- Sustainable Queen
MINIMALISM, A KEY STEP TO CREATING IMPACT?
Whenever someone engages in minimalism, he engages in a sustainable path, as you might probably already be aware, minimalism and sustainability are highly intertwined.
If you have been following us, it’s no secret that Minimalism is a cause that is dear to @Antonia and the Universe’ heart, one of our influencers and sustainable advocates. @Antonia and the Universe encourages responsible consumption and minimalism by urging us to
• Reuse our own clothes by suggesting lots of options such as styling one piece differently contributing to the circular economy, buying from thrift stores or donating our clothes.
• shop sustainably by avoiding buying lots of “eco-friendly items” if we already have them at home. If what we have at home could be used in the long term and brought everywhere such as cutlery and containers, why buy more?
Our article goes on to support Antonia’s endeavor by suggesting further tips on how to be a minimalist, its implication, and how it is a key impact on our planet
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MINIMALISM AND SUSTAINABILITY?
Minimalism is a philosophy of life that implies living with what you need, eliminating the unnecessary, collecting moments rather than material objects, and above all, giving priority to quality over quantity.
Sustainability on the other side, and in particular zero waste, consists in producing as little waste as possible. As such, they indulge in living with an eco-responsible awareness and mindset, consuming by considering the external parameters concerning our carbon impact on our planet.
HOW DOES MINIMALISM CREATE IMPACT?
Minimalism allows us to save money by stopping the purchase of superfluous things, making more conscious choices and being aligned with our eco-friendly values and aspirations.
It is an ethical approach by doing less but better, refocusing on the essential, reusing, borrowing, reducing.
By consuming less, we spend less, or at least we spend better. We will turn to alternatives that are sometimes a little more expensive to buy, but that will last longer, that we will keep over time – if indeed it is part of a minimalist approach, thus minimizing consumption and production.
By minimizing very strongly the nuisances that we exert daily on the balance of the ecosystems, we, therefore, reduce in a significant way the production of greenhouse gases, carbon footprint, pollution among others.
If we opt on living in a tiny house with only the key essentials required, not only will we have the tendency to store less, but we will also spend less on maintenance, electricity and heating.
Fewer sales would mean less production. And in the end, there would be less consumption of precious resources and less pollution from the exploitation, manufacturing and transportation of goods.
Less consumption means less maintenance if you don’t own them. In the end, it can even result in less waste or objects being thrown away and replaced.
HOW CAN YOU BECOME MORE MINIMALIST?
Aspiring to zero waste to limit material possessions is one of the simple steps that can of course be practised by all, starting at the individual level. Let’s see how.
First, ask yourself the questions: “Do I really need it?”, “What does the new purchase bring me?”, “How could I do otherwise?”
Analyze your needs and reduce your consumption.
Buy only quality products which are stronger, more efficient and therefore last longer.
Opt for a smaller space to live in so as not to be tempted to bring in a large number of objects, if only to fill the void, and why not adopt the tiny house concept.
Avoid contemplative collections that you end up forgetting and not looking at anymore
Avoid duplicate objects that are never used
Optimize the use of the objects you own
Stop storing and stockpiling objects “just in case
Develop, create and spread awareness by reading and sharing blogs like sustainable living and watching videos such as the documentary « Minimalism: a documentary about the important things »
Less is more. Ecology and minimalism meet each other when the same intention is in play.
If we are satisfied with less, and if we consume less, better and in an eco-conscious and eco-responsible way, we will inevitably produce less waste. The positive impact will not only be personal but also collective for our dear planet and all its inhabitants. For these reasons, minimalism is key to creating impact ensuring waste-reducing, abuses and excesses.
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