How Minimalist Consumption Shapes Voluntary Simplicity and Product Retention Through Life Satisfaction

Why do some consumers deliberately choose to own less—and does this choice make them happier? This study explores how minimalist consumption shapes voluntary simplicity and product retention tendency, with life satisfaction serving as a key mediating mechanism. Data were collected from 398 participants across Turkey through an online survey using simple random sampling. Structural equation modelling was used to test both direct and indirect relationships. The findings reveal that minimalist consumption is positively associated with voluntary simplicity and life satisfaction, yet negatively associated with product retention. More importantly, life satisfaction mediates both pathways, connecting minimalist consumption to voluntary simplicity and to reduced product retention. These results advance the theoretical understanding of sustainable consumption and carry meaningful implications for consumers, industry practitioners, and policymakers. At a time when consumption habits are under growing scrutiny, this study offers fresh evidence that consuming less, in fact, leads to living better.