Minimalism once focused on owning less 'clutter'. Clean (almost sterile) homes, neutral colours, and carefully chosen furnishings became the goal. Who else remembers the GREY, EVERYWHERE? (Must admit, I've noticed it's still quite popular!) But a new shift is happening-one that feels more grounded and realistic. It’s “underconsumption core,” and it’s less about aesthetics and more about everyday habits.

Underconsumption core is simple: use what you already have, buy less, and stop upgrading things that still work. It’s not about having the perfect home. It’s about being content, grateful, with the one you have.

And honestly? For many of us, this isn’t new, it’s just normal life!

I save almost every jar that comes into the house. My favourite ones like mint sauce jars or coffee jars with sealable lids, get reused constantly. Plain ones become storage, quirky ones turn into vases, and the sturdy ones become drinking glasses. At this point, I only have a couple of actual glasses left. The rest have slowly been replaced by jars.

The same mindset carries through everything else. If we’re heading out for the day, I’ll pack a small “snack box” - a sandwich, some fruit or veg, and a little treat. It’s basically a mini packed lunch, but it stops those little “just popping into the shop” moments that quickly add up.

In the kitchen, nothing really goes to waste. Since getting a chest freezer, I freeze everything! Leftover sausage, scraps of cooked chicken, chopped onion, bits and pieces that would otherwise be forgotten. It might not look like much at the time, but it builds up. We recently made homemade pizzas and had loads of different toppings just from what we already had frozen.

Chicken bones get boiled down into stock and frozen for later. Loaves of bread go straight into the freezer if we won’t use them in time. Takeaway cartons get washed and reused again and again. It’s not complicated, it’s just using what’s already there.

Even food waste has its place. We actually have three different compost systems: the council food waste recycling, a larger outdoor compost bin, and then our guinea pigs - who get the appropriate veggie scraps. Everything goes where it’s meant to, and very little is truly wasted.

Around the house, things are reused in the same way. Old or damaged clothes, especially kids’ clothes that can’t be saved will get cut up into cleaning cloths. Worn-out towels get repurposed for the cats or guinea pigs. Nothing needs to be perfect to still be useful.

Clothing in general is mostly secondhand. Charity shops, hand-me-downs, or apps like Vinted. We also accept secondhand items from family and friends, gratefully, but with one rule: sort through them quickly and pass on anything we don’t need. The same goes for kids’ clothes, which get passed down between siblings or on to someone else.

Furniture is the same. Aside from essentials like beds and kitchen appliances, most of our home is furnished secondhand. It’s not about creating a perfectly styled home, it’s about creating a home that works, without constantly buying new.

Even small things add up. We grow herbs on the windowsill instead of buying fresh packs every time. We reuse those big “bag for life” shopping bags (even if they mostly live in random cupboards because I forget to take them out with me). If I do a big shop, I’ll often just grab an empty box from a shelf or carry things without bags altogether.

We also make use of what’s already available in the community. Libraries are a huge one - books, resources, even just a change of environment without spending money. Swapping things with friends or family instead of buying new is another simple shift that makes a difference.

What makes this way of living so appealing is how practical it is. There’s no big overhaul, no pressure to declutter everything overnight. It’s just small, consistent habits; using things up, reusing what you can, and thinking twice before bringing more in.

And in a world that constantly tells us we need more clothes, more storage, more upgrades- that feels quietly rebellious.

Getting started doesn’t have to be complicated. Begin by noticing your habits. Could you use what you already have? Could you freeze something instead of wasting it? Could you pack food before heading out? Could you borrow, reuse, or make do?

Over time, these choices become second nature.

Underconsumption doesn’t feel restrictive, it feels freeing! You spend less, waste less, and manage less. Your home feels calmer, not because it’s perfect, but because it works for you.

The truth is, this isn’t really “underconsumption” at all.

It’s just normal consumption! The kind that used to be second nature, and that more and more of us are slowly returning to. 

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It can feel like you need to change everything at once, but you really don’t. Underconsumption is built on small, everyday habits. Start here:

• Finish what you already have before buying more (food, toiletries, cleaning products)

• Save and reuse jars, containers, and packaging

• Freeze leftovers and “bits and pieces” instead of throwing them away

• Pack snacks or drinks when leaving the house

• Repurpose old clothes and textiles (cleaning cloths, pet bedding, etc.)

• Accept secondhand items - but sort and pass on what you don’t need

• Check charity shops, local groups, or apps before buying new

• Use your local library instead of buying books

• Start a simple compost system (whatever works for your home)

• Grow something small, like herbs on a windowsill

• Make do, mend, or adapt before replacing something

You don’t need to do all of these at once. Pick a few that feel easy and build from there. Over time, these small changes become habits and that’s where the real shift happens!

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