Possession Reduction | The Minimalists Ep. 420

The Minimalists speak with Leo Babauta from ‪@zenhabitsofficial‬ about bringing meaning to our everyday lives and getting back on track with minimalism. Watch all 2 hours of episode 420 on The Minimalists Private Podcast: / theminimalists
Discussed in this episode:
How can I bring meaning to my everyday life? (02:13)
How do I get back on track after falling off the minimalism wagon? (15:33)
Are smartphones a minimalist tool or a maximalist device? (30:10)
Is being a minimalist just another form of identity clutter? (37:10)
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[@cathyphillips679]

I am 68 years old and live in a small apartment, with too much stuff. I am on a journey to become debt free. I used to look at all this stuff and think "wow, all this stuff used to be money!" Now that I am on a waiting list for an apartment in a town about an hour away (to be closer to my son) I am thinking about moving. Now I look at all this stuff and think "wow, I am going to have to pack all this and move it!" Incentive to declutter for sure.

[@rebeccabaron1348]

Good luck!!! You got this. I’m 60 and did the same thing when I moved. I am still doing it. It’s such a process. Feels so wrong getting rid of things. After I do it feels good for a little while and start feeling overwhelmed again and do another round.

[@jenhen1791]

I know what you mean. Nothing like an upcoming move to help us declutter with less overthinking, and it's also so much easier. When we have to think of lugging something to a moving truck, or even if you have someone to do all the lifting, it's still a challenge to pack and unpack our belongings. (I moved about 6 years ago, and I got rid of about 40% of everything. I think if it had not be in the process of moving, it would have been much much tougher to let go of stuff). The good news is, even if a person doesn't have an upcoming move, you can play a game, and "act as if" you were about to move. If you look at an item and ask, "do I like this enough to pack it? Not to mention the time it takes to pack things so they won't break, and pack things and write down the contents on the box so you can actually find it while unpacking!

[@BL-rb7jm]

I too look at all the stuff. And how much I spent over the years and as a senior I can see that I missed out on the more important things in life. I regret but I can't turn back the time. I must have spent at least a million dollars Uber my lifetime on buying and selling and purchasing. And you name it and I don't have anything to show for myself. Really no retirement money. But now I realize I have to live each day as it comes and find happiness even though I have a lot of regret for spending and buying things. I wake up every morning. And I try to look outside and see all the things I've never seen while. I was so busy in the store shopping and buying. And so busy thinking that having the nice things would bring me happiness. As crazy as this senior may be I look outside and I see the ravens and the crows and the squirrels and the blue jays. And all the little birds that come into my yard and I feed every one of them. It just makes me feel closer to God. When I realize he's there for us. And he wants us to stop and smell the roses and start to be gratefor what is out there that he has provided For us to enjoy. No material thing will ever get us closer to him. Only prayer and appreciation and gratitude. So even though we may have lost a lot of things and we may not have anything to show. For ourselves at least there is someone who is loyal and won't leave our side. I love the scripture in psalms thirty four and eighteen. And i'm sure we've all gone to some form of unhappiness and broken heart. I'm just speaking to those who have of some form of christian belief. So now instead of buying stuff all the time. I will stop and say to myself. Do I really need this? Or could I spend the money on giving it to somebody that really needs it. Is there a homeless person I could feed. Could I take them for a meal and just talk to them. Everybody needs someone to talk to regardless of who you are. Money will never, ever replace the kindness that you show two others and the compassion that you show to others. If you knew that you would save someone's life, just buy being there for coffee. How would that make you feel. And this time of the year is the most loneliest for those who have no family. The high rate of suicide is terrible around this time of the year. So that's just my take on things. It's a better feeling to know. As you get closer to getting older, you have done good for someone else instead of spending on things that don't really matter.

[@rebeccabaron1348]

@@BL-rb7jm thanks for sharing that. I relate to so much of this. 60 years old and so much waste of purchasing and getting rid of. I’ll work until I’m 100. But we can change that and make the last half of our life so much better and free from the burden of things!

[@cassandraknight8804]

Without the distraction of stuff we feel more deeply. It’s about Enjoying not pursuing

[@Lmarshall04]

Instead of pursuing, I am wanting to serve others. I think that is how you become truly fulfilled. Plus as a Christian, I want to spend time with spiritual practices. Minimalism is helping me do both❤️

[@valerierogers9609]

We are always searching. The soul will never be satisfied with anything in the material world whether it be more stuff, less stuff, people or solitude.

[@eliza_shiva]

We search for Jesus Christ through out eternity.

[@nicklafrance5949]

It amazes me how so much of this podcast relates to my struggle with overcoming alcohol abuse. You can't successfully stop drinking until you figure out how to live your life such that you no longer feel there are things in your life you feel the need to escape from. You have to do a lot of soul searching and unpack a lot of internal thinking. I assume it's the same with unbridled consumption of stuff. It's really an addiction and there may be underlying issues you've ignored for years that have to be addressed. If you can't do that, you're going to relapse.

[@alanbirkner1958]

I'm 74. My neighbor gave me a catalog of Christmas gifts. One jewelry box was $2,499!!! .A lot of charities could benefit. I keep my jewelry in a plastic toolbox. End of rant. Thanks. Tina, Al's wife

[@ShortStef]

9 min in- not even 10 - and TK is spitting life changing facts!!! 👏👏👏👏❤

[@user-xe7gw3yw4p]

Gotta say, gentlemen, that the "just in case" guideline is my absolute favorite. After two years of trying, I finally convinced my frugal husband of its value AND am working on a semi-hoarder family member. Now, I'm trying to simply match my purchases and donate/trash/consign 1:1 as I like newer things!

[@guminb6216]

I think we should minimise the amount of buying new as well to help the environment. There's so much rubbish everywhere :(

[@jagodarutkowska1446]

At the same time when I listen to you, I go through such a time... I can't look at fake food anymore! My stomach automatically sends me a pain signal, let me remind you sleepless, painful night! 😅 I have never been a sensitive person before, but since I take care of every product I put in my mouth my life became easier and the some point strange when someone gave me to something "delicious" for eye but...

[@LSChestersMom]

This is great, thank you all. I love being a minimalist and speaking to the spiritual, I have found being in Debtor's Anonymous and Underearners Anonymous for a long time, being committed to solvency and working the steps has helped me so much around what is underneath the shopping and such.... It's so helpful.

[@TeresaCurrent]

TK has a great observation. Seek a relation to a higher power.

[@kathrynb3718]

I love that so much JFM ..You can always begin again 🌟 brilliant 🌟

[@rosee.mari.333]

"Love people, use things" is a paraphrase of an original quote by Bishop Fulton Sheen in the 1950s. Good podcast but I wanted to give credit to the original author of the quote.

[@bettinajahnke6331]

Holding space for humanity... love that!

[@autobotdiva9268]

started in may with my 22 year old with adhd. down to 1 quilt, 2 bed sheets, 2 comforters for the bedroom.

[@sarahslan4548]

I really enjoyed this episode - thank you.

[@joydavis4087]

A date with myself, I love that. ❤

[@conniepleasantnails]

Awe…what a great note to end on with “Rebecca”. You all rock and crack me up 😂😂❤❤

[@canadianukiegurl]

Shadow work and how it relates to minimalism. Life is full of connections.

[@hedgiegal3340]

This is such a great episode! Very meaningful!

[@b.maxwell5037]

AMAZING❗️ Responses to 1st caller❣️

[@d.zyned2thrive584]

Thanks again for the warning 😁👍

[@sebastiandelacampa7623]

LOVE YOU GRICEY!!

[@kennethbailey9853]

Thank you.

[@Bill0102]

This is a stellar piece; much like a book that was stellar in its narrative and ideas. "The Joy of Less: A Minimalist Living Guide" by Matthew Cove

[@kraykray4118]

Thank you all❤ have a good weekend

[@missbecky6809]

Is there a way I can just get a transcription of everything? TK says it’s poetic. OMG speaking to me on so many levels. Everyone is great but some key thinks he said really hit home. Gonna need to rewind and write down.

[@raekonize]

The Clay Aiken Reject lmao

[@heidimeigs5192]

I’m actually watching from Walker County, Alabama. 👋🏻👋🏻👋🏻

[@justzaya]

Episode 420 🍃 am I right 🤪😉

[@talestensdalreiersen5501]

TK ❤

[@allardvanderstarre]

i used to be a collector since i was 15 or so now i am 63 and i think i select carefully what can be sold it is a process; of course i viewed some videos, read fumio sasaki but thet's too extreme for me

[@jonglee3194]

yes

[@JulsMWK1995]

I like the exert Rebecca shared at the end. I want that in writing.

[@jenhen1791]

Lol, Joshua, taping a "duck" would be inhumane. As for the "ducts", tape away as necessary.😂

[@loyalastheyget]

I just gotta say. This dude got roastedddddd hard on rory n mal 😂😂😂😂

[@tylerbriggs8765]

Time stamp?

[@loyalastheyget]

@@tylerbriggs8765 its on rory n mals latest podcast

[@joefresso]

Is TK actually from Schaumburg, IL? I grew up there and same age

[@Joeyaway]

❤❤❤😊

[@jerusalemlady9372]

Sad to hear people want to keep life simple by not having children. That has been my greatest source of fulfillment, purpose, and joy. It is even more treasured now since becoming an empty nester.All that matters are my family and my friends. ❤ We are made for relationships. Even if you don’t have kids you can still bless people with relationship in this lonely world. Look out and not in. Serving others should bless them but will also bless us.

[@cdub29va]

Where the fuckxx is the Rory & Mal DIss??!

[@cruzanassassin]

I'm looking too😂😂

[@osato5382]

I need to know

[@reneels5351]

Okay i want to but who to give the items to? Where to sell it? Business ideas for all secondhand items……. I have given away plenty of items but i think even then it gets dumped. People don’t want old things especially when it comes to baby items. Not everyone takes care of things the same way.

[@seagreentangerine2065]

Did you SELL your stuff or give it away? Did you rent out your homes and then live minimally? I just dont know where to start in terms of selling possessions.

[@planete6922]

Maybe read their book to start ? If you haven’t already. I start with no pressure and letting go on one thing that doesnt bring joy and i dont use then momentum seems to naturally come.

[@abigailnr]

what I've found helpful in my decluttering journey is to take into consideration the amount of energy and time I have after a decluttering session. if you sell something you have to list it, then deal with potential buyers and or pack it, then go to the post office to ship it. I've sold a few things and other things I just get tired of having around or waiting for good weather for a garage sale. sometimes the best thing is just to donate it and call it a day, but everyone's bandwidth is different.

[@nikevabrown6614]

@@abigailnrthis is why I simply donate to charities. In my area there are several charities that’ll come to my doorstep to pick up items. I have donations for them several times a year. It’s really such a convenient way to declutter while also helping others. Selling becomes cumbersome due to all of the steps you’ve mentioned. You have to decide if you want to make money or simply get rid of the items. Once you decide that then you’ll know how to proceed.

[@lmo4879]

Can anyone please tell me the author of the book, Happiness, that Rebecca quoted from? Thank you.

[@eztd245]

The author is Thich Nhat Hanh

[@lmo4879]

@@eztd245 Thank you 🙏

[@mjsmith9889]

Hey I love me some MILLI VANILLI or the guys that actually sang those songs.....lol

[@cecilea6617]

Anyone have a scheme to motivate yourself to not buy any needless clothing?

[@i_am_gohan9232]

I didn’t j ow Jimmy Neutron & Uncle Ruckus had a podcast.

[@jenduck5520]

Possession reduction sounds like a technical term for an exorcism :)

[@Anna-io5fs]

Its sad because I can't concentrate on the podcast when the woman in the background is laughing so forcefully and loudly. It sounds annoying and like a cackle. I don't think she means to but it would be nice if the sound was reduced. I used to like this podcast a lot

[@71757097]

Auditorially annoying beginning. This the Third video that I've attempted to watch. All have terrible starts. It's not possible to watch this channel.

[@chirokathleen]

For who? I watch it fine!

[@AWAMOF]

The riotous laughter is a bit much.

[@corneliakeller438]

This guy should invest in a better hairdresser....

[@jenhen1791]

What? His hair is awesome!!