Many elements of what people consider to be “living slowly” are connected back to pre-technology life, reflecting a collective yearning for offline simplicity. However — like other escapist trends (like cottagecore and coastal grandmother-core) that it has risen in conjunction with — it’s gone from being a helpful lifestyle change to an extremely online aesthetic.

This article really drives home to me how social media is so inauthentic that it can turn even a very personal, intentional, and counter-cultural movement like simple/slow living into an aesthetic, a performative hollow shell of its true meaning. I personally shudder at the idea of setting up a scene in my home for a photo to prove to others how “in the moment” I’m being — that feels inherently like not living in the moment.

I am very glad I do not use TikTok, Instagram, or any other media-focused website.

  • inasabaOPM
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    1 year ago

    I had exactly the same experience with /r/minimalism. Thankfully I found /r/simpleliving through it, but I quickly unsubscribed from /r/minimalism. The repetitive posts about expensive watches and wallets, people trying to get to the arbitrary number of 100 items for no logical reason, and people chastising others for having a bed was just ridiculous.