In an age of overwhelming abundance, minimalism emerges as a beacon of simplicity, offering a refreshing antidote to the chaos of modern life. With today’s story, let’s unlock the history and secrets of minimalism!
Did you know about the Indian festival called Bhogi (prominently celebrated in the southern part of India), where the act of discarding old clutter and possessions that are not of any use is a tradition? This ancient practice symbolizes a fresh start and renewed clarity by letting go of unnecessary baggage. What if I say that this is also the principal facet of minimalism?
Yes. The buzzword of this decade is not an entirely new ideology but a way of life that has been around for centuries across continents and regions. Let’s take a deep dive into some of the stories!
Japanese Minimalism
Japanese Zen Buddhism, which dates back to the 5th Century BCE, has always inculcated simplicity in their dressing styles, architecture, and every aspect of their daily life. Famously known as Japanese Minimalism, it includes utilitarian or multipurpose furniture, natural lighting, and most importantly, their concept of ‘Ma.’
To elaborate, Ma is a Japanese design sensibility focused on a natural flow of order in even the tiniest elements of the environment. According to them, everything should have a function so that it can be arranged to fit the flow perfectly. The room’s furniture should not cram itself into every available space; instead, it should just occupy one or two walls, leaving the remaining space for the light to flow. Isn’t that a truly minimalistic approach?
Denmark’s Minimalist Architecture
Danish designs are known for their functionality, utility, and elegance and have their roots in the post-war economic depression faced by the country. This period saw the emergence of functionalist architecture, characterized by its pragmatic approach to design and emphasis on social equality.
Architects such as Jorn Utzon, designer of the iconic Sydney Opera House, embraced functionalist principles, prioritizing simplicity and utility over ornamentalism. The emphasis on monochromatism and the importance of light makes it minimalist and astoundingly beautiful (goes without saying). Inherently, Danish people started prioritizing quality over quantity and kept architectural simplicity intact even to date, which permeates into every aspect of their lives.
Minimalism Across Religions
The acts of minimalism are widespread even across religions.
In Hinduism, Sannyasa refers to living a modest life with little or no material belongings. Indian religions encompass a range of behaviors, including self-discipline and a humble life, as well as strict austerities and self-mortification among monks. Traditional Buddhists, including monks, maintain a simple lifestyle based on their conviction in the principles of Buddhism. Adding to it, Seneca stated, “It is not the man who has too little, but the man who craves more that is poor.”
The Islamic concept of ‘Zuhd’ signifies asceticism. It emphasizes moderation and avoids excess or extremism in all aspects of life. It promotes a balanced approach to meeting fundamental requirements and minimizing resource waste.
In Christianity, living minimally without greed is about living out your purpose.
You must have now understood that a concept always associated with New York, has its roots in traditions worldwide in various forms with their own unique names, features, and traditions.
Let’s now try to understand the modern-day approach, how it gained the limelight, and its benefits.
What Is Minimalism In Today’s World?
In the words of Brian Garderener, “Minimalism is not about what you own. But why you own it”. This forms the crux of the ideology. It’s about having the most essential things and decluttering the rest. This is where it gets a little tricky. What’s a necessity for me might be another person’s luxury. Right? Hence, people have found their own comfort space within which they operate by choosing their own minimalistic approach. The Industrial Revolution increased consumerism, and minimalism emerged as a reaction.
In today’s world, too much time is wasted on edge case debates. Edge cases are hypothetical situations, what-if scenarios, and small details that have a minute impact, and they mostly divert your attention from the critical job that would actually have an 80% impact. And minimalism is not just about decluttering yourselves but also your mind. Focusing on the big tasks at hand and not diverting is also an essential tenet of this concept.
How Can You Embrace Minimalism as a Beginner?
Here are some practical tips
- Set Clear Goals: Define minimalism and establish clear goals for simplifying your life. Focus on what truly adds value and purpose to your life.
- Quality Over Quantity: Prioritize this while acquiring new possessions. Invest in well-made, durable, and those aligned with your values.
- Educate Yourself: Read books, articles, and blogs about minimalism (our article, for example 😉) to gain inspiration and learn practical tips for simplifying your life.
- One In, One Out: Adopt a “one in, one out” policy for new purchases. For every new item you bring into your life, consider letting go of a similar item to maintain balance and prevent clutter.
- Digital Decluttering: Streamline your digital life by organizing digital files, unsubscribing from unnecessary emails, and decluttering your digital devices regularly.
P.S. Why feel bored when you can spend your free time decluttering.
Some Quick Trivia
- The German architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe is known as the father of Minimalism for his marvelous inclusion of space and time in his constructions. He left a legacy of modernist architecture for generations to come, which imbibes the “Everything is a part of everything” precept of minimalism beautifully. Do check out his designs.
- Mahatma Gandhi once said, ‘Live simply, so that others can simply live’ meaning to point at the amount of environmental damage caused by the material world where the capitalist movement brought in infinite choices. A simple life can be beneficial to others and the environment as well if adopted.
- Minimalism is also known to be primarily influenced by the art movement in New York in the 1950s. It started when the artists questioned and rejected their overly expressive works in ‘Abstract Expressionism’ and turned to ‘Abstract Geometric Forms.’