[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:15.86,0:00:19.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Joshua: My name is Joshua Fields Millburn\Nand this is Ryan Nicodemus.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:19.17,0:00:21.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Together, we run a website\Ncalled theminimalists.com
Dialogue: 0,0:00:21.83,0:00:24.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and we promise the folks\Nwe'd kick things off this afternoon
Dialogue: 0,0:00:24.78,0:00:27.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with something inspirational,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:27.91,0:00:30.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:00:30.10,0:00:31.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,something to get you all excited.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:32.45,0:00:33.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Cheers)
Dialogue: 0,0:00:34.40,0:00:36.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, I'd like to talk about\Nsomething uplifting.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:36.72,0:00:38.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Cheers) (Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:00:38.62,0:00:40.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Let's talk about death!
Dialogue: 0,0:00:42.56,0:00:45.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If any of you are uncomfortable\Ntalking about death,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:45.65,0:00:48.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,now might be a good time for you to leave.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:49.59,0:00:51.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:00:52.10,0:00:54.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I have a feeling we will be\Nseeing him again in a minute.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:55.19,0:00:57.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Anyway, yeah, we could talk about death.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:57.37,0:01:00.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Let's see, seven years ago,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:00.04,0:01:03.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was 28 years old,\Nand up until that point in my life,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:03.11,0:01:05.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I had achieved everything I ever wanted:
Dialogue: 0,0:01:05.74,0:01:12.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The six-figure salary, the luxury cars,\Nthe closets full of expensive clothes,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:12.52,0:01:15.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the big suburban house\Nwith more toilets than people,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:17.41,0:01:18.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and all of this stuff
Dialogue: 0,0:01:18.41,0:01:21.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to filled every corner\Nof my consumer-driven lifestyle.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:21.52,0:01:24.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Man, I was living the American Dream!
Dialogue: 0,0:01:25.65,0:01:29.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then my mom died.\NAnd my marriage ended.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:29.59,0:01:31.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Both in the same month.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:32.34,0:01:34.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And these two events\Nforced me to look around
Dialogue: 0,0:01:34.44,0:01:37.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and start to question\Nwhat had become my life's focus.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:37.83,0:01:39.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You know what I realized?
Dialogue: 0,0:01:39.79,0:01:45.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I realized I was so focused\Non so-called "success" and "achievement,"
Dialogue: 0,0:01:45.05,0:01:48.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and especially,\Non the accumulation of stuff.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:48.88,0:01:50.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Yeah, I was living the American Dream,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:51.19,0:01:53.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but it wasn't my dream.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:53.16,0:01:55.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it took getting everything\NI thought I wanted,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:55.57,0:02:00.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to realize that everything I ever wanted\Nwasn't actually what I wanted at all.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:01.41,0:02:07.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You see, just a year earlier,\Nmom, she moved from Ohio down to Florida,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:07.09,0:02:08.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to finally retire.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:09.07,0:02:11.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because that's what you do\Nwhen you live in the Midwest.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:13.01,0:02:15.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And, well a few months\Nafter she moved down there,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:15.52,0:02:17.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,she found out she had lung cancer.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:18.53,0:02:19.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And a few months after that,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:21.19,0:02:22.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,she was gone.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:23.12,0:02:25.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I spent a lot of time with her\Ndown in Florida that year,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:25.79,0:02:28.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as she went through\Nher chemo and radiation.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:28.81,0:02:31.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And when she passed, I realized\NI needed to make one last trip,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:32.20,0:02:34.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,this time it was to deal with her stuff.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:34.81,0:02:40.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, I flew from Dayton, Ohio,\Ndown to St. Pete Beach, Florida,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:40.22,0:02:43.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and when I arrived, I found about\Nthree apartments' worth of stuff
Dialogue: 0,0:02:43.84,0:02:46.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,crammed in a mom's tiny\None-bedroom apartment.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:47.81,0:02:50.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But don't get me wrong,\Nit's not like mom was a hoarder,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:50.60,0:02:51.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,she wasn't.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:52.24,0:02:54.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I mean, I didn't find\Nany dead cats in her freezer.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:54.90,0:02:56.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:02:56.86,0:02:58.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But she owned a lot of stuff.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:58.72,0:03:00.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,65 years worth of accumulation.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:00.85,0:03:01.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Did you all know
Dialogue: 0,0:03:01.62,0:03:06.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that the average American household\Nhas more than 300,000 items in it?
Dialogue: 0,0:03:06.73,0:03:08.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,300,000!
Dialogue: 0,0:03:09.17,0:03:12.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But of course, most of us\Naren't hoarders, right?
Dialogue: 0,0:03:13.94,0:03:15.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,No, we just hold onto a lot of stuff.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:15.94,0:03:18.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We hold onto a lifetime\Nof collected memories.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:18.89,0:03:20.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I know mom certainly did.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:21.06,0:03:23.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, I did what any good son would do --
Dialogue: 0,0:03:26.100,0:03:29.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I think that's me on a bad hair day --
Dialogue: 0,0:03:30.59,0:03:31.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I called U-Haul.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:34.91,0:03:37.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I called U-Haul and I asked\Nfor the largest truck they had.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:38.53,0:03:40.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In fact, I needed one so large,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:40.92,0:03:44.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I had to wait an extra-day,\Nuntil the 26-foot truck was available.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:45.50,0:03:47.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And as I waited for that U-Haul to arrive,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:47.54,0:03:50.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I invited some of mom's friends over\Nto help me deal with her stuff.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:51.35,0:03:56.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I mean, there was just\Ntoo much stuff to go at it alone.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:57.08,0:04:00.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Her living room was stuffed\Nwith big antique furniture,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:00.48,0:04:02.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and old paintings,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:02.15,0:04:04.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and more doilies that I could count.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:06.25,0:04:07.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She loved doilies.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:08.93,0:04:11.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And her kitchen was stuffed\Nwith hundreds of plates, and cups,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:11.84,0:04:14.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and bowls, and ill-assorted utensils.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:15.60,0:04:17.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And her bathroom was stuffed
Dialogue: 0,0:04:17.96,0:04:21.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with enough hygiene products\Nto start a small beauty supply business.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:22.88,0:04:24.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And her linen closet,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:25.10,0:04:29.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,well, it looked like someone was running\Na hotel out of her linen closet,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:29.15,0:04:32.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which was stuffed with mismatched\Nbath towels, and beach towels,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:32.50,0:04:35.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and bed sheets, and blankets, and quilts.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:37.52,0:04:39.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And don't even get me started\Non her bedroom.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:40.87,0:04:44.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Why did mom have 14 winter coats\Nstuffed in her bedroom closet?
Dialogue: 0,0:04:45.56,0:04:46.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,14!
Dialogue: 0,0:04:47.28,0:04:53.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, come on, she lived\Nin St. Pete Beach, Florida!
Dialogue: 0,0:04:54.41,0:04:57.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Suffice it to say\Nmom owned a lot of stuff,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:57.55,0:05:00.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I had no idea\Nwhat to do with any of it.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:01.39,0:05:06.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, I did what any good son would do;\NI rented a storage locker.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:08.23,0:05:11.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When I called, I asked for\Nthe largest storage unit they had.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:11.12,0:05:12.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You what they asked me?
Dialogue: 0,0:05:12.54,0:05:15.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Do you want one\Nthat's climate-controlled?"
Dialogue: 0,0:05:17.37,0:05:21.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Climate-controlled, just so mom's stuff\Ncould be comfortable?
Dialogue: 0,0:05:22.42,0:05:24.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,No, I don't want one\Nthat's climate-controlled,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:24.62,0:05:27.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,just give me a big box\Nwith a padlock on it!
Dialogue: 0,0:05:27.03,0:05:29.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You see, I couldn't co-mingle\Nmom's stuff with my stuff,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:30.50,0:05:34.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I already had a big house,\Nand a full basement full of stuff.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:34.40,0:05:36.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But a storage locker?\NOh, yeah!
Dialogue: 0,0:05:37.77,0:05:40.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A storage locker would let me\Nhold on to everything!
Dialogue: 0,0:05:40.83,0:05:46.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Just in case I needed it someday,\Nin some non-existent, hypothetical future.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:46.24,0:05:48.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You know, just in case.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:49.39,0:05:52.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Just. In. Case.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:52.33,0:05:54.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,[Just. In. Case.]
Dialogue: 0,0:05:54.20,0:05:57.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The three most dangerous words\Nin the English language.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:57.96,0:06:01.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Anyway, so there I was,\Nattempting to finish packing mom's stuff,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:02.89,0:06:06.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when all of a sudden,\NI noticed these four boxes.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:08.40,0:06:10.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,These old printer-paper boxes.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:10.57,0:06:11.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Kind of heavy.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:11.68,0:06:14.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Sealed with excessive amounts\Nof packing tape.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:14.47,0:06:16.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, I pulled them out one by one.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:16.22,0:06:18.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I noticed that each box was labelled
Dialogue: 0,0:06:18.34,0:06:21.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with just a number, written on the side,\Nin thick, black marker.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:22.21,0:06:25.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,All I saw was: one, two,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:26.95,0:06:29.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,three, four.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:30.85,0:06:33.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I stood there, looking down,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:35.01,0:06:40.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,wondering what could possibly\Nbe in those boxes.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:42.54,0:06:46.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It looks like we're out of time folks.\NHope you enjoy the rest of the conference!
Dialogue: 0,0:06:46.43,0:06:47.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:06:47.35,0:06:49.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,No, it was my old\Nelementary school paperwork,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:49.93,0:06:51.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,grades one through four.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:52.23,0:06:54.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You know, as I opened those boxes,\Nmy curiosity ran wild,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:56.11,0:06:57.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I thought to myself,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:57.88,0:07:00.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Why was mom holding onto\Nall that stupid paperwork?"
Dialogue: 0,0:07:01.24,0:07:03.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But then, all those memories\Ncame rushing back,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:03.46,0:07:06.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I realized she had been\Nholding onto a piece of me,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:06.07,0:07:10.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,she was holding onto all those memories\Nin those boxes, right?
Dialogue: 0,0:07:10.93,0:07:12.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Wait a minute!
Dialogue: 0,0:07:12.50,0:07:15.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Those boxes had been sealed\Nfor more than two decades,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:15.95,0:07:19.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which made me realize something important\Nfor the first time in my life:
Dialogue: 0,0:07:19.86,0:07:23.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Our memories are not inside our things.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:23.07,0:07:24.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,[Memories}
Dialogue: 0,0:07:26.07,0:07:28.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Our memories are inside us.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:28.78,0:07:32.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,See, mom didn't need to hold on to\Nthose boxes to hold on to a piece of me,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:32.97,0:07:34.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was never in those boxes.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:35.45,0:07:37.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But then, I looked around\Nat her apartment,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:38.30,0:07:39.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I looked around at all her stuff,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:40.28,0:07:43.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I realized I was getting ready\Nto do the same thing.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:44.13,0:07:49.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Except instead of storing\Nher memories in a box in my home,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:49.57,0:07:55.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was getting ready to cram it all\Ninto a big box with a padlock on it.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:55.61,0:07:59.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, I did what any good son would do,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:01.04,0:08:04.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I called U-Haul\Nand I cancelled that truck.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:06.56,0:08:09.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then I called and I cancelled\Nthe storage locker.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:10.92,0:08:18.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I spent the next 12 days\Nselling, or donating, almost everything.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:19.22,0:08:22.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I learned a bunch\Nof really important lessons along the way.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:23.69,0:08:27.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Not only did I learn that our memories\Naren't in our things, they're in us;
Dialogue: 0,0:08:28.03,0:08:31.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but I also learned about\Nvalue, real value.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:32.21,0:08:34.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You see, if I'm honest with myself,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:34.36,0:08:37.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was just going to selfishly\Ncling to mom's stuff,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:37.79,0:08:40.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but of course, I wasn't going\Nto get any value from it,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:40.36,0:08:42.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as it sat there,\Nlocked away in perpetuity.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:43.20,0:08:47.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But the truth is that by letting go,\NI could add value to other people's lives.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:47.70,0:08:51.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, I donated much of her stuff\Nto her friends, and local charities,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:51.62,0:08:54.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,giving the stuff a new home.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:54.43,0:08:57.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And the things I was able to sell,\NI was able to take that money
Dialogue: 0,0:08:57.44,0:08:58.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and give it to the charities
Dialogue: 0,0:08:58.80,0:09:01.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that helped her through\Nher chemo and radiation.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:04.16,0:09:06.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And when I finally returned to Ohio,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:08.19,0:09:11.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I returned with just a handful\Nof sentimental items:
Dialogue: 0,0:09:11.01,0:09:17.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,an old painting, a few photographs,\Nmaybe even a doily or two.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:29.58,0:09:34.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And the final lesson I learned,\Nwell, it was a practical one.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:36.81,0:09:40.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,While it's true that sometimes,\Nour memories are in our things,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:41.46,0:09:42.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it's also true that sometimes,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:43.55,0:09:46.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the things that we have\Ncan trigger the memories
Dialogue: 0,0:09:46.22,0:09:47.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that are inside us.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:48.64,0:09:50.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, while I was still in Florida,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:50.21,0:09:52.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I took photos of many\Nof mom's possessions.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:54.47,0:09:56.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When I went back to Ohio,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:56.05,0:09:58.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I went back with just\Na few boxes of photographs,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:58.36,0:10:01.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which I was able to scan,\Nand store digitally.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:01.50,0:10:04.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And those photos made it easier\Nfor me to let go,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:05.64,0:10:09.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because I realized I wasn't letting go\Nof any of my memories.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:09.100,0:10:12.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,[Let go, move on]
Dialogue: 0,0:10:12.22,0:10:17.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Ultimately, I had to let go\Nof what was weighing me down
Dialogue: 0,0:10:18.76,0:10:20.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,before I was able to move on,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:21.65,0:10:26.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and to move on, well,\NI had to look in the mirror,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:26.87,0:10:28.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and take an inventory of my own life.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:30.96,0:10:34.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It turns out I had an organized life,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:34.55,0:10:35.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,[Organized]
Dialogue: 0,0:10:35.47,0:10:38.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but really, I was just\Na well-organized hoarder.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:39.48,0:10:43.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I mean, everything looked great, sure,\Nbut it was just a facade,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:43.10,0:10:45.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I knew I needed to simplify things.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:47.20,0:10:51.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's where this beautiful thing\Ncalled "minimalism" entered my life.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:51.98,0:10:54.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For me, it all started with one question:
Dialogue: 0,0:10:56.06,0:10:58.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How might your life be better with less?
Dialogue: 0,0:10:59.02,0:11:00.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You see, by answering this question,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:00.98,0:11:03.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was able to understand\Nthe purpose of minimalism,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:03.87,0:11:06.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,not just the how-to, but the why-to.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:07.00,0:11:11.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I learned that if I simplified my life,\NI'd have time for my health,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:11.94,0:11:15.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for my relationships,\Nmy finances, my passions,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:15.64,0:11:19.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I could contribute beyond myself\Nin a meaningful way.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:20.11,0:11:24.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,See, I was able to understand\Nthe benefits of minimalism
Dialogue: 0,0:11:24.59,0:11:27.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,well before I ever cleaned out\Na walk-in closet.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:28.27,0:11:31.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And so, when it came time for me\Nto actually declutter my life,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:31.74,0:11:34.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I started small, I asked myself\Nanother question:
Dialogue: 0,0:11:34.44,0:11:39.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What if you remove one material possession\Nfrom your life each day, for a month?
Dialogue: 0,0:11:39.14,0:11:41.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Just one. What would happen?
Dialogue: 0,0:11:42.24,0:11:43.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The end result:
Dialogue: 0,0:11:43.66,0:11:47.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, I unloaded way more\Nthan 30 items in the first 30 days,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:47.87,0:11:49.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like way, way more.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:50.09,0:11:53.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It became this kind of personal challenge,\Ndiscovering what I could get rid of,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:53.81,0:11:59.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so I searched my rooms and closets,\Ncabinets and hallways, car and office,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:59.32,0:12:01.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,rumaging for items to part with,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:01.87,0:12:05.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,retaining only the things\Nthat added value to my life,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:06.41,0:12:08.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,pondering each artifact in my home,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:08.08,0:12:11.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'd ask, "Does this thing\Nadd value to my life?"
Dialogue: 0,0:12:11.73,0:12:15.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The more I asked this question,\Nthe more I gained momentum.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:15.65,0:12:18.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And embracing minimalism\Ngot easier by the day.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:18.48,0:12:21.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I mean, the more you do it, the freer,\Nand happier, and lighter you feel,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:21.95,0:12:24.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the more you want to throw overboard.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:24.19,0:12:26.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For me, a few shirts led to half a closet,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:26.61,0:12:31.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a few DVDs led to deep-sixing\Nalmost an entire library of discs.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:31.24,0:12:36.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A few decorative items led to junk drawers\Nwho shed their adjective;
Dialogue: 0,0:12:36.31,0:12:37.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it's a beautiful cycle.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:37.80,0:12:41.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I mean, the more action you take,\Nthe more you want to take action.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:42.91,0:12:46.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Ultimately though,\Nthe purpose of minimalism
Dialogue: 0,0:12:46.43,0:12:48.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,has to do with the benefits we experience
Dialogue: 0,0:12:48.50,0:12:51.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,once we're on the other side\Nof decluttering.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:51.31,0:12:55.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Hence, removing the clutter\Nis not the end result,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:55.08,0:12:57.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it is merely the first step.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:58.01,0:13:00.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I mean, it's possible to go home,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:00.04,0:13:02.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,get rid of everything you own\Nand be absolutely miserable,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:02.98,0:13:07.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to come home to an empty house and sulk,\Nafter removing all your pacifiers.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:08.92,0:13:11.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because consumption is not the problem.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:11.85,0:13:14.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Compulsory consumption is the problem.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:15.12,0:13:16.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And we can change that
Dialogue: 0,0:13:16.49,0:13:19.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,by being more deliberate\Nwith the decisions we make each day.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:19.100,0:13:22.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Over the course of eight months,\NI deliberately jettisoned
Dialogue: 0,0:13:22.74,0:13:26.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,more than 90 per cent\Nof my material possessions.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:26.64,0:13:30.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Although, if you visited my home today,\Nyou probably wouldn't walk in and yell,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:30.50,0:13:33.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Oh my God! This guy is a minimalist!"
Dialogue: 0,0:13:34.62,0:13:39.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,No. You'd probably just say,\N"Wow, he's tidy."
Dialogue: 0,0:13:39.73,0:13:42.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You'd ask how I keep things so organized,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:42.77,0:13:45.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I'd simply grin and tell you\Nthat I don't own much,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:45.35,0:13:48.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but everything I do own\Nadds real value to my life.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:48.29,0:13:53.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Each of my belongings, my car, my clothes,\Nmy kitchenware, my furniture,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:53.47,0:13:54.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,has a function.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:54.87,0:14:00.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,As a minimalist, every possession\Nserves a purpose or brings me joy,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:00.12,0:14:02.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and everything else is out of the way.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:02.84,0:14:06.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,With the clutter cleared, I felt compelled\Nto start asking deeper questions,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:06.42,0:14:07.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,questions like:
Dialogue: 0,0:14:07.66,0:14:10.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Why did I give\Nso much meaning to my stuff?
Dialogue: 0,0:14:10.43,0:14:12.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What is truly important in my life?
Dialogue: 0,0:14:13.28,0:14:15.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When did I become so discontented?
Dialogue: 0,0:14:15.50,0:14:17.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Who is the person I want to become?
Dialogue: 0,0:14:17.42,0:14:20.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And how am I going to define\Nmy own success?
Dialogue: 0,0:14:20.04,0:14:22.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,These are tough questions,\Nwith difficult answers,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:22.39,0:14:24.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but they've proven to be\Nmuch more important
Dialogue: 0,0:14:24.45,0:14:26.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,than just trashing my excess stuff.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:26.44,0:14:30.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And if we don't answer these questions\Ncarefully, rigorously,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:30.09,0:14:33.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,then the closet we just decluttered\Nwill be brimming with new purchases
Dialogue: 0,0:14:33.89,0:14:35.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the not too distant future.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:36.20,0:14:39.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, as I let go, and as I started facing\Nlife's tougher questions,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:39.77,0:14:41.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,things got simpler,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:41.44,0:14:44.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the people around me noticed\Nsomething was different too.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:44.31,0:14:46.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,People at work started saying things like,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:46.30,0:14:49.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"You seem less stressed!"\N"You seem so much calmer!"
Dialogue: 0,0:14:49.65,0:14:53.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"What is going on?\NYou seem so much nicer!"
Dialogue: 0,0:14:54.70,0:14:57.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then my best friend,\Na guy named Ryan Nicodemus,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:57.66,0:15:00.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,whom I've known since\Nwe were fat little fifth graders,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:00.70,0:15:04.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,he came to me one day,\Nand he said he noticed how happy I was.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:04.83,0:15:06.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And that opened him up in time
Dialogue: 0,0:15:06.94,0:15:10.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to the concepts of minimalism\Nand living a meaningful life with less.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:11.45,0:15:15.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,As he simplified his life, that made room\Nfor these deeper conversations,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:15.11,0:15:18.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,conversations about\Nhow our unchecked consumption
Dialogue: 0,0:15:18.73,0:15:24.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,wasn't just affecting our lives,\Nit was infecting our entire society.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:25.05,0:15:30.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Ryan: You see, the more we consume,\Nthe more waste we produce.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:30.43,0:15:32.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But then of course,\Nthe opposite is also true.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:32.99,0:15:36.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If we consume less stuff,\Nwe produce less waste.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:36.71,0:15:37.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,As you all might know,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:37.97,0:15:41.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,if the entire world\Nconsumed like the United States,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:41.26,0:15:47.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we would need over four Earths\Nto maintain our unchecked consumption.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:47.97,0:15:52.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How can we, as consumer-driven Americans,\Nkeep consuming like this?
Dialogue: 0,0:15:53.24,0:15:56.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's pretty simple;\Nwe go deeper into debt!
Dialogue: 0,0:15:56.34,0:15:57.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's how.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:57.24,0:15:57.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,[Debt]
Dialogue: 0,0:15:57.97,0:16:01.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Did you know the average American\Ncarries four credit cards in their wallet?
Dialogue: 0,0:16:01.94,0:16:07.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And one in ten Americans\Nhas ten or more active credit cards.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:08.04,0:16:14.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And the average credit card debt\Nis over $16,000.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:14.68,0:16:18.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The total consumer debt\Nof the United States
Dialogue: 0,0:16:18.66,0:16:21.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is nearly 12 trillion dollars.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:23.27,0:16:25.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,12 trillion dollars!
Dialogue: 0,0:16:26.42,0:16:28.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Let me just put that\Ninto perspective for a minute.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:28.96,0:16:34.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If you went out and spent one dollar\Nevery single second,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:34.92,0:16:40.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it would take you more than 31,000 years\Nto spend a trillion dollars.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:40.16,0:16:44.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In fact, if you went out\Nand spent a million dollars a day,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:44.32,0:16:47.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,ever since the birth of the Buddha,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:48.80,0:16:52.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you still wouldn't have spent\Na trillion dollars by now.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:52.36,0:16:56.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And we have nearly\N12 trillion dollars in debt.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:59.77,0:17:04.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And the only way out is to let go.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:06.59,0:17:12.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When we let go, our actions,\Nit encourages others to let go, too.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:13.85,0:17:16.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Six years ago, Josh and I,\Nwe let go of our stuff,
Dialogue: 0,0:17:16.78,0:17:19.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so we could start living a life\Nthat aligned with our values.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:20.30,0:17:24.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We started consuming less,\Nso we could start living more.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:26.17,0:17:28.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And when our lives became our message,
Dialogue: 0,0:17:28.62,0:17:32.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we started a blog, so we could share\Nthat message with others.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:32.07,0:17:34.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We called it "theminimalists.com."
Dialogue: 0,0:17:34.71,0:17:37.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Since then, we've written\Nbooks about simple living,
Dialogue: 0,0:17:37.74,0:17:40.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we started a podcast about intentionality,
Dialogue: 0,0:17:40.43,0:17:43.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and we released a documentary\Ncalled "Minimalism."
Dialogue: 0,0:17:44.74,0:17:47.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,All in an effort to add value\Nto other people's lives.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:48.77,0:17:51.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And that's really why we're here today,
Dialogue: 0,0:17:51.31,0:17:52.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we really, really hope
Dialogue: 0,0:17:52.86,0:17:55.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that we can add value\Nto all of your lives.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:56.23,0:17:59.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, if you leave here\Nwith just one message,
Dialogue: 0,0:17:59.33,0:18:00.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we really hope it's this:
Dialogue: 0,0:18:01.64,0:18:05.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Love people and use things,\Nbecause the opposite never works.
Dialogue: 0,0:18:05.29,0:18:07.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,[Love people, use things]
Dialogue: 0,0:18:08.29,0:18:09.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)