today we’re more connected than ever social media we have the ability to
social media we have the ability to
social media we have the ability to communicate what we’re doing their
communicate what we’re doing their
communicate what we’re doing their friends and our families regardless of
friends and our families regardless of
friends and our families regardless of timing or geography with smartphones we
timing or geography with smartphones we
timing or geography with smartphones we have technology in the palm of our hands
have technology in the palm of our hands
have technology in the palm of our hands 24/7 we’re exposed to more fake news
24/7 we’re exposed to more fake news
24/7 we’re exposed to more fake news over the course of an hour on Twitter
over the course of an hour on Twitter
over the course of an hour on Twitter than our grandparents were exposed to
than our grandparents were exposed to
than our grandparents were exposed to real news during entire periods of their
real news during entire periods of their
real news during entire periods of their lives just as a product of living in the
lives just as a product of living in the
lives just as a product of living in the 21st century we have more resources than
21st century we have more resources than
21st century we have more resources than any generation program yet with all of
any generation program yet with all of
any generation program yet with all of these enhancements and advancements to
these enhancements and advancements to
these enhancements and advancements to our modern lives were still more unhappy
our modern lives were still more unhappy
our modern lives were still more unhappy than ever according to the National
than ever according to the National
than ever according to the National Institute of Health one out of six
Institute of Health one out of six
Institute of Health one out of six Americans suffers from a major suffers
Americans suffers from a major suffers
Americans suffers from a major suffers from an anxiety disorder of some kind
from an anxiety disorder of some kind
from an anxiety disorder of some kind and in 2015 16 million Americans
and in 2015 16 million Americans
and in 2015 16 million Americans suffered at least one major depressive
suffered at least one major depressive
suffered at least one major depressive episode in a world where we’re more
episode in a world where we’re more
episode in a world where we’re more connected than ever we’ve never felt
connected than ever we’ve never felt
connected than ever we’ve never felt more alone
more alone
more alone so who here by show of hands has ever
so who here by show of hands has ever
so who here by show of hands has ever fallen into the trap of posting
fallen into the trap of posting
fallen into the trap of posting something on social media than being
something on social media than being
something on social media than being glued to their phone or their laptop
glued to their phone or their laptop
glued to their phone or their laptop constantly refreshing their browser
constantly refreshing their browser
constantly refreshing their browser waiting for the notifications in the
waiting for the notifications in the
waiting for the notifications in the comments and the mentions to come in
I’ve been there
I’ve been there status anxiety is one of the biggest
status anxiety is one of the biggest
status anxiety is one of the biggest drivers for this unhappiness with
drivers for this unhappiness with
drivers for this unhappiness with Facebook Twitter Linkedin we have an
Facebook Twitter Linkedin we have an
Facebook Twitter Linkedin we have an ever-growing pool of peers to size
ever-growing pool of peers to size
ever-growing pool of peers to size ourselves up against to compare
ourselves up against to compare
ourselves up against to compare ourselves to make matters worse we
ourselves to make matters worse we
ourselves to make matters worse we democratize our happiness to the number
democratize our happiness to the number
democratize our happiness to the number of likes or shares that we get on a
of likes or shares that we get on a
of likes or shares that we get on a photo or status update and as a result
photo or status update and as a result
photo or status update and as a result of this status anxiety we get pushed to
of this status anxiety we get pushed to
of this status anxiety we get pushed to pursue high paying jobs to go to the
pursue high paying jobs to go to the
pursue high paying jobs to go to the nation’s top universities to have the
nation’s top universities to have the
nation’s top universities to have the status the wealth and if we’re lucky
status the wealth and if we’re lucky
status the wealth and if we’re lucky we’ll be able to reach that goal and
we’ll be able to reach that goal and
we’ll be able to reach that goal and we’ll drive up to work in our shiny BMW
we’ll drive up to work in our shiny BMW
we’ll drive up to work in our shiny BMW and we’ll sit in our corner office and
and we’ll sit in our corner office and
and we’ll sit in our corner office and look at
look at
look at ivy-league diplomas on the wall but as
ivy-league diplomas on the wall but as
ivy-league diplomas on the wall but as the research shows we’re still unhappy
the research shows we’re still unhappy
the research shows we’re still unhappy why to answer that question I want to
why to answer that question I want to
why to answer that question I want to share my story and it begins like
share my story and it begins like
share my story and it begins like perhaps a lot of you in a rural
perhaps a lot of you in a rural
perhaps a lot of you in a rural community in Illinois where I grew up my
community in Illinois where I grew up my
community in Illinois where I grew up my parents my friend’s parents they all
parents my friend’s parents they all
parents my friend’s parents they all worked blue-collar lunch-pail type of
worked blue-collar lunch-pail type of
worked blue-collar lunch-pail type of jobs in my neighborhood there were no
jobs in my neighborhood there were no
jobs in my neighborhood there were no such thing as investment bankers or
such thing as investment bankers or
such thing as investment bankers or management consultants there were
management consultants there were
management consultants there were mechanics and construction workers and
mechanics and construction workers and
mechanics and construction workers and so when I came to University and I
so when I came to University and I
so when I came to University and I started landing I was fortunate enough
started landing I was fortunate enough
started landing I was fortunate enough to land some of the top internships at
to land some of the top internships at
to land some of the top internships at management consulting firms and
management consulting firms and
management consulting firms and corporate America as I looked around the
corporate America as I looked around the
corporate America as I looked around the room started to panic because as I
room started to panic because as I
room started to panic because as I compared myself to these others in the
compared myself to these others in the
compared myself to these others in the room my peers and my co-workers
room my peers and my co-workers
room my peers and my co-workers I just couldn’t relate to them they’d
I just couldn’t relate to them they’d
I just couldn’t relate to them they’d all come from affluent backgrounds and
all come from affluent backgrounds and
all come from affluent backgrounds and that seemed as if they had been groomed
that seemed as if they had been groomed
that seemed as if they had been groomed for these positions since the day they
for these positions since the day they
for these positions since the day they were born and here I was this country
were born and here I was this country
were born and here I was this country kid who just somehow slipped up through
kid who just somehow slipped up through
kid who just somehow slipped up through the cracks and because of that I started
the cracks and because of that I started
the cracks and because of that I started to develop what’s commonly referred to
to develop what’s commonly referred to
to develop what’s commonly referred to as the imposter syndrome
as the imposter syndrome
as the imposter syndrome I felt that I didn’t belong in that at
I felt that I didn’t belong in that at
I felt that I didn’t belong in that at any given moment everyone was judging me
any given moment everyone was judging me
any given moment everyone was judging me just waiting for me to slip up and make
just waiting for me to slip up and make
just waiting for me to slip up and make a mistake so that HR could beat down the
a mistake so that HR could beat down the
a mistake so that HR could beat down the door pulled me out of the room because
door pulled me out of the room because
door pulled me out of the room because they finally figured it out they had
they finally figured it out they had
they finally figured it out they had proved that I didn’t belong to be there
proved that I didn’t belong to be there
proved that I didn’t belong to be there and because of this this insecurity I
and because of this this insecurity I
and because of this this insecurity I started to control the one thing that I
started to control the one thing that I
started to control the one thing that I thought I could and for me that was my
thought I could and for me that was my
thought I could and for me that was my appearance and I had thought to myself
appearance and I had thought to myself
appearance and I had thought to myself you know the best way to throw these
you know the best way to throw these
you know the best way to throw these people off my scent it’s to be the most
people off my scent it’s to be the most
people off my scent it’s to be the most well dressed in the room at every given
well dressed in the room at every given
well dressed in the room at every given moment some of the most well-respected
moment some of the most well-respected
moment some of the most well-respected people in the business world are also
people in the business world are also
people in the business world are also the most well dressed and I figured that
the most well dressed and I figured that
the most well dressed and I figured that couldn’t be a coincidence and so what
couldn’t be a coincidence and so what
couldn’t be a coincidence and so what started out as a seemingly innocent
started out as a seemingly innocent
started out as a seemingly innocent hobby of collecting clothes and being
hobby of collecting clothes and being
hobby of collecting clothes and being interested in fashion slowly evolved
interested in fashion slowly evolved
interested in fashion slowly evolved into an obsession before I knew it I had
into an obsession before I knew it I had
into an obsession before I knew it I had a closet overflowing with
a closet overflowing with
a closet overflowing with brother suits and j.crew button-ups and
brother suits and j.crew button-ups and
brother suits and j.crew button-ups and Italian leather shoes and on top of that
Italian leather shoes and on top of that
Italian leather shoes and on top of that I had packages coming to my apartment
I had packages coming to my apartment
I had packages coming to my apartment every day to fill my already overflowing
every day to fill my already overflowing
every day to fill my already overflowing closet and for a while it works it
closet and for a while it works it
closet and for a while it works it started to feel a little bit more
started to feel a little bit more
started to feel a little bit more confident in myself
confident in myself
confident in myself some people even started complimenting
some people even started complimenting
some people even started complimenting me on the way I looked
me on the way I looked
me on the way I looked some people even asked me for advice but
some people even asked me for advice but
some people even asked me for advice but as I went on I realized I started to
as I went on I realized I started to
as I went on I realized I started to develop an unhealthy relationship with
develop an unhealthy relationship with
develop an unhealthy relationship with clothing I was using it as a way to hide
clothing I was using it as a way to hide
clothing I was using it as a way to hide my insecurities instead of actually
my insecurities instead of actually
my insecurities instead of actually address the larger issue at hand and so
address the larger issue at hand and so
address the larger issue at hand and so this went on for a number of years as I
this went on for a number of years as I
this went on for a number of years as I constantly accumulated more and more
constantly accumulated more and more
constantly accumulated more and more until one summer I was given an
until one summer I was given an
until one summer I was given an internship across the country and for
internship across the country and for
internship across the country and for this internship there was no way I could
this internship there was no way I could
this internship there was no way I could prank my entire wardrobe in all my
prank my entire wardrobe in all my
prank my entire wardrobe in all my belongings across the country for a
belongings across the country for a
belongings across the country for a short period of time I was forced to
short period of time I was forced to
short period of time I was forced to evaluate my belongings and fit what I
evaluate my belongings and fit what I
evaluate my belongings and fit what I could into just a couple small suitcases
could into just a couple small suitcases
could into just a couple small suitcases and through this exercise for the first
and through this exercise for the first
and through this exercise for the first time in a long time perhaps even ever I
time in a long time perhaps even ever I
time in a long time perhaps even ever I had to evaluate everything I owned and
had to evaluate everything I owned and
had to evaluate everything I owned and look at it critically namely clothing
look at it critically namely clothing
look at it critically namely clothing and the first thing that I noticed was
and the first thing that I noticed was
and the first thing that I noticed was that I had all of these possessions all
that I had all of these possessions all
that I had all of these possessions all these outfits but I had warned them
these outfits but I had warned them
these outfits but I had warned them maybe once twice and thrown them to the
maybe once twice and thrown them to the
maybe once twice and thrown them to the side never to be worn again just stuffed
side never to be worn again just stuffed
side never to be worn again just stuffed in in my drawers and never to be open
in in my drawers and never to be open
in in my drawers and never to be open and see the light of day and through
and see the light of day and through
and see the light of day and through this I started to understand that and
this I started to understand that and
this I started to understand that and become aware of the fact that I had this
become aware of the fact that I had this
become aware of the fact that I had this toxic relationship with clothing and
toxic relationship with clothing and
toxic relationship with clothing and over time I started to look at things
over time I started to look at things
over time I started to look at things from a different lens started to
from a different lens started to
from a different lens started to understand that I had all of these
understand that I had all of these
understand that I had all of these different outfits I had more than enough
different outfits I had more than enough
different outfits I had more than enough yet I constantly felt the need to add
yet I constantly felt the need to add
yet I constantly felt the need to add more to get the latest fashions all well
more to get the latest fashions all well
more to get the latest fashions all well never never getting rid of anything else
never never getting rid of anything else
never never getting rid of anything else right and so this exercise of packing up
right and so this exercise of packing up
right and so this exercise of packing up and moving across the country created a
and moving across the country created a
and moving across the country created a paradigm shift in me as soon as I
paradigm shift in me as soon as I
paradigm shift in me as soon as I started to understand
started to understand
started to understand my unhealthy relationship with clothing
my unhealthy relationship with clothing
my unhealthy relationship with clothing and how I was using it as a way to mask
and how I was using it as a way to mask
and how I was using it as a way to mask my insecurities I started to flip the
my insecurities I started to flip the
my insecurities I started to flip the script instead of looking for ways to
script instead of looking for ways to
script instead of looking for ways to add more and accumulate more and more
add more and accumulate more and more
add more and accumulate more and more materials I started to look for ways to
materials I started to look for ways to
materials I started to look for ways to eliminate and over the course of those
eliminate and over the course of those
eliminate and over the course of those 30 days are sorry of those three months
30 days are sorry of those three months
30 days are sorry of those three months of working and at an internship I went
of working and at an internship I went
of working and at an internship I went from having this massive wardrobe to
from having this massive wardrobe to
from having this massive wardrobe to reducing and donating 90% of my clothing
reducing and donating 90% of my clothing
reducing and donating 90% of my clothing to charity and for someone who had
to charity and for someone who had
to charity and for someone who had enough outfits to wear a distinct
enough outfits to wear a distinct
enough outfits to wear a distinct different one every day for weeks if not
different one every day for weeks if not
different one every day for weeks if not months at a time this was especially
months at a time this was especially
months at a time this was especially challenging right maybe you can relate
challenging right maybe you can relate
challenging right maybe you can relate to the feeling of when you go to donate
to the feeling of when you go to donate
to the feeling of when you go to donate something at Goodwill or Salvation Army
something at Goodwill or Salvation Army
something at Goodwill or Salvation Army there’s a little bit of resistance each
there’s a little bit of resistance each
there’s a little bit of resistance each time you do it but each time I pushed
time you do it but each time I pushed
time you do it but each time I pushed through that resistance I started to
through that resistance I started to
through that resistance I started to gain a little bit more freedom so I
gain a little bit more freedom so I
gain a little bit more freedom so I developed a little bit more confidence
developed a little bit more confidence
developed a little bit more confidence and instead of being ashamed of my past
and instead of being ashamed of my past
and instead of being ashamed of my past and my upbringing being raised in a
and my upbringing being raised in a
and my upbringing being raised in a small community I started embracing it
small community I started embracing it
small community I started embracing it started viewing it as a part of my
started viewing it as a part of my
started viewing it as a part of my identity sorry to be prideful of it
identity sorry to be prideful of it
identity sorry to be prideful of it slowly but surely I started become more
slowly but surely I started become more
slowly but surely I started become more comfortable in my own skin and all of
comfortable in my own skin and all of
comfortable in my own skin and all of this reduction and this minimalism that
this reduction and this minimalism that
this reduction and this minimalism that I practiced started to give me more
I practiced started to give me more
I practiced started to give me more confidence and more energy and so I took
confidence and more energy and so I took
confidence and more energy and so I took that energy and I challenged myself even
that energy and I challenged myself even
that energy and I challenged myself even further over the course of my last 30
further over the course of my last 30
further over the course of my last 30 days and my internship I decided to do
days and my internship I decided to do
days and my internship I decided to do something that would have freaked me out
something that would have freaked me out
something that would have freaked me out even a couple of months before and for
even a couple of months before and for
even a couple of months before and for the last 30 days I decided to wear the
the last 30 days I decided to wear the
the last 30 days I decided to wear the same outfit every day for 30 days and
same outfit every day for 30 days and
same outfit every day for 30 days and I’m just thinking right not the great
I’m just thinking right not the great
I’m just thinking right not the great idea DJ but at first I was with you I
idea DJ but at first I was with you I
idea DJ but at first I was with you I freaked out I was extremely skeptical I
freaked out I was extremely skeptical I
freaked out I was extremely skeptical I thought that seemingly everyone had to
thought that seemingly everyone had to
thought that seemingly everyone had to notice that I was wearing the same thing
notice that I was wearing the same thing
notice that I was wearing the same thing that I was going to get judged if not
that I was going to get judged if not
that I was going to get judged if not solely on the aesthetic of the it you
solely on the aesthetic of the it you
solely on the aesthetic of the it you know pretty distinct aroma that comes
know pretty distinct aroma that comes
know pretty distinct aroma that comes with wearing the same pair of jeans for
with wearing the same pair of jeans for
with wearing the same pair of jeans for 30 days straight but every day I got up
30 days straight but every day I got up
30 days straight but every day I got up and I put on the same shirt I put on the
and I put on the same shirt I put on the
and I put on the same shirt I put on the same pair of jeans in the same shoes I
same pair of jeans in the same shoes I
same pair of jeans in the same shoes I went to work
went to work
went to work what’s handled my friends and something
what’s handled my friends and something
what’s handled my friends and something really interesting happened over that
really interesting happened over that
really interesting happened over that course of that month of minimalism
course of that month of minimalism
course of that month of minimalism started to realize that people don’t
started to realize that people don’t
started to realize that people don’t care about your appearance as much as
care about your appearance as much as
care about your appearance as much as you think they do because over those 30
you think they do because over those 30
you think they do because over those 30 days
days
days not a single person noticed my
not a single person noticed my
not a single person noticed my experiment
experiment
experiment not a single person notice that I was
not a single person notice that I was
not a single person notice that I was wearing the same stupid great v-neck and
wearing the same stupid great v-neck and
wearing the same stupid great v-neck and same pair of shoes every day and it
same pair of shoes every day and it
same pair of shoes every day and it finally gave me the validation that I
finally gave me the validation that I
finally gave me the validation that I need it people don’t care as much as you
need it people don’t care as much as you
need it people don’t care as much as you think they do because honestly quite
think they do because honestly quite
think they do because honestly quite frankly people are too consumed with
frankly people are too consumed with
frankly people are too consumed with their own insecurities and their own
their own insecurities and their own
their own insecurities and their own appearance and their own problems to
appearance and their own problems to
appearance and their own problems to waste very valuable time and energy
waste very valuable time and energy
waste very valuable time and energy judging you and the way you look in your
judging you and the way you look in your
judging you and the way you look in your behaviors and so after this month of
behaviors and so after this month of
behaviors and so after this month of minimalism I was fortunate enough to go
minimalism I was fortunate enough to go
minimalism I was fortunate enough to go on a three-month backpacking trip and
on a three-month backpacking trip and
on a three-month backpacking trip and instead of bringing a 60 or 70 liter bag
instead of bringing a 60 or 70 liter bag
instead of bringing a 60 or 70 liter bag and filling it to the brim with
and filling it to the brim with
and filling it to the brim with accessories and clothing I opted for the
accessories and clothing I opted for the
accessories and clothing I opted for the faultless smallest bag I could find and
faultless smallest bag I could find and
faultless smallest bag I could find and I brought with me just three outfits to
I brought with me just three outfits to
I brought with me just three outfits to last me three months in 14 different
last me three months in 14 different
last me three months in 14 different countries and the only way that I can
countries and the only way that I can
countries and the only way that I can describe to you the feeling I had that
describe to you the feeling I had that
describe to you the feeling I had that freedom that came with that is to think
freedom that came with that is to think
freedom that came with that is to think back to when you were a kid or maybe an
back to when you were a kid or maybe an
back to when you were a kid or maybe an elementary school when it’s that first
elementary school when it’s that first
elementary school when it’s that first day of summer break your parents drop
day of summer break your parents drop
day of summer break your parents drop you off or the bus drops you off at home
you off or the bus drops you off at home
you off or the bus drops you off at home and you sit there and think I’m free I
and you sit there and think I’m free I
and you sit there and think I’m free I have three months to do whatever I want
have three months to do whatever I want
have three months to do whatever I want to do and that freedom but feeling like
to do and that freedom but feeling like
to do and that freedom but feeling like a kid again it was the first time I felt
a kid again it was the first time I felt
a kid again it was the first time I felt that since I was a child and it was
that since I was a child and it was
that since I was a child and it was intoxicating
intoxicating
intoxicating something I was hooked on I never wanted
something I was hooked on I never wanted
something I was hooked on I never wanted to let that go and so when I finished my
to let that go and so when I finished my
to let that go and so when I finished my trip and I moved across the country to
trip and I moved across the country to
trip and I moved across the country to start my full-time job I would for that
start my full-time job I would for that
start my full-time job I would for that feeling and when I had an amazing
feeling and when I had an amazing
feeling and when I had an amazing apartment in a great part of the city
apartment in a great part of the city
apartment in a great part of the city with an awesome roommate everything
with an awesome roommate everything
with an awesome roommate everything seemed great on paper but still
seemed great on paper but still
seemed great on paper but still something just didn’t seem right I
something just didn’t seem right I
something just didn’t seem right I desired that freedom I had of living
desired that freedom I had of living
desired that freedom I had of living that minimalistic lifestyle and so I did
that minimalistic lifestyle and so I did
that minimalistic lifestyle and so I did the thing that pretty much any twenty
the thing that pretty much any twenty
the thing that pretty much any twenty three-year-old would do in that
three-year-old would do in that
three-year-old would do in that situation and I so bleached out my
situation and I so bleached out my
situation and I so bleached out my apartment I bought a van and I started
apartment I bought a van and I started
apartment I bought a van and I started living out of it right what you guys
living out of it right what you guys
living out of it right what you guys would do
and for the last 12 months this 1997
and for the last 12 months this 1997 Dodge Ram wagon has been my home
Dodge Ram wagon has been my home
Dodge Ram wagon has been my home it’s the ultimate picture of freedom I
it’s the ultimate picture of freedom I
it’s the ultimate picture of freedom I could go wherever I wanted on the
could go wherever I wanted on the
could go wherever I wanted on the weekends I could save more money than
weekends I could save more money than
weekends I could save more money than ever because I didn’t have to pay
ever because I didn’t have to pay
ever because I didn’t have to pay expensive San Francisco rents I could
expensive San Francisco rents I could
expensive San Francisco rents I could save more time than ever because I
save more time than ever because I
save more time than ever because I basically had Silicon Valley as a
basically had Silicon Valley as a
basically had Silicon Valley as a shortest commute because I just lived in
shortest commute because I just lived in
shortest commute because I just lived in the parking lot but but more importantly
the parking lot but but more importantly
the parking lot but but more importantly than the freedom associated with it
than the freedom associated with it
than the freedom associated with it living in a van created an even bigger
living in a van created an even bigger
living in a van created an even bigger shift inside of you when you live in a
shift inside of you when you live in a
shift inside of you when you live in a van
van
van you can’t constantly purchase things off
you can’t constantly purchase things off
you can’t constantly purchase things off of Amazon or have a massive wardrobe
of Amazon or have a massive wardrobe
of Amazon or have a massive wardrobe because you simply just don’t have the
because you simply just don’t have the
because you simply just don’t have the space for it and so because of that I
space for it and so because of that I
space for it and so because of that I had to start critically evaluating every
had to start critically evaluating every
had to start critically evaluating every single material possession that was in
single material possession that was in
single material possession that was in my life and as I went through that
my life and as I went through that
my life and as I went through that process I started to understand that it
process I started to understand that it
process I started to understand that it wasn’t the things in life that brought
wasn’t the things in life that brought
wasn’t the things in life that brought me long-term joy sure purchasing
me long-term joy sure purchasing
me long-term joy sure purchasing something had a nice dopamine rush
something had a nice dopamine rush
something had a nice dopamine rush associated with it and the short term
associated with it and the short term
associated with it and the short term felt great but at the end of the day it
felt great but at the end of the day it
felt great but at the end of the day it was the experiences and the people that
was the experiences and the people that
was the experiences and the people that I shared those experiences with that
I shared those experiences with that
I shared those experiences with that brought me long-term joy and so over
brought me long-term joy and so over
brought me long-term joy and so over those 12 months I shifted my goals from
those 12 months I shifted my goals from
those 12 months I shifted my goals from that of status and material accumulation
that of status and material accumulation
that of status and material accumulation mindset to that of a pursuit of novel
mindset to that of a pursuit of novel
mindset to that of a pursuit of novel experiences and for some of the honestly
experiences and for some of the honestly
experiences and for some of the honestly one of the best years of my life because
one of the best years of my life because
one of the best years of my life because of that but I would be lying if I told
of that but I would be lying if I told
of that but I would be lying if I told you that living in a van was also
you that living in a van was also
you that living in a van was also enshrined in rainbows first off as a 23
enshrined in rainbows first off as a 23
enshrined in rainbows first off as a 23 year old single male I will tell you
year old single male I will tell you
year old single male I will tell you this living in a van I don’t see where
this living in a van I don’t see where
this living in a van I don’t see where my head’s going here
my head’s going here
my head’s going here living in a van doesn’t exactly up your
living in a van doesn’t exactly up your
living in a van doesn’t exactly up your tinder game all right I’ll say that but
tinder game all right I’ll say that but
tinder game all right I’ll say that but but in all seriousness in the winter it
but in all seriousness in the winter it
but in all seriousness in the winter it gets cold and there’s nothing more
gets cold and there’s nothing more
gets cold and there’s nothing more humbling than waking up shivering at
humbling than waking up shivering at
humbling than waking up shivering at 3:00 in the morning from an unexpected
3:00 in the morning from an unexpected
3:00 in the morning from an unexpected cold front and when everything you own
cold front and when everything you own
cold front and when everything you own is inside of a car a lot can go wrong
is inside of a car a lot can go wrong
is inside of a car a lot can go wrong when you break down on the side of the
when you break down on the side of the
when you break down on the side of the road and there’s no mechanics open to
road and there’s no mechanics open to
road and there’s no mechanics open to help you fix it but even with that being
help you fix it but even with that being
help you fix it but even with that being said I wouldn’t trade my van life
said I wouldn’t trade my van life
said I wouldn’t trade my van life experience for anything because in
experience for anything because in
experience for anything because in addition to teaching me that material
addition to teaching me that material
addition to teaching me that material possessions are less valuable than
possessions are less valuable than
possessions are less valuable than experiences in relationships it also
experiences in relationships it also
experiences in relationships it also taught me that the worst case scenario
taught me that the worst case scenario
taught me that the worst case scenario isn’t as bad as you think it is well
isn’t as bad as you think it is well
isn’t as bad as you think it is well when you live in a van hands you really
when you live in a van hands you really
when you live in a van hands you really don’t have a lot right and when you
don’t have a lot right and when you
don’t have a lot right and when you don’t have a lot you start to realize
don’t have a lot you start to realize
don’t have a lot you start to realize that you don’t have a lot to lose
that you don’t have a lot to lose
that you don’t have a lot to lose and we don’t have anything to lose you
and we don’t have anything to lose you
and we don’t have anything to lose you can take risks you can pursue your
can take risks you can pursue your
can take risks you can pursue your passions you can chase after your dreams
passions you can chase after your dreams
passions you can chase after your dreams in addition to that by getting back to
in addition to that by getting back to
in addition to that by getting back to the basics to the fundamentals of
the basics to the fundamentals of
the basics to the fundamentals of everything I owned and living a
everything I owned and living a
everything I owned and living a minimalistic lifestyle I was able to
minimalistic lifestyle I was able to
minimalistic lifestyle I was able to reconnect with my passions and my
reconnect with my passions and my
reconnect with my passions and my childhood dreams and while my previous
childhood dreams and while my previous
childhood dreams and while my previous job was well-paying and somewhat
job was well-paying and somewhat
job was well-paying and somewhat prestigious of a job title it was on
prestigious of a job title it was on
prestigious of a job title it was on fulfilling and every day I was left
fulfilling and every day I was left
fulfilling and every day I was left miserable so minimalism gave me
miserable so minimalism gave me
miserable so minimalism gave me confidence in the courage to quit my job
confidence in the courage to quit my job
confidence in the courage to quit my job and to go pursue my passion even if it
and to go pursue my passion even if it
and to go pursue my passion even if it is a more unconventional career path and
is a more unconventional career path and
is a more unconventional career path and even if I’m not going to make really any
even if I’m not going to make really any
even if I’m not going to make really any money but I know what you’re thinking
money but I know what you’re thinking
money but I know what you’re thinking right now DJ you’re crazy there’s no way
right now DJ you’re crazy there’s no way
right now DJ you’re crazy there’s no way I’m selling my house or leasing my
I’m selling my house or leasing my
I’m selling my house or leasing my apartment to go live in a van it’s okay
apartment to go live in a van it’s okay
apartment to go live in a van it’s okay I won’t judge you
I won’t judge you
I won’t judge you but in all seriousness you don’t have to
but in all seriousness you don’t have to
but in all seriousness you don’t have to live on the extremes to reap the
live on the extremes to reap the
live on the extremes to reap the benefits of minimalism for me I didn’t
benefits of minimalism for me I didn’t
benefits of minimalism for me I didn’t go from having this massive wardrobe to
go from having this massive wardrobe to
go from having this massive wardrobe to living in a van overnight it’s a series
living in a van overnight it’s a series
living in a van overnight it’s a series of baby steps over time and in addition
of baby steps over time and in addition
of baby steps over time and in addition to that minimalism doesn’t have to take
to that minimalism doesn’t have to take
to that minimalism doesn’t have to take the form of minimizing your possessions
the form of minimizing your possessions
the form of minimizing your possessions either certainly you can follow my lead
either certainly you can follow my lead
either certainly you can follow my lead and you can decrease your wardrobe or
and you can decrease your wardrobe or
and you can decrease your wardrobe or your possessions or
your possessions or
your possessions or declutter your life but you could also
declutter your life but you could also
declutter your life but you could also do something as simple as taking your
do something as simple as taking your
do something as simple as taking your physical photos and scanning them and
physical photos and scanning them and
physical photos and scanning them and creating a digital photo album you could
creating a digital photo album you could
creating a digital photo album you could minimize the hobbies that you used to
minimize the hobbies that you used to
minimize the hobbies that you used to enjoy but now take more joy out of your
enjoy but now take more joy out of your
enjoy but now take more joy out of your life than they give back and you can
life than they give back and you can
life than they give back and you can also distance yourself from
also distance yourself from
also distance yourself from relationships that no longer make you
relationships that no longer make you
relationships that no longer make you happy
happy
happy minimalism can take a plethora of
minimalism can take a plethora of
minimalism can take a plethora of different forms and there’s really no
different forms and there’s really no
different forms and there’s really no magnitude to the amount there’s no
magnitude to the amount there’s no
magnitude to the amount there’s no minimum magnitude of the way you can
minimum magnitude of the way you can
minimum magnitude of the way you can apply it to your life so undoubtedly
apply it to your life so undoubtedly
apply it to your life so undoubtedly there’s an issue in the world today we
there’s an issue in the world today we
there’s an issue in the world today we have more resources than any generation
have more resources than any generation
have more resources than any generation prior yet we’re more unhappy than ever I
prior yet we’re more unhappy than ever I
prior yet we’re more unhappy than ever I think that our society needs to shift
think that our society needs to shift
think that our society needs to shift from that of a status and material
from that of a status and material
from that of a status and material accumulations arms race to that of a
accumulations arms race to that of a
accumulations arms race to that of a constant audit the people things and
constant audit the people things and
constant audit the people things and behaviors that fill our lives and make a
behaviors that fill our lives and make a
behaviors that fill our lives and make a ruthless effort to minimize those that
ruthless effort to minimize those that
ruthless effort to minimize those that take more value than they give back in
take more value than they give back in
take more value than they give back in return for me minimalism was an
return for me minimalism was an
return for me minimalism was an excellent tool to catalyze this change
excellent tool to catalyze this change
excellent tool to catalyze this change inside of myself and I think society can
inside of myself and I think society can
inside of myself and I think society can also benefit from it at large it’s time
also benefit from it at large it’s time
also benefit from it at large it’s time for us to stop filling our lives and
for us to stop filling our lives and
for us to stop filling our lives and stop filling them meet the voids in our
stop filling them meet the voids in our
stop filling them meet the voids in our lives
lives
lives with meaningless possessions start
with meaningless possessions start
with meaningless possessions start getting to the root of what really makes
getting to the root of what really makes
getting to the root of what really makes us happy thank you
you
you [Music]
”
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