Minimalism...does it appeal to you?

**FillInTheBlank** · 08-15-2012 01:08 PM

Only owning that which serves a function and is something you really need. The opposite of materialism.

Only choosing to be around people that really matter to you and avoiding unnecessary extraneous problems with others. No soap opera lives here.

As for myself, I prefer having only what I really need and nothing more. I want to live simply. Which is very hard for anybody to accomplish so I know I'm being unrealistic here. But ideally, I'd want this for myself. In a way, living a minimalistic lifestyle would be a lifetime of detachment. You choose to keep your life simple and uncluttered as it is and minimize how often you would get involved with the affairs of others. It sounds quite nice, but I can only wonder if living such a life would eventually become boring for myself.

Aside from the minimalistic lifestyle, I also have a taste for minimalism in interior design.

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Especially Japanese minimalist design. *Mouthwater*

Japanese Interior Design Decorating - Home Interior Design

And the living room.

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One chair is all I need. XD
The bookcase and the lights aren't included in the picture, of course.

I'm wondering if minimalism in interior design would appeal to ISFPs. I have my doubts, thinking that it wouldn't because of the lack of items and decorations around that can add 'personality' and 'customization' to your spaces. After all, interior design can be another medium to express yourself and your aesthetic tastes. The thought of a dominant or an auxiliary Se user wanting to live in a nearly empty, depersonalized room doesn't seem likely to happen.

The original thread was posted on the INTP forum.
Minimalism...does it appeal to you?

As I have found, a lot of INTPs like minimalism to one degree or another. Which didn't surprise me.

Anyways, I'm interested in hearing your opinions on this!

Minimalism: Yay or Nay?

**Leeoflittlefaith** · 08-15-2012 01:55 PM

I like the idea of a simple and uncluttered lifestyle, but those images are just a bit too cold for me. An ISFP would need at least an easel or a bookshelf or a guitar in there. Then it would be the 'painting room' or the 'music room', a place where you can pursue art without distractions.

I LOVE Japanese interior design though, it's brilliant, the symmetry of it. I'd love at least one room like the images you linked to; a place to sit and think differently in.

**fourtines** · 08-15-2012 11:02 PM

Minimalism always makes me think of INTPs lol. I mean I can live out of bags or a couple of suitcases, which is minimal, and in fact I've done it for so long that what appeals to me now is having more spare cash to actually play around with various home decor and/or appliances.

I like the idea of not being overly materialistic, even wealthy people with class may have a few well placed pieces instead of stuffing a bunch of junk in a room, but minimalism is a bit too minimal for me...though I can relate to living simply, or only having a few possessions through periods of my life.

**Inguz** · 08-16-2012 02:01 PM

As in style (not access to material wealth), minimalism, just as hospitals for example makes me want to die out of boredom. If I weren't sick in the clinic before I got in there, I will be after a while.

**fireheart96** · 08-16-2012 04:55 PM

i don't like it when people are too materialistic.. like when people obsess over makeup and shoes too much. I think it's ok if someone likes those things, but i don't think its ok to think you "need" those things. Not that you don't need shoes, just when people think they need a certain pair of shoes or they'll die.. Sometimes i feel like people are wasting their lives lol. The minimalist style rooms are cool looking, but i would kind of feel lonely in that kind of room. It looks nice though. Its just that i would feel more comfortable in a full room.

**saturnne** · 08-16-2012 07:08 PM

intp minimalism ftw woot woot!

**FillInTheBlank** · 08-16-2012 08:02 PM

Originally Posted by Inguz

As in style (not access to material wealth), minimalism, just as hospitals for example makes me want to die out of boredom. If I weren't sick in the clinic before I got in there, I will be after a while.

Out of curiosity, what kind of room would not make you die out of boredom?

**FillInTheBlank** · 08-16-2012 08:04 PM

Originally Posted by saturnne

intp minimalism ftw woot woot!

Nice to see a supporter here! XD

**Poetic_Anarchy** · 08-16-2012 08:14 PM

Originally Posted by FillInTheBlank

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This, I like. But otherwise, no. I'd like my bedroom to like this, but probably not my house in general. And the walls all have to be mirrors.

**FillInTheBlank** · 08-16-2012 08:28 PM

Originally Posted by Poetic_Anarchy

This, I like. But otherwise, no. I'd like my bedroom to like this, but probably not my house in general. And the walls all have to be mirrors.

I wouldn't want my entire house to look like this either. Preferably, I'd want the entire interior of my house to have a Japanese minimalist design instead since the style blends in much better with nature than a room like the one in the picture. But one white room similar to it would be okay.

Mirrors?! I think that would seem like a cool idea, but put into practice I'd probably get freaked out from seeing too many mes all at once. XD