psychology
Does minimalism really make us happier?
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A minimalist life is not only an alternative to our fast-paced consumer and performance society, but can also make you happier and more satisfied. Researchers confirm this in a large study.
In uncertain times like these, between pandemics, wars and the climate crisis, many people long for a simpler life. So it’s no wonder that the Minimalism has become a major movement in recent years. It’s about reducing things to the essentials, about not always wanting more, but instead focusing on what you really need.
Minimalism can therefore clearly be seen as the antithesis to the consumer-oriented turbo-capitalism of our time with its ever-increasing drive for growth. Minimalists ask themselves and the world the question: Does it really have to be more and more? Do we need constant consumption and excess? On the contrary: Wouldn’t we actually be happier with less, with a simpler life?
Studies show that a simple life actually makes you happier
Many researchers have already investigated this question. The “Journal of Positive Psychology” has one Meta-analysis of 23 studies on minimalism and well-being published. And the study by Joshua Hook’s team from the University of North Texas actually confirms: More than 80 percent of the studies examined found a positive connection between a consciously simple life and increased well-being. Both studies with a quantitative component, i.e. a number-based evaluation, and those with a qualitative evaluation, such as interviews, confirmed the thesis that a minimalist life makes you happier.
The researchers suspect that this connection is based on the fact that people who prefer a simple lifestyle are better able to control their desire to consume than others. They automatically become more concerned with the psychological needs that contribute to personality development, such as independence or competence.
But: Minimalism does not necessarily make wealthy people happier
Another finding of the study, however, is that this clear connection between minimalism and life satisfaction can be found primarily among people with low incomes. People with greater financial resources do not necessarily find greater satisfaction in the “less is more” approach.
This could be because people with higher incomes adapt more quickly to a certain standard of living and therefore find it more difficult to be fulfilled and happy with less consumption and growth.
Less is more: is this the way to happiness?
“I think these research findings counteract our society’s general tendency to always want more,” explains Joshua Hook. “It’s one of the biggest lies of our time that we simply need more money, more material possessions, and more in general to be happy. Instead, we should look for other ways to increase our happiness – and living more simply might be something that it’s worth trying.”
A minimalist life doesn’t have to mean that we move into a cabin in the forest like the writer Henry David Thoreau or that we can only own 100 material things. But asking yourself what you actually need can help.
When making life decisions such as a larger apartment, a new car or an additional handbag, at least ask yourself what the real need is. It is often the pressure of our performance and growth society that makes us believe that we have to expand and definitely want more. Being a little more careful when dealing with consumption not only protects the planet, but also makes us happier in the long term.
Sources used: Journal of Positive Psychology, Psychology Today