Joshua Fields Millburn, one of the Minimalists, says his attitude took a turn when he realised how he had brought so many things into his life without questioning. The key to living with less, according to him, is to justify everything you have or want to buy.

With the common goal of collaborative living, cohousing societies enhances interaction with neighbours, and relieves pressure on individual households with their model of shared responsibilities and resources.Most importantly, co-housing nurtures the basic human need for the sense of belonging.