Ugh I am so tired of the argument that audiobooks aren’t real books! Listening to audiobooks while doing dishes and cleaning has been such a game changer for me, now I look forward to it! Another wonderful video, as always grateful for your presence here on youtube 🙏🏻
To Damusicbeast, Listening to audiobooks is fine a person can still obtain the information. The correct definition of reading is to look at what is printed or written so I would not use the word read with audiobooks. You listen to an audiobook not read. Hence the prefix audio. When you listen to music you would not say I am reading music, unless you have the music sheet you are looking at with your eyes and interpreting.
I also listen to audiobook while doing surveillance in the health system as overtime. Surveillance is sooooo boring when the patient is sleeping but listenning to audiobooks with a single bluetooth earbud makes it confortable 😆
Although I still own a few physical books I do agree on the audiobooks. I like an audiobook while driving. However, I recently purchased a kindle which is another awesome way to downsize a beloved book collection.
Minimalistic aesthetic reminds me of hospitals and it makes me feel anxious. I am not a hoarder and I hate clutter, but I do need plants and color in the walls, particularly during the long Canadian winters. I appreciate your videos and support. I am adapting your smart take on the topic to what makes me feel safe and happy. Thank you so much!
I am a mum of two. Since I became a mother I am listening to many audiobooks because my me-time has shrinked. They do count. As humans we've been listening to stories for tens of centuries. I am listening to your videos when I am busy tidying up, too.
I love your not-too-minimalistic approach ❤ I think the idea of everything only minimalistic, like using only matching glass storage containers with bamboo covers, or everything grey and white, is just another way to make people buy even more stuff they don’t need. It’s like “in order to become a minimalist you need to buy a crapload of new stuff”. I think, it’s more minimalistic to think first how to use the stuff you already have.
We found that for most noisy toys you can put a layer or two of packing tape over the place the sound comes out. It dramatically reduces the noise they make! Total game changer! Love the analogy at the beginning about anxiety!
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?
I’m very sensitive to noise and recently purchased a pair of loop earplugs from Amazon. Mine are pink and came in a little case. I carry them in my purse and put them in my ears when I find myself in a noisy situation. For example: loud music being piped in the grocery store, social gatherings, etc. They are discrete and I can still hear what I need to. Great for my stress levels. Great video Marissa! Thanks for the link to BetterHelp.
Thank you for mentioning the loop earplugs, they're just what I need! When I donate blood music is blasted so loud I can't hear the person who is checking me in. Plus I have misophonia and certain sounds send me up a wall.
I've been using my loop earplugs more often as well. I used them at the last comic book convention I went too and it made a huge difference. Unfortunately, being that they're designed to DAMPEN noise, not block or eliminate it, they don't really fix the problem I have with my loud neighbor...
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?
As far as books, if you have a library that brings you comfort you can use the one in one out rule, borrow from the library only, and thus limit your inventory. Love your tips, think I’m going to try the no coffee for one month test!
Totally understand your take on audio books and I use them as well. However actually sitting down and reading a real book allows me to think more deeply about the concepts or stories than when I get preoccupied with other things at the same time. It is a form of 'self care' in those resting minutes that I am reading, rather than pushing to get more done.
That's great that you take care of yourself that way! I listen to audiobooks on walks and it's like a walking meditation. Nothing improves my mood more.
I like both. Audio for when I am doing chores or exercising or even going for a walk. But I like physical books when it is something I reference frequently, or when it is a story I am deeply interested in and want to sit and spend time with it.
It's always encouraging hearing about someone else's sensitivity to sound. Definitely one of those things where my threshold drops on busy or stressful days! I do love audiobooks especially for nonfiction/insightful books not only because I can multitask, but also because when physically reading those books, it seems I am more easily distracted! Audiobooks keep the pace moving and enable me to actually finish, which I often fail to do (and then feel bad for). I do read physical books just before bed to wind down, which I do enjoy, but that is often from my favorite fiction collection because it helps to pull me away from events of the day ☺️
An important distinction with coffee is that it's not necessarily that coffee makes anxiety worse. It's that caffeine causes our body to mimic the symptoms of anxiety - jitters, pounding heart etc. In small doses, drinking coffee can actually be a great exercise for those working alongside a therapist to experiment anxiety management by getting accustomed to the sensations in their body.
What you said about "real minimalism" hit home for me! I too love the aesthetic but I'm decluttering and trying to be minimalist, but in my own way. I love how you've done it and been watching your videos to inspire and help me through this decluttering process. Thank you
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?
I've discovered I'm a highly sensitive person too. I didnt realize until the last few years that it existed but it's definitely me. I'm sensitive to noise and my home being cluttered. It's definitely better for my anxiety and ADHD that I massively decluttered. In terms of what I don't buy anymore...the time and energy that went into fully decluttering and minimizing my home cured me of my former impulsive spending ways. And I'm glad for that. I thought I'd always be living with no impulse control. 😢
I'm with you regarding noises and clutter. I live in the city and get up at 4 am simply to have a few hours of quiet (no music, no tech) before the world awakens. It keeps my stress levels at bay.
When I stopped drinking coffee about six months ago I noticed by anxiety nearly went away 100%. I was constantly feeling anxious. I will never go back to regular coffee. Just not worth it for me and I'm able to stay off meds. Love audio books! Listening to Bad Blood right now.
I love coffee but I’m noticing I get irritable if I have more than one. Ugh. Mindfulness and aging have shown me how many thing I like aren’t good for me!
I know I am also highly sensitive (noise, lighting levels,etc), but I recently was diagnosed as autistic and having ADHD in my adulthood. My mind is completely blown! I wonder how many adults, particularly women who are often under diagnosed are also autistic. For women, it isn't always about social aspects but rather how the brain process to stimuli.
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?
I changed my language around books from "reading" to consuming. I consume 75-150 books a year. Most are audio books, but I also have ebooks and physical books. Before the days of near universal literacy and inexpenxive books, most people were exposed to books by hearing them read aloud by the one person in the family or on staff that could read.
actually, for me having library is rather comforting issue, as at my parents' and granparents' there always were big libraries and it felt like home, so now I am trying to build a library of my own - partially by bringing the books from my parents, partially by buying. I have nothing against audiobooks, but I am not able to concentrate on a new audiobook when doing something else, it needs to be something I already know (like watching the same serial over and over when doing the laundry). I don't buy clothes too much - actually, I sorted out quite lot, so it finished with "I have nothing to put on" (like specific clothes). Coffee - limited some time ago, now I drink it only when I want to treat myself.
I recently started reading/listening to audiobooks and it changed my life! I am a very slow leisurely reader and it took me forever to get through books. Audiobooks totally count!
I have a very colourful wardrobe and my photos on my walls are also vibrant. I’m no less a minimalist. If we only own 3 t shirts, who cares if they are all black or 1 orange 1 turquoise and 1 neon pink? It’s still 3 tees! I hate when people mix up the minimalist aesthetic with minimalism, owning less. Love what you do ❤
Love your channel. As a minimalist for over 9 years now I have zero storage, a capsule wardrobe, and an audiobook library. I own a 65L Gregory backpack which holds all my belongings I need. I do own other items however they are not essential. The simplicity of owning less has reduced my anxiety and depression and zero clutter for me results in a feeling of inner peace. It’s been a very rewarding journey thus far and I’m only sorry I didn’t discover minimalism sooner.
I just found you and have been binge watching your videos for two days. You are so beautiful and have such a lovely family. I love the way you talk and all that you say. I have cried and laughed with you. What a wonderful find you are. Keep up with your lovely videos and thanks. I needed to find you.
I love everything you said here, about audio books and about minimalism being there to make life easier and reduce stress rather than to look instagram perfect. I always thought minimalism isn't for me because it seems so forced and it gave me anxiety more than to reduce it (although I loved the idea of decluttering), and your videos gave me more inspiration to actually reconsider it for myself. I will never get to the pitch perfect home that everyone thinks of when hearing minimalism, but I already got to a happier version for myself. Thank you for sharing this
Out of desperation I bought Bose sleep earbuds and have been practicing using them at home before my next travel time. Sleeping in hotels with all the unfamiliar noises has been so hard.
Decaf coffee is a really good option if you love the taste. I switched a year ago and feel way better. But the ritual of making myself a pour over is really enjoyable to me so I don't want to give up decaf.
I love decaf coffee, but still it is give me a headache. Sometime I just buy some coffee and surprisingly my head can tolerate . So I stick with it. Nescafe (Red package) is tolerable for me. Nescafe decaf : No. Some local coffee (Robusta) is good for me
@@sparkdorable Wow that's really interesting. It might be the decaffinating process. Sometimes it's a pretty harsh chemical extraction and I wouldn't be surprised if nescafe isn't using great or healthy decaffinating processes. Maybe you've be interested in trying Swiss water process decaf. I believe it uses significantly less chemicals.
There's also this thing called a library where you don't have to own a book to read it. 😉 Unfortunately, I don't remember much when I listen to an audio book. It just becomes background noise if I'm doing something. I LOVE my library!!
Audiobooks allow people with reading difficulties, line dyslexia, to enjoy books and reading. Fine for individuals to choose physical books for themselves, but blanket rules and mindsets about one being 'more real' than the other is exclusionist and ableist. I'm glad you've discovered the joy of audiobooks and find them a useful part of your self care routine. 💜
Really related to this video 😊 I love audiobooks for doing dishes and putting away laundry or some downtime where my eyes really need a rest but I'm not going to sleep. Much easier after having my child to get my book fix from an audiobook than a physical book in this season of my life. Great video!
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?
Daaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnng. Not only was this supremely informative and eye opening, it was incredibly relatable - and validating. ✨✊🥺✨ THANK YOU for speaking on this topic, as well as offering up your personal recommendations for bettering our lives whilst dealing with anxiety (etc etc, amirite? 😵💫) Sooo much love going out to you right now. (((((((HUGS)))))))
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?
When we moved from Berlin to a small village in the middle of Portugal, I took the chance to reduce the whole household. (Your videos have been really helpful.) Referring to physical books, I kept only a few. I have a lot of books on my Kindle, and I find it so comfortable to have access to them wherever I go. I share the account with my daughter, so she can read them too. And, of course, audio books can be great. It depends on the editing and on the speakers' style.
I listen to audiobooks because I live in the country and have to drive 30 minutes to town most days of the week. I download them through an app supported by my public library. Like any book, there are limited copies, there’s a due date and sometimes there’s a queue. ❤
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?
I love the minimalist esthetic, I feel free, however we recently got a puppy and boy he comes with all the stuff. Still struggling with it, I certainly didn’t think about that when getting a puppy
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask
I love audio books read with different voices for the characters. Or the author reading their own words. I sometimes listen during the say and read the same book book from the library before bed. I get through books so fast that way.
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love 💚us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?
I enjoy audiobooks too but there's some proof that reading vs listening to non-fiction has better outcomes in learning situations because it's much easier to go back and check on text rather than on audio. So I like to listen to "lighter" books which are not as immersive (as part of my focus will always be on another task, such as folding laundry or tidying) and then read print books for a more immersive experience (because I can't do any other tasks simultaneously). I think some studies show that while audiobooks are no worse or better, they engage a different part of the brain than print books. So personally, I enjoy a mix! Great video!
Ah I've steered away from Audible as it's a Amazon subsidiary and I try not to support Amazon. But I love podcasts at the background. Not sure if you like those but I love things like Radiolab which does amazing science topics incredibly well
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?
Love this weeks video. Looking forward to discovering your reading list. My husband and I declutter an office closet that we could not walk into. It felt so good to clean out and get rid of stuff we did not need. Also working on 30 boxes of family stuff. I stared by labeling which family it was from and we took 4 of the boxes that were not sentimental and got rid of them. Working our way to the emotional stuff but it is a start.
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love 💚us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?
Too much noise, light & smells are highly uncomfortable to me too. Crowds, too much busyness, clutter...I see a pattern. For me less is more calming. Space & quiet & simple are nourishing.
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?
My anxiety comes from driving. I'd give you the details, but I'm tired of discussing it. Decluttering is helping me have more me time. The more I declutter, the easier it is to clean. My house seems to grow as stuff disappears. My view of minimalism is not having things I dont use or need lingering. My living room definitely has less in it, but there is stuff in it. I agree. Too little in a home is disturbing to me, too.
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love 💚us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?
I am glad to hear that you found things to help your anxiety. I don't know what that is like, but it is great to hear what you have done to help your situation. My goodness that one toy is so loud! I don't think I ever had loud toys for my children. My husband has anxiety issues and cut out coffee and it has helped him so much. Yeah. . .I can't have white furniture or clothing. I like mud too much haha. I make quilts on a regular basis (and sell them). Your quilt is pretty!! I like having color but I also like a lot of greys and black (but not really white other than my walls, granted my sons' bedroom is half blue and half orange). I also listen to audiobooks and podcasts while I clean! I read physical books too though. I look forward to seeing which books you have enjoyed.
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love 💚us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?
I’ve put packing tape over the speakers on loud toys and it makes a huge difference in sound level if it’s not something you/your kids want to part with!
Oh my gosh. You're so right about noise. Noise is clutter. We always hated those loud irritating toys and did not have them. They would end up in the garbage. Lol😊
@@dr.christopherjohnson4178 Hello, Dr. Christopher. It's beautiful out today. I live on the west Coast of Canada in a major Port City. Where are you located?
@@dr.christopherjohnson4178 Yes, fortunately, at times, I am still here. How do you do? It's raining here now and there's a nice crisp breeze....well more like a wind with gale force gusts. 😇☺️
@@dr.christopherjohnson4178 Yes. If you would like to send your email. I can reply in a few days. I do not respond to emails and texts from people I don't know very quickly, if at all. As a matter of fact, there's too many scammers on the internet. So don't get pushy with me. There's plenty of others to target.
English is not my first language. Read a book in a foreign language is hard. Audio books changed everything! Thanks for your videos. I love the subjects and the aesthetic.
I’m also SUPER sensitive to noise. Maybe more than most people because I can’t handle much music or apparently audiobooks either. They actually give me anxiety, I’ve realized recently. It’s funny how people can respond so differently to the same things. I have tried audio books and even asked for an Audible subscription for Christmas, but I’ve found they just aren’t a great fit me, which is a real bummer. I either get distracted and don’t pay attention and tune them out, like when the radio plays in the car and you suddenly realize you have no recollection of the past few songs, or I get super irritated like when the music is too loud at a party. Or I get impatient with the narrators. It’s actually stressing me out feeling like I have to use my Audible credit once a month right now because I don’t want to. But they absolutely do count as reading books! It’s also super ableist to say they don’t count because there are people who have cognitive and physical limitations who may not be able to read a physical book, but can still enjoy an audio book. I’m glad they are working for you! I guess I should look at the positive and say now I know one more thing I can minimize out of my life 😂
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love 💚us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?
I really like your channel Marissa, you are genuine and warm-hearted (yes I love Beene Brown too!) I read text books and I listen to audiobooks, especially if I have a big hands-on task to do (like packing to move, or spring cleaning, or stitching). Have done for years. If you ask me about a great book I read years ago, I probably wouldn’t be able to tell you whether I listened to it or read it with my eyes. Reading is reading, doesn’t matter how you do it. Think of it this way: I’m not going to try to tell a blind person they can’t read - that would be ridiculous!
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love 💚us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?
Marissa - great video topic! Agree about books but i will buy old ones - reader digest types- but the audio can be so full of sensory sounds and the author reading is really primo!! Appreciate your May one coming up. Also sounds of childrens toys - very interesting. I did not have that issue with my kids toys but i can understand what you are getting at
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?
I love audio books. I listen while I'm knitting, playing with the cat, cleaning, walking, etc. I've listened to audio books that I've also read and I find it's a totally different experience and a different take on the book. I've also found as I get older I'm more sensitive to noise. I have a small manufacturing plant not far from me and the noise, vibration, from that plant is starting to affect me. It isn't loud, it's just this background noise, rumbling, vibrationy sound. It's hard to explain. So I've taken to using a sound app and play things like rain, forest sounds at a low volume to mask it. As for what is the aesthetic of my home, I have no idea.
Hi Christine! You might try downloading the Niosh app (it’s free) and see what the ambient noise level is in your home. Good idea masking it with soothing noise
I feel the same way now I was a total bookworm and had hundreds of books that's where I started to declutter, now if I have a paper book I feel I read it intermittently but read my Kobo all the time. Have not got into audio books sometimes the way they read it can irritate me! 😅
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?
I am currently listening to Braving the Wilderness by Brene Brown! Love to listen to her actually reading her words. Will definitely listen to the one you mentioned. I agree with you about listening while doing chores.
I’ve been in the process of decluttering my closet and drawers for what feels like 2 years now. I just have such a hard time ridding clothes and I know once I cut down that my life will feel so much smoother 😩
I am super sensitive to noise and it can really drive me crazy. I have even started to struggle on the underground/metro. I would love to find strategies for dealing with it. It's helpful to know there are others like me out there.
I only have partial sight in one eye so audiobooks are a wonderful thing. That partial eye also enjoys picking up a physical book on occasion. The smell, touch, etc are savored experiences & memories. Now that I'm older, the ability to multitask while experiencing a new book is priceless. Here's my question though: what's the new verb? Can we call the process of enjoying an audiobook "reading" if we aren't reading? Do we say experiencing, exploring, adventuring, etc?
@@AtoZenLife Thank you for all you do. I'm 50 and looking into "best practices" to scale back my life. Not a complete minimalist look (I do love a well placed tree or flowers, etc), but living alone now and engaged-- my fiancee is much of the same mindset when it comes to "stuff" just taking up space; she is a bit more fru-fru though, I'll admit, so that'll be an adjustment :) -- I need to start discarding things I no longer use or feel as though their occupying my apartment is more anxiety-inducing than beneficial to my life. Your content is wonderfully refreshing! Thanks again!
Isn't the verb simply 'listening'? Just as years ago before books were commonplace, or when there was no electronic home entertainment, families *listened* to books being read aloud?
I quit coffee about three weeks ago, hoping to reduce my inflammation. I still drink one cup of caffeinated tea first thing in the morning, but the rest of the day it’s herbal for me.
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?
I, too am highly sensitive. I agree that audio books are just as “real” as any other media (digital, hardcopy, etc). However, for ME, audiobooks don’t work mostly because I get too distracted and can’t really focus on the story of the book…music works better for me. My own preference is for digital books…
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love 💚us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?
I read a 345-page book on my Kindle app just while feeding my newborn in the middle of the night over the past 2 months. 😂 There’s no way I would’ve gotten through it if it was a physical book. For me, audiobooks are harder to focus on and turn into background noise. But digital is the way to go.
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask
Thank you !!!! I totally agree...with a 6 years toddler it's impossible to keep my house "aesthetic and minimalist" but I still keeping it practical and less messy as it could be 🤷♀️🤣🤣🤣👍 For me reading books with a large cup of coffee can't be reaplaced 🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️I can't focus listenning something else than music, I prefer decluttering my dressing 😏😏😏😁 For the aesthetic I love the mix between '30s and industrial 😜 Bises du Sud de la France Marissa 😘
Omg!!! The noise!!! I am so intolerant to noise, when I come home I just need silence. I used to be a NICU nurse, and the beeping and alarms would make me a bit frazzled. Now I work research and the constant talking is what gets me. I just need like an hour of quiet to just decompress. That toy would not be able to live in my house. It would have to be a toy for Grandma's house, since she would have most likely been the one to buy it for my kid. Also, audiobooks are totally legit.
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love 💚us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?
I prefer physical books when reading so I use the library. I no longer buy books but for me reading allows me to be present and still in the moment. If I listen to an audiobook then I may do other things. When I am reading a physical book, I am not doing laundry, loading the dishwasher, or other chores. I do not think there is anything wrong with audiobooks but I would not use the word reading because reading by definition says to look at what is written or printed. Reading is using your eyes, and an audiobook is using your ears hence the word audio. To be grammatically correct a person listens to audiobooks not read audiobooks.
Audio books totally count as reading! It takes me hours on hours to read an audio book compared to the day I can read a physical book, if anything it means I absorb the words better. I'm just reading Marian Rojas Estape's How to make good things happen. I've only just started but it seems pretty good so far
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?
I drink organic Swiss water processed decaffeinated coffee. It’s supposed to be 99% caffeine free (without the chemicals) and it’s delicious! The only downside is the price. But that just keeps me from drinking too much LOL. Just a suggestion in case you miss the delicious taste of coffee! I love your channel sooooo much! You are down to earth and authentic. I am always happier and inspired after watching your videos. Thank you for doing what you do.❤️
Love your content! In more than one video I keep looking at your long hoodie, can you please send some info about it? It's my kind of style as well...comfortable and versatile.
I've been diagnosed with social anxiety disorder and sensory processing disorder. I'm a minimalist for my mental health and it had been so life changing. My home does not have a minimalist aesthetic,, but has warmth and is an oasis. I work in a noisy environment under fluorescent lights so I when I come home I just turn on my yellow light bulb lamp and shut out noise. For that reason, paperbacks are better for me though I have no problem with audio books. I still try to keep my books minimal so HELLO library. 😊
Thanks for the thought provoking post. I LOVE Brene Brown, so I look forward to the book you mentioned. Her DARING GREATLY helped me work my way through one of my darkest years. Interestingly (to me,anyway) I first saw her in a wonderful dialogue with Russell Brand on his ITune site. Another lifesaving book is LOST CONNECTIONS Why You’re Depressed and How to Find Hope by Johann Hari. So, please keep up the good fight on your site. You have made a difference in my 70 year old non minimalist life journey. 👩🏻🎨👍♥️🐱
I love this episode. Most of what you described I have also discovered over time. The point of toxic minimalist aesthetic is an interesting one. Because you live in your home and see the messes and the daily goings on, it may not have that aesthetic. To me, though, it totally does. I see the color blocks of white, beige grey and indigo and it has that impact on me that you describe. I think it's so pretty yet it gives me anxiety 😂. In a way all curated spaces online do. And yet they are inspirational. 💕
I think the book argument is à tough one. I like audiobooks as well because I can relax in my bath or paint or concentration while listening to a book being read. I am having a real hard time with digital books but big piles of book in my tiny apartment brings me anxiety as well because it s messy. However reading in general is very important for the brain health. So in my case, it s about finding the right balance and finding out what type of books I can have as audi, what type as digital and what type as physical ones.
I can't let go of my physical books. 😂😂 i find it so relaxing whenever i turned the pages and smelled it. 😅 that's the one thing i chose not to let go. I noticed also that i could internalize more than an audio book. I can do the 9 tips except for this one. Thank you for a very informative video. ❤❤
I’ve become to like audiobooks lately. I also like to listen to it while doing dishes or driving ❤ (but sometimes I have both audiobook And a physical book, cuz I liked it so much lol )
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love 💚us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?
I have no problem with audio books other than I personally prefer to read the book rather than listen. I read fast and audio books take at least twice as long to get through I do not buy books though - I go to the library. I also get free monthly Amazon books that I load onto my kindle for when I need to pack lightly (also get digital credits from delaying Amazon deliveries, which I use to buy a book that I maybe cannot get elsewhere).
I’m working on decluttering my house bit by bit on the weekends. I’ve made good progress. It’s actually decreasing my stress level, but giving up coffee…..noooo.
I used to listen to audiobooks so much when I had a 45 min bus ride every day. I can't read in buses, it gives me a headache. So I listened every day, going and coming back from work. Now I walk 20 min in a dangerous downtown. Headphones are not safe, I need to pay attention to the traffic, to the pickpockets and to my general surroundings. I still listen to podcasts when I am doing lengthy tasks around the house: prepping a ton of food, decluttering, stuff like that, not noisy and long. Not so useful for woodworking, for instance.
I am so voting for reducing coffee! As very anxious person I can't drink it anymore. Even leaf tea or sugarless cola affect me too much nowadays. So I've decided to cut them too a bit.
It is a part of you, though. If you're someone who has anxiety, gaining control over it isn't about getting it to "go away", but learning how to reduce stimuli and recognize the triggers so as better to handle and process the anxieties in one's life. The anxiety is always there, it's just waiting for a trigger. I find it's best to stop thinking about anxiety as a monster were trying to chase out of our lives, and more like a travel buddy who is a bad driver. They'll always be in the car with you, but you can learn how to avoid letting them in the driver's seat.
I agree, it must be really difficult to maintain a minimalist home. You need to have some things to hand (sitting on surfaces) in everyday life, such as calculators, computers, reading glasses, mobile phone etc.
Thanks to BetterHelp for sponsoring this video and get 10% off your first month with this special link: betterhelp.com/atozenlife
💯
Ugh I am so tired of the argument that audiobooks aren’t real books! Listening to audiobooks while doing dishes and cleaning has been such a game changer for me, now I look forward to it! Another wonderful video, as always grateful for your presence here on youtube 🙏🏻
Yes, it makes chores so much more enjoyable and 10x my “reading” capabilities 👏 Thanks for watching!
To Damusicbeast, Listening to audiobooks is fine a person can still obtain the information. The correct definition of reading is to look at what is printed or written so I would not use the word read with audiobooks. You listen to an audiobook not read. Hence the prefix audio. When you listen to music you would not say I am reading music, unless you have the music sheet you are looking at with your eyes and interpreting.
I also listen to audiobook while doing surveillance in the health system as overtime. Surveillance is sooooo boring when the patient is sleeping but listenning to audiobooks with a single bluetooth earbud makes it confortable 😆
Although I still own a few physical books I do agree on the audiobooks. I like an audiobook while driving. However, I recently purchased a kindle which is another awesome way to downsize a beloved book collection.
Your place looks very minimalist to me and stark. I would not feel safe and happy or cozy. It an insult but an observation. But I love your concepts!
Minimalistic aesthetic reminds me of hospitals and it makes me feel anxious. I am not a hoarder and I hate clutter, but I do need plants and color in the walls, particularly during the long Canadian winters. I appreciate your videos and support. I am adapting your smart take on the topic to what makes me feel safe and happy. Thank you so much!
Can you do a video on things you DO buy to reduce your anxiety? Anything noise cancelling, personally calming, or visually relieving?
I am a mum of two. Since I became a mother I am listening to many audiobooks because my me-time has shrinked. They do count. As humans we've been listening to stories for tens of centuries.
I am listening to your videos when I am busy tidying up, too.
Such a good point, this is the storytelling that humans evolved with!
I love your not-too-minimalistic approach ❤ I think the idea of everything only minimalistic, like using only matching glass storage containers with bamboo covers, or everything grey and white, is just another way to make people buy even more stuff they don’t need. It’s like “in order to become a minimalist you need to buy a crapload of new stuff”. I think, it’s more minimalistic to think first how to use the stuff you already have.
We found that for most noisy toys you can put a layer or two of packing tape over the place the sound comes out. It dramatically reduces the noise they make! Total game changer! Love the analogy at the beginning about anxiety!
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?
I’m very sensitive to noise and recently purchased a pair of loop earplugs from Amazon. Mine are pink and came in a little case. I carry them in my purse and put them in my ears when I find myself in a noisy situation. For example: loud music being piped in the grocery store, social gatherings, etc. They are discrete and I can still hear what I need to. Great for my stress levels.
Great video Marissa! Thanks for the link to BetterHelp.
Thank you for mentioning the loop earplugs, they're just what I need! When I donate blood music is blasted so loud I can't hear the person who is checking me in. Plus I have misophonia and certain sounds send me up a wall.
I've been using my loop earplugs more often as well. I used them at the last comic book convention I went too and it made a huge difference. Unfortunately, being that they're designed to DAMPEN noise, not block or eliminate it, they don't really fix the problem I have with my loud neighbor...
@@OdinsSage they have one for sleep which is designed for this. I've not heard anyone say it's amazing so I haven't bought any yet
I even used earplugs at church services.
Hearing you explain anxiety the same way it feels to me, it makes me feel not so alone.
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?
As far as books, if you have a library that brings you comfort you can use the one in one out rule, borrow from the library only, and thus limit your inventory. Love your tips, think I’m going to try the no coffee for one month test!
Totally understand your take on audio books and I use them as well. However actually sitting down and reading a real book allows me to think more deeply about the concepts or stories than when I get preoccupied with other things at the same time. It is a form of 'self care' in those resting minutes that I am reading, rather than pushing to get more done.
That's great that you take care of yourself that way! I listen to audiobooks on walks and it's like a walking meditation. Nothing improves my mood more.
I like both. Audio for when I am doing chores or exercising or even going for a walk. But I like physical books when it is something I reference frequently, or when it is a story I am deeply interested in and want to sit and spend time with it.
It's always encouraging hearing about someone else's sensitivity to sound. Definitely one of those things where my threshold drops on busy or stressful days!
I do love audiobooks especially for nonfiction/insightful books not only because I can multitask, but also because when physically reading those books, it seems I am more easily distracted! Audiobooks keep the pace moving and enable me to actually finish, which I often fail to do (and then feel bad for). I do read physical books just before bed to wind down, which I do enjoy, but that is often from my favorite fiction collection because it helps to pull me away from events of the day ☺️
An important distinction with coffee is that it's not necessarily that coffee makes anxiety worse. It's that caffeine causes our body to mimic the symptoms of anxiety - jitters, pounding heart etc. In small doses, drinking coffee can actually be a great exercise for those working alongside a therapist to experiment anxiety management by getting accustomed to the sensations in their body.
What you said about "real minimalism" hit home for me! I too love the aesthetic but I'm decluttering and trying to be minimalist, but in my own way. I love how you've done it and been watching your videos to inspire and help me through this decluttering process. Thank you
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?
I've discovered I'm a highly sensitive person too. I didnt realize until the last few years that it existed but it's definitely me. I'm sensitive to noise and my home being cluttered. It's definitely better for my anxiety and ADHD that I massively decluttered. In terms of what I don't buy anymore...the time and energy that went into fully decluttering and minimizing my home cured me of my former impulsive spending ways. And I'm glad for that. I thought I'd always be living with no impulse control. 😢
I didn’t know about HSP until I started UA-cam as well, so you are not alone. Have you read the HSP book by Elaine Aron? It’s fantastic.
@@AtoZenLife I will have to look for it. I believe I first heard about it from Vera on UA-cam ❤️
She's at Simple Happy Zen but you might have already found her ☺️
@@simply.clutterfree I also love Vera at SHZ ❤
I'm with you regarding noises and clutter. I live in the city and get up at 4 am simply to have a few hours of quiet (no music, no tech) before the world awakens. It keeps my stress levels at bay.
When I stopped drinking coffee about six months ago I noticed by anxiety nearly went away 100%. I was constantly feeling anxious. I will never go back to regular coffee. Just not worth it for me and I'm able to stay off meds.
Love audio books! Listening to Bad Blood right now.
Oh my goodness, yes I had coffees again today after a long time and I felt like a rabbit in headlights, so bad! It’s not worth it
I'm cutting back on my coffee and it is helping.
I love coffee but I’m noticing I get irritable if I have more than one. Ugh. Mindfulness and aging have shown me how many thing I like aren’t good for me!
I'm trying to quit coffee too. It definitely makes my anxiety way worse.
I know I am also highly sensitive (noise, lighting levels,etc), but I recently was diagnosed as autistic and having ADHD in my adulthood. My mind is completely blown! I wonder how many adults, particularly women who are often under diagnosed are also autistic. For women, it isn't always about social aspects but rather how the brain process to stimuli.
Yessssss thissssssss 💯
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?
I changed my language around books from "reading" to consuming. I consume 75-150 books a year. Most are audio books, but I also have ebooks and physical books. Before the days of near universal literacy and inexpenxive books, most people were exposed to books by hearing them read aloud by the one person in the family or on staff that could read.
That’s a great perspective!
actually, for me having library is rather comforting issue, as at my parents' and granparents' there always were big libraries and it felt like home, so now I am trying to build a library of my own - partially by bringing the books from my parents, partially by buying. I have nothing against audiobooks, but I am not able to concentrate on a new audiobook when doing something else, it needs to be something I already know (like watching the same serial over and over when doing the laundry). I don't buy clothes too much - actually, I sorted out quite lot, so it finished with "I have nothing to put on" (like specific clothes). Coffee - limited some time ago, now I drink it only when I want to treat myself.
Anxiety, trauma, Highly sensitive person- clean home helping the stress feels- you are speaking my story!
@@dr.christopherjohnson4178 Oh, I am doing fine, thanks! The trauma was from long ago. 😉
@@itsHeatherKay HELLO 👋👋👋
@@itsHeatherKay Are you still here?
@@itsHeatherKay You just stopped talking to me 😞😞😞
I recently started reading/listening to audiobooks and it changed my life! I am a very slow leisurely reader and it took me forever to get through books. Audiobooks totally count!
I have a very colourful wardrobe and my photos on my walls are also vibrant. I’m no less a minimalist. If we only own 3 t shirts, who cares if they are all black or 1 orange 1 turquoise and 1 neon pink? It’s still 3 tees! I hate when people mix up the minimalist aesthetic with minimalism, owning less. Love what you do ❤
Marissa, you are so good at this! Please don’t ever leave us💜💜💜
Totally agree that sometimes audiobooks really elevate a story when the narrators are amazing!
Love your channel. As a minimalist for over 9 years now I have zero storage, a capsule wardrobe, and an audiobook library. I own a 65L Gregory backpack which holds all my belongings I need. I do own other items however they are not essential. The simplicity of owning less has reduced my anxiety and depression and zero clutter for me results in a feeling of inner peace. It’s been a very rewarding journey thus far and I’m only sorry I didn’t discover minimalism sooner.
I just found you and have been binge watching your videos for two days. You are so beautiful and have such a lovely family. I love the way you talk and all that you say. I have cried and laughed with you. What a wonderful find you are. Keep up with your lovely videos and thanks. I needed to find you.
Same!
I love everything you said here, about audio books and about minimalism being there to make life easier and reduce stress rather than to look instagram perfect. I always thought minimalism isn't for me because it seems so forced and it gave me anxiety more than to reduce it (although I loved the idea of decluttering), and your videos gave me more inspiration to actually reconsider it for myself. I will never get to the pitch perfect home that everyone thinks of when hearing minimalism, but I already got to a happier version for myself. Thank you for sharing this
Out of desperation I bought Bose sleep earbuds and have been practicing using them at home before my next travel time. Sleeping in hotels with all the unfamiliar noises has been so hard.
Decaf coffee is a really good option if you love the taste. I switched a year ago and feel way better. But the ritual of making myself a pour over is really enjoyable to me so I don't want to give up decaf.
I love decaf coffee, but still it is give me a headache. Sometime I just buy some coffee and surprisingly my head can tolerate . So I stick with it. Nescafe (Red package) is tolerable for me. Nescafe decaf : No. Some local coffee (Robusta) is good for me
@@sparkdorable Wow that's really interesting. It might be the decaffinating process. Sometimes it's a pretty harsh chemical extraction and I wouldn't be surprised if nescafe isn't using great or healthy decaffinating processes. Maybe you've be interested in trying Swiss water process decaf. I believe it uses significantly less chemicals.
There's also this thing called a library where you don't have to own a book to read it. 😉 Unfortunately, I don't remember much when I listen to an audio book. It just becomes background noise if I'm doing something. I LOVE my library!!
For me, crowds and noise really gets to me. I get grumpy and feel anxious and overwhelmed.
Audiobooks allow people with reading difficulties, line dyslexia, to enjoy books and reading. Fine for individuals to choose physical books for themselves, but blanket rules and mindsets about one being 'more real' than the other is exclusionist and ableist. I'm glad you've discovered the joy of audiobooks and find them a useful part of your self care routine. 💜
Really related to this video 😊 I love audiobooks for doing dishes and putting away laundry or some downtime where my eyes really need a rest but I'm not going to sleep. Much easier after having my child to get my book fix from an audiobook than a physical book in this season of my life. Great video!
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?
OMG! Your intro is totally me!! Thank you for the do not buy tips!
That really is the perfect analogy for anxiety!
Daaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnng.
Not only was this supremely informative and eye opening, it was incredibly relatable - and validating. ✨✊🥺✨
THANK YOU for speaking on this topic, as well as offering up your personal recommendations for bettering our lives whilst dealing with anxiety (etc etc, amirite? 😵💫)
Sooo much love going out to you right now. (((((((HUGS)))))))
Thanks so much for the kind words and support ❤️🙏
@@AtoZenLife - You’re VERY welcome! ‘Love you!! ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?
I think we can admire and enjoy the aesthetic better when we don’t live with it!
Kind of like saying the grass is always greener on the other side? 😉
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?
When we moved from Berlin to a small village in the middle of Portugal, I took the chance to reduce the whole household. (Your videos have been really helpful.)
Referring to physical books, I kept only a few. I have a lot of books on my Kindle, and I find it so comfortable to have access to them wherever I go. I share the account with my daughter, so she can read them too.
And, of course, audio books can be great. It depends on the editing and on the speakers' style.
I listen to audiobooks because I live in the country and have to drive 30 minutes to town most days of the week. I download them through an app supported by my public library. Like any book, there are limited copies, there’s a due date and sometimes there’s a queue. ❤
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?
I love the minimalist esthetic, I feel free, however we recently got a puppy and boy he comes with all the stuff. Still struggling with it, I certainly didn’t think about that when getting a puppy
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask
I love audio books read with different voices for the characters. Or the author reading their own words. I sometimes listen during the say and read the same book book from the library before bed. I get through books so fast that way.
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love 💚us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?
I enjoy audiobooks too but there's some proof that reading vs listening to non-fiction has better outcomes in learning situations because it's much easier to go back and check on text rather than on audio. So I like to listen to "lighter" books which are not as immersive (as part of my focus will always be on another task, such as folding laundry or tidying) and then read print books for a more immersive experience (because I can't do any other tasks simultaneously). I think some studies show that while audiobooks are no worse or better, they engage a different part of the brain than print books. So personally, I enjoy a mix!
Great video!
Also, I think I'm just really crap at multitasking! :)
On Audible you can bookmark and “clip” the audio and I do that quite often. Do what you enjoy! ❤️
Ah I've steered away from Audible as it's a Amazon subsidiary and I try not to support Amazon. But I love podcasts at the background. Not sure if you like those but I love things like Radiolab which does amazing science topics incredibly well
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?
Love this weeks video. Looking forward to discovering your reading list. My husband and I declutter an office closet that we could not walk into. It felt so good to clean out and get rid of stuff we did not need. Also working on 30 boxes of family stuff. I stared by labeling which family it was from and we took 4 of the boxes that were not sentimental and got rid of them. Working our way to the emotional stuff but it is a start.
Great video loved this one. I still love the tactile stimulation from "real" books
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love 💚us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?
Too much noise, light & smells are highly uncomfortable to me too. Crowds, too much busyness, clutter...I see a pattern. For me less is more calming. Space & quiet & simple are nourishing.
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?
My anxiety comes from driving. I'd give you the details, but I'm tired of discussing it. Decluttering is helping me have more me time. The more I declutter, the easier it is to clean. My house seems to grow as stuff disappears. My view of minimalism is not having things I dont use or need lingering. My living room definitely has less in it, but there is stuff in it. I agree. Too little in a home is disturbing to me, too.
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love 💚us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?
I am glad to hear that you found things to help your anxiety. I don't know what that is like, but it is great to hear what you have done to help your situation.
My goodness that one toy is so loud! I don't think I ever had loud toys for my children.
My husband has anxiety issues and cut out coffee and it has helped him so much.
Yeah. . .I can't have white furniture or clothing. I like mud too much haha.
I make quilts on a regular basis (and sell them). Your quilt is pretty!! I like having color but I also like a lot of greys and black (but not really white other than my walls, granted my sons' bedroom is half blue and half orange). I also listen to audiobooks and podcasts while I clean! I read physical books too though. I look forward to seeing which books you have enjoyed.
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love 💚us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?
This video is a blessing and so are you!!
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?
I’ve put packing tape over the speakers on loud toys and it makes a huge difference in sound level if it’s not something you/your kids want to part with!
Oh my gosh. You're so right about noise. Noise is clutter. We always hated those loud irritating toys and did not have them. They would end up in the garbage. Lol😊
@@dr.christopherjohnson4178 Hello, Dr. Christopher. It's beautiful out today. I live on the west Coast of Canada in a major Port City. Where are you located?
@@dr.christopherjohnson4178 Yes, fortunately, at times, I am still here. How do you do? It's raining here now and there's a nice crisp breeze....well more like a wind with gale force gusts. 😇☺️
@@dr.christopherjohnson4178 Yes. If you would like to send your email. I can reply in a few days. I do not respond to emails and texts from people I don't know very quickly, if at all. As a matter of fact, there's too many scammers on the internet. So don't get pushy with me. There's plenty of others to target.
@@elizabethandiosa4579 Did you get my email on my profile?
@@elizabethandiosa4579 You stop talking 😞😞
English is not my first language. Read a book in a foreign language is hard. Audio books changed everything! Thanks for your videos. I love the subjects and the aesthetic.
I’m also SUPER sensitive to noise. Maybe more than most people because I can’t handle much music or apparently audiobooks either. They actually give me anxiety, I’ve realized recently. It’s funny how people can respond so differently to the same things. I have tried audio books and even asked for an Audible subscription for Christmas, but I’ve found they just aren’t a great fit me, which is a real bummer. I either get distracted and don’t pay attention and tune them out, like when the radio plays in the car and you suddenly realize you have no recollection of the past few songs, or I get super irritated like when the music is too loud at a party. Or I get impatient with the narrators. It’s actually stressing me out feeling like I have to use my Audible credit once a month right now because I don’t want to. But they absolutely do count as reading books! It’s also super ableist to say they don’t count because there are people who have cognitive and physical limitations who may not be able to read a physical book, but can still enjoy an audio book. I’m glad they are working for you! I guess I should look at the positive and say now I know one more thing I can minimize out of my life 😂
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love 💚us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?
I really like your channel Marissa, you are genuine and warm-hearted (yes I love Beene Brown too!) I read text books and I listen to audiobooks, especially if I have a big hands-on task to do (like packing to move, or spring cleaning, or stitching). Have done for years. If you ask me about a great book I read years ago, I probably wouldn’t be able to tell you whether I listened to it or read it with my eyes. Reading is reading, doesn’t matter how you do it. Think of it this way: I’m not going to try to tell a blind person they can’t read - that would be ridiculous!
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love 💚us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?
Marissa - great video topic! Agree about books but i will buy old ones - reader digest types- but the audio can be so full of sensory sounds and the author reading is really primo!!
Appreciate your May one coming up. Also sounds of childrens toys - very interesting. I did not have that issue with my kids toys but i can understand what you are getting at
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?
Noise is a trigger for me. Noisy toys give me anxiety too!
RIGHT GIRL? When you see it put like that, it makes so much sense!
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?
I love audio books. I listen while I'm knitting, playing with the cat, cleaning, walking, etc. I've listened to audio books that I've also read and I find it's a totally different experience and a different take on the book.
I've also found as I get older I'm more sensitive to noise. I have a small manufacturing plant not far from me and the noise, vibration, from that plant is starting to affect me. It isn't loud, it's just this background noise, rumbling, vibrationy sound. It's hard to explain. So I've taken to using a sound app and play things like rain, forest sounds at a low volume to mask it.
As for what is the aesthetic of my home, I have no idea.
Hi Christine! You might try downloading the Niosh app (it’s free) and see what the ambient noise level is in your home. Good idea masking it with soothing noise
Great tips! Gotta say about coffee, I only drink 2 cups each morning, but they'll have to pry those from my cold dead fingers.
I feel the same way now I was a total bookworm and had hundreds of books that's where I started to declutter, now if I have a paper book I feel I read it intermittently but read my Kobo all the time. Have not got into audio books sometimes the way they read it can irritate me! 😅
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?
I am currently listening to Braving the Wilderness by Brene Brown! Love to listen to her actually reading her words. Will definitely listen to the one you mentioned. I agree with you about listening while doing chores.
Hi Marissa, you are my most favourite Minimalist youtuber 😍 I love your videos so much❤
I’ve been in the process of decluttering my closet and drawers for what feels like 2 years now. I just have such a hard time ridding clothes and I know once I cut down that my life will feel so much smoother 😩
I am super sensitive to noise and it can really drive me crazy. I have even started to struggle on the underground/metro. I would love to find strategies for dealing with it. It's helpful to know there are others like me out there.
I only have partial sight in one eye so audiobooks are a wonderful thing. That partial eye also enjoys picking up a physical book on occasion. The smell, touch, etc are savored experiences & memories. Now that I'm older, the ability to multitask while experiencing a new book is priceless.
Here's my question though: what's the new verb? Can we call the process of enjoying an audiobook "reading" if we aren't reading?
Do we say experiencing, exploring, adventuring, etc?
I don’t have the answer to this but I’d love to know myself ☺️
@@AtoZenLife Thank you for all you do. I'm 50 and looking into "best practices" to scale back my life. Not a complete minimalist look (I do love a well placed tree or flowers, etc), but living alone now and engaged-- my fiancee is much of the same mindset when it comes to "stuff" just taking up space; she is a bit more fru-fru though, I'll admit, so that'll be an adjustment :) -- I need to start discarding things I no longer use or feel as though their occupying my apartment is more anxiety-inducing than beneficial to my life. Your content is wonderfully refreshing! Thanks again!
@@AtoZenLife I think personally, I'll go with "experiencing" (or "revisiting" if it is a repeat) until then. Wishing you and yours well.
Isn't the verb simply 'listening'? Just as years ago before books were commonplace, or when there was no electronic home entertainment, families *listened* to books being read aloud?
I quit coffee about three weeks ago, hoping to reduce my inflammation. I still drink one cup of caffeinated tea first thing in the morning, but the rest of the day it’s herbal for me.
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?
I, too am highly sensitive. I agree that audio books are just as “real” as any other media (digital, hardcopy, etc). However, for ME, audiobooks don’t work mostly because I get too distracted and can’t really focus on the story of the book…music works better for me. My own preference is for digital books…
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love 💚us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?
I read a 345-page book on my Kindle app just while feeding my newborn in the middle of the night over the past 2 months. 😂 There’s no way I would’ve gotten through it if it was a physical book. For me, audiobooks are harder to focus on and turn into background noise. But digital is the way to go.
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask
Thank you !!!! I totally agree...with a 6 years toddler it's impossible to keep my house "aesthetic and minimalist" but I still keeping it practical and less messy as it could be 🤷♀️🤣🤣🤣👍
For me reading books with a large cup of coffee can't be reaplaced 🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️I can't focus listenning something else than music, I prefer decluttering my dressing 😏😏😏😁
For the aesthetic I love the mix between '30s and industrial 😜
Bises du Sud de la France Marissa 😘
Sounds lovely! Bises right back!
I find you really relaxing to Listen to 😊
Love the video! Those chairs with holes in them give me anxiety thou 😂😂
😂
Omg!!! The noise!!! I am so intolerant to noise, when I come home I just need silence. I used to be a NICU nurse, and the beeping and alarms would make me a bit frazzled. Now I work research and the constant talking is what gets me. I just need like an hour of quiet to just decompress. That toy would not be able to live in my house. It would have to be a toy for Grandma's house, since she would have most likely been the one to buy it for my kid. Also, audiobooks are totally legit.
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love 💚us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?
I prefer physical books when reading so I use the library. I no longer buy books but for me reading allows me to be present and still in the moment. If I listen to an audiobook then I may do other things. When I am reading a physical book, I am not doing laundry, loading the dishwasher, or other chores. I do not think there is anything wrong with audiobooks but I would not use the word reading because reading by definition says to look at what is written or printed. Reading is using your eyes, and an audiobook is using your ears hence the word audio. To be grammatically correct a person listens to audiobooks not read audiobooks.
I agree👌
Audio books totally count as reading! It takes me hours on hours to read an audio book compared to the day I can read a physical book, if anything it means I absorb the words better.
I'm just reading Marian Rojas Estape's How to make good things happen. I've only just started but it seems pretty good so far
I like the noise pollution analogy especially for me with sensory issues and anxiety
❤️
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?
You're brilliant Marissa 💐
Thanks so much ☺️
I've just gotten back into audio books! I just finished "Love People Use Things" and was looking for a recommendation.
Oh how was that one? Love audiobooks!
@A to Zen Life it was good. It gave some good insights.
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?
I drink organic Swiss water processed decaffeinated coffee. It’s supposed to be 99% caffeine free (without the chemicals) and it’s delicious! The only downside is the price. But that just keeps me from drinking too much LOL. Just a suggestion in case you miss the delicious taste of coffee!
I love your channel sooooo much! You are down to earth and authentic. I am always happier and inspired after watching your videos. Thank you for doing what you do.❤️
Love your content! In more than one video I keep looking at your long hoodie, can you please send some info about it? It's my kind of style as well...comfortable and versatile.
Sure, it’s an older beige hoodie from H&M - you can probably find it on secondhand websites 👍
Some libraries are also starting to make it so that you can "borrow" ebooks and audiobooks. I use this service often. 😊
I've been diagnosed with social anxiety disorder and sensory processing disorder. I'm a minimalist for my mental health and it had been so life changing. My home does not have a minimalist aesthetic,, but has warmth and is an oasis. I work in a noisy environment under fluorescent lights so I when I come home I just turn on my yellow light bulb lamp and shut out noise. For that reason, paperbacks are better for me though I have no problem with audio books. I still try to keep my books minimal so HELLO library. 😊
Thanks for the thought provoking post. I LOVE Brene Brown, so I look forward to the book you mentioned. Her DARING GREATLY helped me work my way through one of my darkest years. Interestingly (to me,anyway) I first saw her in a wonderful dialogue with Russell Brand on his ITune site.
Another lifesaving book is LOST CONNECTIONS Why You’re Depressed and How to Find Hope by Johann Hari.
So, please keep up the good fight on your site. You have made a difference in my 70 year old non minimalist life journey.
👩🏻🎨👍♥️🐱
I love this episode. Most of what you described I have also discovered over time. The point of toxic minimalist aesthetic is an interesting one. Because you live in your home and see the messes and the daily goings on, it may not have that aesthetic. To me, though, it totally does. I see the color blocks of white, beige grey and indigo and it has that impact on me that you describe. I think it's so pretty yet it gives me anxiety 😂. In a way all curated spaces online do. And yet they are inspirational.
💕
Thank you for being vulnerable about being a HSP.
I prefer physical books and I feel so much better borrowing than owning them. It's nice to bring them back to the library, so they don't pile up. :)
Thanks for sharing this!!!
I think the book argument is à tough one. I like audiobooks as well because I can relax in my bath or paint or concentration while listening to a book being read. I am having a real hard time with digital books but big piles of book in my tiny apartment brings me anxiety as well because it s messy. However reading in general is very important for the brain health. So in my case, it s about finding the right balance and finding out what type of books I can have as audi, what type as digital and what type as physical ones.
I can't let go of my physical books. 😂😂 i find it so relaxing whenever i turned the pages and smelled it. 😅 that's the one thing i chose not to let go. I noticed also that i could internalize more than an audio book. I can do the 9 tips except for this one. Thank you for a very informative video. ❤❤
Great analogy. Thank you
Totally agree about the coffee.
Girl... your home is so minimalist. You are definitely minimal living.
I’ve become to like audiobooks lately. I also like to listen to it while doing dishes or driving ❤ (but sometimes I have both audiobook And a physical book, cuz I liked it so much lol )
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love 💚us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?
I love books, all kinds! And the spiritual and self help and autobiography books read by the author are much more powerful.
I have no problem with audio books other than I personally prefer to read the book rather than listen. I read fast and audio books take at least twice as long to get through I do not buy books though - I go to the library. I also get free monthly Amazon books that I load onto my kindle for when I need to pack lightly (also get digital credits from delaying Amazon deliveries, which I use to buy a book that I maybe cannot get elsewhere).
Love Brene Brown!!
Now I do too! ❤️
I’m working on decluttering my house bit by bit on the weekends. I’ve made good progress. It’s actually decreasing my stress level, but giving up coffee…..noooo.
😂
Coffee is the fuel of sanity🤣
Oh my goodness! That noise study is bananas 🍌
I found it quite shocking!
I used to listen to audiobooks so much when I had a 45 min bus ride every day. I can't read in buses, it gives me a headache. So I listened every day, going and coming back from work. Now I walk 20 min in a dangerous downtown. Headphones are not safe, I need to pay attention to the traffic, to the pickpockets and to my general surroundings. I still listen to podcasts when I am doing lengthy tasks around the house: prepping a ton of food, decluttering, stuff like that, not noisy and long. Not so useful for woodworking, for instance.
I am so voting for reducing coffee! As very anxious person I can't drink it anymore. Even leaf tea or sugarless cola affect me too much nowadays. So I've decided to cut them too a bit.
Audiobooks are reading with your ears! They totally count!
Another thing that might help is to stop calling it “my anxiety”. It will never go away if you consider it part of you. Just a thought 😊
I don't think anxiety ever really goes away. It just ebbs and flows. It's an emotion. But it's true that we shouldn't use it to define us.
It is a part of you, though. If you're someone who has anxiety, gaining control over it isn't about getting it to "go away", but learning how to reduce stimuli and recognize the triggers so as better to handle and process the anxieties in one's life. The anxiety is always there, it's just waiting for a trigger.
I find it's best to stop thinking about anxiety as a monster were trying to chase out of our lives, and more like a travel buddy who is a bad driver. They'll always be in the car with you, but you can learn how to avoid letting them in the driver's seat.
I agree, it must be really difficult to maintain a minimalist home. You need to have some things to hand (sitting on surfaces) in everyday life, such as calculators, computers, reading glasses, mobile phone etc.