Spareness
minimalism.com
“15 years ago, the internet was an escape from the real world. Now, the real world is an escape from the internet.” – Noah Smith
You can now subscribe to our premium newsletter
Minimalism Life® has always been about exploring the nuances of minimalism—beyond just decluttering and into the deeper questions of what it means to live with intention. Now, we’re taking that exploration further.
Our new premium newsletter, published every two weeks, offers original essays, philosophical reflections, and case studies that challenge assumptions and explore the many ways minimalism shapes creativity, culture, consumerism, and considered cultivation. These aren’t surface-level insights but thoughtful, in-depth explorations that go beyond what you’ll find elsewhere.
For $5 per month or $50 per year, you’ll get access to these exclusive pieces — designed to make you think, reflect, and refine how minimalism fits into your life.
Finding yourself in spareness
We often create an identity for ourselves using things.
We have logos or slogans or cute catchphrases on our clothing, and it shows people who we are. We have tattoos or piercings, baseball caps, accessories, smartphones, designer bags, Manolo Blahnik shoes … and these express to others who we are.
In our homes, what we have on our walls shows others who we are. What TV shows we watch, what books we read, what celebrities and blogs we follow. What brands we like on Facebook. This is our identity.
But what happens when you strip all this away? When you are left with plain clothing, a home that is empty and spare … how will you express yourself? What will you use to forge an identity? You could argue that your identity would now be called “Minimalist”, but let’s go beyond that label.
In spareness, we are confronted by a lack. It is a frightening thing if you aren’t accustomed to it. You must take a close look at that lack, and wonder, “What am I left with?”
When there is just you, and nothing else, you must look inside yourself. You have to ask who you are, and again, that can be scary. You start to question whether you are adequate as a person, and then you wonder where this sense of inadequacy comes from. You start to realize that there is nothing more possible than who you already are, that there isn’t anyone who is “more adequate” than you, but only people who are different. If you perceive them to be “better”, that’s only because you are measuring them up to a standard created by someone else. When you remove that arbitrary and meaningless standard, there is no “better”. There is only who you are.
There is an empty room, and you. And you are enough. You are all that’s needed in this room, you fill it with your light and the miracle of your being, and you now realize: the things you used to express yourself, those were just a crutch. You need none of it. You are enough.
In spareness, you find enough.
Words by Leo Babauta
01 – Journal
Read entries from the archive of the Minimalism Life® community journal
Words by Joshua Fields Millburn
Words by Filipe Corrêa
A simpler choice — Less choice, better decisions: The advantages of setting artificial boundaries
Words by Nicolas Magand
Share your story
Do you have an interesting story you would like to share on minimalism.com? We want to read about it. You have the opportunity write about your experience of how minimalism has impacted your life and get your words published in our community journal.
02 – Minimal art
From our curated gallery
03 – Minimal design
Explore our list of curated design resources
U1-MA: mindfulness app (tool/software)
A lesson with A G Fronzoni (book)
04 – Minimal lifestyle
Explore our list of curated lifestyle resources for simple living
Uniform by entire studios (fashion)
Wabi sabi in the workplace (article)
05 – Shop
Discover our hand-picked minimalist products in the Minimalism Life® shop
06 – Brands anchored by simplicity and sustainability
Minimalism can be about frugality and owning less, but it can also be about supporting ethical brands with sustainability at their core. Here’s several that you might be interested learning more about:
Luca Faloni: Luxury Italian men's clothing
Collars&Co: Minimalist polo shirts
Dalgado: Timeless accessories made to last
Monbrey: classic timepieces
Oliver Cabell: Minimalist Italian footwear and accessories
Nordic Knots: Rugs inspired by the beauty of the Nordic light
CDLP: Luxury essentials
Meller: Minimal shades
The Resort Co: Eco-conscious and artisan vacation wear
Void Watches: Simple Swedish timepieces
Wahts: Minimal monochromatic menswear
Floyd: Unique and distinctive travel cases
Mismo: Bags and accessories from natural materials
ASKET: Ending fast fashion by making covetable everyday essentials
Stiksen: Premium caps from Sweden
Discover more minimal brands on minimalism.com