About:

Title: Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things
Released: 2015

Fix: Documentary, Minimalism, Decluttering, Life Simplifying, Tiny Houses, Trash Yo’ Crap
Platforms: NetflixAmazon

Netflix Summary:

People dedicated to rejecting the American ideal that things bring happiness are interviewed in this documentary showing the virtues of less is more.

FYA Summary:

Americans are attempting to fill the gaping voids in side themselves with consumer goods, and spending money faster than they can earn it. As a way to reject those habits, minimalists believe that all of our possessions should serve a purpose or bring joy. You should determine what adds value to your life, and if it doesn’t, let it go. This documentary follows two longterm friends who both came from broken homes, and spent their 20’s trying to make up for the poverty of their youth with all the things that capitalism affords. But when they found that this lifestyle didn’t fill the void inside them, they adopted minimalism, and now run a website devoted to it. There are also interviews with people who write about reducing clutter and people who have bought into the tiny home phenomenon as a tool for simplifying life, as well as living sustainably. The film also address fast fashion, and how bad it is for the environment. 

Familiar Faces:

Not too many familiar faces, but you may want to get familiar with the hot homeless by choice guy, who describes himself as a full-time traveler/blogger.

Couch-Sharing Capability: Carpool

You will definitely want to watch it with the person in your life who has boxes of childhood shit stacked up in the garage. But may I also suggest watching it with friends, as you determine what are relationship dealbreakers. Is it: grown man who skateboards to work? Or, homeless by choice, couch-surfer guy?

Recommended Level of Inebriation: If It Brings You Joy

As much as I love material things, I have never been one of those people who has to be first in line for the new iPhone. And I don’t know about y’all, but Black Friday videos alone make me need to toss a few back. Other factors that call for a drink: Ikea shopping lists, and people who identify as “huggers”. And don’t even get me started on WHERE DO THEY KEEP THEIR BOOKS?

Use of Your Netflix Subscription: Sustainable

Confession: I am a KonMari dropout. I’m fascinated by the idea of minimalism and the inherent serenity that seems to go with it. But as a compulsive shopper, and collector of stuff, I have yet to be able to actually adopt the life. But now I feel open to trying some of the tips for decluttering the secret shame that is my closet. Maybe I could become one of those chicks who just lives in all black? Or, maybe I really need a documentary about people who can live a life of meaning and purpose, and yet still likes things. I won’t deny there is definitely something about 2017 that calls out to me to ditch the crap, and hit the road.

Categories:

Kandis (she/her) is a proud member of the Austin FYA book club chapter who loves vampires, romance novels, live tweeting CW shows, and Jonah Griggs. She’s not like a regular mom. She’s a cool mom.