MINIMALISM: Official Netflix Documentary (Entire Film)

When did you first see this documentary?

There is a difference between "choosing to live a Minimal lifestyle while being actually able to afford much more" and "being compelled to live a Minimal lifestyle due to not being able to afford much at all". The difference in the mentality of the two types of people is immense.

I saw this doc in my early fifties. Slowly, I started living this way. It began with decluttering things. Next, I decluttered my emotions. This led me to declutter my appetites and vices,. Finally, I found I did not need so many people or places. Slowly, I added back the people and places that mattered. Today, I am a senior citizen. Practicing minimalism is the best gift I did not know I wanted. I get a lot of things money can't buy. I sleep on the softest pillow which is a clear conscience, in most rooms, I walk into there is no one there I'd rather be other than me, and today I am not by myself, I'm with myself. Thank you for all you do Joshua and Ryan.

I've been poor, and I've been wealthy. I've learned smaller is better. Less is more. Doing is more rewarding than having. A cup of coffee in the morning while walking the dogs and watching the sunrise... playing my guitar as long or as little as I choose... laughing with my wife and making Mancala a drinking game... kayaking, and camping, and hiking... these are things that make me wealthy.

“Love people and use things, because the opposite never works” are words to live by. Peace 🖤

I think true manimulism is not just about things only, but also about relationships and people. I think having less relationships and only keeping the good ones ensures that your inner circle of people are the ones that support you and makes managing it less stressful as well.

In 2004 I gave away or sold ALL of my possessions to go live and work with Trappist Cistercian Catholic monks in Huntsville, UT. I was allowed to have a backpack, 10 books, and 3 sets of clothing. Because the temps got to -20 degrees Fahrenheit I was also able to ship my Sorel winter books, ski gloves & goggles to endure the environment. I spent 13 years with them until the monastery closed in 2017. Thanks @minimalists for having this film available on YouTube… I don’t have a Netflix subscription. For the past 6 years my time with the monks helps me to stay in a “minimalist mode”.

"as humans, we are wired to be dissatisfied." Have read a few books on this subject over the years. The older I get, the more true it seems. Beyond materialism.

It’s so easy and natural to be and talk about minimalism when you’re coming from maximalism. I was poor and broke and never understood things until I had two cars, the latest iPhone, expensive clothes and of course five YETI tumblers , when I noticed that I was not happier with the latest iPhone or the expensive shoe, instead I was happier with less weight (things) on my back and more lovely people around me with just a cup of coffee in hand in front of a lake.

This documentary changed my way of thinking about everything. The covid came along and it made even more sense. It's not just about getting rid of stuff, although that is part of it, it's about finding a simpler life based on memories, experiences and connections rather than working yourself stupid and having no time for the people you love. Highly recommended

26:25 This excerpt from his book hit me hard. The way his IKEA list quickly spirals from new apartment essentials into questioning his own identity and whether these frivolous items send the appropriate message to the world. Wow... moved me to tears.

As an 80 year old I can relate with both of you. I gave up city life and spent 7 years a minimalist farmer. As a frugal Dutchman's son and immigrant I learned the most basic rule Don't borrow - live within your means. I've traveled through many rural landscapes across the world and always notice that humans seem more humane and happy when their basic needs are met and they don't want more . As for those 'estate' belongings. Put 'em storage now. Those that you keep are 'time bomb memories'☯

I'm 55 and recently retired from a hectic job. Leading up to retirement and currently, I've been asked about what my next job will be. I would like to slow down, simplify my life, and enjoy the time I have left on this planet. It's so hard for many people to consider that we don't have to work and earn money until the day we die. I'm already tired of feeling guilty for retiring. I'm so glad I came across this documentary and the message that we don't have to work, work, work, earn, earn, earn, and spend, spend, spend. Maybe it is okay to slow down, enjoy a sunrise, and focus on things that make me happy.

It’s April 13, 2024. Watching for the first time! We are both close to 70 yrs old. Kids married & on our own. We’ve been going through each room and giving everything we don’t need to the less fortunate, Vets, abuse shelters, nursing homes, the hungry / homeless…… ❤️❤️ Don’t ever throw away your maximum excessive items. Others are in much need of our over purchasing. Less s more! God bless everyone. 🩷

"Love people and use things.. because the opposite never works!" WHAT A POWERFUL SENTENCE ♥

The best quote from the documentary. “You can control how much you spend, you cannot always control how much you earn“. I love this because it’s very true and sometimes we forget that this is really the reality that we live in quite simply people today are facing financial crisis because they rack up debt in credit card debt for buying frivolous materials new cell phone, new fancy shoes watches, expensive knickknacks that don’t really make their lives that much better especially when they continue to replace them every 12 months. People should learn to control their spending and they will find financial freedom.

I saw the documentary in 2016 for the first time, and since then I must have seen it about ten times 🙏

This documentary is how I grew up, literally. My mother was a stay at home mom and my father buit houses. I have 7 other siblings younger than me and providing for all of us pretty much assured that there would never be enough money for us to have anything but what was absolutely necessary. And necessary didn't always mean new either. I remember in my teen years being very upset that my parents didn't take me to the mall before each school year and buy me $500 of new clothes like all my friends got. But, I spent the majority of every summer going camping in the Sierra Nevada mountains or going to various lakes and water skiing. During the winter break we always went camping out in the southern California desert. We lived on a 640 acre property in Central California in a 5 bedroom adobe house built in the '40s. There was never a TV in our home, and I'm glad there wasn't. As a young adult, I never learned about any of the things that TV tells everyone they need so I don't have those issues as an adult. It's just amazing to me to watch this and realize that I've always been a minimalist and that I'm happy this way. I wouldn't trade my life for anyone else's.

Minimalism is something we learn with age. During Covid, I was forced to be minimalist when I was pregnant with my daughter. Nothing was more important than caring for the growing baby in my baby. No more Starbucks, eating out daily, manicures, hair salon, & shopping. I’m thankful for this.

I saw this when I was 21 and it did change my life, I own far less objects than past and think before buying anything