Theory

Every day we are bombarded with advertisements, obligations, to-do lists, trends, etc. There is one way to eliminate this chaos. Reduce things, reduce commitments, reduce distractions. Western ideals are great. However, one thing we do wrong is the unquenchable need to consume. Novelty wears off, and people are then focused on the next thing they want to buy. After turning on the TV for just minutes or even seconds, we are be bombarded with infomercials and commercials that claim the product on our screen will change our life. When that commercial ends, another will begin. Consumer culture has gotten so extreme that the self-storage market is estimated to provide in 2.1 billion square feet of self storage space for Americans in 2024. Close to 84% of that space will be occupied. How much do we really need? Moose Model is the simple way to bring back calmness, intentionality, and temperance to the West. Inspired by minimalism's Japanese and Scandinavian roots, Moose Model aims to provide easy tools and models that anyone can live by.

Japanese minimalism background:

Japanese minimalism finds its roots in spirituality. Zen Buddhism made its way to Japan in the 12th century, however Japan has valued simplicity far before then. Today, Japanese minimalism can be found in home design, Japanese clothing design, tea ceremonies, or even Zen temples. Less is more, according to the Japanese. The less we have, the more we are able to focus on being in the present moment. Things shouldn't take our attention away from people and the present moment.

Scandinavian minimalism background:

The different countries in Scandinavia are known for their own type of minimalism. Denmark excels in creating simple architecture and interior design in urban areas. In Sweden, lagom, means "just right". Hygge is a Danish and Norwegian word that describes the feelings of comfort, warmth, coziness, and pleasure. Through neutral colors, simple shapes, and open spaces, Scandinavian design has been popularized in recent years all over the world. Scandinavian minimalism values sustainability and simplicity and discourages materialism. The combination of utility and beauty is at the heart of Scandanavian minimalism. 

Sources: 

https://www.carlfriedrik.com/magazine/scandinavian-minimalism

https://www.sparefoot.com/self-storage/news/1432-self-storage-industry-statistics/

https://japancitytour.com/minimalism-in-japan/

Book Recommendations:

Goodbye, Things by Fumio Sasaki

The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday

The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter