Minimalism in Turkey: Journey to a Simple Life | Al Jazeera World




Al Jazeera World show

Summary: "Less is more," so the saying goes. While many people aspire to earn more, buy more and own more, some are challenging material values and looking to seriously declutter their lives. The "simple living" movement, also known as minimalism, is about being satisfied with what you have rather than constantly craving more. In this documentary, a social media consultant in Istanbul persuades his family to follow him on a quest for a less materialistic lifestyle. They visit a self-sufficient rural commune and meet others who have already rejected consumer values - including a former automotive engineer who gave up all his credit cards and an architect-turned-shepherd in the Anatolia Mountains. As the global pandemic forces us all to adjust to a "life on hold", this film taps into the zeitgeist and asks if we really need so much stuff.