Hey guys! Just wanted to let you know that my new book, Things That Matter, is finally here. I put my heart into it, and I can’t wait to share it with you. You can pick up a copy at www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/676394/things-that-matter-by-joshua-becker/
I have been on a minimalism path for a few years now. We bought a boat this year, and were immediately bombarded with “guess you’re giving up your minimalism trend” and similar comments. No, I’m still working toward minimalism. I now have the extra time, money and energy to explore this hobby, thanks to minimalism. I have room for accessories, I have cash on hand when needed, and I finish my weekly housekeeping in under 90 minutes, so I now have free time!
You got rid of stuff you didn’t need to make room for something you actually wanted. I did the same over the past year. I sold a bunch of stuff I didn’t want/need to help save up money to upgrade to a vehicle that makes my life easier and more enjoyable.
I love how you finish your weekly housekeeping in 90 minutes! That's my life goal! Although, I think my house is a bit too big for that at this time in my life. One day, we plan on downsizing. Congrats!
My husband and I have a home, a condo on a lake, a boat and two cars. We are on our minimalist journey too. We have been on it for about a year and a half. Our condo has no clutter but has everything anyone needs when they spend time there. We have Christmas parties and a Luau in the summer, so I keep party supplies in my storage area. We have special Christmas dinnerware and Chrystal and China. But I have very few nick knacks and no clutter. My son and two young grandsons just moved in due to a divorce that my son and daughter in law are going through. So we have toys and bikes here. But we have a place for all of it. And because we minimized we had plenty of room for the three additional people in our home. You can have big homes and still be minimalists. My cabinets are no longer overflowing, my drawers and closets are cleared and organized…except for one. I still have to get to that one. LOL. My idea of minimalism is not living in a tiny home or doing without. Minimalism for me is owning what is useful and functional for me but nothing more. My point is you can own big homes and boats and still be minimalists within those homes. I am even a prepper and have a place in storage for my prep items. So minimalism isn’t one narrow definition, such as owning nine items and nothing more. Some minimalists do that as it is right for them. Minimalism is simply getting rid of the extra stuff in your life that you don’t use or need. Clean the clutter and enjoy the space that leaves for you.
I love to read, but never find myself reading the same book twice. So rather than hold on to the books just because it is my hobby to read, I pass them on to friends or charity shops so someone else can have the pleasure of reading them.
I do tend to re-read books, and that is why i have so many. I have successfully reduced every other category of possessions, but books and records/cds are the most difficult for me.
I also don’t read a book twice. I pass it on to the local libraries. I was criticized for not keeping any and building a home library. My answer was always “will you be coming over to dust them weekly”? The subject was quickly dropped 😆
I have curated a pretty amazing library over the years so I plan on keeping most of my books. Through minimizing, I am realizing I love my books more than much of my other stuff. It’s an eye-opening journey of self-realization. I enjoy maintaining my books but not so much many of my other possessions. So, books stay and other stuff goes.
I love books and I do read them over again. But to avoid being overcome by all of them, I now buy digital books. They take up no room. I still have physical books, for some subjects I prefer them but I try to keep my habit under control!
I don’t want to sound dramatic , but I honestly feel that minimalism is what I have been searching for all my life ! I have never understood why I don’t care about “stuff” the way other women do (jewellery , clothes, antiques etc .) That is not a criticism of other women - more that I have always felt I am deficient in some way . You are literally changing my life Joshua . Thank you so much .
I agree. I always go back remembering how my childhood room was. Only what I needed. My mom made this possible for me. Our whole house was only what we needed and it wasn't much. I had a wonderful experience growing up. Now I live with too much between DH and I . I desire and am working toward what really works. Though it's tough when it's one sided.
@@nancycerreta5629 Here's a great, short video from The Minimal Mom where she address when another person isn't on board at first (with her husband sitting next to her contributing to the conversation). ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-KLNXORSyAbU.html
I would like to add minimalism can also be possible for people who grew up in a home with a lot of stuff. My Mom and Grandma were and are hoarders I have broke free from that and it feels so liberating. Thank you so much❤️
I agree 100%! Growing up, we couldn’t open a window in the house without Knick knacks falling off the top of the window. Looking up videos on organization back in January led me to videos on minimalism and I couldn’t be happier. The less stuff you own the less to organize and the less to clean! I’m still on this journey of decluttering but it’s already given me hours back to my weekends spending less time cleaning all the stuff. I’m much more mindful of new things I bring into the house now. Thank you Joshua for spreading this message!
Yes. 100% I'm getting married next year and I feel like moving to a new space and practicing minimalism will free me from all the clutter and hoarding my mom did. I can't wait!
I grew up in chaos with things cluttered, dirty and disorganized. Just starting on this journey by decluttering our bedroom has been so freeing and peaceful! Thank you Josh!!❤️
Yes! Deborah, that is exactly what started me in this pathway to clutter freedom as I struggled to let go of all the items from my mother and grandmother AND my own collections. Now, I’m embracing minimalism and freeing myself from the unhealthy aspect of being a collector and enjoying the items I decided to keep even more because they are the treasures rather than the fallout of my precious Family’s choices.
The one I get all the time is that minimalism is only for rich people. I have been following minimalist writers and reading and learning about it for a couple years now, and really want to live my life with that philosophy and with that model, but I come from a family of hoarders, and my spouse is also a collector of items. They all believe in saving everything and storing everything for "one day" because it will be needed. So they oppose decluttering. "It cost money, you can't just get rid of it, that's just throwing money away. We will need it sometime, we don't want to have to go buy it again." I try to explain that there is a cost to keeping so much stuff that it mucks up your house and your life and takes up all your space and time, but the $$ is the part they see. Or the sentimentality. "We can find a way to use that, don't get rid of it, I"ll think of something to do with it, add it to that pile." I'm like... but can we find a way to live without it? "Rich people can just throw things away and buy more whenever they want it, but normal people can't just get rid of things, we have to keep them. We have to fix broken things, we have to recycle and upcycle and reuse things." etc. Except it never gets used.
I think too many people confuse a minimalist aesthetic with minimalism. If your house doesn't look like YOU, but like someone else who calls themselves minimalists, then you are just buying another artificial identity. If you keep only what allows you to feel free to live the unique life you are here to live, your home will be unique in color and design. And it will only contain what you need to be you.
I agree, minimalism is not only for the wealthy. For me, intentional purchasing means I can afford to spend a little more on a rare essential purchase like a Tshirt or a fry pan rather than buy a lot of cheap stuff.
I used to keep and keep and keep until I had some major health challenges that forced me to decide “Do I want the stuff I have to maintain and manage or do I want far less stuff and an easier day to day life.” I chose to declutter and then I realized I needed even less. So, I decluttered again! It’s been the best decision! I still find myself getting rid of things. More importantly I don’t bring items into my home like I used to do. I even tackled a really tough sentimental project today. It gets so much easier the more you do it! Thank you, Joshua, for helping me in my journey. It’s blessed my life and home more then I can say.
This is another great video. How can people think you have to be rich to be a minimalist? I am just starting out on my minimalist journey and I'm seeing my bank balance is much healthier now I'm buying very little stuff. Love your videos, they keep me going in the right direction. ❤️
I have been a stamper and card maker for over 20 years. I had accumulated so many supplies it began to be overwhelming. I decided to declutter the majority of my supplies a few years back when we relocated to our dream home in the mountains. And i have never looked back. Now I have just the right amount of supplies to enjoy my hobby but also enjoy the beauty of the mountains that surround me. Also, I have found that having fewer supplies makes me more creative and I enjoy it so much more! Now I create on snowy days and hike on warm sunny days, the perfect balance for my soul. I even have time to make and donate my creations to my local church for them to send out to members of the congregation. You can be a minimal crafter!
I have also been making cards for over 20 years! My supplies seem SO over whelming but I don't know how to downsize them. (Also, so much $$) I'm tempted to get rid of everything!
Tamera, You have already spent the money, you're no worse off if you give those items away. Keep your most favorite ones and get rid of the rest. Try selling your craft supplies as a lot, on Facebook Marketplace- or consider donating them to a nursing home or to a charity, they often need craft supplies that they can't afford.
@@tllw0209 I am in that similar situation. I’ve had high hopes of doing a lot more crafting/scrapbooking. But I’ve never been very successful. I have sold a lot, and donated a lot. Still am decluttering more
I found that when I ended up with too many stamping supplies I just looked at all of it and didn't do anything with any of it. I am in the process of paring way down and my interest is now returning. I have a ways to go but it's working. I finally decided that the money that I spent was gone and that I could not keep punishing myself for that. It was even more punishment to look at it every day. I sent boxes and boxes to a person who is just beginning to stamp and she uses it with youth groups for her church. I have decluttered most of the rest of my house and that has freed me up a lot. This is the last frontier. This was a helpful video for my situation. @@tllw0209
I love this message. I am just starting the journey. I think that minimalism is not just about physical things. I think that belonging to too many clubs, having too many hobbies, or trying to maintain too many relationships can also rob you of the peace and joy that most minimalists are trying to achieve
When I started reducing my craft supplies, I really thought about why I kept some supplies when I hadn't used them in years. I've picked up new hobbies which to me are relaxing and forgot about others. The supplies I no longer used have been donated to thrift stores, personal care homes and friends. It also prevent me from buying more of the unused items. Many crafters I know make items for charities which is definitely a win win situation.
I needed this today. I have been struggling lately to make the final push at decluttering my home to a point where I consider it to be minimalist. I was raised to see sentimental value in everything, or at the very least, potential use value, so decluttering started as a very difficult journey. Although I've done great thus far, letting go of about 70% of my things, this last layer is really proving to be a challenge for me. Thank you for your words of wisdom!
This is so good! Thank you. I'm a crafter by nature, a dabbler, but some of the crafts I used to enjoy I've left in favor of new interests. It's time to do a serious whittling down of the accumulation. I've decided I'll keep a small amount of painting supplies, watercolor and acrylic, but limit it by assigning those supplies to boxes on one shelf of my bookcase. I'll keep even less of the beading and jewelry making supplies, limiting the amount to what will fit in a storage bin the size of a large shoebox. This will be enough to satisfy any occasional urge to dabble. Other hobbies I've completely lost interest in and they will go. My current fave is quilting, but I've decided not to buy fabric and supplies "on spec" (even if it's on sale) and only buy what I need for my next project. I can hardly wait to see how much space, physical, mental, and spiritual, this will free up. And I also can look forward to gifting supplies to people I know will treasure them but couldn't afford to buy them. You've given me the motivation to stop procrastinating in this area and get moving on it!
i could have written what you said about varied multiple hobbies that are taking up too much space not used. i have such a hard time culling out items once i start going thru them. also, it bothers me that i spent so much money then didn't follow thru on the intent.
I’ve been on a journey of minimalism for over 3 years. Best decision I ever made. I got rid of a lot of excess things, especially in my wardrobe. I was always someone who cleaned but now thanks to less things, I have a much calmer &serene space overall. My kids are young so I’m teaching them at this age how to let go of things instead of just holding on to everything. I still buy things, but it’s much more considered. I’m also more productive in my career. Thank you Joshua for you’re continued work in this space. Minimalism is for everyone.
Absolutely loved this video. Minimalism has enabled me to finally get a tidy home, my stuff had really become a huge burden. After decluttering, with each item in it's place, my home is now easy to clean, i put stuff back faster and easier as well and I even have empty drawers! I now have this sense of wellbeing when I look around my house (reminds me of your video on how to stage your home for living and not only selling ;) ) and I feel so much gratitude for all I have and all that I managed to let go of, every single day ✨
One of your best josh. Thank you for all the effort you obviously pour into these thoughtful talks Until one gets on this side of minimalism, one can not fully appreciate the true scope of this lifestyle. I find myself saying more and more that the less I have the better I feel
I can't argue with any of this! A great presentation providing clarification that can be a big help to people in sorting out what is important in their lives and in their homes. This is a video to watch more than once and to share with others.
Our lives are too valuable to waste !! That’s when it really hit home for me!! Those words in your last sentence. Thankyou so much you put things across incredibly well 🙏🏻
I think collections are an interesting edge case. For me, "brain space" feels more precious than money or physical space. And a well organized collection of 100 things of a single type has less mental weight than a dozen random things lost in random drawers. Or to put it another way, minimizing the number of kinds of things one has is also a useful form of minimalism.
I agree! I'm sentimental and a crafter! I've heard wise people (maybe you!) say that if you keep everything, than what's really sentimental. I have pictures of things in my scrapbooks instead of keeping the item itself. My scrapbook supplies are limited to certain containers and if I've finished with a theme I might not use again, I donate so someone else can you the rest. When I try a new craft and it's just for a season, I give away or donate what's leftover or I won't use again. I tried canning years ago and it went very well but I knew it wasn't something I'd be interested in again so my friend's mother and father who have a huge garden and can regularly have it. Thanks!
My house has stuff & boxes everywhere right now because we have been decluttering today! When family & friends offered me their unwanted stuff in the past I would always say yes because I didn't want to offend them. That meant I accumulated a lot of stuff out of guilt. Now I realise how toxic that cycle is & am working to change it. I previously decluttered some of my house & have enjoyed the ease of cleaning & organisation in those spaces so I can't wait to get even further along my path of minimalism. Thanks for helping to keep me motivated!
Fantastic video! You always put into perfect words what I try to say. I began my journey in 2014 and found you along the way. I thank you and my husband and children thank you. Minimalism is certainly for everyone!
I am on this journey at 66 yo after my husband of 45 y died 4/1/21. 1760 sq ft home with 2.5 garage on an acre lot.and a pool. It's too much to keep up. I'm tossing everything except the dog and some furniture. We had " the things". Now I see things don't matter.. The kids have their homes homes, full lives with jobs and kids etc. I have one br for sewing and crafting, loaded. It's all going as it doesn't have the draw it used to. My income level dropped drastically so I'm already on a no spend trend. I see minimalism as a way to control what I couldn't last April. COD covid. Random, cruel and senseless. I had it at the same time. I feel we were robbed that March so now I choose to give it all away. The more stuff that goes out the door the better I feel about my ability to carry on alone. I appreciate your calm and precise delivery to explain minimalism. TY.
I am reminded of the high school algebra problem. The pool was filling up at one rate but the drain left open was emptying at another but slower rate. How long would it take to fill the pool? When more things come into my home than go out, it still fills up! Let more things leave than come in and eventually minimalism will be achieved. 🤗👍🥳
The first video of yours that I watched was “ Why I wear the same thing every day.” I read that and laughed so hard. That was a foreign idea to me and I was intrigued. No, I don’t feel compelled to wear the same thing every day and I still have a long way to go decluttering 72 years worth of collecting stuff but every time I do, I get a little more free. Every video and every chapter of your books motivates me to free myself of the burden of stuff. Thank you so much!
Hi Joshua - Great video. Even though I don't plan to become a died in the wool minimalist, my maximalist ways are sinking me. We have stuff everywhere that is stopping us from living our best life. Last week I cleaned out 2 kitchen cabinets. I had spice from 2010. I got rid of everything but a few things I actually use, put my spices on turn tables and this week when I went to look for a spice I found it. I have a long way to go, but you keep inspiring me, so keep up the good work. Thanks for sharing and continued success. Love PegEgg
Great video, I think for me this supports when your partner isn’t on the same minimalist journey but you can see what is important to them and what actually makes them happy. For example my partner loves clothes but I have a capsule wardrobe. In the beginning I found this frustrating but then saw the joy they find when picking out things to wear each day. 😊
Totally! My husband loves board games and laser discs of all things! Also vinyl… and books (for a future thrift bookstore/library he wants to own). So I grant him his items with respect and work on decluttering and minimizing my own items. Anyway when we get a house he’ll have his stuff in his workspace and mine in my own and then our communal spaces will be very clean and minimal.
I agree with everything you say Joshua - minimalism allows you time to do the things that drive your passions. I am a recently divorced 55 year old who now works 4 jobs in order to live - I want a nice comfortable home but don’t want to spend all my free time cleaning, maintaining or working on it. I want to spend my time sewing, reading or entertaining. We all have the same amount of hours in a day so you need to prioritise what is important - accumulation of stuff or living your best life. ❤️
Clutter has been keeping me from my hobbies for years. I've just started decluttering after years of procrastination and a decluttered home will allow me to have more time for fun and creative activities.
This is a great video! I feel like I could write so much about the ways minimalism has blessed my life. Sometimes I get into the habit of telling myself I can’t call myself a minimalist because I like to decorate for every season and I like pictures on my walls, but then I ask myself where these thoughts are coming from, and I realize they are coming from extreme minimalists who sell all their furniture, which I could NEVER do, nor ever want to do. I am a minimalist when comparing myself to my past self, and that is good enough for me. Another thing I want to add is about the hobby thing you mentioned. I, myself like to bake. I’ve loved baking since I was a kid. As a recently married woman going through all of our stuff, I was so hesitant to get rid of some of my baking supplies. We only have a small kitchen since we live in a studio like apartment. But then the thought came to me that I haven’t felt like baking in a long time...because every time I would open our cupboards I was overwhelmed by the amount of stuff we had. I hadn’t put the two and two together before. I decided to test out Diana’s decluttering method from “Decluttering At the speed of life (best book btw!) and I only put what could comfortably fit in 2 cabinets. I put the rest of my items in a box in my car, just in case I needed them. Guess what? “Magically” my passion for baking returned! I actually enjoy baking so much MORE now than I used to. It’s crazy, you would think the opposite would happen. But I think all of my supplies was just to much for me, mentally. It was like the thought of rummaging to the bottom of a cabinet to find my cookie cutters was enough to stop me from doing it. I feel like I could go on and on, (which I never do for a RU-vid comment) I actually just finished making a batch of no-bake cookies, one of my favorite cookies! Anyway Josh, your great. Minimalism is great. Life changer.
You are so right. I am from Peru, and there everybody is unhappy with the posetions they have, because they are comparing themselves with all the people in the TV-comercials and making a lot of debts for obtaining no-important items to appear richer to the neighbours or the relatives.
Yes! Thank you for this video. I'm on my own, slow, journey toward minimalism. You really nailed the goals and focus of minimalism - great reminders of why I'm on this path. I want my stuff to serve me and not the other way around. I want stuff that supports my goals and best life. I feel like I could watch this on repeat while decluttering.
The African village made me think…I just window shopped for an hour during my lunch break (lovely things) but I didn’t buy anything. I then saw this video, which made me wonder what window shopping would be like if I had a dirt floor…
I began watching you and the minimal mom as motivation as I was preparing our home of 6 to be packed for a move with the intention of only moving possessions that I was certain we needed. I went through the house, space by space, one closet at a time. We have since then moved and maintained a minimalist mindset. It has impacted our family in great ways. Our home is more peaceful, easier to maintain and our children are more creative than ever. I am a knitter and we are notorious for stashing tons of yarn. It has been such a pleasure to share yarn I was holding on to with current and old friends who let me know they wanted to learn how to knit during lockdowns. Quality yarn is expensive but it felt so good letting it go :) Also, it is nice to be able to say « I own enough hand knits, the next one will be gifted ». People appreciate those gifts so much :) without a minimalist mindset, I’m sure I wouldn’t be inclined to share as much of them as I do now.
I never do DIY, crafts, knitting, crocheting or painting as I prefer well-made things done by professionals in their specialized field. My study is carefully curated with an interest that I love - Chinese calligraphy. There’s a calligraphy scroll on one wall. My writing desk has the wool underpad, the various inks, antique ink stone, brushes and reference materials. On the credenza is a two feet tall, ornately carved brush holder where I hung jade tassels in a pretty row, solely for aesthetics. On one side of the room sits a vintage hunting chair, with foldable slats as its seat. The whole space is pulled together with a good sized rug and a plant. On a daily basis, I just need brush, ink and rice paper. And my work can be folded.
I love this comment! My sister is a crafty, DIY person, and I've tried, but it is just not for me. I moved a few years ago, so decided to donate all of my unused craft/knitting stuff. It felt so good! I too would prefer something that speaks to me that is done by a professional. I get to support that artist and have something beautiful in my home, rather than a quarter of a knitted blanket (and the required tools) that I will never finish!
This video made me feel better about my crafting supplies, Joshua! My kitchen is minimal. My bathrooms and clothing items are minimal. I still have paper clutter to deal with, but I am making progress. In the meantime, I am working on organizing my craft supplies, so I can better deal with them. My goal is to have everything but the craft supplies be minimal. I'm getting there! Thank you!
Thank you for all the great information. I have within the last year decluttered my home. We have lived here 35 years. Not sure why i was keeping so much! I feel wonderful.
Excellent content as usual! I have been curating my possessions over the past couple of years and I have so much more enjoyment in life. I am focused on financial security in this season and seeing the debt reduction is adding yers to my life. Some people in my life don't understand the choices I am making and that is okay.
Minimalism keeps you from being weighed down by all the white noise in life that sucks up your valuable time with unnecessary distractions. If you focus on what you need, you are also less likely to become a cog in the machine or slave to the “system” just to pay for all those random things you don’t truly need ✌🏻
I have just begun my journey to minimalism and my head is spinning..so much clutter thrvoughout my home 😳 I think I need HELP!!!! Thanks so much for sharing your wisdom!!!
Thank you 🙏 Why do I struggle to see the Bigger Picture? I am now 64 and I desperately want to re-evaluate my Life. Your video is powerful and what I needed to hear 👌❤️
Wonderfully said! I love how being a minimalist in so many areas of my life, allows me to have those items that mean the most to me in my hobbies and Pursuits
So well put! I wish this could be required viewing for everyone. :) I grew up in a hoarded house and even though I have been on my own for 28 years, my mom still gets upset if I mention getting rid of anything at MY house. I don't think people realize how much money you save living a minimalist lifestyle. My mom has multiples of everything because she can't find what she needs in the house/garages/shed/storage facility and has to go out and buy it again. It is somewhat difficult to lose things at my house, but watching your videos also keeps me inspired to be more thoughtful when shopping so I rarely buy something that we don't really need or want. I also tend to enjoy the things I have a lot more than I did before pursuing minimalism. I would much rather hoard money in my bank account than things to trip over in my house. What really makes me happy though is that I have so much more to share with others who are truly in need than when I was hindered by so much stuff that I did not even really want. Thanks for taking the time to inspire others to live more intentionally.
Joshua... honestly you have such a fantastic ability to explain things. Every point you make, I'm saying "yes, yes, yes" just another brilliant video. Such a good collection of videos on your channel and they keep getting better. 👌
Minimalism really IS FOR EVERYONE! Before, I tried this path intuitively, now intentionally. I'm still on the journey since I try to declutter sustainably and ecologically, and it takes time and effort, but what a difference - my bankers could talk about it, lol. And yes, I am an artist who uses different media and techniques that ask for more supplies but decluttering my house and life(!) as I see it only helps me on my artistic journey.
After 50 years of a happy marriage, raising 4 sons and earning a decent living, my husband and I looked around one day and decided that most all of our many possessions were weighing us down. We chose to sell or give away everything. Our family was encouraged to take the things they wanted from our home before we sold it and bought an RV. Now we travel full time all over the country in our minimalist home on wheels and find adventure wherever we go. We never could have done this with all that stuff. My dear husband had a hard time giving up his big workshop full of tools but admits that it was actually a relief. He always felt obligated to create something with them. Now we just enjoy experiences rather than things. Yes, minimalism can be for everyone!
The last point is something I've really had to balance in my life. I'm a musician, so I naturally have many more things in that area than most people, but since discovering minimalism I have been able to dramatically reduce my wardrobe, book collection and other things in my life. More importantly, I also think much more carefully before I buy anything new. I still have more than I will ever need. 16 guitars is still a very large number, but I use what I have regularly, and it's a lot smaller a number than 35 a few years ago, most of which sat in cases.
Thank you for your message today. I was greatly encouraged to continue this minimalism journey that I started after I chanced upon your channel last year. This pandemic has truly made me review my priorities in life and I am positive minimalism is truly the way to go if you want to live a more meaningful life. Thank you!
thank you for this video! I am an artist/minimalist - definitely find myself struggling with the needs of my art. Things just start to accumulate including art supplies, camera supplies, etc., I absolutely despise it being a minimalist at heart. One trick I find useful, is the idea of Focus. You can't do everything, but you can do one thing, at a time. I apply this to my life as well as my art, for example focusing on watercolor, at least for a few years. Not only does this help declutter physical things and prevent me from over accumulation, it also helps me declutter mental distractions. It reminds me of my priorities, and I end up being more clear on exactly where I am going.
It is pointless to have too much, self-sabotaging even. Aiming for optimal ownership of the items that are in your life is a beneficial goal for everyone. Many thanks for another great video!
It seems like people are afraid of losing control when minimalism comes in, like minimalism makes the decisions and forces things out that they want to keep. It's good to remember we each have agency and control over what is in our houses. Minimalism allows us to take control back from the hoards of possessions that are actually stealing our agency in life. Good video!
'You cannot overestimate the unimportance of practically everything' - John Maxwell. I really like that quote. All the confusion comes simply from people not knowing what minimalism actually is. Great content, I love your videos!
I use to be a video game collector, I recently sold 98% of my collection. I recently built a arcade cabinet, I play that thing quite frequently. I came to the conclusion that I can play all the old game systems on the PC inside it instead of having multiple game systems taking up space. I even have some coworkers over to play on it and we hangout together. I don't need the cabinet, but it's the nostalgic feeling that brings me joy, plus the gratification of something I built.
Joshua you’re doing a great job with this RU-vid Chanel. Congrats! I’ 48 and discoreved minimalism last december 2020. I’d started my jorney and as a single it was easy to keep going with it. I live with my old parents. I’ve tried to explain them what a great treasure I m living with now: my self with the most important things that are not “things” anymore. My old parents got it so dificult to understand. How could I find a good way to introduce them the real meaning of minimalism? Sorry for the poor english. I'm Brazilian and I struggle with your language.
Thank you. I guess this is an apt response to all those videos uploaded telling how un-trendy and boring Minimalism have become that these influencers have ended their being self-proclaimed minimalists. They are missing a point and it is all here in this video. Live life intentionally with what matters (not only the essentials) and yes, you do not need to get rid of all things in order to become minimalist.
Thank you for clarifying this subject! I think a lot of people think of minimalism in a certain way because of what they’ve seen on TVs or other RU-vid channels and for you as an individual it might look very different. I am a more sentimental person and while I probably have more things than the typical “minimalist“ I’m going in the direction of having less and less. Asking why I keep what I keep… even if I only did de-clutter a few things a day, it keeps me feeling accomplished. Sometimes things that I have kept even a year ago I’m ready to let go of this year. It’s been more of a slower process, but it is still a process that is moving forward. I think it’s harder if you’re an all or nothing person but I’m not having that struggle.
I’m a Kindergarten teacher and minimalism is absolutely for me! I am always thinning out my supplies, only keeping what I know I will use. I know where everything is and can find it quickly.
I have been de-cluttering for a while now and what I found out about myself is I am not very sentimental about many things. Some things I have kept are things my husband and I started out with in our first apartment. Nothing special, but I never stopped liking them. I realized this after getting rid of 80% of our things.
I am relatively new to the practical application of the concept of minimalism in my life. My art room was where I struggled most when it came to downsizing the amount of "stuff" I have as I practice a few different forms of art which require different supplies. This video and your explanation has lifted a huge amount of guilt from my shoulders. I have done so well in every other area of my home and it looks and feels vastly different for me. Knowing that I can have my precious hobby with it's supplies (and I have donated some duplicates ) does not mean I am not living a minimalist lifestyle and gives me such peace of mind. Thank you! You are a gifted teacher...I have learned so much from you.
We are taking a short trip I just packed for. I usually way over pack for the “what if’s”. Hearing your voice in my ear, I packed only what I needed. What a difference. Thank you Joshua!
As a pretty sentimental person, starting on my minimalism journey a couple of years ago was pretty difficult. There was so much that I oddly felt so attached to but I couldn't part with. It wasn't until I read your first book that I was able to see that these material things that didn't enrich my life in the least had a hold on me. I have gotten rid of so many things in the past couple years and it is such a great relief. There are a few hoarders in my family who think I'm crazy for getting rid of "all" my possessions, but it has been so freeing. I couldn't agree more with what you say here - this is a great video and I do agree that minimalism is for everyone as well. If only people would give it a try.
I sold all of my DSLR photography gear and only use a high end point and shoot. I give up some ability but I get to shoot more not worrying about gear. Also Hurricane Ida destroying my home assisted the process now that I'm living in a bedroom at my in laws temporarily.
I am very new to this decluttering and removing excess type of lifestyle. Your videos have been very helpful, and I keep going back and re-watching. I have signed up for and I’m taking your class currently, but it just I’m not doing so well in that, because you are just moving way too fast for me. I need to go slowly, removing things and decluttering, so that I can organize, so that I can remove more things and declutter. I will probably need to go through your course three or four more times. But I really do appreciate your help. Addendum: I am currently 61 years old, but still have so much to learn yet.
I enjoyed your video. I agree that minimalism doesn’t look exactly the same for all. I’ve been working on reducing the number of clothes I have and am very happy with how it’s going. In some areas it’s a little more difficult since I first have to convince my husband that we don’t need so many of the same thing or that we really won’t ever use that old set of flatware since we never have large groups over. Making slow inroads!
Thank you! I’m on my road to minimizing. I’m a professional musician (tho thankfully most of our band equipment is stored at my dad’s place) with several instruments and equipment for playing. I am a novelist - have creative tools such as pens and other organizing things. I was even running for office so I have campaign items in my home. And especially that has made me ever more cognizant of the items I do NOT need which are actually a hinderance to my success. A closet full of clothes I don’t wear or have never worn which can be donated and then realization of the gaps in my wardrobe which I would like to fill. I LOVE decorating for the holidays but I have a “bin and energy” capacity for each holiday. Christmas has the most at 2 bins. Halloween has a bin. Spring holidays share a bin. That keeps the decorations to my favorites that still work and isn’t overwhelming. Etc etc.
You said all the things in this video my sister has told me since I began my decluttering journey. Thank you so much for sharing your lifestyle with us!
Great clarification, Joshua. I don't feel so guilty about keeping a craft stash now, but I need to let go of what I don't need to allow the space and time to actually 'play' and dabble with what makes me happy. Thank you for all your inspiration. You are a talented, clear thinker and speaker. 👏👏👏
As a crafter, I have various hobbies that I dive into from time to time, including calligraphy, knitting, painting, journaling, etc.., sometimes I will go months pursuing a specific hobby and ignoring the rest but I find it difficult to let go of any one hobby's supplies because the bug will bite me again, it has many times, but also because there are times where one hobby's supplies overlap with another. This doesn't happen all the time but it does happen occasionally.
I love your videos! 😍 for a few month now I declutter our house and it feels amazing. I am an artist, so I keep a lot of crafts, but even these things I could minimize and now I focus on using the things I have to achieve my goals more than before, when I often gave in to an impulse of buying new stuff. 😃
Other channels say "MInimal" is going out of style and no longer a trend?? It's not a trend but a lifestyle that's different for all of us who live with less.... Love your channel 💕
Minimalism was never about the number of material possessions we own; it's about changing our mindsets about how we consume things and knowing there's more than a materialist mindset. Regardless of class, background, career, and where you live, but these same factors make minimalism different for all of us. There's no "set look" on minimalism. It's mentality.
I'd say this is one of your better videos. Thank-you for it. I see so many other minimalists focused on a feeling, an aesthetic, etc, but their goal isn't the same as mine. My goal is to be able to access the things I need. And I might feel I need more things than others, but if I can access them and put them away, then I've met my goal. My clothes don't make me feel shame like others do, and because my weight fluctuates wildly, and I don't love shopping, I actually really like having a variety of sizes of things like I like. I have room to put them away when they don't fit, and then I enjoy getting them out when they do. I know I'm probably more unique in that, but my point is, if I only keep the things I like and use, it's ok if my needs include a variety of sizes of clothes.
Love love your presentation!!, I recently just bought a house, and my journey is to archive the minimalistic home. After watching your video, you have stop me from buying junks that need to be get rid later on.
And I need these ideas to start my journey by saving budget. I am struggling with witch room to start? I have master bedroom, my other two girls and my multipurpose room( formal dining, office, guest.. or study..)
