Minimalism is a concept that has been readily accepted in the world of fashion and home design. It is defined in hundreds of ways, depending on which area of life one hopes to make minimalistic. For the interior designer, it means including pieces in which form follows function, that can be utilized for more than one task. For the sculptor, it was a style popularized in the 1950s that used simple, large forms to create art. For the musician, it is “an avant-garde movement in music characterized by the repetition of very short phrases that change gradually, producing a hypnotic effect.” But for the college student, it can and should be a way of life focused on using less, giving more, giving back and passing on what one has.
The tiny house movement is an example of people trying to live out that ideal in a very tiny way. The practice of living a minimalistic lifestyle has many benefits for people of all ages, but even more so for college students. This unique population of over 20 million people has the ability and chance to encourage major changes in the world, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. College students can embrace minimalism in many areas of their lives; they can pare down their belongings, limit their gas consumption, buy from thrift stores, grow fresh ingredients for cooking, part with unnecessary items, host book and clothing swaps and much more. Each of these minimalist changes carry their own inherent benefits, but the reasons for embracing the minimalist lifestyle, which encompasses all of those practices and more, are innumerable. For the time being, here are seven reasons to be a minimalist.
1. For the pragmatist.
What other population of people moves at least twice every year? Owning only the items that fit into a set number of tote bins and suitcases—I’ve found the magic number to be two totes and two suitcases—makes this process much simpler. Packing, unpacking and repacking seems like less of a hassle when it is streamlined.
2. For the idealist.
Less stuff equals less waste, and less waste equals a stronger environment. Minimalism goes beyond the idea of having less things to making less of an impact on the globe. Given the state of the world, even the littlest gestures can start to make great waves.
3. For the realist.
There is more space, money and time for what you love most. Everyone has something that means the world to them. For me, that something is books. I have over 2,000 in total and having less clothing or furniture allows more space for my favorite pastime.
4. For the pessimist.
College dorm rooms and apartments are tiny, stress-inducing white boxes that get cluttered quickly and seem to hold dirt and smells. The fewer number of items in every room, the less cramped the space feels and the easier it is to clean well.
5. For the optimist.
Making money in college and immediately after it is difficult, so saving money on unnecessary items can alleviate stress later. It may even make being an adult seem less scary.
6. For the ambitious.
Do you really want your first real apartment to be packed with the remnants of your childhood bedroom? Or your college dorm, for that matter? Having less to begin with makes the transitioning process much smoother and less embarrassing when your coworkers come over for a drink.
7. For the creative.
Minimizing possessions and waste both take immense amounts of creativity. Deciding to use various items for multiple purposes or just purposes other than their intended use requires planning ability and execution skills, both of which are extremely important after you get the degree.
Becoming a minimalist is actually quite easy. It takes three simple steps. First, make the decision and create a plan for how to go about the change. Second, tell other people about it, so they can hold you accountable too. Third, start reducing possessions, waste and excess in your life.
The best place to begin is in the closet, but this process takes the longest, so the results will not be immediately visible. At the beginning of a year, turn all of the hangers in a closet the same direction. When you wear an item, turn the hanger the other direction. At the end of the year, donate or discard all the items that have been unworn. The same can be said for shoes, purses, belts, scarves and other accessories.
In order to reduce waste in one’s life, start recycling, upcycling, donating and reusing items. Plastic bottles can be given new lives as art, flower pots, decorations and DIY furniture. Old clothing can be donated to the goodwill or humanitarian services that support those who need it. Pinterest is a great place for ideas about reusing and recycling products. Check out https://www.pinterest.com/sammiweiss/onto-a-great-big-beautiful-tomorrow/ for some of my favorite sustainability projects.
There are many beautiful quotes that could help me share this message, but my favorite, from Buddha, goes: “Greater happiness comes with simplicity than with complexity.”
