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The Art of Letting Go | The Minimalists | TEDxFargo
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- Published on Aug 23, 2016
- How might your life be better with less? Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, known to their 4 million readers as "The Minimalists," are the executive producers of MINIMALISM, the #1 indie documentary of 2016. They spoke at TEDxFargo about the benefits of letting go and living a meaningful life with less. For more info about The Minimalists visit theminimalists.com
Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, known to their four million readers as “The Minimalists,” have written four books, including the bestselling memoir, Everything That Remains. They write about living a meaningful life with less stuff at TheMinimalists.com. Their new film, Minimalism, is currently the #1 documentary of 2016.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx
I'm 52 and grew up through the capitalist 80's which meant owning a BMW, Rolex and a big house meant success. Today's younger people have a different and fresh ideology of what success really means which I admire because as they say, money will never equate happiness which in my older age 110% agree.
Agree. Knew it started in the 80s.... I'm 48 .... Working on downsizing every week 🤩
Come nd join iskon in india
52 is not old
Thank you so much, it definitely gives me courage to keep go and forgive about focusing on the materials ❤️
They are getting smartter ..
I will admit even as a poor person the minimalist life does help. I think it helped me by not caring so much about having more. To live within my means and to grow as a person. To a certain extent the poor are the original minamalist. However minimalism is not just having less its also a attitude. For me giving up the race for more and accepting less. Has helped my happiness and has increased my health. Since not focusing on getting more I focus on how to improve myself.
@Redcoka Mixed living within or below your means makes you not poor. So even on low income, you're not necessarilu poor. While on high income, lots of people live above their means, which qualifies them as "poor"..
You health is your wealth. I wish more people realized working out, not eating junk, drinking more water, meditation, etc is ultimately free.
ThoughtsandDreams I agree. But being minimalist and being poor is poor. Being a minimalist and being rich and having saving is hip 🤔
My minimalism came from being poor. Then I finished school and went without so-called necessities in order to double up on student loan payments. When buying a house and then a second house, I did the same to pay them off early. Now I am retired and able to live without working. Two paid off homes, one for a rental, and two paid off vehicles. The key is to be thankful for what you have and to never feel deprived.
ThoughtsandDreams I just had to write this comment down. I hope you don’t mind. I am in also on the journey of the decluttering my whole life. Thank you for sharing your story! Best regards.
One night I was by myself, extremely depressed, crying my eyes out, and having major alcoholism withdrawals. I had RU-clip on this video came on. That's how i discovered minimalism. Its been a snowball effect ever since. I love what minimalism has done for me and i am forever grateful to joshua and ryan. This was a very powerful lesson.
I'm so proud of u!
I love the minimalist lifestyle and what it stands for, but I find it hard for others around me to understand it. I have a lot of people in my life who want gifts, they love commercial products & packaging. I've tried to convince them for years to try to reduce the gifts they buy me for birthdays and holidays, but it never seems to stick. I'd rather just spend time with them, and cook a meal together. Was wondering if anyone else had any challenges like this, and how have you dealt with them?
@plumpapaya ask for her gift to be something you can do together? Would what work?
@E Dennis Several years after I gave a gift, I was the recipient of regifting - a deep green with blue undertones wool scarf I’d chosen based on colors she liked and wore. After getting over the hurt of her not liking it, (which didn’t take long), I wore it. I loved it.
I love the gift ideas of events, activities. My challenge - doing it.
I agree with Anitine. Make a list of things you would like for your birthday, gift vouchers for experience. My friend gave my vouchers for Craftsy so I can buy online courses, for example.
I keep telling my Sig other. OUR KIDS DON'T NEED ANY MORE STUFF!!! They need Gift cards for places/ events.... So they can have EXPERIENCES... Not clutter!
@Antine Reddingius was
I'm just starting my minimalism journey. It's been especially hard for me because the only home I had ever known burned down when I was 15, and we didn't have house insurance. 4 days later, my parents split up, and in the middle of class my school counselor told me I was leaving my hometown for good. It's been over 10 years, and only just now did I donate the top I wore when I ran out of my burning house. Wish me luck on going through the bin of things that survived the fire. Wish me luck on finally moving forward from my depression, anxiety, and suicidal life. Wish me luck on an uncluttered, brighter future. I need it.
Good luck ! Remember there are people, associations, etc. here to help.
Please, please take suicide off the table! I’m asking you, because I’ve attempted it 4 times & I thank God that I lived & He forgave me! It took time & counseling for me to become happy with who I am & how my life has changed since my last attempt. Pat yourself on the back for ANY LITTLE THING, tell yourself you love you & that you are worthy of everything, because you are! I love you because I’ve been where you are & I wish I was there to hug you as long as you need one. Please take care of yourself❣️
I dont think you understand what minimalism is. its a choice not something brought on by circumstance
I don't know who you are or where you are, but part of me really gets you... I'm sending you a huge hug and I'm praying that both you and I can let go of the Emotional hoarding bug... It's not easy, but I'm giving it a huge go tomorrow... One room at a time. One room per day.
You will feel so much more freedom . You will appreciate the relationships more. Do you see birds carrying around food for a time 2 years in the future.?
I lost an earring almost 30 years ago. I kept the single earring for those 30 years, just in case I found the other one.Finally I threw it out because it was so silly.Then, I found the missing earring in a box at my mother’s house. Life is weird.
Now hold on to the new found earring for another 30 years, just in case.
Lol! Is it Murphy’s Law?!
@candygram501 but why say it here?
😂😂
@avehcado totally.
Love people,
use things.
The opposite never works.
👍🏿
.
I hate people, idk.
damn right. I slept all the way through the whole lecture and picked up this in the end.
I like the last line
Da Vinci says it best: "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication."
Wow
@Robin Lillian "Alex (Alex Trebek), what is "King of Anything" by Sara Bareilles"
NeThZOR: I will keep as much stuff in my house as I want. Who cares whether or not you think I'm sophisticated? "Who cares if you disagree? You are not me. Who made you king of anything? So you dare tell me who to be. Who died and made you king of anything?"
Was that Da Vinci, thanks!
damn straight !!!
I love this whole concept: love people and use things. A few years ago, a friend of mine passed away and as I stood there in the remnants of his life watching his daughter overwhelmed with his clutter and battling her emotional ties to it, I made a decision to never put my children in that situation. Since then, I've learned to let go and I continue to do so. You are not your things. You can be so much more and people can see you more clearly when your things are not in the way.
My best friend just went thru this...
What a wonderful analogy... I'm doing the same with my life for my kids one day...
when my grandparents passed away, I realised they hardly had any clutter for us to deal with. that was when it hit me really hard - as you've said it well - you are not your things. thank you for reminding me of this again today.
🖤🖤
"Love people, using things - because the opposite never works". That is so true and so important for our times. Thanks for that talk.
You don't need a 1000 friends on Facebook; you need a few good friends that bring value to your life.
You don't want a million Likes and followers on Instagram; you want to do work which can change the lives of people irreversibly for the better.
Lose Social Media. Go Minimalist
Great personal talk as you age and grow wiser. Most likely, those of us in our 50's and 60's have already experienced the experiences of those of you in your 30's and 40's. At least the major ones like career choices, falling in love, having a family, health issues, losing a family member, facing a life changing traumatic event, etc.
George Carlin produced an "album " in the 70s called "Stuff" I believe. It was very funny at the time. You kids might want to set some time aside, once a month, and just sit quietly and listen, with full attention, to the older members of your family. Allow them to share their stories. Learn a thing or two that might help you to avoid a mistake they made. Because I didn't do that in my 30's and 40's and someone in their 50s made the same suggestion to me, but I ignored it. I was too SELF centered. Now, I regret it so much and the WORSE emotion to drag around with oneself is regret.
By the way, I would kill for the luxury of watching a homemade video of myself at the age of 3 or 10 or 25, or look at photos of my life, throughout my life, that the "millenials" or the "minimalists" have today because your taking for granted that your memories will be clear and in tact when you reach your 50s and so on.
By the way again, haven't you watched Antique Roadshow and valuable treasures found in ancestors attics?
You're all gonna be fine.
I've been minimalistic/zero waste since I moved out, not that my parents were hoarders but working 2 full time jobs at 17 to afford rent without a roommate means you just don't have time to buy stuff. Husband adopted my mentality of experiences vs things and now we have a baby and an adoption almost ready to go through and our two kids will hopefully see our example and grow up happy.
"the more action you take, the more you want to take action" great quote
These guys ooze coolness. And are probably the most genuine and humble people you could meet. Cut the bullshit berating their talk. It has value and authenticity, what more can you ask for? :)
coolness? the guys jokes all fell flat. he bombed
But doesn't the fact that they "had it all" at one point make their message even clearer? Sometimes it takes achieving materialistic success to realize that it does not bring happiness.
John M Sweeney Some people are more visual.
These guys have brought simplicity into my life...let go of stuff that has no value.
stuff has value for one and not for another. The subject is worth a debate.
thuya tkp
We did the same with taking pictures of things we got rid of when we downsized and moved from Ohio to Florida. Honestly, I don't even remember what I took picture of or where I have them stored. It goes to show you how we THINK things are so important until they are gone....they are not important. I love this video. I think exactly the same. We are downsizing again and plan on living out of a suitecase and traveling the world. Yes, we will have a tiny pod with some things stored that I'd like to keep like my violin and family pictures and old letters from my dad during WW 2. But stuff in general and clothe....I don't need much :)
@Coco S Thank you!
Living Free Forever awesome! I hope it goes well for you!
not even 10 mins into the video, paused it and im already decluttering my life. Feels great
such a motivation
Jules Harger that’s because she’s not prepared for that yet
Tommy Salerno Me too... Only my husband was like we may need that and I would like to take the Dave Ramsey challenge 100 pieces in our closet s. I told my oldest to the same thing and all she did was laugh at me.
Tommy Salerno right on and watch n see how much it piles up it’s unbelievable
The same happened to me when I was watching the documentary and here I am two months later on this journey, still a long way to go but I feel a lot happier!
This video is one of the most poignant and deeply moving videos I think I’ve ever watched thus far. It totally resonates with me and answers some of the questions I’ve been wrestling with for a long time. Thanks so much...
I began my minimalism journey earlier this year. 5 carloads of items to Goodwill, sold things on Craigslist and eBay (sold $170 in things just this week). Even hauled a pickup truck load of stuff to the dump. It has been refreshing but still I have a long way to go. I was never a hoarder but is amazing of how much crap I have acquired over the years.
Mobaba Moba to me it’s a war. A long struggle w ourselves. Breaking bad habits, dealing w other’s expectations. Relapsing and making mistakes. I think my goal is a few years from now. Less clothes, trinkets, expenses, stressors. Trimming gradually
@deaddropsd1972 Why does it need to ba 'a war'?
If that's something you enjoy it should be easy.
We buy what we need, very less wants and declutter twice a year. We are amazed every time on how much we have to get rid of.
yeah bud..my war has just begun....
So how's it going?
just started my minimalism journey 2 months ago ive gotten rid of so much so far and dont miss a thing and im so much happier
I will keep as much stuff in my house as I want: "Who cares if you disagree? You are not me. Who made you king of anything? So you dare tell me who to be. Who died and made you king of anything?"
How are you now 2 years later?
Christal Dawn did you keep sentimental items?
Christal Dawn
MICE I've started the journey but I am far from getting to where these guys are. One big thing for me to realize was that it is a process. The hardest thing for me has been NOT shopping. I wouldn't have considered myself a huge consumer but once I started thinking about my purchases more, I bought less. I had to ask myself if I really needed a new shirt for an event. Do I possibly have anything at all already in my closet that would work? I've avoided wasting funds on everything from unnecessary clothes, decor, plants, food, etc. Again, I'm not perfect at it yet.
"The greatest wealth is to live content with little"
- Plato
"He is rich who is content with the least, for contentment is the wealth of nature"
- Socrates
"The greatest wealth is poverty of desires"
- Seneca
"Wealth consists not in having great possessions but in having few wants"
- Epictetus
Remember our virtue of Sophrosyne.
Who says I have to meet your standards for how I should live? I will keep as much stuff in my house as I want. "Who cares if you disagree? You are not me. Who made you king of anything? So you dare tell me who to be. Who died and made you king of anything?"
@Santi Younger Try cynicism. It's like extreme minimalism.
Thanks for sharing those great quotes, I'm try to practice stoicism and I love the similarities it has with minimalism!
By desiring little the poor man makes himself rich - Democratis
by leading a simple life, with care & consideration for others, life becomes fulfilling & meaningful & for such a person life is a beautiful & happy journey
I absolutely love these guys!!! They are such an inspiration, love their podcasts and would love to meet them in person one day. Thank you for putting things in the right perspective! 🙏
Wonderful!
Losing my father, a number of years ago, helped me realize that my memories are not in 'the stuff'.
Raised three girls who are grown now and the youngest is ready to move out. I'm still working on a 'final' purge.
Thanks and happy minimizing to everyone.
Loved loved this presentation!!! This society forces you to value the material things in life. Holidays have turned into a shopping spreed. You can hardly enjoy a holiday with all these sales taking over your life.
I was a shopaholic for many years, but not I'm transitioning into a minimalist, which is not easy! BUT I like it!
Absolutely loved this documentary and it's what inspired me to start my own journey towards minimalism even though it felt overwhelming. It's a process but getting there !
"The more action you take the more you want to take action" 🙌
I've recently have been into minimalism as well as the vast amount of debt that we as a society have. I am glad that other people feel the same way! It honestly makes you feel so much happier to let go.
Been selling most of my unused stuff for the last few years. It took me almost 2 years and i sold for round 20k total. It feels goddamn awesome! Plan on scaling down. Smaller house, smaller debt, smaller cravings, smaller space to "put stuff into" and have an easier life all together. Its the frugal and wealth building steps to take to live a more free life. Now and forever.
Watching this brought me to tears...
I finally found the correct video for my life. This show showed me how I can "let go" of the emotional attachment. Trying to start is a mind-block nightmare but this guy showed me... It's easy, open the wardrobes and cupboards and get rid of it! The memories are in your head.. in your heart. My Late Mother isn't in her dinner sets and old clothes... my mother in law isn't in her old handbags and jewelry... I'm not a huge consumer... I'm a tightwad.
Im an emotional hoarder.
Thank you guys for helping me find the first step to setting myself free and making my daily life lighter and easier to manage. ❤️
I love the idea with minimalism, I just cant get over the memories of old journals and things because I believe they hold a que that signal memories we would typically forget about . With my own experience I relive memories I forget about until I read old journals and it brings me a certain flood of life. I could never get rid of my old journals.
Keep things you love like that. Get rid of other things. Keeping well loved journals doesn't mean you have to keep dishes you don't use or clothes you don't wear.
You guys rock! Thank you for spreading the good word across the planet. 🌈❤️🤙
Love these guys. I watched their docu on netflix and I'm feeling inspired to surround myself with things that bring value and meaning to my life rather than mindlessly owning something.
I appreciate that you both make it clear that what we part with is a choice - it's neither mandatory, nor a judgement on ourselves. For me, this quote by William Morris consistently keeps me focused on my truest intention: "Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.” Thanks to you too, as well, for bringing this concept into the light of day once more. Lovely to see others living their lives as their mission.
loved this talk! very inspiring. it inspired my family of four to begin the journey towards minimaliam!
Listening this as Im clearing my home to encourage me to continue going. Goal is to eliminate 15% of my stuff and make sure everthing I own "has a home" in my space, if it doesnt and there is no room for it, then time to let go. Best of luck to all the rest of you! And I also love that minimalism--consuming less--assists the planet!
wow thank you that was amazing. Your message has excited me. I've been trying to declutter my home but didn't have a focus point, which led to being unmotivated. The key messages are simple but powerful. I now look forward to starting this journey.
Thank you guys! After watching your documentary we revamped our journey to minimalism. We had accumulated a 4 bedroom house full of stuff and felt so trapped by it, and there are only 3 of us! We are now letting go and giving away boxes full and selling the rest. Still have a lot to go but I feel better every day.
so good and so true! I love your message and it helped me to eliminate 30 years of a houseful of stuff.....liberating is the best word to describe how it feels....keep up the good work!
Thank you for sharing your journey... it's very inspiring! I too am on my journey of minimalism, and I couldn't be more happy. And you're right, when I started to let go of things, it encouraged my sister & mom to do the same.
Minimalism is: having enough (not too little - poverty - and not too much - self-indulgence, but simply enough and grateful; content).
Reminds me a lot of the book: "The Life- Changing Magic of Tidying Up". Total game changer!
That book really did change my life!
Marie knows what's up.
Will Thorpe That’s awesome!!!
They reference it a couple times in their podcasts.
I am so happy to see that almost a million people have already watched this... Thanks TEDx. Keep'em coming!
I can remember getting stuck when it came to a few things that were precious, meaningful and/or were part of my family history. Not a lot of things. Maybe a box full. Such as a scrimshaw whales tooth from many generations back. Here's what I did, it may help those who also may want to reduce their "tough to get rid of" stuff. I thought...if I were dead who would I want to have it? Who would find joy in having it? I have a family member who is deeply connected with the ocean, who sails and lives by the water. I gave it to that person who loves it. Mounted it and placed it on a shelf. Talks about the history of whaling and refers to the tooth. Isn't that more fulfilling than being hidden in the bottom of a dark box?
When he said in actuality he was "a well organized hoarder". It all looked good. EXACTLY!!!! Less stuff equals less stress. MUCH less stress. ✌️❤️😊
I have been transforming my mindset into a minimalistic one for the past several months now and it has contributed a lot of positivity and learning for me. I keep thinking of a quote by Dave Ramsey (yes, THAT Dave Ramsey!) which I think perfectly sums up our American consumerism today: "Too many of us buy things we don't need with money we don't have to impress people we don't like."
Helping people and building relationships are things that matter! All the "stuff" we have won't do anything for us when we are gone, but the people we loved and spent time with and had fun with will always remember us.
Aleks Ulmer its a quote from 1928 by Robert Quillen.
Excellent! I recently started adopting this mindset! Very happy with the results:)
From the wise words of Mahatma Gandhi:
"Live simply, so that others may simply live."
Beautiful words.
Excellent message, Joshua and Ryan! I saw you guys in person at the Chicago doc. screening. Thanks for sharing your message; it guides my life daily! I am a more intentional person now. (P.S. to everyone: it isn't just about stuff, reducing your stuff and focusing on the most important is the first step to minimalism, but it doesn't end there. You start re-thinking relationships, your musts, your tasks and habits, and revealing what is essential and your desired goal in life).
My great grandma recently passed from lung cancer. I had this same realization about her things before & after she passed.
Amazing talk! Minimalizing as we speak🙌🏼
Josh used to come into the coffee shop where I worked in Lebanon, OH. I used to tease him about being related to Christopher Walken. Ryan was my daughter's brother-in-law. If I had been able to talk to Josh very long, he would have known I was also a minimalist. I inherited a LOT of things from my parents. But I found that you either own your stuff or your stuff OWNS YOU. I hardly ever miss anything I've let go of--- and in the end, we really have to let go of it all.
Love. People. Love is the only eternal thing.
This is amazing! I'd be looking forward to get rid of all the "just in case" stuff from my closet.
All I have to say is, thank you for such an inspiring speech!!!
I have been minimising my life for last decade and was wondering if that was the way to do it but now I'm happier. I could have passed university with high grade but minimumised to 40% 😆 I could have bought a big house but live with parents still 😆. Could have worked 8 hours per day but done 2-4 hours. My life is perfect 🥰
Watched your documentary. Then this. Mind blown. I love this. I've started my journey after visiting your website.
Thank you so much. My mom just recently passed away. I was saving a lot of her stuff in my already cluttered house. I'm going to donate her stuff and just keep a few things. I'm also going to get rid of a lot of stuff that I don't need.
I never realized I was ona minimalism journey. It all started in 2012 when I passed by the library and rummaging through the aisles found a book by Marie kondo on the art of tidying up, which helped me start my minimalist journey. I didn't think it would become so popular. After reading the minimalists blog 6 mo this ago, I finally have the courage and understanding to treat my minimalism practice the right way. Not just getting rid of it to get rid of it, but to let go WITH purpose and appreciate what I have been left with. Thank you Marie kondo for opening my eyes and inspiring me to start this journey and to the minimalists for igniting a new purpose for my minimalism journey.
It's so powerful. Than you. Fire me up every time I tired of cluttering my house. I found more way to persuade my family to be more minimal.
Amazing show! Best TEDx I've ever seen till date!
I remember watching the documentary of you guys , great ideology. I have been benefited a lot. Great Work and thanks a lot ,, and glad to see you doing a TEDx show :) God Bless
I'm working on my path to becoming a minimalist!......Truth is,
The more things you have, The more things you WORRY about!
"The more action you take, the more you wanna take action" a widely spread phenomenon.
I am literally cleaning my closet as I listened to you. Thank you for the inspiration.
Love these guys! Podcast, blog, and all!
+girllovesbikes agreed
This, I believe, is one of the most beautiful and intelligent TEDx productions ever produced !!!
living a meaningful life with less is key!
Taking pictures of old stuff as memory´s trigger is a great idea! It really works to decluttering.
A photo doesn't capture smell though. I am keeping the teddy bear my nan knitted me until the scent of her soap fades completely. I'm not ready to swap a less intense memory from a photo for the one I currently get from a smell. I tried it with something else connected to my wedding day and ended up ditching the photo as well; it just didn't work for me - I guess I wasn't as attached to the memory as I thought.
Loved watching this. There are times when I want to put everything in my house on the front lawn with a sign.. "Free". Of course, that's a little extreme and I wouldn't do that. But every so often I go on a sweep through my home and clean things out that I really don't need. But I need to do more and dig deeper. This video just makes you think harder about what you have and why you have it. When you go to Goodwill and see brand new things offered for pennies on the dollar, or your neighbors three car garage is so full he has to keep those two brand new cars outside in the weather, you know something is wrong with our society. George Carlin said it all "Our houses are just stuff boxes for our stuff."
Great presentation and real challenge to most people. Only maturity and age may compel few to see the lessons given in this one. The Minimalists have seen it relatively in younger age. I have seen it living for many decades later in life. It's a valuable lesson but rarely learned early in life. The next stage would be in the mental and intellectual domain with one's unseen and life challenges. Achieving inner growth, awareness, and spiritual consciousness, peace of mind, harmony, etc. That one can be found in "Let Go, Let God". When one is able to achieve both...quality of life will improve. Life is the gift that humans can fully enjoy no matter at what age. It usually comes late because it takes time and to those who do the take the challenge in life. Material belongings are fun for a while yet they are not lasting. The real values in humans are are in human relationships and sharing. Feelings of love, empathy, compassion, caring, serving, etc.. Being and feeling connected to your Source gives the best assurance and guidance. Only then, one can see and enjoy the gift of life and the beauty around in Nature and the Intelligent Universe.
Fantastic! Thanks for this lovely message. I agree with you guys! You know, just let me tell you one secret: OUR WORLD BE A BETTER PLACE WITH PEOPLE LIKE YOU! A big hug on you \(* - *)/
Great message, started my journey after I saw their film on Netflix.
Peace from London. ❤❤❤
taking photos of the sentimental "things" is a game-changer!!!!
Couldnt agree more!
thank you so much for the inspirational speach ☺ I feel like am drowning in my room I keep buying stuff I think I need but I never use them only once or twice 😤 ... I will start with your advice of letting go of 1 item at a time day by day 😶 and I will see how it turns out
If you're interested, these guys have a podcast (you can find it on youtube). They also have a thing called the 30-day minimalism game. Where you let go of 1 thing on day 1, 2 things on day 2, and so on. More challenging, but quicker if you really have a LOT accumulated.
dotBdot I highly recommend the Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, it's a bit silly at times but the principles are excellent
amazing!...less is best!..thank you both! hope more people are able to take the time to listen...
if you love something, let it go
if you hate something, let it go
basically let everything go who cares anyway
'Yea, Stuff Sux' - Girl to Lisa Simpson
Yeah, let yourself go!
woh there hoss. where did the who cares bit come from? we care. we all care
How to make egg salad
. the only way
😂
Same thing happened to me when my dad passed and I saw all his stuff he accumulated. Only thing is my mom took on the burden.
What a message! Thank you!!
This was amazing to hear. Bravo!
Love you guys. Thank you for doing all of it.
Love these guys. Great talk!!
Imagine changing the world for good in all we do in life by living the simplest life possible.
A minimalistic way to be, live, learn, and grow while living in complete balance and flow is much much easier than would ever imagine!
I would love to share with anyone wanting to be completely free in all you do in life.
Keep it simple!
Vitorio
Hi guys, thank you very much for your words and your work, what you do is amazing. Two years ago I was in the same situation : good job, money, husband, big apartment and lots of stuff and i realize that i didn't ask for it, it wasn't my choice. So i ask myself what i really want to be happy. I started with selling and giving stuff, I stopped shopping and buying and i changed my job. I was a psychologist and i became a pastry chef and now I'm so freaking happy !!! I watched your documentary 2 times because i love it and it makes me fell so good. So thank you ! I send you lots of love from Paris and maybe one day I will also have a hug from you ! 😊
As always, Josh and Ryan are excellent!!
I love these two! I saw thier documentary and it was wonderful
When u wanna buy something, ask yourself 3 questions. 1.Do i want it? 2.Do i really need it? 3.if i get it, will it give me peace of mind?
@FrancoPhysique if cars are something you are passionate about, it is understandable to splurge. However buy a car with the intention of using it for what you are passionate about. Ask yourself your intentions of buying a specific model of a car. If the intention is “I will feel fulfilled” or “To show off” “to make me look successful” “to increase social value because it is the latest model” etc or any reason that has to do with thinking that model will increase your human value then Definitely not a valid reason to buy the latest model. If your intention is transportation, definitely set up a budget for a car that is durable. Ex. The previous year model, but pre-owned or any pre-owned car. Also focus on the quality, and how long you think it will last you. So there’s definitely an in between on what to splurge on and what not to.
@Robin Lillian I think Shadman was speaking to a target audience and you don't seem to be that target audience. Probably no need to be offended.. no one is militantly trying to get you to reduce your belongings..
Ask yourself something else? Why does my home have to please someone else? I will keep as much stuff in my house as I want. "Who cares if you disagree? You are not me. Who made you king of anything? So you dare tell me who to be. Who died and made you king of anything?"
Another key question to ask before you buy anything, is "Where is this going to go?"... you need to plan a place where things will go before you bring them into your life so they do not become more clutter..
I always ask myself the question "If I moved now would I be happy to pack this up". I'm *VERY* fresh on my minimalism journey but I'm trying to get out of the situation I'm in and I've put that limit on myself. My end goal is to be able to move in just a suit case that I can fit on a plane.
I taught my kids by saying over and over and over..."People first, not things. Love people, not things." I wanted to instill goodness in them. I wanted them to act with kindness towards people and to put their effort into thinking of others not in gaining things.
Thank you guys for reminding me that it is not my stuff that holds memories of my loved ones. I hold them in my mind.
Working on letting go of my divorce. Great reinforcement!
I never saw a Ted talk with the silent action to go along with the talk. Really appreciated it and the humor. Very inspiring and creative. I'm going to definitely incorporate this thinking into the new year.
The more action you take, the more you want to take action
Memories are not in things, they're inside of us
I love this - it's brill! Less is deffo more.
Let’s value the art of letting go! 😊
Wow, your video was very informative and helpful to me. Thanks so much for sharing this.
Thank you guys to add value to my life!
It's so dramatic! I love it when people deal with issues that way... 'we're doing all these really shitty things... but let's have fun sharing'
Its so inspirational , good job :)
The one thing that's so hard to attain minimalism is when you have a hoarder-mother (or anyone who's living with you)
Awesome message, guys!😊🙌🙌🙌💛
When I'm going through stuff now the thing that's helped me the most is repeating "make a decision and make it now" because really that's all I'm doing is delaying making a decision.
Interesting that i came across this. Although i am not a huge consumer, actually i almost never use my credit cards, own no car and use public transport. i have always had trouble getting rid of things like books i wont re read, highschool notebooks, etc. Since i turned 40 i started to think that i could actually let go of those things and that the time was now. I got rid of several bags of clothing, papers and this week i put many of my books for sale/trade. I will check your website to keep me motivated, the new year is a great time to start anew and stick to this purpose.