Minimalist lifestyle
A minimalist lifestyle, when less is more for both you and the environment
Minimalism is a type of lifestyle focused on living with what is essential and consciously reducing what is unnecessary, both in material terms and in our daily habits. In this sense, it is a philosophy that prioritises simplicity, moving away from excessive consumerism while supporting the environment.
Over the past decade, excessive consumerism has been contributing to the pollution of our planet. In this context, minimalism has emerged as a sustainable alternative aimed at reducing our carbon footprint. The key? “Less is more.” Although this well-known phrase was first coined in the 1960s by the American artist Ad Reinhardt, it was the German architect Mies van der Rohe who popularised it, giving rise to an artistic movement that has evolved into a lifestyle offering a different way of seeing the world.
What is minimalism?
In addition to being an architectural movement that seeks to reduce works to their essence, stripping away everything superfluous, minimalism is now a philosophy of life that promotes a simpler way of being and acting, and above all one that is more respectful of the environment and society as a whole.
In fact, a minimalist lifestyle prioritises the simple over the complex and quality over quantity as opposed to the culture of extreme consumerism. American designer, writer and lecturer Graham Hill reflects on this in one of his TED Talks
External link, opens in new window.: "We have become so consumerist that we need more and more space, which also causes us to incur huge debts and generate huge environmental footprints. Yet our levels of happiness remain the same as they were 50 years ago".
Why is minimalism sustainable?
Every object we choose not to accumulate not only frees up space in our lives but also reduces our impact on the planet. As an advocate of minimalism, Hill proposes removing everything unnecessary from our lives – those things we never use – and thinking carefully before buying. To achieve a lifestyle that is good for both people and the environment in the fight against climate change, he proposes a three-step formula he calls “edited life”: 1. edit ruthlessly, 2. favour smaller, more efficient options, and 3. make everything you own functional. But why is it sustainable?
Reduces demand for industrial production
By focusing on essentials, minimalism cuts unnecessary consumption of resources, which in turn reduces the use of raw materials, energy and polluting emissions. This approach aligns with United Nations principles, particularly the Sustainable Development Goals related to responsible consumption.
Avoids the throwaway culture
Minimalism encourages long-lasting and positive habits, such as repairing instead of replacing. This not only benefits the environment, but also promotes personal wellbeing and economic stability.
The minimalist lifestyle in everyday life
Hill summarises some of the key steps to begin living a minimalist lifestyle:
Buy quality, not quantity
Minimalism is not about not shopping, but about shopping more intentionally and less impulsively. The key is to invest in quality so that products last. The price will be a little higher, but in the long run you save by cutting down on frequent purchases, as well as reducing waste.
Digitise as much as you can
If you are a great lover of film, music or literature, consider digitising your collection. As well as saving space in your home, you will be sure to always find what you are looking for. If you like to physically experience things, libraries, cinemas or concert halls are a great alternative.
Eliminate without fear
Sometimes it is difficult to get rid of material possessions, but it is an essential step. That said, only do without the things you do not need. To begin with, identify which things have a purpose and which do not. If they do not add value, recycle them or sell them to give them a second life.
Research how to reuse
Consider which items can be exchanged for items that are not single-use, for example, a glass bottle for a plastic one or a ceramic mug instead of a plastic cup. In fact, the days of single-use plastics are numbered, so the sooner you get used to this the better.
Give everything a place
It is time to be creative with storage and organise everything, making sure you only keep the essentials and keep them in the right place. If you find you lack space for certain things or that you haven't used them for a while, perhaps the time has come to reconsider whether you really need them.
SEE INFOGRAPHIC: How to bring minimalism into your home? [PDF]
What are minimalists like
Like Hill, more and more people believe that the minimalist lifestyle is good for people and the environment. As a result, they embrace it and promote it. The Minimalists External link, opens in new window. platform is a good example. Created in 2010 by Americans Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, known worldwide for their Netflix documentaries (Minimalism, 2016 and Less Is Now, 2021).
What are minimalists like? They are ordinary citizens who are against uncontrolled consumerism and in favour of more sustainable development. In fact, recent environmental initiatives, such as the Zero Waste movement, are closely linked to this way of life. Its practitioners develop the ability to identify what is essential, what has purpose in their lives, and to eliminate everything else in order to gain freedom, tranquillity and space.
In fact, for the followers of minimalism, some twenty million according to the American magazine GQ, belongings are not just products, but obligations that generate stress and debt, as Hill pointed out. In this sense, the American speaker asks with humour: "when are we happier than when we go on holiday with everything we need in a suitcase?".
The benefits of minimalism
Whatever the reason for adopting a minimalist lifestyle, it has undeniable positive effects on both people and the environment. Among the first, Forbes magazine lists the following:
Improves personal finances
Owning fewer things means lower expenses and greater savings.
Enhances quality of life
Brings more freedom, organisation and time for oneself.
Reduces stress and anxiety
Having fewer possessions reduces worries.
Encourages self-awareness
Fewer distractions make it easier to discover what truly matters.
Reduces polluting activities
Helps cut back on highly polluting industries, such as textile manufacturing, and prevents overexploitation of natural resources.
Reduces waste
Leads to less waste generation and more sustainable waste management.
Reduces plastic use
Limits the use of plastics, particularly those harmful to seas and oceans, replacing them with biodegradable materials.
Lowers environmental pollution
Encourages reduced use of individual transport and a smaller ecological footprint.
How do we apply minimalism at Iberdrola?
As highlighted by the United Nations in the Sustainable Development Goals, companies must find new solutions that enable sustainable consumption and production models to reduce environmental impact and improve people’s wellbeing. In this context, the Iberdrola Group integrates the principles of energy minimalism, understood as doing more with less in our activities: fewer emissions, less pollution and more efficient use of resources.
Under these principles, we have committed to achieving carbon neutrality in electricity generation by 2030. To deliver this decarbonisation, we are implementing a range of innovative and sustainable solutions within our business model, such as promoting electrification. This system supports growing energy demand in a sustainable, efficient and emissions-neutral way.
Electrification refers to the process of using electricity generated from renewable energy sources – such as wind, solar, hydroelectric and geothermal – instead of fossil fuels such as oil or natural gas to power systems and activities. It brings key benefits including energy optimisation, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improved air quality and technological development, promoting energy minimalism on a large scale.
Stoicism
Stoicism, the value of reason in coping with chaos.
Actions that protect the environment
Responsible consumption, a key to protecting the environment.
Circular Economy
The circular economy, a new model for sustainable production and consumption.
Water use
Use water responsibly: don't waste it.