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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.

What Happens when a Minimalist Moves in with His Girlfriend?

I am going to piggyback on Joshua’s 30 Days, 30 Photos project this month, September 2014. My approach will be a bit different, though.

I just moved into a new apartment with my girlfriend, Mariah. She is not a minimalist. But, because I love her, and she loves me, we have learned to move past basic tolerance of each other’s differences. Rather than tolerate how I live, she accepts and appreciates my lifestyle, and I understand and respect hers. And now we’re under one roof, here in Missoula.

See, tolerance is a weak virtue. Acceptance, understanding, respect, appreciation: these are strong virtues on which sturdy relationships are built.

So instead of sharing great quotes, I’m going to share a photo and a lesson from our new cohabiting experience each day on Instagram for the next 30 days. Together, we will see what happens, and what insights are gleaned, when a minimalist moves in with his non-minimalist girlfriend.

Feel free to follow along, ask questions, and join the conversation. Post your own photos using the #30days30photos hashtag. Even if you don’t have Instagram, you can follow the action as it unfolds via your web browser.

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