A POLITE REVIEW: MINIMALISM

2 years ago I wrote this song called "Sh!t, Things, Experiences." To break the song down the first verse was me rapping from the perspective of a man obsessed with the things he owned over the relationship itself.

The second verse was me rapping from the perspective of a man who didn't care for what he owned but was thankful for this woman being in his life despite not having a lot of "things." 

During that period 2 years ago I was finally becoming an adult despite being in my late 20's. I finally "got it." None of the things I was seeking to own mattered. The experiences and my loved ones did. 

Not even a month later I came across a TED talk that featured two men Joshua Fields Milburn and Ryan Nicodemus who weren't that much older than me and they shared their journey about downsizing everything in their lives. 

I became hooked. I got rid of all my clothes I didn't wear at all. I didn't even notice how big my closet was until I gave away all my clothes. It's very humbling I must admit. I just kept wondering... 

"What was I thinking?"

"What was I trying to prove?" 

I don't care to know the answers since it's behind me but it feels good to have that burden of clutter lifted off of me. 

Morgan (A friend of mine) recommends Joshua and Ryan's documentary on Netflix and since I've already been following their journey I started watching immediately. 

What I love about Josh and Ryan is that they don't come off "preachy." They're not trying to recruit people like they're running a cult or asking people for money. 

They're just sharing their experiences and if you like it great if you're not interested then great. There's no pressure or judgement in the message they're trying to convey. 

The documentary follows Josh and Ryan on a 10 month book tour across the country as they spread their message to as many people as they can. 

Some of the stops were crowded and full of people and some were not but Josh and Ryan carried themselves like true professionals and optimists no matter the crowd size with enough hugs to go around. 

This documentary showed me how spoiled we are living in America when it comes to "things." Something is always being made and something better follows it not even months later. It's really difficult to appreciate what you have when advertisement is shoving something new and better down our throats as soon as the package is opened on what you just purchased. 

We use things to attain a certain level of importance. A certain status. Deep down we don't even care about the majority the things we purchase. We just buy em to buy em. It's a sense of belonging. If we buy the latest then we're apart of this imaginary club. We won't feel left out. 

The stat about us only using 40% of the space in our houses was very interesting to me. I started questioning how much space I used in my house. I spend majority of my time in my room and in the kitchen. I realized that me wanting a mansion like a celebrity would be the biggest waste of space and money possible. 

The interviews with the people who owned tiny homes were really cool also. I always watched youtube and shows about tiny houses. It's something I think about doing one day so I always study and learn from individuals who live that lifestyle. 

Advertising is everywhere. Everywhere we go and look someone or something is asking us to buy something. We're the biggest compulsive buyers in the world. It's a habit that's hard to change because since I was a kid I can recall commercials promoting things I should beg my parents to buy me constantly. It's only gotten bigger and craftier since then. 

I recommend everyone watch "Minimalism: A Documentary About The Important Things" and draw your own take from it. It's really an insightful and informative watch in my opinion and helping my journey in being the best minimalist I can. 

I just have to do something about this blu-ray collection I have next.