I like that you encourage us to find OUR minimal lifestyle. I think this is important because minimalism will look different for everyone. What is considered minimal for a monk living in the Himalayas will be very different from an accountant living in San Francisco. I don't think minimalism is a competition to see who can have the fewest things, it's simply the philosophy of owning exactly what is necessary for you and your lifestyle.

Aki. It’s brave to talk about being homeless. I happened to me too about 7 years ago… after losing my kids, put in hospital, lost home and pets… then I lived in a tent in the Rocky Mountains. Even then one night someone stole my tent. Lucky I had a little help when desperately needing it. I think it’s more common than the world knows. In the end we can just become fringe, dwelling bedouins. It’s wise to decide and know how to have the inner power to be independent. It’s all universally interesting evolution experiences. And minimalism, zen like and living kindness are all in the ‘right’ direction. Thank you. Sincerely Janet

I feel like one of the important parts of minimizing belongings is, as you say, buying things that bring you true joy, but also things that will last, so that you don't have to keep buying things over and over. This is also good for the environment, because we don't keep buying more and more things, which is still possible even if you follow minimalism.

I've been decluttering my belongings for many years. I keep the things I love and need and sell, but mostly give away the rest. My condo is stylish and free of excess. I feel relaxed and at peace there!

becoming a minimalist has been the single best improvement in my life that I've ever made, for all the reasons you stated and many more! thanks for the great content!

Great informational video. From your previous video(s), I've been getting up at 0530 everyday except on Sunday which 0600. Due to unforeseen reasons I've been homeless twice before. While in the military I was a semi-hoarder and in process of getting rid of items. Today I walked 2 miles to get coffee at McDonald's, laundromat to wash clothes, dried clothes at home, went to Walmart for shopping, put out my solar panels to charge batteries, workout at home, had breakfast, checked email, paid bills and showered. This was all before 0905 am!!

Thank you! You are very right about minimizing belongings. The more items one has the more they start to be afraid of losing them, and become very anxious. Also I have my own sad experience, not only I spent a lot on things I don't use much later and they just lay all over my place, but when russian began attacking Kyiv l, where I live, I was very confused where should I go, what should I take with me, and where those the most important thing are, because they are everywhere in my apartment. I definitely need to change this attitude to my life.

I reduced what I own by 95%. It's not for forever, but it has helped me in my current goals for sure. Gonna live on a semi truck and save for a house

I'm already cleaning my toilet WAY more than I used to. After this video I had a clear idea how to get rid of a lot of clothes in my closet that I never use, and where to take them. You always seem so healthy, happy and light, that's a great inspiration to me.

Iam also became a minimalist afte the pandemic.I'm still trying to remove stuff that I haven't used for more than 6 months. My life has become much easier. Thanks for making these videos to keep me in track 🎉

Over a year ago, in October 2022, finding your videos changed my life. Simply, i was so inspired that I took actions to improve my space and mental health. I had severe depression. And then after watching your videos, I cleaned out my room and changed many things in my space and started waking up at 8AM to make matcha, and from these actions i was able to move on from that severe depression and entered a new state of mind. Ever since, I havent gone back to the way i was. Still dont have good mental health, and to others I might seem like a failure, but I actually changed profoundly. And now I need to try again that process again :)

I suffer with bipolar, however, I am slowly starting to mimamise my belongings. Your videos are very motivating and have helped me. Thank you ❤

Your outside space is a reflection of your inner space, always. ❤

Love your approach. The economic anxiety and ties with people bit was my favorite.

Hey Samurai Matcha! Yes! Everything I bring into my home demands my time and attention. I have released many things and it is so freeing! You get to know yourself better. Now when something breaks, I ask myself if I need to get a new one - usually not. Or when I'm sorting through my art supplies, I let go of the ones I no longer use. And when I'm at a store, I ask my self "Will this help me do something I already do better and be true to myself?" If the answer is "no" then I leave it.

Thank you so much guys always:)))

I have been minimizing my belongings because I want to live overseas and in order for that to happen I need to get rid of a lot of stuff so that way I can move with relative ease. I also dont want my daughter to be burdened with having to deal with my stuff when I pass on. Thanks for sharing your journey.

i have some questions and maybe video suggestions what are your hobbies as a minimalist? what do you currently do for work and is it less stressful then your old job? if you dont use weights how do you maintain and build muscle do you have an exercise routine? have you counted what you own lately?

I’m currently going through my possessions with the intention of getting control of what I have, what I need, and what I can get rid of. I don’t see myself becoming a full-on minimalist, but only something closer to that. It’s so hard! Especially to get rid of things that bring back forgotten memories of people, places, and events - cards, letters, pictures. Our online world has eliminated many of these physical expressions of love and friendship.

I agree with the moving section. My goal since starting minimalism has been that everything I own could be packed in 1 day and fit into 1 transporter at once (except a car if I own one). As someone who moved 14 times since 2008 it has really changed my life for the better.

SAMURAI , please show us your minimalist kitchen skills. Our fridge is crazy! lots of love x

Becoming healthier is so true. I have been decluttering for a month already (I started with your easy tip about grabbing 10 things you don’t need) and I feel like I can breathe better on my room. I don’t have to be constantly moving things around or cleaning so much. Dust seems to not cover everything so fast, and my frustration is way lower. I wake up and sleep more happily.

minimalism is the best decision I ever made ✨

Minimalism is such an amazing tool to living a more meaningful life. Minimalism to me me means MORE!- more time, more space, more peace!

From Canada 🇨🇦 here, thank you for sharing your story! I am very encouraged by your videos. Thank you Aki!

I'm exploring minimalism fully at this moment in my life, and it's been a complete game changer! It's brought me more energy and peace of mind than ever before. Thank you Aki, you're such an inspiration! 💗

It is so good that you have learned these lessons while you are young. I wish I would have started minimalism in my 20's, but better late than never! My husband and I are in our mid 40's trying to simplify so we can move overseas. There is a lot to sort through after 24 years of marriage!

Your videos have had a profound influence on me. I was already a minimalist but your messages improved my adherence to this lifestyle. Thank you.

clean, organized, beautiful, sane...

Aki, i as always, think your videos are great! I could watch them every day. I do not live as a minimalist at all, but since started to watch your channel about a year ago, i have gotten rid of SO many stuff i dont use, together with getting rid of old clothes, everytime i buy something new. Something i also want to ask, even though i have asked before is; Would u ever do a video on how you use Buddhism (and maybe also Confucianism) in your every day life and together with your family and friends. I know you talk about the daily gratitude and how you bless and thank your food and water etc. But if u wanted to do something more in depth, that would be awesome! One last thing... I am very much into Japanese culture (I am european). Both the people, history, philosophy and just the country in general is something i find to be truly amazing and inspiring. I have also taken a big interest in the legendary samurai "Miyamoto Musashi" - I imagine he might be someone you don't agree with on many points, since he lived a brutal and fierce life. But i would love to know your take, on Japanese legends and that side of the spectrum aswell. Because even though he was a brute force warrior who killed people. He was also a buddhist, a teacher and philosopher. Keep it up! Your channel is amazing!

If only more people were like you, the world would be a better place 😊

Thank you very much for your awesome videos. Last night I was chatting with a soul sister. She is trying to minimize her belongings. I remembered that some of your videos discuss this. I'm sharing this 1 with her & probably a few others. This 1 will definitely fit her perfectly. I too am trying to minimize my belongings. I've adopted some of your other lifestyle changes & my life is definitely improving. Thanks a lot.

Wow, this video felt a bit like a direct response to my comment on your last video :) I really appreciate the mind-set of being aware of what you need, but I would like to add that this sometimes means that you have to get new posessions as well. I used to stick to the minimal thing in an unhealthy way, thinking: less posessions = less stress. But that actually limited my choices, because I didn't want to increase the number of things I owned. Now I have bought new kitchen gadgets and lots of other stuff I once considered unnecessary... and they make me so happy and probably even improve my health... (but thanks to the lessons I've learned about minimalism I won't hesitate to give them away when the time has come)... sooo... I wouldn't cling too much to the reducing thing, it's probably more about becoming aware of your needs and that can be achieved in many ways.

I've been watching your videos for a couple of weeks now and they have definitely inspired me to declutter. I still have far more items than you do, but it's a journey, right? I just put up my first decluttering video today! Thank you for all of the motivation!

As I was listening to you I cleaned out 2 drawers and it was so much easier with your encouragement!

Thank you very much Sir for your videos. I am nocturnal & I have a lot of stuff. These habits are difficult to change but you have inspired me to go for it. I'm going to set alarms to remind me to go to sleep & wake up earlier. I am going to take a box & every day put at least 1 item in it to be donated to Goodwill. Please have a lovely day.

This is another inspirational video. I truly enjoy your channel! Your transparency with mistakes of the past and your humility with your successes make you “approachable.” You inspire by showing where you came from and how you got to this point. Thank you for keeping it real. You’re an effective teacher. I look forward to your next video!

I am sorta a minimalist, not fully, i enjoy certain things especially plants i want to fill my home to the brim with plants and its hard being a minimalist if you have many pets ans they need stuff but i like my kitchen gadgets too. but with everything else i started to let go. i come from a family who has always struggled our entire lives, so holding n to things "just in case" is a huge mentality here because you never know when you need it. but that is stress and i can live a life where i dont need it anymore so i started to let go, despite everyone saying im crazy, i got rid of 50% of my stuff and my goal is to get rid of a total of 80-90% of my things, i am already a lot less depressed and i feel more at peace, your videos help me in this journey too.

I'm so excited !!

New video just as I've begun minimalizing my room! Your videos have been and are so helpful!

Super inspiring. Your personal journey has blessed up all.

I love what you said about minimalising belongings. We have so many things distracted us as it is!

I am completely addicted to your channel! Thank you!!!

I didn't know some of those concepts until I made them, empirically. I made a journey for one year and I sold all my things. Only I kept 2 boxes and 1 suitcase. And now (I've come back to my city) I don't want to have more belongings that I really need. Because when I was traveling I felt that I didn't need to be worried about stuffs (pay bills of things that I really didn't need, or fix some thing that it was not necessary). Now I live simple, and I feel really good with this. But the point is that I never listened this concept that you explain before this moment and I feel that is really true! And in those months again in my city (empirically again), I've been reducing my social network because the social life didn't allow me develop my dreams. And I'm focused in my dreams, so, with your explanation I understand better what is happening into myself. Thank you so much! I really appreciated that KZfaq recommended me your video! ❤ It was not casual! 🙏🏽

I'm very grateful for your videos , you constantly inspire me to minimise my possesions to what's useful and important for me. You lifestyle and mindset advice also inspires me and comforts me. Thank you , I'm sending good energy and light your way ✨

Our family really wants to move to Japan and I’d love to encourage young people who live in Tokyo to move back out into the country and start families, live a simple, yet fulfilling life 🙏🏼 We have 5 children and life can be so simple and beautiful if you can get yourself off of the hamster wheel of “normal” high stress careers and city life 💗

Just a quick note that I really enjoy your quality content. It's inspiring and encourages me to continue on my minimalism journey as well. Much gratitude 🙏

Wow! I am truly inspired! Thank you for sharing.

👍🙏 Thank you! I am in a process of letting go of my belongings and implementing habits for lifestyle which I love to live. You videos are helpful and inspiring!

Nice video!

Thank you for the video. It’s so helpful🙏🙏🧿

Inspiring, as always. Thank you.

Great. Thank You for taking the time to make this video.

I truly love your videos. You're bringing problems of stress and clutter always to a point and help to motivate myself to change. Thank you very much. 😊

Hi Samurai Matcha! Your videos always bring smile to my face ^^ Thank you! By the way your English is so good now!

This is a wonderful video! And I really enjoyed your view on "minimize stuff to have an abundant life".❤

I love your videos so much! You are amazing! They are so inspiring! Arigato🙏

The "less likely to hit your little toe" sold me! 😂

Thanks for sharing,great steps to follow

You are such a light ☀️

Thanks for sharing!!!❤❤❤😊

thank you for your videos!

I love watching your videos , i appreciate your thoughts even being not a minimalist

Love your videos!!

Great humbling videos! Went to Japan a while ago, a totally different world. Very inspirational

So inspiring, thanks for encouraging. I know I'm not a minimalistic person at all and I hope to get inspired and minimize the expenses. 😊

Your videos make me happy❤thanks

So true. Thanks for all your tips. I entertain people in my channel with weekly tarot readings. I love to do Tarot cards. I enjoy you sharing your fun lifestyle.

This was so interesting! I would love to hear more about your past, including the homelessness experience. :)

thank you Aki for this fun video. It was a little hard to hear you, from the music. I think it is okay without music. I enjoy hearing you talk, so music isn't needed for me. Best wishes!

As somebody who is living their early 20s now. The stress is real. I’m not only trying to pay off my college tuition with my earnings, but also have been spending many hours or days deep cleaning my room. I still have more stuff I can’t deside if I want to get rid of because I’m a an avid reader of manga, light novels and figurines. I also want to be an artist and writer to make write stories and draw to sell. In terms of books, I have started to use libby(online library system to borrow books and audiobooks instead of buying. Anyways, I have felt the anxiety from overconsumption or overeating junk foods.

Dude you are inspiring! I've been working on minimalism too

I have been watching your videos and you really inspire me thank you so much my room is now completely empty and I have only a few clothes keep up the great content

Thank you so much you are the best medicine ❤

Excellent video content!

Your English is getting better and better!

Thank you!!💜

Thank you very much! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

Thank you Aki, it seems that each new video reveals more about yourself, which is inspiring to me. Two of the best decisions I ever made was to get rid of my car. It is amazing how much money you can save by getting rid of it. Second, I decided to live in a 420 square foot (39 square meter) apartment which helped me get rid of even more stuff. Inspired by Aki, I plan to continue reducing more of my stuff.

Love this video. Could you make this in Japanese too? Want to show it to my Japanese husband as he likes to keep a lot of his tech gadgets and can't bear to recycle them :P

Excellent video!

Thank you Akki ...

Thank you for your wise words.

Is that a clasp for your robe or a necklace underneath? If a clasp, what kind and where did you get it! I need a good clasp. Also, I am interested in minimalism. Just INTERESTED! 😏I have a hobby(well…actually SEVERAL hobbies!)that is NOT conducive to minimalism. However, I HAVE managed to design my small room with LOTS of storage and have made it extremely useful/useable. I like your channel. I am very interested in Japan and the Japanese lifestyle and culture.

WOW ! Super vidéo. Important de se rappeler l'impact de notre environnement sur notre santé mentale.

Your channel is amazing! I really appreciate how you show the japanese culture as well through your content. I'm trying to find minimalist channels from different countries, if anyone has any recommendations, please share it with me

😢getting there but papers still freak me out...in the old days I think it was called 'Registry' documents that "could" need looking up ten (or even more!!) years later.

Nice video love it👏

Your videos helped me sort out my life 😂 ありがとう!!

Thank you!

I truly love you. Thanks for all ❤

I need more videos from you like this! Every day get rid of something... Bit a bit will be a lot! Hehe

Letting go is truly a process. I'm in the middle of it and it is not easy.

I’m here in FULL POWER!

Unless necessary I don’t see the point in becoming a extreme minimalist and get stripped of our “identity”, I follow principles of minimalism but I don’t consider myself one especially the type that got popular on KZfaq and the minimalists (podcasters) preach meanwhile they have a house full of stuff and a anexe house full of nothing 😂

You’re as awesome as ever ❤️🇦🇺

Your videos are the best. Thank you for this one. Btw, what's your favorite Manga?

Minimal living is best for me. The freedom is unimaginable. Stuff is a constraint to happiness.

I'd suggest decluttering your setup: e.g. hide the cables, get rid of the plants and the lamp. Monitor light bar can be more versatile. Actually, I don't know what you are aiming for. In my ideal, there are only meaningful things and to me those plants or store bought vases are meaningless. I also find yellow light loathsome, preferring more white sun-like light.

My wife and i admire the Progression you went through. Where did your motivation came from when you were at your personal rock bottom to change for the better? Greetings from Germany!