The idea of “less is more” seems to be a common one these days. “Minimalism” is now a concept that can be applied to goods, lifestyles, and even philosophy. But what exactly does minimalism mean? Let’s take a look at how the concept of “living less” came to be and how it has developed over time.

Modern minimalism began in the 20th century, but the philosophy’s roots can be traced back to 2,500 years ago. Diogenes of Sinope is known as the first person to not lead a “normal” life. He has nothing in his possession except a cloak, a walking stick, and a leather pouch (what was inside was unknown, given he has no money) after traveling from Turkey to Athens, Greece. Diogenes chose to live in a rain barrel rather than a traditional shelter with walls and roofs. The Hellenistic philosophy of Stoicism became well-known in the 3rd century BC. This philosophy describes how to endure “pain or hardship without the display of feelings and without complain.” Simply put, minimalism means having satisfaction living a simple life. This philosophy is reflected in the book “Outer Order, Inner Calm” by Gretchin Rubin. According to Rubin, a simple act will help someone’s day get off to a good start. “I finally cleaned out my fridge – now I know I can change my career too,” one of the people she talked with said.

So, what is minimalism, exactly? Is it a philosophical concept? Michael Landy, a British artist, claims that destroying material objects will save the world. Or is it Marie Kondo’s organizing art that decides whether a process “sparks joy” or not? Despite their differences, they all have one thing in common: contentment. To you, what does minimalism entail?