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Eliza Schwabe
Professor Barnes
English 1201
21 March 2021
Benefits of Being a Minimalist
Many individuals have started to question their current lifestyle, notably the amount of
possessions they have. A minimalist lifestyle incorporates the idea of “less is more” by focusing
on decluttering and downsizing. Many find that it brings joy and contentment. Should
minimalism be considered a therapeutic option to improve mental health?
The Encyclopedia entry for “Minimalist Lifestyle” describes the history behind the
movement to live with less. Although, many individuals think minimalism is a new concept, it
was originated by Zen Buddhists who encouraged mindfulness through uncluttering. Overtime, it
has spread to different regions, each with their own variation. The most significant variation is in
the twenty-first century, where it focuses on people and the environment. The minimalist
lifestyle has found itself influencing how much rather than style. It encourages long-term
happiness (Janine Ungvarsky).
Common ideas of minimalism support a positive lifestyle through decluttering and
changing from a materialistic mindset. The overall trend in articles is that while there are
different backgrounds that choose to live minimal, there is a common reason and result.
However, there has yet to be a way to perform a quantitative analysis from the scientific studies
performed. Current studies are from personal accounts following various theories. A theme,
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however, is that the benefits described are for deliberate lifestyle change, not in response to
limited finances (Jiyun Kang et al.).
In “Sustainable Production and Consumption” by Jiyun Kang et al. a study is performed
to identify positive versus negative emotion in individual’s choices reflecting their chosen
minimalism lifestyle. It is found that the lifestyle “alleviates negative feelings and encourages
happiness, self-esteem, and positivity” (Jiyun Kang et al.). The authors promote experiences
rather than materialistic things to promote happiness similarly to “Less is More” by Jutta Junge.
Junge explains happiness is found in memories not things (Jutta Junge).
Five additional themes are identified with research as autonomy, competence, mental
space, awareness, and positive emotions. (Lloyd, Kasey and William Pennington). Individuals
feel that they are in control and therefore can maintain stress levels. Additionally, people have
found purpose in living with the basics and becoming conscious in their consumerism (Brittany
Robinson). But studies also show that there is a developed “sensitivity to clutter, worry about
acquiring possessions after the death of family members, and painstaking research before
purchasing a product” (Lloyd, Kasey and William Pennington). When do the benefits outweigh
the drawbacks?
A news article “Less is Less; Matt Labash, maximal minimalist” by Matt Labash also
describes disadvantages of the lifestyle. The author tells how the idea of simplicity has became
complicated and contradictory. It goes on to explain how half the population is living below to
poverty line and when they are forced to simplify their lives financially it does not have the same
effect. The article is trying to persuade the readers that it is tiring to keep up with the new ideas
that minimalism has taken on in a lifestyle.
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Perhaps minimalism would be therapeutic to certain individuals, but the overall
consensus is that the decision needs to be made independently not forced. The bad reputation of
this lifestyle can make it difficult for an individual to fully enjoy it. There is no set definition to
minimalism because there is no constraint of the number of things to get rid of or how you
contribute to consumerism which creates discrepancy in with study participants labeling
themselves as “minimalism.”
Works Cited
Hausen, Jennifer E. “Minimalist life orientations as a dialogical tool for happiness.” British
Journal of Guidance and Counseling, vol. 47, no. 2, 2019, pp.168-179,
http://sinclair.ohionet.org:80/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=slh&AN=136520391&site=eds-live. Accesserd 7 Mar. 2021.
Junge, Jutta. “Less is More.” Good Health, Feb. 2019, pp. 120-121. Consumer Health Complete
– EBSCOhost, http://sinclair.ohionet.org:80/login?
url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=c9h&AN=133660961&site=eds-live. Accessed 21 Mar. 2021.
Kang, Jiyun, et al. “Minimalism as a sustainable lifestyle: Its behavioral representations and
contributions to emotional well-being.” Sustainable Production and Consumption, vol.
27, 2021, pp. 802-813. Science Direct, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2021.02.001.
Accessed 20 Mar. 2021.
Labash, Matt. “Less is Less; Matt Labash, maximal minimalist.” The Weekly Standard, vol.20,
no. 2, Sept. 2014. ale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints,
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link.gale.com/apps/doc/A382578468/OVIC?u=dayt30401&sid=OVIC&xid=5e7af82b.
Accessed 7 Mar. 2021.
Lloyd, Kasey and William Pennington. “Towards a Theory of Minimalism and Wellbeing.”
International Journal of Applied Positive Physiology, vol. 5, 2020, pp. 121-136. Springer
Link, https://doi.org/10.1007/s41042-020-00030-y. Accessed 20 Mar. 2021.
Robinson, Brittany. “The Minimalist’s Resolution: Buy Less Stuff.” The New York Times, 31
Dec. 2020. Opposing Viewpoints in Context,
https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A647087407/OVIC?
u=dayt30401&sid=OVIC&xid=56bda2ea. Accessed 20 Mar. 2021.
Ungvarsky, Janine. “Minimalist Lifestyle.” Salem Press Encyclopedia, 2020. Research Starters
– EBSCOhost, http://sinclair.ohionet.org:80/login?
url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=ers&AN=141948888&site=eds-live. Accessed 21 Mar. 2021.
