Minimalism and the Important Stuff

[@ogeo.8966]

I like this video format. Calm, no music, no frills, no distractions. Just the message and some added text to aid comprehension.

[@SimplyMicheleLynn]

Been becoming more and more of a minimalist. I'm adopting a little girl with Down Syndrome from Bulgaria and it's very expensive so I'm selling everything I can. It's been very hard because I still need so much more money but saving her from the neglect of the orphanage will be worth every cent!

[@jaheira107]

The Choice of Motherhood wow! i take my hat off to you! may your lives be beautiful!

[@nirupaumapathy1682]

What a beautiful and bold change for you.. I salute you. I salute you..

[@bunbunsterritory2273]

Bless your pure soul!!!

[@niloofar.jafari.m]

💘💘❤️❤️

[@222-q7w]

@@bunbunsterritory2273 Why is it a poor soul. The lady is doing what she feels she needs to do by adopting a child. Maybe you are are a poor soul. From a rich minimalist, who knows what is important in life. Avoiding toxic people.

[@averagejoe4487]

Great video and message Colin.

[@joseopao]

I'm going to refer this video to anyone that asks what minimalism is! You explain it perfectly! Well done sir!

[@colinwright]

+Jose Opao thanks very much! :)

[@MsSassyMT]

I'm so glad that you mentioned how there are different types of minimalism. A lot of people miss that. Great video.

[@tichenille07]

There's something soothing about your video.

[@colinwright]

+Elisa Appasamy thanks Elisa :)

[@sparklingbananas]

+Elisa Appasamy I know right... the sound quality is very high and his voice is calming. :) overall very well made

[@MinimalisticLifestyle333]

Almost like ASMR, I love it !

[@barlowlaura]

How clear and concise! It's so simple and intentional. A true minimalist right down to the core. Even in speech and expression.

[@Phoenix-uy7nm]

I want to second the consensus that your voice/demeanor is really soothing! I have bad anxiety and this helped both inspire AND relax me. Thank you for explaining this aspect of minimalism. 💕

[@colinwright]

+Freya Smith haha, so glad to hear it! Thanks :)

[@LearnEnglishESL]

Excellent Talk! Minimalism as a philosophy is part of all the world's religions. "Content thyself with but little of this world’s goods! Verily, economy is a great treasure. " Also, 'In wealth , fear is hidden." - Baha'i Quotations

[@lenorewatts8609]

I 100% agree! My housemate and I are polar opposites when it comes to the stuff we own, but we both quite minimalist. She wears a uniform at work so she has a monumental makeup collection and loves to express her personal style through lipstick and eyeshadow. For me, that much makeup would be excessive. My lifestyle is completely different. I have so many varied places to be and events to attend. I might go from uni to the gym to my office to dinner at a fancy restaurant all in one day. No two days are the same, so it makes sense to own clothes to suit all of the activities I do. I still own a lot less clothes than most people, but for her it would feel like way too many since she would only wear them on weekends.

[@simpleminimalist3482]

This is one of the best minimalism talks! I can't believe youtube didn't recommend it to me sooner. Your thoughts are very insightful.

[@ImTash]

I love this. There are people on youtube who target others - particularly girls it seems, saying 'you're not a real minimalist because of x' because you wear makeup, or because you're not vegan etc etc - I feel sorry for those people. They're clearly not happy if they're trying to drag other people down who are doing their best to find out what their personal sweet spot is. Minimalism is not a competition about who has the least stuff - if you think it is then you're missing the point. It's about finding out what works for you. Thanks for putting this video out there - hopefully some of those negative people will see this and realise their error! x

[@VioletFS]

I'm loving my minimalist lifestyle. The ladies that commented below are right, your voice is so soothing. Like seriously. And you resemble Ethan Hawke. :)

[@colinwright]

+Violet Baker haha, thanks Violet :)

[@veetv9459]

Appreciate your view on this. Makes perfect sense.

[@colinwright]

+veeTV thanks! glad to hear it :)

[@alfredomansur8028]

I am going thru difficulties finding balance between whats really important and whats not , how to keep focus with the daily distractions such as people influence . Your reply would be very helpful Colin.

[@cinn7862]

Wonderfully said.

[@bocajmilan]

Great minimalism video - on the spot. Thanks.

[@colinwright]

+Jacob Eriksen thanks! :)

[@saturniiina]

It´s nice to find this point of view, most minimalism videos i´ve watched just focus in the amount of things they got rid off. "Owning the right things and no more than that", I´ll keep that in mind. Regards from Buenos Aires.

[@minimalistgecko4867]

As always, great wisdom from Colin. I would definitely add that take great care when you remove the things and stuff to really dig deep into your psyche. Sit with your discomfort, and challenge yourself, or you will indeed acquire more, or do what I did which is purchase the “right item” to engineer perfect minimalism for you. In the end, you will just stop, but the journey takes longer if you don’t work on this inside.

[@katestyle22]

Heard about you in a Joshua Becker video. So glad I found you on here. Thank you!

[@savannahrossetti3944]

Colin, You are awesome. I have been following your stuff for the past few months (tweets, blog, and now your podcasts). I appreciate you.

[@colinwright]

Thanks very much! Kind of you to say so :)

[@anissiaart6167]

A balm to the soul :) Nice to see people with the similar philosophy.

[@colinwright]

+Anissiya Artemova thanks! it's been nice to see these concepts spreading :)

[@Bethelightjourney]

Enjoyed watching this. I really focused on your words. Great insight on giving meaning to your life.

[@MartinRosulek]

Cool, thanks Colin for sharing! I'd love to listen to that as a podcast! Start podcasting! :-)

[@colinwright]

+Martin Rosulek thanks Martin! Have thought about a podcast and might do one someday. Will be operating this series a bit like a podcast, though, so stay tuned :)

[@tikalaxmilimbu9965]

You are so wise and awesome,

[@danerickson5085]

Interesting that your video came up when I was looking at "cajon" drum setups. This is of course a "minimalist" drum rig.

[@colinwright]

+Dan Erickson ha! That's quite random - my drum setup is so minimal, I left out the drums #airdrums

[@ForeverBooked92]

I recently got lost on my minimalism journey and this video brought me right back to why I started in the first place, so thanks for that. Also, you have a great voice.

[@colinwright]

+Debra Taylor thanks for the kind words, Debra! And glad to hear it - best of luck with your next steps! :)

[@LesleyChristine]

Great video! We are in the middle of a massive purge to hit the road full time and I can't wait until the excess is gone!

[@GeekyMino]

Very powerful video! I loved it. Minimalism is so liberating and gives you a sense of control and focus on what's really important and that's what I love about it. "Share it with your KZbin watching dog" hahahahah nice one!

[@BrightGreenBug]

Hello there :) Thank you for this! You draw together the historical and artistic contexts beautifully and your personal experience really resonates with me.

[@critical1965]

This is hypnotic. Learned so much in a few minutes. Good job.

[@Inverted314]

less was always more, simplicity being refinement; the pinnacle deduction of perfection

[@rixeaun]

i like this consideration! presented in a simple and concise form... i feel like i want to get rid of some stuff rite now! on the contrary: i enjoy looking at some stuff/objects/art/tools... and have them around me...

[@ToniaHicks]

ooohhh this is a great summation of the lifestyle. you're an inspiration!

[@colinwright]

+tonialcarrier you're too kind! thanks :)

[@MyPassionFurPaws]

Could you talk me to sleep every night please... lol. Your voice is so soothing

[@colinwright]

+MyPassionFurPaws haha, thanks! :)

[@margharitta]

nice video and point and that is very true

[@arielgasperini7762]

Do you podcast? I'd listen to you for sure!

[@colinwright]

+Phoenix Gasperini hey thanks! Maybe someday - I'd have to come up with a concept that made sense for the format, though :)

[@arielgasperini7762]

+Colin Wright I drive about 50-70 miles a day for work and just having the audio of your videos available would be sweet. Maybe start there? I see you have so much content available, its awesome.

[@jayontario7285]

Minimal comment: Nice

[@alb_annica]

Lots of wisdom in this vid

[@colinwright]

+alanbell1969 thanks! I appreciate that :)

[@azabujuban-hito8085]

I love your hair !

[@rdkuless]

Isn't being happy and content the goal here? You look satisfied and happy. That can't be faked.. :)

[@Sherparts]

Your voice is super relaxing

[@chikkachinijohannady]

i tried to be a minimalist. whenever i go to the mall with my family or friends, i felt miserable because there are so many nice things i wanna buy. i didn't wear even the most natural of make up and i envied how much fun other girls are having with make up. i liked cute clothes on the shops and i judged myself harshly for wanting things and telling myself i am so superficial for wanting things. i now try to not think of it too much. i don't splurge with my money but i allow myself to buy things i Reeeaaally like. i am happier now. I think trying to be minimalist in terms of materials just made me the opposite of a minimalist in terms of thinking. My mind was not in peace. I needed to chill and just buy what i want and not forcefully stop myself from wanting them. I guess that makes me a minimalist on thinking too much. does that make sense? XD

[@colinwright]

+chikkachinijohannady there's nothing wrong with buying things that make you happy and really add to your life - that's what you should be buying! It's the extra stuff that doesn't add to your life that's better avoided; the things we buy because we're told to and consume compulsively, rather than intentionally. We've all got to find a rhythm that works for us as individuals, and I'm glad to hear you found something that works for you :)

[@chikkachinijohannady]

+Colin Wright oh, cool. i did not expect a reply from you. I appreciate that you take your time to read and reply to comments :D As you said in think tank where i found you, we have to change all the time to find what works for us. I think I happier now but still need to adjust to find the right balance :p

[@Whoareyoupeople900]

If this helps, when I go shopping I only buy something if it makes me do a little happy dance or squeal. If I just think it's nice then I know I don't really love it, just remember hun you don't have to own everything you think is nice or cute. Just appreciate how it looks and move on

[@colinwright]

+brittanyS123 love it. Reminds me of a dating policy / approach to consent that I'm quite fond of: if it's not a 'fuck yeah!', it's a no

[@andraREBECA]

Omg i fall in love with your words ! Love love love 👏👏👏👏

[@colinwright]

+Andra P thanks so much :)

[@gracelymartinez]

I just came into your channel and Im subscribing right now. Loved this video very much. It just cleared up my mind regarding some doubts that I had. Keep the good work!! :).

[@colinwright]

+Grace Martinez so glad to hear it! thanks Grace :)

[@massieb]

Aiii... you just hit a sore spot :( In a good way! Thanks :) Lots of things in my life I am currently looking at if they do bring me joy. It's hard, but it's necessary for a healthier and happier life. As said below, your videos are very soothing. Great voice as well as great ideas...

[@lonnekeboons]

Thank you for sharing! It makes me wonder. I love owning less, living intentionally and spending more time with loved ones. But I wish I could be less busy. I do the things I love, but I love so many things! I have downsized my hobbies and I'm happy with that. But I still feel I don't have time. Colin, any thoughts?

[@colinwright]

+Lonneke Boons the same process that you're applying to your possessions and expenditures (figure out what's important, eschew the superfluous, spend more time, energy, and resources on the stuff the fulfills you) can be applied to your work and hobbies, as well. The result is that you free up all the time you were spending on things that were habitual or traditional or that you just simply never questioned, and that time can be reallocated to the things you want to do, the people you want to spend more time with, or just sitting alone and reading and eating pizza (highly recommended).

[@lonnekeboons]

+Colin Wright thanks for your reply. I think I want to many things. I have many interests. And work gets in the way of doing what I love. I'm not sure yet where to start.

[@colinwright]

+Lonneke Boons I think you've started already - taking a look and pinpointing what's working and what's not is a much better primary act that just getting rid of things willy-nilly!

[@lonnekeboons]

+Colin Wright thanks!

[@TutiFruity7103]

I didn't realize I was a "minimalist" until my climbing partner pointed out that it was odd that I didn't have a bed...or a couch...or a TV...or any furniture except a table to tutor at (and even then, I'd rather be working on a yoga mat)....I said, "it all gets in the way of doing cartwheels."

[@colinwright]

+Ashley Reed priorities! #cartwheellife

[@kristintheartist]

Haha, I hear you, the only furniture I own are a bed and an easel!

[@SewnathGreedharry]

Nice talk.

[@fitfatbrittrny]

You should consider doing ASMR

[@fromskincarewithlove]

Great video. Very inspiring👍🏼💭

[@jem6428]

Jesse Eisenberg + Josh Hartnett = Colin Write

[@craziness1040]

You remind me of Ty from the tv show Heartland

[@LadyTracyOfTheDisk]

I'm curious about your studio lights, which we've seen some of your Periscope chats. Do you rent those or own them? And will you be taking them on the road with you to do the Go Bag show? I'm just wondering how a minimalist makes that work.

[@colinwright]

+Tracy Bryant good question! This is one of the earlier videos I shot for this series, so you'll see the lighting improve over time - it looks more like what you've seen in the periscope videos in the later videos, starting maybe three or four from this one. I own the lights, but they were actually quite cheap - I'm using this set: amzn.to/1RJAhIL And this backdrop: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/395974-REG/BACKGRND_PORT-A-STAND_w_FREE_53_WHITE You'll note that in both cases what you're actually buying is a bunch of tripods. The light set is a bunch of tripods with lights on top, and the backdrop is a pair of tripods with a crossbar and roll of heavy paper. If you're smart and thrifty and more clever at building things than me, you can make a lot of this stuff and save a lot of money. Just a head's up :) As for travel, I'll be making use of natural lighting and in-situ backdrops while on the road. I bought the lights and backdrop for the times when I'm visiting my family here in Missouri - they told me they had a spare room they'd love for me to get some use out of, so I thought, why not? But a lot of the time I'll just be winging it, taking what I've learned about setting up a scene these last few weeks and using whatever's available

[@JoelRunyon]

Minimalism is about having amazing hair.

[@colinwright]

+Joel Runyon it's not about having a lot of hair, it's about having just the RIGHT hair, and no more than that

[@JoelRunyon]

Colin Wright perfect.

[@mike2533]

A minimalist hair cut would be a good start.

[@MinimalisticLifestyle333]

Joel Runyon 😂

[@TutiFruity7103]

Beautiful :)

[@colinwright]

+Ashley Reed thanks so much :)

[@annarecinova2028]

Diky za video...souhlasim..

[@esraabasaif3220]

Thank you for your this video you are awesome😌✌🏽️

[@colinwright]

+Esraa Basaif thanks for the thanks! :)

[@cidveronica1426]

so nice!

[@colinwright]

+BetweenLessAndMore thanks so much :)

[@marabethf7263]

I like how he brought up traditions being a reason why we do, or own, a lot of what we own, or, do....... Personally, my own example of that is holidays. I think holidays can be just a bunch of clutter. Just my opinion.

[@KidPrimeTv]

im back on my minimalist journey after a huge life earthquake.

[@colinwright]

+Cindy Sin if life shakes you up and knocks you down, take pride in standing back up and beginning to walk again - that's tenacity that translates to everything you will ever do :)

[@nateb3277]

Suggestion: light your face some more. You look underexposed, especially with the white wall behind you being lit. If there is another white wall in front of you, maybe bounce a light off of it onto you.

[@colinwright]

+Nate Baumgarten Great advice, and I totally agree. This is actually part of my initial 3-video batch, and all are pretty badly lit. The next batch is a little better, but after that is when I really go the hang of it. Thanks for bearing with me in the meantime, and let me know if you have any other feedback :)

[@nateb3277]

+Colin Wright Oh, that's cool to know! :) I recently finished going to my house during winter break (went through my apartment at college before that) and go rid of everything that doesn't add meaning to my life and/or isn't useful. My house actually feels a lot more fresh now and functional now. I like your advice in the video about getting rid of the superfluous in every area of your life, not just your stuff. Over the past year and a half since discovering minimalism and reading posts by you and The Minimalists I'm finally getting to a point where I'm able to more easily focus on what's important to me in my life and have less stress than before. Thanks a ton! :)

[@colinwright]

+Nate Baumgarten That's fantastic! Nice work, and best of luck with your next steps!

[@Sifsif__ma]

Can I know what do you mean by the core? Give me some examples of things considered as the core

[@rao433]

ASMR worthy voice!

[@bmwvintageprincess]

I LOVE JOHNY DEPP SO I LOVE YOU TOO. BECAUSE YOU LOOK LIKE HIM

[@jem6428]

Or Wright... depending on accuracy...

[@colinwright]

+jem6428 I looked these people up, and have decided that you are now writing my author blurbs :)

[@jem6428]

lol :)

[@darkdragonite1419]

I'm a new minimalist but I love comic books.

[@colinwright]

I do, too! You just have to decide if reading them is the priority (in which case you may be able to get the same joy with digital editions) or collecting them (which is fine, too - it just means prioritizing them over others things). Nothing wrong with owning stuff, so long as it's the right stuff :)

[@lilmisslovegrove1124]

If I get frustrated enough I enjoy every job

[@bryanbarradas6460]

Go and watch Jenny Mustard for good videos about minimalist.

[@lucchomein]

Not a single dislike. That's a first!

[@colinwright]

+luis c haha, I think it's just a sign that the larger KZbin community hasn't found me just yet - all friendly folks thus far! :)

[@lucchomein]

+Colin Wright 7k views is plenty to have hundreds of dislikes already my friend. Great vid btw. I'm starting to more consciously make my way towards minimalism!

[@colinwright]

+luis c best of luck on your journey!

[@lucchomein]

Thank you kind sir

[@pingnikhil]

Is Colin the minimalistic spelling of Collin? JK __/'\__

[@rafasm99]

100% Unintentionally ASMR.

[@stevenwalter1255]

For me its kinda like a voluntary life of poverty - detachment to objects in a spiritual dimension

[@mimaesthetic2517]

Steven Lindstedt it's not poverty. Poverty is not having things you NEED. this is reducing our overwhelming collection of excess to things we use.

[@antking1117]

so true, i rather buy a bunch of junk that i don;t even need

[@liamfoster9213]

you are a homeowner

[@colinwright]

+Liam Foster nope

[@drtazzer]

Why do you remind me of Dexter?

[@colinwright]

Not sure - I haven't killed NEARLY as many people as he did...

[@drtazzer]

hahahaha love it!

[@zaphiris]

You look like Ethan Hawke.

[@colinwright]

+zaphiris americanfilminstitute.tumblr.com/post/126361816925/baby-you-are-going-to-miss-that-plane-before

[@tikalaxmilimbu9965]

You look like justin Brebier's brother, 😜

[@timothee81]

if it was a harry potter spell it would be Reducto ;D

[@aidanmccormack1621]

This guy should minimise his hair.

[@whateverwhatever7210]

Can you be my husband?

[@toughsoftieyogi]

If my memory serves me right, he is not into long-term relationships as he travels a lot. :)

[@키리찬]

+toughsoftieyogi so he's into 1 hour relationships? (;

[@richies6420]

Please remember to floss your teeth everybody

[@michaeldamico4583]

i cant get pass the fact that every "s" in every word you say is like a high pitch whistle. idk how anyone thinks that is soothing. i have two sets of clothes and they are just the same thing twice. and im rich. have fun with all these women throwing themselves at you, lucky bastad lol

[@sophiaanneluces]

You look like Ethan Hawke.