10 Minimalist Ideals I [ADOPTED] from Living Abroad
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- Опубліковано 23 лип 2024
- 10 Minimalist Ideals I brought home with me after living abroad for 2 years.
Minimalism is about living an intentional life with less. It is about getting rid of the clutter in your life so that you can live a life of less stress. In 2018 I moved abroad and unintentionally became an "extreme financial minimalist."
In those two years I didn't buy anything outside of my necessities and the reason for this was (1) I couldn't afford anything and (2) I couldn't bring anything back with me. I came in the country with 2 suitcases and left the country with 2 suitcases.
In this video I talk about 10 minimalist ideals I gained from living abroad for 2 years.
1. Everything You Consider Valuable Should Fit in 2 Suitcases
I arrived in the country with 2 suitcases and left the country with 2 suitcases. I own more stuff than I could fit in 2 suitcases, but I believe that everything I consider valuable could fit in 2 suitcases. I try to never get attached to my things as I know it is all replaceable.
2. All Your Friends Should Know Your Wardrobe
I had about 7 outfits to wear for a period of 2 years because I could not afford to buy any new clothes. Since I always wore the same outfits all of my friends knew every piece of clothing I had, so if I got a new piece of clothing, all of my friends would comment. I don't let my clothes define who I am and I rarely buy new clothes.
3. Don't Always Try to Make More Money
In the organization I worked for, there was a rule where we could not make any money outside of what they paid us. It's an interesting experience when someone tells you that you have enough money and if you run out, you are just managing it wrong. It's a freeing feeling when you know you have enough and you can focus on using more time to do things you enjoy. It's important to define enough money in life and use your time for things outside of work.
4. Don't Value Anything that Can Fit in Your Backpack or Pocket
Since I lived in the city, there was a constant threat of getting things stolen. I had to know that my phone or computer could be stolen at any minute, so I never put any value in them. I still never put too much value in things that fit in my backpack or pocket because they're all replaceable.
5. Always Leave Your House with a Water Bottle and Full Stomach
When you are living off of $570 a year, you learn how big the little decisions are. I believe if you look after the pennies, the dollars will look after you. I developed the habit to always bring my water bottle and eat before going somewhere so I did not need to buy things at the store. These little decisions help me save a lot of money.
6. Make and Do Your Own Stuff
Since I was making so little, I made my furniture out of fruit crates. From this experience I learned that you get a lot of fulfillment when you make and do your own things. I believe you get more ownership when you choose to make things instead of buy things, which makes life richer.
7. Fix Things Instead of Buy New Things
Ecuador has a culture of fixing things. You could go to the market to get a new zipper or fix your jeans. In the US we have a culture where it's cheaper to buy new instead of get them fixed. I believe that there are costs outside of monetary costs. Constantly buying new things creates waste and problems for the environment, so I try to always get things fixed if I can even if it costs more money.
8. People Shouldn't Know How Much Money You Have By Looking at You
Since there is the threat of getting robbed in Ecuador, you could never show any sort of wealth for your safety. I wore basic clothes and never had anything nice to avoid being robbed. I still never want anyone to look at me and know that I have a lot of money. I prefer people to view me as me and not my possessions.
9. Be Comfortable to Get Rid of Everything in 12 Hours
Due to the pandemic, I had to pack up all my things in 12 hours. That night I packed up my entire apartment in 12 hours. It's an extremely freeing feeling to know that you can do that because you are not attached to your material possessions. I like to think that I can still get rid of my stuff quickly because I am not attached to anything.
10. Things Don't Need Price Tags
Since I had to get rid of all of my things in such short notice, I just gave everything away instead of trying to sell it. I believe that everything that comes in my life should serve me in some way and once it's time to get rid of it, I am comfortable to just give it away instead of selling it. When you give things away, you can get rid of stuff a lot quicker than trying to sell them. - Навчання та стиль
What's one of your minimalist ideals?
Just knowing where everything is in my house and what i have if you were to call me on the phone and ask where i keep such and such an item.
My flat with all the things should be designed to help me becoming the ideal Version of myself. Everything has its own place. And anything I need is where i Use it. But i just started from beeing a messy to become a Kind of adult person
I loved this video, thank you for making it. I enjoy cooking and have really started to think about the beauty of making delicious simple meals with respect and time. You do not have to spend millions to make a meal special.
Simple wardrobe, just a few items, things I absolutely love to wear and will wear them over and over again.
I try to adopt a minimalist lifestyle for me. My suggested minimalist ideal is that it is a bit of a shame to have more than you need at the same time when so many others have so little. When so many others have sacrificed their lifes and everything so that we can live, breathe and enjoy.
You are a very smart young man. I am 83 years old and you are exactly right. After I lost my husband in 2020, a year later sold my home, donated a lifetime of stuff and now living in a 10x11 bedroom with my daughter and don't miss any of the things I donated. Stuff does not make you happy, in fact it holds you down. I do miss my husband, we were married 59 years. Keep doing what you are doing, you are on the right path. Good luck, be safe and enjoy your journey.
Thank you!
I feel the same. I am from Germany and my grandmother was living like this. I think the next Generations has fallen back a Little. Now we have to find a new way :)
Honestly, it’s been years since I’ve found a channel that discusses minimalism without using the same cliches, tropes, and tired phrases as every other minimalist channel. You’ve earned a subscriber.
I'm trying!
I spent the first 50 years of my life acquiring things, and now I am spending the rest of my life trying to downsize!! The irony of it all !!!!
Ha! 👍Story of my life😲Glad to know I´m not alone❣😊
You stole my line.! I watched my dad clear out his belongings because he had 6 mos. Max. He gave things to neighbors, and he enjoyed it. He lived to be 87. Great attitude toward life.
same here, goodwill is a regular stop on the weekends for me. the hubby and i spend my weekends cleaning and decluttering
as my children approach becoming adults, I feel the same desire. Why do I have all this 'stuff'?!
One of my new minimalist ideals is something I like to call the "One Small Suitcase Project". What this means to me is that, after I am gone, everything that needs to be sorted through will be found in one small suitcase. I am now 60 years of age, and ever since I was a small child, I've only wanted to own a very few things. Of course, my life has not turned out that way. I've bought stuff, I've been married, I've received a lot of gifts, I've inherited stuff from parents and relatives. As I've worked through paring down my possessions (carefully and responsibly-not taken to the curb in black trash bags), I've discovered that same sense of freedom you describe. I've also had a sort of epiphany in that I have decided to give the "best" and most "valuable" stuff away.This flies in the face of the commonly held philosophy that we get rid of the less valuable stuff and cling to the stuff we think is valuable. I'm ok with using old stuff and giving the good stuff to my local charity shop so that they can sell it and support the causes that I believe in. And, when I am gone, no one needs to figure out what to do with all my "treasures"! Thank you Austin, you are wise beyond your years.
Admireable 😃😃😃
I like the idea of giving away your valued stuff…. The person that gets it next will also appreciate it. Been doing this over the last couple of years and it’s very satisfying, you don’t feel guilty either as you know the items will raise money for charity and also serve someone else. Well done, 👍🏾
My father in law just died in March. He and his wife were hoarders. We took months decluttering that house. I determined that we weren't going to leave a nightmare like that for our family to deal with.
This is my favourite minimalist channel . Not gimmicky , just honest . I relate to your life values . Thankyou for sharing your thoughts and ideals so well 👍
My most delicious and creative meals are when my pantry is becoming empty and I don't have to many options to choose from! I refuse to throw away food and use every bit until it's time to go shopping again. Thanks again!
Think protein carbon fibre not this goes with that you end up with Making mixtures
I totally agree about the water bottle! Living on below poverty level atm for various reasons - it makes one aware how much unnecessary things cost - such as coffee in a coffee shop. Plus the environmental impact of plastic bottles and coffee cups.
Exactly, why pay for water when you can just pour it yourself :-)
Very precious lessons 👌🏼 My wife and I have lived the same experience in 1999 and it changed our lives forever!
We have never worked more than 15 hours/week since we came back to Canada 🍁
Just turned 60 years old and still living a simple and fun life 🙋🏻♂️🙋🏻♀️
And in Europe we used to fix umbrellas in special shops. Good luck trying to do this in the US! Yes, i have lived in the US for 40 years and it is indeed cheaper to buy something new when your old stuff breaks rather than trying to fix it.
Anna! Yes, unfortunately no umbrella repair shops in the US! Thanks for sharing!
In which country? I am German.
Im from germany and never heard something like that
I built my own home gym. Also bought some equipment but every time I use my self made tools and machines I am a little proud of it. ☺
I was into brand-name products when I was a teacher in a high school because there seemed to be a competiton for them in the office I worked at. When stuff like this accumulated in my home, I found myself trapped by them, It was then that I decided to live as simply as I could and enjoyed my freedom to the fullest.
I also learned bc I lived in Canada and Japan for a year that's how I started to be minimalist and understand that we don't only need 2 bag's of stuff
I like to say that less is actually enough, when it comes to possessions. I keep to my budget as closely as I can. That way future endeavors can be a reality. On warm days I hang up the laundry to dry indoors so I save some money by not using the dryer. Also growing carrots indoors by a sunny window.
About 10 years ago I had a similar experience. I went on a 8 day hike in the wilderness. We had to carry e everything except water. I realised how little we need to have a good life. It was very liberating and a great life lesson 😀
Yes, it puts things in perspective!
My's cousin's wife used to brag that if she lost a button of a coat, that was the PERFECT reason to buy a new coat! (she couldn't sew a button!) gawd! Meanwhile...I sew all of my own curtains!
I live in England, I've been unemployed since my heart attack and live as frugally as possible, unfortunately the fuel and food prices are rising constantly so I'm forced to be frugal, your videos are interesting, its hard to be any more frugal than I already am, same goes for many of us here, keep making the videos.
I have been in Ecuador 20 years. My local wife finnally left me 3 years ago and became a minimilist by default. I totally am on tbe same page as Austin and will never go back. I now live on a self sustaining farm and at 60....a great new life
Ecuador!!! Jealous that you are there! I want to visit again soon!
I enjoy how you are explaining that possessions are not happiness. Thank you.
In my Choir there is a tendency for me to want to match the beautiful fashions worn by other women. In the last year I decided on just two choir outfits, one for cold weather and one for warm. I deliberately wear the same thing. I’m practising my own ability to live happily with less clothing.
The handle of my handbag basket, that I take to Choir, broke. Instead of buying a new one, I asked a friend to mend it for me.
The two handles don’t exactly match, but I’m just as happy with it.
Rose
Australia
Retired in a foreign country with my husband. We save about 30% of our income. I brought my entire home full of my belongings with me. Very happy
Love your videos! Your channel is going to do very well! I also wish we had more of a culture of fixing things rather than buying new in the United States.
It means a lot for you to say that! I appreciate you watching!
I've been watching your videos and going back over some older ones, really liking them! We too in Australia have a mentality of replacing instead of fixing. I love watching this video seeing you mention you have 172 subscribers... and seeing you now have over 95,000 subscribers!
Omg lesson 8 really resonated with me! 👊🏾
I always learn something new from you Austin! Good video!
Great video Austin! So inspiring!
Thanks again Austin for another informative video. Happy Easter to you😊
I just love your content. You inspire me so much ❤
Totally agree, love your vids. well done for sharing your wisdom💖
Great video and advice Austin.
I’m catching up on your older videos. Enjoying your content and lessons
This is my favorite video of yours! Thank you!
Brilliant. Best minimilist video I have watched. Thank you.
Thank you for your video. Gave me excellent perspectives and reinforced some personal outlooks. My very best wishes.
Thank you for doing these video s. I am trying to get out of debt . Your advise has really helped me.
My dear Austin, thank you for your much needed channel! I agree with most of your content and love listening. Keep up the great work…this is important stuff especially in a world of excess !!!♥️
A man without desires has nothing to fear 😊
Excellent!!!
You deserve great success Austin,strongly enjoy your content and can vividly relate to you. Once my i save my dividends for a few years and make them sustainable long term i plan to travel the world with just 1 normal backpack indefinitely. The top thing i learned was - You own your objects,don't let your objects own you.
Good luck and enjoy the world!
absolutely brilliant....ecuador taught you....well done
i love these videos, they're so inspiring
I'm glad you're enjoying them!
Greetings from England. Thank you Austin for all your encouragement.
Of all your videos, this was my favorite one. There was so much common sense advice and interesting tidbits of info.
Your the bomb 💣 I love your channel 👍🙏🏽❤️🙌you keep everything so simple, genuine, and real 👍🙏🏽
Oh my gosh Austin, I'm learning so much from you. Grazie from Italy
I love your blogs, you are so smart, I am going to learn a lot
I really love the fact that
You always add a nice description to your videos. This is very helpful to note it down.
I'm happy someone actually reads it! I try to pretty much summarize the video in the description!
I've recently found your channel and I am very impressed with your wisdom and passion! Keep doing what you're doing, and muchas gracias for sharing!
Thanks!!
Always looking forward to your next video. I still catching up on all the existing ones since I am new here. Thanks great content 😊❤
Thanks for watching!
Fantastic content. Thank you for sharing. Binging your videos rn! Minimalism is the way to live!!
Thanks for watching! Hope you enjoy my videos!
You are proof of that to travel makes you richer. Greetings from Belgium
My level of happiness increased after watching this video. Thanks for all you do!
Love this!
Greetings from Belize love your video thank so much .
You're an amazing human being. Peace and blessings ☪️
I loved your videos. I started frugal living this year and Your videos inspire me.love from Australia 😘😘..
Thank you!!!
Amazing video 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏
We really learn a lot of gems from your experience in Equador. Thank you for sharing, Agustin! Greetings from the Philippines.
In America we're conditioned to value things that really have no value and can't value us. The upside is that we have the ability to reject that mindset. Life is temporary so it really makes no sense to try to attach permanence to things.
This man opened my eyes. Thank you so much dude really. I appreciate this smart way of living and not having a purpose on meaning less material possessions.
I'm glad to hear my videos are providing you value!
I’m in London. I really enjoy this channel . We all need to hear the content and reflect!
Thanks! Glad you are enjoying my videos!
Hi Austin, your video really gives me the courage & motivation to get rid of my stuff that I thought worth hanging on to. Although, I am not moving but I am right now in the process of having a good clear out. I´m not gonna lie but it can be very overwhelming at times! I aim to have at least one section or part of the house that I clear/sort out each day even if it is just either one drawer/cupboard/wardrobe. Donate, Re-home & if in doubt, I just chuck it out! t´s liberating! Thank you for your motivational minimalist video🙏 I love your swagger moves at the end🕺👏👏 Muchas Gracias!🇪🇨
great video! i like these tips
Hello from London, England 🇬🇧 Great videos thoroughly enjoying them!
Great advice
Greetings from Malaysia and thanks for sharing these ideas on Minimalism during this pandemic outbreak. Keep it up and stay safe in Ecuador.
Thank you! You too!
Excelente!
This is the first video of yours that I've seen and I've already subscribed! This video was amazing!!
Thank you!!!
Wow well said!
The US used to be a fix it country. I found an old skillet hole repair kit In my stuff. Everything was fixed, not thrown away. It is a disposable world now.
Yes, we need to go back to fixing things.
Subbed! Gracias a ti por esta presentación
a ti!
Great video Austin, it is amazing how much money you actually need to live on. I have always just dressed down. Covid has reinforced practical living.
Yes, covid has taught us all a number of things.
Excelente video. Gracias.
I love your videos!
My son did similar while living and working in Brazil for several years. What experiences he had! ❤
I ask myself ..Want vs need?....before purchasing something. Enjoy your videos!
I am 56 years old and have been enjoying what you have to say and will start 2023 doing the car hack.
So cheers for that.
You learn something new every day is so very very true.
Watching from Australia 🇦🇺
Ok mate
I like ur videos
Your financial advice has helped me alot
Not "advice," but "tips!" Haha. Glad you are enjoying it!
I just loved this video and all your videos that I watched so far. Thanks for making them. I agree with you 100%. Btw, I watch from Poland.
Awesome! Thank you for watching!
I enjoy watching your videos. The content is what I needed. I am a new minimalist , your content helps me alot.
Thanks for you kind words! Glad it's helping you!
@@ElAgustin of course you did a great job 👏 plz do more videos like this
Another awesome video
Thanks!
Minimalism has been the key to my happiness. 🧡 🐪
Great Info
I just found your channel and I really like your ideals. Subscribed :)
Welcome!
New sub here from Jamaica. Loving your channel ❤
Welcome!!
When you started singing and dancing "no vemo, chico" I lost it lol
Haha, thanks!
Great video I buy quality stuff downsizing now at 53 don't need much
You are a fresh, unique voice.
Crazy now u have 10.3K congrats ur content is really great editing good too!
Yes, pretty quick growth! Took 10 videos to get 1 subscriber, haha. Very exponential!
In 2007 I went for 10 months to New Zealand, I only had money saved up for 5 months, I did some odd jobs and learned to life great with little. Best school in life!
I still get the most bang out of my buck, it's a mindset now...
Yes, when I traveled I had so little money and made it work. Now it is impossible to get out of that mindset, it's so ingrained in me.
watching from hongkong but I'm a Filipino, it really makes sense...
Your channel is awesome 🇦🇺❤️
I'm glad that you had that experience and that it changed your life for the better! I would say that the most important things for me would be photos of my family: albums and photos hung on the wall. I think I could get all of them into two suitcases, but they would have to be large enough to hold a 16 x 20 framed photo. ;-)
Me uno al equipo. pero me falta mucho por aprender. Gracias por compartir.
Dam. Your smart !!!! Jacqueline here 👋 You r the best you tuber .
Thanks, Jacqueline!
Checking in from Cuenca Ecuador
Tu hablas muy bien Spanish. Que bueno escuchar tus videos. Me gustan mucho. Keep it up.
Gracias, Dorisita!
Hi, great videos mate, keep it up. While walking my dog a few weeks ago I was thinking of the saying I heard from my Grandad many moons ago, “look after the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves” Sounds like it’s international.
Hello soy de Honduras 🇭🇳 vivo en Monroe NY y me gustan sus videos gracias
Hola Onelia! Gracias!