Motivations for a minimalist lifestyle and its impact on consumption

Many studies show the consequences of consumption and its environmental and social impacts. In this context, there are people changing their lifestyle due to a better world or a life with more happiness and quality. One of these movements is minimalism. This study investigated what motivates consume...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Oliveira, Juliana de Farias Fernandes, Paula, Renata Céli Moreira da Silva
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2020
País:Brasil
Institución:Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE)
Repositorio:Consumer Behavior Review
Idioma:portugués
OAI Identifier:oai:oai.periodicos.ufpe.br:article/246160
Acceso en línea:https://periodicos.ufpe.br/revistas/index.php/cbr/article/view/246160
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:minimalism
anti-consumption
voluntary simplicity.
minimalismo
anticonsumo
simplicidade voluntária.
Descripción
Sumario:Many studies show the consequences of consumption and its environmental and social impacts. In this context, there are people changing their lifestyle due to a better world or a life with more happiness and quality. One of these movements is minimalism. This study investigated what motivates consumers to adopt Minimalist lifestyle and its impact on consumption. In-depth interviews with ten minimalists were conducted. The results suggest that the motivation for a minimalist lifestyle is personal. The major reasons are the quest for freedom and happiness, the wish of making better use of time and money. Joining the minimalist lifestyle brings big changes in the consumption, affecting the way of dressing, moving, residing and so the way of relating either intrapersonal or interpersonal relationships. There were many noticeable benefits by having a minimalist lifestyle. However, there were also a few negative points, such as a lack of understanding by friends and family, who are more consumer oriented. Despite the difficulties, the minimalists feel that it is worth to adopt this lifestyle: they feel happier and believe they are living a meaningful life.