How to Simplify Your Life by Needing Less | Minimalist Tips

[@ConnieRiet]

Thank you to Aura for supporting me on my journey of well-being & sleep! Get started with Aura today for free & the first 500 people to use my link will also get 25% off+ free trial to the Aura membership: www.aurahealth.io/connieriet23

[@giiggii11]

When I graduated high school a good friend wrote this on the back of his HS picture he gave me way back in 1978 he wrote: "Happiness in life is not in having many things but in needing few" I still have that picture and I often think on how wise that was for an 18yr old at that time!

[@mortonvrose]

So very true 💚💚💚

[@folday6169]

It’s amazing how much free time we have after simplifying our lives...fewer economic concerns, more time for friends and family, more time to relax. A major key is backing off from others’ expectations and living life on our own terms.

[@annetteaughney9182]

This is absolutely spot on! I'm getting there slowly.❤

[@carlduffin]

Attracting income through You Tube videos by encouraging people to live happier lives with less. I like the humour of this.

[@marie-linedeslauriers4339]

Totally what I needed today ….. was ready to shop another shirt to hang with my 10 other ones !!! Instead, I stopped, I took a deep breath and felt better and richer 😊

[@arshaddurrani3885]

'Wanting is a bottomless pit'.Well stated.

[@elevationview673]

Wow fab place your staying at Connie. Before decluttering I was a busy guy looking after all this stuff, but after some major clearouts, giving to charity, giving stuff to family. Then after awhile I noticed I had more spare time so much less needed maintaining and cleaning. I'm much happier for it.

[@kaceykelly7222]

How I wish for the day when our society (and the world) gets 'sold' on this kind of information, instead of the horrible "buy-buy-buy" messages that are everywhere. What has happened to us? With so much to be grateful for, we are miserable because we feel we need more. Please keep promoting your message of happiness with less; it is so badly needed.

[@aduateresabenedetti1585]

Thank you for this work, Coonie. When I feel overwhelmed, I come to your videos. It helps me a lot, and slowly, I am reviewing my own life. ❤

[@jennyfulcher8035]

Hi Connie: Your new nomadic lifestyle with fewer possessions agrees with you. You seem happy, serene, calm, and at peace. Of course, you still deal with life's ups and downs but you appear better able to roll with the punches. Peace & Namaste, Jenny

[@bettinak.4]

Not watching the news also helps a lot. That and deleting facebook were a gamechanger in my mental health

[@williamclark1244]

The view from that beach is breathtaking.

[@ConnieRiet]

Thanks! Costa Rica is a beautiful place. I'm lucky my son lives in a breathtaking location.

[@michaelkeller3107]

I learned a little about living the minimalist life when I was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Morocco. Living there I saw how people with very little in the way of materiel goods, were so happy and content. The time I spent with them changed my life. Later in my life a few years ago I was fortunate enough to meet and spend time with Bishop Desmond Tutu, an amazing person that emitted a warm "AURA" when you were with him. A very loving content person. Love your videos, thanks for sharing.

[@asanta2023]

Agree Michael.., in the past when I’ve traveled to Puerto Rico where my Mother lived, I really treasured Hers and My Grandfather’s simple lifestyle. They didn’t have much, but they were happy. I miss them dearly(they’ve both passed away since). When I would visit with them, I was hardly ever on my phone or any electronics. I truly enjoyed spending time with them and so appreciated their simple lifestyle. I think it’s important to travel to see how others live. It’s truly a beautiful experience.

[@debbiewalker273]

Hi Connie, So happy for you & your husband being close to your son & his family. Costa Rica is beautiful ! 💜

[@explorer.samrat]

Happiness is an internal phenomenon 😊

[@slackerjo]

"More isn't necessarily better, it's just more." That says it all.

[@dianelines]

Connie I rely on your content now. I am very grateful for your channel and your work. "things I need, things I love, things that improve my life" Your channel checks all 3 for me

[@turkrane12]

Non-attachment is the key to spiritual progress, only attachment to spirit is valid

[@ConnieRiet]

Beautifully said! Thank you

[@carlduffin]

You cannot be attached to what does not exist. The concept of spirit is just another form of dualism.

[@20891]

@@carlduffin what does not exist ?

[@cannajoshi7246]

Lots of love connie. I have just started my journey as a minimalist. You are my inspiration. Guess what I got inspired by you n cut my hair short. This is also a part of my minimalistic life now.. they need less care n less cosmetics😁. Thanks you dear. Keep sharing your life experiences with us ❤

[@ConnieRiet]

WOW! Good for you, that's so fun! Thank you for watching. I'm so thrilled you enjoy the content

[@gailtester8749]

So soothing. Thank you Connie. Living vicariously through you. Would really appreciate updates about where you are and how the nomad life is working out.

[@ConnieRiet]

Hi Gail! I'm going to be better at posting on Instagram so that I can update and share more of my travels with everyone.

[@ramashkolnik9713]

@@ConnieRiet Hi, I don't have Instagram, so please stay and update here too. Thank you.

[@TheiaD1920]

Dear Connie, I am so grateful to have come across your channel a month ago. I learned greatly from your wisdom and I especially like the peace and tranquility in your videos. Sometimes, just one word from you was enough to change my mindset to feel abundance in myself:) You are an awesome person, radiating with love and wisdom :)

[@jt.8144]

YES. I have given away a good portion of what has accumulated in a 20 year span from my life. TOTAL FREEDOM of Mind Body and Soul. So much easy to account for day to day.

[@janinepowell7781]

Thank you Connie..for keeping us close and taking us on your journey..you are our inspiration..lots of love ❤

[@gabrielleg.1347]

Wow that beach scene was truly magic! This was really inspiring. Life circumstances are such that I am about to move into a tent on some land for a good long while and I am really working on minimizing things, and focusing on what I have.

[@annalytic]

I am so envious! (I'm stuck at home here in England for a while due to family ill-health.) I really hope you will be giving us some of your practical tips and experiences in creating the nomadic life. For example - how did you find this first accommodation? Did you use a particular company? The place looks absolutely fantastic. (In the past, choosing accommodation hasn't always gone so well for us).

[@minecraftplayslmg9608]

Love this video. Please expand in the topic of simplifying specific areas and how you do it. Thanks Indiana

[@anadomangue2732]

I totally agree! Living intentionally is the way to live life ❤

[@margarettownsley9500]

Thank you connie for your video’s I m still trying to get to where I need to be in this new life of minimalism I’m looking forward to the day when I can say I’m living the life clutter free thank you ‘ it’s not easy changing a life time off habits

[@Dovid2000]

Precious words of wisdom.

[@patriciabritton5917]

I have never been to costa Rica but the place you are staying at in this video is beautiful.

[@crystalfolse3208]

Thanks

[@Šimodelar]

u know what? Your eyes are so shineing 👁 happines in it

[@debralynnbailey6527]

You have a beautiful day too thanks for sharing 🇺🇸❤️

[@MrHandoverfist]

money and our health is all we need to be happy...

[@wonderousw33]

simply watching you talk, my life changes bit by bit. With love 💕

[@ggondaeblues]

새로 구입하는 물건이 없는데도 물건을 줄이고 줄여도 시간이 지나면 또 줄일것들이 계속 생기네요. 너무 물건이 많았었나봐요. Connie님 처럼 단순한 삶이 되도록 더 노력해야겠어요.

[@momo-ko3jb]

You’re an amazing person I have ever seen.

[@marissaclaridge7627]

The scenery again is so lovely tooxxx Thank you again for sharing...beautifulxxx

[@suefellows1392]

An enviable and creative lifestyle. I will never be an extreme minimalist, however this concept has entered my life, and it is all true! Thank you for your content ❤

[@KateRichards67]

Hi from the UK. Thankyou Connie, I really needed this video and your gentle, wise reminders of what's really important right now 😘

[@petmomful2260]

That is all wonderful, but my husband will not go for anything like this. I just keep paring down my stuff. His uncle died about 2 weeks ago, and they found him in his flat. He was a hoarder. Everything on 3 floors is full and filthy. He owns the building, so no restrictions. I am helping to a degree, but my husband and his 5 siblings have this huge responsibility now, and they cannot find a will or mortgage papers or anything. They are going thru boxes and boxes and boxes of papers. I am going thru and washing the clothes that can be donated. They need to get a dumpster. This has really impacted me to see how useless all this stuff was and how it hurts others. He was a heavy smoker, and everything is coated with nicotine. The walls are literally brown now. He was a super nice and kind and generous man, with a bright smile and laugh, and clean cut, but I did not know his home was this bad. We went this morning to get more boxes to sort, and I looked around more. I literally found 6 teeth in the sink, and a pile of toenails by the sink! Now I want to get rid of lots of my own things that have no meaning for me. I will not leave my children with questions as to where my money is, my will, etc. Nor will I leave them with any mess. I am going thru my house bit by bit each day and filling a donation box. And my house is very organized, yet I still find stuff that I am keeping around in case I might need it someday.

[@Michelle_Emm]

Unburdening yourself, and by default your children, is a gift to everyone you care about. I have pared down everything, sorted, tossed and labelled hundreds of photos into groups so my kids can just toss what they don't connect with and move on. My kids all have details of our Will, our family solicitor, our banking details and funeral arrangements. My husband was slower to get on board but seeing how much easier it is with less he has also now done a massive purge. We have only one large plastic tub each of memorabilia left for our kids to sort through. I wish you well in your journey.

[@cherrybb3888]

Petmom, I feel you on this. My dad died at age 83. My parents lived on 2 acres and had 3 outbuildings, a big RV and a 5 bed house filled with an accumulation of stuff from 60 years of marriage. We moved mom into an independent living place and then I had the task of going through all their stuff. I had help for 2 weeks and then everyone went back to their lives while I worked for 3 months to clear out the house and help mom sell the place. Thought I was going to have a breakdown. She does have a will and power of attorney set up etc. I know where her assets are fortunately. Now my husband is the executor of his distant Uncle’s trust. He’s been working on that for almost a year as he didn’t know where any accounts were. We’ve both learned to clean out our stuff and donate and organize for our kids. We have all documents set up and instructions upon our deaths. We bought plots already at a cemetery though we are only in our 50’s/60’s. It makes me angry how irresponsible and unkind family is on this one when they leave a mess.

[@petmomful2260]

@@Michelle_Emm Thank you so much. I cannot imagine what a huge job that was for you! I would not blame you for having a breakdown.

[@petmomful2260]

@@cherrybb3888 I agree, it is irresponsible. It shapes our memories of the person who left you all this work and mess. I am like you in that I will have my stuff in order when I go. My daughter and her husband are about to put his parents in assisted living, as they are both unwell and can no longer live alone. But his dad will not part with anything. They don't know how they are going to get him to let go! My daughter is so stressed out!

[@cherrybb3888]

@@petmomful2260 Good luck to your daughter and husband. The good news is that they will get to the other side of this, but it is very stressful while going through it.

[@meadowlane637]

I love your explanation for buying a very large trailer. They look so amazing when they're new and shiny and I would probably do the same thing if I had the money lol. I have been purging my things for years and I still have too much. I buy good quality secondhand clothes and now I'm getting my sewing machine out to make clothes for myself and my almost 18 month old granddaughter. I will continue to purge because I really loved the look of your last home. It was comfortable with nice decorative things but minimal. That's my goal. I'm learning to love seeing negative space and leaving it empty. Looking forward to more videos of your new journey ❤

[@pramod6898]

Tons of love Connie ❤

[@Iinfiniteknowing]

Connie yeah I'd much rather be at the beach than the mountains

[@lindachavez8645]

Hi Connie love your style, I am trying to simplify my wardrobe and create my own style to suit my smaller size but you have given so much inspiration. I realise I may need a larger wardrobe because of the climate in Northern England means heavier clothes and layers. I am also trying to clear the clutter from our large house so we can downsize, it’s a tough one 😊

[@floridamezzo8734]

Amazing! What are your travel plans?

[@nancyesposito1020]

Hi Connie, so excited for your life changed in the videos that will come from it! Also very excited that you are now doing meditation on Aura! I just subscribed to Aura a few weeks ago! I really love the formatting and all the options and even more I love it because I love to listen to your voice and looking forward to your meditations!

[@lindakeays3608]

Please share some of your recipes...the breads you make look sooo good.

[@RedMapleCanada]

You bring a beautiful message to the world, love your videos! 💕Greetings from Canada!

[@LD10ddssaa]

I can’t imagine your lifestyle though I’m very intrigued. We are like most people with a house, jobs and grandchildren and too much stuff. What’s the plan for your future as you age and your needs change?

[@cvgr1470]

So much needed today! Gracias!❤❤❤

[@desireefederico9160]

Love this, thank you Connie🌼

[@andrearenee7845]

Thank you.

[@marandaore8044]

Thank you for the video. Love your hair👌

[@marissaclaridge7627]

Connie...your video is lovelyxxxthank you!!!xxx

[@taligrossman9942]

Absolutely love your videos, waiting every week for a new one❤. Everything u says & do I only can hope 🙏and pray that one day I will be able to achieve this dream in my own personal life. Look so relaxing 😎 Thank you 🙏.💕

[@marylouschubert2974]

❤ …just joined Aura through your channel! You look peaceful, and serene in your new nomad life❣️🙏🕊 Happy for you 🥰

[@johng.4959]

Great thoughts! Beautiful video.

[@juliejames3338]

that sure looks a beautiful place that you are now living in connie, so glad that its all working out for youx

[@sabinamock4799]

thank you.

[@LoOnTheGo]

The absolute truth. Thank you Connie.

[@sumanunes4562]

❤ simple life

[@cassied8200]

Thankyou for these beautiful videos Connie 🌸 Really helping me calm in the midst of raising young children..

[@lululove6175]

I’d Find contentment too if i wasnt stuck in a bed with two horrible spinal diseases. I cant travel 2 hours and i live alone. I will never travel, i rarely see my grandkids. No, I dont resonate with this anymore. Have fun in Costa Rica.

[@diannamallow5195]

Lululove, so sorry to here this. I also have spinal stenosis and have had 4 back surgeries. We are in Ohio grandkids are in Florida. It is very hard.

[@lululove6175]

@@diannamallow5195 TY Dianna. I am happy for Connie and I do know she had a terrible car accident but she seems to be forever looking for that “perfect state of contentment” with her kids, traveling. I like roots. I am sorry for your pain Dianna (I have pain that is intractable) so I can relate. I am too busy trying to pay for functional docs, integrative treatments etc. I am sorry if my comment to Connie was a little harsh.

[@diannamallow5195]

@@lululove6175 OH I don't think it was harsh at all. It is hard to do things when you are in so much pain. I've been decluttering and I might only work 10 mins rest then do some housework then rest again. That's how I have to do it. I hope you have a wonderful evening.

[@lululove6175]

@@diannamallow5195 Same…i do “all the things” with the best intention…meditate, mindfulness, getting out in nature when my body allows me but so much pain..I wish you well ❤

[@petmomful2260]

@@diannamallow5195 I have had 2 neck surgeries, and my neck is all screwed together. Doctors put me on more and more drugs, and did some really painful treatments on me, until I said, "Enough, no more." Then they said I had cut myself off of treatment and got mad. In desperation, I did research, and found articles that said that animal protein increases inflammation and pain. What did I have to lose? I went vegan and within about 6 weeks I began to feel much better. Now I have occasional painful days, but for the most part I have my life back. It is really a miracle. I say this only in the hope that it mat help someone out there. If I go to a birthday party, such as for my grandchildren, I will eat a piece of cake, and that has egg in it, but in everyday life, I avoid animal products. It works well for me. I also do my housework in chunks, with breaks in between, to keep discomfort under control. But I can sew again, and play my guitar. All I could do before was sit in a recliner and cry.

[@HerCupOfCOZY]

Aww, Connie!! That thumbnail alone!!😍🤗🙏

[@ConnieRiet]

Thanks! Costa Rica sure is beautiful.

[@kanaryakanarya7102]

Definetly good video for thinking minimal

[@mablo8224]

I’m curious how you save recipes? Do have a good digital way to organize everything? Thank you. ❤

[@thewovenknotcrochetthehand4721]

Lovely scenery and oh so wise ❤

[@johnmccool6875]

I like the idea of living a minimalist life but feel I'll need to find a balance between having nothing and having too much. I'm searching for that answer now as I'm sure it's unique for each of us.

[@franrushie1383]

Yes… I can be happy with little and much… but less is better because we can’t take anything with us… better to have little..

[@nataliedescioli3331]

Hi Connie! I love your videos and enjoy them every Thursday with my lunch! Exciting that you get to travel around and spend time with your kids and the beauty of Costa Rica can't be beat. Can you share where you got that beautiful long floral skirt and tank? That is a beautiful outfit! Thanks!❤

[@ConnieRiet]

Hi Natalie, The tank is from Banana Republic and the skirt is from a thrift store (it was a dress and I cut off the top).

[@nataliedescioli3331]

@@ConnieRiet 🙏

[@mariaf241]

I am enjoying your video, so beautiful everything I love nature makes me feel alive. Thank you again.

[@deborahderosa4987]

What would you recommend for people with families and work and no time to play in sand?

[@luisasiu5329]

Thank you Connie. I recently came across your channel. You have a soothing voice. My question is how do you manage very little when there are four seasons? Thank you for sharing.

[@ChaiTogether]

Bliss 🤍☺️

[@kennethbailey9853]

Less is Best!

[@MonethSato]

I really love your videos💕🇯🇵🇵🇭

[@moniquecm1144]

❤️So true ❤️

[@marciahess8262]

Beautiful ❤

[@julianneponiros4802]

Hi Connie! Can you please tell me where you purchased the tank and skirt you’re wearing? Thanks!

[@sandihunter1260]

I tried your oats in milk this morning in the mason jar and they were delicious. I have always lived by the rule everything in moderation and it has served me well after 66 years.

[@mrbishtt]

going and trying to find satisfaction and contentment in less

[@tab6632]

Can I have the recipe? It’s looks amazing

[@greatesttoysevermade3693]

A lovely beach goddess!

[@anamika9126]

Please make a video on how you cut your hairs❤❤❤

[@babycoleangel]

Yes please

[@aimeehveem8618]

Your videos are beautiful! Can you tell us the locations? Also would love to see and learn one of your simple yoga morning routines.

[@ConnieRiet]

Check out my other channel dedicated to meditation and yoga www.youtube.com/@MeditationwithConnie This video is in Costa Rica, the previous year was filmed in Utah, USA

[@ohno9854]

Love your vedios...Tania from Bangladesh

[@alejorojassalazar8367]

Are you in Costa Rica ? I am from here and it looks like my country❤

[@mtnshelby7059]

It's lovely you're able to achieve this lifestyle with your husband.

[@loriz369]

Less is more, quality over quantity.

[@CandyLemon36]

The insights here are valuable. I read a book along these lines that was incredibly impactful. "A Life Unplugged: Reclaiming Reality in a Digital Age" by Theodore Blaze

[@ConnieRiet]

Thank you for the book recommendation!

[@DW...]

More things I own - the more I have to take care of ... Less cleaning, organizing, spending money! Especially with inflation 😮

[@janisharrismurray8508]

Where was this video filmed?

[@amyrudolph2079]

❤

[@Urgirlneah]

Love your Channel I wish you all the best on your new journey 🙏🏻

[@joylawrence5824]

Where are you living now?

[@ConnieRiet]

I'm visiting my son in Costa Rica

[@karlabritfeld7104]

Me neither. A steak, some flowers and a martini. I'm good.

[@silkekeller5859]

Hello Conny, are the any different languages on Aura? Maybe german? Wisch you the best, Silke

[@theloveyourfacegal2773]

Beautiful pastel ocean view always nice videos :)

[@karolinalul5020]

I just wanna say I love your videos and apraciate all your knowledge you share with us ❤❤❤ lods of love from Wales