Scientific minimalism
minimalism.com
“I didn’t design many colored works. I used color only when I thought it was functional to the message. Colors can never reproduce reality. While white and black suggests the edge of our perception. In the beginning, lightness. In the end, darkness. It is the synthesis of communication and also the synthesis of our life’s journey.” – A G Fronzoni
Scientific minimalism
Applying lessons from scientific exploration to your minimalism journey
Kelvin Kiptum recently broke the unbelievable fastest marathon record of Eliud Kipchoge. It made me wonder whether it was a purely manual effort or the magic of the recent scientific approaches to running. These include rigorous drafting, super shoes, and customized nutrition. Without diminishing this long-distance runner's efforts, I wanted to dig deeper into the approach itself.
Are these approaches transferable? Of course, they are. Transferring these approaches to other sports would be a natural thought. But what I would like to consider is the use of scientific approaches to minimalism. Being an engineer in my full-time profession, I have learned to take any theory logically. Common steps to test a theory are to conduct surveys, experiments, and field observations. So let's have a look at how we can practice Scientific Minimalism.
Surveys
A survey requires the evaluation of something and the recording of data about it. Using surveys to gain insight into minimalism means, preparing questionnaires, posing those questions to the relevant crowd, and gathering conclusions. My way of doing this is through my blog and my group interactions on Facebook. When you are stuck on a decision while minimising, these groups could help with suggestions on alternatives. For example, how can you reuse certain items, or how do you let go of certain items close to your heart?
Read the full essay on minimalism.com
01 – Podcast
On the latest episode of the Minimalism Life Podcast, New York Times–bestselling author Joshua Fields Millburn reads and discusses his essay "You cannot fix anything".
02 – Community experiences
Read entries from the archive of the Minimalism Life journal:
03 – Share your experiences
Do you have an interesting story you would like to share on minimalism.com? We want to read about it. Here, you have the opportunity to get involved and contribute to our journal.
04 – Found on the web
Other minimal things on the web you might be interested in reading:
05 – 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 (less but better). Here’s several that you might be interested learning more about.
BOLDR: Minimalist home heating solutions
Rent the Runway: Rent designer clothing
Collars & Co: Minimalist polo shirts
ODA: The modular everyday bag and essentials
Cuff Copenhagen: Unisex jewelry brand from Denmark
Pedestal: Minimal stands for your screens
OMNES: Sustainable and affordable fashion
Luca Faloni: Luxury Italian men's clothing
Clae: Minimalist footwear from LA
Form & Thread: Mindfully sourced garments
Nordic Knots: Rugs inspired by the beauty of the Nordic light
Discover more minimal brands on minimalism.com