7 Surprising Lessons I Learned After Becoming A Minimalist

Summary

The video script explores the subjective nature of minimalism and its impact on life. It challenges the notion that minimalism requires getting rid of 90% of one's possessions, emphasizing that it's about intentionality and personal values. The speaker shares personal experiences, noting reduced stress, less comparison, and improved mental clarity as benefits. They also discuss the social challenges of living as a minimalist in a consumerist society and the importance of knowing when to stop in the simplification process. The script concludes by highlighting the financial benefits and the idea that minimalism is a personal journey, not a one-size-fits-all solution.

Takeaways

• 😌 Simplifying life has brought numerous benefits but isn't a one-size-fits-all solution; it's a subjective journey based on personal values and circumstances.
• 🔍 Minimalism is about intentionality and focusing on quality over quantity, aiming for long-lasting joy and peace rather than short-term satisfaction from material possessions.
• 🚫 The misconception that minimalism means having no hobbies or only keeping absolutely necessary items is incorrect; minimalism is about personal choice and values.
• 🗣 Sharing one's views on minimalism can lead to friendly conversations and a better understanding of different perspectives on simplicity.
• 📉 Minimalism has reduced the tendency to compare oneself to others, focusing more on personal growth and happiness rather than societal expectations.
• 👀 A heightened awareness of others' attempts to show off or appear superior has come with a more organized and intentional personal life.
• 🏠 Decluttering is a personal process with no right or wrong way; it's about creating a living space that aligns with one's values and brings a sense of home.
• 🤝 Living as a minimalist in a consumerist society can be challenging, requiring the courage to decline opportunities that don't align with one's values.
• 🏡 Despite misconceptions, minimalist living can feel normal and ordinary, with a focus on intentionality rather than the appearance of having very few possessions.
• 💰 Financial stability can be achieved more quickly through minimalism by reducing spending and saving more, leading to increased freedom and a solid foundation for the future.
• 🛑 Knowing when to stop is crucial in minimalism; constantly striving for perfection can lead to anxiety, and it's important to reassess one's approach if mental health is suffering.

Q & A

What are the potential benefits of simplifying one's life according to the speaker?

The speaker mentions countless benefits and positive changes from simplifying life, including reduced stress, finding peace in everyday life, and gaining a clearer understanding of what truly matters.

Why might someone feel they are doing minimalism wrong if they haven't gotten rid of 90% of their stuff?

The speaker suggests that the perception of 'doing minimalism wrong' stems from the misconception that minimalism requires getting rid of a large percentage of one's belongings, which is not necessarily the case as minimalism is subjective and varies from person to person.

What does the speaker believe is the common factor in achieving simplicity and minimalism?

The speaker believes that the common factor is achieving emotional and mental clarity, which can lead to a reduction in stress and finding peace in everyday life.

How does the speaker define 'Simplicity' and 'Minimalism' in the context of the script?

The speaker defines 'Simplicity' and 'Minimalism' as subjective concepts based on an individual's values, priorities, location, culture, past experiences, and current life circumstances.

What are some ways the speaker suggests to simplify life other than reducing physical clutter?

The speaker suggests simplifying schedules or commitments, having fewer responsibilities outside of work or home, and focusing on personal growth and happiness over keeping up with others.

How does the speaker respond to comments that minimalists cannot have hobbies or that all non-essential costs should be eliminated?

The speaker disagrees with these comments, stating that minimalism is about being intentional with what one lets into their life, focusing on quality things and moments that bring long-lasting joy and peace.

What has the speaker learned about themselves after simplifying their life?

The speaker has learned that they compare themselves to others less frequently, focus more on their own journey, and have a clearer understanding of their own values, which brings them more happiness than trying to impress others.

What challenges does the speaker face in social situations as a minimalist?

The speaker finds it challenging to navigate social situations where there is a gap between their minimalist values and those of others, which can lead to awkward conversations and a sense of being different.

Why does the speaker believe there is no right way to declutter?

The speaker believes there is no right way to declutter because it is a personal journey, and what works for one person may not work for another. The key is to do it regularly and find what method works best for the individual.

What misconception does the speaker address about the appearance of a minimalist's home?

The speaker addresses the misconception that a minimalist's home must look empty or like they live with close to nothing. Instead, they emphasize that it's about intentionality and quality over quantity.

How has minimalism impacted the speaker's financial situation?

Minimalism has led to reduced spending, allowing the speaker to save more money, which in turn has provided more financial stability and freedom, even though they are not yet financially independent.

What advice does the speaker give regarding knowing when to stop in the process of simplifying life?

The speaker advises that knowing when to stop is key, and that constantly striving for a perfect minimalist life can cause anxiety. It's important to reassess one's approach if simplifying does not lead to mental health improvements.

What is the speaker's perspective on the coexistence of minimalism and mental health?

The speaker believes that minimalism and mental health should go hand in hand, but also acknowledges that there may be a point in one's journey where simplifying more does not yield additional benefits and may even lead to diminishing returns.

Outlines

00:00

🧘‍♂️ Embracing the Subjectivity of Minimalism

The speaker discusses the personal journey of simplifying life and the realization that minimalism is subjective, varying based on individual values, priorities, and life circumstances. They acknowledge that while minimalism has numerous benefits, it doesn't necessarily require getting rid of 90% of one's belongings or solving every problem. The speaker emphasizes that simplicity is about intentionality and focusing on quality over quantity, aiming for long-lasting joy and peace rather than short-term satisfaction from material possessions. They also mention the importance of sharing one's perspective on minimalism and engaging in friendly discussions with those who have different views.

05:01

🌱 The Personal Growth and Normalcy of Minimalist Living

This paragraph delves into the personal growth that comes with minimalism, including a reduced tendency to compare oneself to others and an increased focus on one's own values and journey. The speaker shares how minimalism has helped them declutter not just physically but also emotionally, leading to a more authentic and aligned life. They also touch on the social challenges of living as a minimalist in a consumerist society, where values may differ significantly from the norm. Despite these challenges, the speaker finds that minimalist living feels surprisingly normal and has led to a clearer understanding of what truly matters, without the need to appear minimalist in appearance or lifestyle.

10:03

💰 Financial Stability and Knowing When to Stop in Minimalism

The speaker reflects on the unexpected financial stability that has come with adopting a minimalist lifestyle, noting that while it's not a guarantee for everyone, their conscious reduction in spending has allowed for more savings and freedom. They also discuss the importance of knowing when to stop in the process of simplifying life, suggesting that there may come a point where further decluttering or minimizing does not yield additional benefits and could even lead to anxiety. The speaker advocates for an imperfect approach to minimalism, accepting that some level of clutter is natural and should not detract from enjoying life. They conclude by offering resources for those interested in simplifying their lives and encourage viewers to stay kind and meaningful on their personal journeys.

Keywords

💡Minimalism

Minimalism is a lifestyle choice that emphasizes simplicity and intentionality in one's possessions and daily life. In the video, the speaker discusses their journey with minimalism, noting that it is not about getting rid of 90% of their stuff, but rather about focusing on quality and intentionality. It's about creating a life that aligns with one's values and brings long-lasting joy and peace.

💡Simplicity

Simplicity, as discussed in the video, refers to a state of being simple or uncomplicated. It is a subjective concept that varies from person to person based on their values, priorities, and life circumstances. The speaker mentions that simplicity can mean different things, such as reducing physical clutter or simplifying schedules and commitments, and is closely tied to the concept of minimalism.

💡Values

Values are the principles or standards of behavior transmitted through culture that play a significant role in influencing an individual's behavior and decision-making. In the context of the video, the speaker talks about how living aligned with one's values brings more happiness than trying to fit into others' expectations. Values guide the speaker's approach to minimalism and simplicity.

💡Decluttering

Decluttering is the process of removing unnecessary items from one's living space to create a more organized and less stressful environment. The speaker in the video emphasizes that decluttering is a personal journey with no right or wrong way to do it. It's about creating a living space that makes one feel better and aligns with their personal preferences and lifestyle.

💡Emotional and Mental Clarity

Emotional and mental clarity refers to a state of being where one is free from confusion, stress, and emotional turmoil. The speaker mentions that many associate simplicity with achieving emotional and mental clarity, which is a common factor in reducing stress and finding peace in everyday life. This concept is central to the speaker's discussion on the benefits of minimalism.

💡Intentionality

Intentionality in the video is about making conscious choices in what one allows into their life. The speaker contrasts minimalism with survival, emphasizing that it's not about having the bare minimum, but about being intentional with possessions and experiences that bring quality and joy. This intentionality is a key aspect of their minimalist lifestyle.

💡Consumerism

Consumerism is a social order and economic system in which the value of goods and services is determined by their ability to satisfy consumer desires. The speaker notes that living in a consumerist society can be challenging for minimalists, as it often conflicts with their values and lifestyle choices. The speaker also mentions having to decline opportunities that do not align with their minimalist values.

💡Authenticity

Authenticity is the quality of being genuine or true to one's own personality, spirit, or character. In the video, the speaker discusses the importance of living authentically and aligned with one's values, even if it means feeling different from others. This authenticity is a key driver in the speaker's approach to minimalism and simplicity.

💡Financial Stability

Financial stability refers to a state where an individual has sufficient financial resources to meet their needs and goals without incurring debt. The speaker mentions that minimalism has led to financial stability, as reducing spending has allowed for more savings, which in turn provides more freedom and a solid foundation for financial independence.

💡Mental Health

Mental health is the state of an individual's psychological and emotional well-being. The speaker in the video discusses the relationship between minimalism and mental health, suggesting that they should go hand in hand. The speaker also cautions that constantly striving for perfection in minimalism can lead to anxiety, indicating the importance of balance in this lifestyle.

💡Social Situations

Social situations in the video refer to the contexts in which individuals interact with others. The speaker notes that being a minimalist can sometimes be challenging in social settings due to differing values and expectations. However, living authentically and aligned with one's values is more important than conforming to societal norms.

Highlights

Simplifying life has brought countless benefits and positive changes, but it's not a one-size-fits-all solution.

Minimalism is subjective and varies based on values, priorities, location, culture, past experiences, and current life circumstances.

Simplicity often means achieving emotional and mental clarity, reducing stress, and finding peace in everyday life.

Simplifying can involve reducing physical clutter, simplifying schedules, or having fewer responsibilities outside of work or home.

Some people mistakenly believe that minimalism means having no hobbies or only keeping things absolutely necessary for life.

Minimalism is about being intentional with what you let into your life, focusing on quality over short-term pleasure.

Simplifying life has led to less comparison with others and more focus on personal growth and happiness.

Living aligned with your values brings more happiness than trying to impress others.

Decluttering is a personal journey with no right or wrong way; it's about creating a living space that makes you feel better.

Minimalism can make social situations more challenging due to differences in values and consumerist society.

Minimalist living feels surprisingly normal and can lead to a clearer understanding of what truly matters in life.

Financial stability can come sooner than expected with minimalism, as reduced spending allows for more saving.

Knowing when to stop is key in minimalism; constantly striving for perfection can cause anxiety and detract from enjoying life.

Minimalism and mental health should go hand in hand, with lifestyle changes leading to better mental health over time.

Minimalism is about doing it imperfectly and accepting that there will always be some level of clutter in life.

The speaker offers resources like a course called 'Simple Life Blueprint' and a 'Clear the Noise Challenge' for those interested in simplifying their lives.

Transcripts

simplifying my life has brought me

countless benefits and positive changes

but sometimes I wonder if I'm doing

minimalism wrong because I haven't

gotten rid of 90% of my stuff or it

hasn't fixed every problem in my life so

unlike what I thought at the beginning

of this journey I guess simplifying

isn't so black and white after all

that's probably because Simplicity means

different things to different people

simple life and minimalism are very

subjective things

because they are based on your values

priorities your location in the world

your culture your past experiences your

current life circumstances so we cannot

say that it's the same thing for

everybody many associate Simplicity with

achieving emotional and mental Clarity

and I think that that's the common

factor reducing stress and finding peace

in everyday life but then how you go

about it can vary a lot for some

simplifying could mean reducing physical

clutter from their homes but for others

it could mean simplifying their

schedules or commitments have less

responsibilities outside of your home or

your work during your free time you want

to do completely other things and

sometimes I get comments from people

that don't really agree with my view on

this they have said for example that if

you are a minimalist you cannot have any

hobbies in your life and then there was

this one person that said any costs that

are not absolutely necessary for life

can be trash canned and personally I

disagree with these comments but that's

their view on Simplicity minimalism

simplifying life and if you feel that

it's a smart move and appropriate you

can always share your views when you see

a comment like this or somebody gives

you a comment in real life you can share

your view share your opinion and start a

friendly conversation from there I think

what I responded to this person was that

I can survive life with very few things

but for me it's not about survival

minimalism is not about surviving life

it's about being intentional with what I

let in my life and focus on bringing

quality things and quality moments that

bring longlasting joy and peace rather

than this very shortterm pleasure or

satisfaction that could come from

acquiring some fancy things that are

value in our consumerist society so

while minimalism doesn't fix maybe every

problem that you have in your life it

makes life feel much lighter I would say

the second surprising thing that I

learned after simplifying life was that

I noticed I am comparing myself to

others so much less I'm focusing much

more on my own Journey how am I feeling

what am I doing and of course I can't

say that this is 100% gone but let's say

if before I was measuring myself against

others every day or every week now I do

it every month probably not even every

month like every six months or something

so the difference in that is huge I have

learned what are my own values and that

living aligned with those brings me so

much more happiness and joy than trying

to look cool in other people's eyes and

it's so liberating to focus on the

personal growth and happiness over try

to keep up with the others if you feel

that they are ahead of you in life and

also I have to admit my radar for this

show of people I don't know really how

to describe them but you understand what

I mean people who need to show that they

have something or show that they are

better than they actually are this radar

has improved a lot it's so much easier

to notice these red flags in other

people when I have things together in my

own life and by the way if you're

wondering where I am since this is a

whole new setting for my videos I'm at

my grandfather's Garden SL backyard he

asked me to come and get some

raspberries for myself so of course I

did that and while I'm at it I'm filming

a video number three there's no right

way to declutter I think decluttering is

a very personal Journey or a habit and

what works for me might not work for you

so when it comes to the when what and

how there are no right or wrong answers

I think what is the most important thing

is that you do it every now and then and

then while you're doing it you have the

self-awareness and learn what works for

you what is a a method to do it that is

really good for you fits your schedule

fits your skills and your space and what

is something that maybe isn't working

for you that you have tried for example

Some people prefer the Kari method so

you really feeling the things and you

are organizing things per perfectly very

nicely in your house and some people

just prefer like gradual reduction of

things and it doesn't matter if things

don't look amazing setting some rules

like I explained in this video of course

helps but don't see them as some type of

law ultimately decluttering is about

creating a living space that makes you

feel better that makes you feel like a

home but there isn't still a lot of

excess lot of clut lot of things that

you don't want to be in there I don't

know if somebody asked for a raspberry

Garden shot but here I am now number

four social situations become more

challenging living in a consumerist

society I have noticed that sometimes

when you are a minimalist it's hard to

deal with some social settings some

social situations and some conversations

because there's a big difference or big

gap between the values and realizing

that 90% of people around me or probably

around us are not minimalist they are

not thinking the same way we are that

that has been quite eye openening for me

I think in general people are quite the

same that we all want happiness we all

want to create something and live a

meaningful life but then how we go about

it and what are the habits what are the

values the big principles behind it that

can be quite different I've had to

decline some opportunities because they

just simply didn't align with my values

so sometimes conversations can get

little bit awkward and you might feel

weird because you're the only one

thinking in a different way but I guess

that's just the price you pay for living

authentically and aligned with your

values but overall I would say despite

all these challenges minimalism has

bring a lot of lot of good things in my

life also so socially the fifth one is

minimalist living feels surprisingly

normal I have gained a clearer

understanding of what truly matters in

my life and started to appreciate much

more the possessions the things that I

have in my life but still my house my

home doesn't look like this I think a

common misconception about minimalism is

that it must look like this if you want

to be a minimalist or that you live with

close to nothing but I think it's much

more about the intentionality rather

than the amount of things that you have

or what your home or your life actually

looks like to the outside I have to say

I probably look like very normal

ordinary person only when we start to

have a discussion and when we talk you

can start to understand my values and my

views on life a little bit more so for

me simplifying hasn't been about

sacrificing anything essential or

anything that I consider fun in my life

it hasn't been this radical departure

from any daily routines or any career

things or especially any interest that I

have and sometimes I wonder if there's a

b sometimes I wonder if I am actually a

minimalist because I'm not living like a

monk but then I remember all the things

that I am doing to live more simply and

feel fulfilled knowing that my choices

the things that I'm doing in my life

have positive effects in my life and

other people's life as well for a

specific roadmap to simplify your life

you can check out my course simple life

blueprint or I have also this free

challenge if you want to challenge

yourself it's called clear the noise

challenge it lasts 5 days I will link

both Below in the description the number

six is that Financial stability comes

way sooner than expected probably here I

want to say probably because it's not

100% of the cases that you become a

minimalist and then you Achieve

Financial stability or Freedom or

financial Independence much quicker than

anybody else there are still many fact

factors to it but I have to say I'm

spending way less money now compared to

what I was spending when I was 19 years

old so by consciously reducing the

spending that I have I've been able to

save more money and that has meant for

me that I can for example make these

video even though my income isn't that

high so it has given me a lot more

freedom I'm not yet in a point in my

life that I could say I'm financially

fully safe or especially financially

free or financially independent but I

know that I am exactly on the right path

I have the right mindset and very solid

foundation because of minimalism number

seven knowing when to stop is key I

personally think that minimalism and

mental health should go hand in hand of

course there are moments in life when

you are simplifying when you're letting

go of something and you might feel

uncomfortable because you are new to

this and you are making maybe some

lifestyle changes but after a certain

period of time that should also change

for the better if you make lifestyle

changes and nothing seems to go in

Better Way nothing is really improving

especially mental healthwise I think you

should check again what is your approach

and reassess that and maybe reconsider

some strategies how you are going about

minimalism and simplifying life there

may come a point in your journey that

simplifying more may not give any more

these benefits but actually diminishing

returns for instance constantly

stressing about having too much feeling

that you should do more you should get

rid of these things that's way too much

can cause a lot of anxiety and in that

case I think is better to just focus on

other things than simplifying and

minimalism part of this journey is doing

it imperfectly I also still have clutter

and I think I will always have clutter

in my life in my house and that's

completely fine constantly striving for

the perfect minimalist life or the

perfect minimalist aesthetic can

actually stop you from enjoying life so

just keep that in mind hope you got some

tips or in ins spiration from this video

the resources that I mentioned are

linked Below in the description thank

you so much for watching remember to

stay kind and meaningful in your own

beautiful journey I will keep collecting

these raspberries now see you in the

next one ciao