Simplifying Your Life

[account98]

such a sudden ending lol, ending is always the hardest part of a video though.. minimal ending :)

[lifeisgood2014]

Thanks you for your video. I just started purging my home about 3 days ago; of sooooo much stuff (junk) that i don't need have not used in years - trinkets to collect dust and remind me that they need cleaning (stressors). It is so very liberating to purge and simplify a room - it made me feel lighter and more free. It's contagious and i can't wait to get to the rest of the house, my car, office at work and garage. 2012 will be a great year of simplicity and freedom for me! Thank you.

[TestSubjectXVII]

you have just explained almost every problem im am having thank you =)

[jeremyfrancis]

thank you steve!

[yeoyvonne]

Thanks for sharing...

I am going through a process of simplifying my life... first by decluttering my closet, then my room, and those hidden clutters in the drawers... and i felt so so good !!!

It has spill over to my work environment .. and even to my interpersonal relationships... Strongly recommend everyone to start decluttering and watch how it changes your life ! :)

[CimaraNyx]

I like your thoughts and am glad I found your videos. I am trying to live a simpler life and decluttering is a big part of that. We have just bought property and are moving a simple trailer home onto it. We bought chickens for eggs (I'm vegan) and I grow most of my own veggies and herbs. Simple is good!! I love the space, the freedom and the ease of my life now. I feel like i have taken loads off.

[asana1973]

Excellent! Individuals vs. Institutions

[bgsego]

I completely agree with you. When I finish nursing school I plan on travel nursing for a few years to save up some money and then purchase property, hopfully paying cash and building a simple home that's completely off the grid. I would like at least 50 acres, living in the midwest is easy to come by, grow my own vegetables and raise my own cattle for beef and chickens for meat and eggs.

[rebmahendy]

I completely agree with you! I can hear all of the electronics in my home. I go around unplugging them all the time because I feel like it is cramping my spirit, so to speak. All of the radiation and toxins are effecting our psyches more than we realize. I am a christian and think about Jesus telling people to get rid of their possessions and follow him. The idea that "things" are keeping us from living the way we should or want to is very sad. It all ends up in the trash eventually anyway.

[TheSparkshow160]

im glad i found your videos. they're very real and down to earth. I know the feeling you are talking about when you say its liberating, but it is very hard to describe. thanks though, i just started watching and will continue to check out your other videos.

[jainsworr]

I believe a cluttered room, or a room filled with various things could potentially help spawn creativity.

[vagabondsteve]

@jainsworr You believe, but does it? Try creating in both types of rooms.

[blackthorn1975]

Awesome video.

[hihosh1]

Well what about things that can't be given away because of sentimental attachment? My mother will not give away our school uniforms because they were ours over ten years ago?  She keeps them because she remembers those times and I don't begrudge her that as a result.

[vagabondsteve]

@hihosh1 Keep them if they bring her joy. But be careful because this can be excuse to horde. I find great joy in letting others use things I no longer do. This brings me good memories every time I think of someone else benefitting from my unused possessions.

[greigjackai]

Thanks. Off to clear out! See ya, will report back later :)

[MyAcousticLife]

Great work........much needed

[TylerMontana]

I now only own a computer, a survival book, clothes, a bed and a table. I sold my car and bought a bike. The crazy part is I live in LA and it works. It saves me a lot of money and time to have little things but it gives me so much more time to learn new things. I feel like moving into an RV too and move to the beach. One day I will. Most of the time the things we own end up owning us. They stop us from evolving because we have to put so much time into them.

[Sarabhi]

You are so inspiring. Speaking of "taking a weight off your chest;" your videos take a weight off my chest. There's no telling how many people you have helped through your videos. Even the ones that watch and don't care for your message (yet). You may plant a seed of knowledge in them that will sprout later.

[vagabondsteve]

@Sarabhi Thank you : )

[biggreentrees1]

God put man on this earth with a clean slate. Man evolved over time by pursuing new ways to live better, making the slate dirty with external desires. Each generation dug itself in deeper than the former by unknowingly passing down the slate’s dirt through, ironically, the dirt itself. Fortunately, we have the power to clean our own slates--but in order to do so we must first recognize the dirt as dirt.

-Great video(s) man; you and I see through like eyes. It's comforting to not feel alone now

[JewelsAquarius]

So glad i could find someone like minded in what i am experiencing right now. For awhile now I have been trying to simplify my life and get rid of stuff. Then thinking in my head what is wrong with me am i taking this too far, why am I thinking this way? Cause yes it is addicting, and so rewarding. Glad I'm not the only one who is trying to grow with less : )

[Beakywitch]

Yes, yes, yes!

[GingerMonkey21]

Been in the process of clearing out all the clutter this year-the next few weeks for me are major for clearing out our basement & furniture items. All the stuff is just stressful & I just want time to enjoy life-not take care of material items that matter very little to me. Thank you for the continued inspiration.

[outnout1]

I was forced to a much simpler life by tough times, gave up the consumerism years ago and I've never been happier. The earth and universe ultimately own us... we cannot possess them. There's so much pressure by other people to live a complicated life. I wish we could all revere simplicity as much as material wealth is currently valued in the west We devour the earth like a cancer instead of being simply nourished by her. And in doing so, we devour each other.

[medisney]

Thank yo so much for this reminder.

[brent41m]

i totally agree .... wish i could do it

[namitsu1]

I totally get what youre saying here and I mostly agree! Though I have a disliking in using the word 'spiritual', it implies too many prejudices and stereotypes. Also I'm not sure if I believe in the existence of 'a spirit'. I also believe that this belief is not needed to understand what you just said. Thus I'd like to find another word for this. I guess I'd like to replace spirit with just mind or consciousness. The theory still works!

[vagabondsteve]

@namitsu1 Totally agree. Mind, intuition or consciousness are good tags.

[aliciapmigoya]

you are absolutely right on everything. i have been giving away hefty bags full of clothes, shoes, household items etc weekly, and i do feel better about having less to deal with, less laundry & less junk to dust & store, in the end we don't take anything with us anyway, now i want to focus on being outdoors as often as possible, not indoors cleaning!

[mrright80s]

Youtube, Facebook, Twitter, and all the likes are not making my life simpler.

[enjoixander]

In the Western world we are bombarded by our own entertainment. This is the main source of distraction to spiritual discernment. Programs are set to convince people of unhealthy living. Do you know anyone else who rejects "the get rich and fame/acknowledgement" programming that the media has promoted to societies?

[1dancier]

I have very little compared to a friend who has everything. He said to me the other day that he would better off being like me because people want him for his wealth and not himself. The essentials for me are bikes, computer and the vegie patch. The term life energy i haven't heard for a long time, I must start using it again.

[Mangapulse]

I grew up without much furniture, but now that I'm forty, I don't really need or want a dinning room table. I'd rather gather everyone on the floor around the coffee table. It's acceptable in india, but in the west you have to be off the floor.

[BendoverBernanke]

True words.

[mandyx4z]

Awesome video. Thanks so much for sharing this with us! :-)

[TruthLightSeeker]

I have noticed that people who grow spiritually tend to be naturally drawn to simplicity. I have experienced this myself but have also witnessed it happen amongst my friends and family members. There is a beauty to simplicity.

[tottenhamx]

They return home take out anger on one another. Then drive kids to sports, cook dinner, watch tv, play video games, go on myspace drama, etc. Leaving the mind no time to find itself

[tottenhamx]

This is very prevalent in society. The average day- parents and children leave one another; parents attend work and children attend school from 7am - 4pm. They return home and take out their nger on one another

[ShadyPastel]

Really good, you put into words what I couldn't. One comment though, it's not just Western Culture that creates stuff. Look at China and Japan.

[vagabondsteve]

True... but historically western culture has lead the charge.

[drutter]

I liked the video, thank you. I don't call this kinda thing "spiritual" growth, because there's nothing spiritual about it (to me). No spirits, nothing supernatural, etc. This to me is PERSONAL growth, but call it what you will, I agree.

I have a ways to go in minimalization, but that's awesome, because it means there's so much liberation yet to come! :D

[vagabondsteve]

Personal growth sounds good... it's a feeling of lightness and freedom.

[zeitgeistmoviefan]

And I'd like to add, reuse and recycle what you can. Buy locally as much as you can, from small stores and producers, not giant corporations and encourage fair trade products.

[vagabondsteve]

Yes, yes, and yes. Thank you for the recommendations!

[zeitgeistmoviefan]

I could not agree more with you. Great video! :)

[angelusa73]

I so believe in simplyfing my life!

The less I have, the happier I am because I know exaclty which are the IMPORTANT things!

My house is beautiful and I created every single room of it and I love to organize it and to keep it clean...this way, I NEVER forget what's important in each room. I only have what I love. Not what I don't need, not what I don't like...

I donate everything else and that makes me happy!

Great suggestion! I believe in it a lot!

[vagabondsteve]

Great life philosophy. TY for commenting.

[kensho3]

Don't know where to start! Put it this way; the looming economic collapse is EXACTLY what this spiritually-starved nation needs. The less you have, the more you will appreciate it and, of course, vice-versa! Just look at the throngs of anxious, angry "rich" people that will be tail-gating you tomorrow. Just look at 'em. They're miserable cuz they've put so much stock into "things". When potable water soon becomes a luxury item, EVERYONE will wake up, no problem! sell your fancy rims,& buy rice.

[luvpublishing]

I used to spend a lot of my spare time shopping. Now it bothers me to bring more "stuff" into our house. (What is my son going to do with all of this when I'm gone?) I've made a promise to myself to use what I have.

I love purging!! You're right -- it's contagious AND addictive! I actually consider it a treat to pull an old box out of the closet to see what I can give away or throw away. Only wish I could get my husband to get on board!

[Ganakart]

Couldn't have said it any more simply about a very complicated life and choices. Keep it flowing. I spend a lot of my energy listening to your words. Love it. Your thoughts and views are contagious.

[vagabondsteve]

Thank you for your continued support, comments, and kind words.

[DC180]

Thanks.. your thoughts really help with the hard economic times ahead... Im really trying hard now to eliminate so much stuff i have but never use. I always think that i could use things ' one day', then 10 years later... its still there.. Ive had enough.

[vagabondsteve]

T.Y. How's your progress? Tough economic times can be a blessing.

[lavendergirl63]

thank you for sharing these great truths.

Be blessed! :)

[vagabondsteve]

T.Y. for commenting. Blessing back!

[ChemGirl2013]

Well said... Hubby and I have been sorting through our belongings and purging out stuff for the last year... We're down to very little and it is SO much nicer...what you're sayin' is true! :)

[vagabondsteve]

Thanks for sharing your experience. Next try working on digital clutter. I'm amazed how easily it accumulates. Photos, emails, bookmarks, documents, programs, etc. The best book I ever read on the topic of simplicity is "Less is More".

[75643218]

Excellent, glad I've discovered your videos.....very inspirational. Cheers.

[vagabondsteve]

Appreciate your comment!

[Constancia7]

what u r saying is wise & true! thanx

[vagabondsteve]

Thank U!

[bryan7070]

only for these few years that i realise a simple living is good to recover from the aftershock of materials life...

i will try hard to analyse if i really need to buy a thing by writing down on paper and weighing the pros and cons

now i am further simplifying my life by pausing the use of internet for a while before i can safely say i need the internet again... things which is good for simple living in the right and proper and balanced path...

cheers to simple living... ^_^

[SpiderMan1307]

110 PERCENT, COMPLETELY RIGHT!!! :D Thats what I've been doing these past few years, is finding MORE to simplify, but recently I've fallen into a "rut" and now my room is a mess, I'm looking for a job, and 90 percent of the stuff I own I dont even use, it just sits in a closet or on a desk and looks "pretty" lol

Peace and Love man. :)

I subscribed to you also.

[vagabondsteve]

Thank you for subscribing. To prevent from being overwhelmed spend only 5-10 minutes daily in simplifying. Procrastination is due to feeling overwhelmed. We can accomplish far more with slow steady progress. This is how mountaintops are created and climbed.

[cybervigilante]

You're right about clutter. When people write me that they're depressed and in trouble, the first thing I tell them is to clean their room and declutter their house.

[vagabondsteve]

Yes it is a mirror of our inner universe. Thanks for commenting.