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The Minimalists
The Minimalists are Emmy-nominated Netflix stars and New York Times–bestselling authors Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus. Alongside their podcast cohost, T.K. Coleman, this simple-living trio helps millions of people eliminate clutter and live meaningfully with less. Learn More.

Start with the Easy Stuff

Baffled by life’s excess, we often look around at our piles of miscellanea and throw our hands in the air. There’s so much emotion—so many memories—wrapped up in our possessions.

Although of course, the memories aren’t in the possessions—they’re inside us. And that’s where they’ll always be.

But, still, letting go is difficult.

Difficult, yes; but not impossible.

Want to start simplifying? First, avoid sentimental items and difficult-to-part-with objects; you’ll never get started if you’re faced with all that heavy lifting. And stay away from the most onerous rooms: basements, garages, and attics; they will only overwhelm you.

Instead, start with the easy things: the superfluous clothes jammed in the closet, the junk drawers teeming with junk, the unused kitchenware taking up space just in case.

If you begin with the things that are painless, then, as inertia takes over, simplifying gets easier by the day.

Moreover, the journey toward a simpler life is more enjoyable with an accountability partner. A new month is peeking its head around the corner, which means it’s the perfect time to play the 30-Day Minimalism Game. So grab a friend, clear the clutter, and have some fun together.