Ep. 275 | Let It Go

[@Jo-hello]

“Whether to walk away or try harder” This spoke to me as a stay at home mum of four young children. I always felt like I needed to try harder in keeping up the house, keep on top of the washing and cleaning and maintaining and decorating. But as I walk away from things or let them go, running my household becomes so much more manageable, enjoyable in fact! I wish I had been braver to let things go sooner. I do not miss a single thing.

[@brittaniniemi4874]

I wish my husband was more ok with my purging! Having 2 young kids, I can see and feel the value in having less. It's so overwhelming, I want to simplify to the max!!!

[@michelevazquez4429]

I feel this!

[@LJ542]

Make a pile of everything you're going to put in the storage unit and that's the pile you need to let go of..... PERFECTLY said!

[@tierneycreates]

Joshua is on point on the 30 - 60 day storage unit concept, we did the exact same thing years ago when we moved from Seattle to Central Oregon. We moved from a large house to a small townhouse temporarily while we worked on buying a new house. We ended up at the end of 2 months: 1) giving away most of the stuff in our storage unit and 2) buying a house that was 1/2 the size of our previous house. It only took 2 months to see how much we could live without (and live better).

[@valerierogers9609]

The more I've moved, the more I've gotten rid of. It gets easier (the ridding, not the moving).

[@vc2853]

Ryan - I love how you don't filter yourself 100% of the time. Sometimes you just say things without trying to figure out how to perfectly phrase it. And it feels so real to listen to you. Please don't change and perfect your answers. And Josh - your subtle approach to adjusting what Ryan means to say sometimes is so kind and honest. I like watching you guys discuss things and work off of each other's conversation flow. The best podcast I've ever heard. Thank you for no advertisements.

[@hcplsmf]

I like what Ryan said. Start, screw up, then start again. I clicked on this video because I have been way over my head with perfectionistic behavior. This idea of who I should be needs to be let go sometimes. Thank you!

[@natashyas4149]

Ryan : a life without boundaries is a life without peace. I love the idea that the first time we do something, we might not do it "right". Like making a cake. Great growth mindset!

[@scottsteele1908]

It is a wonderful concept, but I have a question; what about purchased items that reflect a higher resale of your home? I get get by with nothing and have long before it was the cool thing to do, but my current house (an old Victorian) may or may not be my forever home. I can rebuild the kitchen to minimal standards for me, and be just fine, but it will grossly reduce the number of potential buyers if I chose to move. How does a person balance resale and minimalism?

[@susannehaberkorn4354]

Declutter since my divorce, couple of years ago, emptied my fathers house after his death, meanwhile have 2 homes in 2 continents, minimalism is a process which never ends.

[@LJ542]

Am listening to this youtube podcast again. I just LOVE the phone call from Joe in Dallas. He encouraged his kids to unload some of their toys for cash incentive and the way it worked out in the end is brilliant -- the kids sharing their smiley faces with their friends. But most of all what I love is the father taking a friendly, wise interest in his children's lives. This refreshing phone call is making my day today! Plus, your conversation about letting things go. As always, I tend to start looking around the condo to see what I can let go of. This time it was shredding a small pile of unneeded documents. You guys rock and so does Joe!

[@mk-sw9ow]

So smart Ryan, whatever is going to the storage unit can be let go of now

[@IAmSimplyBill]

I used to love buying things -things that don’t need me but I feel the need to have it. Right now, I am reversing the idea.

[@phyliciajoykloes]

Moving is definitely a good motivation to declutter. Not having to move unused items feels so much lighter.

[@abimollentze7221]

it really is. we are moving to a home about half the size of our current house in 4 months, and the motivation inside me is out of control. I have very little, but I know i can have less.

[@phyliciajoykloes]

@@abimollentze7221 Enjoy this proces! Good luck with the decluttering and the move. I wish you a lovely new chapter.

[@dbartz5510]

As I declutter, or help friends declutter, I ask this question; "If I/you were moving today, would I/you want to pack and haul it?" In nearly every circumstance the answer is no. We have learned from our mistakes, long ago. Over the years we moved so many times, and hauled so many unopened boxes from house to house, state to state. Absolute insanity! I promise you, the answer is no! Thanks for all your hard work!👏👏👍👍

[@miriammoriarty8588]

I just packed and sent off 10 cubic metres across the country and I can tell you right now I don't need or care about 50-75% of it. I did sell all my furniture and car though, and donated a heap of stuff, so hopefully I'm on the path at least.

[@stefaniegrant1337]

Also, would I buy this again if I had it to do over?

[@charityschubert]

"A life without boundaries is a life without peace." Brilliant!

[@abimollentze7221]

Excellent episode, thank you guys. I started my journey about a year ago, and love where I am now. My life feels calmer, and while my husband always says it looks like we were robbed since we have so little in the house, he sees I am more in control of myself. My mental health was struggling from being overwhelmed and one day I threw out a tub chair and the coffee table and it felt like I could start breathing again. I haven't stopped since then, and it's liberating. My kids have a lot and I loved the idea of the one caller to give them a challenge and reward. The napkin was beautiful and I know mine would get a lot of joy out of knowing they made another child smile.

[@untetheredsoul]

Totally unrelated to the content, but Ryan is absolutely rocking those glasses.

[@amywright2243]

Agreed!

[@sandysmom100]

@@Gen45 yes !

[@nevillecondron7995]

Like Nana Mouskouri

[@christelschmidt7468]

We’re moving from Germany back to Canada and I’ve been getting rid of 1 thing a day for 2 years. We won’t take any furniture with us and will have to buy a bit when we move back but thanks to minimalism, we will be intentional with what we bring back in our lives. Also looking at all the “stuff” and asking if we need it, love it or if we can donate, recycle or dispose of the others. Thanks for the inspiration!

[@juliep.9554]

I started the 30Days Minimalism Game and day by day I feel much better, less stress about cleaning my space, less overwhelming. It made me realized that for many years I never felt completly well in any of the houses that I lived in, I always moved my furnitures and organized differently my stuff but the feeling of wellness never lasted because I accumulated stuff more and more. I discoverd minimalism with your documentary on Netflix, it open my eyes. I am totally okay ti let go of things now. Thanks from France

[@txspacemom765]

I had to move quickly once, in less than 4 weeks. I looked around each room and grabbed what I loved and let the rest go and I can say, while a little stressful, I was happy and never regretted a thing. I like the idea of creating the piles for storage and then letting it all go.

[@selena-565]

I lost my car a few years ago. Couldnt afford it. But as a result, I saw more things. I experienced more of what my city(Chicago) had to offer. I got lost walking around and discovered places I wouldn't have seen had I been driving in my car. I began talking to more people without my car. I had a car since I was 16 and me now at 38, I feel like I needed that break from insurance, car payments, and loads of tickets. I feel freer now. I may get another someday. But in the meantime, I have awesome public transit to get me around. Great podcast! 💕

[@hollypepen4012]

I love the line you guys sign off with. It's so true, powerful, and needed in our world today.

[@iamjoyamara]

I have always been very sentimental when it comes to my belongings and I find it hard letting go of things. This made my life very cluttered. Finding the minimalists was one of the best things that happened to me in 2020. I am a student of architecture and I just began my minimalist journey. I hope to apply it to every area of my life. Wish me luck ♡. I also decided to start a blog and KZbin channel to document my minimalism journey. I hope it goes well.

[@brg2743]

Packing up essentials for college. Along with a few other nonessentials for comfort. The junk or excess is out. When you talked in another video about essential, nonessential and junk, it makes sense living in a very tight space. Less is better to manage, clean and live in.

[@Iquey]

I wonder if they could just do the Mins Game backwards for moving in. Calculate the space of the new place, and determine your top 50-100 items you can't live without..take those with you to the new place, then pick 0-50 other items that are nice to have to make your place your own and your life easier or more enjoyable, but not absolutely necessary. Hopefully this fills the house up less than 30-50% depending on the size of the home. If you still have room for more, just pick the faves or the usefuls.

[@CM-cn3xb]

yes! good example, clothes with logos, I just simply don't buy it.

[@kimdenardo1076]

love your podcasts - have downsized and downsizing again - each time I get rid of more and more STUFF. My issue is paper - so much paper. They are in bins; kids drawings, letters, cards, etc. My husband says just chuck it without looking, but I cannot. Time is what I need which I usually don't have or don't ever seem to be in the mood.

[@sandysmom100]

Just start by categories. I have / had the same problem. Still going through my now adult kids stuff when they were small It is hard .

[@alanbirkner1958]

My kids are in their 40's. I saved awards not everyone got. Things that showed their character. Things that made me laugh. They saved what they wanted. i.e. my daughter wrote a Thank you note to the tooth fairy. I laugh every time I see it. Tina

[@kimdenardo1076]

@@sandysmom100 good idea - thanks :)

[@kimdenardo1076]

@@alanbirkner1958 love that - thanks :)

[@miriammoriarty8588]

"What if you change trying harder to spinning your wheels". As someone who spent the last 10 years spinning my wheels, this hits hard.

[@canadafree2087]

"and TOGETHER we are The Minimalists", love. To declutter I like to work one room at a time. I start with throwing out pure junks. Then I group similar items, eg. get all your coats together, toss the ones that are worn out, then donate the ones that don't fit, then donate the ones you hardly wear, then decide how many summer coats do you need, how many fall coats, how many winter coats, how many date night coats do you need?

[@dunjabakic4012]

Ok, what is summer coat?❤

[@canadafree2087]

@@dunjabakic4012 It's a Canadian thing, you wouldn't understand. lol j/k

[@carmeenamack]

DROP THE CACTUS 🌵 that completes today's lesson for me 😬

[@candiceburgess557]

Love listening to your video and minnmal mom and Joshua becker everyday .gives me inspiration everyday...

[@alanemarie5]

So sweet about those kids who gave away a lot of their toys

[@kathleenromero151]

I love you both, and because of that I don’t like to see what I’ve been observing since following you both, and which seems to be getting worse over time-Josh you seem to set Ryan up for failure or when he is “allowed” to speak you contradict or “improve” upon his input, which is devaluing what he brings to the minimalist table. It’s also revealing in the photos where Josh is on the foreground and Ryan in the back. When will you flip? Because you should. Healthy living often means stepping into the shoes (or in the literal origin, the moccasins) of another. Let Ryan lead for once, twice, and more. You’re experience and eloquent, Josh. But we need and want to hear more from your “wing man,” who clearly can fly on his own.

[@janetbaker8312]

I was just going to say the same thing

[@Peter-mf6gh]

Brought to you by KNOW ONE, Luv it 🤩 Freedom from the Matrix is Priceless.

[@susantroche1506]

I am guilty of trying harder to like something because a loved one gave it to me.

[@alexsandereastmond7036]

80% of what we own we only use 20% of i truly find love peace in organizing helping people finding value in things i love i love disc golf music you guys are a huge inspiration i have to meet you both i have a kidney disease scoliosis raynauds phenomenon adhd ni pi but you guys give me hope and peservence

[@mereteh.olesen9527]

Auch on the try harder or walk away - to me it’s really an eye opener. If you’re in doubt of something and put it in this way, the answer is really clear. That phrase is really growing on me.

[@elnina7]

I would advise James, assuming there's no major urgency in his decluttering process, to firstly give himself a long-term timeframe (between nine months to two years) and just tackle two shelves, drawers or boxes a week. This is assuming he has a full time job and has to to look after a family and see to daily cleaning and maintenance. Oh, and don't forget to throw in a "do nothing at all" week as and when necessary to avoid burnout. Decluttering a regular house takes way longer than I originally anticipated or allowed myself. My salvo was in giving myself time.

[@carolbts3337]

Guys, I'm speaking from Brasil and I you already helped me so much that I just want to say thank you so much. Sorry my english is verry poor, but I hope you can understand how much this message is helping us here to criate a more meaningfull life. Thank's! 🥰✨

[@hopespringseternal2769]

Actually, your English is quite good. You only made a few minor mistakes. The message you were trying to send was very clear.

[@simonc34]

right now I am in the middle of selling a collection and its hard to let go, hopefully this video will help me

[@utub1473]

I feel that. I'm sorting through my record collection right now. It's very hard to let go, especially when the music stored in the grooves of each disc was literally made to make you feel emotions.

[@LifewithJennyintheUSA]

We also had to take out a loan to get rid of our giant truck to get out of debt, I will never make that type of mistake again. That truck definitely ended up “owning” us.

[@elizabethnelms2564]

Ok, I will keep my 08 Jeep😉 thanks!

[@amybee40]

"Walk away or try harder" -- at a certain point I saw that going to the gym was not having results on my health. I decided my choice was to either stop wasting the money, or double down and get a trainer. I got a trainer and have not regretted the time or expense since. At 52, I have in the last 5 years lost forty pounds, and feel more athletic then I ever did as a young person.

[@Dr.ManahilHamidPharma]

The kids minimalist game idea very informative and applicable, thank you 💝👍🏾

[@HannahK.1111]

Iv followed your guys content for years it’s been a 5 year journey to extreme minimalism for myself and now my family is in bored as well and absolutely love the new way of living

[@Hakuna-kitu]

Thank you so much for these videos. I've been following you guys ever since I found your channel, a couple of years ago. Although I see your point and I bet there's a large amount of people who don't want the ads, I on the other hand don't mind the ads. But, I do appreciate and respect your mindset on this. Thank you the time and effort you all put into these podcasts, it is a great inspiration. 🙏💖

[@A222Z]

Moving can be an extreme amt of work .. but i personally feel that it is one of the easiest ways to get rid of stuff. Especially when the countdown hits of having to be out of the current residence. All the what ifs & even legit items go. Alot of times for lack of moving space or time to deal with. When there is such a high volume of things to deal with, you start ditching .. & the absolutes often get thrown in garbage bags as a packing container to create more stuffable space. .. i find i like the 'challenge' of moving, bc of the opportunity to get rid of non-relevant items. Things become much clearer to me of what is really relevant to my life.

[@dawncrawford9159]

I am NO longer OWNED by my HOUSE ~ yup SOLD it I’ve NEVER been happier, Bought a used truck for cash 💵 My money is now working for ME 🙏 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 Thank you Josh & Ryan ❤️

[@ehres4475]

When getting rid of toys I just tell my kids they need to tell me what their favorite toys are and put them in a pile. They are fine with me getting rid of the rest when they can see clearly that they can keep what their favorite things.

[@motorcyclehair]

Brahahahaha! I watched the hilarious beginning at least 5x! Yeah, clear that mind clutter from ads too while we're at it.

[@sandrak.4619]

Thank you so much for this. Your film Minimalism really opened my eyes and so I started decluttering my life last year. Warm greetings from Germany ☺️🌻

[@icecreamforcrowhurst]

In America unless you live in a major city a car is not a luxury, it’s a necessity.

[@alanbirkner1958]

Hi! So happy to see you. I keep playing your game. I read Miss Minimalist and Becoming Minimalist. Smaller spaces are easier to heat in winter. Tina

[@LS-ew1zx]

I'm glad you spoke a little about the misinformation about how much you are "worth". I don't even want to put the persons name on here because I don't want to sully your comments with it but that youtube video made me so unbelievably angry. Can't wait for the patreon episode. Have a good one.

[@aprilcrippen84]

You guys are awesome!! ❤️

[@Dream-bebe]

I am looking forward to read your book Everything That Remains.

[@strongandbeautiful]

Love watching you guys!!! By the way -I watch Less is Now twice or more on Netflix- enjoyed every moment of it!!great job!!!

[@kimgordon3695]

I have this fantasy to lease a lake home downsized & move just what is used weekly there & then stage & rent our paid off home on Airbnb

[@johnyang1420]

You can do it!!!!

[@karolinajachymova5617]

I have a problem with owning artistic stuff. I am NO ARTIST, but I have fascination with almost everything that is ''crafting''. But now I have too many kind of hobbies and no time for any of them. I can do cross stitch, sewing, crochet, 3d origami, watercolor painting, normal painting, calligraphy, paint by numbers (on canvas and normal paper), sculpting, 3d pen drawing. Anything that is crafting I'm in. But i have so much stuff to go with every one of my hobbies, everyone of them need different supply. The problem is that I feel like everything is important to me, I can sit in front a blank wall and paint something on it, loving the process, I can pick up anything from my hobbies and always love it the most, so I can't decide which to part with. But everyone of them need long houres of practicing in order to get better. What should I do?

[@Coffeewithkelli]

Love you guys! You’re the best!❤️

[@pacosamo]

Thank you guys for all your great work. I would love if you could address the topic of mortgages. Many people advocate for them as you don´t "throw money to the wind". Personally, getting in debt for hundreds of euros scares me deeply. Would really appreciate your thoughts on this.

[@asedition8847]

I am starting to let go is hard but it makes breathing easier,

[@77stephani77]

Car: don’t buy until you can get a good deal, research for a little while, and pay cash you saved to drive off lot with no payment....about 8 to 10 yrs get another if needed, and make sure it’s elec not a reg. Gas drinking car so very little upkeep.... moving: pack only what you need, give away resell what’s left...a mix between the process of both of you....my mom had to store everything when she went into hospital after my dad died in 2019, they were together 50 yrs so a ton of hoarded stuff....she lived with us for 8 mths....I helped her go through what she needed in storage for her new tiny apt (700 sq. Ft) it was very healthy for her....what was left in there, was donated or sold..it really helped...

[@kimgordon3695]

Electric is actually unsustainable too

[@A222Z]

I have never considered a storage unit as an option. I think i am probably too frugal for this. Even if i was to downsz to a home on wheels, i think i would look to other options - maybe a storage container for vehicle or something.

[@elyoyo4121]

Less is now changed my life. Think you bro Good greeting from Morocco

[@carolannstevens5814]

I was a SAHM with children to raise. I have been in an unhealthy marriage. I should have walked away sooner. Ryan, “A life without boundaries is a life without peace”.

[@carylmaluping9632]

Thank you for this ❤️

[@elizabethnelms2564]

"Just say no" to the storage unit...

[@naobolliger9188]

"walk away or try harder" that's the question

[@lalala2608]

Me gusta sus contenidos, pero no entiendo ingles. Los conoci por netflix. Ojala algun dia subtitulen en español. Gracias Genios!

[@Loveflower244]

Let it go !!!!!

[@Tsola.Omamogho]

OK. I just finished watching "less is now" and it literally was just like a longer reenactment of the original film except with emphasis on the part where Josh is talking on the beach about his journey to minimalism and the same with Ryan's too. Like A LOT OF parts were literally word for word from the documentary "Minimalism"... kinda feels like i just watched the same thing twice but with a different title, was that intentional?

[@raerae0320]

I felt the same way. Less is Now was well done, but very repetitive from the first.

[@s.aura.h8084]

I have to agree 😭 I felt that ‘Less is now’ was the same message but with more camera work and animation which really wasn’t needed. I love how ‘minimalism’ was more minimalist and earthy, it didn’t need to be ‘fancy’. I thought ‘Less is now’ would be talking about the 10 year journey and what Josh and Ryan have learnt along the way, how they might have changed and adapted themselves and their lives and so why now is the most important time to be letting go, so I was disappointed about that.

[@Tsola.Omamogho]

@@s.aura.h8084 Same! I should have had more minimal expectations - but all the trailers and interviews about it were so enticing and eluded to more..PLUS the podcasts go really deep too so I thought something different would happen especially after watching that it took 4 years a wayyyyy larger budget and included more people like Dave Ramsey - which I was STOKED about. I really at least hoped to hear how minimalism developed over 10 years or from more people it influenced.. Or if there have been struggles along the way. But honestly it felt the same with more “stuff” to show us the same message which was ironic so I wondered if it was intentional...

[@Omonike88]

I have a place for everything in my home.....but there are things I don't use. Been getting rid of stuff that I don't utilize or doesn't bring joy to my life.

[@kimgordon3695]

There is an Ancient Proverb~ "With the measure you are measuring out, it will be measured out to you in return..." 🌐🌐🌐

[@ren8240]

Hooray for no shitty arsed Ads...ever! 👏 🥳

[@minimalaggie]

I remember when loans were 36 months and a 60 month loan was horrifing

[@kithu1231]

Clothes with designs and cheesy logos..hmmm...simply not my thing.Minimalist for life.

[@debbielicona5030]

The storage unit is just pushing off what has to be done like a spare room u HV piled stuff in , I find if I deal with it now it saves mental clutter and time . When I personally go through stuff at first it was slow going but then it got easier . Now I know if I don't use it never hv used it it's gone save money and time I would say don't store it decide on it .

[@paulaboynton8299]

Oh man, I hate car payments! I have been “upside down “ for two cars now. It’s getting better, My interest rate is down to 3%, but it really stinks. I am nearly 3 years into recovering from a destructive relationship. This is just a piece of it.

[@feathersky860]

Thx. Guys ❤️ your SIMPLETON ✔️ 🦅 🇺🇸

[@alfienykabutler5919]

I said, "...Oop!" four times in the first 2 minutes.

[@cherylverdon3077]

Just get rid of these play rooms. Children can play in their bedrooms and the more they do, the more they will come to love that space that is theirs . . . even if it's a shared room. If their toys can't fit in their bedrooms then the answer is obvious. They have too many toys.

[@christinewaldvogel174]

Ridiculous to give kids money for donating toys instead of teaching them to give from the heart. And then to turn around and buy more (and more expensive) is to me not teaching what this is actually about:(

[@jencaragia]

Love you guys! 🇦🇺💜

[@4LayersOfStrength]

Do you want to "succeed" as bad as you wanna breathe?" #EricThomas 🇭🇲👻 Defining what a #need and #want is for you might help begin to move the needle."

[@feathersky860]

MAKE IT HAPPEN ❤️✔️🦅

[@kathysutton2631]

Would like cheaper car insurance. How???

[@AYMC14]

Crazy how talking about this things is nonsense, just let it go.

[@koko137591]

🖐🏼🙂

[@ramman347]

I cant find let it go by jonesy.

[@labrittany415]

Exhale not Let it go

[@ascensionbias7528]

The Cake is a lie.

[@liamh1141]

What do I have to do to get that certificate?

[@kimgordon3695]

$44,800 of big bank slavery. = Car

[@lorenheard2561]

💯🔥👍🤙