10 Steps to Become a MINIMALIST

Being a minimalist starts with challenging society.

Minimalism should be the easiest decision that you ever make in your life. The hard part about minimalism is that it goes against what society tells you that you will be happier with a bunch of material possessions. Minimalism is simply, "living an intentional life with less." It's where you think on your own, challenge the norms, and make decisions to be content with less."

I believe that becoming a minimalist starts not with de-cluttering, but with challenging society. In this video I discuss the "10 Steps to Become a Minimalist."

1. Realize that the norm is toxic

Society gives us a very toxic script to live our lives that involves accumulating a bunch of material possessions and getting in a bunch of debt. This script leads to stress, clutter, and a lack of control in life.

2. Understand that over consumption is what makes the norm toxic

The main reason that many people are forced to live this toxic script is because of over consumption. When you consume an extreme amount of possessions and spend all of your money, there becomes this need to make more money. This involves selling your time in order to make money.

3. Realize that over consumption is not who we are

We have gotten to this extreme level of consumption in the past few decades and this is a relativity new thing. This level of consumption moves us further away from humanity as it is so inwardly focused and is not who we are.

4. Understand that debt is the modern form of slavery

I think one of the biggest forms of freedom is having the ability to say "no." When you have a bunch of debt, however, you lose the ability to tell people "no" because you owe something to someone. It is important to avoid debt at all costs as it takes away from your freedom.

5. Understand that many problems are self imposed

Life is complex because we have made it complex. Many problems that we have in our lives are self imposed and can be avoided by living an intentional life. When avoid the problem through minimalism, you avoid having to fix the problem.

6. Realize simplicity is the true way to solve problems

As life get more complex, we create complex ways to solve the problems. The issue with this is the more complex the solution, the more problems you create. I think that the true way to solve a problem is through simplicity because then you avoid creating more problems.

7. Realize that life is better with less

Society tells us that happiness comes from accumulating a bunch of stuff; however, I think this path leads to clutter, stress, and debt. When you declutter and live more intentionally, you begin to realize that life is better with less because you have less worries.

8. Realize that money isn't the only cost to possessions

Possessions do not only cost money, but there are many costs of possessions after the purchase like upkeep, clutter, and stress. The problem with having a bunch of possessions isn't just that you spend a lot of money, but that there are many other costs that will stay around as long as you have the possession.

9. Realize that time is everything

You can make more money, but you cannot make more time. If I am going to spend my money on one thing it is going to be to control my time. I can simply control my time by spending less and saving more. Then I will have less of a need to make money.

10. Understand you're not going without, but you're learning how to be content

The problem that many people have with minimalism is that it involves questioning the norms of society that you need a bunch of debt and material possessions to be happy. Minimalism, however, is the journey to find more contentment in your life with less.

[Michelle_Emm]

When each of my grandchildren were born I didn't buy them gifts, I opened a bank account for each of them instead and deposit money every week. By the time they reach 18 there will be enough to buy a car or travel overseas, whatever they choose.

[tiffanydaniel]

Becoming a minimalist is one of the best choices I’ve ever made.

[youtubeboi]

As someone who's recently gotten into meditation, I can tell you that "living intentionally" runs so much deeper than just solving money problems. It can literally be the difference between being at the mercy of every negative thought vs being in control of how your thoughts and emotions effect your life. Great video as usual Austin! Keep 'em coming 😁

[elizabethchurchill]

Great video! A few months ago I got rid of everything I own, including my car, and moved to Costa Rica where I’m living a very simple, inexpensive, happy, healthy life. Just a reminder that not all debt is frivolous or unnecessary. Fifteen years ago I was diagnosed with stage IV cancer and ended up saddled with half a million dollars of medical debt. Part of the reason I chose Costa Rica is that health care here is both excellent and affordable.

[juliehoot]

Totally agree. As a true minimalist, living the life, I have discovered in myself, I would rather give my money to charity, world organizations, saving our earth, wildlife, than give my money to Starbucks or McD. Started packing lunches, coffee, on excursions and give that money to USEFUL organizations. Feels real good. I suggest everyone give it a try!

[melissaguevara]

Another amazing video! I agree. Living with less is SO much better. We live in a small home that is easy to clean and maintain. I often sit out on my porch in the early morning to drink my nice coffee I make at home. I don’t have a fancy car 🚗 or really anything fancy and I absolutely love it! So much peace and contentment. 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[grifsfoodandtravel]

This is awesome. Yes, I lived a minimal lifestyle and now I retired early. For all of you out there, minimalism is something to seriously consider if you want to be financially independent.

[davidjenson]

All our possessions have voices. My last 10 years have been quieting as I lessen possessions no car smaller home less clothing less interior clutter.
My life is easier and now QUITE.
Be as simple as we can we will be amazed how happy and uncomplicated our life's become.

[TheGayStoic]

The freedom to say no … preach buddy. You got me with this one.

[simplicitygirl]

"Debt is the modern form of slavery" - yup, thats at the core of all our problems. Austin for President!

[doyeworrell]

I love all your videos. I made a lot of these mistakes in my younger days but I wised up and now I am 63 totally debt free and life is so much better. I love the freedom to say no I don’t want to do that because in the past I would agree to go along with something because everyone else around me was pressuring me to conform. I have a lot of friends that are casual or social friends but I have a very small circle of very close friends that accept me the way I am and truly love me, I don’t have to pretend to be a big success or have the biggest house to be their friend.

[vanman]

As insightful as you seem to be, I'm sure you will appreciate this quote: "Human beings have the capacity to learn to want almost any conceivable material object. Given, then, the emergence of a modern industrial culture capable of producing almost anything, the time is ripe for opening the storehouse of infinite "need"!... It is the modern Pandora's box, and its plagues are loose upon the world. Jules Henry"

[Lunay]

I love this video Austin, thank you! As a minimalist, something Im trying to do with my life is to not have anything in my home that I dont use or value. If I dont use it, its gone. If I dont value it, its gone. I know that if someone came into my home, they would say that it has too many bare walls because I dont really like having a lot od wall decor, and im perfectly okay with it. The peace I feel is incomparable

[cajunjamis]

@73, I wish someone was around to tell me this! You, my friend are 100% correct.

[georgiaanderson]

Life is better with Less.. 😊 thank you

[kevinfestner]

My next steps to minimalism is to declutter. I've been at it for three weeks. It's paper that is the bane of my life. I think you can live simply with a Lamborghini as long as you buy it in cash, and if that is your intention, then buy it, but don't buy a vw, then an audi, then a mercedes, then a ferrari, as the gateway drugs. Besides Lamborghinis repair costs are ooo lala.

Go for what you want. Everyone is different. Personally, I agree with you about an expensive car. I like my scion xA I bought in cash.

I do always view your vlogs at least twice, bec they have good, positive messages with actions.

[ameliahanson]

This is sad but so true. Ever since I was in my early 20s I have always questioned why is everyone fine with working 5 days a week? I said to my partner “who made this up? It’s not a rule, you don’t HAVE to live like this”. At the time, he thought I was crazy but as we’ve started to embrace financial minimalism, I think he is starting to see another way. We’re working to pay off our mortgage early, then we’ll both reduce our working week. It feels good to be working towards something other than acquiring more STUFF

[tinaparker]

Yep people can't let stuff consume them. It was something hard for me to learn but I am grateful I did 🙏

[vanman]

Love your insights! You are a wise man. In step 3 you seem to mention that overconsumption is relatively new thing. However, it is interesting to realize that way back in 1835 Alexis de Tocqueville pointed out how into overconsumption Americans where at that time. In his book "Democracy in America" (1835), he states: "They [Americans] cleave to the things of this world as if assured that they will never die, and yet rush to snatch any that comes within their reach as if they expected to stop living before they had relished them. Death steps in, in the end, and stops them before they have grown tired of this futile pursuit of that complete felicity which always escapes them."

[omalleysmith]

I was just saying to a coworker today that if I won the big lottery jackpot, I'd actually have no idea what to do with it as there is literally no thing that I want in life. I'd most likely give a lot of it away. My coworker was listing off fancy cars, houses, clothing... NO thanks - I wouldn't want any of that stuff even if it was free. I'm happy with exactly what I have.