Never before has it been easier and quicker to get what you need. The pull of neoliberalism has us firmly in its grip - we strive for more, for perfection, and yet a countermovement is gaining momentum. A trend to turn away from the world of material things and to own less. Or is "being trendy" simply trendy?
What is minimalism anyway? A mindset, a look or a set of values to cleverly disguise modest boasting?
When something gains popularity as quickly as minimalism is currently, it is often misrepresented - because minimalism is so much more than just a hashtag. During our research, we discovered that there is actually a deeper meaning behind the concept.
Whether you hate a minimalist lifestyle, love it, or are still trying to figure out what all the hype is about, you're already one of the lucky ones - because you're consciously engaging with the topic of minimalism. Even if it's not for you, studies show that it has the potential to make a big difference. Here's our guide to minimalism. Dive deeper into the origins of the trend and see how minimalism can influence your life.
What is minimalism ?
Many people associate minimalism with art, design and a certain state of consciousness. However, the origins lie elsewhere. To understand the essence of the minimalist concept, let's rewind a few years. 600 years ago, Zen priests and artists designed Japanese rock gardens to express the principle of simplicity and clarity using empty space.
The term “ minimalism ” was coined in the 20th century as a byproduct of the “de Stijl” architectural style. The idea behind this style: less is more and beauty can be found in the absence of other things.
What does this have to do with your roommates posting photos of their white dishes on a white shelf in front of an equally white wall? The truth is that all of those who are the loudest talkers about minimalism these days are actually missing the point entirely. Still, most minimalists agree that it makes you feel less overwhelmed and allows you to focus on what you consciously want to welcome into your life.
Joshua Becker says in his blog Becoming Minimalist :
"In minimalism, we intentionally bring to the forefront the things we value most and get rid of everything that distracts us from them."
If this really works, minimalism seems pretty great. But does it work? Find out more below.
Does minimalism lead to a better life?
Most approaches to minimalist living are based on the idea that materialism has taken over our everyday lives – to our detriment.
Tim Kasser, author of The High Price of Materialism, has found that people who consider materialism important
- are less happy,
- maintain poorer interpersonal relationships,
- contribute less to the community and
- exhibit environmentally harmful behavior.
Minimalists intentionally try to be more mindful, so it stands to reason that minimalism has several positive side effects. However, you might be surprised at how big the positive impact of a minimalist life can actually be.
Minimalism can make you happier
According to Joshua Becker, the concept is about separating things that distract you from what is most important to you. Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, known as The Minimalists, say it is not that simple. You will not automatically be happy just because you follow the guidelines for a minimalist lifestyle. But it can always help:
“What minimalism can do is free yourself from everything unnecessary and experience new things with a new-found financial freedom.”
Minimalism can help you save
When you buy less, you save money (surprise!). If you commit to the belief that having too many things distracts you from what's most important, you'll probably never spend money the same way again.
If you get the courage to clear out the things you have accumulated, you may even be able to sell some of them. Popular minimalism blogger Mia Danielle also says that your new mindset will also influence other ways of spending money and result in passive saving. She says:
"You'll find that your financial health improves in more ways than just shopping. The benefits of minimalism are clearly financial. When you choose your possessions carefully, you won't buy junk that you don't need. When you apply this approach to your life (and your shopping habits), you'll be proud to look at your full bank account and your empty living room."
Minimalism makes you less wasteful
As you transform into a minimalist, many of your things will end up in the trash, for better or worse. Not fun. But once you start living a simple life, you'll be much more likely to choose a 4-in-1 food processor instead of a stand mixer, hand blender, hand mixer and smoothie blender.
According to Dr. Kelly Miller of Deakin University, less consumption even brings long-term benefits for the whole world:
“If we all thought about what we really need instead of what we just want, we would reduce our consumption and at the same time reduce our footprint on the world.”
Conscious consumption means less waste.
Minimalism gives you more freedom and less stress
When minimalists want to write something down, they reach for a pen. Their only pen. And you may find it hard to believe, but it works. Imagine all the moments in the day when having less stuff would optimize your daily routine. Less stress is a logical conclusion.
Researchers at UCLA found that a higher number of things in a household is directly linked to more stress. The connection between fewer things on the one hand and less stress and new freedom on the other is therefore easy to see.
Inspirations for minimalism – beginners
There are countless blogs, Instagram accounts and podcasts with different approaches to minimalism for beginners. Our first tip: Find out what works for you.
For some influencers, minimalism and a whole range of restrictions go hand in hand - for many, this is not the right start. Cleaning out your closet ? Okay. Reducing your book collection? No way.
Whether you most identify with the economic, environmental, or personal benefits of minimalism , we can bet that there is already a minimalism guru out there who sees things the same way you do.
Dip your toe into the sea of minimalism, write down what feels good and find out where you want to dive deeper. Choose a few of the following minimalism tips and try out your new mindset.
1. Way with double
Hand on heart... how many shampoo and shower gel bottles do you really need? Your home is full of things that aren't absolutely necessary. Sorting out, decluttering and throwing away is the motto. You don't have to reduce everything to the bare essentials right away. If you start by getting rid of the things that you certainly won't miss, you've already taken a first and simple step towards minimalism.
2. Shop smarter
Joshua Becker from Becoming Minimalist says:
“The pursuit and purchase of physical possessions will never fully satisfy our desire for happiness.”
We know how exciting it can be to dive into the sea of bargains. But if you want to keep your shopping cart minimalist, focus on the essentials. And yes, that might mean leaving the decorations for the flat-share party on the shelf. Before you go shopping, be aware of what you really need. Sorry, browsing and setting off without a plan is counterproductive.
3. The Essentials Collection
According to Forbes, "the average consumer has 120 items of clothing and only wears 20 percent of them." Invest in fair, high-quality clothing rather than seasonal fashion. This will not only put you on top of the fashion game, but will also make a statement against cheap production. Hello karma!
The idea is that you clear out your closet and fill it with 30 (high-quality) essentials that you can mix and match as you wish. The bottom line is that 30 high-quality items of clothing are not much more expensive than 120 from well-known seasonal fashion chains.
4. Donate your extras
Throwing away half-empty bottles is one thing. Giving away books, clothes and kitchen utensils is another. It turns out that donating feels good!
Studies from Rush University Medical Center show that “givers” experience a “helper peak” that provides long-lasting physical and psychological benefits.
Are you having trouble figuring out which things you don't need now but might need later? Our suggestion: put them in a box and write the date you put them away on it. If you don't miss these things after a year, donate them and collect karma points.
Our friends at the Red Cross are happy about every donation – regardless of whether you give them your discarded clothes, books or other possessions via used clothing containers, street collections or clothing banks.
5. Become socially minimalist
While it may not fit with what the Zen gardeners had in mind when they planted the seeds of the minimalism movement, there are incredible benefits to cleaning up your social life. Sort out who you follow on social media and limit relationships (online and offline) that aren't serving you well.
Changing your behavior by 180° is a mammoth task. But a minimalist lifestyle doesn't have to be difficult, especially since it's about simplifying your life and focusing on what's most important to you. Write your own definition of the minimalism philosophy and make it your own personal thing.