Ep. 262 | Materialism

Joshua and Ryan talk about the high price of materialism. Watch “Maximal” episodes of The Minimalists Private Podcast exclusively at / theminimalists
Questions answered in this episode:
00:00 What is a ‘curative’?
06:24 Why is it important to recognize our discontent?
07:10 Is money entirely problematic?
15:50 Why does it seem most of us continue to make terrible financial decisions when we’re poor?
16:54 Do celebrities influence society with their bad habits?
18:50 How do I strengthen my focus on minimalism to avoid materialism?
22:26 How do I get my family’s buy-in regarding minimalism?
25:34 Is it reasonable to be expected to pay to avoid materialistic ads?
29:27 What should I do with stuff I love when I don’t have space available for it?
29:42 What is our language problem?
Follow The Minimalists:
Instagram: / theminimalists
Twitter: / theminimalists
Facebook: / theminimalists
Text: my.community.com/theminimalists
Blog: theminimalists.com
Podcast: theminimalists.com/podcast
Patreon: / theminimalists
Detailed show notes: theminimalists.com/podcast
#TheMinimalists

[@thebarky1988]

My dad died when I was a young teen but I remember him saying “ why would you wear clothing with their labels. Your buying their product with your money and advertising for them for free”.... so true. It made me smile.

[@stephanieemalia]

wow! I never really looked at it like that thankyou for the insight! mahalo from Hawaii

[@judewestburner]

This is the best statement I'll read today

[@mehisam5006]

Your dad [may his soul rest in peace] made a very good point! Love this. 👍🏼

[@erickdaf]

9😊

[@ah5721]

This is gold ! It's taken my family 5 years for my family and In-laws to understand why I live the way I do. I've lived with a poor mans mindset and had to reprogram my brain to a budget, a feeling of contentment with a mindful life, full of curated items. The unhealthy habits really affect our lives in horrible and depressing ways! After my semester is over I plan on de-cluttering the random junk I couldn't sort while on Holiday break. I love the quote love people not things .

[@gamayngtawu]

"The pursuit of money alone is not a noble or worthwhile goal." Word!

[@Knutekritt]

I did the minimalist thing when I was homeless for 2 years while going to school. I used minimalism in my vehicle. I had trouble allowing myself to have an extra blanket after getting a real job and buying a house. I had to go to therapy to overcome the feelings of guilt for having what I perceived as too much. I am now healed and can be comfortable and guilt free having more, which is all functional...sometimes functional just means....it makes me happy.....I am still clutter free and have found ways to have things.

[@JamieHanks]

I get immense value watching these over coffee in the morning.

[@darielhayes5547]

i guess I'm kind of randomly asking but does anybody know of a good place to stream newly released movies online?

[@vincentari6483]

@Dariel Hayes Meh try Flixportal. You can find it by googling:D -vincent

[@darielhayes5547]

@Vincent Ari thank you, signed up and it seems like a nice service =) I appreciate it!!

[@vincentari6483]

@Dariel Hayes glad I could help :D

[@LinLex125]

@@darielhayes5547 l

[@KSix86]

When I started minimalism, I started minimizing my own personal stuff. Whatever I did not share specifically with my husband, I downsized. Soon, he began to see how good an idea it was, and he followed along. So another suggestion I'd have for Michelle is to start with her own things. The kids might follow by example.

[@smashleighfignewton]

So looking forward to the next Doc. The first one changed my entire life.

[@alfienykabutler5919]

Right after my marriage, faith and family this was huge for my life.

[@krystiesolfyre5340]

Could care less about Brad Pitt. Or celebrities in general, and maybe it’s just me, but the more they are worshipped, the less I am interested. I judge not on recognition, but shared values on whether or not I engage with their message.

[@suleiman1520]

It's consumerism we need to be wary of, not materialism

[@SirMopy]

This..

[@judewestburner]

Agree.

[@Julianaypl]

why not both?

[@sandysmom100]

Both , one begets the other !

[@minikorsi]

Louis Vuitton face mask?! 🙀 there’s really no limit to insanity!!! I stopped wearing any clothing item with logos many years ago: I’m not a brand ambassador-Nike or whichever company didn’t pay me to advertise them.

[@saraperrault2119]

My legit problem with name brands is that quite frequently they ARE better quality pieces. I.e. walmart boots and last season's northface boots cost close to the same however; walmart boots will only get me a weeks worth of work and my northface have lasted me 5 years and can still be handed down. Also, I do truly enjoy fashionable clothing.

[@2davivadiva]

I think it depends on which brand. Some are indeed good quality but some are def made in china crap. Made with the cheapest most toxic materials and marked up for a name

[@blurgirl79]

i wasn't a brand person at all, as long as the product is durable, aesthetically pleasing, practical/multi-purpose, i will use it. And you are right, i am not a walking living ad-board.

[@brooklyn7405]

Yeah when I found out about these guys and listened to podcasts, watched their documentary all of it, I stopped liking wearing things with logos because of them and it’s one of the best things because that just keeps a label on you and many other negatives.

[@stephanieemalia]

never really looked at it like that.. thanks for the insight much mahalo from Hawaii

[@s.aura.h8084]

I can’t wait for your new documentary! It’s been killin’ me!! I’ve made a promise to myself that 2021 is a year of no buying (with reasonable exceptions) I struggle immensely with my wardrobe, retail therapy having been my coping mechanism for around a decade. I’m working really hard to get my capsule wardrobe complete by 2021 so that in the new year I can focus on selling my old wardrobe and putting that money toward more meaningful purpose. While allowing more mental space! Your documentary is going to be released just at the right time in my journey 🙏🏻 I can’t wait! Love and light as always 🥰 P.S. I always have to listen right to the very end, I get chills every time Peters song creeps in ☺️

[@saraperrault2119]

Retail therapy has been such a drag on my growth for far too long!!

[@boomshine87]

Best of luck Sarah! Sounds like you have a good plan, stick to it 🙂

[@susandestefano1820]

Hoping I can do the same in 2021!

[@bigb853]

Same- when I was a Uni student, all of money went to basics (rent, petrol, food, bills, etc) Clothes or make up was a treat, maybe a few times a year. Once I started working full time and I could afford to buy more- I would be happy! Guess what it did not happen. In fact, my studying with my part time job that I LOVED was a much happier time. So 2021 us the year of buy to replace.

[@cable30]

Yea, it gets to where if u really see all u got and get somewhat organized then u know what u dont need and focus on what u do need. so less clutter and combine as u can so u see more space then stuff that u may not really need if not see any value in having it anymore.

[@elaineclaire7063]

I've noticed that the people who rely on materialism tend to be insecure/ and superior - Just because they tend to posess branded items - they tend to believe they've an upper hand when it comes to bossing around, also they can't bear to let their posessions go - materialistic people tend to be more passive aggressive, a small little reaction can trigger them - so easily - when you offend them in a certain way when you tell them that they're too attached to their items. I've seen how materialism get the better of people as i was trying to purchase their preloved items but all i got back was superiority, frustrations, and even got told off.

[@sandipeterson3242]

Great episode guys! Excessive advertisements is why I stopped reading magazines. The articles and tips offered I truly found valuable. But when every other page was an ad (sometimes multiple pages) I just stopped. I do miss them some as I enjoy daily reading, but it is not worth me buying them to see all the ads.

[@doompod]

BEST INTRO EVER! “Because advertisements suck!” SUBBED!

[@AZrakoon]

I like the Kermit the frog meme, "It will be black Friday, if you dont pay the electric bill."

[@zeliadesousa3747]

With cable, you have to watch commercials? Yes and no. Yes, they come on but, I use the time to do other things: I use the washroom, stretch my legs and (since I'm too lazy to do yoga), go make my bed in the morning (since I'm too buzy in front of the tube enjoying my coffee while watching morning TV), do my dishes (i'm in a bachelor/studio apartment, so my dishes are less than 15 feet away from my couch)......lol, sorry but I'm not bothered by commercials and actually find them convenient to motivated myself to do other things.

[@jessie9653]

Oh, the packing party was THE BEST!!! But I'm a bit ADD myself 😜. It was perfect because I was putting a new kitchen in all new flooring throughout my house. So everything needed to come out of my home. Couldn't have been a better time to do a packing party 🙌

[@alfienykabutler5919]

When y'all mentioned Nirvana and Radiohead I was like, "These are my people."

[@Christinamychas]

Stoked for when Less is Now is now!

[@stephanieemalia]

I'm from hawaii and a mother of 5 kids-- I NEED TO get on this minimal lifestyle-- I feel overwhelmed all the time with STUFF! Thankyou for spreading the word of this type of lifestyle you truly have inspired me for the BETTER :)

[@ericamciver1293]

I have 5 kids also, I completely understand the problem. I declutter at this point almost daily. I have become sensitive to what is in our house. Stresses me out to the point that I have feel when clutter has/is creeping in.

[@Naztalgic]

Thank you for being you and for preaching the good word about less

[@sandysmom100]

You both Ryan and Joshua are so very articulate and intellectual. MY dad is a retired English professor..My dad grew up so very very poor in Europe in WW2 .He had hardly any food , clothing ect ...A doctor the Nazis was trying to find was hiding out near by .He saved my dads life from scarlet fever. My dad and mom are both somewhat minalmalists always have been .Even in the 60's and 70's when my brothers and I were growing up , 80's to , no one had much money that we knew of .You both have really changed my life I just love what you have to say...I'm not quite there yet , but i'm getting there with a lot of hard work !!

[@Buddhababe2]

Regarding where to start..... I started out with tons-o-crap and I did the minimalism game twice (a year apart). After each month of the minimalism game I went through each closet/drawer/room and got rid of more stuff (made easier after the game). The second year I was amazed by how much stuff that I thought I needed but never used in a year. Now I have just the right amount of stuff. Or do I? Maybe I’ll do it again someday.

[@sarahwollesen1990]

When I was a kid, I was really attached to my toys, even if I didn't use them for various reasons. First, I was worried whoever received them would treat them badly, like Syd in Toy Story. Second, as a kid with imagination, I thought my toys had feelings and would be upset if I didn't keep them. Third, I felt bad for getting them and not using them, but I wasn't honest with myself that I would never use them. And I was worried the people who had bought them would be mad at me. So to help kids declutter, it may help to show them the recipient appreciates the toys, reassure them it's ok to let go of them, and help them make more intentionally purchases in the future.

[@katfangtastic1420]

I relate to this so much!! I had such guilt over my inanimate objects getting their feelings hurt, crying for me - wondering why I'd abandoned them. Similarly, I would never let go of things that were given to me by a special person (parents, grandparents, aunts, friends..). Problem is, as a kid practically everything I owned was gifted to me by one of these special people 😅. It's taken me well into adulthood to learn to truly let go and declutter, and I still struggle with it and procrastinate my decluttering tasks because I know it will be uncomfortable. But I am determined to finish the task and I've given myself a deadline now.

[@jonihaworth7623]

If I were a single person living alone I would do the packing party method!! Love it.

[@billieannfronczek6737]

I’m late to this episode, I recently read that according to the UN there are 40.3 million slaves worldwide. I kept trying to wrap my head around that statement. I love nice clothing and easily get caught up in shopping days. The fact is many enslaved people may be contributing to our lifestyle, including the clothes we wear, the electronics we use. I think it deserves some thought in our own individual consumption which I indulge and enjoy myself. We can look at the big picture sometimes in our own choices and at least not mindless consumption.

[@emily.martin77]

The caller at the end talks about a book, took me a minute to understand what she was saying but the book is ' The Tao Te Ching'

[@ShroomFactory]

and the symbol is the Yin Yang (Tao)

[@brittanyclift814]

omg thank you! i was trying so many different searches and then i figured i wasn't the only one who couldn't understand her! :P

[@brendalopez2858]

I was losing my mind trying to figure out the name of the book. Thank you!!!

[@junofriday]

I’ve been progressing towards Minimalism for several years, and with sincere enthusiasm since March. Slow and steady over the things in the house that belong to me has influenced my kiddos in a big way. The rest of the family now enjoy the extra “white” space and they like that we all need less time to clean and sort. Now, we all find it rewarding!

[@HananBenNafa]

Thank you for this great episode. Again, i always enjoy the ones where it's just the two of you! Can't way to watch the trailer of your new film! love and respect!

[@Aditya1057]

This is such a bright and relaxing episode, which reinforces Minimalism in same and different way. Loved it.

[@robinrutherfordcost4748]

Set a timer for 5 minutes. 5 minute tidy up game. Check out Dana K White, Dawn from the Minimal Mom (great ideas for kids too), and Cass from Clutterbug. Container method - the container is the bad guy. They can keep whatever they want, just has to fit in this container. Dawn keeps a donatable box in the base of each kid's closet for the kids to put stuff/clothes that they no longer want, won't fit, doesn't want to wear, stained, etc, goes in the box. Start in the visible areas first is what Dana K White says. You're just looking for trash at first - nothing emotional. Dawn said when she first started (ex-hoarder), I just have too much inventory at the moment. Have adopted that for now. Cass has a quiz to take on what kind of clutterbug are you? Hope that helps.

[@nickyb9516]

Recently became a mother and still laughing at the get rid of your kids and the toys will follow 😄

[@nickyb9516]

Really want to become a patrion again 🙂

[@michellet204]

Solid timing as usual and excited for the new documentary, thanks guys and have a great holiday😊

[@lindaw140]

Indeed the High price of chasing materialism!

[@brandnewyorker]

💕 thank you for NO advertising!!!!

[@susandestefano1820]

I did cave and shop for some things for myself...but I made up for it and adopted a needy family for Christmas...a few toys..then necessities, shoes...coats, clothing. And shop extra big grocery to take to the food bank. I was doing so good not shopping for my home or self!

[@ozziekhoo]

Can't wait for the documentary guys!

[@tiffanybordy6175]

Hi guys, thank you for bringing A. D. D to my vocabulary. I noticed that I suffered of that disorder for a while (especially because I don't like my job anymore) but now that I know the name it makes it more concrete. I will dig deeper into it to discover the cause and adjust my way of life. By the way, thank you for your documentary that change my life and all your podcasts. You're part of my world for almost 2 years now. Have a nice 2020 ending. Wish you happiness to you and your family. Tiffany from France

[@meluli09]

Hi guys! the Bible is full of these principles, God teaches us not to focus on material posessions as main goal, because he says in Luke 12:15 "“Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

[@deborahpelt6327]

Been watching you both R@J for awhile, Thanks for the great words of wisdom South Carlionia

[@bittermaxx]

15:36 Agreed! The one effective way i always thought of "BRANDED" items since 2005 that always works for me when I see a thing that's for sale is: 'Why would I PAY to have some "branding" on me like they own me instead of me owning the thing?". Works wonders! Almost all the items I own now have no visible brands (minimial exceptions). I even take out the brands when I really like the item and hate the branding splashed (ie, Jansport bags have easy to remove patches for branding)

[@adamp6401]

As a 5'8, white, Englishman without any athletic talent, I'm absolutely raging that those Lebron sneakers haven't gotten me to the NBA yet!

[@useruser-bv1ej]

Thanks you for this show! This is what the internet was made for!

[@pia9343]

Pay for youtube premium, but still have to suffer thru skillshare etc, ads from youtubers.

[@irshadkamil9947]

I never watch long videos. But minimalist podcast....i can watch for hours❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@goldiefreeman8693]

Love you guys❤️ I’m glad found minimalism Thanks

[@bettyjean1872]

So glad I've found you guys....you are amazing...

[@bigb853]

I love hearing my fellow Aussies call in!🥰🥰💖💖🦘🦘🦘🦘

[@alanbirkner1958]

I try to keep only what I need and love. My neighbor gives me clothes she has tired of. My daughter gives me what does not fit. I pick what I think I will wear, then take the rest to Goodwill or Wings, a local thrift shop which benefits battered women. I love costume jewelry, I had some I wasn't wearing, so I gave it to my daughter-in-law who loved it. I keep playing your game. Tina

[@lanegardinier760]

Hello from Utah, and I'm wondering what Joshua thinks of the new Dark Mode uniforms for the Jazz.. but mostly, I like this episode a lot, and have been poor more than once in my life as well, and as a formerly poor person, I have a bankruptcy I'm my past that was a huge life lesson, though I read Your Money or Your Life in 1999 and that started a frugal, minimalist focused life that has served me very well! Your point about how poor people spend is summarized very well in the book Being Black and Living in the Red by Dalton Conley, Ph.D., and though he focuses on the population he grew up around, it is universal to poor people of all skin colors and locations in the US, I fully believe that advertising, credit cards, payday loans and competitive consumerism are the downfall of the US society.

[@cozzy8910]

I like this topic, its hitting me directly.

[@mrsjam1252]

Start with your own stuff, they will see the difference and they will follow… easier said than done? Try it first nothing to lose

[@jordanh4127]

Got rid of my TV 4 years ago. Never plan to get one ever again :)

[@byekk2251]

It actually makes me feel physical full, like to the point of feeling sick if I buy stuff I don't need

[@murderdeathkillzone9253]

black friday is doing my head in already.

[@smashleighfignewton]

unsubscribing to email lists helps me a lot. I'm not tempted by "sales" to spend when I wouldn't' have already if I'm not seeing the ads.

[@jennybaborak7700]

Am I wrong to see some kind of resemblance to the age when people thought if they kill someone strong/quick and then eat theirs entrails, e.g. heart, it would make them stronger/quicker, etc.? Now that we don't live in that age anymore, we think that if we buy something a persone we admire owns, it will make us more like them. Is that just evolution of that thought? Just curious :D

[@carylmaluping9632]

Thank you for this ❤️

[@zeliadesousa3747]

After winning the lottery, it's quite normal for "loved ones" to treat the "winner" differently. In most cases, our friends are a reflection of who we are: if we think that playing the lottery and winning will make us happy, then there is a good chance friends have a similar way of thinking. When the rare person does win, suddenly, their friends will think money will be the solution to being happy. I've never bought a lottery ticket in my life and always find it difficult to understand folks who buy them.

[@kamran91067]

Great pod, I started off by getting rid of shoes, now I'm moving to clothes I'm not wearing anymore and it's getting easier and easier. Inspirational guys!

[@TheMinimalistsPodcast]

You got this!

[@ShroomFactory]

Happy Thanksgiving!!

[@anyaconda3155]

I was just thinking about reducing ads by paying the premium option and I guess if you calculate the time you have to spend on ads plus the annoyance of being interrupted. It's worth it.

[@ubaok24]

This is why i got spotify premium

[@azamab]

In my country there are many public holidays where city dwellers would drive back to hometowns and holiday resorts.. These are the time people would outdo each other vehicles on highways and hometowns..

[@charlienurse7694]

Such a great episode society dictates I say I love this episode but no it gave me joy. In this episode when Ryan speaks about the horse analogy do you think that idea can apply to our relationships with people as well as the items we claim to “love” if so does it make a difference whether it is a friend or even a family member?

[@natashyas4149]

Upton Sinclair - how do you get a man to change his mind when his income depends on not changing it? Wow. You are always paying for your clutter with money, time, or attention. Which one do you have more of? Which one is renewable? If you're not paying for the product, then maybe you are the product (Social Dilemma). The easiest way to let it go is to stop loving it.

[@SFoureman]

Ryan: "I'm not allergic to money." IDEA: Perhaps you already have talked about it somewhere. However, it would be wonderful to have you guys take the concept of Minimalism and the idea of how much time, energy and money we can save by not buying stuff... ...to the idea of how we can apply Minimalism to build wealth. Building wealth verses accumulating material things are two very seperate things. Yes. You guys define wealth seperate from monetary things. But, there is nothing wrong with building wealth and security in investing in a home, savings, investments, education. Sustainable Securities.

[@ceb7894]

Luv you guys!

[@maiavelino2297]

I like the intro! :)

[@des1458]

Black friday makes no sense to me at all, if i need to buy something i just go and buy it then. people think they are getting huge deals on black friday but in reality they are spending more than they normally would.

[@gurneetkaur179]

Wonderful

[@London100]

Love video as always. However, I tried to look up the book of the first caller. In your transcripts, it states two different book titles. What is the actual title name? I'm having difficulty finding it. Thank you for your time.

[@bigvivek1]

The value of Life Vs Value of possessions ... How realistic it is.

[@chelsieehh9308]

I have checked off decluttering and having a very minimal home. I have YET to check off changing my past habits though. I’ve done many many “No buy” months but still catch myself making a few quick and mindless decisions once I get paid (speciality coffees, food on the go etc). I have debt I’ve been paying off for a year and half now and because of that living paycheck to paycheck.

[@jjgems5909]

I feel like for Michelle, you have to start with yourself. It’s not as easy as just getting everyone on board. So for me personally I have to lead by example. And really, the more i thought about it, I was the one who had the lost crap in the house. So once I started with me, the. I would tell my husband, hey babe can you get rid of the shirts with holes or that don’t fit etc..? And for my son he’s only 3 so honestly, I just got rid of the toys that he never played with, that where super low quality, that were broken, and that he outgrew. I just did it when he was asleep lol 😂 he has no idea right now. So it works. But it’s been a godsend! I know eventually I’ll have to set up better boundaries and probably ask for permission but right now this works and since I did that he plays WAAAAY more with open ended toys like legos and blocks and less with toys with flashy lights and sounds. KZbin has been a godsend for me to find minimal moms and playroom videos

[@13macha]

“Thank you for coming with no label” Ben Harper at some concert

[@kiwikim5163]

Simpletons from Simpletown. Happyville! I wonder how our economy could become self sustaining and people could still thrive. Must read Small is Beautiful again. First reas it in the 1970s.

[@alfienykabutler5919]

There is a small push for homesteading. I think I'll take up sewing and my hubby is making raised flower beds.

[@shirleyjay6992]

Garage sales work great. They get rid of stuff they dont really want and then can buy a toy they really want. Often it would be 30 plus items out and one item in.. 😊Win win😊

[@BA-tu5eb]

I laughed at the boys comment too lol...

[@saraperrault2119]

It has been very harshly brought to my attention that I have a shopping addiction. "Retail therapy" as I've called it for the last 15+ yrs. I used it as a pacifier to sooth myself after fights, or a bad day, or sadly even to make myself feel better for not having the money to pay a bill. Its lead me to theft and homelessness. Most recently it's been the fuel for just about every marital problem. Turns out my cousin has the same problem. So were wondering if you have any tips on how we can hold each other accountable and to encourage each other to stay at it. Outside judgements are really hard sometimes.

[@EclecticHottie]

I would go through my belongings and get rid of the things I know I can do without... first to go would be I don't like, won't wear/fit, broken things...things not worn with tags I haven't looked at in years, trinkets I haven't displayed because they aren't me anymore. Do you have something that does "that" already? One of the other comments I read... a lady with retail therapy problems still did her therapy but adopted a family in need. Find another outlet, something else that makes you happy because usually an addiction can't just be STOPPED. It needs to be replaced by something else. BEING GRATEFUL for the things you have is a HUGE help.

[@jasonberry2651]

What are your thoughts about prepers and or the preping movement?

[@TheMinimalistsPodcast]

This would be a great question for a future podcast episode. Would you be willing to send a voice memo to [e-mail] so we can answer it on the show? In the voice memo, state your name and city followed by your question (use a fake name if you wish to be anonymous).

[@scorpio7938]

I have alittle case of make up and thats all i want and all i need

[@michaelolson571]

I hate the word pithy

[@EclecticHottie]

I read your comment just before he said it! Weird! 😯

[@MC-zx3vp]

How do you spell the name of the book mentioned by the woman from the gold coast of Australia?

[@Bostonisneverboring5]

Lol I get the get rid of the kids joke. Lol

[@michaeljbeninate6412]

Will The Minimalists be forced to pay KZbin to not play ads on your free podcast? The new terms of service gives KZbin the right to put ads on ALL videos on their service. Will you change your minds about using KZbin?

[@smashleighfignewton]

What is the title of the book in the first voice caller? i couldn't make it out but I'm very interested.

[@emily.martin77]

' The Tao Te Ching'

[@nepenthe1446]

It's "Tao Te Ching" by Lao Tzu. If you do an internet search for it there are many sites which offer explanations of the chapters. It's only 81 pages long. The "T" in "Tao" and "Te" sounds as if people are pronouncing them as a "D", so if you hear something that sounds like "Dao" or "Daoism", that's it. I'm sure you'll have no trouble finding it.

[@smashleighfignewton]

@@nepenthe1446 I found it on youtube as an audiobook too! Thank you so much for your help. Was hoping to find audio or pdf to save on physical expenses. I appreciate your help!

[@smashleighfignewton]

@@emily.martin77 Thank you so much!

[@nepenthe1446]

@@smashleighfignewton You're wecome. Glad you found it! :)

[@adriennemiller6616]

Tell me how all of this makes sense when you are married with children. How do you make that work?

[@jesssandra6069]

It's been sanity saving as a working mother w. young kids. I don't spend all the time I'm not working on chores and laundry anymore.

[@adriennemiller6616]

@@jesssandra6069 what are the biggest changes you've made? I've been on this journey for a while, but want to take it to the next level.Happy new year!

[@alanbirkner1958]

My youngest is 40. They gave me what was broken, what didn't fit, what another child would like. We did this periodically. Start with broken crayons, clothes that don't fit, and go from there. Tina

[@hitthebricks5502]

Her sons have Lego, well let’s play the mins game! One Lego brick on the first day, then two, etc. one year later one Lego building gone 😃

[@dynrgal]

Please interview Andrew Yang

[@feathersky860]

👍👍👍

[@karolinalul5020]

When documentary will be out?

[@TheMinimalistsPodcast]

January 1, 2021!

[@cathybrown4102]

I watched it two days ago and it was really inspiring. Today my husband and I cleaned our closets and I loaded up the car with stuff to donate. Have several more rooms to clean out and am very excited to do so. I keep saying when I’m looking at things “does this add value to my life”. My biggest reason for doing all this is because I had to clean out my mom’s house after she went to a nursing home. I NEVER want to burden my sons with that task.

[@RogueAPBT]

I"m ahead of my time. Been drinking tap water for years.

[@kailebrogan447]

Um one of the minimalists owns a book and i don't think that's very minimal :) think of the trees. Just kidding

[@ShroomFactory]

In the spirit of George Carlin, get rid of your "sh*t" so you can keep your "stuff."

[@bobbidunn8512]

To Michelle: You didn't say how old your boys were. You can do the packing party with them. Pack up 3/4 of the toys and put them in the garage. If they never ask for something that is packed, they don't need it. They "play" with the toys (take them off the shelf/out of the toy box) just because it's there, not because they "play" with it. Worst case scenario, you take everything out of the garage and put it back in the house.

[@SFoureman]

"If you aren't paying for the product; maybe YOU a.r.e the product." I don't know why this thought just totally creeped me out. I want to cancel Facebook and go take a shower! It's voyerism for dollars. Our computer algorithms know more about our habits than we do.

[@mattrkelly]

I feel like you guys have just gone from Materialism to Idealism... both are wrong! Idealism can get you in just as much trouble, I think the real question is to find the middle way. You have to have stuff to survive and thrive, you have to make money somehow... the best way in my mind is to work with it in a healthy way. 'Not being materialist enough' is an easy out, you have to find the middle ground in every circumstance to be truly happy.

[@mattrkelly]

please change your name to the middlists!

[@Knutekritt]

as we sink into socialism, being able to live in a pod will become more common...this is great pod living advice.....these are pod dwellers

[@EclecticHottie]

You're right and it's scary..

[@2davivadiva]

Knute yea you have a point. I sometimes wonder if there is a more sinister agenda to minimalism but idk. I think we consume WAY too much theres no reason for it tbh so this lifestyle would help if there was a catastrophic or socialist event