DON EBUBEOGU
It is laughable that in the Nigerian social media circle, the word “Lifestyle” has been redefined to mean showcasing wealth and living a noisy and ostentatious life.
When a friend mistook my subtle promotion of our wines as joining the “lifestyle gang,” I had to go back to the dictionary to reconfirm the meaning of lifestyle. That was when I also stumbled upon the word “Minimalism,” which is a specific approach to “living” that emphasises simplicity and reduces unnecessary elements.
Minimalism focuses on eliminating excess, decluttering, and prioritising what is truly important.
Life is fun to live when you declutter the cobwebs of inanities.
I fondly recall the legendary meeting between Alexander the Great and Diogenes the Cynic, one of history’s most symbolic confrontations between today’s “lifestyle” and minimalism.
Alexander was intrigued by the simplicity of Diogenes, a philosopher who lived in a barrel and scorned material wealth, and offered to grant him any wish; he expected a grand request.
Unimpressed by Alexander’s status, Diogenes famously replied, ” Don’t take away from me what you cannot give me”.
Alexander thought for a second and realised that he was blocking the sun shining on Diogenes. Then he went away baffled by his wisdom and unattachment to material things.
This simple yet profound statement struck Alexander deeply. Despite his immense power, Diogenes showed no interest in wealth or favour. In fact, Alexander later confessed, “If I were not Alexander, I would want to be Diogenes,” acknowledging the philosopher’s inner freedom.
Diogenes defied conventional norms, advocating self-sufficiency and virtue over luxury. His lifestyle critiqued society’s obsession with power and wealth.
The encounter between Alexander and Diogenes is a poignant testament to the notion that true strength is not found in domination, but in the ability to live freely, unbothered by the validation of others, and unencumbered by material desires.