I watch the movie Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things this weekend. I had heard about it months ago and had never had a chance to watch it until now. If you haven’t watched it yet, I highly recommend it!
If you feel like you’re on that hamster wheel always striving for more, better and best, this movie serves as a wake-up call that more isn’t always better. That even those with an abundance of wealth, can suffer from poverty when it comes to fulfillment and happiness. If you spend any time on social medial, you’ve seen the meme that says something about working 40 plus hours for a job you hate, so that you can pay for a house you barely spend time in and buy toys you never have the time to enjoy. When you think about it that way, it sounds a bit crazy, doesn’t it?
This movie follows the authors of a book on minimalism. They share they own journey that brought them to the realization that they were searching for something in material things that they were never going to get. It’s a common story shared by many in the movie. From moving into tiny homes to letting go of clothes and furniture, these guys suggest only holding on to things that add value to your life. If that book collection brings you joy, hold onto it. If you’ve got a sweater in your closet that you haven’t worn in 5 years, it may be time to let it go!
All of the people who share their story in this movie talk about how much lighter their lives are living as minimalists. They’re not forced to work high-paying, high-stressed jobs to pay for a lifestyle that doesn’t bring them the happiness they want. They don’t see it as denying themselves of anything; they look at it from the perspective of having the freedom to live their lives in a way that brings them the happiness they’re looking for.
Watching this movie has challenged to go deeper with my spring cleaning this year. I admit I hold on to a lot for sentimental or “you never know” reasons. I don’t know how far I’ll go with minimalist living, but I am definitely looking forward to living lighter. We’ve got to make room for the things we truly want in life. The quote that ended the movie needs to be on a t-shirt:
Love people, use things.
I think it’s a great motto and words to live by, what about you? ♥