The Art of Letting Go | The Minimalists | TEDxFargo

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 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.

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.

Love people,

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.

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.

"Love people, using things - because the opposite never works". That is so true and so important for our times. Thanks for that talk.

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?

Da Vinci says it best: "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication."

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.

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.

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.

"the more action you take, the more you want to take action" great quote

These guys have brought simplicity into my life...let go of stuff that has no value.

I am so happy to see that almost a million people have already watched this... Thanks TEDx. Keep'em coming!

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.

Watching this brought me to tears...

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? :)

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! 🙏

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...