✨Minimalism vs. Maximalism: How Your Space Impacts Mental Health and Mood✨
💚Hey wonderful humans! I hope you're doing alright :) I wanted to raise a discussion this week, about the trending lifestyles, minimalism and maximalism. Feel free to participate, we would love that! ❤
~The way we design and decorate our spaces goes far beyond aesthetics—it can significantly impact our mental health. Minimalism and maximalism, two opposing design philosophies, have been shaping the way people live, work, and feel in their environments. But how do these styles affect your well-being, and what can you do to create a space that promotes a positive mindset? Let’s dive in.
Simplicity, Focus on quality not quantity, Mindful living, Clarity of mind, Authenticity, Freedom, Growth and personal development, Limitation as a tool.
⁛The core principals of maximalism:
Express yourself, Layer it up, Curated chaos, History and story telling, Indulge in details, No fear of color, Variety is the spice.
A minimalistic space can help you feel less overwhelmed.
3. Greater Appreciation: Valuing what remains even more.
6. Calmness: The simplicity of minimalism creates a sense of peace, promoting relaxation.
2. Historical Narrative: Layers of items can tell personal or cultural stories.
3. Comfort and Coziness: More items can lead to a feeling of warmth and homeliness.
4. Bold Statement: Stand out and make an impact.
6. Full of Surprises: There’s always something new to discover in a maximalist space.
🌼1. Which one do you prefer? and how do you define the purpose of it in your life? Is it purely aesthetic, or does it serve a deeper psychological need?
🌼2. In what ways do you think your cultural background influences your view of minimalism vs. maximalism?
🌼3. Do you feel a social pressure to conform to minimalist or maximalist ideals? How do you navigate that pressure?
🌼4. Is it possible to embrace chaos and abundance while maintaining a sense of peace and calm? How might this balance be achieved?
🌼5. How has your experience with either lifestyle impacted your mental health, and what specific changes did you notice?
@daydreammemories I personally feel balance is the right way with home decor for example i personally would like a minimalist design but I have so many interests that I have things relating to a lot of them and it just cannot really function that way, yes a doraemon pocket where you could keep all the stuff you might need or want but do not right now, man that would be a nice world to live in
@Drake2369
that's fair! i agree with what you said, balance works for some of us the best :)
xD that would be a dream world
I prefer minimalism, but not in a sterile kind of way. Downsizing stuff and hiding the rest away <3
@jesusredeemedme2425
😁yeah! i get your point of view. that does give us a sense of organize even if its only the stuff around us!
@daydreammemories
🌼1. Which one do you prefer? and how do you define the purpose of it in your life? Is it purely aesthetic, or does it serve a deeper psychological need?
🌼2. In what ways do you think your cultural background influences your view of minimalism vs. maximalism?
Great question! Yeah, culturally we're Maximalist and there's always some trinkets, shimmering objects, colorful kaleidoscopic stuff everywhere in India. It is very overwhelming and I crave simpler and calmer aesthetic. Although my own organization gets messy.
🌼3. Do you feel a social pressure to conform to minimalist or maximalist ideals? How do you navigate that pressure?
Sometimes, yeah. Apparently people in India don't get the kick if there's no color and extravagant displays. So, there are colorful lights on bridges and everything, and they consider it progress. To me, sadly it looks...like a disco. I do feel they just don't get it, and sometimes have to adjust myself accordingly.
🌼4. Is it possible to embrace chaos and abundance while maintaining a sense of peace and calm? How might this balance be achieved?
I'd like to know this one too, haha... let me know if you do, dayday :D
🌼5. How has your experience with either lifestyle impacted your mental health, and what specific changes did you notice?
Minimalism can be associated with decluttering, cleaning. I think whenever I clean and declutter, I feel good. It feels like a fresh start to me. Hmm, maybe I've just been messy... and can't use that to judge maximalism. That is also a form of order. But I think I can't make it work.
Lovely topic, Day. Made me think... as I stare at the clutter on my desk 😛
@GrimSox
haha thank you for posting. well, i feel like maybe since your environment and office is maximal, you do get relief in something that is different and less sensory. so that totally makes sense. i'm however sad that cultural acceptance is a bit difficult in those areas.
whether you've been messy or maximalist xd, that's on you. however the word "messy" itself is a subjective matter too :p
how to embrace both.. well i think that comes to your gut feelings? perhaps.
like, making the environment not too maximal and not too minimal, or some cozy places for rest maximal and the work place minimal perhaps?
@daydreammemories I may be a bit of boht, Since I've been in my own place I've been minimal, But i used to live with my inlaws who were hoarders so i was around to much clutter and mess I like my place neat, Living alone and being disabled It's much easier to upkeep for sure.
@fancyDreamer7419
i agree! it is easier :) I hope living alone doesn't be hard on you, and I'm glad you found your own style!
@daydreammemories
Wow buddie! This is such a detailed post 🥺 Thanks for taking the time out to wrote it
@SingingOcean4
awww haha yeah, it took me a while to come up with the idea and write it, but I'm glad i did!😁❤
i appreciate it, thank you :)
@daydreammemories this is such a cool article 😊 I enjoyed reading it so much 😊
I'm personally somewhere I'm between. I find minimalism soulless and depressing, but I could not live with maximalism either due to being easily overwhelmed and overstimulated.
So my personal style is white walls, light wood furniture, neutral carpet and then colourful decor like bedsheets, wall pictures, keepsakes etc. for the balance 😊
@sadcat13
amazing job keeping the balance! it's so good to be aware of your own unique style!😊✨
and thanksies, im really glad you enjoyed the post!💚
@daydreammemories
I see a usefulness to minimalism in the sense it’s more manageable. For instance I like to have in my room things that are meaningful to me; be it teddy bears, desk, chair. It may seem cluttered to others and too much but this for me is my childhood memories.
@GoldenRuleJG
i can relate, keeping your memories feel more personal. it's unique and special to you! thanks for participating 😊
A good meaningful post well done x
@GoldenRuleJG
thank you golden! i appreciate your compliment 💚
@daydreammemories
I don’t lean in any direction. However you miss a fundamental aspect of having the things you need.
resourcefulness relies on resources. Yes life is more streamlined minimally living, until the point you have to go buy something because you don’t have a particular screw or tool for example.
life is for living, not for show. Being materialistic and cluttered is stressful and wrong but life is about balance.
I’m surprising myself with such words. I’ve lived homeless, bouncing from one place to another for a long time. If it’s home balance is important.
@LabeledBPD
thank you for your comment labeled, Im sorry you had to went through all this💚
I am going to come back to this thread to look at it more closely, but all I can add is that I think I have striven for minimalism. I tend to feel happier with less stuff, but I never get there, so I feel less than. Bad feelings follow.
@reservedOwl321
Noted! And, i get that. Minimalism tend to feel less messy and makes some of us feel more in control 💚