I was born in 1960. I am a professional chef and I can tell you that learning how to cook is the most satisfying thing for my health, happiness and the planet. Eating fresh food locally grown is the answer to saving our lives, families and the planet. Our world is a corporate obscenity for the sake of profit of the few.
What a courageous act to step onto a big stage and say, "I don't have all the answers, but my questions get better the more I ask them." This is a moving and personal example of how we might all become more interested in learning ways to live better without necessarily having it all figured out at once.
Backpacking is exactly what brought me to a minimalist life style. My first backpacking trip was to an island. When getting off the boat you had to line up and pass the packs down the line as they were being taken off the boat. When your pack got to you, you would place it behind you and keep passing. Well everyone know right away who the new guys were because our packs weighted twice as much as everyone else's. I learned on that trip what things were really necessary and what were not. From their I found the beauty of going lighter and lighter and getting by with less and less and started to apply that to my whole life. Anyway I just thought it was weird I got to the same place the same way.
Cool. Kind of makes sense. Backpacking, also other kinds of traveling, is the time when you are living and generally enjoying life without all the trappings of home… New perspective... openness... 💗😊 Great!
I never had fertility issues, but I did lose a baby at 7 months of pregnancy. I understand what it feels like to hear your baby's heartbeat, see her on the sonagram, and fall in love with her as all us mommies do. Thank you for your talk. I figured out some things about myself and my stuff. That's invaluable. Thank you.
This is my year to declutter, get rid of things I don't use that are in boxes in the back of the closet, clean out the basement, and stop shopping! There is not one single thing I need to buy. Your video was very inspirational and helpful!
Well I started 4 months ago. Hauled bags of stuff away. All my outside the closet stuff seems to be receding. At first it was frustrating as it went so slowly. But it has actually gotten easier to get rid of stuff. It feels good to give away stuff to people who could use it, Or to a second hand store that does good in the community. I found long lost treasures and stuff that I just wondered where it was.mmmm I feel proud and my house is tidier. I' m looking forward to the sorting moving to the back room and freeing my summer clothes. Decluttering is something that I'll always be doing its part of my routine now.😄
Cate7451 Congratulations! I am starting that jorney now after moving to a bigger house in the country and realizing how all the stuff that I have collected in years and thought it had a great value to me actually is a clutter that make me stressed and overloaded. I am listening to talks about minimalism to motivate myself and cant wait for having a tidy home where I will feel light :)
I was lucky, I grew up influenced to not have a lot of stuff even if i could. In my 20s it was a running joke that if we went into a store I would be the only guy to walk out with nothing. When we had days of touring the town it was very rare that I would buy something. Later in life, it turned out I retired at 51 while my friends at the time ended up in deep debt. when I moved into a travel trailer for my retirement days, it was super easy.
What an awesome awesome talk! 7 months ago I quit my job to calm down from big stress built up in years. Learning to let go of expectations and perfect image of a succesful me, reconsidering priorities and finding a way to reach them. Calming my mind and sorting my thoughts. Basically to live in the moment, accept life with all it brings, accept myself with all flaws and limitations, stop being hard and harsh to myself, learn to be kind to myself. Thank to that I am finally kinder to my husband and other people too. Live a simple life which to me is a happy life. And hoping that maybe, after all, I might have a baby. Thank you for this inspirational honest and hopeful talk, Kim. Congratulatios on your baby and the journey you have walked and shared. Much love to you!
that perspective she gave at first I rolled my eyes at but that was not fair because I was lucky. Having less items just kind of was in my DNA at a young age, influenced to me not by my parents but more by some friends. So for me its just an obvious way to live, not something one really needs to decide on when to do. Like choosing between a nice tasty ice cream that is also healthy vs a dish that tastes bad AND is bad for me. notreally a hard choice. but again, my life perspective is different
What a treat and blessing to run across this TedxBoulder and see you Kim. This is Sherri, your sweet angel's Guide for a season there in Boulder!! So wonderful to hear your story that testifies to the power we receive when we let go of chasing emptiness. I don't remember if I shared my favorite phrase with you during our conversations "Less is more..." but now I know it totally resonated with you! I particularly loved the photo of your sweet family!! Bless you guys!!
I LOVE this talk. It is such a brilliant blend of personal, heart-filled story, savvy business philosophy, and social commentary. When I saw the photo of you and your son I wept! Thank you so much for sharing yourself and this wisdom. All of us in this more-obsessed culture really need it. May it contribute to a growing movement toward less, and balance, and wellbeing for us all. Thank you Kim!
I found it sort of stress-making and overdramatic. I agree wholeheartedly with the concepts, but her emoting was sort of upsetting to me, don't need it right now; felt manipulative or something. She's just communicating her passion, I guess; it's probably authentic; it just stressed me too much. Also, maybe the baby was just a coincidence, who knows. It was a beautiful photograph, though. Happy for her. Actually, her final question spoke right to me - tho for me it's along the lines of clutter, commitment: I actually Do need more money (I don't even have a real place to live!) and I need less Laziness and Indecision so I can have More people and good health in my life! Etc! Change is hard..)
One of the best and most powerful Ted talks I have ever had the privilege of viewing. And I noticed that not once did she say the name of her business. Respect for her courage to share her most painful experience. I will be sharing this video with a select few of my family and friends
This is a really great talk! Kim Coupounas gives brilliant insight on what our culture of "more" is doing to people, society and the planet. She challenges us to reconsider our perceptions of "less" and that really means. A very heartfelt talk, where Kim courageously shares her own life experience, and how it helped her discover the value of less. This talk is a "must watch."
Kim, thank you for sharing this wonderful message! Since stepping out of the "More cycle" we have consciously pared back on our lives and now choose to live in a way that's more aligned with our values - freedom, balance, joy, fun, travel, and above all - experiencing more of the country, the world at large, nature and people. By living more simply (ie. not poor, simply unencumbered by more) we now lead a far richer, more meaningful life - with the time, space and energy to enjoy it! Thank you for being a role model and an inspiration.
This was so compelling. It’s my desire to get to this point. I run a pediatric therapy clinic which does great things, however it can be very stressful. My husband and I are not on the same page with “less” and I think it is all rooted in fear. Great talk!
And honestly it has taken a huge toll on your life to understand that LESS IS MORE. You have succeeded in teaching the American citizens what your Padre could not teach in Centuries. Hope America learns a few lessons from India as to what it means to understand what - Less is More.
I am speachless! Such a great talk! Thank you for sharing your experience and your thoughts with us. Your story really touched my heart! I wish you all the best with your family. :)
Thank you for sharing your personal story. You have a lot of wisdom & strength. I am SO HAPPY you are a mom. Life is a GIFT especially a BABY :) God Bless you & your family :)
Kim, this message has resonated with everyone I know. Thanks for being brave enough to take us through the real stuff that got you (eventually) to your realization. No sugarcoating, no egoism. That lessness of your talk has made the message bigger than it ever would have been had you shouted it out to all of the us as The Think You Must Do. Brava! I have always told my kids (who in turn remind me now, dammit) that the universe will give us the same lesson relentlessly until we finally learn from it and move on. Yours is the perfect example. Thanks!
There are ways to consume without creating clutter. Pay for a massage or a facial. Go to a good movie or theatrical performance. Pay for someone to do your yard work. Services help move the economy, without creating more stuff
The single most important skill a masterful salesperson possesses is the ability to sell when it appears he/she is not. This is done by identifying and targeting specific emotional responses associated with the demographic being "sold," as it were. "I'm in the business of selling you things but what if... imagine... what if we all bought fewer things. And when we did buy things, we bought from brands and companies that were aligned with our values." As in... her company.
Trust me it's true there are people who even cannot comment genuinely as they thought how would they be valued of commenting these //I myself thought so in the same way
why do ppl so desperately want to have their own child( More) that they go through IVF etc. etc. when the world is overpopulated and millions of orphans exist- esp that we as humans are destroying the biosphere due to overpopulation. Had you ever considered adoption, to reduce the 'More' of children/overpopulation? Imagine the abundance an orphan would have felt being adopted and loved by you. My belief is that nobody on earth should b able to reproduce until every last orphan has been adopted. Loving an orphan or adopting a child is as good for our world as not using plastic, buying plastic or any of the unnecessary shopping of items that are and have destroyed much of the world not to mention how unhealthy IVF repeated is for one's body. I am happy that you finally got to see the Light and remove yourself from the ratrace
I wish my daughter declluter!She even doesn't let me to give away things I haven't use for a long time.I'm going crazy!I hope one day she will get rid of the 20 boxes.I still have hope.😀
AWESOME - SHE HAS HER PRIORITIES IN ORDER!
I was born in 1960. I am a professional chef and I can tell you that learning how to cook is the most satisfying thing for my health, happiness and the planet. Eating fresh food locally grown is the answer to saving our lives, families and the planet.
Our world is a corporate obscenity for the sake of profit of the few.
No words can do justice to appreciate this talk.
Wonderful talk. And it doesn’t even end in ‹thank you› - see, you don’t need it! The joy of less.
What a courageous act to step onto a big stage and say, "I don't have all the answers, but my questions get better the more I ask them." This is a moving and personal example of how we might all become more interested in learning ways to live better without necessarily having it all figured out at once.
Joseph Logan y
Backpacking is exactly what brought me to a minimalist life style. My first backpacking trip was to an island. When getting off the boat you had to line up and pass the packs down the line as they were being taken off the boat. When your pack got to you, you would place it behind you and keep passing. Well everyone know right away who the new guys were because our packs weighted twice as much as everyone else's. I learned on that trip what things were really necessary and what were not. From their I found the beauty of going lighter and lighter and getting by with less and less and started to apply that to my whole life. Anyway I just thought it was weird I got to the same place the same way.
I learned the same way. Backpacking in the states.
Cool. Kind of makes sense. Backpacking, also other kinds of traveling, is the time when you are living and generally enjoying life without all the trappings of home… New perspective... openness... 💗😊 Great!
I never had fertility issues, but I did lose a baby at 7 months of pregnancy. I understand what it feels like to hear your baby's heartbeat, see her on the sonagram, and fall in love with her as all us mommies do. Thank you for your talk. I figured out some things about myself and my stuff. That's invaluable. Thank you.
This is my year to declutter, get rid of things I don't use that are in boxes in the back of the closet, clean out the basement, and stop shopping! There is not one single thing I need to buy. Your video was very inspirational and helpful!
Hey, I saw you posted your comment a year ago! So in case you needed an opportunity to reflect and review, here it is. How'd it go? :)
Well I started 4 months ago. Hauled bags of stuff away. All my outside the closet stuff seems to be receding. At first it was frustrating as it went so slowly. But it has actually gotten easier to get rid of stuff. It feels good to give away stuff to people who could use it,
Or to a second hand store that does good in the community. I found long lost treasures and stuff that I just wondered where it was.mmmm I feel proud and my house is tidier. I' m looking forward to the sorting moving to the back room and freeing my summer clothes. Decluttering is something that I'll always be doing its part of my routine now.😄
Cate7451 awesome
Cate7451 Congratulations! I am starting that jorney now after moving to a bigger house in the country and realizing how all the stuff that I have collected in years and thought it had a great value to me actually is a clutter that make me stressed and overloaded. I am listening to talks about minimalism to motivate myself and cant wait for having a tidy home where I will feel light :)
5 years later… your comment has me cleaning up and out my closet and basement! 💗
I have downsized over 50% of my stuff lately and it feels incredible, life changing really
I was lucky, I grew up influenced to not have a lot of stuff even if i could. In my 20s it was a running joke that if we went into a store I would be the only guy to walk out with nothing. When we had days of touring the town it was very rare that I would buy something. Later in life, it turned out I retired at 51 while my friends at the time ended up in deep debt. when I moved into a travel trailer for my retirement days, it was super easy.
I did the same, Jon. It was/is still an amazing feeling.
What an awesome awesome talk! 7 months ago I quit my job to calm down from big stress built up in years. Learning to let go of expectations and perfect image of a succesful me, reconsidering priorities and finding a way to reach them. Calming my mind and sorting my thoughts. Basically to live in the moment, accept life with all it brings, accept myself with all flaws and limitations, stop being hard and harsh to myself, learn to be kind to myself. Thank to that I am finally kinder to my husband and other people too. Live a simple life which to me is a happy life. And hoping that maybe, after all, I might have a baby. Thank you for this inspirational honest and hopeful talk, Kim. Congratulatios on your baby and the journey you have walked and shared. Much love to you!
I hit the rock bottom and did the same thing as you in 2019 and 2020. Im back to normal life but I keep to myself now.
@@hanguyen-fm8xv Good luck to you
@@JosephineMarch7 thanks! 😊 same to you!
Thank you for your honesty...
Kim shares deeply from her personal and professional experience. She offers us wisdom with humor and heart.
+Deborah Bowman I feel like you leave the same comment on every Ted talk video on youtube.
she was greedy and she paid the price with her health. health is wealth. money is to live not to chase over your health.
Beautiful talk. Many woman struggle with your fertility issues but don’t speak about it. Thank you for speaking about this
Wonderful presentation of basic truth...things and money beyond necessities don’t matter, people and nature do.
Great talk. Wanting more = less.
The simple things give us life.
This was pretty freaking inspirational.
Very good and powerful speech! Delighted for her family dream finally becoming true
I think to sum it up, get your priorities right, because time is precious. Don't waste your time which is essentially your life.
that perspective she gave at first I rolled my eyes at but that was not fair because I was lucky. Having less items just kind of was in my DNA at a young age, influenced to me not by my parents but more by some friends. So for me its just an obvious way to live, not something one really needs to decide on when to do. Like choosing between a nice tasty ice cream that is also healthy vs a dish that tastes bad AND is bad for me. notreally a hard choice. but again, my life perspective is different
What a treat and blessing to run across this TedxBoulder and see you Kim. This is Sherri, your sweet angel's Guide for a season there in Boulder!! So wonderful to hear your story that testifies to the power we receive when we let go of chasing emptiness. I don't remember if I shared my favorite phrase with you during our conversations "Less is more..." but now I know it totally resonated with you! I particularly loved the photo of your sweet family!! Bless you guys!!
I LOVE this talk. It is such a brilliant blend of personal, heart-filled story, savvy business philosophy, and social commentary. When I saw the photo of you and your son I wept! Thank you so much for sharing yourself and this wisdom. All of us in this more-obsessed culture really need it. May it contribute to a growing movement toward less, and balance, and wellbeing for us all. Thank you Kim!
‘6
I found it sort of stress-making and overdramatic. I agree wholeheartedly with the concepts, but her emoting was sort of upsetting to me, don't need it right now; felt manipulative or something. She's just communicating her passion, I guess; it's probably authentic; it just stressed me too much. Also, maybe the baby was just a coincidence, who knows. It was a beautiful photograph, though. Happy for her. Actually, her final question spoke right to me - tho for me it's along the lines of clutter, commitment: I actually Do need more money (I don't even have a real place to live!) and I need less Laziness and Indecision so I can have More people and good health in my life! Etc! Change is hard..)
@@cockeyedoptimista agree. I like the concept and then felt a bit manipulated...
Brilliant message. God bless her.
One of the best and most powerful Ted talks I have ever had the privilege of viewing.
And I noticed that not once did she say the name of her business.
Respect for her courage to share her most painful experience.
I will be sharing this video with a select few of my family and friends
Less is more. Always is, always has been.
“Less doesn’t mean lack” 👍👍
Thank you Kim. Congratulations on finally becoming a mother!
Beautifully expressed with sincere and honest vulnerability. Thank you Kim Coupounas.
It's actually wonderful to hear "buy less stuff" from a business woman who owns a company which sells stuff.
That’s why Kim is so wealthy.
Luxury is not what you think ! Luxury is FREE TIME !
This is a really great talk! Kim Coupounas gives brilliant insight on what our culture of "more" is doing to people, society and the planet. She challenges us to reconsider our perceptions of "less" and that really means. A very heartfelt talk, where Kim courageously shares her own life experience, and how it helped her discover the value of less. This talk is a "must watch."
Kim, thank you for sharing this wonderful message! Since stepping out of the "More cycle" we have consciously pared back on our lives and now choose to live in a way that's more aligned with our values - freedom, balance, joy, fun, travel, and above all - experiencing more of the country, the world at large, nature and people. By living more simply (ie. not poor, simply unencumbered by more) we now lead a far richer, more meaningful life - with the time, space and energy to enjoy it! Thank you for being a role model and an inspiration.
Excellent!! Bravo
WoW!! May you always have more abundant Joy of Less! Excellent!!
Love this message. Incredible stuff.
This was so compelling. It’s my desire to get to this point. I run a pediatric therapy clinic which does great things, however it can be very stressful. My husband and I are not on the same page with “less” and I think it is all rooted in fear. Great talk!
This one is so far the most inspirational TEDx talk I have listened to. Bless You
Was listening as I worked on decluttering. I had to sit down and watch/listen... twice. Thank you for such a beautiful and inspirational presentation.
Best TEDx talk that I have viewed. This resonates with me. You ROCK Kim !! Thank you. , Dean
A lovely and wonderful talk. So glad I got to see this. You rock!
And honestly it has taken a huge toll on your life to understand that LESS IS MORE. You have succeeded in teaching the American citizens what your Padre could not teach in Centuries. Hope America learns a few lessons from India as to what it means to understand what - Less is More.
I am speachless! Such a great talk! Thank you for sharing your experience and your thoughts with us. Your story really touched my heart! I wish you all the best with your family. :)
Thank you for sharing your personal story. You have a lot of wisdom & strength. I am SO HAPPY you are a mom. Life is a GIFT especially a BABY :) God Bless you & your family :)
Kim, this message has resonated with everyone I know. Thanks for being brave enough to take us through the real stuff that got you (eventually) to your realization. No sugarcoating, no egoism. That lessness of your talk has made the message bigger than it ever would have been had you shouted it out to all of the us as The Think You Must Do. Brava! I have always told my kids (who in turn remind me now, dammit) that the universe will give us the same lesson relentlessly until we finally learn from it and move on. Yours is the perfect example. Thanks!
Very inspiring presentation. 👏👏👏👏
There are ways to consume without creating clutter. Pay for a massage or a facial. Go to a good movie or theatrical performance. Pay for someone to do your yard work. Services help move the economy, without creating more stuff
thank you lady x
I am speechless. this is so formidable
Less is more. 💞
Such a wonderful outlook on life you have, I wish you well, thank you for the inspiration to change my life.
Thank you Kim for sharing your experience and how you found positive solutions!!!
Love from india 🇮🇳♥️
waaw, i think just watched one of the best ted talks
Very insiteful and genuine!
what can you have less of to have more joy? Love. it.
wow, i didn't expect that. beautiful ted talk.
Such a great, emotional talk.
It was simple , short and most worthy talk! Thank you.
Wow! I wasn't expecting this. But I'm so glad I heard it. How lucky am I?!!
Beautiful speech
I needed to hear this. Thank you for sharing your exoerience
This was beautiful to listen to thankyou
You nailed the talk. I love it.
excellent and thought provoking: thanks for sharing
One of the best talks I've seen!
The single most important skill a masterful salesperson possesses is the ability to sell when it appears he/she is not. This is done by identifying and targeting specific emotional responses associated with the demographic being "sold," as it were. "I'm in the business of selling you things but what if... imagine... what if we all bought fewer things. And when we did buy things, we bought from brands and companies that were aligned with our values." As in... her company.
This is what I need. Thank you for sharing!
Absolutely beautiful talk!
Kim thank you for the wonderfully inspiring honest real talk!
When I think of having a simple life, the LAST thing I think of is a baby lol.
You're like me 😂😂😂. One baby is too much
Super Superb!! Super Superb!! Super Superb!!
Thanks for sharing!
Powerful testimony. Thank you for it. : )
What a beautiful story 👍❤️
Thank you!
What can I have less of to make room for ... ~Brilliant Kim Coupounas
wow such a powerful speech
Divine ⛲🙏⛲💚
this is easier said than done ....but transformative if successful .
Powerful...thank you
Beautiful! Good word!
Astounding !! my oh my .... !!
Great Talk.
very important, many thanks
Rejoicing that you had a baby!!!
I love this
Excellent talk!!
thank you so much for this speech... wish one day we all will understand that that less is more - konsumerism kills :(
Beautiful beautiful thanks 🙏
Less is more!
Very powerful.
very great talk less more than more for first time
powerful words.
well said. thought-provoking
Excellent! 💙💙💙💙💙💙
Amazing!
Wow this hit me hard wonderful speech
Kim, you have such remarkable poise. Please say hello to Coup for me.
-Ron Weiner
Trust me it's true there are people who even cannot comment genuinely as they thought how would they be valued of commenting these //I myself thought so in the same way
Thanks. Such a great video.
why do ppl so desperately want to have their own child( More) that they go through IVF etc. etc. when the world is overpopulated and millions of orphans exist- esp that we as humans are destroying the biosphere due to overpopulation. Had you ever considered adoption, to reduce the 'More' of children/overpopulation? Imagine the abundance an orphan would have felt being adopted and loved by you. My belief is that nobody on earth should b able to reproduce until every last orphan has been adopted. Loving an orphan or adopting a child is as good for our world as not using plastic, buying plastic or any of the unnecessary shopping of items that are and have destroyed much of the world not to mention how unhealthy IVF repeated is for one's body. I am happy that you finally got to see the Light and remove yourself from the ratrace
Agreed! Great comment.
Because people think their dna is so special 🙄
Brave woman
I wish my daughter declluter!She even doesn't let me to give away things I haven't use for a long time.I'm going crazy!I hope one day she will get rid of the 20 boxes.I still have hope.😀