About – the one thing

About the one thing project

In 2018, I started capturing individuals with their favorite objects to inspire thoughtful reflection. At that time, I was organizing a minimalism roundtable event in my hometown in Germany, where we discussed getting rid of our stuff. One day, the question came up: But what do I want to keep? What is really important to me? That’s when I thought it would be interesting to ask people from different cultures what one particular object holds special meaning in their lives. And that’s how the one thing project was born.

Photo portraits from around the world

I first asked the people around me: What is the one thing you don’t want to live without? Then, as I traveled, I began to portray local people with their one thing. To date, I’ve taken around 80 photo portraits worldwide. The individuals involved come from diverse backgrounds, ages, and professions. The answers—and the stories behind them—are all unique, often surprising, fascinating, and deeply touching. These portraits open up conversations about personal values and conscious consumption, which is why the one thing project is so closely tied to my commitment to minimalism as a lifestyle.

The photo exhibition

In February 2020, I showcased a large photo exhibition on the project at the New Town Hall in Hanover, featuring portraits from my hometown and the twin cities of Hiroshima, Poznan, Perpignan, Leipzig, and Bristol. The exhibition is now on the move and available for rent anywhere.

The project today

Tej joined to support the project in 2023 as Creative Media and Marketing Coordinator. Together they bring the project’s message of sustainability, cultural awareness, and personal reflection to the world.
They currently offer various supporting programs around the exhibition. In addition to the photo exhibition, Jasmin gives talks about the project and workshops about minimalism as a lifestyle. Please see our booking page for more information.

Meet the team

Jasmin Mittag, Creator of the one thing project

Jasmin is an activist and artist from Germany. She discovered minimalism as a lifestyle for herself in 2015 and then immediately started organizing the minimalism roundtable in her hometown to regularly exchange ideas with like-minded people. Since 2021 she has been a digital nomad and reduced her belongings to two small pieces of luggage. In her German podcast show “Minimalismus JETZT!” she reports on her experiences in getting rid of her stuff, her insights from dealing with other minimalist topics and her life as a digital nomad. Jasmin also gives workshops and writes about minimalism for various media.

Tej Naga, Creative Media and Marketing Coordinator

Tej Naga joined the project in Fall 2023. An American turned world traveler, Tej understands the universal power of connection and reflection. Initially beginning her journey as a corporate English language teacher in Japan, her heart led her to drop everything to dream bigger. In the summer of 2022, she began backpacking through Southeast Asia, soon developing faith to uncover her true passions while embracing a nomadic lifestyle.
Currently, she assists heart-centered, vision-led solopreneurs with social media management and copywriting, bringing them greater ease in business. It’s her goal to help amplify the mission of the one thing project on a global scale!