Whether you’re looking for practical tips to transform your space or you just want to know what this whole minimalism thing is all about, there’s no shortage of shows dedicated to living with less – and loving it.
From Tidying Up with Marie Kondo to discovering just what (or who) makes people happy all around the world, we list our 5 favourite shows to spark your minimalist journey.
1. Minimalism: A Documentary About The Important Things
How might your life be better with less? This is the question The Minimalists want you to consider.
In the 2016 documentary that arguably acted as the catalyst that caused the minimalism trend to catch on like wildfire, Josh and Ryan share how minimalism has changed their lives for the better.
But it’s not just a fad to these guys; they’ve been living this lifestyle for years, and their website has been running for over a decade.
If you’re playing with the idea of living with less, Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things could be the goosebump-giving inspiration you’ve been looking for.
2. Happy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07t9NOV7SwY&feature=youtu.be
Can you guess what makes people happy? Spoiler alert: It’s not money, and it’s not stuff.
Happy is the uplifting documentary that takes us from the bayous of Louisiana to the deserts of Namibia, from the beaches of Brazil to the villages of Okinawa, to learn from locals what makes a happy life.
These real-life stories are combined with interviews from leading scientists in happiness research. The end result? A thought-provoking film that’ll remind you the best things in life are free and there’s always time to stop and smell the roses.
3. Tidying Up With Marie Kondo
She may be softly spoken, but she’s tough when it comes to tidying up.
The new Netflix series Tidying Up with Marie Kondo follows professional organising consultant Marie Kondo as she visits American families and helps them declutter and organise their homes – and learn some gratitude along the way. It’s not just your typical home makeover show.
Using the KonMari method, Marie teaches people to only hold onto belongings that spark joy. While the homes she visits are a far cry from Hoarders, each family has their own clutter (physical and emotional) that’s holding them back in some way. Enter the Queen of Neat.
With Marie’s cheery disposition and soothing voice, Tidying Up with Marie Kondo is the perfect unoffensive companion for a lazy Sunday.
This binge-worthy series is an easy watch that, if nothing else, will help you learn some pretty awesome folding tips to keep your own wardrobe in order.
4. Trashed
Heavier watching and sans hopeful happy ending, Trashed is a sobering look at the immediate and powerful dangers waste pollution has on the environment and our health.
Off-screen narrator and onscreen reporter Jeremy Irons travels the world to hear from scientists, politicians, and everyday people who are affected by the waste pollution of our air, land, and sea.
Trashed is the graphic wake-up call we need to consume less and be more mindful of how we dispose of our mounting piles of waste.
5. No Impact Man
An economically friendly doco with plenty of heart and laughs? Yes please.
No Impact Man follows Colin Beavan on a year-long journey to have no impact on the environment. That’s right – no electricity, no transport, no coffee, no toilet paper.
With (somewhat hesitant) wife Michelle and their 2-year-old daughter in tow, the family spends a year as eco-extremists, and it’s not just Mother Nature who benefits. The couple noted weight loss, improved sleep, and even Michelle’s pre-diabetic condition vanished.
Early in the film, Colin asks, “Is it possible to have a good life without wasting so much?”
We guess you’ll just have to watch to find out.
Feeling inspired to declutter and live with less? Check out our tips on what not to do when decluttering here.
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