears, it’s so easy to chase the trend. But I’ve learnt the hard way, chasing every trend never really ends. It often leaves you with a closet full of clothes that you don’t wear or a desk full of plastic you’ll never touch again. 

Minimalism changes the perspective and it doesn’t have to be boring. It can mean curating a style that feels personal instead of copying every trend. It can mean clearing out your closet so you actually know what’s in there. Or, it can even just mean clearing out your camera roll or Google Drive to save some storage. 

Apart from ourselves, there’s also a bigger impact. Overconsumption and maximalism doesn’t just clutter our lives, it clutters the planet. Every unnecessary purchase adds to waste, packaging, and production processes. Practicing minimalism, even in small ways, is a step towards living more responsibly, not just more simply.

At the end of day, minimalism isn’t about having less or being boring, it’s about making room for more: more clarity, more time, and more peace of mind. Next time you’re about to swipe your card just because something’s “in,” pause and ask yourself if it’s really worth the space.