14 Important Life Lessons From The Minimalism Documentary
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A few weeks ago we watched Minimalism: a documentary about the important things, with the Peaceful Tribe Facebook group.
I’ve been following the Minimalists since I discovered their podcast. In the podcast, they give many great tips about living a more intentional life. It inspired me to make some changes of my own.
We live in a world of consumption
One thing that resonated with me was how electronics, furniture, and anything that we buy is built in a way that it won’t last forever. Therefore, we buy and buy over and over the same objects every few years.
I remember my grandfather trying to change the broken input cable from an external hard-drive that I had a few years ago. The manufacturer made it in a way that you couldn’t change the input. The only way to fix the broken hard-drive was to get a new one instead of simply changing one small cable.
I remember him getting upset about how things are now built in a way so you can’t fix them and have no choice but replacing them with a new one.
My grandfather was good at fixing things, he loved finding old bicycles and make them work for us to play. We had a plastic tractor, 1 small and 1 medium electric motorcycle, and bicycles in different sizes for all of my cousins!
Only now I realize that my grandfather was a great example of intentional living. Instead of buying new, he took broken things and gave them a second life to share with his family.
Lessons From Minimalism: a documentary about the important things
- People are spending money faster than they are earning it
- People are trying to buy happiness
- We live in an illusion that our life should be perfect
- The American dream is not for everybody
- You can’t control making more money but you can control spending less
- There’s more to life than bills, money, and work
- Check out project 333 to live with fewer clothes
- Meditation is about finding well being in the present moment
- We are always distracted by things like phones etc, and meditation is an antidote to these distractions
- Human identity should be defined by what one does and not what one owns
- We think we need those things because we’ve been told we needed them by society
- Minimalism is about questing for a life that is good for yourself and the people around you
- When you get something new you should ask yourself: is this adding value to my life?
- Love people and use things, because the opposite never works
Letting go of things
Watching the documentary motivated me to do a minimalist challenge. My home is now clutter free!
Okay, I still have a bit of room for improvement but I am proud of where we are now. It feels so good to go from one room to another and not see clutter!
One of the biggest changes is in my closet, I am now doing a seasonal capsule wardrobe, it helps me to become more confident and less stressed in the morning when I am running late and I need to get clothes really fast (almost every day :D)
Further Reading
- The Best Audiobooks That Will Change Your Life
- Minimalism Challenge: How to have Fun Decluttering your Home
- How To Stop Unwanted Emails, Mails, And Phone Calls
- Everything You Need To Know To Stop Stress
- The Best Tools To Improve Your Life And Be Happier
Michelle Kirsch
February 14, 2017 at 11:18 amI have been following the Minimalists for a while too, but I still haven’t watched their documentary. Now I know I need to! I totally strive to be intentional about what I consume, but I find it especially hard now that I have kids. It’s definitely a work in progress!
Julie
August 2, 2017 at 8:07 amHi Michelle! Did you watch the documentary yet? What did you think about it?
Sarah Wendtland
August 13, 2017 at 9:58 amI didn’t learn anything new from the documentary that I didn’t already know. However, the documentary resonated with me. One thing I loved about the documentary is that they always offered to hug people.
I have about a week left at a ‘Corporate America’ job. I am leaving because of high anxiety. As an already overachiever, my anxiety has increased because I am expected to produce more, to be more, and be connected 24/7. I no longer want to live to work, but work to live.
My hubby and I went to breakfast this morning. I watched 3 ladies sit at a table and look at their phones. Two finally stopped, but the one couldn’t put it down. How sad is it that our society is no longer enjoying the moment and talking with loved ones?
Susan Breton
December 23, 2017 at 3:29 amHi Julie, the only rule to which I would add something is #10. It’s not just WHAT one does, it’s WHO one is. Being kind, polite, having manners, having integrity, , being cheerful, honesty… the list goes on. You may argue that this is something one DOES, but I feel this is something one IS.
Susan
Jean | DelightfulRepast.com
March 19, 2018 at 5:42 amJulie, I’m sure getting on the minimalism/simplicity path is helping with your anxiety and depression as well. I love what you said about your grandfather. It is very frustrating for people clever enough to fix things to have to throw things out instead. Wishing you all the best. Pinning.