You're welcome! LOL I know a large part of your channel's appeal is that there are so many of us boomers out here, many widowed, and living alone. It's so nice to have a kind voice filling the house. Yes, prayer is so essential and thank YOU for being a kind voice in our lives.
Even some younger folk who don't quite connect with the ultra young imstagram-style influencer. There is so much value in having such a down to Earth approach from a boomer on here. Diversity on the platform is fantastic
Aha! A retired Pastor/ Minister- no wonder you’re so relaxed in front of a camera and such a great communicator! I could listen to you for an hour- but yes, the shorter - the better. You explained essentialism perfectly!
I helped a 75 year old friend declutter her home (8 van loads and a garbage trailer from an already downsized home!) and she's become really enthusiastic about minimizing and shared your page with me. 😊
I’m a librarian, and we have people who come to the library as a place to work, for the wi-fi or computers, to use services like copies and scanning, for entertainment, and small group meetings. I think the public library is essential, and your message about essentialism is giving ideas about communicating that to others.
We have minimalism, essentialism and downsizing. All feels amazing. If you have trouble parting with your treasures, cluttering your life, donate to a worthy cause that you love. Let those items collecting dust do some good in this world! 🌍💚🙏
I love your word "essentialism". It feels better than "minimalism", even if they are similar ideas. It will look different for each person at various stages of life, but focusing on what is essential each day will help us enjoy life and have fewer regrets. Thanks!
I recall watching a minimalist up here in Canada and she said that she almost gave up on her minimalism because of certain comments in her comment section so her conclusion was that everyone's take on it is different - while it might feel comfortable for her to have 10 pairs of shoes it might seem like too much to others...."you do you and let others do them" became her new philosophy and she is still minimalist HER way....Cheers! ♥
I am a mother of four and what you said about children having less making them happy is a green light for me. The cost of housing is high in my area so the idea of upgrading to a larger house when the kids get older seems a bit out of reach now. Perhaps practicing essentialism will give us the room we need. You come through the camera as the grandfather I always wanted as a child; thoughtful, considerate and wise. God bless!
Such a good point. It seems with our stuff, kids feel they need more stuff too. We had a small house when my girls were growing up(barely 1,000 sq feet) So there we had to be more intentional on what we had. Now my husband and I have a rather large house, 2 main floors, attic and basement. We have too much stuff. I get sentimental and attached to a lot, especially if from a family member, or a family members item. I need to realize that if I get rid of something it doesn't diminish the act of the item, or the person who gave it to me
I knew there was a reason why I liked you when I listened to your declutter video. This video is the proof - God Bless you and may your channel grow from strength to strength 🙏🏻♥️
No wonder I was drawn to your commentary because you are my brother in Christ. Your calming words of wisdom pertaining to "essentialism" were insightful. Thank you, Lord heavenly Father, for this man of God.
You are right that we all should be living our own personal lives. But the fact that your channel has grown so fast indicates that your personal experiences, thoughts and feelings are resonating with a lot of us out here in YT land. Thank you.
I have enjoyed listening to your comments. For 24 years my husband and I together ran a retail store along with a wholesale packaging supply business. When my husband passed in 2010 I had a woman working for us for 12 years and her son needed a job. I told him at the time that if he stayed on with me, that I would turn over the business to him when I decided to retire, which was 5 years ago. There was a lot of inventory left that still belonged to me as well as the store fixtures. The merchandise was for him to sell for himself, but with the Covid downturn there is a lot of it left. On Friday he lost his lease by being forced out and he has to clean out everything without having any time to go elsewhere. They raised the rent by 40%, which he could not pay, and he refused to sign the lease that the new owner wanted him to sign. I put on Facebook marketplace a store closing notice with all fixtures and much of the merchandise being free, one day only. We got over 6000 views and at least 200 people responded. By the end of the day almost all of the fixtures in a 4000 foot store were gone. Many of the people picking up things are just starting new businesses. When my husband and I started it was a struggle for 3 years. Much of what we used as fixtures was given to us. It was such a good feeling to see how pleased these people were and that meant a whole lot more to me than any money I might have made.
I am a 20 year old who's had a clutter problem for years. You, sir, have helped me feel less alone and helped me get up and finally clean up years of clutter that I've been avoiding for a long time. Thank you for making this channel. You have given me hope, and I now have faith in myself to keep going.
This is so lovely to read. I wish I knew then (at 20) what I know now (at 56), I would have saved a lot of time and money if I hadn't accumulated so much stuff and had been more mindful about what I brought into my home! Better late than never I suppose. Heartwarming that at 20 you are ready to tackle it, I wish you all the very best 😊
I am so happy I found your channel. I just subscribed. I found it a week ago when I was trying to get more ideas on decluttering. RU-vid kept suggest some of your videos and it has been such a blessing. Today’s videos was the icing on the cake. As a Christian who has been cutting down every form of clutter” I also believe that essentialism is more me ❤️🙏♥️
‘Essentialism is not about decluttering my house.. & neither is minimalism.. it’s about decluttering a life..’. can so relate to this!! Approaching retirement & constantly looking at ways to make my home more purposeful & to get to that serene & peaceful well being feeling!! It’s a huge task but making progress slowly! Your videos are so inspiring ~ so glad to have found your channel & looking forward to watching your photography channel too as a fellow photographer!! 🙌🏼👏🏼☺️
Thank you for making a real distinction between minimalism and essentialism. I’ve heard from a lot of people that they have a hart time parting with certain things because they love them too much but they feel “pressure” to part with them in account of minimalism. I think essentialism has more breathing room and more purpose. That is what I am after. Doing and having what has purpose in my life.
I have been on a minimal/decluttering journey for about 3 years now. I am a bit younger, at 44 and married with 1 child still left at home. I struggle with living as an essentialist with a spouse who lives for the "what-if", netting a constant resistance to part with anything. I am thankful to have found you here at a time that I needed some calm and reassurance. That I what I feel when I hear you speak. Thank you for being here and the content you bring us!!
Again, I appreciate your term essentialism. Appreciate how well thought out your videos are and the flow of your speech. Have a friend who is hearing impaired, and she sat and watched this video with me, and because you enunciate so well, she could read your lips, which made watching this video together, such a pleasure, Being what we in our family call Scandinavian minimalists, it's all about avoiding sensory overload. Personally, I tend to feel claustrophobic in an environment that is full of things or clutter. Am often reminded when I sit or walking as I meditate, of the environments I have been in that flood me with calmness. Be it a home, the forest, seashore, office building. They all have one thing in common, less clutter, less chaos. The German Lutheran theologian and martyr, Dietrich Bonhoeffer noted 'Earthly possessions dazzle our eyes and delude us into thinking that they can provide security and freedom from anxiety. Yet all the time they are the very source of all anxiety.' Used to be bad enough when people had the tv on all the time, but with the advent of social media we have so many people who never are still. People who literally fear being in a quiet environment. They constantly are drinking/eating something, live a sedentary lifestyle full of noise., and wonder why they are depressed and cannot sleep well.
A few years back, we decided to sell the family home and move closer to elderly parents. One day I took out all the different bowls that I had in my kitchen and laid them out on my kitchen island. I had so many different bowls and they all had jobs and assignments. There were the popcorn bowls, the chili bowls, the serving bowls, the salad bowls, multiple sets of mixing bowls, the pasta bowls, I could go one. As empty nesters, we certainly didn't need this many bowls. I did manage to get rid of some of those bowls, in my quest to downsize to the things we really needed on a daily basis. But it is still a work in progress, I have since added new bowls to the collection. 🤣 Thanks for sharing and I'll keep trying to keep this bowl thing under control.
Thank you, Tim for putting into words things I cannot. I really like the idea of essentialism instead of minimalism. It resonates with my heart and soul😊
I believe that we are meant to have what we need in this life and to not worship accumulating things as we cannot take anything with us when we depart from this world. The Lord wants the most of our attention, not to give that attention to our possessions. Thanks for sharing your definition. ☺️🙏🏻
I really appreciate you explaining your viewpoint! When I watched the declutter video I did think to myself “oh that is minimalism”, but I purposely didn’t write that in the comments because like you said, we all have our own view of what is what. I think that’s what is so beautiful about it. As someone who has a chronic health condition I have found a lot of help in minimalism and essentialism but also made some tough decisions when I realised I needed to go out and buy stuff to help me manage my health. I see a lot of families with small kids or able-bodied people in their 20s living in a van/travelling doing minimalism and while I appreciate their message too it’s so wonderful seeing another perspective! Like someone else mentioned I sat down with a coffee to watch the video, it’s truly well made! ❤
First time visitor to your channel. I retired in February. I also owned a tea room. I have been decluttering for several months now It is one of the most tedious things I have ever done. I will be selling my house soon to move closer to one of my daughters. As I have been doing this I realized I am saving my daughter's a great deal of agitation, frustration and pain. (And yes, what led to such an accumulation ...procrastination!) I love your term, purposeful selection. It is not easy but it easier now than it was when I started. I have promised myself that I don't ever want to do this again. Your message is very valuable, just wish I had caught it sooner. You have a very nice style. Keep doing what your doing. You are helping us to not only declutter our closets, but also helping us to declutter our lives. Congratulations on your channel.
Only 2 min in, & your message is such a blessing. Praise Jesus for using you. On yt we have been missing good Godly men, & especially NOT being cookie cutter to mindless buying & decluttering. I've never been comfortable w/minimalism--whilst it has a need due too being trained to have too much stuff, it is too far from being human. You have brought in THE needed perspective!! This idea will spread like wildfire! Im adding you to my prayer list. God continue to bless you.
It is so ironic that I found your channel at this time in my life. I am a 69-year-old female who has been collecting “stuff” for as long as I have been alive!!! I am not a hoarder by any means, but every square inch of our 4000 square foot home is occupied very neatly and cleanly. Both my husband and I have been in the process of getting rid of things that are no longer essential to our existence. Your commentary here is exactly how we have approached our process of decluttering our home. This process has been an extremely arduous one that has been going on since the first of this year; I am pleased to say our process is almost complete-at least as complete as we want it to be at the present time. What is essential can absolutely be different for everyone-most would very probably think our home is still like a museum, but it is our museum where everything has beautiful memory or a useful purpose. We are very proud of and comfortable with our accomplishments regarding this most difficult endeavor. I am sure the thrifters who shop our local Goodwill have found some very interesting and useful items as of late.
Thank you for being the Voice to me that I need at the age of 70! I’ve been saying this for awhile and know it’s Action time. Thank you, thank you, God bless!😊❤
I’m so glad I stumbled across your channel. I was talking to a friend about decluttering and then your video popped up. It was really good. I loved this one. It gave me food for thought.
Thank you for those wonderful words of wisdom Tim. You have given me the word I could not find but was really already tyring to live in my own life. I knew it was more than just decluttering stuff, it was what was I keeping and what will I buy in the future? Do I really need this? What an amazing concept you have given us here to think about. Blessings on you as you walk this new path of retirement. So thankful you started this vlog. We need a tee shirt with the word Essential Living.... I have heard of Intentional Living, but now maybe essential living is intentional living.
Your term of essentialism is exactly what I have been trying to put my finger on. I know I’m not a minimalist and I’m certainly not a hoarder. But now in my late 60s my husband and I just crave the essentials and want to get the clutter of the unessential out of our lives. Essentialism gives us a sense of peace and order in the home. And it’s also a thoughtful gift to whomever comes after us, like our kids, when we pass away.
What an excellent comment, because I feel just like you. The difference is that it’s just myself now, but I’m ready to declutter all the things my late husband & I didn’t want or need, and only keep the essentials. What peace that would bring!!
Cleveland is a wonderful place to live & worship. I entered My Season of Essentialism without knowing exactly "what" i was leaning into. I had amassed family hand me downs & other belongings across my lifetime that i no longer need to hold. I no longer needed those things as i wanted to relocate to be near my sibling. So many changes in store for me and i needed to make room in my world. 8 years later, i found i had rebuilt my new life that included a new bulk of things that have no important meaning. lol. I am once again offloading , shedding things that serve no purpose to my life. Nothing i own is truly mine & i am at peace having little to carry across my lifetime. God bless you for your messages you present on RU-vid.
You have inspired me to think of my own walk in faith and letting go of that thought that if I could only find perfection in my own life it will make me happy . Well as you know there is no such thing .
I wish younger people would realize to mindful of what you buy. Retired people often say I have no money but in reading some comments these decluttering/purchases could have been retirement funds. Thank you for your info.❤
You are correct, better to invest that money for retirement. I fortunately was able to sell some of my mindless acquisitions. At least I was able to recoup some money, about 1/2 my cost. I consider that rental money.
Hi Tim - thanks for sharing your words with us in this RU-vid format. It is up to us as listeners & readers to glean from the content what will work for our lifestyle/season of life that we are in right now & just take the rest of it as entertainment/conversation.
I think I've found a home in essentialism. I've been trying to be more of a minimalist in retirement but I know that I cannot live a totally minimalist lifestyle but the concept of just having what's essential to me in my life is genius. I'll be following along on your journey.
Lovely video! Joshua Becker (coincidentally also a pastor) is another eloquent source for these ideas. He uses the term mini,malism, but he defines it exactly the same way.😊
Thank you for ministering as you did in this video. This essentialism is a good topic in our spiritual disciplines and spiritual attention, work life ( middle school teacher), community life, family life (I’m a caregiver to my mom with dementia). My head gets to spinning with all I have to pay attention to. I love the Lord and my deep sense is that enter in to a true place of rest in life, the most essential things are enjoying Him first, and making love be the purpose of my other activities. Extra stuff, non-essential activities and perfectionism to prove myself, all weigh me down. Time to cast these things off to be more available and present as a person. Thank you, thank you! Your truly have encouraged me today. I am working on making my art supplies, kitchen, mom’s room and dining areas, the places I hang out most and are more shared spaces more functional, welcoming and peaceful. Jesus, have mercy...
All of the things you are sharing are things God talks to me about. This is confirmation for me. I'm getting off my butt now and going through my drawers and closets.
I love the idea of a huge blank wall. Especially if you can look at it straight from your bed. Reminds me of when I was young and carefree living in an apartment near the airport in Ft. Myers, Florida near the airport. I bought a giant mural of the nose of a jet coming in for a landing and when unsuspecting friends walked in they would freak out. Good times with The Eagles on my stereo. Ha. Now I am 73 and I have many cool lake scene pieces of art that have been hidden in roll up tubes since 2009 when I moved back to Los Angeles from The Berkshire’s in MA. Hoping to move back East in the Fall and you have gotten me to think about that blank wall. Right now those lake scenes would inspire me to pray unceasingly. Be inspired by what ever you place!
I Love how you tie faith into essentialism. That was so unexpected and awesome! And even though I am not retired, (or close) I really admire how you have reinvented yourself at your age--doing videos, writing a book, learning new things. You give me hope that it's never too late to dream big.
Thank you for the eloquent way you explained the difference between minimalism and essentialism giving us all much to think about regarding our own way of life. God Bless you and your family and see you soon.
I look around my house and then think of my grandparents’ houses, and it almost makes me ill. They had no clutter. One grandmother had a small collection of glass/ceramic shoes she liked to collect. The other had a very few knickknacks in her living room. They had to work hard just to survive back then. The were all calm, satisfied people. I envy that. I have tried to focus on gratitude instead of grabbing (stuff). We both recently retired, have been decluttering along. I am a reader, I want to read my books I have stacked up & don’t want to worry about taking care of a lot of stuff. And I want to be like my grandparents, satisfied and GRATEFUL. 🙏🏼
As a widow of almost 6 years, my son and Granddaughter live with me and the house is full to the brim. I'm learning to part with things of the past and I love the term "essentialism". It seems a bit different from minimalism and yet the same. I look forward to your next video. I too could listen to you for longer than 10 minutes.
Beautiful insight into the "spiritual" you. Essential is the word of the day for me to ponder. Since I love color so much I would take my Blank Wall and paint it one of my favorite colors. In fact, I did that once in another house. Just the one wall. Hint... If the room is rectangular, paint one of the smaller walls. -Robin
Thank you, Tim, for sharing your thoughts! I retired last year after working the same job for 33 years. My life revolved around my job. I still feel like a fish out of water trying to find my purpose and balance in life now. I have so much “stuff” that I’m overwhelmed on where to start to on decluttering. I’m glad I found your channel.
WOW!! I just found another Bebo Norman fan!!! 😂💗📻🎶💗 I had the pleasure of meeting him twice, before he walked away from his public singing career for personal reasons. Bebo's ministry is precious to me; he changed my heart, my mind, and my life with it. He helped me to grow, grow up, and grow with God. I will forever be grateful to him. My generation had the honor of being in our youth throughout all the years of his public existence. However, before teenage me found that "Ten Thousand Days" CD on a shelf in a Christian bookstore (that no longer exists), I was crawling around on the living room carpet, getting used to the world. My Mom was painting the walls of the living room, and a well-worn cassette tape of Keith Green's "Songs for the Shepherd" was playing on her paint-spackled boombox. In my humble opinion, those two men are the only people I have ever come across that showcased the heart of a young shepherd to me. They were fully themselves, but every time I saw them sing or do anything, it was impossible not to see David in them. How funny and strange to see such a strong spiritual likeness to someone you have never met - someone God called "after His own heart." I wonder what it will be like someday to finally meet David, and Keith. As for now, all I can conclude is that it must be some kind of particular anointing that I have beheld. Regardless, it has been a beautiful privilege to witness. Thank God for great music that's well done!! Blessings to you and yours, my brother in Christ Jesus!! 🥰
Just found you and this is exactly what I have been looking for. Thank you so much, Tim. I'm looking forward to watching many of your videos. Congratulations on your viewership!
Looking forward to your next video. What you have to say about the essential lifestyle resonates in me and also gives me food for thought. Thank you for sharing.
You have put my feelings into words. My home is 125 years old. When it was built, it had room for all the essentials. I had to reevaluate my stuff when I moved in 20 years ago, and it made me realize how much I had that I didn't really care about. Life now is simpler and less stressful. I never want to go back to the life of excess. I think younger folks are beginning to see the benefits of a simpler lifestyle, but they do go pretty far with minimalism.
Good morning, I'm very excited to have found your teachings. I have just started my essential journey. Your words were a confirmation. We don't need all this stuff! Blessings to you 🙏🏾
Awesome/we are overwhelmed trying to get rid of stuff to move closer to my son and daughter in law, new baby granddaughter. Now my husband had a pacemaker/ now hip replacement at the end of august. I urge people not to wait until retirement to get rid of stuff. It gets harder to move stuff out and lord willing I pray I can find help to get rid of all this stuff by myself. Since I don’t have my children close to me to help to help. Thanks for your video. It all makes sense.
Your chats remind me of my philosophy lectures many moons ago when I was in college. I thoroughly enjoyed the step-by-step building of a viewpoint, the explanation of what essentialism is for you, and yes, you pared it down to just the essential - I've never been able to master the ability to be succinct, so I admire those who have. It makes listening and learning so much more enjoyable. Best wishes on your journey, I'm happy to include your videos in my mind's "thought provoking" category. They fit in many other categories too. All good and positive categories. I think I've said everything I felt was essential for me to express. Thanks for the video, take care.
Another great video. I wanted to tell you I love your opening, with the car driving down the beautiful treed highway. I look forward to your next video.Have a great week.
Cool pillow, Tim. I love the purposeful selection concept. My walls are mostly blank in my new place. I downsized during the pandemic because my landlord sold the house I was renting for two decades. It turned out to be a blessing... I offered years worth of "stuff" to a no buy FB group and people who really needed the items came and took it. So, I had less to move and only unpacked meaningful, useful things. Now, I am continuing my "letting go" phase of life (which is how I found you.) I wanted to extend my condolences to you. Welcome home. Oh, and congratulations on you 13k subscribers.
Thank you so much for posting these videos. I'm only a few years away from retiring myself and, although I've started decluttering with the help of my husband, starting with the garage, there is no way I could ever be a minimalist. Your description of ESSENTIALISM hit the right spot for me. I only discovered your videos tonight, I guess they were led to me by a higher source as I was starting to feel slightly overwhelmed, but the two I have watched so far totally resonated with my whole being. I love your calm demeanour in the way you describe your philosophy on decluttering. First time I have felt relaxed watching a film about decluttering lol. May God bless you for giving me that second wind to keep going and not get discouraged by the load in front of me. Looking forward to also seeing your revamped bedroom. ⚘⚘
I am really appreciating your perspective and wisdom that you are sharing in this video on essentialism and on your channel in general. Thank you. Gave me a lot to think about. 😊
We bought a house from an older couple who had so much stuff that their 2400 sq ft house looked small. Even though it was a beautiful, custom made home It had been on the market for 2 years when they sold it to us. We fixed it up; fast forward seven years we were going to retire and look around for somewhere else to live so we thought we'd list the house first as we knew it took 2 years to sell previously. Imagine our shock when it sold in one day. Yes we updated it, but keeping it spacious and uncluttered help sell it. Since we had to move quickly we bought a smaller home and cut back to essentials. Seven years later we are still here and realize we just didn't need so much. We moved with our favorite things only and it made for a pleasant home.
I think you are sharing your thoughts, points of views, parts of your life to inspire us not influence us to live or think the same way as you! It is great to hear about different people to expand our own experience! After reading and watching videos about minimalism (and applying it to fit my style and needs) I started to inform myself about spirituality, philosophy and I think it is the natural course of this journey. After filling our life with stuff, we need other "things" to fill and fulfill it....
07.11.2023 Tim, thank you for your inspirational videos on various subjects. May the Father continue to bless you most abundantly, in every area of your life. 🙏 👑JESUS is LORD👑 PHILIPPIANS 2:9-11
So very well said. The comment about too many toys rings so true. I was first born and got minimum toys, like a string and a button, 8 colors of crayons, jacks, playing cards.. stuff like that and most things I entertained myself with were with my imagination. Nothing like to plethora of toys you see today. Something went wrong in consumerism vs valuing the essential. I too eventually fell into it and accumulated stuff.
You reminded me of our priest, he passed away about two years ago. He was talking about Jesus and his message of love. He said if everyone remembered to love each person we would all be so much better off. Not his exact words but he was always the type of person who made me smile. He ended his message by saying that everything else was "piffle". You reminded me of him when you said essentialism was cutting out the "puff". Love your message and thank you for reminding me of Father Jim's words.
One of my guiding principles is that I am here to glorify God. That is my purpose. I regularly fail and in miserable ways, but I know my purpose and it will never change. Thanks for the video and the definition!
This was so well-done. You are a natural. When I was a child I read the Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Even at that young age I was attracted to their very “essentialist” lifestyle. When a bit older, I had the opportunity to visit an Old Order Amish home. The lack of photos and decor made the space so light and airy and peaceful, and I knew from both of those experiences that I wanted my spaces to be the same, and they are. I have few things on my walls. My living room is completely empty. People may think it’s weird, but it gives me so much peace. We have all the essentials, but nothing extra. Honestly, I feel so free. I have one prayer book, one Rosary, one Bible, one of almost everything. I can’t say enough about how much peace this creates in my life. Congratulations on the success of your channel so far. I look forward to more great content.
Thank you so much for this video. I have been living minimally for quite awhile . The idea of Essential ism gives it a point and purpose. Take care of you 😊
Sir, Thank you for your work! Your speaking is so concentrated essential and is giving to the audience so much calm! Please go on like that! Greetings by heart, really, thank you!
It is about living essential. What is essential to me is not essential to you. I am not wanting to be a minimalist. I want my apartment to be manageable. Since decluttering, I found that things are more manageable for me. I personally like the word essentialism and that fits me more than minimalism.
I’ve been following minimalist for awhile now, I assumed essentialism is keeping or using what’s essential and minimalism goes a step further and keeping what is essential but as few items as you can get by with. There are many levels of being minimal they say. I do enjoy your videos and look forward to seeing what you come up with . The Minimal Mom did her bedroom with a sitting area which every time I see it I wish I had the room but my bedroom is full. Thanks for the video keep them coming.
