She tried minimalism for a week.

Summary

In this engaging video, the minimalist host Matt introduces an experiment where his wife Natalie, a self-proclaimed lover of stuff, embraces minimalism for a week. With the help of decluttering expert Courtney Carver, they tackle Natalie's wardrobe, digital life, and beauty products, aiming to streamline her possessions and discover the benefits of a more intentional lifestyle. Despite initial reluctance, Natalie finds joy in donating unused items, though she remains skeptical about adopting minimalism long-term.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video features a couple where the husband is a minimalist and the wife, Natalie, is not traditionally inclined towards minimalism but agrees to try it for an experiment.
• 👕 The husband wears the same T-shirt every day and has a very limited wardrobe, while Natalie has a more extensive collection of clothes and items.
• 🔄 Natalie embarks on a one-week minimalism experiment, starting with decluttering her wardrobe down to 33 items, inspired by Courtney Carver's Project 333.
• 📦 The couple discusses the emotional and practical challenges of decluttering, including the fear of not having enough and the relief that comes from taking action.
• 💻 The video also addresses the issue of digital clutter, with Natalie having over 11,000 unread emails and a lack of data backup.
• 🔄 Natalie and her husband tackle organizing her digital life by backing up files and using cloud storage solutions like Google Drive and Google Photos.
• 💄 Natalie consolidates her extensive beauty products into one bag for the week, learning to prioritize and let go of items she rarely uses.
• 🍽 The couple also declutters the kitchen, focusing on cooking condiments, and Natalie defends her use of a wide variety of sauces.
• 🛍️ Despite the experiment, Natalie concludes that minimalism may not be for her, as she enjoys the process of selecting outfits and does not feel overwhelmed by her possessions.
• 🎁 The experiment does result in a positive outcome, as Natalie donates unused items to charity, making room for new purchases.
• 📚 The video recommends Courtney Carver's book 'Project 333' for those interested in decluttering their wardrobe and embracing minimalism.

Q & A

What lifestyle change is Natalie attempting in the video?

Natalie is attempting to adopt a minimalist lifestyle, which is a significant change for her as she previously enjoyed having and using a variety of items.

What is Matt's lifestyle philosophy as depicted in the video?

Matt is a minimalist who owns very few items, wears the same T-shirt every day, has only one pair of jeans, and is intentional with nearly every aspect of his life.

How does Matt ensure he has Natalie's consent for the minimalism experiment?

Matt has a conversation with Natalie, and she agrees to the experiment willingly, showing that it is not a prank or something he is forcing upon her.

What is Courtney Carver's contribution to the minimalist movement mentioned in the video?

Courtney Carver is the author and creator of Project 333, a minimalist fashion challenge that encourages people to dress with only 33 items or less for three months.

What is the main challenge Natalie faces when decluttering her wardrobe according to the video?

Natalie faces the challenge of reducing her wardrobe to only 33 items for a week, which is a significant reduction from her usual collection of clothes and accessories.

How does the video address the issue of digital clutter on Natalie's devices?

The video shows the process of decluttering Natalie's digital space by organizing her desktop, addressing a large number of unread emails, and backing up files to cloud storage.

What is the significance of backing up files to Google Drive and Google Photos as shown in the video?

Backing up files to Google Drive and Google Photos ensures that Natalie's data is safe and accessible even if her devices are lost, stolen, or damaged.

What is the '331 project' mentioned by Matt, and how does it differ from Courtney Carver's Project 333?

The '331 project' is Matt's adaptation of Courtney Carver's Project 333, where he challenges himself to reduce his wardrobe to 33 items, but for one week instead of three months.

How does Natalie feel about the decluttering process after going through her wardrobe, technology, and beauty products?

Natalie finds the decluttering process exhausting and not particularly enjoyable, stating that she did not feel she gained much from it and does not see herself becoming a minimalist.

What positive outcome does Natalie identify after participating in the minimalist experiment?

Natalie appreciates the process of going through her belongings and donating unused items to charity, which not only clears her closet but also provides for others.

What is the humorous situation at the end of the video regarding Matt's camera gear?

In a playful twist, Natalie pretends to have donated Matt's camera gear as a joke, echoing the earlier prank scenario where she thought her belongings were thrown away.