The Case of the Worlds Apart

I struggle to explain this in a conversation with friends and family. So, I decided to write an article about it.

The only way to illustrate my point is to conceive it as a conceptual battle of lifestyles. There is Mr. Maximalism on the right corner in swashbuckling red. And then there is his mild mannered cousin, Minimalism with-no-Mister-in-his-name, in pacific blue on the left of the boxing ring.

Mr. Maximalism prefers large living spaces. He fills them with a variety of furniture and decor. His home is ?often filled with vibrant colours, patterns, and textures. There is a loudness and flamboyance that celebrates the here and now. Maximalism also tends to accumulate a lot of possessions, often seeing them as a way to express himself and showcase his personality. He enjoys collecting things and displaying them in his home. Imagine Maximalism’s space being full of art, books, and souvenirs. Is Mr. Maximalism crass? Heavens, no. He is very tasteful, sophisticated and worldly wise. He just happens to place a significant premium on a convenient, full and ‘rich’ life.

Why did Maximalism turn out the way he did??I think he was affected by a childhood of relative penury. Because of this, Maximalism tends to prioritize enjoyment in life, and often views material possessions as a means to achieve this. Mr. Maximalism values self-expression and see his home and his lifestyle as an extension of his easy-going, opulent, self-indulgent personality.

Minimalism, on the other hand, prefers compact living spaces with simple, functional and utilitarian furniture. The Minimalism home is often sparsely decorated with a neutral, borderline invisible colour palette. He prefers to own fewer possessions and only keep what he truly needs. Minimalism believes that owning too many things creates clutter and distracts him from more contemplative aspects of life.

Minimalism has had a lifetime of reckless experiences that have mellowed him. Because of a lifetime of brashness (which some others may construe as mistakes!), he now prioritizes simplicity and intentional living. Minimalism has personally experienced that owning fewer possessions means lesser responsibility. And only a reduction in enslaving responsibility can lead to a more meaningful and fulfilling life. No wonder then, Minimalism often values experiences and relationships over material possessions. Minimalism can be branded as being more introvert. But he has been making his presence felt in recent times, especially with fellow brethren who value simplicity.

One can easily make the fault of assuming that Minimalism is poor . But nothing could be farther from the truth. Minimalism has just invested his savings in very liquid instruments that can be withdrawn to escape at a moment’s notice. He just happens to place a significant premium on an independent life – one that is financially independent so that he can be intellectually courageous.

The disparity is not only in the material or the mental. Oh, the differences do not just end there.

Maximalism prefers a large comfortable car of his own, preferably with a chauffeur at beck and call. Minimalism prefers the sweet pain of booking an Uber (the Premier version, mind you!) and the tension of waiting for the driver to cancel. Or better, the Minimalist would just walk, if that was an option. ??

Maximalism would take an holiday at the slightest pretext. Let’s say, just to savour some exotic cuisine. Ever gone to Bangkok, just to eat at Gagan? Or the Gordon Ramsay in London? Then you know what I speak of. On the other hand, Minimalism would prefer some farmer market vegan yoghurt for lunch on a holiday, all the while yearning for the Dal Bhaat back home.

Maximalism loves tipping. It gives him a swagger of extra attention that he loves. And he rationalizes it to himself as the cost of better service. Minimalism is projected to be a ‘kanjoos’. He will only tip for extraordinary service, and that too after the business. He asks, ”Why pay extra for something that is anyway a salaried job?”

Minimalism stays strictly within his means. He has the wherewithal to be extravagant, but he spends only when it is justified. Rules like ‘Stay for 10 days before you commit a large sum of money on anything’ are made with Minimalism in mind.?

Both Maximalism and Minimalism hate to donate to charity. That is one of the rare things that they see eye-to-eye on. But, even in that, there is a difference. Maximalism believes that charity begins within the home. While Minimalism refuses to donate because he believes that his precious money is being siphoned off by middlemen.

One believes in doing more good for the self, while the other wishes to do more good for the world. In other words, if give and take were a formula, one gives more, while the other lives for the take. By now, I hope I do not need to tell you about who is which.

One loves taking advantage, while the other hates being taken advantage of.

Mars and Venus. Chalk and Cheese. Scylla and Charybdis. Black and white. Rationalist and spiritualist. Thomson and Thompson. Yin and Yang. I assume that I got that last metaphor wrong.

No wonder then that sparks fly when Maximalism and Minimalism incidentally meet at a bar. Each word, every action, any comment, entire body language screams silent abuses at each other. Each comes out emotionally depleted from the interaction. And, yet, in what can only be termed as cruel fate, they bump into each other more often than their own kind of people.

The world is a boxing ring, and they are constantly circling each other. Much like the two poles of a magnet, they are destined to be forever intertwined. Maybe, for a casual external unbiased?observer, this is what makes existence on planet Earth interesting. However, do note that there is no such casual external unbiased observer. To enter this arena, everyone has to place bets on one or the other side. The only one laughing away in this circumstance is the owner of the arena.

The real tragedy of this drama? Every Maximalism considers himself proudly as a minimalist. And every Minimalism feels mortified that he is a closet maximalist.

Because, you see, one mostly experiences the story from the Hero’s perspective. However, when you narrate the story from the point of view of the villain, the hero is the true villain.

The only real question that then remains for Messrs. Maximalism and Minimalism is, “Am I a hero of my own myth?”

Postscript: The marketer mind in me drifted into the world of minimalist and maximalist brands.

Minimalist brands are simplicity personified. They are characterized by a clean and simple aesthetic with minimal graphics, and often focus on negative space. This simplicity convey a sense of quiet elegance and sophistication. They often prioritize functionality, using simple, straightforward language that is easy to understand. The brand that comes to mind that typifies this approach is Muji, the Japanese stationary store. And can Apple be far behind?

In an alternate world, Maximalist brands are characterized by boldness, eye-catching designs and bright colours. They use complex graphics and unusual colours to create excitement and energy. They are not afraid to take risks and be creative. Maximalist brands often depict a playful, fun-loving personality full of humour and wit. Benetton and Gucci come to mind when one thinks of maximalist brands.

The real risk here is to be unsure of your own personality, leading to being caught between two stools, each of the three-legged variety (if you get my drift).