After watching your show on Netflix while being bedridden with the flu,l felt driven to declutter.The next morning taking my antibiotic and coffee l decided to clean one room at a time.I was home for 2 weeks and in that time l had 3 Ute full of stuff to donate and 10 garbage bags of rubbish.Thank you for your wonderful show and l felt so much better even though l was sick.
@@mishmashmosh6305 maybe try setting a timer, just for 5 min or 10 min, I am going to work on JUST this room. Jordan Peterson suggests clean your room, take 10 min and improve a room. You can also set an hour reminder and go do 5 min for 2-4-8 hours too. Easy for me to say, I finally sorted papers today, some from 2012 !!! FFS
"You shouldn't have to depend on anyone else for your happiness, you yourself are a complete person." Wow. That's so simple but so amazing. It's like giving yourself permission to be happy and know that you yourself are enough, no matter what anyone else thinks.
I wanted a master's degree. It was fleeting, and now I'm doing a job that is probably the opposite of what I went to school for, but it's FAR more fulfilling than the job I THOUGHT I wanted.
Hey guys 7 years later and you're still changing lives. I just started the deep dive into minimalism and I stumbled across your first episode. Thanks for everything
I grew up with a family of hoarders. I lived with a family who led a very opulent lifestyle. Eventually I moved into my own apartment. I was so used to having so much space and so many things and of course the first thing I did when I moved into my new place was fill it with so much shit. I spent my whole life angry and negative. I hated physical contact. I was a ball of hatred. About 3 months ago I discovered the calming influence of yoga, and through yoga I found meditation, and through meditation I discovered minimalism. I've watched a few vlogs and red blogs and came across your documentary a few weeks ago and am about to start listening to EVERY SINGLE podcast you guys have made. Because this lifestyle change has made me such a happier person with more value in my life and I feel like I can't get enough and love hearing everyones way of living a minimalist life! Thank you so much for the positive lifestyle you are spreading and I can't wait to hear more of what you have to say. Much love and gratitude all the way from South Africa.
⚠️tw//depression Thank you so much!! I first watched your documentary on Netflix and now I'm currently reading your second book "minimalism" and started listening to the podcast today. I'm really grateful to you for sharing so much with us and inspiring, motivating and encouraging me with that. My name is Lucy, I'm 15 years old and I've been struggling with depression for the last 3 years which lately mostly showed up through massive loss of energy. I already have been in two mental hospitals and are in therapy which also has helped me a lot. The last half year was just me laying in bed whenever I could because I didnt have any motivation or energy to do my tasks. When I first watched your documentary it felt like a blessing. I told everyone of my closest friends and family about that. I just started my room makeover yesterday which feels more than good!! A lot of bad and traumatizing things happened in my room so I really need to get rid of these bad things. This is the first time after the mental hospital last summer that I feel like having an inner glow up. You make me feel better. Thank you so much!!
I actually started considering minimalism because of my kids. I started seeing what worked for both such clothing and shoes and realized that the more simple I made thing for them the better things worked for me. Another side is that technically my parents only debt they ever had, which I proud to say it’s paid off, was a mortgage. They never had credit cards or a car payment. They were able to live a very simple life and taught us a very simple and humble lifestyle. I feel like once I started working i was definitely in the right path but after a while I wanted what others wanted nice purses and a little bit for “nice” lifestyle. Now I know why my parents lived the way they did. They were super poor back in Mexico but they were happy because they learned to enjoy the little things they had.
LOL I've obtainednthe driving license for busses few weeks ago. I really hoper not to hit anyone ever driving! But yeah, words that hit, in a long term good way, are welcome!
My family and I are in the process of de cluttering so that we can live a minimalist life. We are selling our house and moving into an apartment for a year while we build a home (1,000sq ft) for the four of us and our dog. This will enable us to have only one income or two part time incomes. We want a sustainable home with a sustainable future. I just want to thank you for so many ideas that we are trying to modify for our family.
I felt sorry Ryan, when you said you forced yourself to throw away paper photos. You said you're a minimalist- you have to do this. I truly believe we can each decide for ourselves what degree of minimalism we will embrace. I keep my favorite photographs in albums because they have value to me. I never get rid of something I love, to feel like a "proper" minimalist. I just get rid of the excess and the useless. I guess that makes me minimal-ish in some people's views, but Im ok with that.
All other youtubers I've subscribed to are all about adverts & live on commercialism because that's where they get their money. This is so great. Single most amazing account I've found.
I have decluttered about 70% of my stuff. I am left with items that are joyful or useful. The simple things make me happy now. My French ones coffee pot, a U shaped pillow on my bed for reading, irish handmade clay flowers, some dresses and cardigans. I feel less anxious, less dragged down. I am preparing to save and own a studio apartment.
I have never listened to you guys before. I am starting from the beginning as well. I just feel crowded in my own home and need to work toward a simpler and less complicated living.
If folks want to get me gifts at the holidays, I do two things: 1. Keep a list throughout the year of things I either break or wear out so they're ready for suggestion. 2. Encourage gifting restaurant gift certificates so that I can either regift them or use them as a way to celebrate special occasions!
"...for those of you living on Mars..." Thanks for the shout-out--it can get lonely up here. We're all waiting on the Red Planet for you to take your Minimalist Tour here. If you'd like, we can try to secure one of those "Keurigs" you speak of.
The switching of the someday list with the activities of the day list is underrated.....wow I will write it down and frame it so I pass it every day❤❤❤ thank you so much
Excellent Discussions! "Content thyself with but little of this world’s goods! Verily, economy is a great treasure. " Also, 'In wealth , fear is hidden." - Baha'i Faith Quotes. Minimalism as a philosophy is rooted in the world's religions.
Even though this is a couple years old, I have to comment on one of the questions. There is a big community of crafters that are always searching for old photos to use in their journals, some people even pay for them when they can't find them easily. I gave many of mine away, but she paid the shipping cost, so I unloaded a bunch of photos at no cost to me and they are being used instead of rotting in a landfill.
First ever podcast ive followed. Im 31 and thought i finally had happiness after reaching the American dream, and i was miserable. After soul searching and trying to live my most pure self, i had realized what made me happy, and what held most meaning. Now finding this it is laying the bricks to the foundation that is my future. thank you. LPUT
I really enjoyed this podcast! keep them coming, I am looking forward to it :) also, while listening to it I read through your blog and was so surprised to read and then listen that you decided not to place ads on your blog. I wouldn't have expected that and wish you all the best on your journey :)
I'm slightly against about throwing away the photographs or some sort. For me, a person can stand in a certain level of minimalism. if you do feel bad about doing something, then don't do it. I've been starting this minimalistic lifestyle for quiet a few months and it helped me a lot specially mentally. But personally I do feel bad about getting rid of the photographs so what I do is I organize them and only get rid of the least important/memorable ones. The goal here is to have less, not to have nothing.
I got rid of many things when we moved to Oregon. But I kept so much other random crap. I've spent my past two years after I moved just making decisions about what else I don't need. Every day I ask that. It's a slow process, but it's working.
Hey guys! You guys are inspirational! I get rid of things seasonally...if I have not used something, well it is out! period! Ty, Y'all are Rockstars!!!
New subscriber here from the Philippines 🇵🇭. Your podcast helps me go through my baby steps journey on minimalism. Since embracing this lifestyle, I do upcycling by sewing (using fabrics in place of plastics) and now looking forward to being debt-free by December. More advices on how to live a simple but meaningful life... cheers to both! ❤❤❤
Regarding the Keurig. I’ve found a way to use this machine in multiple and less impactful ways. I don’t use the plastic k-cups anymore and instead use a paper filter inside a reusable cup! I can put my loose teas 🍵 and favorite coffee ☕️ in there and have really good brews. We also use it as a hot water dispenser for hot oatmeal. Convenience. No waste. 👍🏼Sometimes I use the water to make a french press when I have the time. 😉🙏🏼🌈🙌🏼
tbh...decluttering gradually after decades of acquiring things is a difficult process. starting from almost scratch is easier.. i've lived with less stuff for 1.5 years for being away from home in a small apt for temporary work assignment.. but once i got home and had to declutter, it became quite a test of endurance i would say. learned a lot, took a lot of breaks and still continuing the decluttering process. but happy to see some fruition of that long, slow but steady pace.
Plan on getting a digital photo frame this fall, so i can Enjoy my photos daily. Before I ever heard of minimalism, i had already done the practical, made sense to me task, of throwing out the bad & didn't like photos. 🥳
Thank you for all that you have done and are doing. I just saw your Netflix show and watched it twice. THANK YOU!!! I also found the Tiding Up series at the same time. I have transformed my house!
I felt the need to comment that to be a minimalist YOU DO NOT NEED TO THROW AWAY YOUR PHOTOS! THINK OF GENERATIONS TO COME. IF THEY ARE SOMETHING THAT BRING YOU JOY-PUT THEM IN A NICE PHOTO ALBILM AND KEEP THEM. If they don’t give them to a family member that does!
I really like you are making these podcasts! It's good to find people with similar values to your personal values. It is fascinating for me to see what „face” people give to minimalism. I like all these „faces of minimalism” even though my own journey includes only some of them. I wish you all the best so you can continue your good work and way of living for a long time.
Really enjoyed your podcast! Thanks. You guys have a fan in Germany. Decluttering at the moment(moved into a new apt.) and you guys are the beacons of light! Decluttering is moving through my fears...of what I might find once I get rid of things that do not add value and substance to my life. I just listened to a podcast with David Goggins and he said that once you achieve something...that's only 40%...that's when the real work begins. (paraphrasing here) So, guys, I am just getting started. Thanks for paving the way! Liebe Grüße aus Deutschland!
There are refillable/reusable K-cups! I love the simplicity of the keurig, I couldn’t imagine having one if I depended on purchasing new K-cups all the time but the refillable ones make it possible for me to never purchase k-cups and get everyday use out my keurig.
Over the past couple of years I've be one a minimalist and if I had to evacuate my home I could pick up my personal stuff in about 10 minutes max. My wife and now teenage daughter are the opposite and are hoarders and this drives me crazy while my wife thinks im ocd. Being a minimalist while single is easy but if your other half is the opposite its very difficult.
I didn't get a Keurig right away, because I never rush to try the latest new thing, but because the coffee was so good, I did buy one. I'm on my second Keurig now. I do use the disposable pods (gassssp!) because loose coffee in the mesh pod falls out and can end up in the coffee cup. I buy only Green Mountain Nantucket Blend coffee in a 24 or 36 count box. Each cup costs me 50 cents, which is a big savings over the $2.50, $3 I used to spend at the coffee shop 2ce a day. So my Keurig is a keeper! That being said, if Green Mountain made recyclable pods that worked just as well, I would buy them.
Thank you so much for your wise and thoughtful advice, words and ideas and a great podcast and all the ones for me to catch up with. So inspired by you and just what I was searching the Internet for this weekend 💖
Thanks for this. Love the podcast idea. Would love to hear something on the definition of success. There seems to be a lot of focus on money as a definition of success. Would like to hear more about other definitions of success using the lens of minimalism as a focus.
A grad school professor told us a wonderful story about his two sons. The eldest was a lawyer in a prestigious Boston firm- rich, fancy cars, big house, lawyer wife, two kids on the Dean's List at their schools, exotic 3 week vacation once a year; he also has high blood pressure, ulcers, and migraines, and constantly worries about his stock portfolio. The younger son quit college and has for decades been working as a boat captain in Maui- tiny house on the water, spends his days outdoors, drives a scooter, surfs daily, is very healthy, and worries about very little. So...who would you say is a success, he asked. It all depends on how we define success.
I wanted a dog, but after taking care of a relative's dog for a while, I realised that dogs are not compatible with my life style... Now I'm complete sure that I'm a cat person 🐈🥰 I never regretted having a cat.
I have less ppl that I associate with because I feel we growing apart due to our different values due to my changes in life and wanting to spend less and have less and fishing over the latest trend but I'm happier with my changes so that's what matters the most
Hola mi nombre es Pilar y soy de Argentina . He visto sus videos y me gustan mucho . Pero estaría bueno que los hicieraan subtitulados, porque aun aquí en Latinoamerica el minimalismo recién está teniendo repercusión y hay poca reflexión a cerca del tema
I have been reading that the "push" to declutter is to prepare us for tiny home/tiny apartment/mega-city living. I would never physically destroy photos. What would you do if the technology fails?
I have three pairs of clothes for work, two pairs of shoes and five shirts. I have been doing this since 2012 when I realized that the more things I owned, the less happy I became.
I find a Ted talk of yours last night. Today YT suggested me your latest upload... so I scrolled down to the bottom and here I am. The Minimalists ep 01
Thank you for minimal living and decluttering inspiration. On the topic of scanning old photos, Thank you for the digital frame idea. My dad recently passed away, we miss him terribly, now taking all his old photos to scan and put on a digital frame and now he is with us in our living room. Thank you ❤️
Your right de cluttering is boring-unless you are listening to The Minimalists while you do it! I’d recomend to your listeners to just listen to you’re podcasts the whole time you are doing it. Then you are not doing it alone. In fact they will prob chuckle along the way as I did, the combination of both your humour has made me laugh a lot. Revealing perceived serious decisions as folly and something to laugh at yourself as you guys do😃🤩x
Amen. I like how you don't push your way of life onto your mom. I have a sibling that does that. Bugger off... Amen on the fixing. Fix yourself. Nobody's perfect. Perfect yourself.
Thank you...I was sitting here thinking what should I go do now and it was 8verwhelming till I relisded the most important thing I could do was to brainstorm a document I need to compile...when I thiguth I realy should declutter the house some more.
Also for those living in Mars, there are reusable stainless steel keurig cups that you can refill with your own coffee......sorry couldn't resist, I got mine on Amazon
If I was living in a closet, I would consider throwing away scanned in photos. Otherwise, the religion of minimalism will not overtake me with extremes like that. Bag of toilet paper takes more room than my photos.
Decluttering friends who no longer share the same values as you really doesn't have to be that hard. I have found that we just naturally drift apart. I don't see a reason to have "a talk" since you just spend less and less time together anyway. You don't have to say "yes" to every invitation. Family can be harder; I know a young woman, a lawyer, whose mother has a royal hissy fit if she doesn't show up for every single family get together that her mother arranges, and it's often. Her mom is super clingy, and since she's still young and much of her childhood was spent in the hospital due to a congenital illness, she feels obligated no matter what else is going on in her life. I don't know what to do about that. It isn't a problem in my family; we aren't close emotionally and we're spread all over the country (thank goodness), so it isn't an issue.
Curious if you have ever been to Burning Man? In a way it's radical minimialism. You bring 100% of what you need for a week in an extreme environment, and there are no garbage disposals so you also bring everything back with you. It's an interesting experiment b/c you have to be extremely selective with what you choose to bring, but you also bring the craziest items, many of which are gifts. After a week of this lifestyle you realize how every physical item is either a "gift" that brings value to you or others, or it is "MOOP" (matter out of place, aka litter) that serves no purpose, is a burden to dispose of, and takes up space that could be better held by gifts (or nothing!) The experience is life changing!
guys i like to live pretty simple but i want to make my life even more simple. but my friends are living a very consuming life! how can i not be influenced from them. also, moving in with a roommate to save money, does it make life more simple or not..
I can't believe the only mention Saskatchewan gets is about our coffee desert! Come on back (a screening would be awesome!!) and we'll show you we aren't actually a coffee desert.
I agree about capitalism. Capitalism is awesome, it's just bad when money controls politics, or when government has too much control of money or businesses, that it becomes a problem. The free market, without the influence of the government, should work just fine.
Your point about crony capitalism is well taken. Even in its current state, however, it provides far more opportunity for capital and labor and wealth production, even to a limited extent, than Communism. Why get out of bed, or live at all, in a Communist world when every one is made equal by hatchet axe and saw? Yes that was a reference to Rush 'The Trees'. That songs dark satire is spot on. Poverty followed by death was the only outcome of Communism. Look at Cuba as the ongoing example. Imperfect capitalism still has winners and losers, opportunities to find a market and make it, and produce/sell for the benefit of others.
It seems that the choice is only between capitalism and communism, and it's not. Neither work, the first because it's based on unlimited growth (unfortunately we live in a finite planet, and we are seeing the effects, in fact, minimalism is also degrowth, which goes against capitalism!), the second because it doesn't take into account human nature when faced with a situation of scarcity (common amongst most citizens in communists countries). You speak of Cuba, but it's just in that country that something beautiful happened when the USSR went bust, you might want to have a look at The Power of Community - How Cuba Survived Peak Oil. Communism doesn't work because basically it relies on a few people's will to distribute "equally" available resources, and of course they come first. Capitalism is destroying the only environment that allows the existence of us human beings by exponential growth. What you are all doing here, minimalizing your lives, goes absolutely against the NEEDS of capitalism, as a system, which requires more and more production, and consequently more and more consumption. There are other alternatives, and they all have many things in common to what happened in Cuba with the "organic revolution": a return to life on the human scale. "Life" intended as everything, from the economy to all relationships. Have a look at the Economy of the Common Good and the Universal Basic Income. It's not surprising how people (especially ones living in capitalist environments) think that nobody would "get out of bed, or live at all" without "the carrot" the system makes one believe he/she can reach. In reality, and there are many examples of this, we would happily get out of bed and live, if we didn't need to worry about spending 8-10 doing a job we hate to pay for our living needs... It was an eye-opener for me, I also thought capitalism was OK. It's not. One last read: meritocracy in capitalism is one of the greatest illusions that allows the system to go on. This one is quick (of course one can keep on investigating on the matter): On a Plate, a comic by Toby Morris. Yes a comic :-), it shows the basics of the issue very efficiently. Communist doesn't work, and we have all seen that. Capitalism doesn't work, and I hope we don't go extinct before understanding that. The other systems, will they work? No idea. Until we have implemented them we won't know, but there are two things that we do know. The first is that nothing is perfect, and that any other system that we might adopt will have its flaws. The second is that we can't go on as we are living now. We are degrading the planet at a rate that will not allow our life in a very short time. Something must change to stop this trend. One last thing (yes I know...): Lowsumerism (from Low Consumerism). There is a very interesting video about the concept of capitalism and Lowsumerism, a movement born in Brasil recently, really interesting. Capitalism IS consumerism. In the documentary there's a clip where The President talks about consuming too much on national TV... After 9/11 The President went on national TV asking the nation to consume to support the economy... Just sayin'...
if you're still trying to sell you can try a few phone apps to sell them on. I've sold items from little unique items to my designer handbags. If you just want to get rid of it and maybe make a few bucks back try "poshmark" or "mecari" great apps. i've made about $1,500 just selling my unwanted but piratically brand new items on these apps.
I thought it would be hard too, but after you let the "value" of the item you are selling go and you know that you don't need/use it anymore it gets easier. Plus it's going to a home that someone else would want more. I have a time table. I take out the item for 3 months and in that 3 months it has collected dust, it has to go. no turning back, no second thoughts.
@@andrem.7198 the thing is, after you buy something it begins depreciating in value. You now have decided you dont want it and therefore it has even lost "value" to you. Better to let it go and move forward
I just found you guys today and have so enjoyed identifying with you! My husband and I are raising our 8 children (#9 is on the way) in an 800 sq. ft. house in Wyoming and we've very much embraced living a meaningful life rather than a materialistic life. I enjoyed listening to you chat about your "uniform." Our family wears the same color as each other (we have 13 shirts each, one per color) and wear them in a rotation so we don't have to think about what to wear each day. Of all the "strange" things we do, that's probably the thing that the most people freak out about on our channel. It's so interesting how upset people become over someone choosing a uniform wardrobe. It's unfortunate because it frees up so much brain space to not have to think about what to wear! (Also, I don't play ads on my channel, either, and that's another thing that seems to upset some people!)
Can i ask.. why? Why so many children? Unless they are adopted? Because there are so many children out there in need but people seem to keep having their own. Just curious
I never would have seen this message if not for the child hater that posted...I am so glad to read this. My wife left that message,and since has passed away unexpectedly from breast cancer. It is so nice to read, and you have one more subscriber.
ive got a habit of keeping almost everything of my kids like i want to hold on to them and their childhood forever almost but now ive got toonmuch atuff olin my house. how to declutter? ive been taking pics of everything to help. I think it's a good idea.
After watching your show on Netflix while being bedridden with the flu,l felt driven to declutter.The next morning taking my antibiotic and coffee l decided to clean one room at a time.I was home for 2 weeks and in that time l had 3 Ute full of stuff to donate and 10 garbage bags of rubbish.Thank you for your wonderful show and l felt so much better even though l was sick.
Wow impressive! I can’t seem to get there been years
@@mishmashmosh6305 maybe try setting a timer, just for 5 min or 10 min, I am going to work on JUST this room. Jordan Peterson suggests clean your room, take 10 min and improve a room. You can also set an hour reminder and go do 5 min for 2-4-8 hours too. Easy for me to say, I finally sorted papers today, some from 2012 !!! FFS
"You shouldn't have to depend on anyone else for your happiness, you yourself are a complete person." Wow. That's so simple but so amazing. It's like giving yourself permission to be happy and know that you yourself are enough, no matter what anyone else thinks.
I wanted a master's degree. It was fleeting, and now I'm doing a job that is probably the opposite of what I went to school for, but it's FAR more fulfilling than the job I THOUGHT I wanted.
Hey guys 7 years later and you're still changing lives. I just started the deep dive into minimalism and I stumbled across your first episode. Thanks for everything
I grew up with a family of hoarders. I lived with a family who led a very opulent lifestyle. Eventually I moved into my own apartment. I was so used to having so much space and so many things and of course the first thing I did when I moved into my new place was fill it with so much shit. I spent my whole life angry and negative. I hated physical contact. I was a ball of hatred.
About 3 months ago I discovered the calming influence of yoga, and through yoga I found meditation, and through meditation I discovered minimalism. I've watched a few vlogs and red blogs and came across your documentary a few weeks ago and am about to start listening to EVERY SINGLE podcast you guys have made. Because this lifestyle change has made me such a happier person with more value in my life and I feel like I can't get enough and love hearing everyones way of living a minimalist life!
Thank you so much for the positive lifestyle you are spreading and I can't wait to hear more of what you have to say.
Much love and gratitude all the way from South Africa.
Can you please explain how you worked on your hatred of physical contact?
I hope you can give us an update 💜
What’s the documentary called?
What an inspirational story!
⚠️tw//depression
Thank you so much!! I first watched your documentary on Netflix and now I'm currently reading your second book "minimalism" and started listening to the podcast today. I'm really grateful to you for sharing so much with us and inspiring, motivating and encouraging me with that.
My name is Lucy, I'm 15 years old and I've been struggling with depression for the last 3 years which lately mostly showed up through massive loss of energy. I already have been in two mental hospitals and are in therapy which also has helped me a lot. The last half year was just me laying in bed whenever I could because I didnt have any motivation or energy to do my tasks. When I first watched your documentary it felt like a blessing. I told everyone of my closest friends and family about that. I just started my room makeover yesterday which feels more than good!! A lot of bad and traumatizing things happened in my room so I really need to get rid of these bad things. This is the first time after the mental hospital last summer that I feel like having an inner glow up. You make me feel better. Thank you so much!!
I actually started considering minimalism because of my kids. I started seeing what worked for both such clothing and shoes and realized that the more simple I made thing for them the better things worked for me.
Another side is that technically my parents only debt they ever had, which I proud to say it’s paid off, was a mortgage. They never had credit cards or a car payment. They were able to live a very simple life and taught us a very simple and humble lifestyle. I feel like once I started working i was definitely in the right path but after a while I wanted what others wanted nice purses and a little bit for “nice” lifestyle. Now I know why my parents lived the way they did. They were super poor back in Mexico but they were happy because they learned to enjoy the little things they had.
"brought to you by - nobody" ...you had me at that point =D =D =D
I'm not gonna lie....they had me in the first half
And me! "Nobody" is my kind of sponsor!
and then goes on to shill for various products throughout the podcast
"...because advertisements suck." :D So refreshing to not be bombarded by ads and sponsorships.
Just found this channel and am liking it.
Use things. Love people. Not the opposite. #foodforthought #Minimalists
The "Someday" and "Today" lists were very eye opening! Such a simple method but it hit me like a bus!
Me too! What a "Aha moment" as Oprah might say.
LOL I've obtainednthe driving license for busses few weeks ago. I really hoper not to hit anyone ever driving! But yeah, words that hit, in a long term good way, are welcome!
My family and I are in the process of de cluttering so that we can live a minimalist life. We are selling our house and moving into an apartment for a year while we build a home (1,000sq ft) for the four of us and our dog. This will enable us to have only one income or two part time incomes. We want a sustainable home with a sustainable future. I just want to thank you for so many ideas that we are trying to modify for our family.
Sounds exciting.
I felt sorry Ryan, when you said you forced yourself to throw away paper photos. You said you're a minimalist- you have to do this. I truly believe we can each decide for ourselves what degree of minimalism we will embrace. I keep my favorite photographs in albums because they have value to me. I never get rid of something I love, to feel like a "proper" minimalist. I just get rid of the excess and the useless. I guess that makes me minimal-ish in some people's views, but Im ok with that.
OI’m 😊😊😊p
All other youtubers I've subscribed to are all about adverts & live on commercialism because that's where they get their money. This is so great. Single most amazing account I've found.
Thts why we all here as a minimalist!!!
I have decluttered about 70% of my stuff. I am left with items that are joyful or useful. The simple things make me happy now. My French ones coffee pot, a U shaped pillow on my bed for reading, irish handmade clay flowers, some dresses and cardigans. I feel less anxious, less dragged down. I am preparing to save and own a studio apartment.
I've watched many of your episodes. I've decided to start at Ep. 001 and work my way up. I look forward to it.
My goal too! happy journey to you
Hey, how has watching the episodes from the beginning been for you so far? :)
I have never listened to you guys before. I am starting from the beginning as well. I just feel crowded in my own home and need to work toward a simpler and less complicated living.
This journey is so exciting!!!
If folks want to get me gifts at the holidays, I do two things: 1. Keep a list throughout the year of things I either break or wear out so they're ready for suggestion. 2. Encourage gifting restaurant gift certificates so that I can either regift them or use them as a way to celebrate special occasions!
I have my kids pay for my memberships to things, such as conservation groups or charitable contributions to things I believe in.
Great ideas!
"...for those of you living on Mars..." Thanks for the shout-out--it can get lonely up here. We're all waiting on the Red Planet for you to take your Minimalist Tour here. If you'd like, we can try to secure one of those "Keurigs" you speak of.
mj g 😂😂💕
The switching of the someday list with the activities of the day list is underrated.....wow I will write it down and frame it so I pass it every day❤❤❤ thank you so much
Just FYI for those who already have a keurig - u can get reusable mesh cups which u fill with your own coffee.
fancymanchucky I was wondering why no one mentioned that? I thought it was common knowledge lol
Also, they're not expensive. I get a 48 pack for like $15, lasts me a couple months.
I've never bought a Keurig cup; always the reusable ones. I like my Keurig coffee....
Excellent Discussions! "Content thyself with but little of this world’s goods! Verily, economy is a great treasure. " Also, 'In wealth , fear is hidden." - Baha'i Faith Quotes. Minimalism as a philosophy is rooted in the world's religions.
Even though this is a couple years old, I have to comment on one of the questions. There is a big community of crafters that are always searching for old photos to use in their journals, some people even pay for them when they can't find them easily. I gave many of mine away, but she paid the shipping cost, so I unloaded a bunch of photos at no cost to me and they are being used instead of rotting in a landfill.
First ever podcast ive followed. Im 31 and thought i finally had happiness after reaching the American dream, and i was miserable. After soul searching and trying to live my most pure self, i had realized what made me happy, and what held most meaning. Now finding this it is laying the bricks to the foundation that is my future. thank you. LPUT
Saw the documentary last night. Really enjoyed it. You guys are freaking awesome. So stoked to have bumped into this :)
I really enjoyed this podcast! keep them coming, I am looking forward to it :) also, while listening to it I read through your blog and was so surprised to read and then listen that you decided not to place ads on your blog. I wouldn't have expected that and wish you all the best on your journey :)
The Minimalist Ninja ijv
From your TED talk & Netflix documentary to this channel, this is what I'm looking for so long.
I'm slightly against about throwing away the photographs or some sort. For me, a person can stand in a certain level of minimalism. if you do feel bad about doing something, then don't do it. I've been starting this minimalistic lifestyle for quiet a few months and it helped me a lot specially mentally. But personally I do feel bad about getting rid of the photographs so what I do is I organize them and only get rid of the least important/memorable ones. The goal here is to have less, not to have nothing.
I wish I come across these guys 7years ago.
I got rid of many things when we moved to Oregon. But I kept so much other random crap. I've spent my past two years after I moved just making decisions about what else I don't need. Every day I ask that. It's a slow process, but it's working.
Hey guys! You guys are inspirational! I get rid of things seasonally...if I have not used something, well it is out! period! Ty, Y'all are Rockstars!!!
Thank you from Singapore! Listening to you guys have changed my life. Xoxo
New subscriber here from the Philippines 🇵🇭. Your podcast helps me go through my baby steps journey on minimalism. Since embracing this lifestyle, I do upcycling by sewing (using fabrics in place of plastics) and now looking forward to being debt-free by December. More advices on how to live a simple but meaningful life... cheers to both! ❤❤❤
I have donated so much and have more to go and that feeling of free is taking over !
My daughter and myself are starting the 30 day de-clutter challenge tomorrow. I look forward to it, as does she.
How did it go?
Regarding the Keurig. I’ve found a way to use this machine in multiple and less impactful ways. I don’t use the plastic k-cups anymore and instead use a paper filter inside a reusable cup! I can put my loose teas 🍵 and favorite coffee ☕️ in there and have really good brews. We also use it as a hot water dispenser for hot oatmeal. Convenience. No waste. 👍🏼Sometimes I use the water to make a french press when I have the time. 😉🙏🏼🌈🙌🏼
tbh...decluttering gradually after decades of acquiring things is a difficult process. starting from almost scratch is easier.. i've lived with less stuff for 1.5 years for being away from home in a small apt for temporary work assignment.. but once i got home and had to declutter, it became quite a test of endurance i would say. learned a lot, took a lot of breaks and still continuing the decluttering process. but happy to see some fruition of that long, slow but steady pace.
Plan on getting a digital photo frame this fall, so i can Enjoy my photos daily. Before I ever heard of minimalism, i had already done the practical, made sense to me task, of throwing out the bad & didn't like photos. 🥳
Glad I found you guys in the beginning of my minimalist journey.
Thank you for all that you have done and are doing. I just saw your Netflix show and watched it twice. THANK YOU!!! I also found the Tiding Up series at the same time. I have transformed my house!
I felt the need to comment that to be a minimalist YOU DO NOT NEED TO THROW AWAY YOUR PHOTOS! THINK OF GENERATIONS TO COME. IF THEY ARE SOMETHING THAT BRING YOU JOY-PUT THEM IN A NICE PHOTO ALBILM AND KEEP THEM. If they don’t give them to a family member that does!
There are online albums. If your house burns ull lose the photos. The memories are inside your heart. Generations to come? Whos to say they will care?
I really like you are making these podcasts! It's good to find people with similar values to your personal values. It is fascinating for me to see what „face” people give to minimalism. I like all these „faces of minimalism” even though my own journey includes only some of them. I wish you all the best so you can continue your good work and way of living for a long time.
I really like these podcasts. It's more consistent content other than your blogs and I'm digging it. Keep up the good work.
Really enjoyed your podcast! Thanks. You guys have a fan in Germany. Decluttering at the moment(moved into a new apt.) and you guys are the beacons of light! Decluttering is moving through my fears...of what I might find once I get rid of things that do not add value and substance to my life. I just listened to a podcast with David Goggins and he said that once you achieve something...that's only 40%...that's when the real work begins. (paraphrasing here) So, guys, I am just getting started. Thanks for paving the way! Liebe Grüße aus Deutschland!
There are refillable/reusable K-cups! I love the simplicity of the keurig, I couldn’t imagine having one if I depended on purchasing new K-cups all the time but the refillable ones make it possible for me to never purchase k-cups and get everyday use out my keurig.
Over the past couple of years I've be one a minimalist and if I had to evacuate my home I could pick up my personal stuff in about 10 minutes max. My wife and now teenage daughter are the opposite and are hoarders and this drives me crazy while my wife thinks im ocd. Being a minimalist while single is easy but if your other half is the opposite its very difficult.
Great doc. Really well done and you interviewed some great people. I definitely have taken your message to heart.
I finally got episode 001 in my recommendations lol. All the others have been over 300.
I didn't get a Keurig right away, because I never rush to try the latest new thing, but because the coffee was so good, I did buy one. I'm on my second Keurig now. I do use the disposable pods (gassssp!) because loose coffee in the mesh pod falls out and can end up in the coffee cup. I buy only Green Mountain Nantucket Blend coffee in a 24 or 36 count box. Each cup costs me 50 cents, which is a big savings over the $2.50, $3 I used to spend at the coffee shop 2ce a day. So my Keurig is a keeper! That being said, if Green Mountain made recyclable pods that worked just as well, I would buy them.
I also love Tim Horton coffee pods!
Love you guys! I'm a minimalist and I enjoyed it :)
Thank you so much for your wise and thoughtful advice, words and ideas and a great podcast and all the ones for me to catch up with. So inspired by you and just what I was searching the Internet for this weekend 💖
I couldn't wait to have my own place so I could have a cat, an indoor cat. Well I got my wish and then I realized the hair! Hair, hair everywhere!
thank you so much for the love you spread to everyone through teaching a new beautiful lifestyle :) hugs from mexico!
You can not have it all, all the stuff and simplicity and peace of mind.
I wouldn't throw away photos or books. Even if they were online. Technology fails. Just keep the most cherished ones.
The podcast that changed my life ❤
Watched your guys piece on Netflix I have to say I am hooked ! So much of what you say clicks for me ! Thank you so much
Thanks for this. Love the podcast idea. Would love to hear something on the definition of success. There seems to be a lot of focus on money as a definition of success. Would like to hear more about other definitions of success using the lens of minimalism as a focus.
A grad school professor told us a wonderful story about his two sons. The eldest was a lawyer in a prestigious Boston firm- rich, fancy cars, big house, lawyer wife, two kids on the Dean's List at their schools, exotic 3 week vacation once a year; he also has high blood pressure, ulcers, and migraines, and constantly worries about his stock portfolio. The younger son quit college and has for decades been working as a boat captain in Maui- tiny house on the water, spends his days outdoors, drives a scooter, surfs daily, is very healthy, and worries about very little. So...who would you say is a success, he asked. It all depends on how we define success.
I wanted a dog, but after taking care of a relative's dog for a while, I realised that dogs are not compatible with my life style... Now I'm complete sure that I'm a cat person 🐈🥰 I never regretted having a cat.
This podcast is so important to listen to if your a later person.
I have less ppl that I associate with because I feel we growing apart due to our different values due to my changes in life and wanting to spend less and have less and fishing over the latest trend but I'm happier with my changes so that's what matters the most
Hola mi nombre es Pilar y soy de Argentina . He visto sus videos y me gustan mucho . Pero estaría bueno que los hicieraan subtitulados, porque aun aquí en Latinoamerica el minimalismo recién está teniendo repercusión y hay poca reflexión a cerca del tema
I have been reading that the "push" to declutter is to prepare us for tiny home/tiny apartment/mega-city living. I would never physically destroy photos. What would you do if the technology fails?
And what if your house burns down? Goes two ways. Also, losing a photo doesnt mean that memory disappears if it was important to you.
I have three pairs of clothes for work, two pairs of shoes and five shirts. I have been doing this since 2012 when I realized that the more things I owned, the less happy I became.
I find a Ted talk of yours last night. Today YT suggested me your latest upload... so I scrolled down to the bottom and here I am. The Minimalists ep 01
THE INTRO! Love it
Thank you for minimal living and decluttering inspiration. On the topic of scanning old photos, Thank you for the digital frame idea. My dad recently passed away, we miss him terribly, now taking all his old photos to scan and put on a digital frame and now he is with us in our living room. Thank you ❤️
Your right de cluttering is boring-unless you are listening to The Minimalists while you do it! I’d recomend to your listeners to just listen to you’re podcasts the whole time you are doing it. Then you are not doing it alone. In fact they will prob chuckle along the way as I did, the combination of both your humour has made me laugh a lot. Revealing perceived serious decisions as folly and something to laugh at yourself as you guys do😃🤩x
love that idea about using CL as a closet, awesome.
Amen. I like how you don't push your way of life onto your mom. I have a sibling that does that. Bugger off... Amen on the fixing. Fix yourself. Nobody's perfect. Perfect yourself.
Bringing value to my life!
Thank you...I was sitting here thinking what should I go do now and it was 8verwhelming till I relisded the most important thing I could do was to brainstorm a document I need to compile...when I thiguth I realy should declutter the house some more.
Also for those living in Mars, there are reusable stainless steel keurig cups that you can refill with your own coffee......sorry couldn't resist, I got mine on Amazon
Kudos for high-quality BLACK coffee made with a stainless steel mesh basket in a pour-over coffee cone.
If I was living in a closet, I would consider throwing away scanned in photos. Otherwise, the religion of minimalism will not overtake me with extremes like that. Bag of toilet paper takes more room than my photos.
wow you guys made it big. all the best. enjoy that sunny weather.
Decluttering friends who no longer share the same values as you really doesn't have to be that hard. I have found that we just naturally drift apart. I don't see a reason to have "a talk" since you just spend less and less time together anyway. You don't have to say "yes" to every invitation.
Family can be harder; I know a young woman, a lawyer, whose mother has a royal hissy fit if she doesn't show up for every single family get together that her mother arranges, and it's often. Her mom is super clingy, and since she's still young and much of her childhood was spent in the hospital due to a congenital illness, she feels obligated no matter what else is going on in her life. I don't know what to do about that. It isn't a problem in my family; we aren't close emotionally and we're spread all over the country (thank goodness), so it isn't an issue.
Thanks, this was great!
Curious if you have ever been to Burning Man? In a way it's radical minimialism. You bring 100% of what you need for a week in an extreme environment, and there are no garbage disposals so you also bring everything back with you. It's an interesting experiment b/c you have to be extremely selective with what you choose to bring, but you also bring the craziest items, many of which are gifts. After a week of this lifestyle you realize how every physical item is either a "gift" that brings value to you or others, or it is "MOOP" (matter out of place, aka litter) that serves no purpose, is a burden to dispose of, and takes up space that could be better held by gifts (or nothing!) The experience is life changing!
Thanck you, i love minimalism happy new years 2016 to your both!
Remember watching this 5 years ago
Love u uys! You brought hope to my life! I truly belive in your thoughfull words. Keep it up!
"advertisement suck". Great way to an opening video.
"This episode by the Minimalists, brought to you by... no body... because advertisements suck!" (Right after an ad video.)
guys i like to live pretty simple but i want to make my life even more simple. but my friends are living a very consuming life! how can i not be influenced from them. also, moving in with a roommate to save money, does it make life more simple or not..
Here starting the podcasts in 2025, thank You guys!
I can't believe the only mention Saskatchewan gets is about our coffee desert! Come on back (a screening would be awesome!!) and we'll show you we aren't actually a coffee desert.
Really nice podcast, I enyowd it very much.
I agree about capitalism. Capitalism is awesome, it's just bad when money controls politics, or when government has too much control of money or businesses, that it becomes a problem. The free market, without the influence of the government, should work just fine.
Ill take capitalism over the alternatives, which has proven to produce poverty and starvation. Communism worked SO well in the old USSR.
Your point about crony capitalism is well taken. Even in its current state, however, it provides far more opportunity for capital and labor and wealth production, even to a limited extent, than Communism. Why get out of bed, or live at all, in a Communist world when every one is made equal by hatchet axe and saw? Yes that was a reference to Rush 'The Trees'. That songs dark satire is spot on. Poverty followed by death was the only outcome of Communism. Look at Cuba as the ongoing example. Imperfect capitalism still has winners and losers, opportunities to find a market and make it, and produce/sell for the benefit of others.
It seems that the choice is only between capitalism and communism, and it's not. Neither work, the first because it's based on unlimited growth (unfortunately we live in a finite planet, and we are seeing the effects, in fact, minimalism is also degrowth, which goes against capitalism!), the second because it doesn't take into account human nature when faced with a situation of scarcity (common amongst most citizens in communists countries).
You speak of Cuba, but it's just in that country that something beautiful happened when the USSR went bust, you might want to have a look at The Power of Community - How Cuba Survived Peak Oil.
Communism doesn't work because basically it relies on a few people's will to distribute "equally" available resources, and of course they come first.
Capitalism is destroying the only environment that allows the existence of us human beings by exponential growth.
What you are all doing here, minimalizing your lives, goes absolutely against the NEEDS of capitalism, as a system, which requires more and more production, and consequently more and more consumption.
There are other alternatives, and they all have many things in common to what happened in Cuba with the "organic revolution": a return to life on the human scale. "Life" intended as everything, from the economy to all relationships.
Have a look at the Economy of the Common Good and the Universal Basic Income. It's not surprising how people (especially ones living in capitalist environments) think that nobody would "get out of bed, or live at all" without "the carrot" the system makes one believe he/she can reach. In reality, and there are many examples of this, we would happily get out of bed and live, if we didn't need to worry about spending 8-10 doing a job we hate to pay for our living needs... It was an eye-opener for me, I also thought capitalism was OK. It's not.
One last read: meritocracy in capitalism is one of the greatest illusions that allows the system to go on. This one is quick (of course one can keep on investigating on the matter): On a Plate, a comic by Toby Morris. Yes a comic :-), it shows the basics of the issue very efficiently.
Communist doesn't work, and we have all seen that. Capitalism doesn't work, and I hope we don't go extinct before understanding that.
The other systems, will they work? No idea. Until we have implemented them we won't know, but there are two things that we do know. The first is that nothing is perfect, and that any other system that we might adopt will have its flaws. The second is that we can't go on as we are living now. We are degrading the planet at a rate that will not allow our life in a very short time. Something must change to stop this trend.
One last thing (yes I know...): Lowsumerism (from Low Consumerism). There is a very interesting video about the concept of capitalism and Lowsumerism, a movement born in Brasil recently, really interesting. Capitalism IS consumerism. In the documentary there's a clip where The President talks about consuming too much on national TV... After 9/11 The President went on national TV asking the nation to consume to support the economy... Just sayin'...
17:00 Woud be hjelpful to explain what a 'packing party' is for those of us aren't familiar
I would never throw away photos whether I had them digitally or not.
I can see why someone would want to keep physical photos. What works for one person won't necessarily work for another.
If keeping those photos make you happy,keep it,that is the essence of minimalism,keeping things that make you happy.
Any advice on getting rid of expensive items? I try to sell them, but no one seems to want them.
if you're still trying to sell you can try a few phone apps to sell them on. I've sold items from little unique items to my designer handbags. If you just want to get rid of it and maybe make a few bucks back try "poshmark" or "mecari" great apps. i've made about $1,500 just selling my unwanted but piratically brand new items on these apps.
Thank you for the tip!
***** I guess it's just hard to let something go for a cheaper price than what you originally paid for that bugs me.
I thought it would be hard too, but after you let the "value" of the item you are selling go and you know that you don't need/use it anymore it gets easier. Plus it's going to a home that someone else would want more. I have a time table. I take out the item for 3 months and in that 3 months it has collected dust, it has to go. no turning back, no second thoughts.
@@andrem.7198 the thing is, after you buy something it begins depreciating in value. You now have decided you dont want it and therefore it has even lost "value" to you. Better to let it go and move forward
Jenn brought me here :-) love it
Thanks for uploading it on TH-cam also can you do an episode on how to make a podcast yourself at home :) I want to start one!
I just found you guys today and have so enjoyed identifying with you! My husband and I are raising our 8 children (#9 is on the way) in an 800 sq. ft. house in Wyoming and we've very much embraced living a meaningful life rather than a materialistic life. I enjoyed listening to you chat about your "uniform." Our family wears the same color as each other (we have 13 shirts each, one per color) and wear them in a rotation so we don't have to think about what to wear each day. Of all the "strange" things we do, that's probably the thing that the most people freak out about on our channel. It's so interesting how upset people become over someone choosing a uniform wardrobe. It's unfortunate because it frees up so much brain space to not have to think about what to wear! (Also, I don't play ads on my channel, either, and that's another thing that seems to upset some people!)
Can i ask.. why? Why so many children? Unless they are adopted? Because there are so many children out there in need but people seem to keep having their own. Just curious
I never would have seen this message if not for the child hater that posted...I am so glad to read this. My wife left that message,and since has passed away unexpectedly from breast cancer. It is so nice to read, and you have one more subscriber.
Do you still buy other people gifts on holidays or birthdays? If so, do you try to buy things that you think they really need or want?
You could do restaurant or movie theater gift cards.
Love the introduction
One day I'll be wise like you :(
U r wise already...
ive got a habit of keeping almost everything of my kids like i want to hold on to them and their childhood forever almost but now ive got toonmuch atuff olin my house. how to declutter? ive been taking pics of everything to help. I think it's a good idea.
Y'all are amazing
Love that intro!
Lol Saskatchewan shoutout! You did pretty good pronouncing it.