Ep. 067 | Happiness

Joshua & Ryan discuss happiness, meaning, discontent, and despair. Watch “Maximal” episodes of The Minimalists Private Podcast exclusively at / theminimalists
Questions answered in this episode:
How do I make friends that share the same values and beliefs as me?
What are some best practices to stay motivated while minimizing?
How do you deal with things that you love that you believe might be holding you back?
Detailed show notes: theminimalists....
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[@ThePoeticdancer]

I love that Josh and Ryan are not afraid to act like real people in the middle of the podcast. The conversation is spontaneous and some of the rabbit holes you go down is quite amusing, revealing, and refreshing. Thanks for being you, thanks for helping me find what my true values are, and thanks for creating the foundation for the minimalism community.

[@nissamelton8597]

Agreed 100%. It's authentic, which can't be faked.

[@natashyas4149]

Minute 22 - I love the distinction between happiness and pleasure. Pleasure is a pure substitute for true, lasting joy. I love the Leo Baubata essays - the tragedy of missing out.

[@ShinKyuUniversity]

Thanks. You guys have inspired me to minimize the unneeded responsibilities my family has accumulated. It's funny that even my 6 year old is embracing a smaller wardrobe and I am all the happier for it. I'm not always happy but I am now always grateful for every single procession that is helping us to live happier together.

[@juanmackenzie6443]

OMG I Laughed so much! "can I borrow it"😂

[@trailertrish]

"Can I borrow it?" Omg I was DIEING LAUGHING! 😂😂😂

[@pinkpandamiranda]

Great podcast guys. Really helped me through getting into my closet. :)

[@ByeByePeachPie]

Haha that dude in the beginning :P

[@nariko47]

ByeByePeachPie that was the best intro ever 😄

[@mikemcleoddean]

That was me. I was cleaning pools back then, and listening in my headphones. I called the number and said the first thing that popped into my head. The next week I’m listening and hear myself. I nearly fell into the pool hahaha

[@CrocaHead]

@@mikemcleoddean Ahaha Mike you legend xD

[@megchoate5115]

This episode was already great but totally had me rolling when the ring jokes started

[@katiemaedit]

Just saw the book y'all have recommended a couple times, 10% happier is on sale on Kindle for $2.00 today.

[@didini6952]

I really liked your reflections and encouragement on changing to a more intentional perspective, wanted to forward your podcast t but stopped short when you referred to psychedelic drugs in that manner to the sixth grader who asked you about anxiety. Please take care when responding to young. I volunteered on a teen hotline and some experimenting with psychadelic drugs had very bad and scary trips.

[@didini6952]

My comment was referring to podcast E68 overwhelm your response to Jordan sorry

[@shyaneroscoe3342]

Realizing that I have a toxic relationship with material things. I consider myself pretty self aware but I'm constantly rediscovering that I know nothing. Life's a trip lol!

[@loriann822]

😃

[@MsSculptress]

Just burnt the scones listening to you. Doooo.

[@miguelangelgiraldoramirez6082]

The Netflix documentary brought me here. I am starting to change my life because of you guys. Thanks.

[@rikke28]

In Denmark we have been ranked as no. 1 in The World Happiness Report a lot of times. Maybe because we are one of the most egalitarian societies in the world and our taxes are high so we can get free access to hospitals, surgery and education eg. Our welfare system provides a sense of security that makes us feel safe even in situations where we lose our jobs or get ill. Also leisure time is very important in Denmark. The average work week is only 37 hours which gives us more time to follow our passions and be with family and friends. We still have a lot of problems with compulsive consumption, people getting into dept, people getting stuck in a meaningless rat race, working too hard, constantly chasing happiness by buying expensive stuff, fancy cars and big houses - but that being said I still think other societies could learn from us :)

[@sara_west]

I'm currently sat in your beautiful capital city as I listen to this podcast (I'm just taking a short break), and I can understand why it's the happiest place in the world. Loving my visit so far, and would definitely recommend Copenhagen as a place to travel to... Think I'll be back.

[@rikke28]

Wauw, I'm so glad to hear that you are enjoying your stay. I hope people are treating you well. For the most part I think danish people are very open-minded and hospitable - at least in Copenhagen. How long are you staying and where are you from?

[@sara_west]

Just till Saturday, then back to Belfast for me. It really is a great city you have here.

[@PrairieGirlio]

Hi! I have read quite a bit about Danish society, taxes, happiness etc. and find it very interesting - thanks for your insightful comment. The only tiny (but to me important) aspect that I wanted to comment on is that the health care access, education etc. is not 'free'...it is taxpayer funded. I live in Canada and often hear people use the word 'free' with respect to health care here...when it is taxpayer funded. I think people value services more when they see them as taxpayer funded. Just my two cents! I think your comment about security and feeling safe is very interesting. I think Denmark was one of the 7 happiest places described in The Blue Zones (National Geographic) book and made similar points to yours. Anyway, thanks for great discussion!

[@rikke28]

You are absolutely right. It's not free but taxpayer funded and of course there is a difference. What I meant was actually not "free access" but "equal access" if that makes sense :) Besides, I think most people in Denmark are glad to pay high taxes so we can ensure that no one - especially children - lives in poverty. Of couse there's people in Denmark who are not rich at all (in terms of money) but with taxpayer funded welfare everyone is ensured to get their basic needs fulfilled.

[@MsSculptress]

Hi boys. I have listened to many of your podcasts and often enjoy them, learn from them and act re them. I am intintional in my life. This podcast was my favorite especially the fishing story. I live in the UK and for two weeks my other half has been on a boys tour around the USA. He loves planes as does my 11 year old son that wants to be a pilot like his father. Because we have a lot of land when my other half returns he will have lots to do in this growing season. So. I have paid for someone to help me with the jobs in the garden. I have completed some diy jobs in the house, cooked lots of meals to freeze for a week so that when he returns we will have time to catch up. We will have time to enjoy each other and show how we missed him and let him know how much he is loved. He has said he needs to make time with our son re working towards being a pilot so time to do this is another gift for him. Love you guys. Hugs !

[@intigniadickey2224]

I'm happy except for my health, which limits my activities considerably.

[@danaquino7915]

Great show, fellas! I was wondering if by any chance a copy of your essay collection can reach me here in Manila? :D Thank you!

[@alexisb3064]

How do we know what "things" hold us back? And how do we know what they are holding us back from?