Regarding your comment that you sometimes turn to shopping when feeling empty--I do this too, but I hack it now, by just window shopping. Especially online. I look at stuff, put items in my cart, make wish lists, but don't actually buy at that time. Days or weeks later, I revisit the lists/carts, and notice that the stuff that appealed to me, doesn't necessarily now appeal. So I take items out, put new items in, and I never spent any money. I view this as entertainment, and it's working for me.

Hi Janell! I am over 30 years older than you but I consider you a mentor. You are one of the most intelligent and articulate people I know. Everything you say resonates with me. I love your videos and I've learned so much. I've just started on the minimalism path and I can feel my brain healing and I'm just so much happier in general. Thank you for being you and providing us such delightful videos!

Ive been a minimalist for 6 years too, and the thing I miss the most is actually decluttering, I don't really have anything to declutter at this point

✊🏾🧔🏾💯 An ancient Kemetic Proverb translates as, “Empty house, Full Mind... Full house, Empty Mind.” Thanks for the solid points you’ve shared!

I swear that plant looks like an optical illusion...when I don't focus on it, it looks like a smaller plant in the foreground beside you. When I focus on it, I can see it's actually an enormous plant in the background behind you. Wtf

minimalist anniversary! how cute! congratulations

I love the Marie Kondo book. It's the one thing that turned me towards minimalism. And the only one that worked for me as well. I'm not exactly a minimalist. But I am trying to curate my life and my space better. Still ongoing process..

I was kinda forced into a minimalist lifestyle due to financial issues, however I now recognize how so much was holding me back from my true self. I also come from a family of hoarders and am very easily overstimulated. Love these videos. It's nice to identify with something.... Happy minimalist anniversary! Yay!

"... curating what you want in your life." YES!!! I love the feeling that thought invokes. There is beauty in a defined life.

Have you ever thought about doing a podcast?

Liking before watching because I love you that much❤️❤️❤️❤️

Yes, couldn't agree more with what you said about waiting to get rid of things that are sentimental. I did that when I was first starting a few years back and regretted it. It really is about fine-tuning what you NEED and keeping what adds to your life.

I used to think to be a minimalist you had to fit into a certain mold but I love that everyone’s journey is different and unique to their lifestyle, like you stated in the video. That’s something I wish I knew before starting my minimalism journey, because if I did I would’ve started much sooner! Great video as always your content has helped me so much!

I guess I'm on the intentional living bandwagon. I have a chronic illness and I just don't need a lot of crap to manage. I want to come home and color. Plus, I honestly think having clutter impacts my energy in a very bad way. I have plenty of clutter to include body clutter, but I am working hard on these things.

I wish i knew that my minimalism is like a mirror and people's responses to it aren't always about me. I guess I'm on the "extreme" end of minimalism. When i talk about not having furniture or sleeping on a yoga mat I've had several fellow minimalists get rude and hateful. When they are mean it's to whatever they see of themselves reflected in my minimalism- not really to me. This realization opened up my mind that people often don't see each other. We are too often looking at our own reflection in the other person. I'm trying to SEE others. It's harder than i originally thought it would be. But worth the work, i feel.

moving and so excited to create a space i enjoy. have been purging items i don’t use or need, and have been saving some nice decorative items for my new apt that actually make me smile.

I love the attention you give to the spiritual and emotional aspects of our relationship to "stuff." And how you talk about minimalism as a tool and not as a destination in and of itself!

I just love love love your plants .....I have depression 😟😩😢😭☹️😖 and anitxiy 😱😬😌😲 unfortunately....and I always feel like the way your environment looks...feel and smell is very important..plants is something I always wanted to buy to put in my kitchen and bedroom ,/ living room......I can't wait to start my minamilist decor🤗🤗 #loveyourchannel

Just downsizing my closet has been such a weight off my shoulders .I mean I used to take hours deciding what to wear and what mood I was going for and so on, and Id have rather died than repeat the same outfit. That lead to non stop shopping and Id buy a lot of cheap clothes that I didnt even feel confident wearing. Now I have a few of my clothes in my closet at a time. If I want to wear the same skirt 3 times in a row, guess what...Im wearing it!!! and I love this new attitude.

Hey Janell! Love the video! I just wanted to say that your point about appropriation of the word 'minimalist' is absolutely true! Environmental advocates have their language appropriated/co-opted on a regular basis by companies and governments doing very damaging things to the environment! It's called green-washing. "Beauty" companies have also done this with co-opting the language from the body positivity movement. The most recent example I can think of is Avon's anti-cellulite cream that they named "affirm yourself" 🙄 On a page that also said "Every body is beautiful" 🙄🙄🙄 Except bodies with cellulite, that is! Companies will really say anything to get people to buy stuff! Anyways, I thought you might be interested in the topic of appropriated language! Best of luck to you on your minimalist journey and thanks for sharing it with us! x

One of the things that I admire the most is your empathy, how you are capable of thinking about how others might be different and need different things, and make everyone feel ok with it

Excited to watch your new video! ❤️ Edit: To answer your question, I started minimalism a few months ago with only buying the furniture I needed/valued. Something I wish I knew before starting was how to better cope with the "emptiness" of the room because I'm use to things just filling the space up. But it is a lot less stressful to have a defined space where everything is of purpose, and I'm sure I'll get used to it as I continue to make the space my own :)

You have know idea how much I appreciate the content you put out. My favorite part about how you frame things is your openness and non-judgment. You really respect and emphasize how people are experts of themselves and can adjust minimalism to fit their life. Woot!

I've discovered more things about myself through minimalism too. The way I think about it is very similar to you. If it brings me joy then I keep it. But if it's something I touch only a couple times then it's something I get rid of or store away to find again later on but realize I didn't even miss it. At that point I donate or give it to a friend.

Yes i totally agree. For me i am a beginner’s minimalist lol and i started off slow. So im not a hoarder and never have been but seeing actually other family members being on, made me sick and right away started decluttering and just throwing and throwing out as much as i can. I start off each room in the house every week and then now im done so i still buy stuff but not permanent stuff, more like things i actually use and doesnt require a yearly buy. I try to use alternatives to many things like cleaning products, i use 1 bottle diy for all cleaning purpose vs buy bottles for each cleaning tools .. etc etc

I have kind of always been a frugal person just because I grew up apart of a huge middle class family and my parents had to make funds stretch by buying less. But I have often fallen victim to buying things just based on aesthetic reasons or appealing to trends especially when I got my first job as a teenager. Now fast forwarding to an adult and piles of debt, I just wish I had really dived into the concept and mindset of minimalism sooner. But then again perhaps I wouldn’t have placed as much value into it as a lifestyle for myself as I do now if I did not experience being “sucked into consumerism” firsthand the way I did. Great videos and wonderful tips! Thank you for sharing! 😊😊🙏🏽

I read something somewhere... that we need to problem solve... so we are always looking for a problem to solve.. might be why we are always seeking items to own... personally I try to solve problems in making our space easier to live in... I am not a minimalist but I do try to keep only the things we need or love and then take care of these things in a way that is most efficient, pleasing to see, etc... I think in modern day we just don't get to use all our 'tools' like we did once.

One thing I struggle with: trying to stop being the "hero" (maybe not the best choice of words) for my kids and others every time they need something. It's something my mother does. The "oh, I have that! You can take it" mentality. (if that makes any sense).

This was a good video. When I first found out about this word I honestly wished that someone told me that when first getting rid of stuff that it was okay to hold on to a few things if you were unsure. I basically got rid of half of the things and clothes in my room. Now when Iam unsure I put it away for a few weeks and if I still don't want it then I finally get rid of it. Also it's not just about getting rid of physical things it can go for getting rid of people and habits too. Having more time to for yourself to do what you actually want to do.

There’s a book called “Goodbye, Things” by Fumio Sasaki that expresses how people buy many things to show there worth. It’s great to hear you speak of it. Also, that book is a great read. 👍🏾

The 3 tips I liked best 1. *Not focusing on # of things.*Those capsule wardrobe videos used to make me feel like shit -- I just cannot own like 30 pieces of clothes. I probably have 30 tops alone. But having options makes me happy, and I have space for it. 2. *Not being extreme.* Ugh, yes. It does get extreme sometimes and it's hard not to judge others who may be on a different journey. Respect other's spaces. 3. *Wait before getting rid of something.* Yes! I donated a jacket that I didn't want to keep wearing, and I regret it deeply. It's been 2 years and it had so many memories in it, and was in wearable condition. Sometimes I still think about it, maybe I can find a similar one some day. I don't regret (or even remember) most things I got rid of, but *WAIT* on those little special things. See if you still think about them after x time. I like the idea of minimalism, but honestly, the word itself doesn't make me happy, especially with how it is marketed now. I prefer to just clean periodically, I like the idea of being clean but comfortable. My posters look nice. Some will agree, some won't, and that's fine!

I wish I would have taken before pictures. I have one of the garage and even though its still bad I can see the progress we've made.

I like how you look up and then apologise for the mowing of grass. I am now imagining you live in a bunker under the mowers garden

Thank you for another authentic video! I wish that I had known how much more free and not tied down to my stuff I would be as a minimalistic. Less stuff requires less upkeep, cleaning and saving money. I really love the look of my home now. It looks softer, more welcoming, calming and relaxing. Much love xo

Happy anniversary! 😁 I am learning to live with what I need and enjoy the freedom in it. I loved what you said about minimalism looking different from person to person and not getting caught up on counting the amount of things. -I am going room by room, decluttering my home and am down to the last two spaces. This journey has taken me about a year and I am so much happier. -I am curating the things and the relationships I have. I am being more selective of what I allow into my physical and mental space. While I know I can not control everything(which isn’t the point) I am intentionally aware of how much control I allow something or someone to have in my life. -Thank you very much for sharing and creating this community. 💗

For me, minimalism also resonates with the concepts of dependency and codependency a lot. As a recovering alcoholic, I've really understood what it means to be sober in all aspects of life - especially towards your habits, interactions with other people, as well as your inner thought process (really hoping this makes sense). When you mention the "emptiness" feeling, I instantly connect, because an alcoholic's way of filling that whole is to get more, drink more, buy more, eat more, sex more... whatever. And obsess about it, a lot. Clearing out my life and putting time and effort only into the things that are of value to be, whether it be things I choose to own, every day habits, conversations or meeting with people/being places, really only allows more time for the real me to grow and come out and be present and intentional in whatever I do. It is such a comforting thing to have within yourself somehow - the peace of knowing that you are conscious and intentional in your actions. It brings meaning, I think. And a super solid ground to stand when questioned why I don't do this and that and so on. Just today even, I got in a mini rant in a conversation that started with me not having a "proper" set of chairs around my table (I simply have no use for them), and being really secure on myself and my values around this allowed me to now fall into some social codependency trap and instead speaking about it only re-empowered me :) And in the end I do believe it reflects off of you as well - at least I get commented on quite often for having a genuine and honest presence - and I accredit that to me having cleared up space in my life and mind

One thing I wish I took into account better before moving towards minimalism was to really think about whether I would need something before getting rid of it. I went through a drastic life change and got rid of ~75% of my belongings, and now that I look back, I gifted or thrifted a number of things that I've since had to replace! The change was overwhelmingly positive, but at the time I was focused on "GET RID OF THE THINGS" and not "change your habits and take a more critical look at your life as a whole." Thanks for always posting such helpful and positive videos!

I agree with all of your points. I was feeling very depressed and fed up yesterday. I used the negative emotion to finally dump some clothes I could not get rid of for the longest time. At least I got something positive out of my bad mood. 🙏

I’m not a minimalist but watching your videos have inspired me to declutter and be mindful of what I’m buying . ❤️

The word I always used growing up until I heard the word minimalist was PRACTICAL...living in a home full of stuff junk and trash it taught me how not to be....especially falling for the "collector syndrome" as i call it. ...culture tends to collect miniature figurines OMG i HATE THEM!!!! thank you for all you do sweety and for sharing such worthy content...YOU ROCK!

I really enjoy your videos! My only “regret” regarding minimalism is that I didn’t know about it sooner. I had been “perfecting” my organizing skills for years (which made a huge difference in my life already) but when I found minimalism something just clicked.

I really enjoyed this video! I think you're right - I have anxiety, I'm easily overstimulated and have problems getting things done. Getting rid of clutter (both visible and in my closets) helped me calm down a great deal.

Now THATS a minimalism!! So many people get rapped up in an idea of what it is and freak out!! Love this and all your videos!! I can’t WAIT to watch and hear all about you travel nursing’n

I started minimalism last summer because I realized that I would be going to college soon (fall 2019l-I kinda jumping the gun on "soon") and I didn't want to have trouble deciding what to bring or have to leave a bunch of stuff at home. My biggest advice is to let go. Kinda opposite to you- every time I would put something back because I wasn't ready, I would decide to come back to it in a week or 2. I wouldn't be able to stop thinking about it after I finished decluttering for the day. It would bother me so much that I would end up getting rid of it a few days afterward (sometimes even just a couple hours).

some of the mistakes I made as a new minimalist was thinking that I was all alone in it, and constantly trying to explain to people how and why I became a minimalist. I obviously realized that they simply were not interested in understanding why and were always trying to talk me out of it like I was kuku or something. Another misconception I had was that I needed to ban myself from shopping altogether. A lie I also realized was not the minimalist way. Haha! I even had to make a list of the mistakes I made so that I don't gravitate towards them in future. Great vid Janell!

My fiancé is a full minimalist and I’m an artist, musician and a teacher... I love the minimalist lifestyle but my particular life requires “things” so this video kinda made me feel better... 💕😕 I am very organized but I need my instruments and my art materials to have some kind of sense to my life and my school job requires me having books and materials to prepare clases.

personally I apply minimalism to my social circle, I only keep the people that bring purpose and joy to my life

I usually do my “big” clothing shopping on Black Friday and really think about the pieces I add to my collection and what I feel I’ll wear constantly. I limit myself to $200-$250 max and that’s it. I don’t like to shop for clothing because I workout a lot and tend to rip my jeans with my thighs a lot so I wear a ton of leggings and sweaters because of longevity purposes. Love the video btw

Your kindness shows through your every word. Thank you.

This essay is about the main principles involved in Feng Shui and the use of Feng Shui in placement. Feng Shui, literally meaning “wind and water,” is a traditional Chinese concept linking the destiny of man to his environment. It aims to ensure that people live in harmony with their surroundings.

I started on minimalism last year. I still have lots of physical items to categorize and act on (keep, sell, donate). Decluttering takes time. I wish I knew then that many of the things I'd been buying would one day have little to no value to me as I evolve spiritually. Had I known then what I know now, I would've used that money for travel instead - LOL! In every experience there is a lesson. Lesson learnt.

Ugh man I've been on a mental journey to live with less since June 2017 😭 I have to celebrate my victories, like all my beauty junk is in one ikea cart, rather than totes in the closet and under the bed. This is the year of meaningful hobbies 🤗

This video makes it all clear. You nailed it! Thank you for sharing❤️

I think chasing minimalism is a lot like chasing beauty or career ideals. Social Media displays all this exceptionalism as if it's the norm, and the way to be. It just adds stress, an makes me unhappy by pushing me to compare myself to something I can't, don't have the desire to or need to achieve. I appreciate, that you talked about not needing to be that, and that minimalism should be a tool, not the purpose of your life.

This was super helpful! I just decided to embark on minimalism last month to realign my consumer habits and material items with my core values. I moved so I did a cursory decluttering, but I’m still easing into it. This video was really encouraging.

I’ve been a minimalist for several years. Now, I’m moving across the country (KY to NM) and taking nothing with me. Living in a red state is a huge factor in my decision to move. I sold my car and will take the 2 bags allowed by the airline. This should be interesting because now instead of eliminating stuff I will be starting with zero and adding on. Of course, I will remain a minimalist but now I have the opportunity to see what I really need. To start, I’ll get a an air mattress and a coffee maker! 🤔 I’ll also be living on social security and a small savings so this will be a great opportunity to see what I really need.

I recently revived a tshirt with buying a new kind of jeans, so it's definitely nice to keep things I'm unsure about around for a bit. most of the time in storage. I really enjoy living with less :) and my tolerance to clutter decreases.

Thanks for the tips, although I'm not a minimalist I definitely use the advice to not clutter my home. And little by little I'm getting rid of things that do not serve me a purpose so I can enjoy my life more, thank you!😊🌸🌸

I make stuff so I had a lot of art supplies. It's hard to part with it. So I have been doing a packing thing. I keep all my art stuff in the same area. I have 3 milk crates and put items I used that month in the first crate. Then when the next month comes rotate a new crate in and put the used art supplies in that crate. Third month add a new crate. Once the 3 months was over I got rid of the things I hadn't used because it was unlikely I would use them in the future. Plus it helped when I went to the craft store because I noticed how I was draw to buy things that I would not end up using later. I have been trying this with other things as well like shoes/ clothes/ hygiene products. Because I always have in my mind I will use the thing...but I see I am not.

Don't let minimalism be a material anorexia. And don't feel guilty about keeping stuff you like and use. Or would like to use... Just getting rid of what you don't use but do like, might be the wrong way around. Sometimes its better to get rid of what you are used to using (that you don't really like,) and use the "one day " stuff now.

Thank you so much for a lot of clarification in this video. I have been watching all your videos and have been taking my minimalist journey very slow! I will be moving soon so that is really helping me. I am so happy watching your videos. I feel like I can do this process however I want in whatever time frame. Yay! Much love 💜

Fantastic content. Especially the last point on being overstimulated by your environment.

I'm moving (so I'm decluttering), and this helps so much. I keep being unsatisfied with keeping more than what I get rid of and feeling like the amount of things I have isn't good enough. I need less. But I feel like I'm just swinging to the other end of the pendulum and chasing the unattainable high of having nothing instead of just not having excess. I don't know if this makes sense, but maybe my stream of consciousness can help someone else figure out there's!

Wow, you summed up minimalism so accurate! It's exactly like that!!

Loved your video especially the part about how acquiring things is a substitute for spiritual richness.

Definitely one thing I wish I learned was to curate a wardrobe with clothes I already had before decluttering. I mistakenly got rid of a ton of clothes right from the start to the point where I had items that made me happy but not outfits. And I wound up spending money on more clothes 😣

I love your videos 🧡 I look forward to watching them and you inspire me every time !! Lately, I’ve been having 7ish 8 days and it been hard. Absorbing your positive energy helps a lot :)

I hope you have fun in Colorado !

Another EXTREMELY helpful video per usual. If I made my own RPG game I’d make you the main hero. You’re Super empowered , a person of agency and the ability to accept your self. Thank Janell

Thank you!! As soon as I am mentally able to do so, I want to - at least - declutter quite a few things that are obviously junk...

Really great points here that are often overlooked. Nice vid! Can't wait for your next trip! I live vicariously through you

Janell,Have you heard about this Airbnb hiring someone to live at Grottole, Italy. I pasted the info below. I think you should apply.Ever heard of Grottole? Well, it’s a village in Italy’s southern countryside, it’s beautiful, and you could live and volunteer there for the summer as part of Airbnb’s Italian Sabbatical Program - all expenses paid.Four people will volunteer for a nonprofit called “Wonder Grottole” and spend the summer working to revive the historic town center. Grottole has 300 inhabitants and 600 empty homes, which is one reason why Airbnb might be so interested in the town.Besides work, you’ll have a morning Italian class, learn how to grow vegetables, get cooking lessons from the locals, and visit wine cellars and ruins.This village improvement effort makes economic sense for Airbnb. Airbnb has restored buildings in Italian villages before as part of a larger effort to create more space for guests in villages, where housing is often run-down or crumbling. In 2017, Airbnb noted that Airbnb bookings in villages were 42% higher than in cities. That year, Airbnb worked with other organizations to restore artists’ residences in the Italian village of Civita di Bagnoregio as a way to create more places for people to stay.Airbnb’s interest in Grottole is also a move that is good for their image, after facing years of criticism about destabilizing the economy of many European cities like Barcelona and Amsterdam, some of which have moved to limit the effect of the house-sharing giant.The rules and how to applyThe deadline is 11:59 Central European Time on February 17th. After that, 30 finalists will be chosen for video interviews. Another found of finalists will be chosen by March 29th, and from that batch, the final four volunteers who will live in Grottole will be selected.The residency dates are June 1st-August 30th. Airbnb will cover each volunteer’s travel expenses, plus up to 900 euros a month for other expenses. Volunteers will stay in an Airbnb-run home in the center of town.To qualify for this dream job, you must be 18 years old with a valid passport, and a resident of one of these countries: the United States, Argentina (except for the province of Mendoza), Australia, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, France, Germany, Mexico, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, the United Kingdom.

Most people are materialistic horders... houses are a bad idea... your decor is sensible, color coordinated... & yes, the proverbial plants...! But when you become a minimalist, it is a big effort of a chosen lifestyle... don't be defensive, good to be austere, unique, & seemingly diminished in our material footprint...

Very interesting to hear about the lessons you learned and how living this way has changed you and your life. Thank you so much for sharing!

I love u. U make me happy. I can binge watch your videos 👍🏼😍

I think I wish I knew how long it took. I expected it to be easy or fast and it wasnt. It took a bit to go through and really pitch everything. It was after a move, so things were even more disorganized and I was very high anxiety and stressed over it. It was longer than I thought, but worth that journey, because along the way I found out more about myself than I planned on as well. Love you Janell, be well and safe always.

love your channel. I so relate to your content.

Your plants looks so healthy and happy!

Ooh I see you with that “spark joy” line.

I girl crush on your minimalism! Love the tips! Thank you 👏🏻

I love ur advice as well as ur hair style.

Excellent way to level set for the new year! Good for new viewers/followers and refresher for exiting followers. Good Look!

yup! minimalism is very tempting for me, but I study industrial design and I own a loooot of things regarding this field... I have and need a lot of scraps of different materials, papers, woods, glues and so own to make prototypes and all... And I get much less joy from electronic forms of books and music... But I own not that much clothes, toiletries, electronics, kitchen appliances and that kind of things...

I’ve always have been a minimalist. However not always a sustainable consumer. I was on a purge and purchase cycle, trying to achieve a better version of myself. Ah to have the time and money back.

I've been on my minimalism journey for about 5 years. I've fallen off the wagon now that I live with someone who saves everything! If it were up to me, we would live in a show home.

Loved this video thank you so much 😆❤️ I’m two months into it and I’ve been loving it !

Great message about living on purpose. Love this....

That large plant is gorgeous! I know nothing about plants but would love to bring that one into my home..what is it called? Lol thank you for sharing!!

good video !! thank you Janell :)

Also good luck in Colorado! ❄❄❄❄

Very educational thank you.

I love your thought process and how you explain everything! xoxoxo

My Vice for the longest was technology, to the point that I collected boxes of my favorite electronics until I had a 4ft long tote of boxes. As of 3wks I finally got rid of them. I'm not one to regret things due to my spirituality, so what I will say is, I should've been done that Because I realized that once they were gone I really didn't care and it was taking up space; If I wasn't forced to get rid of them due to an impromptu move, then I probably would've kept them a lil longer.

Well said.

Love the video! 😊💕☀️

Just wanna show some love 🧡🧡🧡 Do you script your videos? You are a fantastic writer and even on the videos when you are speaking off the dome, you have an amazing clarity in how you communicate your thoughts. I sense that you make it a priority to experience and communicate things authentically. I put a lot of importance in the things I consume, especially art/media, and i really appreciate your videos and hearing you share your perspective.

Nice explanation. I practice this way of life also kindness 😎

Exactly the content I needed today 👌🏻❤️

New fan. Hope you see this; keep it up!

This was great! Thanks!