1. Create space by decluttering your physical possessions. (Does this item give me joy?) 2. Embrace space by having as much physical space as possible where you live. (Organize all the things in your life purposely.) 3. Eliminate choices. (Maybe wear the same outfit every day. Maybe eat the same breakfast every day. Maybe you only drink water.) 4. Everything is transient, nothing is perfect, and that's ok. 5. Can we apply the idea of simple living to our thoughts and our actions?

Your point is well-taken about minimalism, but Steve Jobs didn't live without a couch because he was a minimalist. He did so because he was an abusive narcissistic perfectionist who tortured those around him. He would have arguments with the family at the dinner table about the technological features of his washer and dryer. He refused to furnish his living area because nothing was ever "good enough." It's an illustration how any philosophy--taken too far--will become a tyranny of the soul.

Thanks for another informative video. I followed Marie Kondo's methods several years ago and I was amazed by how much I decluttered. But this year, I have been on a new declutter focus following some of the Swedish ideas, especially "Death Cleaning", which has been even more effective and less rigid than Japanese methods. I am now living an "intentional" rather than "minimalist" life. It's not about stuff, it's about everything and what meaning it has in your life. It took 6 months of reviewing every single item I own and decluttering what no longer bore purpose in my life. And I cannot believe how much I removed from my home, even though I have been careful and frugal and well organised and tidy. The great thing is I have no urge to buy anything to replace what I decluttered. Second, I follow a Chinese philosophy, "You know you're rich, when you know you have enough". I have less and less but feel richer and richer. Mentally, I feel lighter and lighter and not weighed down by stuff. This also goes for a digital and financial declutter. Finally, a friend of mine, an architect, told me years ago that we look at housing in terms of how much storage space there is. The danger with this is that we fill it with stuff. Hence, the smaller the place, the less storage available, the better. We soon realise how we don't need so many things. My goal is to have as many empty drawers and cupboards and spaces where practicable, without the urge to fill these spaces up. It is amazing how this intentional way of living saves you so much money and my goal is to fill my life with experiences rather than stuff. Humans consume too much and end up throwing most of it away. Look at fast fashion! I have a clothing budget of $15 per month and I often don't even spend that. I realised after my last decluttering purge, that so much stuff I bought was hardly used and now I think of all the money I wasted. I don't want to do that anymore. As a society, we have too much FOMO! This has to stop and we have to realise that we are falling victim to marketing and advertising ploys time after time.

Just got back from Japan. Everything is clean sleek and not cluttered. People are kind and courteous. My friend left iPhone on bullet train. It was returned within an hour. Healthy food. I wanted to stay but language is difficult ❤

I'm a long time simple living fan. Great video! Funny you mention only drinking water, because that's exactly what I do. I also only eat plant foods. My grocery shopping is VERY easy and simple, as is my food prep. I have home clothes and street wear. The home clothes are all very similar to each other. The street clothes are also same styles so I don't have to think too hard about creating an outfit. I only have a few jewelry pieces and accessories, like a scarf and one bag that match everything else. This winter I'll complete my goal of digitizing ALL photos, recipes and paperwork, so nothing to store physically. The relief is real!!

I read a book and then sell it or donate it. Even her book!! In the last year I have only kept one book the whole time, my Bible. Life changing when you move house.

Japan has a culture of year-end cleaning. I think most Japanese do a bit of decluttering at this time :)

I was in Japan 30 yrs ago, wish I could visit again. The most beautiful country and culture I ever visited.

Just removed all the strings on my guitar except one and all the frets. Wow, I sound so much better now.

As a japanese who can't clean my room,this video has great meanings for me.Most japanese now should reconsider these types of japanese culture. Sorry for my poor vocabulary and grammar😢 Thanks for posting this video!

Respectfully, her name is Marie, not Mary.

Adapt to a lifestyle, be thrifty, set a budget, save money, and make investments to live within your means. I benefited from this as a six-figure income. With this strategy, my retirement savings have increased by almost $1 million.

We have all heard about the 'Does it bring me joy?' concept. But I think the way you rephrased it as 'Does this bring value to my life? ' is much more profound. We have plenty of things that we need in our homes that provide purely practical value. No joy there LOL

Those Rothco prints behind you spark my joy. I used to do art like that but it's been in the back of the closet for years. Time to get out the paints again!

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="123">2:03</a> wow ! Love this clean view of your comfy and tidy place !

Thanks Zach, i really enjoyed the video. And thanks for the recap it was helpful.

Thank you for this video and the message you've shared. I was feeling quite anxious just now, until I watched your video. It's put things into perspective 💛

This video sparks joy for me ❤

I don’t know how Japanese minimalism changed your life.. But you surely have changed my life Zach ❤️

Well done! This is gold!

Greetings from the Czech Republic, I love your videos. Been watching them for some time. Extremly educating and helpfull. You helped me a lot in productivity, turning your life for better etc. Good idea for some future video: Video focusing solely on meditation, how to practice, how to start, how to keep focus etc. Looking forward to future videos, thank you. Cheers!!!

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="14">0:14</a> It's been great seeing zach's sense of humor thrive with his youtube journey 😂 great videos man

great vid as a resident, decision fatigue is real been really trying to open up my mind and clear clutter it's tough, but worthwhile

That was helpful, thank you. I really need to get minimalism and calm into my mind.

Thank you for your video, very refreshing. I have been doing minimalism for several years. I usually take time to refresh the minimalism idea (although it's almost always the same), but I like your video, very refreshing and good explanation. Salute!

Thanks for sharing minimalism tips. In love with minimalist spaces & lifestyle! 🤩

I am a minimalist, I don’t own a bed frame currently, I truly enjoy a open & clean space, satisfying beyond words. Now eating the same breakfast every morning I’m not sure about that lol

Simple living , high thinking

I don't have to decide what to wear, but I still have variety. I just wear my clothes in order of how they are hanging. No decisions just the first top and the first pair of pants on the right.

Thank you l.I learned a lot. Really helpful.

Great reminder video. I love getting rid of stuff

Luvly video thank you!

I found you really interesting to listen to, and you spoke sooo much sense. I too followed Marie Kondo's methods in the past, which worked in some ways for me, but some were too restrictive for me too. I like to see things I love out in my home, and would not be happy in a minimalist home. I definitely have way too much stuff in my home that I need out of it, but I am so desperate for money, I try and sell it to no avail it seems?! I have two rooms full of things I have not touched in about 7 years. I only go out of my home to walk my dog, due to my sever anxiety, which the stuff in my home is not helping of course! I have not been out and about since 2020. I can not afford to get someone to help me remove things from my home, as I am living on my pension. So I have to do what I can on my own. Blessings to you from Jilly & Madge the rescue greyhound, from West Devon, England. xxx

Minimalism is always intriguing but has been born from prosperity. Giving things to charity shops is very noble if you prefer to not deal with selling them. I visit a Habitat for Humanity thrift shop regularly and have seen both the very poor and the very well off shopping there. It's a joy to see a poor older lady happily taking a piece of fine china to the cashier counter. The lady obviously recognized the quality and was able to add it to her house for $2.00. Half my furniture is used and I am happy with it. I don't feel that I am taking from the poorer shoppers there since I have donated many items there myself. God bless Jimmy Carter and his beloved wife.

Really great video, thank you very much!

Excellent video. Thank you. 💯

Yes this is it!!!!! 🙌 less is better - always trying to get more and achieve more isn’t as beneficial as marketing makes it seem. Thanks for explaining this in a simple way! :)

Thanks for sharing. Glad to find new people in this space. I’ve been on the minimalism journey since 2013 or so. :)

exactly. i want to practicing not needing it as opposed to wanting anything

I spent 5 hours reorganizing and decluttering my closet last night. I am a well organized person, but my closet had too much visual clutter. I ended up with a large bag of shoes and clothes to donate, and I have set aside some purses to sell online that I no longer use.

I like your art collections !

Excelent Zach❤

Awesome video, thank u so, greetings from Mexico City

Look at how well this vid is doing.

I'm someone who has never been able to clean up. It's practically a mental disorder; I have a pathological hatred of cleaning and organizing. But Marie Kondo's book removed the shame and self-hatred out of cleaning for me by focusing on the positives of cleaning and thanking items before letting them go.

Kudos to YOU as I have been a minimalist for several years now and I have not owned a couch in several years as I am a PISCES like Steve Jobs and I believe that I share his exact birthday so this completely makes sense to me!!! Great video :)-

And to know if it sparks joy is t know if it feels like it drags you down or makes you feel happy and uplifting. Also, before buying something touch it and see how I feels before buying it!

Will try from this year

Great one ....🎉

👍👍Thank you very much for guidance regarding the Japanese way of minimalism 🙏🙏 from India

Thank you.

Wonderful video.

You forgot paper clutter in Marie’s order of what to go through first. It comes after books.

Great video as always say 🌍🌟

Great video and channel.

thanks Zach! glad you're talking about minimalism! I actually have been living without wifi (crazy!) and it's felt similar mentally. that and you inspired me to start making youtube videos, and I just hit 1k subs! keep inspiring us!

Nice... noted...

That intro got me😂

Watching on repeat 😂😂😂

you have a beautiful and warm energy home

I am a "Simplest" and have been living this way for over 6 years now. My life is a pleasure. I tried asking the "Does this park joy?" question with my friend whose home I cannot visit it is so filled with stuff. She is not a hoarder. EVERYTHING fills her with joy. Of course, that is a lie. Her "collections" represent a deep-seated sense of unworthiness. THIS is a cultural thing in America--particularly for women. Surrounding yourself with consignment store stuff that did not cost much makes you feel safe. So "minimalism" appeals to lots of us but will never appeal to the vast majority who are "cultural hoarders".

It's funny how we all hang on to clothes in hopes of "Someday'". Konmsri starts with this category in her method saying to keep sentimental items last but for many of us we do have an emotional attachment to our clothes. But it's still a good place to start since we have so many clothes😂. Good luck on your journeys y'all 😊

Nice!

love it

You are awesome.

You're awesome... I subscribed... 😀

Enjoyed

Fly Eagles Fly Zach!

Thanks to you I also read these 2 books, they're amazing, I've already sold and donated countless items, and if feels absolutely amazing to declutter and simplify your environment and your life. So I want to thank you Zach!

Interesting note regarding Zuckerberg and Jobs wearing the same set of clothes daily - A few years ago in Australia, a pair of morning TV hosts conducted an experiment. She wore different clothes daily and inevitably there was critique about her choices on all sorts of of other media. He wore the exact same clothes each day (for a year perhaps? I can't recall that detail) and *nobody noticed* . Point being, in theory that elimination of clothing choices is wonderful, but try being a female in the public eye and getting away with that.

Love this!!!!!!!!!?❤

❤ wow, this is motivating me. You talk calmly, make it simplified and are keeping my attention 100%. Great 👍 way ypu have to in speaking and getting these very helpful ideas that i will keep in my mind as I amin midst of decluttthe expensive things. Marie Kondo's book helped when a lot back when it first came to out but as a youtuber, my thing was hauls. Not doing this anymore. Hard when in a tiny crsmped apt and can not spread out as i have things everywhere. I am not one who can think on clutter. I noticed it was much eadier in a big home plus went faster and decision making. Thank you. New subscriber here.

Where did you get your shirt from? Looks very comfortable. Just one more thing! I promise.

From birth to death we undergo metamorphosis. Every year, we outgrow our clothing, shoes and books. Thrift shop or trash?People who are savers live cluttered lives.

I have such a hard time getting rid of books…

kitchen appliances dont give me joy😅but I need them😮

think beyond objects... agreed

I used to think the people who criticized consumerism were crazy. But now I think things have gone too far. We are surrounded by cheap, throwaway if it breaks items. It's harder and harder to find quality goods that will last a lifetime and people are now producing things so that people don't have to think, the smart appliance or computer or AI will do the thinking for them. Here's to having a few, really high quality things in your life and less junk.

Your Tshirt looks very nice, could you please tell what brand/model it is? :)

Have you adjusted the truss rod on your guitar? The neck angle looked concerning per the shot I saw....

True..JAINISM already believes in this principle of minimalism sinces ages.

one word wonderful. How is that for mini idea

Japanese Minimalism is wild, you’ll have some people who only have what they need and then you have others who buy a house worth of anime and popular culture merch and have a room full of boxes

Meditation is essentially de-cluttering your mind....and creating space for new creative thoughts.....and meditation is the main practice in Zen.....

I realize why I have a hard time getting rid of things I was going through a box and there were some things for my granddaughter's play Tickets and I didn't even remember the play until I saw the tickets and it's like that when you get my age I think that's part of the emotional issue but I truly want to live simply I don't want to be a minimalist actually but just live simply and I'm trying very hard as long as I can give something to someone I've taken bags and bags of baby clothes and winter coats and warm pajamas and blankets and sheets to people that need them and I can get rid of them so quick if I can find someone that needs them but other things I have a more difficult time with I'm worried I'm going to pass away and leave too much for my family to have to deal with anybody have any suggestions to help me do this more quickly

i eat only fresh local beef. it makes my life so much easier and healthier when it comes to my food choices. not to mentioned ive cured crohns disease by cutting out processed foods

Try this hack for your library: My wife and I once had an entire room for our books. Fourteen bookcases! Seven were mine. Seven were hers. I decided to organize mine alphabetically, first by subject; then by title or author, depending on which I knew better. But here's the hack: I stacked the books on their BACKS! With their spines facing outward, of course. This way I didn't need to twist my head sideways to read the titles! Seriously! Why do we stack books everywhere upright? It makes no sense! It's so much easier to find specific books this more utilitarian way! Of course, at first it looks kinda weird and "messy". But you get used to it.

Hello zach. Big fan❤. Can you put a video about how to start studying

What shirt brand did you choose?

Ok yes but, how do you decide who you are? i feel like i always need a ton of choices because i have no idea who to be.

Minimalism is what the world needs

Bro what do you use for video editing software.. final cut or divinci resolve?

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="598">9:58</a> summary of points/video

Been doing this for around four years after I went from being a minimalist to owning way too much! Gotten so far and mega happy with the outcome lol. You sound like me haha

Toilet brush gives me joy.

What shirt are you wearing in this video. I like it?

This content is a breakthrough; akin to a book that was a breakthrough in its approach. "The Joy of Less: A Minimalist Living Guide" by Matthew Cove

Cool

If I get rid of everything that doesn't bring me joy, I won't have clothes or dishes, and so on. If somebody has that much stuff that they can pass on stuff that doesn't thrill them, there's a bigger issue at hand.

"You will own nothing and you will be happy." Those who know, know. Those who don't need to wake up.