Well, I am not hiking uphill through poison ivy to take a legible photo of a pretty bird, and also bird will see me coming and run away. Speaking of running away, kids are not going to stick around for me to find a vantage point where all of them fit in the frame, with wide angle I at least get some kind of photo and can try to minimize distortions in post.

So I carry 3 lenses

- 50mm equivalent (35mm for my Canon crop sensor) f1.2 fast prime for when I am in control of composition or need to shoot in low light

- 18-135mm zoom for when I can't predict the circumstances of my photos / count on having time to move myself or subject around or change lenses

- 70-200mm telephoto for hikes and sports

I do like 50mm prime photos of compositions that fit into that frame while retaining sufficient detail best. But minimalizm is a luxury that requires subordinating all other priorities of self and others to one's preferred practice. Real life calls for compromise. On family vacations I just carry an Olympus TG6, which is nothing to get excited about as a camera, but it fits in my pocket, has 4x optical zoom and can be taken on a swim or thrown on the sand at the beach. I don't think I would end up taking much photos with a fragile interchangeable lens camera and a prime lens.