Minimalist documentaries examine the benefits and practicalities of living a simpler lifestyle. By employing personal stories and expert perspectives, these films promote intentional living with fewer physical possessions.
Follow Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus as they welcome viewers into their living rooms for intimate insights on how to simplify life, or watch famed organisation consultant Marie Kondo complete life-changing home makeovers with her catchphrase, “Does it spark joy?”
The Minimalists
Minimalism has quickly become one of the hottest lifestyle trends today, but it goes beyond being just an aesthetic trend. Minimalism encourages individuals to examine their relationships, shed unnecessary distractions, and prioritise experiences over material possessions for greater happiness and contentment in life. If minimalism sounds appealing to you as an alternative way of living, then these documentaries about minimalism will motivate you to clear out clutter and embrace its “less is more” philosophy.
Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus’ popular documentary on minimalism explores why it has become such a pivotal movement today. Major streaming services like Netflix have aired it, sparking conversations about intentional living and minimalism.
For those new to minimalism, this documentary offers an ideal introduction. It follows individuals who have adopted this lifestyle, exploring how owning less has led them to greater happiness and fulfilment in life. Furthermore, the film considers how consumerism impacts the environment while challenging viewers to reevaluate their relationship with material goods.
Are you an oldie but goodie of Marie Kondo, or have you yet seen her hit series on Netflix? This minimalist documentary should provide all those looking for some extra motivation with a must-watch experience. This film, which takes viewers behind the scenes of Marie Kondo’s world-renowned organizing consultant helping families declutter their homes and transform their lives using her simple but profound philosophy of keeping only those things that spark joy, is an inspiring must-watch experience.
This documentary, created by Michigan State University students, provides an inside view of minimalist living. The film follows its creators as they complete six minimalist challenges to find more meaningful lives.
Thrive with less.
Many people dream of living a simple lifestyle but may be uncertain what that entails. While some may envision moving into a cabin in the woods and living off the land, others simply need less stuff in their lives. Either way, this documentary offers various approaches to how individuals can start living more simply today.
Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, commonly referred to as The Minimalists, invite you into their living rooms for this intimate look at minimalism. With interviews with other minimalists as well as discussions of its philosophy, this book offers the ideal way to start simplifying your life.
This film discusses everything from living without technology to creating an organized home with less clutter and eliminating things that no longer bring you joy. Furthermore, minimalism doesn’t equate to owning less; rather, it means having more of what matters, making this documentary ideal for anyone new to minimalism or anyone interested in learning more about its principles.
This documentary’s central concept is that most items in our homes remain unused or rarely touched, leading to unnecessary clutter in our homes. You can significantly reduce clutter in all aspects of life, from food in the pantry to books on shelves, by making an effort to use up items before buying more. This doesn’t have to happen all at once; minimalism involves incorporating this effort into everyday life and continuing it indefinitely until only essential possessions remain and bring you joy—this is true minimalism at work!
Fast Fashion
The Netflix documentary Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) provides the perfect remedy for anyone suffering from FOMO. The film follows Berlin-based filmmaker Felix Starck and singer/songwriter Selima Taibi as they embark on an incredible adventure across North America in a refurbished school bus-turned-RV, living cheaply yet freely on their travels—not always an easy road, yet giving an insight into life on the road—ultimately proving you can live an abundant and meaningful existence for very little money.
Fast fashion companies such as Zara, Forever 21, and H&M are capitalising on consumers’ desire to remain current by encouraging shoppers to purchase garments quickly so as to stay trendy, but this comes at an enormous cost, both to garment workers and the environment.
Fashion industry pollution can have devastating environmental consequences, with clothing factories using toxic textile dyes that endanger both employees and the planet in order to stay profitable and increase profit margins.
Fast fashion is a global issue that requires immediate attention due to its impact on water supplies and its contribution to climate change. You can reduce your carbon footprint by purchasing sustainable items, recycling, or donating old clothes to charity.
Wasted
At a time of ever-faster media trends, minimalist documentaries offer a welcome respite from overwhelming media distraction. These films present personal narratives alongside expert analysis and practical advice about living more simply. Here are some of the finest films in this burgeoning genre.
Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, better known as The Minimalists, once strived for the American Dream of money, status, and possessions, only to realise they were missing out on many more meaningful aspects of life. After experiencing much stress, debt, and frustration, they chose a minimalist lifestyle, which helped them lead happy, fulfilling lives.
This documentary delves into the philosophy of minimalism, which emphasises finding meaning and fulfilment through reduced consumption. The documentary showcases interviews with professionals such as sociologist Juliet Schor, Zen Habit’s Leo Babauta, and Joshua Becker from Becoming Minimalist, along with testimonies from individuals who have discovered joy in simplifying their lives.
Sparking Joy with Marie Kondo is another well-known documentary exploring minimalist principles. A Netflix series, it follows professional organiser Marie Kondo as she assists individuals to declutter and transform their lives using her simple philosophy: keeping only those things that “spark joy.” De-cluttering may bring some relief; however, minimalist living also reduces stress levels and burdensome possessions, freeing people up for more meaningful experiences.
Lastly, minimalist documentaries explore the application of minimalism to various aspects of daily life, such as relationships, work, and health. These films inspire viewers to take on small challenges that they can easily replicate at home.
The Minimalist Challenge
Minimalism offers an alternative approach to living intentionally and cultivating a life of clarity and purpose in an age marked by excessive materialism and consumerism. Minimalism’s philosophy goes far beyond decluttering physical belongings; it involves simplifying commitments, streamlining daily tasks, and prioritising experiences over material wealth, making minimalism much more than a trend—it is a way of life!
Minimalism has quickly gained ground both nationally and globally, with many people adopting its simple philosophy. Although there’s nothing wrong with seeking a lifestyle that promotes wellness, happiness, and personal freedom, it is important to avoid judging those whose beliefs differ from yours or discrediting their ideas by leaving negative comments or trying to disprove them. Instead, consider engaging in a healthy debate over differing viewpoints; it might just lead to fruitful discussions!
For those seeking to make permanent lifestyle changes, taking part in the 30-Day Minimalism Challenge could help create new habits and build confidence in living with less. Furthermore, this challenge provides an exciting and fulfilling way to declutter your home while giving you a fresh perspective on all your possessions.
Apart from physically decluttering your home, minimalism also promotes digital minimalism. Some minimalists employ digital minimalism techniques like limiting screen time, unsubscribing from unnecessary emails, and decluttering social media accounts to create a simpler existence online. This practice is known as digital minimalism and helps reduce distracting influxes of information that bombard us every day. By cutting out online distractions, you’re freeing up more time for things that truly matter, such as relationships and meaningful experiences.
