The Minimalist Universe of Things. Living with Less in German Speaking Households

In an era of affluence and overflow, minimalism presents a way to live with mindfulness and care. Minimalists research and evaluate their surroundings and adapt them to a way of living with less. This article describes how the day-to-day life of minimalist persons changes as the relationship to the clothes that they keep is deepened through practices of care and alternative forms of consumption. Two ethnographers conducted research on forty-five minimalist wardrobes in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, attending minimalist meet ups and a convention. We found that becoming a minimalist is a process often described as a personal journey. As media attention is focused on sorting out and discarding possessions, we chose to explore the kind of practices and revaluations that characterize this minimalist process.