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, it can also make people happier and more satisfied. Researchers have now confirmed 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 minimalism has grown into a huge movement in the past few years. It’s about reducing things to the essentials, about not always wanting more, but rather focusing on what you really need.
This means that minimalism is clearly to be understood as the antithesis of the consumer-oriented turbo-capitalism of our time with an ever stronger urge to grow. Minimalist: inside and the world ask: does it really have to be more and more? Do we need constant consumption and abundance? On the contrary: Wouldn’t we be happier with less, with a simpler life?
Studies show: 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 wellbeing released. And the study by Joshua Hook’s team from the University of North Texas actually confirms that 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 rating, and those with a qualitative rating, e.g. interviews, confirm 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. You automatically deal more with the psychological needs that contribute to personal development, such as independence or competence.
But: wealthy people do not necessarily make minimalism happier
Another finding of the study, however, is that this clear connection between minimalism and life satisfaction can be found primarily in people with low incomes. People with greater financial resources do not necessarily find more satisfaction with the “less is more” approach.
This could be related to the fact that people with higher incomes get used to a certain standard of living more quickly and therefore find it more difficult to be satisfied and happy with less consumption and growth.
Less is more: is that the way to happiness?
“I think this research counteracts the general tendency in our society to want more and more,” said Joshua Hook. “It is one of the greatest lies of our time that we just need more money, more material possessions, and more in general to be happy. Instead, we should look for other ways to increase our satisfaction – and living easier could be something that is worth trying out. “
A minimalist life does not have to mean that we are allowed to move into a forest hut like the writer Henry David Thoreau or only have 100 material things. But asking yourself what you actually need can help.
When it comes to life decisions such as a bigger apartment, a new car or another handbag, at least ask yourself what need is really behind it. Often it is the pressure of our high-performance and growth society that leads us to believe that we have to grow and want more. Being a little more careful when dealing with consumption not only protects the planet, but also makes us more satisfied in the long term.
Sources used: Journal of Positive Psychology, Psychologie Today