Minimalism, voluntary simplicity, and well-being: A systematic review of the empirical literature

Research has accumulated over the years to support the adage that 'money can't buy happiness.' As an alternative to the high-consumption lifestyle often found in Western cultures, voluntary simplicity (also referred to as minimalism), involves a lifestyle that is focused on reducing consumption and the excess in one's life so that individuals can focus on prioritizing their values. We reviewed the empirical literature for studies that explored the relationship between voluntary simplicity and well-being. Twenty-three empirical studies were identified. Overall, a consistent positive relationship was found between voluntary simplicity and well-being. Potential mechanisms to explain this relationship included the control of consumption desires and psychological need satisfaction. Potential moderator variables included income, age, and the extent to which voluntary simplicity was self- vs. other-initiated. We concluded by discussing limitations and future directions for research.