A lesson on Minimalism for Intermediate - Advanced Students and Teachers
Minimalism
Please watch the Ted Talks Video posted and answer the
following questions.
1. What does the word ‘community’
mean’? Is it a verb, noun or adjective?
2. Ryan Nicodemus says he wants to talk about
being part of a community, what community do you think he’s talking about?
3. Do you belong to a community?
If so did you choose to become part of it or were you born into it?
4. Do you have stress,
debt or clutter in your life? If so are you happy the way you are or
would you like to change?
5. Do you spend quality
time with your friends and family or are you often distracted? Can you name
three things that constantly distract you? (Your cell phone, social media etc.)
6. What does the adjective ‘unencumbered’
mean?
7. Ryan says he tried to fill in a
‘gaping
void’ in his life with ‘stuff’. What does he mean by this?
8. Ryan says he felt ‘stagnant’ before his life
change what does he mean?
9. What does ‘living pay check to pay check’
mean?
10. Can
you define minimalism?
11. Would you ever think of becoming a minimalist
or are you already one?
12. I loved the idea that Ryan and Joshua had
about having a ‘packing party’. They packed all their items into boxes
and only took out the items they used. They did this for three weeks. Would you
consider having a packing party and discovering the things you use and most of
the things you own that you may not need or even use?
13. Joshua talks about becoming rich
in a different way, by adding value in his life and in the lives of others. Do
you think people in general today value the wrong things? Have we all become obsessed
with our possessions?
14. What
do you think the world would be like if minimalism became the ‘norm’
and materialism
become extinct? Do you think people would live a more fulfilled life? Do you
think the world would be a better place?
