There is a duality to our existence, the ignoring of which can lead to imbalance. Let me explain.

Humans, no matter the age, love to create. Whether it is a crafting a work of art, making a tasty meal, or planning a party for friends, the action of creation is exhilarating.

At the same time, we love to consume. Whether it is watching a movie, eating a delicious meal at a restaurant, or attending a high energy celebration, the action of consuming is satisfying.

What happens when that balance falls apart?

That is the question explored by the Minimalists. In a short reflection on their website, they identify what they believe is a fundamental problem in our modern world. Right now, we are consuming far more than we are personally creating.

Marketers do a great job convincing us we need more: they establish a void so we will try to fill it. This is no secret; in fact, we take it for granted now: amongst the bombardment, we realize what advertisers are doing, yet we still give them carte blanche with our attention—we let them into our homes, onto our screens, and into our personal lives via Facebook and other outlets—and when we do, the void grows deeper.

What is the solution to this growing problem? According to the Minimalists, we must deliberatly practice the act of creation.

We must realize the real void is on the other side of the equation: the void most of us feel is a creative void—we’re so caught up in our consumeristic mindset we forget our inherent need to create. The solution, then, is to create more and consume less—if we spend more time creating, we will spend less time consuming: This is how we move the needle of contentment back to the positive. This is how we resolve our individual issues regarding compulsory consumption and mindless self-indulgence.

To learn more about this delicate balance and to hear their call to action, please read the rest of their reflection.