A growing number of people in Korea are choosing
a minimalist lifestyle.
The new trend is possibly a strong reaction
to the prevailing tendency toward excessive
consumption in Korean society.
Hwang Ho-jun explains why less is more.
Many working women come home at the end of
the day only to spend their free time on household
chores.
That's why this teacher, wife, mother and
dog owner decided to get rid of everything
but the essentials in her home.
She started with the piles of clothes she
had not been wearing for years, then moved
on to her flowerpots and the rest.
In just one month, she was able to get rid
of about 500 items that she either tossed,
donated or gave away.
Now, it's been three years, and she says she's
found happiness from getting rid of useless
items and focusing more on things she cares
about.
"My criteria for happiness have changed.
Before, I wanted to own everything other people
had and found happiness in buying new things.
Now, I like sharing."
This year, tens of thousands of Koreans have
joined in the movement to declutter their
homes and live a more minimalist lifestyle.
One online community devoted to decluttering
has over 45-thousand registered users, and
more books on the subject are being published.
Experts say the trend seems like an effort
to find an alternative to the tendency toward
excessive consumption, with more people thinking
about the idea of responsible consumption.
"It seems as though we are moving from an
era of luxury to one of value.
It's a combination of self-reflection on consumerism
and an emphasis on various methods of ethical
consumption."
Although many people remain skeptical that
the trend will seep into the mainstream, it
has already encouraged more people to pare
their belongings so they can focus on finding
new ways to bring meaning and happiness into
their lives.
Hwang Ho-jun, Arirang News.
