“I would rather own a little and see the world, than own the world and see a little.” — Alexander Sattler

This is one of my most favorite quotes when talking about minimalism. It’s a reminder for me to live with less so I can experience more.

Yet when we hear the word minimalism, many of us may still picture bare white rooms and empty walls. Social media shows us this way because it’s easy to capture in a photo. But that’s just a part of the story, living with minimalism and aesthetics can be both beautiful and deeply personal.

To understand minimalism better, it helps to know where it came from.

The Roots of Minimalism

Minimalism is not a single idea. It has evolved over centuries, shaped by philosophy, art, and culture, with three key stages:

1. Historical Roots

Eastern philosophies like Zen Buddhism valued stillness, awareness, and the beauty of simplicity. In Western, Stoic philosophers said true happiness comes from virtue, not possessions (NJ Lifehacks).

Across cultures, simple living was common — people used only what was needed and found peace in balance.

2. Art and Design Movement

In the 1960s, minimalism turned into an art and design revolution.
Architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe famously coined the motto “less is more”. Mies believed that a building’s beauty comes from its pure form rather than flashy decoration (ArchDaily).

According to Britannica, artists like Donald Judd and Dan Flavin stripped art to squares, cubes, or lines and solid colors. The idea was to eliminate all excess and personal expression, so the viewer could focus on the pure form and materials of the art itself.

This era gave us the mantra “less is more”, proved that simplicity could be radical and modern.

3. The Modern Minimalist Lifestyle

By the 2000s, consumerism and digital overload left many people overwhelmed. Overflowing closets, busy schedules, endless ads, exactly what inspired me to start decluttering without overwhelm. Minimalism returned as a lifestyle movement. Marie Kondo invited us to keep only what sparks joy, while The Minimalists showed that less stuff could mean more freedom (The Guardian).

These influences - philosophy, art, and modern life - shape the minimalism ideals today. But in the end, it’s not just history or theory. It’s something we each have to define for ourselves.

So, what is minimalism?

Minimalism has many definitions. Some might mention it as decluttering. Others think about style — white walls and clean lines. But at its core, minimalism is much simpler. It’s living with intention, keeping space for what matters most, and letting go of what doesn’t.

Minimalism can also be seen as a mindset of value, choosing quality over quantity, and experiences over possessions. For me, its real value came when I defined what ‘enough’ means in my own life. That simple idea now guides how I declutter my home and even how I manage my work schedule.

Key Principles: The Art of Owning Less

Living as minimalist does not mean to have set of rules. It’s about the principles that guide how we live — helping us choose better and focus on what adds real values.

1. Intentionality

Minimalism begins with living on purpose. Instead of letting habits, ads, or other people decide for them, minimalists ask: why do I need this? This question shifts us from autopilot to intention. A minimalist doesn’t buy a shirt just because it’s on sale, they choose it because it fits their style and serves a need.

2. Simplicity

Minimalism is removing the unnecessary, which can be noise, clutter, distractions. By cutting what doesn’t add value, we create space for clarity. That’s how I learned that decluttering your home clears your mind. That can be clearing one drawer, or simply saying no to commitments that you don’t like.

3. Value

Minimalism isn’t about less for the sake of less. It’s about making room for what adds meaning. The values come from the books you love, the tools you use daily, the friendships that lift you up — those are worth keeping. When I focus on value, I realize that “less” is actually “more of the right things.”

4. Freedom

Owning less also means carrying less burden. Fewer things to clean, fewer bills, or fewer choices that exhaust us. Minimalism gives freedom not only from stuff, but also from the anxiety of always chasing more.

Why I chose minimalism: My Personal Journey

For years, I filled my days with work, plans, and shopping lists. I pushed myself to do more, even in jobs that didn’t fit my time or my strengths. I hated flaws, so I tried to make everything as perfect as possible. I worked long hours, juggled tasks, and felt guilty whenever I paused to rest. To me, success meant having more: more stuff, more achievements, more experiences.

It showed in the way I lived. I thought a new phone would lift my mood,  a bigger paycheck would fix my stress. I booked perfect trips, bought trendy clothes, and scheduled my weekends with activities. I believed that keeping busy was the same as being successful.

My apartment told another story. Closets were stuffed with clothes I never wore. Bookshelf full of books and covered with dust. Tools I bought but never used in kitchen’s drawers. I didn’t care much. I just kept buying as a way to find joy. That joy never lasted. It faded fast, and soon I was chasing more again.

One day, my work kept going in ways I didn’t expect. Tasks were endless, but I could never finish. My goals were set like perfect ideals, not realistic steps I could reach. Then I looked around my apartment and saw the same story: too much stuff, and chaotic. My work felt overwhelming, and so did the mess in front of me.

I started to pull open one drawer and tossing what I didn’t need. That led to a closet. Then the living room. Then the entire apartment. With each item I let go, the space looked lighter. Sometimes I started small, like a 5-minute declutter routine before work, and it made all the difference.

I started to feel refreshed, and freer.

It made me think about my work too. Maybe the way I managed tasks was no different from the clutter in my home. Some things fit me, but many didn’t. Just like I didn’t need three sets of the same kitchen tool, I didn’t need to keep every project or goal. I had to choose what to keep doing, and what to let go.

That was my turning point.

Minimalism wasn’t about throwing everything away. It was about choosing what mattered, and living with intention. I stopped asking: “What do I need to buy next?”, or “What I need to do next?” and started asking, “What do I really want to keep?”

What I Achieved After Choosing Minimalism

Minimalism changed my life in ways I didn’t expect. So, what actually changed for me? A lot—here’s what I noticed:

• More time: I stopped wasting hours cleaning and organizing clutter. I used that time to rest, read, and do things I love.
• More money: I stopped shopping for fun. I bought only what I needed. My savings grew, and I felt more financially secure.
• Less stressed: With fewer things around me, my mind became calmer. My home felt like a peaceful space—not a storage unit.
• More focused: I stopped multitasking and simplified my to-do list. I had more energy to focus on important tasks.
• Better relationships: I spent more time with people, not things. I had deeper conversations and made stronger connections.
• Better health: With less chaos, I had more space to care for myself. I cooked more often instead of eating out, slept better without late-night scrolling, and found energy to move my body. I also began to practice digital minimalism, cleaning up my online world the same way I decluttered my home.
• Fewer toxic relationships: Minimalism isn’t only about stuff. It’s also about people. I learned to step back from toxic relationships, and
  focus on the ones who add real value to my life.
• Less comparison: I stop chasing short trends, so that I stop comparing myself to others. I feel much lighter without the pressure to keep up.
• Fewer regrets: With intentional choice, I avoided impulse buys and commitments that I would later regret.

But It Wasn’t Easy at First ...

Minimalism brought me peace, focus, and freedom—but getting there wasn’t simple. I believed in some common myths about minimalism that made me question if I was doing it right. It took time to learn those ideas and to understand what this lifestyle is all about.

Let me share some of the biggest misconceptions and misunderstanding I faced—and what I’ve learned along the way.

Misconceptions About Minimalism

“Minimalism Means Owning Almost Nothing”

I used to think being a minimalist meant owning as little as possible. I tried to cut my needs down to almost nothing, only to realize I couldn’t live with just one spoon and a mattress on the floor. Minimalism isn’t about deprivation — it’s about having enough to live with clarity and intention.

“It’s Only About Decluttering”

Decluttering is the starting point, not the whole story. You cannot just declutter your house all day and be a minimalist. Minimalism is also about simplify your schedule, your relationships, and even your digital life. Less stuff was just the beginning of more space in every area.

“Minimalists Never Shop”

Minimalism doesn’t mean you never spend money again. It means buying less often, but choosing better. I learned to invest in what adds value: good food, books I’ll read, trips I’ll remember instead of shopping for quick thrills.

“Minimalism Looks the Same for Everyone”

There’s no one-size-fits-all version. For me, it meant decluttering and slowing down. For someone else, it might mean financial freedom or a simpler work routine. The point is to live on purpose and define your own “enough.”

Challenges of Living as a Minimalist

Letting Go of Possessions

It’s never easy to let go of things that hold memories or cost a lot of money. I remember keeping some clothes I never wore because I once paid too much for them. Emotional weight often keeps us stuck, even when the item itself no longer serves us.

Breaking Consumer Habits

Minimalism also means change the habits of buying. Shopping for comfort, chasing the latest sale, or keeping things “just in case”, these patterns don’t change overnight. It takes practice, patience, and sometimes a few slip-ups to break free. What helped me was a mindful structure: from a minimalist meal plan to simple morning habits to better manage my daily life.

Defining Your Own “Enough”

There’s no rulebook for how many items you should own or how minimal your home should look. Finding the balance between too much and too little is a process of trial and error. What feels enough for me may look very different for you. The key is finding what fits your life, not comparing yourself to others.

Family and Social Pressure

Not everyone will understand your choices. Some may wonder why you gave away things that look “good”. Others may think you’re being extreme. I had to learn to explain gently, but also to stay consistent with my reasons. Minimalism is personal, even when others don’t agree.

The “Never Minimal Enough” Trap

Scrolling through perfect minimalist homes online can make us feel like we are not doing enough. But minimalism isn’t about making a perfectly nice home decoration. It’s about progress of creating space for what is the most important to you.

Minimalism and Zen: The Deeper Connection

Minimalism and Zen share the same quiet spirit. Zen has always emphasized awareness, simplicity, and presence. It teaches us to notice the moment as it is, without distraction. Minimalism brings this teaching into our daily spaces and choices.

When we simplify our surroudings: our homes, schedules, even our digital life — we create room for stillness inside. A clear desk can make it easier to focus. It’s the same principle behind minimalist morning routines that actually work: start your day with calm and intention. A quiet corner with just a small candle can invite meditation. Even deleting apps can reduce the noise in our minds. External simplicity is not the goal in itself, but it supports the deeper goal: living with awareness.

To see how these two paths meet and shape everyday life, explore Zen Minimalism: Where Simplicity Meets Stillness.

If you want to see how Zen began and how it’s practiced today, you can explore What Is Zen? A Complete Guide to Meaning, Practice, and Daily Life.

Wrapping It Up

Minimalism isn’t the end goal. It’s simply a tool to cut the noise and focus on what really matters in your life.

You don’t need a big transformation to start. Clear one drawer, delete one app, or take one quiet morning offline. You can also learn to break free from screen addiction to protect your focus and peace. Small steps add up and create real change.

If this article makes you curious to try minimalism, check out more posts on Zen Minimalism or subscribe to the newsletter for quick, practical tips.