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In Passage 1, Urist claims that minimalism is driven by the desire to manage impressions and present one’s best face rather than ideals of frugality and inner well-being. (Para 4) 

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In Passage 1, Urist claims that minimalism is driven by the desire to manage impressions and present one’s best face rather than ideals of frugality and inner well-being. (Para 4) 

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Becker exalts minimalism in Passage 2 as a form of escape from the clutter in life, bringing mental clarity, alignment to one’s values and inner peace. (Para 2) 

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Becker exalts minimalism in Passage 2 as a form of escape from the clutter in life, bringing mental clarity, alignment to one’s values and inner peace. (Para 2) 

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Becker argues in Passage 2 that minimalism is the antidote to the materialistic values of today’s world. (Para 4) 

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Becker argues in Passage 2 that minimalism is the antidote to the materialistic values of today’s world. (Para 4) 

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I agree that the minimalistic approach has many benefits.

Minimalism has many positive impacts on ones state of mind and wellbeing. In passage 2, Becker exalts minimalism as a form of escape from the clutter in life, bringing mental clarity, alignment to one’s values and inner peace. Similarly, passage 3 agrees with this idea, as it states that the minimalistic approach to home life leads to a calmer and more motivated mind-set, clarity of thought, greater productivity and eventual happiness. Research confirms that possessions can make us feel stressed, anxious and depressed, as clutter produces a chemical reaction in our body. According to The Business Times Singapore, Ms Chong, together with Mr Liu, Bai Yong Li and Fabian Kwa, are among the founders of Minimalism In Singapore, a Facebook group that is under a year old. They too feel the positive effects of minimalism on their mental health. Personally, I too have similar experiences- when my study-room is cluttered, I feel disorganised and confused, and thus, studying feels more stressful. When I have fewer items on my desk, I am able to focus at the task at hand, therefore increasing my focus and productivity.

Thus, I agree that minimalism brings many benefits to one’s mental well-being.

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I do agree that the minimalistic lifestyle does pose benefits as it helps to combat the "impulsive purchases" culture of Singapore and its negative outcomes that arises from it.

In Passage 2, Becker highlights that adopting a minimalistic lifestyle would serve as a solution to the culture of excessive consumerism and materialism that the world faces today. According to a remark made by Victor Chang, deputy director of the Residues and Resource Reclamation Centre at the Nanyang Technological University, Singapore is one of the countries that has an excessive consumerism culture because the working class has the highest disposable income compared to South-east Asian countries. This would then lead to greater spending power and in turn fuels people’s preoccupation with shopping and the relentless consumption of goods. Expanding on Becker and Victor Chang's points, I have observed that this culture of excessively consumerism has led to Singaporeans generating more waste and even compel individuals to spend excessively, all because they buy more than what they actually need.

All of these underscores the need for a counterculture like minimalism to help mitigate the wastage and the excessive spending of the public. This in turn would allow people, especially those who are not financially independent like youths and young adults, to benefit greatly and in turn, improving their quality of life.

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Becker exalts minimalism in Passage 2 as a form of escape from the clutter in life, bringing mental clarity, alignment to one’s values and inner peace. This shows how the concept of minimalism grants us tranquility and serenity via the tidy, neat and subtle arrangements of the belongings in our home. In this way, minimalism has the potential to benefit the citizens in my society. It is uncommon to find Singaporean households in a cluttered mess. For example, students would litter their rooms and homes with mountainous stacks of learning worksheets, textbooks or assessment books - all of which they deem necessary for their education in Singapore. The same applies for working adults. As working from home becomes a new norm in this post-pandemic era, employees may simply leave their work-related matters lying around in their homes. The elderly are also not excluded. In many cases around Singapore, the elderly who live alone or without younger kin resort to hoarding as they lack energy and ability to fully clean or reorganisation their homes themselves. This results in junk piling up for weeks, months and maybe even years. Thus, adopting minimalism would be beneficial as it would encourage the youth and the working adults to be more conscientious and disciplines in the organisation of their homes to be more tidy, while the elderly would be encouraged to purchase less which would reduce the amount of junk found in their homes.

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The view of minimalism from Passage 1 of minimalism being driven by the desire to manage impressions is contrasted by ideas from Passage 2 and 3 about the simplicity and inner peace we can receive from minimalism. While both sides hold merit, I believe that Passage 1's view holds more true in my society.

Passage 1 argues that minimalism can be seen more of a status symbol rather than a true movement for self betterment. This type of sentiment is echoed across influencer's social media pages, which praise their minimally-designed and million-dollar houses. Minimalism as an aesthetic has been commodified into many sectors. This idea of minimalism as social capital is also reflected in Passage 1. In the beauty industry, it is seen as the 'clean-girl' aesthetic, and praises simplicity from using only the most effective and expensive products. Companies and celebrities exploit the well-meaning cleanliness that people aim to achieve and have contorted it into a cash-grab that is meant to be more attractive to look at than something useful. A quote from passage 2 exemplifies this phenomenon with an actor quoted as saying that he had been 'spending money I had not earned, to buy things I did to want, just to impress people I did not like.'

This is not to say that people cannot experience valid catharsis from minimalism as Passage 2 and 3 strive to show the impact of the movement on the individual, with both passages posing that minimalist approaches can return control and calm to people. Both writers for both passages talk about how they had found a 'deep inner peace' and a 'calm and motivated mind-set'. This is because minimalism has been able to remove material distractions from people's lives, and thus allow them to focus on and be grateful for what they currently have. This is something that I have experienced when I deleted my social media applications off my phone. They allowed me more focus while removing something that provided instant gratification and constant information, I was able to have clearer thoughts about my current life rather than what I wanted.

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While passage 1 argues that the pursuit of minimalism is merely a front to present one's best face and manage impressions, Passage 2 contrasts this idea by claiming that minimalism provides a form of escape from the hassle in our lives. While both arguments hold merit, I believe that minimalism still brings about more benefits than drawbacks as argued in Passage 2.

In Passage 2, Becker exalts minimalism as an outlet of escape from the clutter in our lives, bringing about mental clarity, realignment to one's moral values and providing a sense of inner peace. In such a rapidly modernising and fast-paced society like Singapore, this is especially true. Our lives as Singaporeans are jam-packed with schedule after schedule, juggling between school, work, appointments and plenty of other external activities. In such a busy world like this where it becomes so easy to get overwhelmed, the need for a sense of balance and an outlet to escape has become increasingly prevalent. Minimalism, in its hassle-free nature, is exactly what we need in our society. Ben Liu, a local minimalist in Singapore, is the founder of an active Facebook group with over 300 members posting philosophical musings on how to live, pictures of minimalist homes and notices on recycling drives. He is an active advocate of the pursuit of minimalism, believing that it frees one of physical, emotional and financial clutter. Despite being comfortably middle class, Ben Liu opts to live simply, instead finding happiness in developing the capacity to enjoy less material things and prioritise relationships and memories more. Especially in Singapore, our modern and fast-paced lifestyles have overwhelmed our senses so excessively that we forget the things that really matter. Minimalism, hence, is especially needed and relevant in our society, being used as a means to declutter our busy lives and to refocus our values with the non-material things that bring about far greater value than physical items ever could, like our familial relationships and memories. It restores our sense of purpose, restoring a silence and calm to all the noise and chaos of the world for us to prioritise what really matters the most. Therefore, I agree that minimalism provides many benefits to one's mental wellbeing.

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I agree that minimalism is the antidote to the materialistic values of today's world because it is a lifestyle that goes against letting the consumerison of products being our source of happiness and instead focus more relationship or other stuff with deeper meaning to make us happy.

Minimalism help us to position ourselves against letting materialistic satisfaction be the source of joy in our life. In passage 2, Becker emphasizes how chasing after less materialistic items have led her to be more fulfilled and experience long term happiness. This shows how minimalism give us more time and more mind space to devote to meaningful aspects of our life, such as relationship with our family and friends, instead of scrolling endlessly in online shopping sites, like shopee and lazada. According to a survey by ValueChampion, 40% of Singaporeans have considered becoming minimalists, and 28% have already taken steps to do so. The survey also found that the main motivations for minimalism was saving money. Hence, we can put in more money for other altruistic purposes that not only give us joy but also make a difference in people's life.

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I agree with the claim that minimalism brings about more benefits than disadvantages to an individuals life.

Firstly, the minimalistic lifestyle encourages us to cut back on purchases and find satisfaction in what we already have, leading us to spend less and find worth in other things. In passage 2, Becker emphasises that the basis of minimalism is about prioritising the things that add value and significance to one’s life and cutting out anything that distracts us from it. Similarly, passage 3 brings about the idea that the main aim of minimalism is essentially to get rid of unnecessary things in our life, home and others which then helps in our appreciation of our surroundings. In fact, an article published by AsiaOne in 2021 stated that ‘adopting a minimalist mindset can also boost personal finances as having fewer things means you can live in a smaller house and pay less for rent or a mortgage. Many minimalists in Singapore have found that by reducing their possessions, they can downsize their home and save on rent each month.’ This therefore reflects how minimalism promotes a deliberate focus on simplicity and essentials over material possessions and this influence has even spread to a small country like Singapore. Personally, I resonate with the concept of minimalism because it challenges the societal norms that equate success or happiness with material wealth and possessions. This counteracts the pervasive consumer-driven culture, shifting the emphasis from "having more" to "living with purpose."

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I agree that minimalism does resolve the materialistic values of today’s world.

In Passage 2, Becker claims that minimalism reaps many benefits. Similarly, passage 3 agrees with this claim, as it states that the ‘minimalistic approach to home life leads to a calm and motivated mind-set, clarity of thought, greater productivity and eventual happiness’. Steve Jobs is the living embodiment of minimalism. Although being a billionaire, he came from humble beginnings which he followed through till the end of his life - a prime example being his trademark turtleneck and blue jeans. This shows that his minimalistic approach did not restrict him from his productivity and creativity, helping him in being at his best every day. Therefore, minimalism is vital in helping us take control of our personal lives, empowering us to constantly strive to become better versions of ourselves daily. Not only does it benefit our mental state, it would also reward us greatly by helping us look past superficial possessions and instead become more appreciative of the little details of life. Hence, I agree that minimalism does present us with quite a few advantages.

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This is true in Singapore, as people spend a large amount of leisure time shopping, especially after the pandemic integrated e-commerce into our daily lives. Furthermore, Singaporeans are often bombarded with advertisements When combined with peer pressure, this can breed dissatisfaction towards what we already own. However, minimalism forces us to consider the value of each and every purchase. This enables us to better appreciate the items we already own, as well as the items we choose to buy. Hence, minimalism can be an antidote to consumerism in Singapore, by teaching us to prioritise quality over quantity.

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I posit that in the pragmatic and work-driven society like Singapore, minimalism does bring about more merits than drawbacks.

Passage 2 states that users who practice minimalism find themselves having “renewed energy and more financial resources to pursue what is most important” to them. This is especially true in Singapore, considering how we are a work-driven society, with little time for our families. According to global data, Singapore is the 2nd most overworked city in the world. Thus, Singaporeans often find it a common occurrence of not having time for themselves, let alone their families, after working their 9-5 job. Thus, it is of no surprise that most Singaporeans would not spend their time and money indulging in materialistic desires such as buying luxury bags or shopping everyday to please themselves. Instead, in a country like Singapore who is deeply rooted in Asian family values, Singaporeans would choose to bring their families and loved ones out on the weekend to spend time together, visiting popular places like East Coast Park, Sentosa and Jurong Bird Park, as they value their family more. Consequently, these precious time spent with loved ones helps to revitalise them with new-found energy to continue working hard during the weekdays, showing how minimalism does enable one to find their priorities and be happy simultaneously.

To strengthen my point, Passage 2 also states that practicing minimalism has allows one to find “more opportunities to engage in meaningful social causes”. Based on my own experience, this is especially true as adopting a minimalistic approach allows one to realign their actions with their values, finding out what means most to them. For instance, my aunt used to be a great follower of consumerism. Thus, Orchard Road was a place frequently visited by her as it is hailed as the “shopping street of Singapore”. She would spend her time buying the latest Chanel, Gucci and Prada bags so as to look good in-front of her bosses and friends. However, after learning about minimalism and adopting a minimalist lifestyle, she found out that she was too invested in her image that she neglected her passion to help the needy. Consequently, using the time she spent shopping, she regularly volunteers with local organisation such as Youth Corps and Team Nila, to bring joy to kids with disabilities. Through practicing minimalist, one can rediscover their sense of identity and calling, engaging in philanthropic activities that they find to be most rewarding for themselves whilst also benefiting the greater good.

However, minimalism is not always desirable as too much of it would lead one to be too fixated on “having less” such that it pressures them to discard items that are actually important to them. This view is echoed in Passage 1 as it states how people find themselves regretting their actions, after realising “a little more stuff actually brought them immense comfort”. For instance, in the past, Macdonalds Singapore used to introduce toys collection as part of their Happy Meals. This would be especially memorable for the current millennials in their 30s as most of them were caught up in the hype and would try all ways to get their hands on those toys, putting it on display in their homes. One such collection was the famous “Hello Kitty Collection”. Although these iconic toys are not introduced anymore, those who own them would find it to be a fond piece of memory, reflecting their childhood and past. However, if we go by the theory of minimalism, people would discard away these toys as they take up lots of storage space. This would be undesirable as people choose to sacrifice the “physical manifestation of their memories” in a bid to prioritise “having less”. Thus, in such cases, minimalism prove to be a drawback as it can indirectly lead to the loss of history and our past which should be passed on to the future generation, as a form of memory.

Overall, the advantages of minimalism outweighs its disadvantages, if we are able to exercise discretion and discernment on the extent which we follow this theory.

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I posit that in the pragmatic and work-driven society like Singapore, minimalism does bring about more merits than drawbacks.

Passage 2 states that users who practice minimalism find themselves having “renewed energy and more financial resources to pursue what is most important” to them. This is especially true in Singapore, considering how we are a work-driven society, with little time for our families. According to global data, Singapore is the 2nd most overworked city in the world. Thus, Singaporeans often find it a common occurrence of not having time for themselves, let alone their families, after working their 9-5 job. Thus, it is of no surprise that most Singaporeans would not spend their time and money indulging in materialistic desires such as buying luxury bags or shopping everyday to please themselves. Instead, in a country like Singapore who is deeply rooted in Asian family values, Singaporeans would choose to bring their families and loved ones out on the weekend to spend time together, visiting popular places like East Coast Park, Sentosa and Jurong Bird Park, as they value their family more. Consequently, these precious time spent with loved ones helps to revitalise them with new-found energy to continue working hard during the weekdays, showing how minimalism does enable one to find their priorities and be happy simultaneously.

To strengthen my point, Passage 2 also states that practicing minimalism has allows one to find “more opportunities to engage in meaningful social causes”. Based on my own experience, this is especially true as adopting a minimalistic approach allows one to realign their actions with their values, finding out what means most to them. For instance, my aunt used to be a great follower of consumerism. Thus, Orchard Road was a place frequently visited by her as it is hailed as the “shopping street of Singapore”. She would spend her time buying the latest Chanel, Gucci and Prada bags so as to look good in-front of her bosses and friends. However, after learning about minimalism and adopting a minimalist lifestyle, she found out that she was too invested in her image that she neglected her passion to help the needy. Consequently, using the time she spent shopping, she regularly volunteers with local organisation such as Youth Corps and Team Nila, to bring joy to kids with disabilities. Through practicing minimalist, one can rediscover their sense of identity and calling, engaging in philanthropic activities that they find to be most rewarding for themselves whilst also benefiting the greater good.

However, minimalism is not always desirable as too much of it would lead one to be too fixated on “having less” such that it pressures them to discard items that are actually important to them. This view is echoed in Passage 1 as it states how people find themselves regretting their actions, after realising “a little more stuff actually brought them immense comfort”. For instance, in the past, Macdonalds Singapore used to introduce toys collection as part of their Happy Meals. This would be especially memorable for the current millennials in their 30s as most of them were caught up in the hype and would try all ways to get their hands on those toys, putting it on display in their homes. One such collection was the famous “Hello Kitty Collection”. Although these iconic toys are not introduced anymore, those who own them would find it to be a fond piece of memory, reflecting their childhood and past. However, if we go by the theory of minimalism, people would discard away these toys as they take up lots of storage space. This would be undesirable as people choose to sacrifice the “physical manifestation of their memories” in a bid to prioritise “having less”. Thus, in such cases, minimalism prove to be a drawback as it can indirectly lead to the loss of history and our past which should be passed on to the future generation, as a form of memory.

Overall, the advantages of minimalism outweighs its disadvantages, if we are able to exercise discretion and discernment on the extent which we follow this theory.

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I agree with Becker's claim in Passage 2 that minimalism is the antidote to the materialistic values of today's society.

Throughout Paragraph 2, Becker had recounted his struggles with his maximalist lifestyle and his cathartic transition to minimalism. He asserts that after "choosing minimalism, (he had) experienced numerous benefits". For instance, he had "renewed energy and more financial resources to pursue what is most important to" him. Similarly, Russell affirms Becker's notion in Passage 3 by stating that a "minimalistic approach to home life leads to a calm and motivated mind-set, clarity of thought, greater productivity and eventual happiness".

A prime example of the advantages brought by possessing a minimalist mind-set would be Marie Kondo. She is renowned for her revolutionary KonMari method, embodying how minimalism can be a transformative lifestyle. Through her philosophy of only keeping items that "spark joy," Kondo encourages individuals to declutter their homes and lives, fostering a sense of simplicity and purpose. By prioritising quality over quantity and surrounding oneself with belongings that truly resonate, Kondo not only creates serene living spaces but also cultivates a mindful and intentional approach to consumption. This intentional living extends beyond material possessions, as Kondo emphasises the importance of maintaining only those relationships and commitments that bring fulfillment. Ultimately, her practice of minimalism allows her to focus on what truly matters, reducing stress and promoting a more meaningful and joyful existence. Therefore, through the shining example of Marie Kondo, I believe that minimalism does bestow us with a plethora of benefits in our daily lives.

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I agree that minimalism yields benefits in one's life by allowing one to obtain greater contentment.

In passage 2, Becker argues that minimalism allows us to focus on valuable things that bring meanings to our lives, by giving us a clearer view of what is truly important to us and eliminating distractions. Similarly, in passage 3, this idea is re-emphasised as it states that minimalism leads to greater motivation and peace in life. Getting rid of unnecessary items gives us better mental clarity. A 2005 study led by Kirk Brown of the University of Rochester compared 200 self-identified voluntary simplifiers and 200 matched control participants and found that voluntary simplifiers exhibited more positive emotion and well-being than did control participants. This shows that those who engage in minimalism have become more aware of their true goals in life and practise their personal values more. They will also discover peace and experience greater well-being. This is because they are able to have greater control over their life, and their psychological needs are addressed. Personally, I resonate with the idea of minimalism. After I started disposing unwanted items and sticking to only buying useful items, my mind felt less cluttered with the loads of tasks I have to deal with. I also felt a sense of accomplishment due to my change and felt more motivated to proceed with completing more tasks. All in all, minimalistic approach is able to provide mental clarity and reminds us of our true goals in life, bringing tremendous benefits to us.

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Passage one argues that minimalism is driven by one's desires to maintain a good image while passage two and three argues that minimalism can bring about inner peace and clarity. While both sets of arguments hold value, I feel that the second set of arguments holds more true in my society.

Passage two highlights how owning less can offer more clarity in life. Many Singaporeans live fast-paced lives and busy themselves with the hustle and bustle of work. As Singapore is small, it is uncommon to find large families living in small apartments. While this is not a problem that can be easily eradicated due to Singapore's large population size and small land mass, minimalism offers a solution to this issue by allowing one to "escape from the clutter" in their lives as stated in passage two. Singaporeans Dave and Kate who own the blog Minimalist in the City state that their goal is to achieve ikigai through living a simple and meaningful life. Ikigai is a Japanese philosophical term meaning to do what gives your life purpose and meaning. Hence, through the blog, they educate people on ways to find satisfaction and meaning in a simple lifestyle. As such, minimalism offers a way to appreciate the small things in life that may be overlooked due to the clutter and buy and throw away culture in today's world made easy by the convenience of purchasing goods.

Thus, I agree that minimalism is beneficial to one's mental state.

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I agree that minimalism does bring about merits more than they do drawbacks.

The minimalistic lifestyle offers many incentives and positive outcomes and one way that it does comes in the form of its ability to solve the issue of morality and acts of goodwill that is negatively affected by the materialistic values of society today. In passage 2, Becker argues that minimalism can help to align one's actions with the values that they believe in and not be influenced by those with a consumerism mindset. Similarly, passage 3 argues that minimalism can help to reduce the things that are unnecessary to us and our lived which can bring about positive impacts to our lives. In an article by the Business Times, one individual admitted that through minimalism, she realised that before, her purchases and material belongings would only give short-term satisfaction and wondered why she bought those items but afterwards, she had realised that the consumer mindset had caused pollution and many other environmental issues in the world and that she does not wish to live a lifestyle that contributes to this problem. This proves that even in Singapore, our fast-paced society can be improved with minimalism and it can positively impact our lifestyle and our choices.

Therefore, I do believe that minimalism can help to benefit our lives and therefore, can provide as a solution to our materialistic values in our society today.

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I agree that enacting a minimalistic approach has many benefits.

Minimalism enhances mental dexterity and one’s well-being. In passage 2, Becker acclaims that minimalism promoted decluttering, mental clarity, alignment to one’s values, and inner peace. Likewise, passage 3 also agrees with approaching life with a minimalistic approach domestically. Through the implementation, one can benefit as it allows for a more peaceful state of mind, clarity of thoughts, enhancement in productivity, and life satisfaction. According to a psychologist, the mental health rewards of embracing minimalism include a reduction of stress,  and anxiety and even heightened financial security. The Business Times reports that  52% of Singaporean workers are now more sensitive to stress compared to the previous year. In a society like Singapore where the work-life environment and culture can be highly stressful and hectic, approaching a more minimalistic lifestyle would be highly beneficial to their mental wellbeing. According to the Minimalistic Society, minimalism does help with fostering a healthier lifestyle that is full of positivity that would eventually translate to a more carefree, organised, and fulfilled life. Relieving the external stress and anxieties. I too agree that when I declutter my room, my mood instantly elevates and I feel more empowered with motivation and productivity to do my chores and errands.

Therefore, I do agree that minimalism is beneficial, especially for the improvement of mental health as it provides a peaceful environment and sanctuary for one to strive.

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I agree that minimalism has its benefits.

Minimalism has multiple beneficial impacts on ones mental health and a form of escapism from life’s troubles. As a result of increasing advancements to our economy and quality of life, people nowadays find themselves indulging in materialism to prove oneself as successful in society. In passage 2, Becker exalts minimalism as a form of escape from clutter in life, and a way to find inner peace. Similarly, passage 3 agrees with this idea, as it states that it leads to a calmer and more motivated mindset, leading to greater productivity and happiness. A research done by National University of Singapore found that among the studies that included a quantitative component, over 80% reported a connection between voluntary simplicity and well-being, that upholding a minimalist lifestyle leads to a more organised and calm state of mind.

When living in an increasingly fast paced world, mental clarity and calmness is tantamount to a peaceful life. Thus, i agree that minimalism has its benefits on those who practise it

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i agree that minimalism brings about more merits than drawbacks.

becker states in passage 2 that minimalism is a form of escape from the clutter in life, bringing mental clarity, alignment to one's values and inner peace. this is true as passage 3 states that tidy-hopeful individuals will benefit from owning less and having a more streamlined environment, re-emphasising that minimalism will bring about benefits to one’s life. declutterring or minimalism, will provide one with a clearer mind, which is especially important in our fast-paced society in singapore that brings about a certain level of stress. this can be seen in our daily lives, such as when we are packing our bags to prepare for lessons. tidying up our bag and file, bringing what is necessary for class on the day itself can better prepare us for lessons since we are neat. also, we will not have to dig through piles of notes to find the specific ones we need should we start tidying them up neatly by chapters and we will also not fear losing our notes. this will also bring about more effective learning and enable us to learn with a peaceful mind. forming the habit of tidying can also bring about long term benefits to us as students when we enter the workforce as we will master how to complete tasks step by step. this will enable us to better cope with a peaceful mind in singapore’s fast-paced workforce which place high emphasis on productivity.

hence i agree that minimalism brings about benefits to people.