The joy of less | Kim Coupounas | TEDxBoulder
This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. A story about how the hunt for more can never be fulfilled, yet less is achievable and ultimately more rewarding.
Kim Coupounas is a values-centered leader and entrepreneur who’s a firm believer in the power of corporations to do good in the world. She can’t wait to share her passion for tree-hugging and saving the world at TEDx Boulder! Kim serves as Director of B Lab Colorado where she’s leading a collaborative effort to make the state of Colorado the leader in responsible business practice. Prior to B Lab, she co-founded outdoor apparel and equipment manufacturer GoLite. She served as GoLite’s CEO until 2008 and as its Chief Sustainability Officer until 2014. Kim is also past Chairman of the Board of the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), the trade association representing the $646 billion active outdoor recreation industry. She earned an A.B. with honors from Princeton and a joint M.B.A./M.P.A. from Harvard. Among her deep passions are fixing broken systems, spending time with her family, trail running, hiking, singing, doing yoga and martial arts, drinking great wine, and climbing mountains.
About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)
Пікірлер: 208
AWESOME - SHE HAS HER PRIORITIES IN ORDER!
I was born in 1960. I am a professional chef and I can tell you that learning how to cook is the most satisfying thing for my health, happiness and the planet. Eating fresh food locally grown is the answer to saving our lives, families and the planet. Our world is a corporate obscenity for the sake of profit of the few.
What a courageous act to step onto a big stage and say, "I don't have all the answers, but my questions get better the more I ask them." This is a moving and personal example of how we might all become more interested in learning ways to live better without necessarily having it all figured out at once.
@merlegoode7742
7 жыл бұрын
Joseph Logan y
I have downsized over 50% of my stuff lately and it feels incredible, life changing really
@SEANMCAD
3 жыл бұрын
I was lucky, I grew up influenced to not have a lot of stuff even if i could. In my 20s it was a running joke that if we went into a store I would be the only guy to walk out with nothing. When we had days of touring the town it was very rare that I would buy something. Later in life, it turned out I retired at 51 while my friends at the time ended up in deep debt. when I moved into a travel trailer for my retirement days, it was super easy.
@DrLewsyorkies
2 жыл бұрын
I did the same, Jon. It was/is still an amazing feeling.
No words can do justice to appreciate this talk.
Backpacking is exactly what brought me to a minimalist life style. My first backpacking trip was to an island. When getting off the boat you had to line up and pass the packs down the line as they were being taken off the boat. When your pack got to you, you would place it behind you and keep passing. Well everyone know right away who the new guys were because our packs weighted twice as much as everyone else's. I learned on that trip what things were really necessary and what were not. From their I found the beauty of going lighter and lighter and getting by with less and less and started to apply that to my whole life. Anyway I just thought it was weird I got to the same place the same way.
@vivianp5962
4 жыл бұрын
I learned the same way. Backpacking in the states.
@beccismith4454
3 жыл бұрын
Cool. Kind of makes sense. Backpacking, also other kinds of traveling, is the time when you are living and generally enjoying life without all the trappings of home… New perspective... openness... 💗😊 Great!
This is my year to declutter, get rid of things I don't use that are in boxes in the back of the closet, clean out the basement, and stop shopping! There is not one single thing I need to buy. Your video was very inspirational and helpful!
@andrew4635
5 жыл бұрын
Hey, I saw you posted your comment a year ago! So in case you needed an opportunity to reflect and review, here it is. How'd it go? :)
@Cate7451
5 жыл бұрын
Well I started 4 months ago. Hauled bags of stuff away. All my outside the closet stuff seems to be receding. At first it was frustrating as it went so slowly. But it has actually gotten easier to get rid of stuff. It feels good to give away stuff to people who could use it, Or to a second hand store that does good in the community. I found long lost treasures and stuff that I just wondered where it was.mmmm I feel proud and my house is tidier. I' m looking forward to the sorting moving to the back room and freeing my summer clothes. Decluttering is something that I'll always be doing its part of my routine now.😄
@Ms-Jones
5 жыл бұрын
Cate7451 awesome
@JosephineMarch7
4 жыл бұрын
Cate7451 Congratulations! I am starting that jorney now after moving to a bigger house in the country and realizing how all the stuff that I have collected in years and thought it had a great value to me actually is a clutter that make me stressed and overloaded. I am listening to talks about minimalism to motivate myself and cant wait for having a tidy home where I will feel light :)
@southernsoul152
Жыл бұрын
5 years later… your comment has me cleaning up and out my closet and basement! 💗
Kim, you have such remarkable poise. Please say hello to Coup for me. -Ron Weiner
I never had fertility issues, but I did lose a baby at 7 months of pregnancy. I understand what it feels like to hear your baby's heartbeat, see her on the sonagram, and fall in love with her as all us mommies do. Thank you for your talk. I figured out some things about myself and my stuff. That's invaluable. Thank you.
Great talk. Wanting more = less. The simple things give us life.
Wonderful presentation of basic truth...things and money beyond necessities don’t matter, people and nature do.
Beautiful talk. Many woman struggle with your fertility issues but don’t speak about it. Thank you for speaking about this
It's actually wonderful to hear "buy less stuff" from a business woman who owns a company which sells stuff.
@margaretcooper797
5 жыл бұрын
That’s why Kim is so wealthy.
Very good and powerful speech! Delighted for her family dream finally becoming true
This was pretty freaking inspirational.
I think to sum it up, get your priorities right, because time is precious. Don't waste your time which is essentially your life.
@SEANMCAD
3 жыл бұрын
that perspective she gave at first I rolled my eyes at but that was not fair because I was lucky. Having less items just kind of was in my DNA at a young age, influenced to me not by my parents but more by some friends. So for me its just an obvious way to live, not something one really needs to decide on when to do. Like choosing between a nice tasty ice cream that is also healthy vs a dish that tastes bad AND is bad for me. notreally a hard choice. but again, my life perspective is different
“Less doesn’t mean lack” 👍👍
Thank you for your honesty...
Kim shares deeply from her personal and professional experience. She offers us wisdom with humor and heart.
@pibblesnbits
8 жыл бұрын
+Deborah Bowman I feel like you leave the same comment on every Ted talk video on youtube.
@GymClubHouse
7 жыл бұрын
she was greedy and she paid the price with her health. health is wealth. money is to live not to chase over your health.
What an awesome awesome talk! 7 months ago I quit my job to calm down from big stress built up in years. Learning to let go of expectations and perfect image of a succesful me, reconsidering priorities and finding a way to reach them. Calming my mind and sorting my thoughts. Basically to live in the moment, accept life with all it brings, accept myself with all flaws and limitations, stop being hard and harsh to myself, learn to be kind to myself. Thank to that I am finally kinder to my husband and other people too. Live a simple life which to me is a happy life. And hoping that maybe, after all, I might have a baby. Thank you for this inspirational honest and hopeful talk, Kim. Congratulatios on your baby and the journey you have walked and shared. Much love to you!
@hanguyen-fm8xv
Жыл бұрын
I hit the rock bottom and did the same thing as you in 2019 and 2020. Im back to normal life but I keep to myself now.
@JosephineMarch7
Жыл бұрын
@@hanguyen-fm8xv Good luck to you
@hanguyen-fm8xv
Жыл бұрын
@@JosephineMarch7 thanks! 😊 same to you!
Wonderful talk. And it doesn’t even end in ‹thank you› - see, you don’t need it! The joy of less.
I LOVE this talk. It is such a brilliant blend of personal, heart-filled story, savvy business philosophy, and social commentary. When I saw the photo of you and your son I wept! Thank you so much for sharing yourself and this wisdom. All of us in this more-obsessed culture really need it. May it contribute to a growing movement toward less, and balance, and wellbeing for us all. Thank you Kim!
@ludyliebig
4 жыл бұрын
‘6
@cockeyedoptimista
4 жыл бұрын
I found it sort of stress-making and overdramatic. I agree wholeheartedly with the concepts, but her emoting was sort of upsetting to me, don't need it right now; felt manipulative or something. She's just communicating her passion, I guess; it's probably authentic; it just stressed me too much. Also, maybe the baby was just a coincidence, who knows. It was a beautiful photograph, though. Happy for her. Actually, her final question spoke right to me - tho for me it's along the lines of clutter, commitment: I actually Do need more money (I don't even have a real place to live!) and I need less Laziness and Indecision so I can have More people and good health in my life! Etc! Change is hard..)
@chrisoliva530
Жыл бұрын
@@cockeyedoptimista agree. I like the concept and then felt a bit manipulated...
WoW!! May you always have more abundant Joy of Less! Excellent!!
This was so compelling. It’s my desire to get to this point. I run a pediatric therapy clinic which does great things, however it can be very stressful. My husband and I are not on the same page with “less” and I think it is all rooted in fear. Great talk!
Brilliant message. God bless her.
This is a really great talk! Kim Coupounas gives brilliant insight on what our culture of "more" is doing to people, society and the planet. She challenges us to reconsider our perceptions of "less" and that really means. A very heartfelt talk, where Kim courageously shares her own life experience, and how it helped her discover the value of less. This talk is a "must watch."
Luxury is not what you think ! Luxury is FREE TIME !
What a treat and blessing to run across this TedxBoulder and see you Kim. This is Sherri, your sweet angel's Guide for a season there in Boulder!! So wonderful to hear your story that testifies to the power we receive when we let go of chasing emptiness. I don't remember if I shared my favorite phrase with you during our conversations "Less is more..." but now I know it totally resonated with you! I particularly loved the photo of your sweet family!! Bless you guys!!
Kim, thank you for sharing this wonderful message! Since stepping out of the "More cycle" we have consciously pared back on our lives and now choose to live in a way that's more aligned with our values - freedom, balance, joy, fun, travel, and above all - experiencing more of the country, the world at large, nature and people. By living more simply (ie. not poor, simply unencumbered by more) we now lead a far richer, more meaningful life - with the time, space and energy to enjoy it! Thank you for being a role model and an inspiration.
A lovely and wonderful talk. So glad I got to see this. You rock!
Less is more. Always is, always has been.
Kim, this message has resonated with everyone I know. Thanks for being brave enough to take us through the real stuff that got you (eventually) to your realization. No sugarcoating, no egoism. That lessness of your talk has made the message bigger than it ever would have been had you shouted it out to all of the us as The Think You Must Do. Brava! I have always told my kids (who in turn remind me now, dammit) that the universe will give us the same lesson relentlessly until we finally learn from it and move on. Yours is the perfect example. Thanks!
One of the best and most powerful Ted talks I have ever had the privilege of viewing. And I noticed that not once did she say the name of her business. Respect for her courage to share her most painful experience. I will be sharing this video with a select few of my family and friends
Thank you for sharing your personal story. You have a lot of wisdom & strength. I am SO HAPPY you are a mom. Life is a GIFT especially a BABY :) God Bless you & your family :)
Beautifully expressed with sincere and honest vulnerability. Thank you Kim Coupounas.
Best TEDx talk that I have viewed. This resonates with me. You ROCK Kim !! Thank you. , Dean
Was listening as I worked on decluttering. I had to sit down and watch/listen... twice. Thank you for such a beautiful and inspirational presentation.
This one is so far the most inspirational TEDx talk I have listened to. Bless You
wow, i didn't expect that. beautiful ted talk.
Love this message. Incredible stuff.
Thank you Kim. Congratulations on finally becoming a mother!
Less is more. 💞
Such a wonderful outlook on life you have, I wish you well, thank you for the inspiration to change my life.
When I think of having a simple life, the LAST thing I think of is a baby lol.
@mugumyapaultheafricannomad9488
2 жыл бұрын
You're like me 😂😂😂. One baby is too much
I am speachless! Such a great talk! Thank you for sharing your experience and your thoughts with us. Your story really touched my heart! I wish you all the best with your family. :)
what can you have less of to have more joy? Love. it.
Beautiful speech
excellent and thought provoking: thanks for sharing
Powerful testimony. Thank you for it. : )
Love from india 🇮🇳♥️
It was simple , short and most worthy talk! Thank you.
And honestly it has taken a huge toll on your life to understand that LESS IS MORE. You have succeeded in teaching the American citizens what your Padre could not teach in Centuries. Hope America learns a few lessons from India as to what it means to understand what - Less is More.
Wow! I wasn't expecting this. But I'm so glad I heard it. How lucky am I?!!
There are ways to consume without creating clutter. Pay for a massage or a facial. Go to a good movie or theatrical performance. Pay for someone to do your yard work. Services help move the economy, without creating more stuff
Very inspiring presentation. 👏👏👏👏
I needed to hear this. Thank you for sharing your exoerience
Such a great, emotional talk.
Astounding !! my oh my .... !!
Very insiteful and genuine!
Thank you Kim for sharing your experience and how you found positive solutions!!!
Super Superb!! Super Superb!! Super Superb!! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you!
I am speechless. this is so formidable
I love this
This is what I need. Thank you for sharing!
Wow. ❤️
This was beautiful to listen to thankyou
What can I have less of to make room for ... ~Brilliant Kim Coupounas
Great Talk.
waaw, i think just watched one of the best ted talks
Absolutely beautiful talk!
The single most important skill a masterful salesperson possesses is the ability to sell when it appears he/she is not. This is done by identifying and targeting specific emotional responses associated with the demographic being "sold," as it were. "I'm in the business of selling you things but what if... imagine... what if we all bought fewer things. And when we did buy things, we bought from brands and companies that were aligned with our values." As in... her company.
Kim thank you for the wonderfully inspiring honest real talk!
Rejoicing that you had a baby!!!
You nailed the talk. I love it.
One of the best talks I've seen!
Beautiful! Good word!
Amen 🙏🏼
Amen!
💚💚💚
Powerful...thank you
Beautiful beautiful thanks 🙏
well said. thought-provoking
very important, many thanks
Excellent!! Bravo
What a beautiful story 👍❤️
powerful words.
wow such a powerful speech
Less is more!
very great talk less more than more for first time
Very powerful.
good talk! I only click like on the ones Ill rewatch and this is one of those
7.49 - awwwww :)
Thanks. Such a great video.
Excellent! 💙💙💙💙💙💙
thank you lady x
Excellent talk!!
thank you so much for this speech... wish one day we all will understand that that less is more - konsumerism kills :(
I am pretending I am moving and have been packing stuff up....going to sale some stuff or donate.. I actually would like to move to a smaller house so maybe if I can get my belongings down I will be able to??
Very smart. I love it