The Habit of Minimalism

Introduction to Minimalism

The Definition of Minimalism

This refers to a lifestyle that seeks satisfaction in a non-materialistic world by reducing consumption.¹

Who is a Minimalist

This is an individual who for whatever reason chooses to live with less or an individual who has freely chosen
an anti-consumption lifestyle characterized by low resource use and low environmental impact.¹

Components of Minimalism

Minimalism is opposed to consumerism
Minimalism is a style of consumption
Minimalism is a way of conscious consumption.

Technically it can be understood as intentionally and reasonably limiting consumption based on your
demographics, and personal physical and mental characteristics while emphasizing responsibility for decision making in this field.¹

Does Practicing Minimalism Bring Happiness in Your Life?

Yes, but not directly. According to research, it is worth noting that minimalism does not directly influence feelings of happiness. The reason being, people typically do not have more happiness by choosing a simple lifestyle. That is, individuals may reduce consumption for other motives except happiness. There are many internal and external factors that influence one’s happiness, such as; satisfaction with the past, optimism, and happiness in the present, finances, social life, positive emotions, aging, and spirituality. Evidently, there is more than one factor that is a play when it comes to happiness, so this is something that can only be accessed from a personal level.¹

Indicators of a Minimalist Lifestyle

In order for you to have clarity on whether you live a minimalist lifestyle or not. These indicators can be a guide to determining whether you are living a minimalist lifestyle or not.

Living a more conscious life
Focusing more on desired life goals
Appreciating the simple things in life
Increasing the ability to control emotions
Building a positive environment
Contributing to environmental sustainability
Better financial management
Feeling more connected to God¹

Benefits of Living a Minimalist Lifestyle

Minimalism increases flourishing while reducing depression.
Reclaiming time
Eliminating excess stuff
Enjoying life
Discovering meaning of life
Appreciating the moment
Concentrating on what is important
Pursuing our passions
Finding happiness
Doing whatever we want to do
Finding your mission
Experiencing freedom
Creating more by consuming less¹

If it clutters your physical world, it clutters your mental world.

The Impact of Minimalism on Your Well-Being

Experiences

Feedback from the participants of the a minimalism experiment. These shared experience portray a positive impact of minimalism on their lives.

Many participants recalled that before minimalism they felt ‘trapped’, ‘tied down’, or ‘burdened’ by their possessions and by unwanted gifts from others. They also reported a feeling of freedom and liberation – not only from their possessions, but from societal expectations; from the monotony of routine; and from the trap of the hedonic treadmill, the endless cycle of expecting and adapting to the hedonic pleasure of new purchases

We both recognize that when things weren’t good, spending was how we fixed it… it was a quick fix to go out and buy something new. It was a really quick fix.
I find it’s much easier…and it’s just not as stressful and I don’t have to continually feel like I’m chained to domestic tasks to make my house presentable.

People with children, highlighted saving time as a result of spending less time cleaning and organising, which contributed to this feeling
of freedom.

Others minimalism as enabling them to become more aware of their values and aligning their actions accordingly. These actions included spending more time with family and friends, volunteering, engaging in pro-ecological behaviours and making sustainable and ethical purchases, and choosing to spend money on experiences rather than material objects.

One participant recalled dismay at the realisation of the monotony of her family’s routine and lack of quality time with her young child and described how minimalism enabled her to have more meaningful experiences with her family.

I just said to [my husband] one day, ‘There has to be more to life than this. There just has to be.’ [Now] I think we’re feeling more connected as a family…We have stories now. Memories instead of doing the same old thing

Many people reported that minimalism has supported them to develop a clearer view of their authentic self. They recognised the
idea that stripping back to minimal possessions also enabled them to strip back to their true identity.

I think the process of minimalism and decluttering…brings me closer to my authentic self because it gives me that confidence of knowing what I want and what I don’t want…I’ve got so much more of an idea of what I want for myself and what is going to make me happy.

I think by becoming a minimalist you become more aware of what really expresses you or what you really value…And I think by having this awareness, you kind of become more authentic.

While participants tended to reject the materialistic idea that possessions portrayed status, a number of participants reported that the possessions they currently own add joy or value to their lives. As they truly liked and identified with their possessions, they assisted them to feel more authentic.

Possessions before allowed me to be inauthentically something that was more socially acceptable, now my possessions are more an expression of who I consider to be my authentic self.

Almost all participants conveyed the belief that what is happening in one’s physical space (the external world) is reflected in one’s mental space (the internal world) and vice versa. For example, a cluttered, chaotic home was the cause and result of a cluttered, chaotic mind. Participants reported that minimalism provided the means to ‘create space’ in both one’s external and internal world.

I’ve shucked off my old skin and now I’m moving onto a new phase of living… every time you throw away something you don’t need anymore, it feels like…it can feel like you’re growing and making progress and you’re freeing yourself up.

It’s almost like saving your brain energy by reducing the things that you have to actually think about. Sometimes it’s people just occupying their brain with these things and for me it’s like I just think to myself, ‘God, I’m so glad I don’t have to divert any brain power to those sorts of things’.

I feel like the decision of what to wear is going to be easier…it’s going to take less time. Like it’s less mental energy

They also stated that the mental space resulting from minimalism creates the ideal conditions for reflection, developing new insights, and learning and growing from these insights.

Many reported varying degrees of self-reflection, reflecting on their relationships with others, and reflecting on other aspects of their minimalistic lives, such as how they spend their money, or the environmental impact of their purchases.

It’s been introspective, you know, kind of going through my past.
…whereas now I try and think a bit more about where that came from or, you know, it’s impact on the environment or that kind of stuff.

I just notice more…because I’m so part of his play now or…just part of his day…
he’ll ask for stories about what we’ve done that day and I can tell them because I was
present.

These participants noted an increase in savouring meaningful exchanges with family and friends, the simple pleasures in life, and their valued possessions.

I think if you put the effort into your possessions and your house and your space, you can just savour the day-to-day. You can savour your daily experiences so much more.

I would much rather buy something that’s really nice and well-made that I can appreciate and savour and just have one of those rather than have lots of things that are kind of a bit cheap that I don’t really engage with.

I think if you put the effort into your possessions and your house and your space, you can just savour the day-to-day. You can savour your daily experiences so much more.²

Finally, there are many notable positive reasons as to why practicing minimalism can have a positive impact in different areas on your life. Having an understanding of the well-being benefits of minimalism can provide the encouragement to reduce individual consumption that positively impacts both your personal life and the environment.

References

Hang, Dao Thuy, and Pham Thi Minh Tam. “Less Is More: A Literature Review to Understand MinimalismA Chosen Lifestyle in Practice.” American Research Journal of Humanities Social Science (ARJHSS)R, vol. 07, no. 01, 2378–702x, Jan. 2024, pp. 87–92. www.arjhss.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/H718792.pdf.
Lloyd, K., & Pennington, W. (2020). Towards a Theory of Minimalism and Wellbeing. International Journal of Applied Positive Psychology. doi:10.1007/s41042-020-00030-y