Book Tip No. 41 (2020): THAT CAN GO AWAY – THE LIBERATING FEELING OF LIVING WITH LESS.
6th ed. Munich 2018.
The title of the book could hardly be worse chosen. Because the unsuspecting reader or interested party will suspect that this is one of the usual life guides on how to finally get your personal disorder under control. But that would not do justice to the author in any way.
Although the book also has an advisory character, there are also a few repetitions to be found here. But what is much more exciting to learn are the principles of minimalism, as Sasaki applies them and how they are pursued by a growing number of people all over the world.
Minimalism can be described as an international movement that has its own principles, philosophy, its meetings and meetings, events, forums and websites.
Fumio Sasaki describes, among other things, his very personal life and perhaps also path of suffering: away from a lifestyle characterized by disorder and chaos in the personal environment, by permanent consumer compulsion, by sensory overload and lack of concentration towards a life following the principles of minimalism. He now lives in Tokyo on 20 sqm and would like to move into an even smaller apartment. The last move took 90 minutes, including packing.
Can you imagine selling all books and the CD collection, radically reducing the contents of the wardrobe and also “disposing” of all personal memorabilia? Minimalists aim to be able to list all the items they own.
Prominent representatives of minimalism of course included Steve Jobs. The iPhone, the MacBook and the iPad are clear examples of minimalism; the success of the Apple brand is unimaginable without the underlying design philosophy.
Sasaki’s book is also very exciting to read beyond the personal advisor dimension. It describes the feeling of life of a target group that turns away from consumption, which is quite demanding (by the way, seems to think a lot of Apple products) and which may gain in importance in the coming years – especially in an urban environment.
Corresponding architectural solutions can also already be found, especially from the pen or drawing board of Japanese architects. It is worth taking a look at these designs online.
How consistently one devotes oneself to minimalism is a question of personal insights, experiences and convictions. Some of the minimalists get by with 100 items, others even strive for 20.
Sasaki at least photographs all his personal memorabilia before he parts with them. And what does Sasaki gain according to his own statements through his new lifestyle? Concentration, energy and satisfaction. But everyone probably has to find out for themselves.
Prof. Dr. Hans-Christian Riekhof
