The Art of Less: How Minimalism Unveils the Essence of Life

“Do you know that Elon Musk, the world’s richest person, lives in a two-bedroom house worth Rs 41 lakhs? Yes, you heard it right. The founder of Tesla and SpaceX has chosen to live in a small and simple home in Texas instead of a lavish mansion. Why would he do that? What are the benefits of living with less? And how can you start your own minimalist journey?”

Image by Maksim Goncharenok from Pexels

In a world that’s all about rush and things, there’s a quiet revolution underway. It’s called minimalism. At first glance, you might think it's just about tidying up, but let me tell you, it’s so much deeper. It’s like peeling away the layers of human behaviour and understanding the psychology that shapes us.

Imagine scrolling through your social media feed and seeing your friend’s latest splurges, their fancy vacations, and designer clothes. Suddenly, you start feeling like you’re missing out. This is Social influence in action, where what others do affects how we feel and act. But minimalism stands up to this, saying, "Let’s question this." Minimalists are like the rebels of society. They look at all the stuff and say, "Is this really who I am?"

Our identity, it’s a funny thing, isn’t it? We often tie it to what we own. The more we have, the more significant we think we are. But minimalism flips this idea on its head. It’s like looking in the mirror and asking, "Who am I, really?" When you clear away the clutter, suddenly, your identity becomes about growing, about being, instead of just having. It's like a deep breath in a room with the windows thrown open.

Here's a twist: Have you ever felt like you’re doing something that doesn’t quite match what you believe? That's cognitive dissonance, a fancy term for when your thoughts and actions don't match up. Minimalism is like a magic eraser for this. Imagine giving away those clothes you never wear. Suddenly, your actions and your desire for simplicity are in perfect harmony. No more mental tug-of-war.

One of the main reasons why people are interested in minimalism is because they are tired of consumerism. Consumerism is the idea that buying and owning more things will make us happier and more successful. It is influenced by many factors, such as advertising, media, peers, family, culture, and society. Consumerism can have negative effects on our lives. It can make us unhappy and dissatisfied because we always want more and compare ourselves to others. It can make us waste money and resources because we buy things we don’t need or use. It can make us stressed and overwhelmed because we have too much clutter and chaos in our homes and minds. It can make us lose sight of our values and goals, because we focus on external and superficial things.

One of the possible solutions to the problem of consumerism is minimalism. Minimalism is the opposite of consumerism. It is the idea that having less things will make us happier and more successful. It is based on our own choices and preferences, not on what others tell us. Minimalism can have positive effects on our lives. It can make us happy and satisfied because we appreciate what we have and don’t compare ourselves to others. It can make us save money and resources because we buy only what we need and use. It can make us relaxed and organized because we have less clutter and chaos in our homes and minds. It can make us focus on our values and goals because we concentrate on internal and meaningful things.

But how can we become minimalists? How can we change our habits and mindsets? How can we deal with the challenges and obstacles? The process of minimalism is different for everyone. There is no one right way or formula to follow. However, there are some general steps that can help us start and maintain our minimalist journey.

The first step is to understand why you want to be a minimalist. What are your motivations and goals? What are your values and priorities? What are your hopes and dreams? The second step is to get rid of the things that you don’t need or want. This can be done by following a method or a rule, such as the one by Marie Kondo, who suggests keeping only the items that spark joy. The third step is to arrange the things that you keep in a way that makes sense and works for you. This can be done by following a principle or a style, such as the one by Steve Jobs, who was known for his simple and elegant design philosophy. The fourth step is to reduce the complexity and stress in your life. This can be done by following a strategy or a plan, such as the one by Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, who have shared their tips and insights on how to live a meaningful life with less. The fifth step is to enjoy the benefits and rewards of minimalism. This can be done by following your passion or your purpose, such as the ones by many famous people who have embraced minimalism in different ways.

There are many examples of famous people who have adopted minimalism as their lifestyle choice. Some of them are Mark Zuckerberg, who wears the same grey t-shirt every day to avoid decision fatigue; Warren Buffett, who lives in the same modest house he bought in 1958; Emma Watson, who supports sustainable fashion and ethical brands; Leo Babauta, who practices mindfulness and gratitude; Malala Yousafzai, who advocates for girls’ education and human rights.

These are just some of the examples of minimalism. There are many more, and you can be one of them. You don’t have to be famous or rich to be a minimalist. You just have to be yourself and follow your own path.

Minimalism is not just a lifestyle choice or a design aesthetic. It is also a psychological phenomenon that can change your life for the better. By using some concepts from social psychology, you can understand the benefits and challenges of minimalism, as well as learn from some of the famous people who have adopted this lifestyle.

I watched a documentary named MINIMALISM by Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus on YouTube, which inspired me to write this blog. You can also watch it here.