EXTREME MINIMALISM | My Minimalism Lifestyle

[@CubanCubeFan]

Great video and I think the fact your parents kept everything was beautiful. (in a sense, I get how it wasnt necessary but a nice sentiment nonetheless)

[@SonamHoani]

Yes! I agree :) To be honest, I may have been more distraught, had I not had the opportunity to process the dismantling of things myself :)

[@michelleheadrick951]

My daughter in law lost all four grandparents in less than a year...it took another 8 or 9 months for the family to go through the hoards of stuff and clean the homes out to be sold. Very sad, but also very overwhelming, it made me realize that I don't want to put all of my stuff on my family and im steadily trying to minimize my possessions now.

[@SonamHoani]

❤️

[@truuluvv]

It was when my mother died that I felt the same way. I had another reason which was health-related, it just makes sense to make it easier to live by reducing my load.

[@ImHungryForCake]

"Swedish death cleaning"!!! Your family is blessed to have such a thoughtful and compassionate relative! ☺️👍

[@camillaholst7321]

I do understand: That is what "swedish death cleaning" is about. Freeing the ones you leave behind, from your stuff. Live your best life while you're here - the stuff is not worth the time we spend on it. Greetings from Denmark 😊

[@salomekochalski1947]

I keep coming back to this video multiple times a week. It differs so much from the great majority of minimalism videos, in a positive way. It reminds me again and again why I chose to live with as little as I do. Thank you.

[@SonamHoani]

Thank you so much Salome! What a wonderful message. For me, it’s always about some wonderfully idealistic “why?” But, nonetheless a “Why?” That is possible! And I think the more we focus on this sort of way of thinking, the more our lives start to resemble it! (At least, that’s my experience.) Wishing you the greatest on your travels!

[@AndBusinessIsGood]

I’m a minimalist. I plan on selling all my things and traveling the world in the future, with a bunch of freaking cash of course 🤑

[@timothymuldoon]

Just had this same conversation with my Mother. Get your possessions in order so you don't leave a huge pile for someone else to have to deal with. The emotional toil and time is unfair.

[@SonamHoani]

I completely agree with you ☺️

[@jayathome2898]

This really resonated with me! My mother used to say “ someone will take care of all this stuff” and yup it was me. It took two weekends and two friends, just to box up and disperse my mother’s sewing and quilting material and accessories. I felt I had to “honour” her in some way to make sure that all the items were used/ appreciated, made into blankets for charity etc. It was emotionally exhausting. By the time I finished with that and her personal items, I actually felt resentful. No way I’m ever putting that on my kids! I will get rid of everything long before I die, but since I don’t actually know when that will be, maybe I better do more now! 😂 Good lesson

[@SonamHoani]

I’m so happy you get what I’m talking about! I think I would have the same feelings. In Sweden they have this concept of death cleaning, but more than anything it’s just a way to stay on top of this. My partner made a video on it kzbin.info/www/bejne/gnq6ZKeqj9-Zoas&pp=ygUTRGVhdGggY2xlYW5pbmcgc2FnYQ%3D%3D But I also think there’s a really nice opportunity for the person to come closer to themselves and transcend some ideas of their self in going through their belongings… and that’s sort of an impossible position to put someone else in, to do that exercise justice, when they aren’t you! 😂

[@kimberlylalley7255]

Love, love, love! I went through the process of downsizing from a 1600 sq ft townhome into what could fit in a small, rented car. I donated my car to charity. My goal is to get down to what fits in one suitcase. This video INSPIRES! So far, I haven't missed ANYTHING I gave away. I helped my mom downsize from a large home to a small apartment and couldn't believe everything she kept! I got to relive the process all over again. She had holiday cards given to me as a seven-year-old from the bus driver! I am glad I got to go through the process while she's alive. Purging can be painful and emotionally taxing. I used to enjoy sending cards but now reconsider. I detest what I see as US consumerism and excess. The storage industry is a billion-dollar business here. It's not enough that most people don't use their garages and stuff their large homes filled with things they don't need - they then pay for a storage facility to keep things in boxes and in many cases have no idea what they are storing. It's ridiculous. It's refreshing to discover you and your wife. Thanks for the thoughtful content. I just discovered you both and am a fan. Now it's time to recycle more items,

[@SonamHoani]

We did the same thing with my Mum, when we moved back into their place for awhile! Thank you for this considerate comment! I love everything about it, I think we’re all on the same wavelength! 😄🙌 People are sceptical with radical and transformative lifestyle changes, but chaos is never missed!

[@annamacfarlane4382]

I’m not sure exactly when I first saw this video, maybe almost 2 years ago but I keep coming back to it every so often. Your straight talking, blunt approach is a welcome change from most other minimalism videos. Addressing the backlash from family and friends in such an honest way was particularly helpful. I also like the part about taking responsibility for our things and the link to our egos. Very useful video, thank you.

[@SonamHoani]

Thank you for your very kind message. It makes me feel very special, that you keep coming back. I hope you're doing okay 🙂🧡.

[@tinygreenpineapple]

One of the best videos on minimalism I’ve seen. My own journey started after my mom had a stroke in 2021 and had to be moved into a one-bedroom care facility. It was up to me to go through a lifetime of stuff. To say it was traumatic on top of everything else (including covid) would be accurate. It took 6 weeks. When I flew home I started to get rid of all my own stuff. There was no way I was going to leave this job for my own child one day. This process has transformed my life in every way. I believe that minimalism is at heart a spiritual practice. People don’t get it, and do think it’s weird. But we know the truth: freedom, non-attachment, and that death is coming for us all (we can’t take it with us and it doesn’t mean shit, no matter how beautiful, expensive or sentimental). Great video - thanks!

[@SonamHoani]

Thank you friend 😃 I’m sorry to hear about the difficult time you had and it’s a joy to know what you managed to transform it into. I’m on a meditation retreat at the moment and the teacher spoke at length yesterday about your very same insights on minimalism! Thank you for your insight I’m happy to have you here ☺️👏🙌

[@kimberleighwells6749]

PLEASE do more minimalism videos! Thankful I found this video, and I appreciate the insight behind owning less.

[@SonamHoani]

😆 Okay Kimberleigh! I’ll make it happen.

[@niallmaxwell1410]

Great To See More Men Documenting This Lifestyle - Thanks From Ireland.

[@SonamHoani]

Thank you!

[@Karolina-dr8du]

I’m becoming a minimalist and I try to downsize, but for example my grandma comes from a generation of kids after war, which means that they had really little and she developed a mindset of buying things just in case. She has so much stuff and doesn’t use most of it, but I get where she is coming from.

[@SonamHoani]

I understand. It seems we’re often a response to our times… Today we’re just starting to see the problem with consumption! But I suppose depending on the production processes some things are better to have more or less of, than others 😄

[@EnnVee959]

Keeping a kot of things is fine if it is properly stored and tracked but when we keep things and we forget about those things then we are not behaving in a tational and healthy way.

[@SonamHoani]

@EnnVee959 thank you for this nuance! I like it 😃

[@jvnplanet3983]

Thank you for making and sharing this video. You saved me today.🙂 I was about to buy stupid things I don’t even need it (again). I’ve been up and down with my minimalism. Glad I found your channel. This is what I have been looking for. I think there are links between minimalism, peace of mind, and meditation. Not every minimalist’s channel on YT i watched is real, I feel like most do it as a trend, but I know you are not one of those. You are real. Keep doing a great work, you could help a lot of people who got stuck in a consumerism cycle.✌🏻

[@SonamHoani]

Thank you so much! What a wonderful message! This is one of the kindest things anyone has ever written me! I’m so happy to hear it worked out for you today! It’s nice for me to make minimalism videos because I really never set out on living this way because of a trend… I just really don’t like having things 😆. This weeks video I’ll be returning to the topic! So lovely to have you here. 😄

[@PulpParadise]

There are a disturbing number of "minimalism" channels that have about 100 links to the products in their house. Because, I guess, you can get rid of your stuff to make room for buying versions of what they own... Did I mention disturbing?

[@SonamHoani]

@PulpParadise yes! What’s up with that 🤷‍♀️ or they do it as a trend 😂 it completely destroys the purpose to do it as a trend

[@corrinethompson5542]

Please make more non-trendy minimalism videos like this one.

[@MarinaPaninaFilms]

everything you've said is so true.. i've watched I couple of your videos just now and it makes me wonder if I'm truly being minimal... i'm not an extreme minimalist but I want to improve and strive towards a simple life, especially to detach myself from all the marketing that say "buy this or that"'.. and take responsability when "decluttering"... because once you "get of it"/you"can't see it" , doesn't mean it's not out there somewhere, trashing this planet.... it's a terrible thought. Thank you for your videos.

[@SonamHoani]

Thank you for this description! I think this is the essential point.

[@XeLYoutube]

deep inquiry about minimalism i agree. keep going your videos are diferent from the "lets declutter" one and just "its nice empty its nice empty" nice depth. Loved this video.

[@SonamHoani]

Thank you ☺️ For me it’s about the examination. Those are the tools that make my life better :)

[@Bumbledora]

I'm a minimalist, not extreme minimalist though. However, what really hit me in your video was you talking about and to your parents. I'm in the same situation or at least similar. My parents saved everything! And they also have loads of stuff, so I'm not looking forward to when they pass away. I love my parents, but why oh why do they have all... all stuff??? And they also want me to have all their stuff when they're gone. NOPE. I've tried and tried to explain that I'm not interested and they get offended, calling me weird etc. So, I introduced my mom to the Swedish Death Cleaning. She stared at me if I've gone mental. LOL! But she has actually started to declutter clothes. However... we have all the furniture, carpets, china, kitchen... I could go on and on, but I'm sure you know what I mean. I get exhausted just by thinking about it. So I told my mom that when they are both gone, I'll just hire a company to move, sell or get rid of it all. She almost started to cry. I've already managed to get burned out once and I'm still having side effects of that. I'm not gonna do it again. A huge reason why I became a minimalist. Thanks for sharing a very thoughtful and interesting video! Greetings from Sweden :)

[@SonamHoani]

Hej hej! Min fru är från Sverige! Det är väldigt kallt där. 🤣 She made this video on Swedish death cleaning kzbin.info/www/bejne/gnq6ZKeqj9-Zoas But, you probably already know what it's all about! I COMPLETELY agree with what you've said here! At least, that is my experience too. It's annoying when someones actions don't really line up with what makes sense... Perhaps in our parents case; fear of death?

[@Bumbledora]

@@SonamHoani Hejsan svejsan! :))) Swedish wife! Send her much warm greetings from a now very summer warm... summer. Haha! Yes, it can get cold here, but I do love all four seasons. Yes, I do love the darkness and cold. Candles and a nice fire, that's a treat. My parents are very old and I mean very old. Especially my father. He will be 99 yrs this August. He's bedbound though after having Covid and a bad fall from the bed, broke his hip. He's not afraid to die, but my mom doesn't want to let him go. She's just afraid of living without him.

[@SonamHoani]

Uh I see. When we were in Sweden her grandparents were in the same situation, but it’s her grandmother that feel. Grandad seems to have found a new life now though. Meanwhile it’s 3 degrees here! Wishing you and your family the best.

[@londonrobinlondonrobin9376]

This is the best video on minimalism I've every watched - and I've watch a few! I moved out of the city a couple of years ago and work from home. That alone means I don't need office clothes and instead of looking in shops in my lunch hour I can walk on the South Downs. We have a very good local charity shop and you know when some one has died as there will be lots of a particular kind of clothing or, for example, home decor collection. With the clothes it tends to be mostly ladies clothing and a lot of it is old but never worn or enjoyed by the previous owner. In one of Saga's videos she made a good point about being responsible for the life of that item and what you'd do with it when you no longer needed it. Lovely picture of you both.

[@SonamHoani]

Thank you for stopping by 😄 I’ve really enjoyed reading the posts you’ve put here 😃 I’ve found them very delightful with my morning oats 😁

[@minimalistgecko4867]

I greatly appreciated the value and simplicity of this video. Thanks so much for sharing! I'm doing my second annual packing party, and 10 days in I realized that everything I am using is what I need, so I am cleaning out and donating the rest to a veteran's group that picks up, completing the circle of sunken cost fallacy and holding on for so long, to giving back to my fellow veterans. I cannot believe how full my heart feels, which tells me that it's definitely a meaningful life course adjustment... Lastly, I want to point out a big point you made in there, about time. Even just dealing with this packing party for two weeks now (preparing, packing, and related) the time and mental energy has been apparent and made me want to shed even more. I have come to realize the mental tax as well as price per square foot of your home things are worth, and being honest, and genuine is always the best approach. If you are not ready, just realize you're learning and growing, and keep watching great videos like this for inspiration.

[@SonamHoani]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts here :) I greatly appreciate how constructive and caring your comments are. I think it would be a very nice world to live in if we were all as conscious and compassionate as your demonstrating 😄

[@djszal]

Do you mind talking about how you met your current partner? Where did you meet? Were you both already into meditaion and minimalism prior to meeting? Any other insight you'd be willing to share? I struggle finding like minded partners and these criteria are pretty important to me to have in a life-long partner.

[@SonamHoani]

I will absolutely make a video about this! Meditation is transformative, but it seems what my Partner and I have is very unique too. YES! Is basically how I feel about this comment 😄

[@SonamHoani]

Hi old friend 😄 How is your search for integration in this world going? I haven't forgotten about you. My partner Saga just made a video on this question so I wanted to share it with you. Our ideas will share much ground, until I cover this topic myself :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/oF60o61_q5yJfs0

[@Simplyluvly]

Even now, I'm still trying to be a minimalist and it's not easy :(

[@SonamHoani]

Simply and slowly you’ll get there!

[@kayebohemier]

Great video. I just finished reading Simplicius' commentary on Epictetus (at least, the first volume), and you two are in step about a lot of mindset positions. Thank you for sharing!

[@SonamHoani]

Thank you! I wasn’t aware of this reference but it seems like something I’d be truly interested in 😃 I’ll take a look now!

[@oliverprosch9152]

Thank you. In Germany it‘s more a expensiv to dispose a thing than buying it…

[@SonamHoani]

That might be a good thing? 🤷‍♀️😄

[@kiwifeijoa]

Just thinking about what you've said, and pondering it above the level of the individual. Each generation has shared understandings, minimalism has been shared in your generation. Your parents generation had things shared with them too, such as financial and material well being providing safety after world wars devastating their own parents generation, literally wiping out cities and so many people, and if those things weren't good for them or the planet they still had to conform to their society. It's not as if any parents woke up and decided these things on their own, their society set out what was considered truth in their time. After a big struggle to be free of the teachings of that generations financial focus, sure you're going to feel annoyed at the big weight of all those possessions. I feel better when I look at what people's society tells them, then you can see why they did these things, just being a good consumer as they were asked to be. Glad, so glad, that your generation is looking at possessions differently especially because the evidence is now there about the negative consequences of too many things. I liked hearing about the positive effects that minimalism had on your time and energy and feelings of freedom. Peace and long life.

[@SonamHoani]

Yes, I agree. The informed context always removes the reactivity. And it never makes much use to blame anyone. It's most important where we're going and who knows what my own generation will be "guilty," of... cell phone use perhaps...

[@minimalistlifestyle5497]

I think so many of us millenials have grown up in overcluttered houses by parents of the boomer generation who are massive hoarders (because they were deprived as children) that we ended up detesting stuff.

[@SonamHoani]

I think that’s it! Hoarding is definitely, I think a fear of not having. Because I understand having, but what I find strange is the not revaluating and letting go part 🤔

[@sumaiyashimu]

Wow! You opened up my mind so much more!!

[@SonamHoani]

This is a very kind message! 😊 I wish you all the best! 😄

[@beanerbon]

I'm not getting rid of my hobbies tho. Pistol, Yugioh cards, bow, guitar etc

[@SonamHoani]

Oh yes! I remember Yugioh! You’ve got some cool hobbies. 😄

[@orthodoxgirl]

I aspire to do this! recently thought about minimizing socks to a small # and all the same colors to make laundry and finding them easier! -.-

[@SonamHoani]

I wish I did all the same color earlier! I’ve spent too much time pairing socks unnecessarily 🤣

[@h3arty]

You sound like a relaxing meditation asmr video. :D and great video!

[@SonamHoani]

Thank you 🙏😄

[@naturescenes-naturemediati8444]

Love this man ❤️Great video and awesome to see another kiwi on KZbin and embracing minimalism 🇳🇿😎☀️

[@SonamHoani]

Thank you! NZ represent 🇳🇿😎☀️ (…though it’s quite rainy today where I am 🌧 😆)

[@naturescenes-naturemediati8444]

@@SonamHoani haha we talking about Wellington ? Feels like winter when it should be summer eh 🥲

[@SonamHoani]

😂 The seasons are a little inaccurate here!

[@ojyochan]

Heck yes, I'm trying to hoard only money. Much better to inherit!

[@SonamHoani]

🤣 I'm the same really...

[@projectb3117]

What about the emotional part of throwing things from your childhood away?

[@SonamHoani]

I’m planning to make you a video reply 😄

[@empempo]

Hi Sonam, really enjoying your videos. Do you still listen to music at all, or is that something you have cut out as I well? I have noticed how messages in songs can impact negatively impact thoughts, but obviously there's many types of music with/without words or messages.

[@extrememinimalism]

i still love this content.

[@SonamHoani]

Thank you! I think recently there has been an anti-minimalist trend. But, I think it’s really a rejection of minimalism without sense. Owning and consuming less because of your values is still a good idea.

[@extrememinimalism]

@@SonamHoani it's probably because as you say, it's not cool anymore to own less, or at least as less as the extreme minimalist. 😂

[@SonamHoani]

@extrememinimalism you’re right! We’ve had this counter-minimalism movement haven’t we? Where currently it’s not cool to give advice and the individual and persona is back in, along with TikTok and consumerism 🤷🏽

[@extrememinimalism]

@@SonamHoani But we are still here for it, so long may it continue, even if it reaches a smaller audience. Don't ever change your channel for the coolness. 😂

[@SonamHoani]

Thank you! It can be quite hard to fight the sways of the trends. It feels like it takes a lot of time to produce a video so I really want it to reach people. Often the more genuine the content the less people it reaches 🤣 It’s all these tangential foci that make a video track. I appreciate your ardent support!

[@judylloyd7901]

Minimalism is mostly about paring down, jettisoning unnecessary clutter, not owning so much stuff, and not continually buying more stuff 😊😊 Possessions can affect your state of mind, and having fewer possessions can be mentally and emotionally liberating. I question his statement: -- "Minimalism is about reducing your waste in the world, taking true responsibility and ownership, and learning the skill of being 'present' about your actions and consumerism."😆 That is not necessarily the motivation behind many people's minimalism journey. I think it's definitely a *byproduct* of decluttering and divesting oneself of possessions 😊 And everyone's motivation, experience, process, and philosophy of minimalism is different, and personal. It's not always about taking responsibility for the planet!!! In fact, my form of minimalism is *not at all* about taking responsibility for the planet! 🙄 That's not my job, and it's *not* my responsibility, in spite of what *some* minimalists might try to tell us! 😉 *Who made the rule* that you can't just trash your old stuff and design your personal, monotone wardrobe? That may be precisely what you need to do to simplify your day-to-day life 😁😁

[@54leonilda]

Why backlash? I’m astonished! Swedish Death Clean prior to the end💋 I’m inspired 👏🏻

[@SonamHoani]

That’s amazing! I love the idea of Swedish Death Cleaning. 😃

[@mjrespect2258]

The Hypocrite part is true to the bones.

[@SonamHoani]

I must admit it felt cathartic to say that…

[@hippiechic9441]

Your parents keeping everything is an act of love. They are not hypocrites.

[@SonamHoani]

I think the hypocritical part is that they’ve told me to be responsible and take care of all my things and be tidy and to care for the environment and then with their own consumption they haven’t done any of this. They’ve gotten caught up in life, hoard things, buy more things and don’t address any of this with what they do have.

[@maryngshwuling9916]

Thanks for sharing 🌈

[@SonamHoani]

Thank you ☺️ 🌈

[@jmurphy8835]

Your parents may have suffered right intention habit of compassion, understanding, love.

[@xuxnx]

nailed it

[@SonamHoani]

:D Thanks!

[@pinayinuk]

Great listening to u

[@SonamHoani]

Thank you so much! Hope all is well on your side of the world 😄

[@pauloganyan5367]

Awesome video, thank you for sharing! 🙏✨

[@SonamHoani]

Thank you for your kind words!!

[@m.m.199]

❤

[@kimlec3592]

New Zealander. Enough said.🤣🤣🤣

[@SonamHoani]

😂

[@kimlec3592]

@@SonamHoani Good sense of humour. Thanks for making the vid.

[@SonamHoani]

Thanks Kim! 😄

[@mariastathopoulos744]

I find it amusing that people who identify as extreme minimalist, own several digital/electronic devices, which adds to energy consumption. Whether you have little or much, you're stuck with yourself......so extremism on either end will not satisfy unless you like and value yourself. The paradox is that people who are forced to live without due to extreme poverty, wish they had more comfort and choice. Whereas some people who have the good fortune to acquire comfort in various forms set out to prove their disassociation with possessions. If extreme minimalism was forced on you due to circumstances beyond your control, l doubt the level of serenity/contentment. Each to their own.

[@SonamHoani]

I think ideally we’d all be able to choose how we wish to construct our lives. I also think that it is a privilege to be able to choose to live with less. And I think consumption is an ethical question given that it effects the quality of life for other beings.

[@anamariaclemencia]

interesting !!

[@SonamHoani]

😄

[@zhaklinvasileva5248]

How many clothes you have?

[@SonamHoani]

15! Here’s my wardrobe :) (not counting socks and underwear) kzbin.info/www/bejne/iXrZanqZiqiUh7c

[@jwsm2]

Hi Sonam are you still on Shortland Street?

[@SonamHoani]

I don’t even know that!

[@jwsm2]

@@SonamHoani You have fans who are wondering.Anyway enjoy your acting wishing you the best.

[@SonamHoani]

Wishing you the best too!

[@jwsm2]

@@SonamHoani Thank You😃😃

[@ThedaVonGurkenbeet]

💎

[@SonamHoani]

✨✨

[@chrisj49300]

Do you ever have family coming to visit you?

[@SonamHoani]

My close family is quite small. So my Mum came and visited once and she did sit on the floor. She doesn’t have many opinions on how I live. Other than that it’s really just my partner and I living together. There’s been a couple times we’ve asked friends to bring their own dining utensils because we don’t have enough to go around, but these friends also think it’s more fun than anything else 😆

[@ryebread7905]

Judging by the laptop sticker you're vegan too?

[@SonamHoani]

It’s true! :D I need to make a higher quality video, but this is the one I have at the moment :) m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/fHS8oaVsbd2VldE

[@leoren2685]

You own FEWER than, not less than.

[@SonamHoani]

I was wondering why that didn’t sound right! 🤣

[@JoshPaterson-bt3et]

Choice as

[@SonamHoani]

🙏☺️