Ask a Minimalist! (AMA)

[@somedude2048]

I know I already got a question into the AMA and I shouldn't get greedy. But I really want to know... How do you incorporate minimalism into your street fighting style?

[@Lefie]

Hi, Some Dude! All I need to do is give 'em a "look" and they sprint away. I assume it's my height, but it might also be the bandana... Stay peaceful by looking threatening, I guess? 😅

[@nadinenc3097]

But when you wink, they come running.

[@allanlocke5749]

I once saw that picture on an image board, so do you perhaps know the title or artist? It's great

[@ciorstaidh_hall]

I like the idea of community tool libraries. Instead of checking out books, you check out tools. Definitely ties into minimalism.

[@unaminhkavanagh]

We have been blessed by the 16-minute Lefie gods! 🎉🙌🏼 Thanks for the AMA!

[@Anon-tr2lq]

I find real satisfaction in getting rid of things, and nicely organising the things that are left. It gives the remaining things more importance, it's like everything is an individual *thing* instead of being part of one big collection of "stuff I have". It's a lot easier to think when everything is "minimal". Everything has its purpose and its place. Sometimes I ask myself if minimalism comes from OCD, but we don't get stressed when there's a mess or when things aren't aligned, it's just that we enjoy having our lives organized.

[@kellyswanson7973]

Lefie, you have such a nice warm smile - I think just about every time you smile in your videos....I smile back 😁

[@emmamokodompit8789]

me too

[@liantoby1200]

instablaster...

[@sonipitts]

When I was moving and downsizing, one way I used to determine if a non-mission-critical item stayed or went was to imagine that I had a house fire and lost everything, and had nothing left but a settlement check from my renters insurance. The question I asked for each object was: If I was starting over from nothing, would I intentionally go and seek this object out again and pay full retail to replace it out of this finite check I have to rebuild my whole life to fit who I am now? If the answer was no, then out it went. If the answer was "hell yes," it stayed. If the answer was "sure" or "maybe" I either brought it with me on 'usage probation' if I had room, or put it aside to put into storage if I didn't (we rent a storage unit continually to store the tools my husband needs for his work, and for larger items we want to keep but only use occasionally or seasonally). I figure if I don't go fetch it or use it in a year or two, it'll go. So far, as much as I can remember, I've only had a few moments when I was like, maybe I should have kept that. But even then I've mostly just shrugged and moved on. I don't think I've tossed anything I truly regret getting rid of. The only real regret I've had is around keeping some items I should have gotten rid of.

[@nonbinarygoblinonarainbow4672]

Good idea!

[@justmart4455]

Damn. Just realized. If I had a house fire and everything was destroyed, I wouldn't bring back _anything_ . Well, maybe I'd take my chair. Haha.

[@sonipitts]

@@justmart4455 I good chair is worth every penny.

[@HaiderMatrix]

A video series about video-editing and filmmaking in general would be super appreciated!

[@Lefie]

Will do, Hayder!

[@Lucky-xs1nk]

Yes, please. Thank you!

[@leyah18]

No questions but just wanted to say thank you for existing in our lives Lefie! I love you so much from the bottom of my clicking tongue I mean heart! 😍

[@thewinterizzy]

I really love just basically working and then hanging out in my online spaces for my social time. It makes for an easy routine, low maintenance, I can be creative in those spaces. I know it sounds boring to many lol but having that simplicity is SO NICE for me.

[@kimlangenderfer7493]

Wearing my favorite shirt everyday sounds very appealing to me. My goal is to make that happen, even if I end up with seven different favorite 👚 shirts. Your aesthetic is very appealing and relaxing, and your videos are so professionally done. Thanks for always giving us something to ponder until the next one.

[@inmelbourne4869]

I've been binge watching all minimalist apartment tour videos and I'm SO HAPPY I've found your channel.You're like the first real and raw minimalist KZbinr that I can finally feel relate to. Keep on doing the videos!

[@maebychassit4973]

You’re so charming! Thank you for taking time on your weekends to make videos for us to enjoy! Love you lefie!

[@mamelvik]

Hello! Norwegian here. I just started watching all of your videos in chronological order, and I can't wait to get to the rosemaling!

[@pralineys]

You have no idea how much I love your voice and your vibe ♥️

[@rosanayr]

No dating/romance questions, but I'm interested to hear if you're willing to share! 😊 I'd be curious if you've ever had frustrations or problems that arise from conflicts of minimalist/non-minimalist lifestyles.

[@werelemur1138]

I'd also be interested in this. I'm just starting my minimalism journey, but I still live with my family and they are all very much into buying all the things. (Part of my initial inspiration was that having less stuff and fewer expenses would help me to afford to move out, but I'm not there yet.)

[@sleepysartorialist]

Literally every other minimalist youtuber has made content like that already, might want to look to them.

[@tanndigedan2261]

Ha ha! How many of us are trying to make the click sound and look ridiculous 🤪🤪🤪 Lefie you are so unique a breath of fresh air in this conformist world! Thank you xxx

[@jjoseph_86]

Being a lifetime minimalist is what makes me turns off all notifications and miss out your videos! In fact when I read the title I thought it's one of caitlin doughty's ask a mortician videos 😅

[@papermason]

I have a Facebook account for just my family and I, youtube, and Pinterest. I was suspended on Twitter -- I have no idea why. I'm always shedding possessions and troubles, it feels wonderful. I can concentrate on the very most important things Faith, Family, Friends, Fun and Food!

[@somedude2048]

6:40 definitely hits home

[@sweetheartcarebear5534]

Wearing the same the everyday definitely makes it easier to get ready every day. I kind if do that with the same shirt only in different colors and several pairs of pants that are the same. I'm a female and my job doesnt require me to dress up. Thanks for sharing, Lefie!😊

[@beautifulrecovery2337]

I feel like you've talked about this but more specifically how has minimalism helped over all mental wellness and clarity

[@nonbinarygoblinonarainbow4672]

Thank you so much for answering my question! I loved the answer :))

[@carolann811]

lol...I saw Noah's Ark and yelled out "Wisconsin" the same time you did. I hate places like that but my son loved them growing up. So I have fond memories of him having a lot of fun and me being uncomfortable. And hey, at 8:58 there was the koi fish!!! I can cross that off my bucket list, being in a KZbin video. Thanks!!!

[@Lefie]

Happy to oblige, Carol! 😁

[@katedoesthings]

Norwegian folk art painting in van??? That's a hell yes from me (a Norwegian-descended aspiring van-lifer and artist)! Please do a video on this!!

[@lindatait5326]

Adorable! Looking forward to seeing what you do with the van. Be happy x

[@raggedblossom508]

Your videos are always spontaneous and to the point and I appreciate that. Just a bit of feedback. 😉

[@courtneyhume7918]

I love the name you have for your van! I think we need a children’s program entitled “The Minimalist Adventures of Lefie and Lump”! (I gave you top billing, of course!) Please realize that this idea comes from a former teacher and current grandmother of two toddlers. My grand babies would be mesmerized...and, hey, I’d watch it, too! ☺️ P.S. I tried the click. I’m not sure, but I think I look like Popeye...without the pipe. 😯

[@KarenMaaseide]

Omg yes! Some rosemaling would look so coool 🤩 mabye like a border along the van, with some accents at the corners? Or mabye a beautiful flower centerpiece on the door? Would looove to see the results ✨

[@simplelifespaciousheart8450]

This is great, thanks! I'd love to hear any tips for people who are further into a minimalist journey - often people talk about the beginning part, but not how you get from a middling state to super-focused like you or people who consider themselves at the 'end' (or post-) Love all your content!

[@MRender32]

She’s definitely a secret agent

[@kellyvandiessen3488]

i was thinking the same haha

[@nadinenc3097]

Book: Voluntary Simplicity. Pants: try Duluth Trading, their stuff lasts. Winks: keep em coming.

[@PinkSallyProductions]

Thanks for sharing a bit of yourself with us all, very interesting how you came to the idea of minimalism. 🌹

[@christined2495]

Lefie I love your “creations” on utube, I enjoyed this Q&A video, I just find you so darn interesting I just did the wink and click, thanks for telling us how to do it. I keep utube and who I subscribe to very minimal, but I am so happy I am subscribed to your channel, I love when you “Create” a new video 😉

[@mynzora]

I hope we bump into you some day this summah. Maybe we'll see you off exit 32 in those glorious mountains!

[@BB-wl8qr]

I love that you're back. I've really enjoyed every video you've made. I was totally wondering about the van thing. I think you mentioned work is a no-go in a silent video you had on digital minimalism maybe. Cant quite remember the topic. Do you drink? If so preference? Just curious really. I always hear minimalists talk about coffee but where the hell is all the craft beer ❤ at? Haha. I also would really like to know where your leather backpack is from. When I look at it, I always just get the feeling it would keep getting better with age. :) so you have kind of a daytime uniform? Gym outfit? And then back to your daytime outfit?

[@twilfits]

Glad ur back. Sorry 4 the n haters. Still using the cards. ❤ BLACK 👍

[@goodandgreen]

Love your videos. Thank you for mic’ing.

[@ryderyp]

You’re so expressive 🤗

[@arthits9858]

You made my day! Thank you Lefie 🎊🎉🎈

[@marialeg2367]

I geniunely love every single one of your videos! ❤

[@TeofilzKatowic]

What about the accordion?

[@katelynwaldner9173]

So glad you're making videos! :)

[@EllidaWangel]

I just realized during the video equipment section that you finally got a microphone haha

[@TheCityFish]

Yeah, my car conversion stopped last October also.... Haha! Too cold!!

[@mitzidayball549]

Love ya Lefie. Wishing you well

[@faeriesmak]

I just want to say that I really love your videos, your artistry, and your personality. I had to laugh at your favorite t shirt a little. I have one as well. I picked a few more up before they stopped making them and found a few at thrift stores. I think that I have 6 of them now. I wear other clothing in between but damn I love my 6 gray Mossimo t shirts from Target. Did you end up purchasing more of your favorite t shirt?

[@faeriesmak]

@@ginamarie5707 Same here. I check Goodwill for more every time that I go. The A New Day ones that they have now are not as good of a fit and the sizing is weird. I was wearing a medium Mossimo and I have to get an extra small in the AND ones.

[@allanlocke5749]

This was cool and it really would be great to see what you use or do etc. to produce the content.

[@cmac2295]

It took me to literally start buying pants in the men's department to find my perfect pair of pants.

[@grimmkat06]

C Mac Same! I’m short, chunky and potato shaped and women’s pants are awful on me and discovering men’s pants was a true revelation. THEY HAVE REAL FUNCTIONAL POCKETS I SHIT YOU NOT. I have never experienced such joy.

[@cmac2295]

@@grimmkat06 I agree! Some days I don't even have to carry a bag, because what I need to the day fits in my pockets. My cell phone hasn't slipped out yet. I am a chubby gal and the men's sizing chart has been a real confidence booster! Period days are a breeze too because I don't fell so constricted

[@Wiiatiia]

What is that brand of that T-shirt?

[@mynzora]

Hello, 16 minute video.... yessss 🤘✌

[@Lefie]

🤘😎

[@christinegarrity8939]

Lefie your totally authentic I love that

[@Finding_youssef]

thank you for these information , really helpful

[@LoheRatsanik]

Omg I have the perfect jeans recommendation for you! I've been wearing Särmä TST tactical jeans from Varusteleka.com everywhere for a year now from rough forest hiking to formal events. It's literally the only pants I own besides sweat pants and boyyy are they super comfortable and good quality. PLUS I could fit 4 bottles of vine/beer in those pockets and I'm not exaggerating! Since I got them I've told all my friends and family about them to the point of annoyance 😂 but they are sooo good!

[@koothodilabhijithaugustine]

Thank-you for showing us how to do the famous 'click'!

[@АланРахимжанов-з9в]

So first of all, the way to spell the name is alAn rakhimzhAnov. And here is the question - I've seen questions about clothes in the beginning where people would wonder about where you got it from. And my question also refers to clothing but what I want to know is how did you cope with the desire to buy new stuff in the beginning of your minimalism journey? I personaly have A LOT of thing to wear but honestly I just wear same jeans and 3-4 hoodies which I just mix and I still want to buy new things. I tried giving clothes to charity though, I do it like twice (or at least once) a year. But the desire to buy new new new just won't go.

[@ellastiki]

Thank you for the wink and the click! It's awesome :)

[@alealeoh]

Many times I get the feeling that minimalism if just another type of obsession over stuff. Just to give an example, imagine if instead of stuff we were talking about the color red. Hyper consumerism would be like wanting everything to be red, and minimalism would be avoiding the color red at all costs. I feel like they are two sides of the same coin. Any thoughts?

[@tudormiller8898]

I love Carhartt, Dickies and Vans.

[@SteveAbrahall]

Hay Lefie thanks again for feeding our voracious social media appitete! You know if you could make a little cat door from you home via a drain pipe to your van and you could get a cat and it would be able to enjoy both your home and the van and it would be like a great big adventure playground for the cat especially after you have done the Rosemåling on the van, I think the cat would like that! You know just one of those random cat minimilist thoughts I had! :-)

[@01748murphy]

So when do we do a V60 episode? Seems worthwhile seeing as you couldn't live without it. ;)

[@gabriel-ey6bi]

most minimalists get into minimalism to live a fulfilling life and to be happy, but i got into minimalism cuz im a broke ass college student and cant afford to not be a minimalist

[@Milena-bh8bc]

She's so sweet 😊

[@ericaj.m.1780]

Love your videos thank you

[@DeDraconis]

I can't do the wink and click. I tried just now for like 5 minutes but my jaw wants to go to the other side of my winking eye, not the same one. RIP. It's okay though. I can do the Gollum voice.

[@jimneysweep9810]

Hi lefie , do you still have the big lock up with loads of belongings in still ? I find it hard to see people are minimalist if they have so much stuff stored somewhere . I understand we don’t have to get rid of everything but I can’t handle having a space elsewhere full of stuff I own so I had to get rid of it . It was weighing at the back of my mind . I enjoy your videos however

[@best_dessert_tiramisu]

In your opinion, where do you think comfort meets minimalism in terms of what you need and don't need? (If this doesn't make sense, then is minimalism suppose to be comforting?)

[@Fool_of_a_Toque]

Ah yes, the bandana phase of short hair growing out...it's a dope look and also I relate 😂

[@thebestwillow]

Doing the click came really naturally to me, without instructions.

[@amsteensberg1653]

Not norway, but hey, close enough... a very good morning from 🇩🇰 🙂

[@flapjack6495]

The thumbnail looks like a music video for poison or white snake

[@TXGranny2]

I still cannot find they perfect pair of pants 😭 I hate shopping, wish I could live in leggings all year round lol

[@kimberleebrooks-trakis9563]

I know I am late in asking this question, but, I would love to see your art supplies and where you keep them, what you have, what you prefer? I am a wanna be artist and this is my largest downfall in so far as minimalism is concerned. Also, spices.... your kitchen appears to be so sparse... and I watched your grocery haul video but what about spices when you cook? Spices are another one of my downfalls, Love allll of your videos.

[@justmart4455]

Do you have fears when getting rid of childhood items/photos in general that you'll have nothing to reminisce about once you get older? Or maybe get Alzheimer's and stuff?

[@dianeaishamonday9125]

QUEEN

[@aswathims9186]

❤️

[@AdamWilkoszarski]

About the clothes - I just don’t wear perfect clothes. Those that I have are ok and that’s ok :)

[@gisellasamayrala1449]

Gosh I love you! P.S: How you doin? ;)

[@Lefie]

I'm doing well! Thanks for asking, GINSA.

[@kimmcmahon9682]

Love you

[@BurningWanderer]

I know I'm late but maybe you will see this comment. What do you design and how is it like being a minimalist and a designer? Do you incorporate minimalism into your designs? (I'm a designer too) Thank you!

[@gurkiratsingh348]

Huloo there!!

[@Lefie]

Hulooooooo! 😊

[@gurkiratsingh348]

@@Lefie www.reddit.com/r/dankmemes/comments/fipxby/thanks_for_the_suggestion/?

[@L3NCHA_MOTA]

te AMOOOOO!!! 😉

[@cernatcristina]

Very. nice. video.

[@Lefie]

Thanks, Cristina! 😊

[@cernatcristina]

@@Lefie Yeah, you were very open and shared a lot of cool stuff. It felt.. authentic. ♡

[@chiragsharma_]

If this reaches to you: Upcomming video comes when ?

[@marryannc7691]

Has your minimalist journey led to sustainability & do you have any pets?

[@Lefie]

I don't think I'd say minimalism led to sustainability for me, but rather that I found an interest in them separately and they happily work well together. And nope, I don't have any pets!

[@marryannc7691]

Lefie thank you for replying. I’m honoured.

[@expatthedworf8616]

oh

you should have a instagram!!! you have a unique, authentic and very different perspective... Oh i wish yoy do that!!! Sorry i saw this so late, but in my country we have this "strike" because of the fight for womens rights so i sent off from social media for 2 days...

me.. triying to do the click in a public place... and seeing if someone notice lol

[@shenshenwang4688]

我要用中文说说喜欢你～

[@suevanderende8014]

Goodbye,Things. by Fumio Sasaki

[@nazarun5]

Sue van der Ende 👍 just finished to read. This book is 👍

[@metaspherz]

I appreciate minimalists. Yes, they're cheap, have no interest in material possessions, display no real sense of aesthetics or style (unless it is rigid and uniform), are often self-centered to the point of anal-retention, but they help to keep prices down since they don't compete for the sometimes limited resources as the rest of us consumers. Consumerism is a dirty word to most of them. It disgusts them. They have decluttered their lives with vain possessions and typically eschew having a job unless it can be tied to travelling to gather new experiences for their blog. They are naturally suspicious of anybody opposing their politics or inferring that they are hollow ideals just means that you are not woke. They do not self-aggrandize but prefer to be seen as poor in the sense that it is honorable rather being destitute. They can be highly offended if you even suggest that they might be interested in the latest gadget, or even the most popular TV show. They are most prideful by NOT displaying even a hint of pride unless it has to do with their minimalist tendencies -- in which case, they practically shine like the sun with self-esteem. Don't think of them as bleak purveyors of poverty. Think of them as gutsy, anti-trendy, and living in the NOW. Indeed, the way the world seems to be heading we all may one day soon be living as minimalists --NOT out of desire, but because the wealthy have reduced the middle class to poverty. 😎

[@simplelifespaciousheart8450]

anyone else contorting their face and making weird suction sounds now?!?!

[@languagesvierra7827]

Don’t buy new camera. Use your phone for recording. Don’t buy lights. Don’t make intro before video. I like your channel because you don’t waste my time with this 3 minute hello stuff before going to the point. Until next time;)

[@lindamacrae342]

💖💖😍😍

[@sleepysartorialist]

Math t-shirt guy could turn said t-shirt into reusable napkins

[@shannonmacrae]

I am all about no negative comments, but I think you have a sense of humor.... so I’d like to suggest... stick to your genre and don’t change your channel to “how to make mouth noises!” Bahahaha 😂😂😂

[@Lefie]

Ha! Yeah, that was definitely a struggle to describe... 😆

[@smartypants1980]

I'm really sorry. Got carried away with my ommits on your videos this week ad now think I am part of the social medial overwelm. My apologies.

[@redone823]

Are you sticking up with covid19 looming?

[@0Milena_aneliM0]

Does her bandana say flu? 😂 Do you want to tell us something?

[@Jaichbinhier]

I think there's at least one more letter that's hidden, But you're right; It does look like "flu" is what's written. 😂

[@oopsiedaisy6096]

I have such a crush on you

[@TorrAlstad]

Like if you gave the click a try.

[@Beaut_Beau]

What is a minimialist without their fancy coffee making contraption? Nothing, because they don't exist :P