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Podcasts, books, (video) blogs and documentaries about intentional living (and its various incarnations) have been a great source of inspiration (and motivation booster) on our journey. We are happy to share a shortlist of documentaries and television shows that have influenced our way of thinking and living since 2016 (alphabetically).
If the clutter in your home causes you unnecessary stress or you are sick of mindless (over-)consumption and the impact it has on us and our beautiful planet, these may give you the final kick in the butt to start your minimalist journey.
Affluenza / Escape from Affluenza
Minimalism as a movement began long before The Minimalists came along. The 1997 documentary Affluenza called it Voluntary Simplicity, and disturbingly, what was discussed then is still relevant today.
Affluenza and its sequel, Escape from Affluenza, examine the rampant materialism consuming America and show that we have not learnt our lessons over the past twenty-plus years.
Books such as The Affluent Society by John Kenneth Galbraith (initially published in 1958), Giving Kids The Business by Alex Molnar, and Your Money or Your Life by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin are referenced in the documentaries for good reason. If you can look past the 1990s hairdos, these documentaries will get you thinking about what is essential and ethical in our Western society. Maybe we’ll learn our lessons now.
Check out the reviews on IMDB and watch a grainy version on YouTube.
Consumed
Not technically a documentary but a reality television show, de-cluttering expert Jill Pollack [LinkedIn profile] challenges families who are drowning in their stuff to live with only the bare essentials for two weeks and get rid of 75 per cent of their stuff by the end of the experiment. With (most of) their possessions gone, each family is forced to confront the real issues that were buried under all their stuff, issues that have affected their relationships and quality of life.
Jill revisits the families after three months to see how they are going. Sadly (and not surprisingly), some of them have fallen back into old habits. While interesting to watch, the show would have done a better service to those featured in it had it included counselling/psychotherapy sessions for some of the protagonists, as the underlying issues – in some cases, significant mental health issues – can’t be truly addressed without them.
Check out the reviews on IMDB and watch the trailer on YouTube. Unfortunately, Consumed is not available for streaming.
Looking for Inspiration on the Go?
Discover podcasts that explore happiness, minimalism, and simple living – perfect for those seeking a more intentional life. Let these podcasts guide and inspire you, whether you’re commuting, relaxing, or decluttering.
Less is Now
Four years after the release of Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things (see below), The Minimalists‘ newest documentary (also directed by Matt D’Avella [Official website]) seeks to create a sense of urgency in today’s consumer culture: now is the time for less.
Having lived the minimalist lifestyle since 2016, we were not surprised by the film. Based on the title, we expected more about why now, creating some urgency amid the climate crisis, COVID-19, etc. Some alarming statistics are shared. We were particularly pleased to see Annie Leonard [LinkedIn profile] (former CEO of Greenpeace USA) speak about the impact of our collective consumerism. But the film could have delivered a lot more.
Instead, it focuses on Joshua and Ryan’s upbringing (which is interesting, but unclear how it relates to the Less is Now message) and shares the experiences of everyday minimalists and the views of experts from various fields, including American radio personality Dave Ramsay [Official website]. If you’ve watched The Minimalists’ first documentary and are relatively new to minimalism, it’s definitely worth watching. If you live and breathe minimalism, the film might feel a little underwhelming.
Living On One Dollar
Living on One Dollar follows four young American friends as they live in Guatemala for two months on just $1 a day – the harsh reality for 1.3bn people around the world, including many Guatemaltecos – battling hunger and parasites, and realising that there are no easy answers.
While in Guatemala, the guys released short YouTube videos about their experience. The videos quickly received over 700,000 views, inspiring them to produce a feature-length film, Living on One Dollar, to mobilise others to help end extreme poverty. Living on One Dollar is one of the most thought-provoking and inspiring documentaries we have seen, and it didn’t come as a surprise to us when it won Best Documentary at the Sonoma International Film Festival. We even visited Mayan Families, the charity the guys support, in Panajachel/Guatemala, in 2017.
Check out the reviews on IMDB, or watch it on YouTube or Kanopy.
Recommended Books on Adopting Minimalism
- Dean Christopher's Minimalism guides readers through a 12-week process to help them identify their values, evaluate their habits, change their mindsets, reduce mental stress, and ultimately transform their lives.
- Mastering Minimalism by Jordan Williams offers a comprehensive roadmap for adopting minimalism, taking a holistic, wheel-of-life approach that covers all aspects of our lives.
- Cal Newport's Digital Minimalism explores the impact of constant connectivity. It helps us regain control by using technology to support our values and goals (not distracting from them).
- Travel Light by Light Watkins combines the principles of minimalism with the art of travel. It offers practical tips on planning, packing, and staying mindful on the road to enhance the experience.
- Sustainable Living, Minimalism and Zero Waste by B. R. Pohl focuses on the intersection of minimalism and sustainability, helping readers to limit their footprint by reducing waste and consuming (more) mindfully.
Minimalism: Full Documentary
Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus (The Minimalists) are the two best-known minimalist advocates. They started touring in 2011, published a book in 2012, and released this documentary in 2016.
This documentary has become the most referenced and searched-for documentary on minimalism and values-based living. It revolves around Joshua and Ryan and their 2014 tour to promote the book Everything That Remains. It cuts back and forth from their experiences and interactions on the tour with other prominent advocates for the movement, including Dan Harris (10% Happier), Patrick Rhone (Enough), Tammy Strobel (You Can Buy Happiness – And It’s Cheap), Colin Beavan (No Impact Man), Leo Babauta (Zen Habits), Joshua Becker (Clutter-free With Kids) and Christine Koh (Minimalist Parenting).
Check out the reviews on IMDB. After seven years on Netflix, MINIMALISM is now 100% advertisement-free on YouTube.
Sparking Joy with Marie Kondo
In her latest reality series, Marie Kondo brings her tidying approach to people struggling to balance work and home life. Using her well-documented method demonstrated in her first series, Tidying Up with Marie Kondo, the families she helps this time around go through books, office supplies, memorabilia and whatever else occupies too much space and energy in their lives – always asking the same question: Does it spark joy?
We also learn more about Marie Kondo’s life and Japanese culture. We recommend turning the closed captions on to help understand the narrative, as Marie speaks primarily Japanese.
Available to view on Netflix.
Is Decluttering the Same as Minimalism?
Many people use the terms interchangeably, but there’s more to minimalism than just clearing out your space. Discover what minimalism truly means, how it differs from decluttering, and why it’s about so much more than stuff.
The Clean Bin Project
Could you ever live completely waste-free? In this award-winning documentary, partners Jen and Grant go head-to-head to see who can swear off consumerism and produce the least garbage.
Described as An Inconvenient Truth meets Super Size Me, Jen and Grant’s light-hearted competition examines a darker problem: waste. Featuring laugh-out-loud moments, memorable images, great animations and captivating interviews, this film is a fun and inspiring call to individual action.
Check out the official site, read the reviews on IMDb, and watch it on iTunes and Vimeo.
The True Cost
The True Cost is not just a documentary about sweatshops. It explores issues of materialism and over-consumption, the power of advertising, and the social and environmental impacts of fast fashion. The documentary is a collage of interviews with garment industry workers, factory owners, environmentalists, and people promoting fair trade and sustainable clothing production—a real eye-opener… at least for us.
Check out the official website and the reviews on IMDB.
Assessing Ethical and Sustainable Brands
We carefully evaluate gear and business tools for their quality and longevity, but we also prioritise products made with ethical and sustainable practices. Explore our trusted resources to discover how manufacturers are reviewed for their sourcing and production methods.
Thrive With Less
As part of a project, six millennials document their search for what living minimally in an excess-driven society looks like. The participants ask some probing and pertinent questions of themselves and the viewers:
When did we decide that more is better, yet never enough?
When did social media, fancy cars, and fashion take priority over family, friends and the things we’re passionate about?
Somewhere along the way, our society has become more focused on attaining fleeting sources of gratification than establishing true, lasting joy. This lesser-known documentary has a slightly low-budget feel, so it may not be everyone’s cup of tea.
Tidying Up with Marie Kondo
Author Marie Kondo offers tips and sparks joy with her art of keeping homes and workspaces tidy and organised. Her eight-part Netflix series follows different couples, from those with toddlers to empty nesters and downsizers. In each episode, she presents ideas for making the house less cluttered and more like home.
Marie’s show is entertaining—in a reality TV kind of way—and enlightening. While it isn’t the most riveting, her advice is fresh and thought-provoking, especially if you haven’t read her books (including us).
What Would Jesus Buy?
A parody of sorts, infusing consumerism during the holiday period with religious overtones, Reverend Billy from the Stop Shopping Church, along with his Gospel Choir, travel from New York to Los Angeles to fight the Shopocalypse and reinforce their (despite the wrapping) serious message: Stop shopping.
On their road trip between Black Friday and Christmas, they brave harsh winter weather, hostile security personnel, and even a threat to their mortality. However, a scene in a parking lot on Christmas Eve makes all the challenges worthwhile (you’ll have to watch it to understand).
As with Affluenza / Escape from Affluenza, this documentary is 20 years old, yet its message is as topical as ever. Sad but true.
Check out the reviews on IMDB.
What Films Have Shaped Your Minimalist Journey?
Have you explored any of the documentaries we shared, or do you have others that inspired you to live with less? I’d love to hear what resonated most and why – your insights might inspire someone else.
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