Now that the UK is officially in lockdown, our behaviours are having to become more minimalist with each new day... if you don't believe me- here are some examples of how we are all living with less...
Minimalism on Female First
Need over want: As the shelves empty of stock in the wake of people bulk buying, we are forced to ask ourselves, what do we really need? When there is less choice, we are faced with buying only what is necessary rather than what’s on offer, what is new or what our brand preference is. We simply have to select whatever does the job. In this sense, stuff takes on a whole new meaning- function reigns supreme, while everything else is just irrelevant. A lot of minimalists use the need over want question when purchasing anything and it’s a useful tool to employ when we are choosing what to bring into our homes at present.
Thinking twice about food purchases: We are encouraged to leave the safety of our homes for food only, which makes us think twice about what we are planning to buy. Can we realistically cope with what we already have? Is the trip out really that important? Can the recipe be made another way? Many minimalists leave a period of time before making a purchase and the potential risks of going outside are making the rest of us adopt the same mentality right now- especially around food.
Not so click happy: Many people are minimising their contact with others in every way they can- even to the point reducing what is being sent to their home in the form of deliveries. The possibility of drivers having the virus is making us second guess what we are buying out of boredom or panic. When adopting a minimalist lifestyle those who have had issues with compulsive buying in the past feel it’s important to examine what triggers their spending habits and it’s often in response to a strong emotion. In this case, it could be fear.
Clutter free crutches: Many people are turning to clutter free ways to fill their time in the form of digital streaming services, ebooks, e-magazines and games to minimise their exposure to others which are all firm favourites of minimalists, given that they take up no physical space.
Clutter free and consumable gifting: People are having to resort to buying gifts that can be sent straight to someone’s door or over email. While the gift of experience is a popular choice with minimalists, this is not an option right now so e-vouchers and gifts that can be consumed in the comfort of the home are now the go-to option.
A make do and mend mentality: While almost everything can be attained at this time, there are a few things that we may have to do without for a while, which means we are going to have to make the most of what we have rather than buying new. Some minimalists are driven to the lifestyle because they hate waste and as we are forced to be satisfied with what is already in the home, less waste is inevitable.
Quality time with others: As our focus on stuff has to reduce and we spend more moments with our loved ones, our time together increases in quality. This will naturally encourage more experiences in the home like watching movies together, playing games as a family, reading to each other, cooking together and learning new things about one another through conversation. The Minimalists coined the term 'love people and use things because the opposite never works' on their popular podcast and we could all do with adopting this mantra right now.
We are all being touched by the minimalist lifestyle in some way or another right now- so let’s embrace it as much as we can.
Tagged in Minimalism Minimalist Coronavirus