The Longing for Less: Living with Minimalism

by Kyle Chayka

“Minimalism becomes appealing to many people at certain moments—when there’s a lot of societal upheaval or a chaotic political moment, any kind of chaos. Then it becomes appealing to think that if only we threw out everything extraneous and lived more simply, then we would be happier” US art critic Kyle Chayka’s book looks at Minimalism as a philosophy, lifestyle, artistic movement and aesthetic.”

Kyle Chayka recommended the best books on Minimalism to us in an interview.

The book, according to the author

Through my book, I wanted to get more toward the philosophy than toward the products that are called minimalist.

Minimalism does have this tendency to erase its own background; it always presents itself as if it’s this new idea, to throw everything out and start over. Much like Marcus Aurelius, 2000 years ago: ‘Oh, what a great idea. Something that’s perfect, that doesn’t need anything else. We should just throw out all the extraneous stuff, and we will find the perfect thing.’ I don’t think that’s ever been a new thought. I’m sure this occurred far before Marcus Aurelius’ time as well. And it never quite reaches its goal.

Minimalism becomes appealing to many people at certain moments—when there’s a lot of societal upheaval or a chaotic political moment, any kind of chaos. Then it becomes appealing to think that if only we threw out everything extraneous and lived more simply, then we would be happier.

The Best Books on Minimalism