Life changing documentary // The Minimalists

I’ve been changing my lifestyle for a while now – first it was eating. In my attempt to eat a cleaner diet I found my vegetarian ideals challenged by the documentary Cowspiracy and became a vegan. I’m still on the journey to cruelty free living and will focus on finding ethical clothing in 2017 but, all in all, thinking about the world and my impact living in it has made me appreciate the little things more.

When I found The Minimalists documentary on Netflix I quickly realised that this was another aspect of my life I had to change.

I understand this won’t be for everyone – lifestyle is a choice so don’t worry if you read this and don’t agree. That’s not a problem, you can move on, but for those who are interested let’s crack on!

The Minimalists are Joshua Fields Millburn & Ryan Nicodemus; two friends who found that, by cutting out a lot of crap from their lives, owning things doesn’t make you happy. It’s not a new concept but in this day and age I think we’re programmed to forget that the latest phone or the newest clothes aren’t important to happiness. It’s psychological, hell, it’s pathological. We buy because we’re told that we need things to make our lives as good as the ones we see on TV or in magazines. I’m not unaffected by it. Not in the slightest! I have whole Pinterest boards dedicated to WHAT I WANT.

The good news is that by watching this documentary I realised I didn’t have to be a slave to advertising any more. I can get rid of things that I don’t need and I can save money, time, and space in my life and home!

Which brings me to what I’m going to be dropping into blogs going forwards as part of my new living aspirations. Minimalism, whatever that will mean to me, will mean I’m getting rid of STUFF. Clothes, books, DVD’s and random junk will be sold, donated or thrown away if they can’t be recycled and I’m excited!

The Minimalists have a Youtube channel which is helpfully filled with podcasts about the whole thing so I’d suggest, if you’re interested, to watch the documentary and maybe listen to them talk. They have books, too, if you’re that way inclined. Personally I don’t like self help books so I’m not sure I’ll buy one but I can see they’re helpful for others!

Does this interest any of you? I have been feeling a disconnect from life over the past several months – life is constantly a blur of me buzzing from one place to the next but it’s not enjoyable, it’s not fitting in with what I want my life to be like in the slightest and so I’m making changes!

Sam