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.

The Minimalists Podcast

The Minimalists Podcast on Apple Podcasts

“Sincere prophets of anti-consumerism” (The New Yorker) Joshua Fields Millburn, T.K. Coleman, and Ryan Nicodemus, known collectively as The Minimalists, “show their followers how to streamline their lives to find more happiness” (Good Morning America). With more than 140 million downloads, The Minimalists is one of the most popular podcasts in the world.

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Episodes

The Minimalists talk about letting go of sadness, replacing possessions after a natural disaster, swapping a smartphone for a dumb phone, understanding the downsides of home ownership, holding on to sentimental items for too long, asking loved ones for their attention, and much more.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How do I let go of my sadness after I was forced to let go of everything I own?
  • If you were to lose everything in a natural disaster, what’s the first thing you would replace?
  • Right Here, Right Now: “I Shouldn’t Have to Deal with This” is one of our most popular episodes of all time.
  • Listener Tip: The Light Phone is a great way to add intentional friction to your life.
  • Is a home an investment if I’m worried about the long-term expenses?
  • How long should I hold on to sentimental items from loved ones who have passed?
  • How can I convince my friends to pay more attention to me?
  • How can I deal with immense regret and be at peace with my past?
  • Are there any advertisements you’d be willing to do if you had to?
  • More About Less: To question is to consider, not refute.
  • Added Value: A song about how new experiences add a freshness to life that remind you you’re still alive.
  • Listen to the Minimal Episode

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • When you let go of everything, everything remains.
  • When all is lost, only what mattered is mourned.
  • It’s not the extras we miss, it’s the essentials.
  • The soul aches for roots, not ornaments.
  • Clinging is an unnatural disaster.
  • Clinging occurs whenever you hold on to a useful thing beyond its usefulness.
  • To rent a home is to pay for the freedom to walk away.
  • There are no sentimental items, only sentimental people.
  • Not needing something is the best way to get it.
  • Letting go of regret is the last step in letting go.

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The Minimalists talk about what to do with half-dirty clothes, setting minimalist boundaries, breaking difficult news to your mom, the role our outfits play in our identities, getting an education outside the school system, letting go of regret, and more!

Discussed in This Episode

  • What would a minimalist do with clothes that have been worn but aren’t ready to to be washed?
  • What do you do with your half-dirty clothes?
  • Right Here, Right Now: It’s Joshua’s birthday month!
  • Listener tip: Spice up the Seasonality Rule by minimizing out-of-season clothing.
  • How can I explain to my mom that I don’t want to have kids without disappointing her?
  • What role does our attire play in shaping our personalities?
  • How can I get an education that leads to more income if I have a distaste for the traditional school system?
  • How do I learn to just forgive myself, learn from the mistake, and move on rather than continue reliving it and beating myself up?
  • Talkaboutable: 83% of U.S. workers report experiencing daily work-related stress.
  • Sucky Ad: The Sad Compromise of Sponsored Results
  • Added Value: A great soundtrack for a late-night drive—or folding laundry.

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • A minimalist boundary is anything that keeps the clutter out.
  • Half-kept things reflect a life half-lived.
  • If it gets in the way, it’s clutter.
  • Sometimes the most appropriate way to love someone is from a distance.
  • Our identities are shaped by the costumes we wear.
  • A school can be the worst place to get an education.
  • Regret illuminates your future obstacles.

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The Minimalists talk about letting go of family clutter, making a distinction between family and friends, surrendering broken things, how to stop being a “yes man,” the link between closet clutter and past trauma, punishing kids for bad behavior, minimizing old moving boxes, and much more!

Discussed in This Episode

  • I found out my deceased wife was having an affair before she died. Consequently, I might not be the biological father of our daughter. What should I do to let go?
  • How do you differentiate between friends and family?
  • Right Here, Right Now: Have a Zoom call with The Minimalists.
  • Listener tip: How to let go of broken things.
  • How can I stop being the “yes man” in my family?
  • How can I let go of my closet clutter if it’s linked to trauma from my past?
  • What are The Minimalists’ thoughts on punishing kids for bad behavior?
  • How do I tackle the lingering boxes from my last move and finally achieve a peaceful space?
  • Talkaboutable: How do stats make you feel?
  • Sucky Ad: Christopher Walken did a Miller Lite commercial?
  • Added Value: Keep on dreaming even if it breaks your heart.

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Your material possessions are made of matter, but they don’t matter the way your family matters.
  • Beer buddies aren’t always battle brothers.
  • Saying yes to everything means you’re saying no to the important things.
  • The rearview blocks the beauty of the horizon.
  • Every parent has three jobs: enjoy, set boundaries for, and don’t screw up your kids.
  • Gratitude reframes regret.
  • Your biological family is assigned; your logical family is appointed.

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The Minimalists talk about the surprising beauty of uncertainty, and they wish a fond farewell to a beloved team member.

Discussed in This Episode

  • As self-proclaimed “huggers,” how do The Minimalists avoid overstepping personal-space boundaries with hugs and other forms of physical touch?
  • Talkaboutable: Hugs alleviate stress and may boost your immune system by 32%.
  • What role do your five senses play in amplifying your joy or magnifying your discontent?
  • Right Here, Right Now: Play the 30-Day Minimalism Game.
  • Listener tip: Embrace boredom and discomfort to live a simple life that is free of unnecessary distractions and overstimulation.
  • What’s an appropriate amount of time to keep a storage unit while I travel?
  • How do you handle decision fatigue when you’re decluttering in a new home?
  • Why am I struggling to let go of old boxes and packages?
  • What’s the best way to stop complaining?
  • Sucky Ad: Are advertisements evil because they lack consent?
  • Added Value: Nobody does the right thing.

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • A hug is the true window to the soul.
  • The sacred sings through what we sense.
  • Clinging to pleasure is the path to pain.
  • Pain and pleasure are determined by the stories we tell ourselves.
  • Pleasure is not the opposite of pain—pain-free is.
  • The cost of a thing extends well beyond its price tag.
  • Indecision is a decision to cling to uncertainty.
  • Don’t mistake the packaging for the meal.
  • Your complaints point toward your clinging.
  • Suffering is an accelerant for gratitude.

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The Minimalists talk about the surprising beauty of uncertainty, and they wish a fond farewell to a beloved team member.

Discussed in This Episode

  • If I feel stuck at work, what path should I choose to help alleviate my career uncertainty?
  • How do you know whether it’s time for a change in your life?
  • Right Here, Right Now: Malabama’s final episode.
  • Listener tip: Everything you do is an underfulfillment of your potential to someone else.
  • Am I hiding from my emotions if I let go of all expectations?
  • How can I minimize my worries that “the best version of me” should be doing something different?
  • How do I let go of my struggles around my own body image?
  • How do I balance my hedonistic attitude with my legitimate need to enjoy life?
  • Talkaboutable: Small acts of kindness can increase well-being and social connectedness while decreasing anxiety.
  • Exit interview: What surprised Malabama about her time working with The Minimalists?
  • More About Less: Beginnings.
  • Added Value: How Malabama has added value to our lives.

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Your uncertainties are a product of your desires.
  • Craving is a contract with yourself to be unhappy until you get what you want.
  • Certainty is necessary for comfort, but uncertainty is essential for a meaningful life.
  • If there’s no space to grow, you’re in the wrong place.
  • People don’t hate change—they hate discomfort and coercion.
  • Every expectation is another brick in your self-constructed prison cell.
  • To worry is to pray for something bad to happen.
  • Concern is useful; worry is useless.
  • Excess metastasizes…
  • Clinging is an unconscious agreement with yourself to be unhappy until you develop the courage to let go.

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The Minimalists talk about the fear and joy of creating blank spaces in our lives.

Discussed in This Episode

  • What if I don’t find anything meaningful on the other side of minimizing my stuff?
  • Blank space—do you find it terrifying or appealing?
  • Listener tip: New ways to get rid of your excess clothes and toys.
  • What happens when my exciting work turns out to be too stressful?
  • Why do I feel so compelled to save other people from their circumstances?
  • What does it take to create a staged home that always feels calm?
  • Talkaboutable: An estimated 16 million American homes are vacant.
  • Sucky Ad: Does this commercial look like it was directed by The Minimalists?
  • Added Value: A song that made JFM cry this month.

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Abundance exists only where fear doesn’t.
  • Minimalism is the amplification of spaciousness.
  • Simplicity doesn’t eliminate excitement; it minimizes the chase.
  • Happiness is a team sport.
  • Your home is a blank canvas upon which a calm or chaotic life can be painted.
  • Going without is the price of simplicity.
  • Space is to control what fire is to gold: it removes the excess to reveal what is essential.

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Ryan Nicodemus returns to talk about the things that enhance—and the things that get in the way of—enjoying the adventures, experiences, activities, and hobbies that make life more delightful.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How can I enjoy my adventures and hobbies without getting overwhelmed by the accessories and equipment that accompany those experiences?
  • What activities bring you joy, and what material things are an essential part of those activities?
  • Listener tip: Minimize the noise and opinions to uncover a quieter life.
  • What about equipment, tools, and instruments that get better with time?
  • What do The Minimalists think about minimizing social commitments?
  • How can I declutter if my job requires me to hold on to a bunch of just-in-case items?
  • Should I buy new luggage if I need more room to pack my travel essentials?
  • What do people do to reverse the philosophy, mindset, and practice of minimizing too much?
  • Amass or Trash: Should I donate my books once I’ve read them?
  • Added Value: A song that reminds Joshua of Ryan.

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Wanting what you have is the shortcut to getting what you want.
  • Joy is the default state.
  • Happiness cannot be acquired; it can only be uncovered.
  • All matter matters, but only spirit makes it sacred.
  • Things are not the important things.
  • If it doesn’t add value, it’s not essential.
  • Minimalism is the opposite of deprivation—it highlights the essentials that form the foundation for a meaningful life.
  • Less than enough is depriving. More than enough is overindulging. Enough is the sweet spot in the middle.
  • Even in an empty room, you are complete.

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The Minimalists are joined by Dr. Orion Taraban to talk about loyalty, respect, grace, love, friendship, forgiveness, and other nontransactable goods.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How do I stop clinging to the good relationship memories from the past if they make me feel miserable now?
  • When is loyalty no longer worth it?
  • Listener tip: Sensory sensitivity is linked to overstimulation.
  • Is honesty a nontransactable good?
  • What are Dr. Taraban’s insights on sensory processing disorders?
  • When is emotional abuse grounds to leave a relationship?
  • Should I let go of my inconsiderate and egocentric friends?
  • Is it ever okay to keep a secret from my significant other?
  • Does it make sense to stay in a miserable marriage for the kids?
  • What are the downsides of leaving your valuable hoard to the next generation to deal with?
  • Talkaboutable: Loyalty in the movie The Town.
  • Added Value: An unreleased song about emotional insecurity after a relationship.

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Joy is the fire extinguisher of comparison.
  • Blind loyalty creates a smokescreen between rationality and reality.
  • Loyalty to love is life. Loyalty to hatred is death.
  • Freedom does not exist without the willingness to walk away.
  • To love someone is to see them for who they are without trying to change them.
  • Honesty does not require transparency.
  • Misery encourages others to pull up a chair and stay a while.
  • To be happy, stop saying yes to the things that make you miserable.
  • The cost of a thing extends well beyond its price tag.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

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The Minimalists get brutally honest about the people, places, and things that frustrate the hell out of us.

Discussed in This Episode

  • What can I do if my sister is so upset with me that she refuses to communicate?
  • What frustrating expectations do your family, friends, or coworkers have of you?
  • Listener tip: Considerately letting go of kids’ clothes and toys.
  • How can I help someone realize their self-indulgence is harmful?
  • How can I encourage my workplace to let go of “hustle culture”?
  • Talkaboutable: The initial frustrations of change.
  • Sucky Ad: YouTube gets a taste of its own medicine.
  • More About Less: What are 7 habits that are making your house feel more cluttered?
  • Added Value: An upbeat way to recontextualize your fears and frustrations.

Listen to the Minimal Episode

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Your frustrations point toward your fears.
  • Suffering exists at the intersection of desire and inaccessibility.
  • Your complaints point toward your clinging.
  • The death of a relationship needn’t be a catastrophe.
  • Your identities form the roots of your suffering.
  • You care what other people think only because there’s an underlying dissatisfaction in your own life.
  • One man’s potential is another man’s prison.
  • Every expectation adds another bar to your prison cell.
  • To love someone is to see them for who they are without attempting to change them.
  • Misery encourages others to pull up a chair and stay a while.
  • You don’t get to determine what makes other people happy.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

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The Minimalists talk about why the pursuit of pleasure leads to hedonism, and they answer questions about self-indulgence, pleasure-seeking, self-gratification, self-restraint, immoderation, overindulgence, extravagance, and more.

Discussed in This Episode

  • What pleasures are likely to get in the way of living a meaningful life?
  • What nonessentials do you overindulge in?
  • Listener tip: Letting go of worries, saying no to others, and minimizing online shopping.
  • What’s the difference between self-care and self-indulgence?
  • When does the need for sexual gratification and variety turn into escapism?
  • Why does pleasure-seeking lead to FOMO?
  • More About Less: To make the best of life, there must be pain.
  • Added Value: JFM’s favorite song of the year is a hedonism anthem.

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • The path to peace is not paved with pleasure.
  • Liking a thing is not a reliable measure of its value.
  • Excess turns pleasure into burden.
  • Freedom from obligation is the ultimate extravagance.
  • Self-care is cluttered by self-indulgence; self-indulgence is decluttered by self-restraint.
  • Pleasure is an unreliable narrator.
  • Why does pleasure-seeking lead to FOMO?
  • Restlessness is a byproduct of craving.
  • Discontentment is a fictional story about a false lack.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

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The Minimalists talk about the small things that feel like a big deal to let go of.

Discussed in This Episode

  • Do I count my straws, screws, and old paperwork separately when playing the 30-Day Minimalism Game?
  • What small things turn into big problems?
  • Listener tip: Preserving the memories of loved ones after they’re gone.
  • What’s the kindest way to tell my partner that he’s holding on to clutter?
  • If something adds value to my life but produces negative feelings, should I keep it or get rid of it?
  • How can I talk to my young child about minimizing their things without forcing them to declutter?
  • How can I encourage the people in my household to use resources more sparingly?
  • Talkaboutable: What are three things JFM has renounced?
  • Talkaboutable: Why is it so hard to lie?
  • Talkaboutable: The average person loses up to nine items every day.
  • More About Less: Good Housekeeping UK’s take on the Minimalism Game.
  • Added Value: It takes a lot to really disappear.

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Minimalism isn’t about counting the things you own; it’s about owning only the things that count.
  • What’s left undone undoes you.
  • Letting go of a thing requires letting go of the story behind the thing.
  • Minimalism is the thing that gets us past the things so we can make room for life’s most important things.
  • If a thing amplifies your misery, let it go.
  • Children listen with their eyes, not their ears.
  • Boundaries are best outlined by benefits.

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The Minimalists are joined by Erwin Raphael McManus to talk about the most effective ways to handle conflict with friends, family, and loved ones.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How can I respectfully convince my father to get rid of the tools he doesn’t use?
  • What’s the hardest thing about being honest?
  • Listener tip: Clarifying outer and inner expectations.
  • As I change my life, why do I find it more difficult to communicate with others?
  • How can I help my child heal the wounds caused by her narcissistic father?
  • How do our emotions get in the way of communicating with others?
  • Talkaboutable: What do we communicate by wearing the clothes we wear?
  • More About Less: 94% of couples who reported being unhappy in their marriage also reported poor communication as the primary reason.
  • Added Value: Struggling to communicate through the baggage of a past relationship.

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • To convince someone is to unlove them.
  • Your prison cell is built with bricks of expectation.
  • It is better to hurt a man’s feelings with the truth than to pacify him with a lie.
  • The price of truth makes silence tempting.
  • You can’t change the people around you, but you can change the people around you.
  • Words can wound, but only love can heal.
  • Judgment is a mirror that reflects the insecurities of the judge.

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The Minimalists talk about the difference between minimalism and renunciation, and they explore the unforeseen downsides of renouncing things.

Discussed in This Episode

  • What’s the best way to avoid purchasing things that will soon be junk?
  • What topping should never go on pizza?
  • Listener tip: Make your phone more boring to make it more useful.
  • When is it appropriate for someone to start calling themselves a minimalist?
  • How do The Minimalists take criticism so well?
  • How can you be an informed citizen if you’re overwhelmed by news media?
  • Talkaboutable: Cringey advice that is actually useful.
  • Talkaboutable: Christopher Walken doesn’t use modern technology.
  • More About Less: Youth and What Happens When It’s Gone
  • Added Value: CN Tower

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • You are forever defined by the things you renounce.
  • Never choose an ingredient that makes you regret the first bite.
  • Every should is a new bar in your ever-expanding prison compound.
  • Your technology is useless if it’s using you.
  • The verb is more interesting than the noun.
  • Judgment is a mirror that reflects the insecurity of the judge.
  • Recognize what matters, but act where you have power.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

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The Minimalists are joined by Annaka Harris to talk about the unknown corners of consciousness and the cosmos.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How does detachment relate to awareness?
  • What takes you out of the present moment?
  • Right Here, Right Now: Two exciting updates from The Minimalists!
  • Listener tip: How to normalize saying “I don’t know.”
  • How do I know whether I’m spending too much time fantasizing about the future?
  • Why do we find it hard to listen to and learn from the political views we disagree with?
  • Should we build an additional garage to help store all our stuff?
  • What can I do to let go of parenting guilt?
  • More About Less: Only 10–15 percent of people are self-aware.
  • Added Value: “You Don’t Need Anyone.”

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Clinging to the past drags one out of awareness.
  • The bigger the ego, the smaller the now.
  • Fear and regret are hostile adversaries of the present moment.
  • Craving an outcome anchors you to a future that does not exist and drags you from the peace of the present moment.
  • Dreams don’t come true—decisions do.
  • Self-righteousness is insecurity metastasized.
  • You will never vote your discomforts out of existence.
  • There’s a difference between making sense and making sense to others.
  • Know clutter, no peace. No clutter, know peace.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

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For the finale of their five-part Household Clutter series, The Minimalists are joined by Kristen Ziegler to talk about decluttering the excess stuff that’s lurking in your cabinets, drawers, and other hiding spaces in your kitchen and throughout the rest of your home.

Discussed in This Episode

  • What can I do with all of the occasionally used appliances that take up a lot of space in our kitchen cabinets?
  • What’s hiding in your cabinets?
  • Minimalist House Tour 101.
  • Listener tip: Ending the buy-declutter-buy-more cycle.
  • How can I keep clutter from coming back?
  • How can I get rid of broken things without contributing to a landfill?
  • How can I let go of my OCD and need to control so that I can live calmly in my imperfect living space?
  • What does Kristen do to prevent cord and cable clutter in her minimalist home?
  • Although she has a perfect home, Kristen fantasizes about renting again?
  • What are the upsides and downsides of open-concept homes?
  • Talkaboutable: 95% of homeowners feel that their life is organized when their home is organized.
  • More About Less: What is Knolling?
  • Added Value: What’s the perfect song to end this Household Clutter series?

Listen to the Minimal Episode

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Minimalism is the amplification of spaciousness.
  • Out of sight isn’t out of mind.
  • A cluttered home produces a cluttered mind.
  • Clutter enters the home through the same door that intentionality exits.
  • Clutter accumulates at the checkout line, well before it overflows your closets, cabinets, and drawers.
  • The simplest way to get rid of an item is to avoid bringing it home in the first place.
  • The key to a perfect home is not addition—it is subtraction.

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For the fourth episode in their five-part Household Clutter series, The Minimalists are joined by Cas Aarssen to talk about the bedroom clutter that gets in the way of peace and intimacy.

Discussed in This Episode

  • What can I do to minimize the clutter that keeps building on my nightstand?
  • What’s your personal definition of bedroom clutter and what’s one thing that doesn’t belong in the bedroom?
  • Listener tip: A healthy way to effectively manage OCD.
  • What are the four Clutterbug personality styles?
  • How does ADHD play a role in decluttering?
  • What should I do with the storage bins in my bedroom?
  • What strategies will help me get my phone out of the bedroom?
  • What should I do with the storage bins in my bedroom?
  • How can I live in peace if my work desk is in my bedroom?
  • Why does having so many decorative pillows on my bed make me happy?
  • Talkaboutable: A comfortable and clean bedroom environment is important for getting a good night’s sleep.
  • More About Less: The 4 most cluttered areas of every home hiding in plain sight.
  • Added Value: The King of (Un)Simple.

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • A lack of self-respect hides beneath every clutter pile.
  • A bed is meant for two things—neither of which involve a glowing screen.
  • A restful room has no room for distractions.
  • A cluttered bedroom leaves no room for life’s most intimate moments.
  • Every identity is an avatar of the false self.
  • It’s never too late to begin again.
  • Know clutter, no peace. No clutter, know peace.
  • The soul thrives where the senses find stillness.
  • Any possession that amplifies your joy is not clutter.

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For the third episode in their five-part Household Clutter series, The Minimalists are joined by Dr. Julia Raz to talk about garage clutter, including the excess stuff that is hidden in basements, attics, sheds, and storage areas.

Discussed in This Episode

  • What boundaries can my family establish to minimize all the excess stuff in our garage, basement, attic, shed, and other storage spaces?
  • How do you use your garage?
  • Listener tip: Improve seasonal decorations by making them functional.
  • Why did Dr. Julia Raz give up caffeine?
  • What’s the difference between estate sales and junk removal?
  • How can we clear the just-in-case clutter from my garage so we can use it to park our cars?
  • What’s the best way to manage the overwhelming burden of getting rid of the camping equipment and sporting gear that’s taking up space in my home?
  • How do I let go of the unmade memories that I associate with my physical clutter?
  • How can I apply my minimalist principles to caring for my newborn?
  • Help! My husband’s tools have overtaken our garage!
  • Talkaboutable: What percentage of Americans can no longer park their cars in their garages because of clutter?
  • More About Less: Avoid These Major Pitfalls When Organizing Your Garage
  • Added Value: Why can’t I be enough for me?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • We think the easiest way to declutter is to organize, but the opposite is true: the simplest way to organize is to declutter.
  • When you own too much, storage bins become clutter coffins, and storage spaces transform into mausoleums for dead things.
  • An idle garage gathers dust; an active one fuels dreams.
  • The fastest way to organize is to let go.
  • Letting go happens naturally when you stop clinging.
  • The memories aren’t in our things, but our things can clutter our memories.
  • The flame of consumerism can be extinguished by the gentle waters of simplicity.
  • A useful boundary is established by its benefits.

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For the second episode in their five-part Household Clutter series, The Minimalists are joined by Courtney Carver to talk about decluttering the excess clothes, shoes, and accessories in our closets.

Discussed in This Episode

  • I’m great at decluttering, but why can’t I stop buying new clothes?
  • Why do you own so many clothes?
  • Listener tip: How to achieve variety and novelty with clothing.
  • How do I apply minimalism to the clothes I’m required to wear for work?
  • How can I curate an ethical wardrobe that isn’t full of plastic and toxic chemicals?
  • Talkaboutable: Americans buy 53 new clothing items each year on average.
  • How can we own a simple wardrobe when our culture influences us to do the opposite?
  • Is there a way to curate an affordable wardrobe for uncommon sizes?
  • How do you find your own personal style?
  • More About Less: Less Organizing!
  • Added Value: What happened when JFM lost his phone in Virginia?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Consumerism is the ideology that externalities will complete you.
  • The most affordable item is the one you leave on the shelf.
  • It’s 100% off if you don’t buy it.
  • Our identities are shaped by the costumes we wear.
  • Fewer clothes, fewer choices—more clarity, more calm.
  • Minimalism is not about counting your things; it’s about having only the things that count.
  • New does not equal better.
  • Keep it very, very simple.
  • Fewer is greater than more.
  • Even the best excuse is still an excuse.
  • Scarcity is an advertiser’s favorite lie.
  • “Trendy” is a marketing term that means “soon to go out of style.”
  • A logo is not a proxy for personality.

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For the first episode in their five-part Household Clutter series, The Minimalists are joined by Joshua Becker to talk about decluttering the things that make a mess of our living spaces.

Discussed in This Episode

  • Where is the best place to start decluttering?
  • How is our cluttered home harming our family?
  • What purpose does your living room serve, and what gets in the way of that purpose?
  • Listener tip: Minimalist rule to declutter excess coffee mugs.
  • Letting go after the recent Los Angeles fires.
  • What are 10 signs you own too much stuff?
  • How can we take breaks from TV viewing to spend quality time together?
  • How does furniture affect whether a space feels cluttered or spacious?
  • Talkaboutable: The average cost to furnish a living room ranges between $4,000 and $18,000.
  • Obsolete Object: Digital data funeral.
  • More About Less: Finding togetherness in a minimalist home.

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Our material possessions are a physical manifestation of our internal lives.
  • A useful space beats a flawless one.
  • An ideal living room creates enough room for living.
  • Joy is the assassin of comparison.
  • Stress is a byproduct of mess.
  • If it gets in the way, it’s clutter.
  • Consumerism is a one-way relationship: the things you wanted never wanted you in the first place.

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The Minimalists talk about the benefits and downsides of wasting time.

Discussed in This Episode

  • When is it selfish to say no to the people I love?
  • What are you most likely to waste your time on right now?
  • Listener tip: When you’re done clearing out your home, you have to do the same to the rest of your life.
  • How can I help my husband understand that the way he treats me is harmful to our relationship?
  • How do you approach investing as a minimalist?
  • Are video games and similar activities a waste of time?
  • What are America’s top New Year’s resolutions for 2025?
  • Can you explain the “Honey Scam”?
  • Are social media platforms the next dying malls?
  • Two books about not wasting the now.

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • You cannot save a drowning person if you can’t swim.
  • If you don’t set your boundaries, someone without your best interests in mind will set them for you.
  • Future regrets are a side effect of a waste of now.
  • The true cost of a thing extends well beyond its price tag.
  •  Comfort is a prison for progress.
  • There are no refunds for misspent time.
  • Your priorities are dictated by your now, not your ideas.
  • Labels are an explanation of—not an excuse for—bad behaviors.
  • One day or day one–you decide.
  • A thing adds value if it serves a purpose or amplifies joy.
  • An obligatory blessing is a burden.

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The Minimalists talk about going without the things that get in the way.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How do I let go of my phone distractions to be more productive?
  • What’s one thing you’d like to go without this year?
  • What happened when The Minimalists were recently hacked?
  • Will The Minimalists return to social media after going without for a year?
  • Listener reflection: the less you want, the more satisfied you are.
  • How do I let go of the pernicious influences that shape my identity?
  • Now that my life is clutter-free, how can I help others live with less?
  • How do I release the shame caused by my own unrealistic expectations?
  • What things, activities, commitments, and traditions do The Minimalists think people should take a moment to consider putting aside this year?
  • Malabama talks about her experience of going without TV, home internet, and video games for the last 10 months.
  • More About Less: The Container Store files for bankruptcy.
  • How ‘bout dem apples!

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • The only worthwhile goal is to live in the present moment.
  • Your letting-go muscle atrophies whenever you cling.
  • Exchange online conformity for offline clarity.
  • You don’t own your things if your things own you.
  • The paradox of obtaining a coveted thing is that you never desired the possession; you desired the desire.
  • The moment you possess a new possession that possession begins to possess you.
  • Every possession has the ability to dispossess.
  • The objects of your desire degenerate into the objects of your discontent.
  • The things you wanted never wanted you in the first place.
  • Every label that is clung to becomes a false identity.
  • To save a bird from falling, you will have to stop it from flying.
  • Expectations are trojan horses filled with future regret.
  • If everything is precious, nothing is precious.

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The Minimalists talk with Eli Harwood about secure attachments and attachment theory.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How is collecting related to emotional insecurity?
  • What is attachment theory?
  • What are the four attachment styles?
  • When is attachment useful and when is it clinging?
  • Listener insight: the gift of listening!
  • How do you detach while still caring?
  • What questions would help me determine whether I’m compatible with a potential partner?
  • How do I talk to my kids about their feelings when I don’t even understand them myself?
  • How can I help our kids detach from holiday materialism?
  • What will encourage my kids to live more peacefully at home?
  • Children under 16 to be banned from social media?
  • A movie about relationship disappointments.

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Organizing is well-planned hoarding.
  • Attachment anchors, clinging confines.
  • Attachment becomes clinging the moment you refuse to let go.
  • You don’t have to control to care.
  • Values are a compatibility flashlight.
  • Every parent has three jobs: enjoy, set boundaries for, and don’t screw up your kids.
  • Forced gratitude is a type of tyranny.
  • You encourage what you tolerate.

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The Minimalists talk about the opposite of hoarding.

Discussed in This Episode

  • What happens when you take downsizing too far?
  • How do you stop yourself from minimizing excessively?
  • The Minimalists’ birthday + we were featured on Jeopardy!
  • Listener tip: One of the most helpful minimalist tools.
  • When does the pursuit of knowledge turn into information clutter?
  • How can I embrace my Spartanist tendencies if my partner prefers to be more conventional?
  • What can I do if minimalism has made me too obsessive about new purchases?
  • What’s the best decluttering state?
  • Switching from Tribe A to Tribe B?
  • Should I let go of my old yearbooks?
  • What are five simple steps toward a more meaningful holiday season?
  • What’s a perfect description of the moment you realize you need to let go?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • To worry is to pray for something bad to happen in the future.
  • Purpose prevents pointless pruning.
  • Letting go is not something you do—it’s something you stop doing.
  • More information often leads to less wisdom.
  • An unconventional life is a practical life when it aligns with your values.
  • The fastest way to declutter an item is to leave it at the store.
  • Your initial reaction is not your forever reaction.

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The Minimalists talk about that overwhelming feeling that most of us experience when our homes are full of clutter.

Discussed in This Episode

  • Is a junk removal service the best way to deal with a house full of clutter?
  • At what point does your home feel cluttered?
  • When is The Minimalists’ next live event?
  • Listener tip: T.K. Coleman is the new Oprah for decluttering!
  • Why do I keep buying more things after letting go of my excess stuff?
  • How can we create social movements that connect us with nature?
  • Are corporations like Amazon destructive to the well-being of local communities?
  • When does mourning the death of a loved one turn into extended self-pity?
  • Why did Netflix start putting ads on its platform?
  • What are ten rules for loving and being loved well?
  • What is JFM’s favorite song of 2024?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Freedom is hidden beneath the clutter.
  • Minimalism is the amplification of spaciousness.
  • Clutter starts when purpose stops.
  • Anything that gets in the way is clutter.
  • Enough = Abundance – Excess
  • Enough is the benchmark of abundance.
  • To reconnect with the important things we must disconnect from the things that disconnected us in the first place.
  • A rainbow printed in grayscale is a waste of ink.

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The Minimalists dive deep into the anxiety that often accompanies the holiday shopping season.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How can I stop people from buying unnecessary Christmas gifts that clutter our home?
  • What fills your holiday season with anxiety and what do you do to minimize holiday clutter?
  • Listener tip: A helpful script for opting out of gift-giving during the holiday season.
  • Gift-Wrapping Break: Malabama’s favorite Christmas song.
  • What is the best gift to buy for a minimalist?
  • When does holiday participation morph into holiday consumerism?
  • Why are we afraid of facing the internal clutter that is hiding beneath the physical clutter?
  • How do we enjoy this heavily commodified holiday without contributing to landfills?
  • What are the benefits of being willing to walk away from anything?
  • More About Less: Consumption Season.
  • What is T.K.’s favorite Christmas song?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • If it gets in the way of the holidays, it’s holiday clutter.
  • Clarity, boundaries, and grace clear the way for a clutter-free holiday.
  • We went from celebrating Christmas to surviving the holidays the moment the holiday season became the holiday shopping season.
  • Gift-giving is a love language the same way Pig Latin is a Romance language.
  • Forced participation is the gateway to resentment.
  • Our material possessions are a physical manifestation of our internal lives.
  • Opting out of consumerism is the best way to opt-in to celebration.

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The Minimalists are joined by Judah Smith to talk about building a community, finding wellbeing through connection, how to listen to people you love but disagree with, and more.

Discussed in This Episode

  • What should an introvert do if they feel like they don’t need to belong to a so-called community?
  • How do you listen to people you love but often disagree with?
  • How difficult is it to build a community with people you disagree with?
  • Sleep Meditation and Black Friday discussion.
  • Listener insight: Using minimalism to get through a difficult divorce.
  • How can we use our technology to connect us when it feels like our screens are mostly disconnecting us from other people?
  • What’s the best way to leave a dysfunctional community?
  • What are the best and worst places to find a new community?
  • What if I feel shunned by my old religious community, which now feels like a cult?
  • What should I do if I’m a good parent, but my kids aren’t living up to my expectations?
  • Does Judah have any insights that might help The Minimalists build their Sunday Symposium community without it growing too large?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • If you deeply desire to misunderstand someone, you will find a thousand ways to misinterpret them.
  • Your community is strengthened by your ears and weakened by your mouth.
  • Silence is not a synonym for listening.
  • Neighbors aren’t chosen, but learning to live with them is.
  • Every disagreement is an opportunity for self-reflection.
  • Unity isn’t born of sameness; it’s built through understanding.
  • Every attraction has the potential for distraction.
  • Dysfunction is the byproduct of clinging.
  • Every expectation is a roadblock on the highway to happiness.

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The Minimalists discuss the things that give people a sense of purpose.

Discussed in This Episode

  • Can minimalism help people find their reason for being?
  • What makes you excited to get out of bed in the morning?
  • Listener tip: How to use technology without letting it use you.
  • What are the nine emotional states, and how do I let go of unwanted emotions?
  • What can I do to determine how much money, fame, and followers are enough for me?
  • Why don’t I feel passionate about anything, and what should I do about it?
  • How can we incorporate relaxing elements into our homes?
  • What is emotional blackmail?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Presence is the purpose of life.
  • The heart rises to love, not just to live.
  • Passion does not exist without suffering.
  • Your emotions are not wrong, but they are also not real.
  • Letting go starts the moment you stop clinging.
  • More than enough is always too much.
  • Passion is not followed; it is cultivated.
  • A life that requires an escape plan is a prisoner’s life.

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Ryan Nicodemus returns to The Minimalists Podcast to discuss minimalist tools.

Discussed in This Episode

  • What are the upsides and downsides of artificial intelligence as a minimalist tool?
  • What’s your favorite minimalist tool, and how have you used it to live more with less?
  • Listener tip: Letting go of the status quo.
  • What foods do The Minimalists grow at their homes?
  • What should I do if the activities I enjoy require me to accumulate clutter?
  • The art of low expectations and the Don’t Upgrade Rule.
  • Six questions to ask before buying anything.
  • How can I donate my husband’s old jewelry if he wants to keep it?
  • Why did Ryan Nicodemus have shoulder surgery last month?
  • What’s the most difficult thing that happened to Nicodemus this year?
  • How do we choose the things we think are worth remembering?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • In the wrong hands, a tool transforms into a weapon.
  • Minimalism is a tool that gives you the leverage to walk away from anything.
  • Non-doing paves the way for wise doing.
  • To worry is to pray for something bad to happen in the future.
  • What would happen if you let go?
  • Is it worth it if it weighs you down?
  • Are you free if it limits your movement?

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In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists talk about minimizing the division caused by partisan politics. Listen to the full Maximal episode on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How can we minimize political division when we don’t agree with other people?
  • What does it mean to let go of partisan politics?
  • Does it ever make sense not to vote?
  • Listener tip: Minimize stress by reviewing important legal documents.
  • Were politics this divisive and angry before social media?
  • How can I stay politically informed without disturbing my peace?
  • What are the upsides and the surprising downsides of democracy?
  • Talkaboutable: Post-Production Peter joins the show to discuss politics.
  • More About Less: “First They Came” by Martin Niemoller.

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Self-righteousness is insecurity metastasized.
  • It is possible to jettison partisanship without letting go of politics.
  • You will never vote your discomforts out of existence.
  • There’s a difference between making sense and making sense to others.
  • You vote every day—with your time, attention, energy, and money.
  • Pain is less painful in the past tense.
  • How can I stay politically informed without disturbing my peace?
  • Peace and stimuli have an inverse relationship.
  • Wisdom is not the byproduct of information gluttony.

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In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists speak with Dr. Jamil Zaki from Stanford University about understanding and overcoming hopelessness and cynicism. Listen to the full Maximal episode on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • In what ways does cynicism mimic false hope?
  • How do you find hope when you’ve felt hopeless for a long time?
  • What are the surprising downsides of hope?
  • Listener tip: Overthinking makes people feel hopeless.
  • How can I walk away from a hopeless relationship if the other person is unwell?
  • Is there a way for me to lovingly combat my spouse’s cynicism?
  • How can a cynical person stop catastrophizing?
  • How has social media amplified our collective cynicism?
  • How do I snap out of it when I’m feeling hopeless?
  • Do surveys suggest that people are more kind and generous than you think?
  • Hope is a knife.

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Hope is not achieved; it is buried beneath your cynicism.
  • Confidence is authentic; arrogance is a fraud.
  • Hope deferred makes the heart sick.
  • Hope is a measure of future regrets.
  • Relationships might be transactional, but love is not a transaction.
  • Gasoline has never extinguished a fire.
  • Judgment is a mirror that reflects the insecurities of the judge.
  • You can’t rewrite the story until you realize it’s a script.
  • Hopelessness clouds the mind; mindfulness clears the sky.

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In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists talk about why letting go of control is so difficult. Listen to the full Maximal episode on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • What fears are hiding underneath my need to obsessively control everything?
  • What’s one area in which you have a hard time letting go of control?
  • What is the next film that The Minimalists are working on?
  • Listener tip: Clutter Counseling really works!
  • What are 22 practical ways to be eco-friendly on a budget?
  • Why does decision clutter make it difficult to make commitments?
  • What should I do when my significant other accuses me of being a control freak?
  • How can I let go of my need to control my kids’ screen time and social media?
  • What’s the difference between advertising and marketing?
  • What advertisements were recently outlawed in Sweden?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • You destroy everything you try to control.
  • We seek to control only that which feels out of control.
  • Your attempts to control your happiness are the very thing that prevent you from finding it.
  • Loosen your grip.
  • When you let go of an identity, you let go of the need to control.
  • The wind and the waves are patterns of happening that exist without a need for a controller—how are you any different?
  • Control can ease the way, but struggle can strengthen the soul.
  • Letting go of control is the simplest way to regain control.
  • The most sustainable product is the one that’s left on the shelf.
  • Indecision is a decision to stay stuck.
  • Busyness is a superficial solution to regain control, but it leads to more chaos in the long run.

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In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists speak with Jordan Harbinger about when it makes sense to optimize certain things and when it’s best to throw optimization out the window. Listen to the full Maximal episode on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • What are some fun and creative ways to optimize your life?
  • What is one thing in your life that is beautifully inefficient?
  • Where can I find the top 30 decluttering rules from The Minimalists?
  • Listener tip: How to minimize feminine hygiene products.
  • How can I be honest about my checkered past without scaring off potential new partners?
  • What do you do when your partner doesn’t find value in minimalism?
  • How can I reframe my life so that I live with more wonder, awe, and curiosity?
  • How does one’s routine affect their overall happiness?
  • Teaser: What’s the difference between advertising and marketing?
  • What does a “labor of love” have to do with corporate profitability?
  • How can the pursuit of perfect sleep backfire?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • A life of ceaseless optimization is the life of a machine, not a human.
  • What’s sacred isn’t hurried; it’s held.
  • True value isn’t measured in speed, but in depth.
  • Productivity is camouflage for the anxiety of being alone in an empty room.
  • A relationship isn’t a landfill for the garbage from the past.
  • You don’t have to be on the same page to read from the same book.
  • Changing your life won’t change your life.

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In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists share three things that help minimize chronic pain, disease, and inflammation. Listen to the full Maximal episode on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How do I let go of the anger I feel toward my doctors for not helping me with my chronic pain?
  • What three things does JFM do to minimize his autoimmune diseases, pain, and inflammation?
  • How can I accept my pain without giving up?
  • What are the top three insights you would give to anyone suffering from a chronic illness?
  • How do you cope with pain?
  • What is Clutter Counseling?
  • Listener tip: One simple essay each day!
  • How can I heal the chronic shoulder pain that is ruining my life?
  • What can I do to best support someone who’s in pain?
  • Which functional medicine doctors does JFM trust?
  • How do you deal with the guilt of not being able to give 100% of yourself to loved ones while you’re struggling with chronic pain?
  • What’s the best way to talk to my friends and family about my illness?
  • How much of my illness is in my head?
  • What are the best options for treating Lyme Disease, Epstein-Barr, CMV, and other viruses?
  • What is cold thermogenesis?
  • Why is it important to use reverse osmosis water filtration?
  • How does sunlight help with circadian rhythm and the gut microbiome?
  • How can TUDCA support bile flow from the liver and gallbladder?
  • What are two supplements that help fungal overgrowth in the gut?
  • What’s the best stool test for gut health?
  • What’s the best resource for pelvic pain?
  • More About Less: “Allopathic Mechanics”

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Pain shapes the story, but it doesn’t write the ending.
  • Pain is the best gift that nobody asks for.
  • You can’t help someone who isn’t looking for help or willing to change.
  • To love someone is to see them for who they are without trying to change them.
  • Every compliment is an insult to someone.
  • A diagnosis is not a death sentence—it is a pathway toward healing.
  • Holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.
  • Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured.
  • A healthy person wants 10,000 things; a sick person wants only one.
  • Pain is a request for change.

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In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists speak with Sally K. Norton, author of Toxic Superfoods, about the supposed health foods that are making us sick and inflamed. Listen to the full Maximal episode on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • What is a “toxic superfood” and how are these foods making us sick?
  • What are some symptoms that point toward oxalate overload?
  • How can we apply minimalism to our diets?
  • What processed foods and preservatives do we want to eliminate from our diets?
  • What other foods are toxic or problematic?
  • When are blood tests a waste of time and money?
  • Will an Animal-Based Diet help with chronic pain and brain fog?
  • When is a vegan diet helpful and when is it harmful?
  • How has Earthing helped Lisa?
  • What role does our food play in skin conditions like acne, dandruff, flaky skin, rashes, psoriasis, and eczema?
  • What is the gut microbiome’s role in our overall health?
  • What causes my cravings for sweet foods, and how do I get rid of those cravings?
  • What role does our food intake play in arthritis, inflammation, depression, and anxiety?
  • Why does gluten make many people feel awful?
  • What does chronic inflammation do to the brain?
  • What are the pros and cons of dairy consumption?
  • Does Sally recommend supplements like vitamins B, C, and magnesium?
  • How does a person’s diet affect their libido and sex drive?
  • In summary, is there an ideal diet for most human beings?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • The human diet is a simple diet.
  • Our bodies and brains are not standing in separate corners of the room.
  • Food cravings are often a byproduct of a nutritional deficiency.

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In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists talk about what it means to preserve the past in a meaningful and dignified way. Listen to the full Maximal episode on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • Article: “All the tips and hacks that make decluttering much less overwhelming”
  • How do you preserve the memories of lost loved ones?
  • How can you simplify everything to get to the end of clutter?
  • Listener tip: How to preserve only the best childhood memories.
  • How can minimalism benefit people with neurotypical disorders like ADHD, OCD, and dyslexia?
  • How can I be kind to someone who doesn’t like me?
  • How do you achieve a heightened state of awareness and clarity in every aspect of life?
  • How do you reconnect with your partner after your kids leave home?
  • Do you know that Martin Luther King Jr. had a speech about sucky ads?
  • What are 14 simple tips that will make decluttering much less overwhelming?
  • What’s the saddest song JFM has ever heard?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Letting go is hard, but clinging is harder.
  • Clinging to things is not the most dignified way to honor the deceased.
  • It is possible to let go of things without letting go of the memories.
  • You can throw away a possession without throwing away the person.
  • Once you realize the memories are not inside the things, you are free to let go.
  • Everyone is disordered in their own way.
  • Awareness is found right here, right now; not over there, another time.
  • Noticing is the precipice of awareness.
  • Every reconnection requires a disconnection, but not every disconnection requires a reconnection.

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In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists are joined by Amanda Montell, author of The Age of Magical Overthinking, to discuss information overload, thought clutter, and much more. Listen to the full Maximal episode on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • What habits will help me avoid being overwhelmed by information clutter?
  • How does overplanning prevent us from executing our plans?
  • When does research get in the way of creativity?
  • Does too much imagination suppress our intuition?
  • In our current age of unlimited information, how has overthinking affected you?
  • When is The Minimalists’ next live event?
  • Listener tip: How one listener deals with book clutter.
  • How does overthinking create unrealistic expectations that make us miserable?
  • What are some examples of the Halo Effect?
  • When does minimalism turn into a selfish pursuit?
  • What is the bigger purpose of simplifying?
  • Who is exploited the most by the different flavors of consumerism?
  • What can you tell us about overconfidence bias?
  • Where do we find confirmation bias in our everyday lives?
  • What is the problem with manifestation?
  •  Is “conspiracy theorist” the most effective thought-terminating cliche?
  • More About Less: A Toxic Relationship Is a Cult of One

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Overthinking is the wellspring of suffering.
  • Consumerism is the ideology that more will make you better.
  • Overthinking dulls the wisdom found in action: if your thoughts stop your feet, you’re not really thinking.
  • An excess of information creates a shortage of insight.
  • Overthinking is carbon monoxide for the soul.
  • Freedom is not found in a well-decorated prison cell.
  • To worry is to pray for something bad to happen.

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In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists talk about making a workplace less cluttered and more enjoyable through the concept of “simplework.” Listen to the full Maximal episode on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How can I use minimalism to simplify my home office?
  • How do I get my coworkers to be less messy?
  • What is the productivity fallacy?
  • Why do the pressures of my job make it less enjoyable?
  • Could delegation help me enjoy my job more?
  • How simple would the world be if everyone followed The Minimalists?
  • What would make your work life simpler and more enjoyable?
  • Listener tip: Scrolling is the new smoking!
  • What does a minimalist business plan look like?
  • What can I do to find balance if my job is burning me out?
  • What’s the best way to convince my poor friends that minimalism isn’t only for rich people?
  • How can you tell whether you’re decluttering or just organizing?
  • How does discomfort shape your growth?
  • Which scammy advertisement frustrated JFM this week?
  • What is the “Diorama of Love”?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Minimalism is the thing that gets us past the things so we can make room for life’s most important things—which aren’t things at all.
  • Less clutter equals more clarity.
  • Joy is a birthday gift from the present moment.
  • Keep simplifying, keep simplifying, keep simplifying…
  • Good businesses make money; great businesses make a difference.
  • Anxiety is your body pleading for change.
  • To convince someone is to unlove them.
  • A rich life has little to do with money.
  • “Just in case” are the three most dangerous words in the English language.

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In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists speak with clinical psychologist Orion Taraban about minimizing dating clutter to form more meaningful intimate relationships. Listen to the full Maximal episode on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • Any advice for dating again after the end of a long relationship?
  • How do I avoid carrying past baggage into future relationships?
  • Why does Dr. Taraban encourage his clients not to date?
  • Does hookup culture make it harder to meet people who want a genuine connection?
  • Do dating apps make it harder to commit to a relationship?
  • How do I decide whether it’s time to move on from a difficult relationship?
  • Are great relationships effortless, or do they take work to maintain?
  • How can you tell whether a date will be worthwhile or a waste of time?
  • Listener tip: How to minimize while unpacking after a trip.
  • How do I generate the courage to be my authentic self without oversharing on the first date?
  • How does the fear of being alone hurt my chances of finding a meaningful relationship?
  • How do I know whether I’m best suited for monogamy or an open relationship?
  • How can couples avoid relationship insecurity while using social media?
  • How do I know whether I’m compatible with a new partner?
  • Who are captains and who are passengers in a relationship?
  • What are the most common relationship red flags and green lights?
  • How does one play the Game of Please/No?
  • What does the so-called Red Pill community get right/wrong?
  • How does one avoid being put in the Friend Zone?
  • Do opposites really attract?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Your resources will be squandered if you don’t understand your values.
  • You don’t need to predict the future to prepare for the future.
  • Clutter is anything that gets in the way. 
  • Love is not transactional, but relationships are.
  • Keeping it real is not the same thing as oversharing.
  • Alone in an empty room, you are complete.
  • If you show up feeling incomplete, another person will never complete you.
  • Needing a relationship is the best way to ruin a relationship.
  • You care what other people think only because there’s an underlying dissatisfaction in your own life.

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In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists speak with Harvard professor Arthur Brooks, author of Build the Life You Want, about the art and science of happiness. Listen to the full Maximal episode on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How do I deal with the intense dissatisfaction I feel when I struggle to let go?
  • What role does worry play in our unhappiness?
  • What are the three main ingredients in happiness?
  • How do our reactions shape our happiness?
  • How does the weather affect our happiness?
  • What’s preventing you from being happy right now?
  • Listener tip: Would I repurchase this thing?
  • Is my anxiety caused by having too much or not enough?
  • Is my obsession with being right making me unhappy?
  • Why is it harder to be intentional in America’s culture of overconsumption?
  • When does learning too much turn into information clutter?
  • What is the Pinocchio Protocol?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Letting go is not something you do—it happens when you stop clinging.
  • Your life is too big to hold on to everything.
  • To worry is to pray for something bad to happen.
  • Other people can’t make you sad unless you hand them the keys to your heart.
  • Your happiness will melt away if it depends on the weather.
  • Measure less, live more.
  • Analyzing joy chases it away.
  • Every disappointment is a byproduct of an expectation.
  • Anxiety is not the problem—it is a warning sign.
  • You can either be righteous or you can be happy.
  • Consumption turns into overconsumption once you’ve consumed enough.
  • If you have the answer to everything, you’ll be wrong most of the time.

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In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists discuss the new “Underconsumption Core” trend that set the Internet ablaze. Listen to the full Maximal episode on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • Why do I feel compelled to buy new clothes even though I already have enough?
  • What’s the last thing you didn’t buy?
  • Listener tip: What to do with old awards, trophies, and sentimental items.
  • Is it best to have a minimalist wedding, or is it okay to have a maximalist ceremony?
  • Why do I feel annoyed when my friends purchase clothes that are similar to mine?
  • Can poor people afford to embrace minimalism?
  • Why do advertisements ruin my viewing experience?
  • How can I tell my mom that I don’t want her junk?
  • What is “Underconsumption Core”?
  • What was JFM and AB’s recent unexpected delightful experience?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Trendy” is corporate jargon for “soon to go out of style.”
  • Every addiction is attached to a story about not having enough.
  • Skip the sale; keep the peace.
  • Knowledge is a byproduct of consumption; wisdom is the result of letting go.
  • What you don’t need costs too much.
  • Leave it on the shelf today if you don’t want to declutter it tomorrow.
  • The best way to clutter your future is to live unintentionally today.
  • Your personality is paper-thin if it is tied to a brand name.
  • Letting go of expectations is the shortcut to letting go of things.
  • Advertisements exist because people are unwilling to pay for the creations they consume.
  • Minimalism is the thing that gets us past the things so we can make room for life’s most important things, which aren’t things at all.

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In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists talk about leaving behind a legacy without leaving behind material possessions. Listen to the full Maximal episode on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • What are The Minimalists’ thoughts on leaving behind a legacy?
  • If you were to die today, what would you leave behind?
  • When is The Minimalists’ next live event?
  • Listener tip: Seasonal decluttering of digital photos.
  • How do I determine whether or not I want to have kids?
  • What’s the best way to identify and understand my values?
  • How can I connect with my partner’s family if they don’t accept me?
  • Will working from home clutter the space in which I rest?
  • How can we enjoy letting go of anger?
  • Can you love others if you don’t love yourself?
  • Were things ever good if they’re not good now?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • On a long enough timeline, everything is dust.
  • I don’t want to be remembered when I die as much as I want to be real while I’m alive.
  • To worry about your legacy is to obsess over how the past will look in the future, both of which destroy the beauty of the present moment.
  • Virtue: purity of intention not required.
  • Satisfaction exists at the intersection of your short-term actions and your long-term values.
  • Acceptance is the most addictive drug.
  • Owning Stephen King’s pen will not help you write like Stephen King.

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In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists talk about the clutter that appears every time we are unnecessarily reactive or defensive in our interactions with others. Listen to the full Maximal episode on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How can I be less defensive when interacting with others?
  • Of all the things that push your buttons, what’s one thing you have a hard time not reacting to?
  • From whom did The Minimalists receive a grant?
  • Listener tip: Buy nothing for a month!
  • Is it possible to let go of the past decisions that I wish I would have made?
  • Why do I have trouble enjoying the present moment?
  • How do I help my mother declutter her need for family approval?
  • What did you enjoy most about the end of the Everything Tour?
  • How is Malabama celebrating her 30th birthday?
  • Why does this celebrity hold on to his anger?
  • Why does JFM own so many timers?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Curiosity is the best defense.
  • Awareness provides the space to act without overreacting.
  • The true test of self-control is tolerance for those who lack it.
  • Other people upset you only if you hand them the power.
  • Hoarders cling to everything that doesn’t exist.
  • Thoughts are not facts.
  • Emotional prisons are built with bricks of approval.
  • You can’t change the people around you, but you can change the people around you.

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In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists speak with Carl Lentz about the deep breach of trust that accompanies cheating in a romantic relationship. Listen to the full Maximal episode on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How did Carl Lentz’s life come crashing down at the height of his fame?
  • How did “lifestyle clutter” contribute to Lentz’s infidelity?
  • What unexpected areas of Lentz’s life were affected by his extramarital affair?
  • What steps are required to make amends after you’ve hurt someone you love?
  • How do I avoid blaming others for the mistakes I’ve made?
  • What role did apologizing and forgiveness play in Lentz’s healing?
  • What self-defeating stories lead to adultery?
  • What are the commonalities between most cases of unfaithfulness?
  • What’s your definition of infidelity?
  • Listener tip: Just say no to free things!
  • What’s the difference between emotional cheating and physical cheating?
  • What did you remove—and what did you keep—as you simplified your life?
  • What did you learn from your time away from social media?
  • Is there a difference between a one-time slip-up and a long-term affair?
  • Did Lentz think his wife was going to move on without him?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Infidelity is when you take a break from an agreement without agreeing to break the agreement.
  • Bad decisions are different from mistakes. Selecting the wrong answer on a test is a mistake; not studying for that test is a bad decision.
  • Clinging to a relationship is the first step toward infidelity.
  • Emotional cheating and physical cheating are two sides of the same coin.
  • Moving on requires letting go.
  • A minimalist owns nothing that gets in the way.
  • Even the best excuse is still an excuse.

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In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists talk about the need for rest in a restless world. Listen to the full Maximal episode on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How do I get my kids to adhere to a more reasonable bedtime so I can go to bed earlier?
  • What’s one thing that’s stopping you from getting the rest you need?
  • Listener tip: Realize what you want by getting rid of what you don’t need.
  • When it comes to buying products that improve my health, how much is enough?
  • How will I know when I’m done simplifying?
  • How do I declutter my restless email inbox?
  • What do The Minimalists’ home screens on their phones look like?
  • Amass It or Trash It: How do I get rid of my grandma’s bulky bedroom set?
  • More About Less: Unbusy, some thoughts about doing less. 

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • If you’re devoted to the destination, the path appears naturally.
  • Rest isn’t the goal; it’s the playing field.
  • Going to bed early is the same as sleeping in.
  • The music is shaped by the rest between the notes. 
  • Doing less is the only thing worth doing. 
  • Simplicity is a tool, not a destination.
  • Attention is earned, not granted.
  • Less content, more contentment.

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In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists talk about counting material possessions, decluttering other people’s possessions, and more. Listen to the full Maximal episode on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • What’s the best way to count my material possessions?
  • What’s one thing you’d like to declutter from someone else’s life?
  • Right Here, Right Now: Who is The Minimalists’ newest team member?
  • Listener tip: What’s the best way to declutter the contacts on your phone?
  • How can I determine whether my opinions are useful or clutter?
  • How would you go about explaining minimalism from scratch to kids?
  • Why do I get so happy when my friends cancel plans?
  • Talkaboutable: How has social media ruined our concept of “fame”?
  • Have you heard of this new trend of men “raw dogging“ flights?
  • Obsolete Object: Getting rid of everything that causes pain?
  • More About Less: What is the “Out-in-the-Open” Rule for decluttering?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Fewer is greater than zero.
  • Clutter is the child of an unsure mind.
  • Why do you look at the clutter in your brother’s home and pay no attention to the clutter in your own home?
  • Every opinion is an argument with yourself.
  • A single drop of self-righteousness is enough to poison the present moment.
  • Anxiety clutters our ability to care about the important things.
  • A mental prison is built with bricks of “should.”
  • Relationships are earned, not granted.
  • A demonstration is the best explanation.
  • Every relationship comes prepackaged with challenges, frustrations, and expectations.

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In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists talk about what to do when you can’t let go. Listen to the full Maximal episode on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • What can I do if my family won’t allow me to let go of certain sentimental things?
  • What’s one thing that other people won’t allow you to let go of?
  • Listener tip: A response to Gratitude Clutter.
  • How do I help my parents get rid of trinkets that are decades old?
  • Am I betraying my deceased family members if I let go of their ashes?
  • Why is it so difficult for me to let go of my children’s old artwork?
  • How do I encourage my significant other to declutter now that we’re living together?
  • Talkaboutable: Celebrating T.K. Coleman’s 100th episode as cohost!
  • Amass It or Trash It: Should I get rid of my 2,000 DVDs that I love but don’t watch?
  • More About Less: Why is the “path of less” always the path less traveled?
  • Added Value: Which TV show will make you question the false stories you tell yourself?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Letting go of acceptance is the most difficult part of letting go.
  • Your attachment to a character doesn’t require me to play the role.
  • You can’t be free if you can’t let go.
  • Forcing someone to let go robs them of their dignity.
  • Letting go does not betray the past—it honors it.
  • It’s not wrong to hold on if you’re not ready to let go.
  • Where there is pure joy there is no fear.
  • Decluttering is compelling once the benefits outweigh the possessions.

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In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists talk about why people avoid peace and go searching for chaos instead. Listen to the full Maximal episode on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How do I handle the chaos in my life that is caused by other people?
  • In what ways do you make your own life more chaotic?
  • When is the next 30-Day Minimalism Game?
  • Listener tip: How do you throw a decluttering dinner party?
  • Should I end my chaotic marriage or try to save it?
  • How can I save my mother from my chaotic and narcissistic father?
  • Why has my girlfriend changed after our pregnancy scare?
  • Why does my over-planning lead to chaos instead of peace?
  • Obsolete Objects: What is the latest “genius” decluttering hack?
  • Talkaboutable: Is T.K. Coleman’s keychain filled with chaos?
  • More About Less: What is the antidote to chaos?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • If you want to save a fish from drowning, do nothing. 
  • Every unchecked commitment eventually becomes an obligation; every unchecked obligation eventually becomes a burden.
  • To let go is to love.
  • A bigger shovel will not dig you out of the hole you’ve created.
  • When you resist, your power ceases to exist.
  • A crash is inevitable when money is in the driver’s seat.
  • A relationship has already failed if it needs to be saved.
  • Love is not conditional, but relationships are.
  • Forgiveness is the path out of the suffering that’s caused by clinging.
  •  The stories we invent are more disruptive than the actual events.
  •  Planning creates calm; over-planning produces chaos.
  •  Peace cannot be planned; it can only be uncovered.
  •  “Enough” is the key to order and the antidote to chaos.

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In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists sit down with Colin Wright, author of How to Turn 39: Thoughts About Aging for People of All Ages, to talk about youth, aging, redefining accomplishments, and more. Listen to the full Maximal episode on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • What does it mean for young people to embrace the natural aging process?
  • Would your 15-year-old self be impressed by you today?
  • What does JFM want for his 43rd birthday?
  • Listener tip: How can you downsize 100 items in one hour?
  • How do I identify and let go of toxic relationships as I grow older?
  • What can I do if I want to live elsewhere but my family keeps me tied to my city?
  • How can I form meaningful relationships if I am an extreme introvert and other people exhaust me?
  • What can I do, as a 22-year-old, if I feel like I’m “behind” compared to my peers?

Listen to the Minimal Episode

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • You care what other people think only because you have an underlying dissatisfaction in your own life.
  • My current idea of the good life is my childhood idea of the bad life.
  • The present moment is brighter when it is not dimmed by the past.
  • The best way to love a toxic person is from a distance.
  • Some people enjoy the Christmas Party, but I’m not one of them.
  • Needing a relationship is the easiest way to ruin a relationship.
  • The more you awaken, the less you desire to fit in.
  • I’d rather be alone than miserable.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

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https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#448

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists discuss minimalist trade-offs, non-objects, pleasures that can’t be purchased, and more. Listen to the full Maximal episode on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How do you decide between two things when you have the money for only one?
  • What is your favorite pleasure that money can’t buy?
  • Listener tip: The Imagination Library.
  • Does it call more attention to your clothes if you’re a minimalist who refuses to wear logos?
  • How can I turn my smartphone into a simple distraction-free device?
  • How do you decide whether you should get rid of a sentimental item or keep it?
  • Do you keep track of a “to be read” list for books?
  • What should I do if my partner thinks my newfound minimalism is just a phase?
  • How do JFM and T.K. remember so many quotes, passages, and lyrics?
  • Obsolete Object: Sarah’s food dehydrator.

Listen to the Minimal Episode

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • A thirsty person is more susceptible to contaminated water.
  • Money saves time, but it can’t buy the courage to be present.
  • Buying a Rolex will not buy you more time.
  • Money buys presents, not presence.
  • There’s no refund for misspent time.
  • The absence of tattoos is the new tattoo.
  • Logos are not bad, but corporations are not a proxy for self-expression.
  • Every distraction is a straightjacket that obstructs your freedom.
  • There are no sentimental items, only sentimental people.
  • If it gets in the way, it’s clutter.
  • “Have to” can strangle the joy out of “get to.”
  • Benefits are more persuasive than doctrine.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

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https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#447

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists discuss the clutter that is often caused by spirituality, religion, and different ideologies. Listen to the full Maximal episode on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • Should I declutter some of my accessories that might be cluttering my spiritual practice? 
  • What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the term “spirituality”?
  • What are the 10 free minimalist resources from The Minimalists? 
  • Listener tip: an app a day!
  • How do I let go of the pain from the past and still hold on to the lessons I learned from that pain?
  • Should I leave my corporate job if it no longer aligns with my values?
  • How can I have a relationship with my parents if I’m repulsed by their religion?
  • What can we do when our religious beliefs conflict with our values?
  • More About Less: The 5 most popular daily quotes from Waking Up. 

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • If an accessory does not markedly enhance an activity, it is clutter.
  • Consumerism is the ideology that buying more things will make you better.
  • Spirituality is who we are, not what we do.
  • Every ideology comes prepackaged with clutter.
  • Nonsense is always nonsensical, even if it looks good on a bumper sticker. 
  • Pain is helpful until we cling to it.
  • The location of the pain is not the root of the pain.
  • Our values are not expressed by the words we write down, but by the way we spend our lives.
  • Loving someone involves allowing them to suffer.
  • Often the best way to love someone is from a distance.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

Follow Our Team

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#446

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists sit down with the founder of Patreon, Jack Conte, to discuss the death of the follower, earning a living from creative work, why the joy of creating is often ruined by the demands of revenue, and more. Listen to the full Maximal episode on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • Is it possible to be too grateful?
  • What’s one thing that was once a burden that you are now grateful for?
  • What new position are The Minimalists now hiring for?
  • Listener tip: insights from a massive decluttering session.
  • What should I do if I’m a natural planner, but my over-planning makes me anxious?
  • How do I balance preparing for future needs while staying present?
  • When is the cost of clinging more expensive than the cost of letting go?
  • Should I let go of my storage container before opening it so I don’t risk holding on to its sentimental contents?
  • Is this love song actually about fear?
  • Obsolete object: letting go in the blink of an eye.
  • What’s the difference between a problem and a situation?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • The pursuit of happiness is not the solution—it is the problem.
  • Minimalism is not the destination; it’s how you get there.
  • Forced gratitude limits one’s ability to appreciate the present moment.
  • Good things become bad things when they get in the way.
  • Every blessing is a reframed burden.
  • Gratitude is found in the palm of your hand once you loosen your grip.
  • Pain is a byproduct of clinging.
  • A cluttered home creates a cluttered mind, and a cluttered mind clutters the heart.
  • The future clutters the present moment whenever it blocks being.
  • The cost of letting go is less expensive than the cost of clinging.
  • Our memories are not in our things; our memories are inside us.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

Follow Our Team

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#445

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists sit down with the founder of Patreon, Jack Conte, to discuss the death of the follower, earning a living from creative work, why the joy of creating is often ruined by the demands of revenue, and more. Listen to the full Maximal episode on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • What’s the minimalist-approved way to ethically promote my creative work?
  • If you could earn a living doing anything in the world, what would it be?
  • What new two new segments are coming to The Minimalists Private Podcast?
  • Listener insight: a poem about decluttering.
  • What is the future of Patreon?
  • How is social media negatively affecting artists and their audiences?
  • How do I make the shift from an “ordinary job” to a more fulfilling “creative job”?
  • What new improvements have Patreon been working on?
  • What is Jack Conte’s favorite Pomplamoose song?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Good businesses make money; great businesses make a difference.
  • Income is not the only important outcome.
  • I dream of a world where there is no distinction between pay and play.
  • The joy of creating is often extinguished by the demands of income.
  • Don’t follow your passion—cultivate it.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

Follow Our Team

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#444

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists discuss space hoarding, reification, the key to freedom, generosity, and more. Listen to the full Maximal episode on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • Is my landlord a space hoarder if they won’t let me use their empty garage for storage?
  • What’s one thing you’re unwilling to share?
  • What are Thursday Konversations with T.K. Coleman?
  • Listener insight: Using OCD as a superpower.
  • How do I let go of a family member who is making my life unbearably difficult?
  • Where do I start if I hate my life and, even though I’m married, I feel alone?
  • Does the title of your podcast fully reflect what it’s about?
  • Should I minimize my sick pet if I’m unable to take care of them?
  • Is there anything you could buy at a mall that you’ll care about 10 years from now?
  • Does this laundry advertisement suck?
  • Will The Minimalists’ 30-Day Rule make your life easier?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Simplicity is not the absence of stuff; it is the presence of absence.
  • Never share the things that compromise your capacity to share.
  • The key to freedom is a willingness to walk away.
  • If you are dissatisfied with the effect, let go of the cause.
  • Every hellscape contains an emergency exit.
  • Do unto others without asking them to do unto you.
  • Generosity is the great despair extinguisher.
  • To love someone is to see them for who they are without trying to change them.
  • Love is not an emotion, nor is it an action—it is a state of being.
  • Organizing is well-planned hoarding.
  • Sadness is the ego’s favorite food.
  • Do not confuse the label for the product.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

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https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#443

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists speak with Lisa Ann about the benefits of renting clothes, homes, cars, books, tools, and more. They also talk about when it’s best to own a thing instead of renting it. Listen to the full Maximal episode on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • What should I do with my wardrobe if my style preferences constantly change?
  • What’s one thing you’d rather rent than own? And what’s one thing you’d rather own than rent?
  • How does letting go of things help people let go of resentment?
  • How did Lisa Ann rent her dog?
  • What are The Minimalists’ favorite brands of T-shirts?
  • Is it considered cheating if my husband watches pornography? Should I leave him if he keeps watching?
  • What am I doing wrong if I keep being ghosted?
  • Would I experience more peace if I sold my house and just rented a home going forward?
  • What’s JFM’s funniest Lisa Ann story?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Trendy” is an adjective that means “soon to go out of style.”
  • Ownership is an illusion. Everything is a rental.
  • Ownership is a burden whenever it gets in the way of a blessing.
  • A brand name is not a substitute for confidence or personal style.
  • Complimentary differences ignite relationship passion; irreconcilable differences extinguish that passion.
  • The present does not need to be constructed with bricks from the past.
  • If someone dislikes you, it says something about them; if everyone dislikes you, it says something about you.
  • Taboos exist only if you allow other people to hand them to you.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

Follow Our Team

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#442

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists talk about life after simplifying, decluttering slowly over time, processing loss after letting go, and more. Listen to the full Maximal episode on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • Should I get rid of everything while simplifying?
  • What’s the most difficult thing you’ve ever let go of?
  • When is the next Zoom call with The Minimalists?
  • Listener tip about quitting social media. 
  • How do I improve my self-esteem as an introvert?
  • Can I enjoy shopping and still be a minimalist?
  • Is it possible to let go of the guilt I feel after getting rid of my child’s possessions?
  • How can I take steps toward a more meaningful career?
  • If an event requires me to purchase clothes I can’t afford, should I avoid the event?
  • What is the “Scribble Monster” that causes identity clutter?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • When simplifying doesn’t work, simplify, simplify, simplify.
  • Letting go is not difficult—processing loss is. 
  • The hardest boxes to unpack are the ones other people put you in.
  • The peace of letting go eclipses the pain of clinging.
  • Simplifying divides your inputs and multiplies your focus.
  • Every identity is a false identity. 
  • Joy is never acquired—it is uncovered. 
  • Guilt is a story about differing expectations.
  • Success is a mental illness.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

Follow Our Team

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#441

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists discuss letting go of memories, creating an uncluttered home, three new series from The Minimalists, and more. Listen to the full Maximal episode on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How do I let go of memories?
  • How can I curate a beautiful, uncluttered home?
  • What are the three new series coming soon from The Minimalists?
  • What’s the best way to create a functional wardrobe with items that last?
  • What are some effective ways to let go of possessions if I don’t want to throw them away?
  • How do I replace some of the things I’ve let go of with more minimalist options?
  • What’s the best way to stop reorganizing my clutter and simply get rid of it?
  • How do we cultivate feelings of acceptance and impermanence?
  • Is it possible to let go of my impulse to constantly please other people?
  • What is JFM’s all-time favorite sucky advertisement?
  • Can I apply the Seasonality Rule to non-things?
  • What is Rolfing and is it painful?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Our memories are not in our things; our memories are inside us.
  • Memories become clutter when they get in the way of the present moment.
  • Moderation is the enemy of procrastination.
  • If you want to start tomorrow, do it all. If you want to start today, start small.
  • Don’t let your crastination turn pro.
  • “Someday” does not exist—it is merely a trick the mind plays to avoid the present moment.
  • Minimalism is not a radical lifestyle—it is a practical lifestyle.
  • Letting go makes room for more silence, more space, more calm.
  • The easiest way to organize your stuff is to get rid of most of it.
  • To love is to see the world as it is without attempting to change it.
  • Letting go of people-pleasing involves letting go of the need to be liked.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

Follow Our Team

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#440

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists talk about the benefits of restraint, the struggles of consumerism for new minimalists, the difficulties of letting go of social media, and more. Listen to the full Maximal episode on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How do I declutter my online-shopping addiction?
  • What factors contributed to The Minimalists leaving social media?
  • Why was I still clinging to my living daughter’s suicide note?
  • Is it possible to let go of my Obsessive Compulsive Disorder if it’s causing great suffering in my life?
  • What should I do if my business conflicts with my minimalist principles?
  • What’s the best way to express my opinion when it conflicts with the opinions of my friends and family?
  • What do our patrons think about letting go of their own social media? 
  • What is Malabama’s new analog experiment? 
  • Does the new iPhone 15 advertisement suck, or is it a good ad? 
  • Is this the best possible use of my resources?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • The borders of simplicity are shaped by restraint.
  • Distance can create a stronger connection than proximity.
  • Social media is an option, not an overlord.
  • Letting go is the cost of freedom.
  • Our identities form the bars to our prison cell.
  • Consumerism is fueled by insecurities manufactured by corporations.
  • There is not an opinion on the entire earth that must be expressed.
  • If a thing ceases to add value, let it go.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

Follow Our Team

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#439

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists discuss the art of streamlining one’s life, letting go of difficult things, how the need for approval keeps people tethered to a lifestyle they don’t want, and more. Listen to the full Maximal episode on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How can I get my husband to let go of just-in-case items?
  • Does my need for approval influence my consumption decisions?
  • What are “Thursday Konversations with T.K. Coleman”?
  • Listener insight: “Sometimes I disagree with The Minimalists, but I still appreciate your perspective.”
  • Is it possible to let go of my obsession with food waste?
  • Do you have any advice for my failed relationship?
  • Can I apply minimalist principles to my terminal illness?
  • How do I let go of the need to fix other people’s problems?
  • Do I have a problem if I’m obsessed with my wardrobe?
  • How can I wean myself off of my clothing addiction?
  • What is Malabama’s upcoming analog experiment?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • A streamlined life is a life that is improved through subtraction rather than addition.
  • Streamlining requires letting go of difficult things.
  • Every negative thought is a fantasy about a reality that does not exist.
  • Self-awareness is the ability to distinguish personal desires from societal echoes.
  • The only thing that keeps you tethered to a lifestyle you don’t want is your need for approval from others.
  • It’s difficult to understand the importance of oxygen until you’re deprived of it.
  • Unsolicited advice is the ego’s most dangerous weapon.
  • Not every relationship that ends is a “failed” relationship; not every long-term relationship is a “successful” relationship.
  • We try to fix other people’s problems because we’re afraid to clean up our own mess.
  • To fix someone is to rob them of the dignity of fixing themselves.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

Follow Our Team

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#438

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, we talk about the three different kinds of letting go (graduation, divorce, death), several ways to detach from a former spouse, and how to move on when you feel like you can’t let go. Plus, we celebrate two employees who are graduating from The Minimalists. Watch the full Maximal episode on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How can I detach from my former spouse while actively coparenting and sharing familial responsibilities?
  • How do I move on if I can’t let go of a thing, career, or relationship that used to add value to my life?
  • What graduations are The Minimalists celebrating?
  • How much financial support is okay to give my child post college to keep them safe?
  • How do you know where to start and stop when rebuilding after losing everything?
  • What does it mean to be “average”?
  • What have Danny Unknwn and Professor Shawn enjoyed the most about working with The Minimalists?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Every relationship ends by way of graduation, divorce, or death.
  • Our identities are shaped by that which we cling to.
  • It’s easier to move on if you let go of the need to move on.
  • If you can’t let go, you can’t move on.
  • Letting go begins when you loosen your grip.
  • Graduation is a celebration of moving on—from a pleasant or unpleasant experience.
  • If you cling for long enough, it will eventually result in divorce or death.
  • If you are willing to let go of anything, you are free from its influence.
  • Sometimes you have to remove something from your life to see whether or not it adds value.
  • There are no shoulds; there are only infinite coulds. 
  • Every loss is a kind of death; every loss is a chance at rebirth.
  • Everyone wants to know where to start, but people rarely ask where to stop.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

Follow Our Team

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#437

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, we talk about the process of simplifying for newbies and staying motivated when decluttering gets difficult. Watch all 2 hours of episode 436 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How can I maintain traction as a new minimalist?
  • How can I keep going on my decluttering journey when I get overwhelmed?
  • How can I let go of my long-held conceptions of my life and relationships?
  • What is “cultural clutter”?
  • What kinds of gifts do The Minimalists give for birthdays and holidays?
  • What insights has Griffin House gained from his 20-year music career?
  • What does Griffin House think of social media?
  • Should I minimize my music gear?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Simplification is a process, not a destination.
  • Starting small is the opposite of not starting at all.
  • Simplicity is a matter of rhythm, not results.
  • Do things that don’t require you to be done.
  • Whenever you reach the horizon, a new horizon appears.
  • It is not love if you are not willing to walk away.
  • Cultural clutter appears when one’s culture gets in the way of one’s peace.
  • An obligatory gift is more of an obligation than it is a gift.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

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https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#436

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, we speak with Cal Newport about the three principles of slow productivity and letting go of social media. Watch all 2 hours of episode 435 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • What are the three principles of slow productivity?
  • Should The Minimalists quit social media?
  • How can my company determine our foundational values?
  • How can I minimize idea clutter?
  • When does the need to control become unhealthy?
  • Seriously, should The Minimalists quit social media?
  • Should Cal Newport quit running ads on his podcast?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Because problem solving is foundational to the human experience, we often search for problems that don’t exist.
  • We become what we value.
  • Our values are shaped by how we spend our time.
  • Information becomes clutter as soon as it creates thoughts that trample meaningful experiences.
  • Simplicity is beautiful; beauty is essential.
  • Organizing is the mind’s way of quieting the chaos.
  • The best way to organize your stuff is to get rid of most of it.
  • The Disease of More is fed by seemingly noble aspirations.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

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https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#435

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists speak with Dr. Nicole LePera about breaking cycles and healing relationships. Watch all 2 hours of episode 434 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How can I let go of the idea of what I thought a relationship should be?
  • How can I cease self-loathing?
  • How can I help improve my parents’ relationship?
  • How can I navigate conflict in my relationships?
  • Why do I treat my girlfriend the way I saw my dad treat my mom?
  • Why don’t I feel like enough?
  • How is anger self-protection?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Unpleasant emotions are an indicator of the incongruity between reality and your wishes. 
  • Peace arises when your wishes map on to reality.
  • Tears are a byproduct of letting go after an extended period of clinging.
  • When we notice the imperfections in others, we are merely seeing a mirror that reflects our own flaws.
  • The residue of the past discolors the present moment.
  • You can’t show someone heaven if they enjoy their self-constructed hell.
  • Conflict is the manifestation of the ego and its insecurities.
  • Similarities increase comfort in a relationship; differences add variety.
  • Unresolved trauma will continue to echo throughout the rest of your life.
  • “Worthiness” isn’t the finish line—it’s the starting point. 
  • You were born complete, you will die complete, and the only thing that will incomplete you in between are the stories you adopt about your inadequacies.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

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https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#434

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists talk about what to do when success feels like failure, how to let go of shoes, and taking breaks from technology. Watch all 2 hours of episode 433 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How can we stop caring what society wants us to do?
  • How can I declutter the files on my phone and computer?
  • How can I choose between two fantastic job opportunities?
  • What are some ways to fundraise without buying and selling things?
  • Why can’t I let go of shoes I never wear?
  • What’s the balance between listening to experts and doing our own research?
  • How can we take breaks from technology when everything is digital these days?
  • How many coffee mugs are too many?
  • Why is a paid-off car the best car?
  • Is minimalism racist?
  • What is “junk journaling?”
  • Why did this Patron downsize her home?
  • What does Seth Godin mean by “jump in the lake”?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • When success feels like failure, you’re playing the wrong game.
  • Success is a multiplayer game; satisfaction is a single-player game.
  • If you do everything you’re “supposed” to do and you’re still unhappy, question the prescriptions, not the unhappiness.
  • If your decluttering principles get in your way, then declutter those principles.
  • The uncomfortable path is the most fulfilling path.
  • A thing becomes clutter the moment it ceases to add value.
  • Meditation is a technology.
  • Fire will either warm you or burn you depending on how deliberately you use it.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

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https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#433

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists talk about throwing everything away after an infestation and the hypocrisy of minimalism. Watch all 2 hours of episode 432 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • Should I throw away everything after my bed bug infestation?
  • Should I go back to school to get my master’s degree?
  • Is digital piracy ever okay?
  • What are The Minimalists thoughts on euthanasia?
  • How is it minimalist to encourage people to download seven different wallpapers?
  • How does rest affect us?
  • How can I learn to let go of clutter when I grew up poor?
  • How do I know whether I should let go of a relationship?
  • What should you do if you’re struggling in a relationship?
  • Why do people love throw pillows so much?
  • What do we think of bug-out bags?
  • Why does this Patron have a “drop-off zone”?
  • Is the past real?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Letting go is the cost we pay for peace of mind.
  • Debt is a tether that restricts a person’s freedom.
  • Forcing someone to hold on to something is a great way to increase their misery.
  • As soon as you call yourself a minimalist, everything you do is blanketed by irony.
  • Minimalism isn’t scarcity; it’s abundance healthfully expressed.
  • The music is beautiful only if there is space between the notes.
  • Clutter is an opportunity for generosity.
  • Rich people and poor people alike have trouble letting go of things because they both struggle with letting go of the story associated with their stuff.

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https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#432

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists speak with Dr. Ramani Durvasula about recognizing narcissists; whether the term “narcissist” is overused; the roles of self-righteousness, complaining, and comparison in narcissism; and how to walk away. Watch all 2 hours of episode 431 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How do you know someone is a narcissist, and is the term overused?
  • How can I tell a narcissist that they’re the problem?
  • How can I accept that a narcissistic co-parent has turned my child against me?
  • Do narcissistic parents become narcissistic grandparents?
  • What is the narcissism of small differences?
  • When does self-care become narcissistic?
  • How can I stop a pattern of being attracted to narcissists?
  • How do you let go of your feelings if your emotions are tied to your ego?
  • How can you mentally let go of an item you’re keeping just for when?
  • How has minimalism helped this Patron manage her bipolar disorder?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Walking away can be the greatest act of kindness.
  • Acceptance materializes as we let go of the need to control the uncontrollables.
  • While the past can be a mirror of the future, the past does not have to equal the future.
  • Self-care turns into self-harm when one is self-absorbed in self-pity and suffering.
  • Forced change trips over itself at the starting line.
  • If your feelings are tied to your ego, untie them.
  • Letting go starts where the clinging ends.
  • A clean slate is a terrible thing to clutter.

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https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#431

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists talk about our minimalist kitchen essentials, the No Junk Rule, and letting go of embarrassment. Watch all 2 hours of episode 430 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • What are The Minimalist’s kitchen essentials?
  • How can I prevent my toddler from turning into a hoarder?
  • Why do I keep failing to build a journaling habit?
  • How can we get better at asking for help?
  • Why did I spend more money when I tried minimalism?
  • How can I connect with others when I feel like they’re judging me?
  • Would we still record a podcast if the world was ending?
  • Why doesn’t Joshua wear deodorant?
  • How does one become an accidental hoarder?
  • What are five small ways to declutter your life?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • One person’s essentials are another person’s junk.
  • Hoarding is childish; letting go is a sign of maturity.
  • A habit becomes a habit only if the benefits are clear and compelling.
  • Ideas become clutter when they are uncoupled from the desire to take action.
  • Embarrassment is a sign that something is wrong with either your actions or the story you’ve been told about those actions.
  • Minimalism is a mindset, not a product.
  • Life-living is more rewarding than life-style.
  • Letting go isn’t only free—it’s freedom.

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https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#430

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists talk about the human desire to fill empty rooms, how they spend their downtime, the value of a quiet life, and why people desire fancy things. Watch all 2 hours of episode 429 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How do minimalists spend their downtime?
  • How can a creative person also be a minimalist?
  • Why do people criticize me for decluttering?
  • How can I come back from chapter 13 bankruptcy?
  • Why do I struggle with wanting nice things as a minimalists?
  • How do we let go of bad memories?
  • Was it a mistake for my friend to get his six-year-old a Playstation 5?
  • How can we let go of the emotions tied to things?
  • Can owning things deprive us of the joy of sharing them?
  • Have we been wrong about just-in-case items?
  • Are 80% of your thoughts negative?
  • What do we like about this Patron’s tiny home?
  • Why did this poem make us tear up?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Not every empty room needs to be filled.
  • Doing hinders being.
  • Peace arises the moment you realize there is nothing that must be done in this moment.
  • Stillness pasteurizes the chaos of the mind. 
  • “What can I let go of?” is a more powerful question than “what can I do?”
  • Minimalism isn’t scarcity; it’s abundance healthfully expressed.
  • Judgment is a mirror that reflects the insecurities of the judge.
  • Shame is a tether that restricts our freedom.
  • Your desires are not your desires if they were handed to you by someone else.
  • The suffering of the past points toward the obstacles to avoid in the future.
  • If you want to be miserable, turn their mistakes into your problems.
  • Our feelings are teachers to be engaged, not demons to be exorcized.
  • Letting go is not something you do—it’s something you stop doing.
  • Every negative emotion points toward your biggest fear—that you are not enough—which is the greatest lie ever told.

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https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#429

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists speak with Ryan Blaser, founder of TestMyHome.com, about the best tests to uncover in-home toxins, including mold, EMFs, WiFi, Bluetooth, blue light, chemicals in water, and other invisible clutter in our homes. Watch all 3 hours of episode 428 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • What are the most surprising sources of indoor toxins?
  • Are cell phones toxic?
  • What’s the best way to filter my water?
  • How can I protect my skin from hidden toxins?
  • What are VOCs and off-gassing?
  • Are claims about indoor toxins backed by science?
  • What hidden toxins did Ryan Blaser find in Joshua’s home?
  • How does Dr. Jack Kruse keep his home free of blue light?
  • What benefits has Joshua received from grounding?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Every pleasure has a poisonous dose.
  • If it is harmful, it is not essential.
  • Hidden clutter is the most dangerous clutter.
  • Skepticism can be useful, but cynicism is a solution that always makes the problem worse.

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https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#428

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists talk about emotional clutter, the dangers of being a “helper,” and whether hoarding is a form of procrastination. Watch all 2 hours of episode 427 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • Did I accidentally steal a bicycle?
  • How I can replace items I no longer like the aesthetic of?
  • How can I move on from a pleasant memory and leave it in the past?
  • How can a college student declutter her stationery collection?
  • Is hoarding just another form of procrastination?
  • How can I teach my boyfriend to minimize?
  • Where are The Minimalists touring in 2024?
  • How can you maintain control of your space while moving an elderly parent or in-law into your home?
  • How can we live an uncomplicated life?
  • What are some things that have added value to Joshua’s life recently?
  • Why is silence the rarest gift?
  • What do we think about Amazon Prime Video showing ads?
  • Why do we love this Patron’s spacious living room?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Other people’s problems become your problem only if you pick them up.
  • There is no bigger ego than that of the Helper.
  • Emotional clutter sits beneath the physical clutter. 
  • You are complete, even in an empty room.
  • If an object does not enhance your life, it is clutter.
  • To cling is to batter the present moment with the past.
  • Possessions will never complete you, but they can incomplete you.
  • Procrastination is a byproduct of emotional clutter.
  • Minimalism isn’t scarcity; it’s abundance healthfully expressed.
  • You can’t teach someone if you’re not willing to become their student.
  • Your boundaries form the contours of your peace.
  • Every benefit has a cost, but not every cost has a benefit.
  • True freedom stands beyond the need to convince others.

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https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#427

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists speak with author George Kamel about letting go of past financial mistakes, frugality vs. minimalism, and how much money The Minimalists have. Watch all 2 hours of episode 426 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How can I let go of my past financial mistakes?
  • What’s the relationship between frugality and minimalism?
  • When, and how much, is it appropriate to tip?
  • What are George Kamal’s thoughts on rainy-day funds, 529 education plans, investing in precious metals, and cryptocurrency?
  • Why are credit scores really debt scores?
  • Are The Minimalists millionaires?
  • Why did T.K. write his new book, Emotional Clutter?
  • How can I let go of my LEGO collection?
  • Why shouldn’t you sacrifice your well-being for money?
  • Why is eating out a luxury, not a necessity?
  • Is this ad a freakin’ parody?
  • How did patron Manny discover a cure for overstimulation?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Letting go of the past is a prerequisite for living in the present.
  • Regret is a signpost that informs you about the paths to avoid.
  • Frugality is a benefit until it is a burden.
  • An obligatory reward punishes the person who deserves a premium.
  • A college degree tastes better when it’s debt-free.
  • A credit score is not a credit score—it is a debt score.
  • It’s easy to let go when you never latch on.
  • Minimalists allow money to be a passenger in the car, but we don’t let it drive.
  • The doorway to decluttering is adorned with the benefits of living with less.

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https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#426

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists speak with Marcus Collins, author of For the Culture, about the pernicious forces of corporate marketing. Watch all 2 hours of episode 425 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How can I reconcile being a minimalist with my corporate marketing job?
  • How is social media influencing teens?
  • What makes a thing worthy of our time and attention?
  • What is advertising’s role in cancel culture?
  • Have we become superficial because everyone is trying to sell us something?
  • What do The Minimalists think about “buy nothing” challenges?
  • What are Seth Godin’s 8 Marketing Maxims?
  • How do marketers make unhealthy food sound healthy?
  • What do we like about this patron’s new apartment?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • If your job does not align with your values, you can change your values, change your job, or be miserable.
  • Parents who understand their children’s desires have a better chance to influence their behavior.
  • “Trendy” is a clever marketing term that actually means “nonessential.”
  • Consumerism is the portal to low self-esteem.
  • Cancel culture is driven by corporate censorship, not ethics.
  • Once you realize you are already complete, consumerism loses its power.
  • We’ve conquered boredom, but at the expense of connection.
  • The price of progress is expensive.

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https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#425

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists talk about how to start decluttering and letting go of stories about things. Watch all 2 hours of episode 424 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • What’s the best method to start decluttering?
  • How do you get rid of things that are brand new?
  • How can I find happiness in my job and make it last?
  • Are things beautiful if you love them?
  • Where can I start when I’m overwhelmed?
  • How can I minimize my guilt?
  • How can I live my life without constantly feeling disappointed by the world around me?
  • How can I stop feeling defeated by my clutter?
  • What have Ryan’s first six months in Montana been like?
  • Is the only way out of the rat race through the gift shop?
  • Which celebrities are embracing minimalism?
  • What do we like about this Patron’s multifunctional living room?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • One day or day one. You decide.
  • Organizing is the problem, not the solution.
  • Letting go of a thing involves letting go of our false stories about the thing.
  • If it makes you uncomfortable, it’s worth doing; if it makes you miserable, it’s worth letting go.
  • The world is the way you see it.
  • You don’t have to change the WORLD to CHANGE the world.
  • Letting go is the antidote to hopelessness.
  • The fear of letting go is the fuel for clinging.
  • Positive emotions create attachments; attachments create negative emotions.
  • Grace is measured by one’s ability to surrender to their imperfect past.

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https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#424

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists talk about decluttering seasonal decorations, opting out of the consumer culture of Los Angeles, and whether hoarding is a choice. Watch all 2 hours of episode 423 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • Should I declutter my seasonal decorations?
  • Is it difficult to be a minimalist in Los Angeles?
  • Do I have too many houseplants for a minimalist?
  • How can I make my digital spaces more minimalist?
  • How can I reclaim my need for control?
  • Can we teach moderation without deprivation?
  • Is hoarding a choice?
  • How are Joshua and T.K. so good at having conversations with differing opinions?
  • Why are we so good at talking ourselves out of being happy?
  • What do we think of IRL podcasts?
  • Why do we like this Patron’s minimalist Christmas tree?
  • Why isn’t the Internet fun anymore?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Seasonality is nature’s way of letting go.
  • You transform what you steep yourself in.
  • “Too much” and “too few” exist only in the eye of the beholder.
  • Clutter is clutter only if it gets in the way.
  • Letting go of control is the best way to regain total control.
  • Withdrawal often feels like deprivation.
  • Beware of the man who has the answers.
  • No one can help you without your assistance.

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https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#423

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists speak with Michael Easter, author of The Comfort Crisis and Scarcity Brain, about embracing boredom and starting from scratch after losing everything. Watch all 2 hours of episode 422 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How do we start from scratch after losing everything?
  • How can I stop going into debt?
  • How can I change my mindset regarding my ADHD?
  • Why can’t humans embrace boredom?
  • How can I get comfortable with conflict?
  • How can I be a good leader?
  • How can we achieve work-life balance with a constantly changing schedule?
  • What are we really afraid of?
  • What do we like about this Patron’s home office?
  • What are nine questions to ask if you’re feeling unfulfilled?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • When you let go of everything, everything remains.
  • The best way to get out of debt is to stay out of debt.
  • Discomfort is often a byproduct of other people’s expectations.
  • Boredom is a prize, not a punishment.
  • The lie of comfort is that it’s the solution when it’s actually the problem.
  • To hold someone accountable against their will is to imprison them.
  • Structure isn’t a rule—it’s a rhythm.
  • “Work-life balance” presumes that one’s work is separate from one’s life.
  • Work-life balance is worthless when you’re balancing the wrong things.

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https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#422

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists speak with Dr. Zach Bush and Alex Woodard about environmentally friendly products, issues caused by food companies, and more. Watch all 2 hours of episode 421 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How can I find affordable environmentally friendly products?
  • What’s the real cost of holiday traditions?
  • Why is everyone afraid of the sun?
  • How can we opt out of the madness of manufactured foods?
  • What do you do about clutter caused by a hobby or passion?
  • Are we addicted to water?
  • How can we develop an alternative to retail therapy that isn’t just another form of consumption?
  • How can I maintain my home while in a season of healing?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • The most environmentally friendly product is the product that’s left on the shelf.
  • “It’s what we’ve always done” is a terrible reason to hold on.
  • The land of Too Much is inhospitable.
  • The solution is the problem.
  • If minimalism gets in the way of your artistry, declutter the minimalism, not the creativity.
  • You can’t consume your way out of misery, but you can create your way into joy.
  • The opposite of retail therapy is fearless generosity.
  • Consumption is not the problem; consumerism is the problem.

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https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#421

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists speak with Leo Babauta from Zen Habits about bringing meaning to our everyday lives and getting back on track with minimalism. Watch all 2 hours of episode 420 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How can I bring meaning to my everyday life?
  • How do I get back on track after falling off the minimalism wagon?
  • Should I hold on to baby items for when I have another child?
  • Does it make sense to use multipurpose items?
  • How can we use minimalism to embrace new beginnings?
  • What should I get my five kids for Christmas?
  • Are smartphones a minimalist tool or a maximalist device?
  • Is being a minimalist just another form of identity clutter?
  • Who knew that frozen water was so controversial?
  • Why do we love this Patron’s weekend home?
  • Does land ownership make sense?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Minimalism is the thing that gets us past the things so we can make room for life’s most important things, which aren’t things at all.
  • Reducing possessions is the starting point, not the finish line.
  • “Just in case” are the three most dangerous words in the English language. 
  • Most crises are the byproduct of excess.
  • The “holiday shopping season” is merely the “holiday season” cluttered with shopping.
  • Minimalism is the antidote to excess, not the enemy of access.
  • Is a hammer a tool or a weapon? Depends on how you use it.
  • The smartphone is a minimal tool that leads to maximal distraction.

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https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#420

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists speak with Rey Flemings, “concierge to the 1%,” about the problem with luxury goods, finding happiness in what we already have, and why people care too much about the size of their homes. Watch all 2 hours of episode 419 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How do I find happiness in what I already have?
  • Why do we obsess over the square footage of our homes?
  • How can my partner and I resist the pressure to spend extravagantly on our wedding?
  • Who are luxury brands actually targeting?
  • Is showing off luxury goods a form of people-pleasing?
  • Can luxury goods and high fashion be a form of artistic expression?
  • Why is it appropriate for the Kardashians to talk about minimalism?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Better things won’t make you a better person.
  • It is possible to appreciate a thing without owning it.
  • Square footage is not a measurement of well-being.
  • Opulence inversely correlates with satisfaction.
  • Disappointment is a mirror that doesn’t reflect reality.
  • A simple life is the richest life.
  • People-pleasing is not the path to abiding acceptance.
  • Great art does not explain itself—it expresses truth.
  • You can buy art with money, but you have to purchase creativity with your soul.

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https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#419

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists speak with Erwin Raphael McManus about the upsides and downsides of changing your mind, finding the motivation to pursue your dreams, and more. Watch all 2 hours of episode 418 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • Why is it difficult for us to change our minds?
  • How can I rekindle the motivation to pursue my dreams?
  • How can I get over my fear of failure?
  • How does minimalism apply to the immigrant experience?
  • Why do we spend so much time trying to be accepted by others?
  • Why do The Minimalists occasionally talk about religion on our podcast?
  • How can I enjoy downtime without needing to be productive?
  • How does this experiment demonstrate why The Minimalists don’t run ads on our podcast?
  • What are The Minimalists thoughts on the Light Phone?
  • How do you know whether you’re using your phone too much?
  • How does this Patron keep their home clean, even with a 10-month-old?
  • What does David Foster Wallace have to say about consumerism?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • A willingness to change one’s mind in the face of new evidence reflects one’s ability to let go.
  • If you have a dream in which people are simply tools to be used to accomplish your outcome, that’s not a dream—it’s a nightmare.
  • Our failures compose the best parts of who we are.
  • How miserable are you willing to be to impress the people around you?
  • While it feels good to be accepted, it feels freeing to accept that you won’t be accepted by everyone.
  • As soon as you renounce something you are forever tethered to it.
  • Regret is not only the result of failing; it is also the byproduct of succeeding in ways that don’t matter to you.
  • There are no refunds on misspent time.
  • It is only when we do nothing that we can be everything.

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https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#418

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists talk about what makes a possession useless and why it’s not your responsibility to manage the material expectations of others. Watch all 2 hours of episode 417 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • What can I do with my old school lesson plans?
  • How can I manage my father’s expectations without causing conflict?
  • Should I sell my home so that I don’t have to worry about the mortgage as I approach retirement?
  • How can I fulfill my spouse’s expectations around household chores?
  • Why do people pay to keep things in storage lockers?
  • What do The Minimalists’ think about Feng Shui?
  • Why don’t the mathematics of consumerism add up?
  • Should I amass or trash my old yearbooks?
  • Why is Taylor Swift pathetic?
  • Why does this Patron’s home look like it’s been staged for sale?
  • What is mobility, and why is it important for longevity?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • When evaluating excess material possessions, “useless” is the honest way to say “just in case.”
  • It is not your responsibility to manage their expectations.
  • A free future is a simplified future.
  • You can set down every expectation you’ve picked up.
  • Every storage locker is filled with stories about the difficulties of letting go.
  • If you want a recipe for misery, worry about what other people do with their stuff.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

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https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#417

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists talk about the frustrating effects of decluttering, and then we interview Adrienne Jezick from Morozko Forge about the benefits of ice baths. Watch all 2 hours of episode 416 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How does minimalism affect one’s daily routine?
  • How do you avoid letting the behavior of those you live with influence you?
  • What items did Ryan unpack first after his packing party?
  • How do I tell my mom I don’t want her knick knacks after she passes away?
  • How do we address the emotional loneliness that comes after indulging in retail therapy?
  • How do we deal with the chaos of too much stuff when we’re our home’s primary caretaker?
  • What can Morozko Forge founder Adrienne Jezick tell us about the benefits of cold exposure?
  • What items should I purchase from Amazon?
  • What was the studio team’s experience like playing the 30-Day Minimalism Game?
  • What did Josh get Danny Unknwn for his wedding present?
  • Who was saying “advertisements suck” before it was cool?
  • What does Danny’s living room look like?
  • What is Josh’s favorite article about autumn?
  • How does giving away items create peace?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Growth happens in the discomfort zone.
  • Boundaries are for you, not for them: you can’t build a fence on someone’s property.
  • It is not the security blanket that keeps the child secure.
  • No is a complete sentence.
  • Consumption is not the problem; consumerism is the problem.
  • True joy enables us to appreciate mundane moments as much as exciting moments.
  • A thing can’t betray you: it was never your friend in the first place.
  • Progress in the wrong direction is worse than doing nothing.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

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https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#416

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists talk about saying no to free stuff. Watch all 3 hours of episode 415 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How can I say no to all the freebies my employer keeps trying to give me?
  • How can I overcome my all-or-nothing mentality?
  • What do I do if I feel deep despair about my life situation?
  • When is it appropriate to hold on to clothes?
  • How can parents decide how much of their children’s stuff to hold on to?
  • How do we teach the next generation contentment, worth, and moderation?
  • What can I do to stay out of the stuff rat race?
  • How can I stop holding on to just-in-case items?
  • What do we do when we have two “hell yeses” at the same time?
  • Is Halloween quietly the most consumerist holiday of all?
  • Are you using your phone, or is your phone using you?
  • Are you filling your time with your value or with meaningful pursuits?
  • What’s the connection between tire pressure and productivity?
  • Why do we love the view from this Patron’s bedroom window?
  • Why did a cowardly podcaster decide to “deplatform” us?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Consumerism loses its leverage the moment you realize you already have everything you need.
  • Freebies are never free: you pay for free stuff with your energy, time, and attention.
  • Doing everything all the time leaves no room for doing nothing.
  • To be or to do? That is the question.
  • Suffering fogs the mirror of reality.
  • Hold on if it confers more benefits than letting go.
  • Your possessions do not create who you are, but they can get in the way of your essence.
  • You cannot teach a bird how to be content; its default state is contentment.
  • The best way to escape the rat race is to cease being a rat.
  • The person who wins the rat race, slowly mutates into a rabies-infected rodent during the competition.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

Follow Our Team

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#415

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists speak with Dr. Bradley Nelson about identifying and letting go of emotional baggage. Watch all 2 hours of episode 414 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How can I let go of the idealized mother figure I conceptualized to cope with my childhood trauma?
  • How does The Body Code apply to physical pain?
  • How can I feel valuable when chronic pain keeps me from completing day-to-day tasks?
  • How can we hold on and keep going when we feel like letting go and giving up?
  • How can I let others help me take care of things?
  • How can we let go of the things that evoke painful emotions for us?
  • How do I escape the pattern of thinking about others who have hurt me?
  • How can I eliminate the emotional clutter that stops me from minimizing?
  • Why does our culture seem to discourage stillness as a valid state of being?
  • What kind of ad does Joshua think is maybe not so bad after all?
  • How can I avoid impulse purchases?
  • Why does Joshua homeschool his daughter?
  • What do we like about this Patron’s simple dining room?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • We cannot love if we are not willing to let go.
  • Your problems don’t make you worthless; your problems point toward that which is worthwhile.
  • Organizing is the problem, not the solution: hiding clutter in boxes and bins only makes the problem worse.
  • Doing less better is better than doing more.
  • The moth is intrigued by the light of the flame, not the pain of the fire.
  • Decluttering things while clinging to emotions gives birth to emotional clutter.
  • You needn’t be flawless to be finished.
  • External clutter is our mirror for emotional clutter.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

Follow Our Team

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#414

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists talk about the balance between holding on and letting go. Watch all 2 hours of episode 413 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How can I let go of possessions my daughter doesn’t want me to let go of?
  • Can digital music become clutter?
  • Should I pay off my car loan or invest that money instead?
  • How can I prepare RV living with three small children?
  • What do The Minimalists think about the mobs that recently stormed high-end luxury stores in California?
  • Why does Joshua still use Ziploc Bags?
  • Why do The Minimalists use social media?
  • Is each successive generation getting better at decluttering?
  • How can we let go of the belief that we need to be perfect to do something?
  • How can I let people know that we prefer to be gifted experiences rather than stuff for our daughter’s birthday?
  • How was Ryan’s experience at Burning Man?
  • Are podcasters who run ads scamming their audience?
  • Is decluttering making us ashamed of our homes?
  • What do we love about this Patron’s home in Bangalow, Australia?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Holding on too long leads to clinging, but letting go too soon leads to falling.
  • Clutter is contextual: if my treasures get in your way, they are clutter.
  • Silence is more valuable than noise.
  • If you have to finance it, you can’t afford it.
  • It’s easier to enjoy the summer if you aren’t fretting about winter.
  • A wrong thing done to an adversary is still wrong.
  • Everything is negotiable if you’re willing to walk away.
  • Simplicity is an experience, not a prescription.
  • A liberated mindset is the greatest legacy.
  • Letting go is contagious.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

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https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#413

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists speak with psychologist Dr. John Delony about finding peace in difficult times. Watch all 2 hours of episode 412 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How can I learn to be at peace with myself?
  • How can I get back custody of my children?
  • How do I let go of heartbreak?
  • How can we consume intentionally within our values?
  • How can we vet the people with whom we chose to be vulnerable?
  • How do I muster enough energy to start letting go?
  • Should we let go of people who no longer serve us?
  • Why do The Minimalists post to social media?
  • What if peace isn’t our natural state?
  • How do you maintain a minimalist lifestyle when you have a lot to prioritize?
  • Why does Dr. Delony let his wife call all the shots?
  • What are the six daily choices we can make to eliminate anxiety?
  • When grounding, is it normal to feel worse before you feel better?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Peace exists only in the NOW, never in the past or future
  • The difficult times shape the contours of a meaningful life.
  • Our preferences shape the stories we tell ourselves; the stories we tell ourselves shape our preferences going forward.
  • If you agree with someone totally, you lack your own point of view.
  • Many nice people are not kind people.
  • Success is not measured by your achievements; it is measured by your freedom.
  • It is possible to let go of someone and still love them from a distance.
  • Letting go is loving; clinging is unloving.
  • You don’t have to demonize to declutter.
  • Scrolling is the new smoking.
  • Clinging requires more energy than letting go.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

Follow Our Team

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#412

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists talk about getting rid of things even if you think they won’t add value to others. Watch all 2 hours of episode 411 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • What can I do with my items that I think won’t add value to others?
  • How can I opt-out of my workplace’s themed dress-up days?
  • Do we become lonely if we lose material things?
  • How can I cultivate a sense of freedom from stuff?
  • Is it fair to compare doing recreational drugs to wearing green pants?
  • Would The Minimalists ever consider living off-grid?
  • Why do The Minimalists put out so much content?
  • Where can I learn more about minimalist meetup groups?
  • What can we do about people who make us feel inadequate?
  • Have you ever seen a $250,000 handbag?
  • What should I do with my old power cords and cables?
  • What does it look like when kids insist their parents hang on to their childhood possessions?
  • Why do we love this Patron’s minimalist dorm room?
  • Why do humans spend so much time on “stuff”?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • When a house is full of junk, it is no longer a home—it is a landfill with four walls.
  • Hold your preferences loosely, because every preference comes prepacked with a cost.
  • If you don’t like it, you don’t have to do it.
  • There are better ways to signal your worth than soon-to-be-worthless material possessions.
  • Anyone who says you can’t compare apples and oranges doesn’t understand comparisons (or fruit).
  • Where you live isn’t as important as why you live there.
  • It is possible to value a thing without depending on it.
  • Everything you own can fit in three piles: essential, nonessential, and junk.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

Follow Our Team

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#411

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists talk about clutter as an anxiety crutch and letting go of coupons. Watch all 2 hours of episode 410 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • Can clutter be an anxiety crutch?
  • How can I let go of all the coupons I’m clinging to?
  • How can I plan a minimalist wedding?
  • How can I prepare my foster child for the trauma he might face when he leaves my home?
  • Have you ever regretted letting go?
  • Do we need to make mistakes to become the best version of ourselves?
  • Do lower-income folks tend to spend more frivolously than higher-income folks on luxury goods?
  • How can I keep my space minimal but still warm and inviting?
  • How do I know whether a community is still worth exploring before I need to graduate to a new town?
  • How do The Minimalists feel about their debate with Destiny in episode 409?
  • Why do we insist on passing down family heirlooms?
  • What is the root of unhappiness?
  • What should this listener do with her excess writing utensils?
  • How did one listener create room for living in her living room?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Clutter is debris in the road, not the destination.
  • If it feels like a no, let it go!
  • Consumption is not the problem—consumerism is.
  • I’ve never regretted letting go, but if I did, I’d let go of the regret.
  • Even your best self will make mistakes.
  • Rich people are not immune to the poverty mindset.
  • The wastefulness of the rich is a luxury the poor cannot afford.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

Follow Our Team

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#410

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists speak with YouTuber Destiny about a host of controversial topics, including extreme hoarding, opinions, objective morality, taxation, God, dating, and whether we should discuss controversial topics in the first place. Watch all 2 hours of episode 409 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How can we set boundaries with the hoarders in our lives?
  • What’s the point of having controversial debates?
  • Is morality objective or relative?
  • Is taxation theft?
  • Does Destiny have any controversial dating advice?
  • Is it wrong to have a TikTok account?
  • What do you tell someone whose mind has been influenced by red-pill ideology? And why do people believe in conspiracy theories?
  • What’s the ideal minimum wage for Americans?
  • What are the positive and negative effects of playing video games?
  • Is transgender ideology ripping families apart?
  • Why are we as a society still debating when life begins and ends?
  • Why does congress ban books but not guns?
  • Why is medicine so outrageously expensive?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Sometimes the best way to love someone is from a distance.
  • It is possible to love someone without liking everything about them.
  • An ounce of conflict poisons an ocean of peace.
  • The brutal truth is often offensive, but a kind lie is more offensive.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

Follow Our Team

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#409

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists speak with Dr. Sean O’Mara about the connection between minimalism and weight loss. Watch all 2 hours of episode 408 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • What is the connection between minimalism and weight loss? And how does clinging affect the body?
  • How can I minimize the excess fat around my face and belly?
  • How can I lose my last bit of fat? And how unhealthy would it be to not lose it?
  • How can we apply minimalism to our daily eating habits, especially with regard to social situations?
  • What are the similarities between unhealthy eating and unwise spending?
  • Have we found the perfect visual metaphor for what we put in our bodies?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • To simplify is to let go of the habits, rituals, commitments, people, and things that no longer serve you.
  • In a sick society, the average person is sick.
  • The simple answer is rarely the easy answer.
  • What you don’t do is more important than what you do.
  • It is easier to let go than it is to hold on.
  • Impulse is a precursor of regret.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

Follow Our Team

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#408

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists talk about cultivating an abundance mindset and letting go of the residue of the past. Watch all 2 hours of episode 407 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How do I let go of my scarcity mindset so I can enjoy the fruits of my years of hard work and saving?
  • What should I do with my parents’ ashes?
  • How can I vet charitable organizations before making a donation?
  • How do you account for pieces of items when playing the 30-Day Minimalism Game?
  • What’s the best way to dispose of old chargers and cables?
  • Is it possible for positivity to be toxic?
  • If luxury goods are a scam, what’s the point of making money?
  • Where does the mean voice in my head come from?
  • How can I find community without using social media?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • An abundance mindset is a cure for the disease of scarcity. 
  • The residue of the past has a way of staining the present moment.
  • People often fret about being too stingy, but they rarely regret being more generous.
  • One plus one does not always equal two: one drop of water plus one more drop still equals one.
  • If it doesn’t serve a purpose, you can give yourself permission to let it go.
  • Everything has a toxic dose—materialism, minimalism, and even positivity.
  • Ryan: Expecting happiness from luxury goods is like anticipating a swimming pool from a basement flood.
  • Business requires a product and a purchaser. A scam is when someone tricks you into being both.
  • Money is not the finish line; it is the vehicle that can get us to our desired destination.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

Follow Our Team

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#407

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists speak with author and traveler Light Watkins about traveling with less and letting go of distractions while traveling. Watch all 2 hours of episode 406 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How can I let go of my assumptions, prejudices, and expectations while traveling?
  • How can I pack lightly with two young children?
  • How can I balance packing for comfort and practicality when traveling?
  • How do people enjoy traveling alone?
  • What’s the best way to pack for unpredictable weather?
  • Why does Joshua travel with a grounding mat?
  • Should I give my kids the choice about what they do with their stuff?
  • How do you manage anxiety that you have despite knowing worrying isn’t necessary?
  • Why does the thought of decluttering make me feel afraid of being alone?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Clutter is anything that distracts us from living fully.
  • The things you think you need clutter the life you want.
  • Excess possessions weigh us down, not just physically, but mentally and spiritually.
  • Aloneness and loneliness don’t have to hold hands in the same room.
  • “Just in case” are the three most dangerous words you can utter when packing for a vacation.
  • A good checklist tells you what to avoid as much as it instructs you on what to include.
  • What is essential for one person in one context might be junk for another person in a different context.
  • Other people’s possessions are only your responsibility if you accept them as your responsibility.
  • You can’t teach someone how to let go unless you’re willing to let them learn what it really means to hang on.
  • Letting go is not something you do—it is something you stop doing. 

Links Mentioned in This Episode

Follow Our Team

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#406

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists talk about the buy nothing movement and the dangers of binary thinking. Watch all 2 hours of episode 405 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • What are The Minimalists’ thoughts on the “buy nothing” movement?
  • How can I let go of the items my husband left behind after his death?
  • Should I have a second child?
  • Will I regret getting rid of my music gear, which I haven’t touched in years?
  • Why don’t people listen to their intuition much anymore?
  • How can we control where the stuff we let go of goes?
  • How can I curate my curiosity?
  • Why do we feel resistant to making end-of-life plans?
  • How can I help my adult daughter become independent?
  • What details can Joshua share about his daily cold plunge?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Warning: binary thinking leads to inharmonious outcomes.
  • If everything is important, nothing is important.
  • Clutter is contagious.
  • Happiness is always here and now, never there and then.
  • Chaos is the starting line at the simplicity marathon.
  • Intuition is a powerful compass, but compasses often break.
  • Appreciation loses its magic whenever it is controlled.
  • You can’t make a plan without facing the pain.
  • Humiliation is the death of one’s own self image.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

Follow Our Team

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#405

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists talk about avoiding souvenirs, resisting impulse, and minimizing tattoos. Watch all 2 hours of episode 404 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How can I control the fear of missing out when on vacation?
  • How can I address the fear of the unknown as I contemplate removing my tattoos?
  • How can I confront the fear of violence that comes with living authentically as a trans person?
  • What can we do when our jobs require us to have a lot of stuff?
  • I’m uncomfortable with my partner’s drug use. Would staying with him mean sacrificing my values? Or would leaving mean holding on to too many expectations?
  • As long as I stick to my budget and am intentional with my spending, is it so wrong to use credit cards?
  • How can we resist impulse purchases when presented with the attitude that “life is short, so why not just buy it?”
  • How can I find a new “calling” that allows me to help people?
  • What are the knock-on effects of letting go?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Clutter is less tempting when you are grounded in your values.
  • On a long enough timeline, nothing is permanent.
  • The fear of change exposes our insecurities.
  • Admittance is expensive whenever clutter is the cost of admission.
  • A coercive relationship extinguishes the potentiality of love.
  • Freedom is the byproduct of letting go.
  • The truth does not require consensus to remain true.
  • Life is too short to sell yourself short.
  • Silence is the best explanation.
  • Today’s impulse purchases are tomorrow’s regrets.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

Follow Our Team

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#404

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists talk about whether to sell, consign, or donate unwanted clothes, furniture, and art. Watch all 2 hours of episode 403 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • What are my options for getting rid of unwanted clothes?
  • How can my partner and I reconcile our differing views on having children?
  • Should I get rid of my smartphone?
  • Was Henry David Thoreau the ideal minimalist?
  • How can minimalism help us restructure our environment so we can focus on our priority?
  • How can we be sure our beliefs are our own?
  • Is the economy forcing people to be more minimal?
  • Is minimalism “all or nothing,” or are there areas in my life where I can allow space for more?
  • What is the 30-Day Minimalism Game?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • There are no refunds for misspent time.
  • Discontent arises when our values are misaligned with our actions.
  • Our devices become distractions when they aren’t used deliberately.
  • What if your weakness is actually your superpower?
  • Unlearning is just as important as learning.
  • Just as forced commitment is not an indication of devotion, and forced restraint is not a marker of self-discipline, forced simplicity is not a demonstration of minimalism.
  • When you make minimalism all or nothing, it’s all for nothing.
  • Living simply involves intention, not deprivation.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

Follow Our Team

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#403

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists talk about social media overwhelm. Watch all 2 hours of episode 402 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How do The Minimalists maintain a healthy relationship with social media?
  • As I furnish my new home, how can I balance self-expression with minimalism and practicality?
  • How can I let go of my home?
  • Where can I donate my old military gear?
  • Does simple living make us more susceptible to crime?
  • How can I rebuild trust after having my hard broken?
  • How can I thrive as the sole minimalists in a maximalist family?
  • How can I avoid the burden of inherited family heirlooms?
  • How can I get more meaningful connections out of social media?
  • How can I manage my relationship with social media when I need to engage with it for work?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Like anything useful, social media becomes clutter whenever it is a distraction.
  • An empty room is filled with opportunity for intentionality.
  • Your memories reside in you, not inside your things.
  • A useless item becomes useful in the right hands.
  • Every life change carries with it the potential for ridicule, but judgment alone is a terrible reason to avoid change.
  • The cost of love is vulnerability, but the cost of not loving is a hollow existence.
  • Your favorite color is not a judgment about the value of other colors.
  • Arguments about stuff are really arguments about stories.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

Follow Our Team

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#402

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, we talk about buying in bulk, avoiding clickbait, and letting go of family heirlooms. Watch all 2 hours of episode 401 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • What are The Minimalists’ thoughts on buying items in bulk?
  • Should we ignore click-bait headlines and hit pieces about Minimalism and other topics we enjoy?
  • How can we minimize the amount of accreditations we might need for our work?
  • What’s the best method for paying off credit card debt?
  • Why do The Minimalists discuss psychology on the podcast so much?
  • How can I get people to stop giving me unwanted gifts?
  • Can the simple life also be thrilling and exciting?
  • How do I tell my mom I don’t want her family heirlooms?
  • Why isn’t The Minimalists’ second documentary, Less Is Now, on YouTube?
  • What’s the difference between “just in case” and “just for when”?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Anything can be clutter if it gets in the way.
  • If you deeply desire to misunderstand someone, you will find a thousand ways to misinterpret them.
  • The size of the certificate does not correlate with the size of the skillset.
  • The willingness to walk away from possessions develops the muscle that helps people let go of relationship clutter, calendar clutter, and career clutter. 
  • A gift becomes a curse when it is attached to an obligation.
  • The simple life is an untangled life.
  • Facts don’t care about your feelings, but friends do.
  • A light foot cracks the same number of eggshells.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

Follow Our Team

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#401

In this very special public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, we talk about Ryan Nicodemus’s new chapter. Watch all 4 hours of episode 400 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How has Joshua and Ryan’s friendship evolved over the last 32 years? And how will it evolve going forward?
  • What is Ryan most excited about with respect to his new chapter?
  • What is Ryan going to miss most about the old chapter?
  • What was the hardest thing Ryan has had to do in the last 13 years?
  • What is Ryan’s favorite thing The Minimalists have done in the last 13 years?
  • What material possessions is Ryan letting go of during his move?
  • What’s one thing Ryan has changed his mind about over the last 13 years?
  • As The Minimalist’s work takes them in different directions, what upcoming projects is Ryan most excited for?
  • What are The Minimalists’ thoughts on identity and transitioning through life’s phases?
  • If Ryan had to start a new podcast today, what would the topic be?
  • Is there anything on Ryan’s bucket list that he hasn’t done yet?
  • How did Ryan develop his non-defensive attitude toward criticism?
  • What’s Ryan’s relationship with stand-up comedy?
  • What are The Minimalists five favorite minimalism rules?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • You don’t have to believe or not believe; you just have to listen.
  • Everyone has an expensive past.
  • If you have no boundaries in your life, you have no love.
  • Absolute compulsivity results in absolute misery.

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https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#400

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, we talk about hobby clutter and the diminishing returns of owning too much. Watch all 2 hours of episode 399 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • Should we make checklists of items we need to support our hobbies?
  • How can I manage anxiety caused by my partner’s paper clutter?
  • What observations do you have for someone who wants their partner to be happy, even as they transition out of the relationship? And how do you let go of an identity that no longer serves you?
  • Is an unwillingness to go all-in on something a sign that it isn’t important to you?
  • How can we apply minimalism to the workplace?
  • How do I avoid obligations around gift-giving?
  • How do we redirect negative thoughts that come up when we look at possessions that are holding us back?
  • How can I get over my fear that my digital files might get lost in the cloud so that I can reduce paper clutter?
  • How do I let go of the fear that someday I may no longer be able to afford the lifestyle I currently enjoy?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • There are no shoulds, but there are infinite coulds.
  • If it gets in the way, it’s clutter.
  • If your home is being invaded, you cease to worry about doing the dishes.
  • To simplify is to create room for what matters.
  • A gift turns into a curse when it becomes an obligation.
  • Negative reactions to negative thoughts produce negative results.
  • Positive thoughts are the source of—not the antidote to—negative thoughts.

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https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#399

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, we speak with Dr. Zach Bush about his minimalist approach to gut health. Watch all 3 hours of episode 398 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • What steps can I take to optimize my gut microbiome?
  • What is Joshua’s personal gut-health protocol?
  • What’s behind the global increase in allergies?
  • Are there any foods I should avoid or prioritize for optimal hormone balance?
  • Does conflicting messaging around food create eating disorders?
  • What big news does Dr. Bush have to share with the podcast?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • When in doubt, avoid the synthetic route.
  • You become whatever you immerse yourself in.
  • Subtraction is greater than addition.
  • The status quo is rotting with disorder.
  • Our bodies and brains are not standing in separate corners of the room.
  • You don’t need to be like them to be liked by them.
  • The immune system is not a battle ground—it’s a relationship.
  • The antidote is in the wound.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

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https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#398

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, we talk about healing from shopping addiction, being used by family, getting bothered by others, and more. Watch all 2 hours of episode 397 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How can I heal from shopping addiction and emotional abuse?
  • What are The Minimalists’ views on the ethics of using sharing-economy services like Uber and AirBnB?
  • How can I discern between items I’ll need for the future and items I can let go now?
  • Is listening to podcasts at 2x speed an example of information consumerism?
  • How can we avoid shame from others while downsizing?
  • Is Joshua really a minimalist if he lives in a separate annex from his main home?
  • Can we live minimally and still store items? 
  • Why is hidden clutter the most toxic form of clutter? 
  • What makes a supportive partner?
  • Now that Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things is available for free on YouTube, will the bonus content still be available for purchase?
  • How does the death of a parent affect one’s identity?
  • Was today a good day or a bad day?
  • What do you do when you have second thoughts about letting an item go?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Love people and use things, because the opposite never works.
  • Elastic boundaries work better than steel boundaries.
  • If you look for reasons to be bothered, you will find them—guaranteed.
  • Access is greater than ownership.
  • Judgment is a mirror that reflects the desires of the judge.
  • Minimalism is the thing that gets us past the things so we can make room for life’s most important things.
  • The easiest way to organize your stuff is to get rid of most of it.
  • The stuff that is out of sight is not out of mind—it takes up space in the back of your psyche.
  • Beware the friend who can never say “you’re not okay.”
  • It’s offensive to get offended on behalf of people who are not offended.
  • If you think love is risky, just wait until you find out how risky it is to avoid love.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

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https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#397

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, we talk about identity clutter and what to do when your family won’t try minimalism. Watch all 2 hours of episode 396 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How can I decouple my identity from my career?(05:21)
  • How can I recover from losing a key part of my identity? (21:20)
  • How can a college student live minimally? (31:25)
  • How do you declutter emotional resentment? (42:40)
  • How can one apply minimalism to hobbies that require a lot of equipment? (48:58)
  • How do you keep multipurpose spaces organized? (53:50)
  • How can I get my family to try minimalism? (01:01:19)
  • How can we balance authenticity with “faking it until we make it”? (01:11:50)
  • Does Joshua feel his identity dissolve when he’s writing? (01:20:07)
  • How can one live joyfully in a place that doesn’t fit their aesthetic preferences? (01:48:15)
  • What are The Minimalists’ thoughts on “teamwork culture”? (01:49:58)

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Our identities are shaped by the stories we tell ourselves.
  • Every identity is false because the ego is the false self.
  • Everyone wants to be special just like everyone else.
  • There are infinite paths to your destination. 
  • A simple life is the default human state.
  • Resentment is a consequence of clinging to the way you wish things were.
  • Limiting beliefs are the most dangerous form of identity clutter.
  • The process is only as compelling as its benefits.
  • Expectations are the bedrock for disappointment.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

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https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#396

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, we talk about leaving a home that’s weighing you down and why no one can make you happy. Watch all 2 hours of episode 395 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How do you let go of a home that’s weighing you down?
  • What are Joshua’s, Ryan’s, and T.K.’s different perspectives on religious traditions and rituals?
  • How can one apply minimalism when shopping for food?
  • How do you minimize impulse purchases? Do you just stop?
  • Does one have tolerate the behavior of an angry boss?
  • Do we have to avoid everything in order to be “healthy”?
  • Why do people get so easily offended by differing ideas?
  • Can we use minimalism to keep our mood from being swayed by other people’s opinions?
  • Why don’t you consider the plugging of your own private podcast advertising?
  • How does the Maxim “No one can make you happy” help people who are already lonely?
  • Why am I anxious despite having everything I need?
  • What is stress?
  • What do The Minimalists think of Black Friday in Spring?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • If it’s weighing you down, let it go.
  • Clinging to identity is the root of societal clutter.
  • To identify the clutter, first determine the essentials.
  • An impulse turns into an impulse purchase only if you act on the impulse.
  • You encourage whatever you tolerate.
  • Subtraction is the cure to the disease of excess.
  • Freedom is a consequence of doing what you enjoy and then allowing others to be offended by your liberation.
  • Happiness is not a currency.
  • No one can make you content without your consent.
  • It is not wise to lend your happiness to others and then beg them to give it back to you.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

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https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#395

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, we talk about reducing digital clutter and whether “the cloud” is damaging the planet. Watch all 2 hours of episode 394 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How detrimental to the planet is our use of “cloud” storage?
  • What do you consider “adding value”?
  • How do we create environmental awareness without “doom and gloom”?
  • What are your opinions regarding first-class service options?
  • What is your definition of “consumerism”?
  • How do we deal with loved ones who don’t keep our shared spaces as neat and orderly as we’d like?
  • What does the acronym “TARA” represent?
  • How can spirituality help with addiction recovery?
  • Why do we get so attached to things, and how can we stop?
  • How do we relax and enjoy life without worrying about the next possible crisis?
  • What do you consider the differences between satisfaction and pleasure?
  • What is Jed McKenna’s thought experiment?
  • How do we donate books without guilt?
  • What can we do with old clothes that aren’t suitable for donation?
  • Why do we participate in so many pursuits that don’t truly matter to us, and why do we feel compelled to do so?
  • How do we help loved ones who are resistant to assistance?
  • What book would each of you recommend that you’ve found most impactful?
  • How do we deal with the urge to purchase new items based on aesthetics alone?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Digital clutter accumulates whenever technology gets in the way of living.
  • Running on the hedonic treadmill does not take you as far as a simple walk.
  • Peace is located at the intersection of obsession and acceptance.
  • The path to misery is cobbled with addition; the path to peace is uncovered with subtraction.
  • To let go, you needn’t do anything, except stop clinging.
  • Good and bad emotions exist only in the cluttered head of the beholder.
  • To live with less, one must understand the difference between essential details and clutter
  • There is no honor in clinging to things that no longer add value to your life.
  • The most sustainable item is the one that is left on the shelf.
  • Perhaps your clutter is the solution to someone else’s problem.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

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https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#394

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, we speak with psychologist Dr. John Delony about psychological clutter, the anatomy of hope, and more. Watch all 2 hours of episode 393 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • What are your views regarding hope?
  • What are the two kinds of hope?
  • What do you consider the differences between wishing and hoping?
  • How do you define “faith”?
  • How do we best manage chronic pain and suffering?
  • What do you think of unsolicited help?
  • How do you address loved ones who don’t invite you to family gatherings?
  • What are the two types of desires?
  • How do we compassionately discuss contentious topics with loved ones when it involves them?
  • Why are secrets so problematic?
  • How do we unclutter our minds?
  • How do we keep our personal and professional lives separated?
  • Isn’t compromise an integral part of a romantic relationship?
  • What are the three C’s of compromise?
  • What is the “test-taking mindset”?
  • What is “E-Prime”?
  • What is the “burden of self-righteousness”?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Hope is expectation dressed in a tuxedo.
  • Psychological clutter exists at the intersection of mental and emotional clutter.
  • Suffering is the inability to let go of pain.
  • Every new desire adds another bar to your prison cell.
  • An uncluttered mind is untethered from the past and the future.
  • How might your life be more with less?
  • Good and bad emotions exist only in the cluttered head of the beholder.
  • Love inspires the desire to support, not to sacrifice.
  • Compromise doesn’t require condescension.
  • Love does not require compromise, commitment, or covenant—it requires awareness.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

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https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#393

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, we speak with author Julien Smith about perpetual dissatisfaction and the flinch that prevents us from freeing ourselves from the weight of possessions. Watch all 2 hours of episode 392 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How do we appropriately reuse, repurpose, or recycle items to ensure they don’t simply become a problem for someone else?
  • What are your perspectives regarding pride?
  • How do I cultivate a passion for my current job so I’m not constantly searching for a new one?
  • What are the distinctions between excitement and passion?
  • What are your views on boredom?
  • How do we balance our pursuit of a minimalist lifestyle with our existing responsibilities and obligations?
  • What is “The Forge”?
  • What value is there in discomfort?
  • How do we discover and appreciate our true selves?
  • What are your opinions regarding desires?
  • How do we appropriately manage fear with our loved ones?
  • Why does our society seem to have such an intense addiction to fear?
  • What can I do to address my fear of failure?
  • What are your thoughts regarding motivation?
  • How do we deal with our daily fears?
  • What are the two types of fears?
  • How do we ensure our focus on personal development doesn’t become an obsession?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Consumerism does not fill the void—it widens it.
  • Intentional living is sustainable; deprivation is untenable.
  • The fear of clinging is scarier than the fear of letting go.
  • Our identities are shaped by the costumes we wear.
  • People who are addicted to fear are addicted to the certainty it brings them.
  • Falling and flying are the same thing 99% of the time.
  • Courage doesn’t exist without fear.
  • You don’t have to be fearless to fear less.
  • Every fear is a byproduct of expectations.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

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https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#392

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, we talk about abandoning impulse to get what you want. Watch all 2 hours of episode 391 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How do I let go of my pet accouterments?
  • How do we teach our children personal responsibility?
  • How do we respectfully set boundaries with others?
  • What are your opinions regarding journaling?
  • What do you think of our current coffee culture?
  • What do you consider the differences between justification and introspection?
  • What are the benefits of consuming coffee?
  • How do you convince someone that “antique” is not a synonym for “junk”?
  • How do you transition from being a night owl to an early bird?
  • How can we improve our sleep?
  • How do you distinguish just-in-case items from just-for-when items when it comes to packing go-bags?
  • Are there negative consequences to dark therapy?
  • When should I let go of sentimental items from a failed relationship that had a significant impact on me?
  • How do I determine whether to hold a garage sale or hire an estate-sale company when I have so much stuff of high monetary value?
  • What are the dangers in delving into memories and fantasies?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • People often give up what they want to get what they want right now.
  • A thing can neither fulfill nor upset you, but the story you tell yourself about your things can do both.
  • A person who enjoys the now needn’t cling to memories for happiness.
  • Self-righteousness is a dangerous disease that moralizes everything from atrocities to benign preferences.
  • To convince someone is to unlove them.
  • Changing your habits won’t change your life.
  • “Just in case” are the three most dangerous words in the English language.
  • Short-term deprivation is a spotlight for value.
  • Isolation is not deprivation.
  • Nothing is more dangerous than a confrontation with your true self.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

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https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#391

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, we speak with professional organizer Kristen Ziegler about adding style to one’s home without adding clutter. Watch all 2 hours of episode 390 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How do we decorate our homes without adding more?
  • What do you consider “authentic style”?
  • How do we appropriately enhance empty rooms?
  • What can we do with cherished items that don’t fit our current design aesthetic?
  • How do you determine a space’s design potential?
  • What questions do you ask clients to discover their design needs and wants?
  • Where is the best place to start on the path to organization?
  • How do we discover our ‘why’ for organizing?
  • How do I tactfully display pieces in my home that others might find offensive?
  • How do we decide how much space is enough?
  • How do we ascertain the most suitable use for a space?
  • How do I create a workspace within our home that’s mindful of my family’s space?
  • What is “legato time”?
  • Where should we store cooking accouterments aside from the kitchen counters?
  • Where should I store my art supplies when I have limited space in my studio?
  • What do you use to filter contaminants from your water?
  • How do you decide on the best containers for your storage needs?
  • What can we do to appropriately manage book collections?
  • What are some of your preferred brands?
  • What’s next after decluttering?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • When in doubt, subtract.
  • A messy home is a sign of dysfunction.
  • Clutter is a weapon we use to harm ourselves.
  • “Just in case” are the three most dangerous words in the English language.
  • You needn’t erect a fence to create a boundary.
  • What would happen if the things you love spontaneously combusted?
  • Limitations breed creativity.
  • No one wins with storage bins.
  • Hidden clutter is the most toxic form of clutter.
  • Make what is necessary beautiful.
  • The best option is the one that sets you free.
  • The best way to organize your stuff is to get rid of it.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

Follow Our Team

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#390

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, we talk about feeling overwhelmed by clothing. Watch all 2 hours of episode 389 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How do we ensure we have only the clothing we actually need?
  • What are your takes on clothing styles?
  • How do we address the regret we feel regarding things we’ve let go?
  • How do we use the Packing Party concept during a new move to maximize our minimization?
  • How do I reconcile my role as a minimalist with my roles as a creator and consumer of physical goods?
  • How does hedonic adaptation trap us into trying to “fill the void”?
  • What are your views regarding perfection?
  • What are the two kinds of happiness?
  • How do I let go of military-service items while being respectful of their service?
  • You recently said, “Healing is the gateway to letting go,” but isn’t it the other way around?
  • How can minimalism help me create a balance between life and work, especially with regard to working from home?
  • What are your opinions regarding efficiency?
  • How do I appropriately appreciate the red dress my boyfriend bought me when I prefer all black clothing?
  • When will I finally feel I’ve minimized all I can?
  • How do you deal with unwanted thoughts, like constantly worrying about bills, inflation, and unpredictable living conditions?
  • How do I combat the loneliness I experience as the sole minimalist in my social circle?
  • How did you come to wholly appreciate your experiences in the corporate world?
  • What is “identity clutter”?
  • What do you think of corporatism?
  • How can we keep our sex lives exciting?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • If it’s overwhelming, it’s clutter.
  • Loss is a story, not a reality, and regret is a byproduct of the stories we tell ourselves.
  • Moving day is an opportunity to start over.
  • The joy of being human is found in creativity, not consumption.
  • Consumerism is a smokescreen for discontent.
  • You are rarely as happy or unhappy as you predicted.
  • The more you get, the more you want.
  • To cling is to disrespect.
  • Letting go is the gateway to healing.
  • Work/life balance conforms to work/life boundaries.
  • Balance is not created—it is the natural state.
  • The house of your life cannot stand on a foundation of compromised values.
  • If you must be in conflict with others, at least be in harmony with yourself.
  • Clinging to preferences is a great way to get dragged away from peace.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

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https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#389

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, we speak with financial expert Ramit Sethi about wealth, money clutter, and investing with a minimalist mindset. Watch all 3 hours of episode 388 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • Why do minimalists invest if they already have what they need?
  • How do we determine our rich life?
  • How much money does anyone actually need?
  • How does confidence contribute to personal finance?
  • What two things should we focus on regarding money management?
  • What are “invisible scripts”?
  • What unbiased resources do you recommend for financial education?
  • How helpful is automation for personal investing?
  • What financial scams should we be aware of?
  • Why is “timing the market” pointless?
  • What are your perspectives regarding whole life insurance?
  • What is the difference between the cost of living now and when I Will Teach You to Be Rich was released?
  • What is a viable alternative to budgets?
  • What is “TCO”?
  • How can “cutting back” be counterproductive?
  • How crucial is generosity when considering our expenditures?
  • What is the difference between an adult and a child mindset regarding money?
  • How do we save adequately for retirement in a volatile economy?
  • What are some false phrases regarding money?
  • Are “digital advisors” as good as financial advisors for managing investment accounts?
  • How do we find the ideal tax professional?
  • What are the differences between a fiduciary and an advisor?
  • What qualities make a good financial advisor?
  • What are some common financial myths?
  • What do you think of commodities?
  • Why are portfolios preferable to individual stocks?
  • How does bitcoin stack up in your investments?
  • If the opposite of love and hate is indifference, but I’m still mad, does that mean I’m still in love?
  • Do we need whole life insurance as an investment because of our high net worth?
  • What issues do you have with Instagram ads?
  • How could bitcoin destroy online advertising?
  • What is “audience capture”?
  • How often should I adjust my investment portfolio?
  • What are the differences between a day trader and an investor?
  • Is there an unbiased resource on Jesus Christ?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • A plan without a purpose is like a recipe without hunger.
  • One person’s enough might be too much for their neighbor.
  • The future is birthed from a series of nows.
  • Tactics often expire, but principles are timeless.
  • Everything that is easy today was once a struggle.
  • The desire for things is the problem, not the things themselves.
  • Anger is a symptom of broken expectations.
  • Hatred is merely love in disgust.
  • You are not in love—love is in you.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

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https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#388

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, we talk about messy living, desirelessness, and attachments at our final Sunday Symposium. Watch the Maximal edition of episode 387 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • What are the different kinds of desires?
  • How do consumption and creativity differ?
  • Why are we so confused regarding what we actually want?
  • How does social media incentivize discontent?
  • What are the differences between stated preference and revealed preference?
  • How do we appropriately manage expectations in relationships?
  • How do we tactfully address opposing goals in relationships?
  • What media platforms have The Minimalists been on?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Our life is a reflection of our priorities, not our preferences.
  • There is no such thing as a piece of advice that is so good that it can’t be abused or misapplied in a way that actually makes your life worse.
  • The easiest way to organize your stuff is to get rid of it.
  • Aim to connect, not correct.
  • Judgment is a mirror that reflects the insecurities of the judge.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

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https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#387

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, we talk about what minimalism has to do with normal, everyday subjects like friendship, pets, history, meteorology, and entertainment. Watch all 2 hours of episode 386 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How can minimalism apply to most everyday topics?
  • Why do most people believe minimalism only applies to physical items?
  • What is epistemology?
  • How do we help loved ones move on from fruitless pursuits?
  • What is the difference between helping and supporting?
  • What are your views regarding antiracism?
  • How do we have more constructive conversations?
  • What are the differences between people-pleasers and caregivers?
  • What are the two types of desires?
  • Is organ donation a minimalist practice?
  • Does the decision to not have children align with minimalism?
  • How can minimalism help highly sensitive people?
  • Why do you have an issue with those that can afford expensive things?
  • What does tire rubber have to do with minimalism?
  • How is brainstorming related to minimalism?
  • How do we get comfortable with bad ideas?
  • Will there be any more Sunday Symposiums?
  • What do we do with things we were once proud to display?
  • How do you define success?
  • Can people be accommodating to others to a fault?
  • What are your opinions regarding ads embedded in navigation apps?
  • How can minimalism help us exercise?
  • What are your perspectives regarding censorship?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Focusing on less creates room for more.
  • You can’t change the people around you, but you can change the people around you.
  • Once you’re free from pleasing all the people, you’re free from needing all the things.
  • On a long enough timeline, you will let go of everything.
  • Consumerism amplifies the fear of missing out, while minimalism exposes the joy of missing out.
  • A simple life is sensitive to the simple joys of living.
  • Minimalism is a creative path for the bloated, not a consolation prize for the broke.
  • The costs of a thing extends well beyond its price tag.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

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https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#386

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, we speak with Aubrey Marcus about relationship structures, commitment, marriage, open relationships, and more! Watch all 3 hours of episode 385 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How is nonmonogamy related to minimalism?
  • What challenges have people experienced in nonmonogamous relationships?
  • How do people thrive in nonmonogamous relationships?
  • How do we create a healthy balance between giving and receiving love?
  • What is “compersion”?
  • What is “kitchen-table polyamory”?
  • How is suffering contagious?
  • What is “tantric technology”?
  • How do I appropriately communicate with potential partners that I’m only interested in nonmonogamous relationships?
  • What challenges would a nonmonogamous relationship present to other relationships in someone’s life?
  • What are the nonmonogamous relationship types?
  • What is “relationship anarchy”?
  • Is it always necessary to compromise in relationships?
  • How honest and transparent should we be in our dating profiles?
  • How do we tactfully set relationship boundaries?
  • What are the differences between generosity and martyrdom?
  • How crucial is compatibility in relationships?
  • What are the three stages of relationships?
  • How can deprivation help us?
  • How do we open ourselves up more for love?
  • Do definitions obscure more than they clarify?
  • How do you broach the possibility of nonmonogamy with a long-term monogamous partner?
  • What is “monogamish”?
  • Is monogamy a result of evolution or conditioning?
  • How do we respectfully discuss difficult topics with our loved ones?
  • What are your perspectives regarding “love languages”?
  • How do I explain to a co-parent that nonmonogamy is nonnegotiable for me when they’re not interested?

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    Minimal Maxims

    Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

    • Judgment is the fastest way to shut down a conversation.
    • Empathy is a bell curve with suffering on both ends.
    • Boundaries add clarity to our communications.
    • You needn’t desire the same things to be on the same page.
    • Hoarding is holding on to anything that gets in the way.
    • That which is natural is not always that which is best.
    • There is no measuring stick for love; to love someone is to see them, appreciate them, and accept them for who they are, warts and all.
    • Love does not create limits—it creates through the limits.
    • Clinging to love is like clinging to water: the harder you clinch, the faster it disappears.

    Links Mentioned in This Episode

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    https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#385

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, we speak with Dr. Paul Saladino about foods to subtract from one’s diet—and foods to add—to live more healthfully. Watch all 3 hours of episode 384 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • What should we remove from our diet to improve our health?
  • What are your perspectives regarding dairy and dairy alternatives?
  • Are nuts and seeds healthy snacks?
  • What should we add to our diet to improve our health?
  • Should we limit our consumption of carbohydrates?
  • Why did Dr. Saladino switch from a carnivore to an omnivore diet?
  • Is stress ever beneficial?
  • What are your opinions regarding the ketogenic diet?
  • Why is autoimmune disease so prevalent?
  • What roles do stress, trauma, and the gut microbiome play in disease?
  • Why isn’t the vegan diet sufficient for most humans?
  • What one meal could you eat for the rest of your life?
  • What’s wrong with tap water, and what kind of water do you drink?
  • What ancestral practices should we adopt to improve our lives?
  • What are the most common environmental toxins?
  • Can a healthy diet include coffee, olive oil, and vinegar?
  • What are your concerns regarding sunscreens?
  • What do you consider the most addictive unhealthy food?
  • What issues have you experienced with synthetic fabrics and scents?
  • Can we undo any of the damage we’ve done to our health?
  • How important is portion control and calorie counting?
  • How effective is intermittent fasting?
  • Are multivitamins and supplements beneficial?
  • What healthy options are available at convenience stores?
  • What can we do to adequately consume electrolytes naturally?
  • Will fermented foods improve our gut health?
  • What seasonings are the healthiest to use?
  • Is white rice good for us?
  • Are fish and fish oil ideal for us to consume?
  • Is there any danger of hypervitaminosis with the regular consumption of organ meats?
  • What advice do you have regarding children’s diets?
  • Is decaf coffee a healthy option?
  • What foods positively and negatively affect belly fat and fatty liver?
  • How do you create the most healthy diet for yourself?
  • What concerns do you have regarding LDL cholesterol and statins?
  • Are there healthy quantities of alcohol consumption?
  • What minimalist exercises do you use?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • To optimize for health and happiness, one must be willing to pay the cost.
  • What you do occasionally is less important than what you do consistently. —Dr. Paul Saladino
  • The way to lose weight is not to think about calories but to think about food quality. —Dr. Paul Saladino

Links Mentioned in This Episode

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https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#384

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, we talk with Dr. Cortney Warren about heartbreak and letting go of your ex. Watch all 2 hours of episode 383 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How do we break our emotional and physical attachments to our exes?
  • What faulty beliefs do we harbor regarding our exes?
  • Why do we undervalue what we bring to relationships?
  • How do I appropriately address the expectations of my children regarding my ex?
  • How do we let go of our resentment for our exes?
  • What can we do to foster cooperation through questions instead of demands?
  • How do we avoid engaging in blame with exes?
  • What is problematic with us finding “power in our wounds”?
  • What can I do to manage my feelings of pity for my ex?
  • What are the different kinds of pity?
  • Are there circumstances that warrant giving an ex a second chance?
  • What is the danger in having faith in fate?
  • Is there a difference between clinging to someone versus having a sentimental attachment to someone?
  • Is love actually a human need?
  • Is there any value in matching the emotions of our loved ones in tense situations?
  • How do we let go of idealistic memories of exes?
  • How do we let go of expectations when starting a new relationship?
  • How do we ensure we amicably break up before we succumb to cheating?
  • How do we meet our needs without heaping expectations onto others?
  • How do we ensure our own happiness instead of expecting it from our significant others?
  • What are the three essentials of all relationships?
  • What are the differences between standards and expectations?
  • Is there an appropriate time to move on from a partner who is struggling with seemingly insurmountable challenges?
  • What are the attributes of an ideal government?
  • What is the significance of unfollowing your ex on social media?
  • How do we appropriately address cheating with a significant other?
  • How do we tactfully end a relationship built on false pretenses?
  • What is the advantage of being curious over being competitive?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Healing is the gateway to letting go.
  • Acceptance is a tool to declutter expectations.
  • Their success is not your responsibility.
  • Clinging is what happens when we cannot let go.
  • Empathy is not the same thing as love.
  • You picked it up, so you can set it down.
  • Communication is not a substitute for chemistry.
  • Love is not tethered to expectations.
  • No one can make you happy; they can only enhance the joy that exists inside you.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

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https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#383

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, we talk with Lewis Howes, author of The Greatness Mindset, about the fear of success, self-doubt, and how to let go of one’s fantasy self. Watch all 3 hours of episode 382 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How do I encourage my loved ones to be more supportive?
  • What does the TARA acronym represent?
  • How do we effectively address our fears of failure, judgment, and success?
  • How do we endure the daily grind of a pedestrian job until we can fully pursue our true passion?
  • What can we do to permanently shift our mindset from powerless to powerful?
  • How do we become more self-sufficient and more confident in our financial security?
  • What does Lewis think of his portrayal in WeCrashed?
  • How do we break free from procrastination and behaviors that don’t move us toward our goals?
  • What do you consider the differences between success and greatness?
  • How do we create a meaningful mission for our lives?
  • What does it mean to be “lazily ambitious”?
  • How do we overcome debilitating self-judgment?
  • What is a “fears list”?
  • Does ambition also create worry similar to the need for things?
  • How do I overcome the nagging fear of failure in my business pursuits?
  • Who is the “millionaire minimalist”?
  • What is “de-influencing”?
  • How do we wholly heal our inner child?
  • Can love be “wanting more for someone than they want for themselves”?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Fear is the byproduct of invented consequences.
  • The cost of debt is infinitely more than the interest rate.
  • Fear is a spotlight on something that hasn’t even happened.
  • Don’t let your amateur crastination turn pro.
  • Success that makes you miserable is failure.
  • Judgment is a mirror that reflects the insecurities of the judge.
  • It is not ambition that sets a man apart—it is the distance he is prepared to go.
  • To need a thing is to pretend you are incomplete without it.
  • Ambition does not require attachment.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

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https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#382

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, we talk with psychotherapist Katherine Morgan Schafler about perfectionism, self-sabotage, and cohabiting with someone who isn’t a minimalist. Watch all 2 hours of episode 381 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How do I overcome my perfectionist tendencies so I can get my work done?
  • What are your perspectives regarding power?
  • How do we address an unhealthy obsession with perfectionism?
  • How do I live peacefully with a non-minimalist?
  • What are the five types of perfectionists?
  • How do I let go of others’ expectations of me?
  • How do we make time for our passions and still fulfill our obligations and responsibilities?
  • What can students do to better balance a full course load and personal time?
  • How do you define “perfectionism”?
  • How do The Minimalists make money without ad revenue?
  • What is the difference between procrastination and resistance?
  • What are your views regarding toxic masculinity?
  • What is our society’s obsession with being offended?
  • How do you appropriately manage guilt?
  • What can I do to let go of trying to control the future and live more fully in the present?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Perfection cannot be attained; it is the default state of the universe.
  • Decluttering does not bring peace—it creates the environment in which peace is not disturbed.
  • Perfectionism is the path away from peace.
  • Life has no crystalline endpoint other than death; until then, the river of self continues to flow, change, reform.
  • Balance is the default state. Life is out of balance only when too many obligations are heaped onto your plate.
  • Resistance is a beacon that illuminates meaningful pursuits.
  • For most of history, people earned money without a single advertisement.
  • Money is the byproduct of adding value.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

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https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#381

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, we talk about reducing career clutter. Watch all 2 hours of episode 380 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How do I determine the most ideal career path to pursue of my many passions?
  • How do identity clutter and career clutter derail us?
  • How do we assert ourselves with loved ones that insist on giving us things?
  • What is “trauma bonding”?
  • How do we regain control of our lives?
  • What are your perspectives regarding the processing of health data by wearable devices?
  • What are the important distinctions between comparisons, measurements, and patterns?
  • Is worrying about something truly detrimental for us?
  • Why do we try to emulate those that surround themselves with expensive luxuries that clearly don’t bring them joy?
  • How do our needs control us?
  • What are “surface values”?
  • How do we best declutter our devices?
  • Is an obsession with letting go considered a mental illness?
  • Why are we so preoccupied with mental illnesses?
  • Is it cheating to play the Minimalism Game in February?
  • How do I recognize when to give up or push on with a side hustle?
  • Are there instances when we should justify our ‘no’s’ to others?
  • What is the value of “chunking”?
  • What is “setting the stage”?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • The man who needs nothing cannot be controlled.
  • Don’t let aspiration get in the way of motivation.
  • “No” is a complete sentence.
  • You can’t get the right answer by measuring the wrong things.
  • Whether something bad happens or something good happens, your worry was a waste of life.
  • Consumerism is a wallpaper: we think it covers our discontent, but it actually papers over our contentment.
  • How might your life be better with less digital clutter?
  • Labels are helpful when they clarify, harmful when they shape our identity.
  • Letting go happens when the clinging ceases.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

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https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#380

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, we speak with therapist relationship expert Nedra Tewwab about letting go of expectations for family members. Watch all 2 hours of episode 379 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How do we appropriately manage our expectations of loved ones, especially regarding help with parenting our children?
  • How do we respectfully ask others to treat us as we want to be treated?
  • How do we have open, honest, difficult conversations with loved ones?
  • Can we still love someone while actively encouraging them to become a better person?
  • How do we shift our focus from changing others to changing ourselves?
  • What does love mean to you?
  • What are the differences between helping, supporting, and enabling?
  • How do we create boundaries others actually recognize and respect?
  • How do we better exercise diplomacy in our daily interactions?
  • Why do we place so much importance on validation from others?
  • Why do we so strongly feel the need to be right?
  • When is it appropriate to create distance to improve a relationship?
  • How do we appropriately distribute and manage family obligations and responsibilities related to caregiving?
  • What is the importance in learning to listen more?
  • What is the “I Shouldn’t Have to Fallacy”?
  • How do we move from disempowerment to empowerment in our relationships?
  • When is it appropriate to simply end a dysfunctional relationship?
  • What is “chronic gaslighting”?
  • How do we respectfully and tactfully discuss inheritance with family members?
  • What is problematic regarding an obsession with political correctness?
  • How do I appropriately support loved ones who don’t recognize their hypocrisy in their treatment of others?
  • When are labels useful?
  • What is the difference between boundaries and bluffs?
  • How do we encourage our parents to be more active grandparents with our children?
  • How are we unwittingly enslaving other people?
  • What are the two ways we hide from the truth?
  • How do we effectively practice self-improvement?
  • What are the benefits of having a daily uniform?
  • How do you address and manage criticism?
  • What is the “No New Books Rule”?
  • How do I help an acquaintance acknowledge and address their antisocial behaviors?
  • What does minimalism mean to you?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Expectations are a yardstick of future disappointments.
  • Your friends and family are not responsible for your upset.
  • It’s no one else’s responsibility to un-offend or understand you.
  • To convince someone is to unlove them because persuasion is a refusal to accept a person for who they are.
  • We get dragged by the relationships we cling to.
  • One’s love is not defined by their availability.
  • Clinging to a toxic relationship is the root cause of dysfunction.
  • The truth hurts, but it also heals.
  • Truth, lovingly conveyed, can never be disrespectful.
  • The truth may be disappointing, but it doesn’t need to be disrespectful.
  • You can tell a disappointing truth without talking in a disrespectful tone.
  • The truth isn’t always nice, but neither is being politically correct.
  • Don’t confuse loving someone with reading their mind. —Nedra Tawwad

Links Mentioned in This Episode

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https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#379

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, we talk about why it’s so difficult to let go. Watch all 2.5 hours of episode 378 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • What are your perspectives regarding schooling?
  • What do you consider the “joy in searching”?
  • How do we shift the teaching paradigm from transactional to relational?
  • How do we transition from coercion to creativity in education?
  • How do I push myself out of my long-term comfort zones?
  • How do we learn to better trust our intuition?
  • How do I maintain focus and motivation in my pursuits past the thrill of novelty?
  • Why do so many of us fail to recognize and cultivate aptitude?
  • Why do we often confuse excitement for passion?
  • How do I determine whether to purchase durable furnishings I must pay to move or inexpensive furnishings I can leave behind when I live a peripatetic life?
  • How do we appropriately manage the ‘burden of ownership’?
  • How do I determine my ideal career path?
  • What can I do with personalized birthday cards from deceased loved ones?
  • Should I hold on to reference books related to my profession?
  • What is the difference between a “just in case” and “no matter what” mindset?
  • What is most concerning about the desire for nice things?
  • How do we ensure we purchase items with weighted consideration for utility, durability, environmental cost, and fair trade manufacturing?
  • How do you deal with the ‘paradox of choice’?
  • What is the danger in reframing hoarding?
  • Are labels more harmful than helpful?
  • Why are we obsessed with self-improvement?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Letting go is difficult, but clinging creates more difficulties.
  • Every fear is a fear of the unknown.
  • Passion is not discovered—it’s cultivated.
  • On a long enough timeline, everything is ephemeral.
  • Our memories are not in our things; our memories are inside us.
  • JUST IN CASE are the three most dangerous words in the English language.
  • The question isn’t whether or not you should hold on; the question is: does letting go increase your freedom, peace, and joy?
  • A life is enhanced—not defined—by possessions.
  • Minimalism isn’t about right versus wrong—it’s about right for me versus wrong for me.
  • Enjoying a thing creates wonder; needing a thing creates worry.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

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https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#378

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, we speak with therapist and author Lori Gottlieb about family members who don’t respect boundaries. Watch all 2 hours of episode 377 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How do we create a detente with loved ones who are completely intractable?
  • How do we bring meaningful change to our relationships?
  • What is “the parentified child”?
  • What do you consider the ‘cost of admission’ for relationships?
  • What are your views regarding nonnegotiables?
  • Why is it so difficult for many to discover alternative solutions for problems in their lives?
  • Why are boundaries rarely respected?
  • How do we effectively manage the overwhelming feelings involved in the death of a loved one?
  • What is “forced forgiveness”?
  • What are your perspectives regarding grief?
  • How do we eliminate generational trauma?
  • How do I let go of the shame associated with my persistent anxiety?
  • How do we consistently recognize and manage our feelings?
  • Why do you consider hope pointless?
  • How are desire and envy helpful?
  • How can we use regret to our benefit?
  • How do I get out of my own way when pursuing my goals in life?
  • What do you mean by “be who you are”?
  • What is the value of resistance?
  • How do I tactfully tell others to mind their own business when they intrude on my personal affairs?
  • How do I better manage my OCD so I can be more present as a parent?
  • What is the difference between balance and contentment?
  • What is “The Duplicates Rule”?
  • How do I value apologies and forgiveness more appropriately?
  • How do I comfortably meet new people as an introvert?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Every relationship has a cost of admission.
  • Grief is a byproduct of love.
  • Your feelings are not real: they are an internalized response to trauma, expectations, and beliefs that don’t serve you.
  • Hope is the measure of future regrets.
  • Once you understand the why, the how takes care of itself.
  • Resistance is a finger pointing toward meaningful experiences.
  • Fulfilling other people’s expectations is not fulfilling.
  • You can’t change the people around you, but you can change the people around you.
  • Life has a 100% mortality rate. —Lori Gottlieb

Links Mentioned in This Episode

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https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#377

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, we discuss the new “cluttercore” design trend. Watch all 2 hours of episode 376 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How do we stay focused and motivated when we’re going through a lengthy process of decluttering?
  • What is “cluttercore”?
  • Is there any value in simply embracing clutter?
  • What is “costly signaling”?
  • How do we determine what to actually hold on to?
  • How do I address the stress and frustration of managing a household of non-minimalists?
  • What are your perspectives regarding appropriate boundaries?
  • How do we appropriately help loved ones declutter shared spaces?
  • How do we determine mutually beneficial solutions?
  • Is there such a thing as “valuable clutter”?
  • What is the difference between projection and introjection?
  • How are actual value and hypothetical value different?
  • What is the “Let It Go Anyway Rule”?
  • Why are the salaries of professional entertainers and athletes so grossly inflated compared to those of educators?
  • How do you differentiate between intrinsic value and economic value?
  • How do we get past our preservation mindset regarding our new things?
  • What is the antidote to fear?
  • What are your views regarding worry?
  • Which of the objects mentioned in past “Added Value” segments have since become clutter?
  • Where can I find a list of other podcasts you’ve been on?
  • How can I refresh a space without adding more stuff?
  • What are your views regarding trends?
  • How do we help others get started with minimalism?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Removing your physical clutter also reduces your mental clutter.
  • You don’t want to manage the clutter, you want to eliminate it!
  • A deadline is a boundary that creates the urgency necessary for letting go.
  • One man’s clutter is another man’s fortune.
  • The price tag is not the sole measure of a thing’s value.
  • To worry is to pray for something bad to happen.
  • Fear is a byproduct of the ego.
  • After taking an inventory of all the things you’ve minimized, you can minimize that list, too.
  • If it gets in the way, it’s clutter.
  • Question everything because the things that add value today might become clutter tomorrow.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

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https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#376

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, we talk about why people cling to books they’ll never read, advice for aspiring writers, and more. Watch all 2.5 hours of episode 375 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • What are your views regarding the different popular writing practices?
  • What does it mean to “sit in the chair”?
  • What is the “identity trap”?
  • What do you consider a flow state?
  • What do you look for in a beta reader?
  • How do we “lead with personality”?
  • Why do some people hold on to books they’ll likely never read again?
  • What is the most effective process for getting a book published?
  • What are your perspectives regarding self-promotion?
  • What books about minimalism do you recommend?
  • What does the “SLOW” acronym represent?
  • What do you consider ideal writing habits?
  • How do we intentionally let go of our books?
  • What is “narrative urgency”?
  • What are your five overrated things?
  • What are the three kinds of ratings?
  • How do you define “free”?
  • What are your opinions regarding supplements?
  • What are “societal games”?
  • What do you think of the Kindle and its subscription services?
  • How do we maintain our focus and motivation when writing a novel?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • There is only one writing method that works: sit in the chair.
  • A shift in perspective strengthens the prospectus.
  • A storage locker is purgatory for stuff.
  • There are no musts, shoulds, or oughts.
  • A pleasant life is composed of unpleasant habits.
  • Bad writing is the initiation ritual for good writing.
  • A habit is a byproduct of doing something compelling.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

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https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#375

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, we talk about holding on to boxes of sentimental items. Watch all 2 hours of episode 374 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How do we find the strength to let go of significantly sentimental items or find the peace to keep them?
  • How do we explain the value of our minimalist design aesthetic to those that consider it bland and boring?
  • How do we address our obsession with toys into adulthood?
  • What is T.K.’s “How Does That Thought Feel” game?
  • How do we ensure we don’t become attached to interesting items we inherit?
  • How do we live peacefully with loved ones who don’t practice minimalism?
  • By what criteria do you consider someone a minimalist?
  • Are there other methods for preserving the memories of items aside from photographing the items?
  • What are “obligatory sentimental items”?
  • Isn’t our reliance on the ‘rules’ of others simply a lack of our own discipline?
  • What is your perspective regarding discipline?
  • How do you record podcasts when much of your staff works and lives remotely?
  • What does Joshua consider his latest failure?
  • What is your take on the recent controversy regarding the Liver King?
  • Why should anyone have compassion for Kanye West given his current hot takes?
  • How do we convince loved ones that we truly don’t want physical gifts?
  • How do we create effective boundaries that others actually recognize and respect?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Clinging prevents you from moving on.
  • Minimalism exposes the beauty within the bones.
  • Wisdom is found in the child, not their toys.
  • Some things are cool, but it’s even cooler to let go.
  • Peace is not acquired; peace is uncovered.
  • The best way to dissatisfy yourself is to satisfy everyone else.
  • A sentimental item that gets in the way is still clutter.
  • Discipline is found within the boundaries.
  • What’s best for me might be terrible for “we.”
  • The solution is the problem; the problem is the solution.

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In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, we speak with Kapil Gupta, MD, about prescriptions, discontent, fear, suffering, misery, lies, truth, and more. Watch all 2 hours of episode 373 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • What are your perspectives regarding conflict?
  • Why are we so concerned with the opinions of others?
  • Why is trying to convince others so problematic?
  • What do you mean by “the ultimate possibility of a human being”?
  • What is pointless about hope?
  • How are beliefs often tainted by self-righteousness?
  • What are your views regarding the ego?
  • What does “truth” mean to you?
  • What is the value of meditation?
  • What are the “how” and the “why”?
  • What prescriptions are useful?
  • What are the problems with attachments?
  • Do you consider self-help books actually helpful?
  • Are gratitude journals valuable?
  • What do you consider “permission slips”?
  • How important is it for each of us to discover our sense of purpose?
  • How do we appropriately address trauma?
  • What is the difference between a helper and a supporter?
  • How do you define “trauma”?
  • What are your opinions regarding hope?
  • Do you have any New Year’s resolutions?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Excitement is an addiction.
  • Betterment is a cultural disease.
  • Dogmas poison the truth.
  • Attachments block contentment.
  • Freedom is the only worthwhile thing.
  • The pursuit of happiness is a path away from peace.
  • Self-righteousness is the main ingredient in suffering.
  • Expectations are the bars to your prison cell.
  • Hope is the measure of future regrets.
  • All conflict is self-conflict. —Kapil Gupta, MD
  • Fear exists only in the presence of consequences. —Kapil Gupta, MD

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In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, we talk about letting go, dealing with regrets, New Year’s resolutions, broken family relationships, and the dangers of hope. Watch all 2 hours of episode 372 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How do you define “consumerism”?
  • What are your views regarding wealth?
  • What is the difference between non-attachment and indifference?
  • What is the relationship between contribution and value creation?
  • What are your perspectives regarding ‘cancel culture’?
  • Why did you move to Los Angeles as minimalists?
  • How do you live as a minimalist in non-minimalist areas?
  • How do we become more mindful regarding disposable items?
  • How do you let go of cherished possessions?
  • How do we let go of our shame regarding our shortcomings?
  • How do we continuously refine our minimalist practices without becoming compulsive?
  • What is the “No-Stories Policy”?
  • What are your views regarding New Year’s resolutions?
  • What vehicles do you own and why?
  • What are the connections between minimalism and spirituality?
  • How does T.K.’s Catholic faith affect his minimalist practices?
  • How do we mend a broken relationship when the other person isn’t interested in fixing it?
  • How do you determine where you most need improvement in your life?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Letting go is not something you do; it is something you stop doing.
  • When you let go of attachments, you pick up freedom, peace, equanimity.
  • If you hold on too tightly, you’ll get dragged.
  • Fortifying the ego is a surefire way to decrease the peace.
  • The Truth does not require persuasion, coaxing, or coercion.
  • We cannot consume our way out of discontent.
  • No matter the fixation—be it possessions, people, or prosperity—attachment is always suffering.
  • Some objects may enhance our lives—but only after we subtract the attachment that gets in the way.
  • Peace cannot be packaged and placed on a conveyor belt; peace is buried beneath the hoard we’ve added to our lives.
  • The path to misery is cobbled with addition; the path to peace is uncovered with subtraction.

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In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, we talk about the gift of a clean slate. Watch all 3 hours of episode 371 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • When did you start The Minimalists?
  • What benefits did you experience by letting go?
  • How did you address your battle with addictions?
  • How do you manage the debilitating anxiety associated with a potentially terminal illness?
  • How is a clean slate the best gift?
  • How do you decide what to keep from former homes when you’re moving in together into a new home?
  • What rule do you use to prevent fights in your relationship?
  • How do you define “minimalism”?
  • How do you decorate for the holidays?
  • Why did you choose to move to Los Angeles?
  • What do you recommend others declutter first to start their minimalism journey?
  • How do we determine what things are actually clutter?
  • How do you maintain focus and motivation regarding your minimalist practices?
  • How do you measure your progress with minimalism?
  • What is “belief clutter”?
  • What helps you be proactive instead of reactive?
  • How do we still love family and friends that don’t support us?
  • How do we let go of excess when circumstances put us in a survival mentality?
  • What is “The Ikeafication of America”?
  • What was controversial about your “Chronic Illness” episode?
  • Are there instances where ‘thought-terminating cliches’ are acceptable?
  • Do people with influential platforms have a responsibility to the public regarding their content?
  • What are your perspectives regarding grief?
  • What is the difference between consumerism and consumption?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • A clean slate is the best gift.
  • You don’t have to be a minimalist to live intentionally.
  • Never cling, hold on loosely, let go enthusiastically.
  • When we try to focus on everything, everything becomes out of focus.
  • How might your life be better with less?
  • The void cannot be filled, because it is not a void—it is open space.
  • Minimalism is a tool, not a destination.
  • Compassion is the gateway to understanding.
  • People can’t love you unless you give them the real you.
  • Judgment is a mirror that reflects the preferences of the judge.

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In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, we speak with Dr. Nicole LePera about letting go of guilt. Watch all 3 hours of episode 370 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How do we manage the guilt we feel when we’re dependent on loved ones?
  • Why did Dr. LePera write How to Meet Your Self?
  • How can minimalism help us stay focused and motivated?
  • How do you define “consumerism”?
  • How do we appropriately manage our fear of our mortality?
  • What is “dread data”?
  • How do we ensure our altruism doesn’t interfere with our own well-being?
  • How do you define “self-actualization”?
  • How do you define anxiety, and how do you address it?
  • Are plant medicines helpful for healing?
  • How do we resist the temptation to compare our life journey to that of others?
  • How do we determine when it’s appropriate to help others?
  • How do we explain to our loved ones when the negatives far outweigh the positives at our job?
  • What does happiness mean to you?
  • How do we establish effective boundaries with one another?
  • What are “grievance entrepreneurs”?
  • Where is the line between influence and manipulation?
  • How do we separate good products from their bad advertising?
  • What are the health benefits of cold plunges?
  • How necessary are intimate, romantic relationships?
  • Can the existence of backup plans be problematic?
  • How do we deal with the anxiety that arises from traumatic events?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Freedom is found in the acceptance of limitations.
  • Feeling good is pleasant, but it is not a virtue.
  • Your authentic self is not found in the expectations of others.
  • Emotional well-being is measured by our ability to let go.
  • There are no shortcuts—there are only direct routes.
  • To support someone is to accept them for who they are without trying to change, manipulate, or persuade them.
  • You can’t help someone who doesn’t desire help.
  • If you insist on being a hero for someone who doesn’t want to be saved, then you’re just a villain in disguise.
  • Your identity is not informed by the role you play for others. —Dr. Nicole LePera

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In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, we talk about traveling with less. Watch all 2.5 hours of episode 369 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How do you travel intentionally as a minimalist?
  • What is the “Go-Without-It Rule”?
  • How do I maximize my travel experiences on a minimal budget?
  • How do you travel harmoniously with companions?
  • How can you be a tourist in your own town?
  • How do you document your travels?
  • What are your guidelines regarding travel photography?
  • How do you manage duplicate photos?
  • How do we overcome the fear that we can’t afford the time or expense of a vacation?
  • Can minimalism hinder a wholly immersive travel experience?
  • How do we budget appropriately for storage when we’re forced to frequently relocate?
  • What is problematic about searching for stability through permanence?
  • How do I overcome the fear of possibly wasting time and effort on new experiences I might not enjoy?
  • How do we budget appropriately for vacations?
  • How do you travel congruously with others whose trip budgets are significantly different from your own?
  • What is the “layer cake of consumerism”?
  • How do we travel when we’re under strict financial constraints?
  • How do I tactfully explain to loved ones I’m prioritizing a vacation over visits to them?
  • How do I ensure I’m consuming intentionally when traveling?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Traveling with fewer things creates room for more experiences.
  • Expansive travel does not require expensive travel.
  • If joy is a destination, then you have already arrived.
  • Minimalists maximize their appreciation with things that enhance their experiences.
  • On a long enough timeline, everything is impermanent.
  • Every destination is desirable when decision-making is a process of discovery.
  • A worrier is a person who concerns himself with outcomes outside his control.
  • Living in the moment is the antidote to the fear of missing out.

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In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, we speak with Dr. Jerry Tennant about preventing and treating chronic illness. Watch all 2 hours of episode 368 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • When will medicine shift its focus to prevention instead of just treating symptoms?
  • Why did Dr. Tennant write Healing Is Voltage?
  • How does low voltage contribute to illness?
  • What paths of relief are available for those suffering from chronic illness?
  • What did Dr. Tennant do to start his road to healing?
  • How can nutrition help with chronic illness?
  • How does our environment contribute to chronic illnesses?
  • Are there actually any safe chemicals?
  • What is PEMF therapy?
  • What contributes most significantly to chronic illnesses and addictions?
  • What is the relationship between purpose and addiction?
  • How do we appropriately and healthfully manage all the obligations and responsibilities of everyday life while dealing with a chronic illness?
  • How do we become more disciplined and focused regarding our health practices when our chronic illness is zapping us of all of our willpower?
  • What is the difference between knowledge of truth and remembrance of truth?
  • How do we best address chronic inflammation?
  • How can minimalism help with the prevention and management of chronic illness?
  • Why do some people suffer more from migraines than others?
  • What are your perspectives regarding beauty?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • A thimble of prevention is more effective than a truckload of treatment.
  • Excess is toxic.
  • The opposite of addiction isn’t sobriety—it’s purpose.
  • Self-care is the path toward healing.
  • Pain is a compass that points us toward healing.
  • More consumption, more problems.
  • Minimalism maximizes the value of everything.
  • If addition is the cause, subtraction is the cure.

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In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, we talk about the problems with in-home storage. Watch all 2 hours of episode 367 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How do we reason with loved ones regarding their clutter intruding our shared spaces?
  • How do we keep cleaning supplies minimal?
  • What do we do when the career we want requires an expensive college degree?
  • How do we tactfully and guiltlessly opt out of gift exchanges at work?
  • What are the two types of pain?
  • How do we appropriately address family members who clutter as we declutter?
  • How do we manage stress during moves?
  • How much clothing should we keep on hand for weight fluctuations?
  • What are positive and negative freedoms?
  • What is the “Paradox of Justificatory Usage”?
  • What are your laundry routines with a minimal wardrobe?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Clutter is anything that gets in the way of your well-being.
  • When in doubt, go without.
  • Look inside the question for the answer.
  • An obligatory gift is a curse.
  • Conflicting desires are not a sign of moral failure.
  • Stress is a weapon people use to abuse themselves.
  • When you resent your feelings, you resist their wisdom.
  • Organizing is well-planned hoarding.

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In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, we talk about news addiction and the anxiety it produces. Watch all 2.5 hours of episode 366 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How do we stay informed without becoming overwhelmed?
  • What is the primary purpose of news outlets?
  • Why are most ideas worthless?
  • How do we determine what mementos are appropriate to keep or let go when a family splits up?
  • What are your views regarding acceptance?
  • What is the four-step process to letting go according to The Sedona Method?
  • How do we best address worry regarding an ill loved one so we can be more present for them?
  • What is wu-wei?
  • How do we ensure our minimalism doesn’t turn into asceticism?
  • How do we let go of the need for approval?
  • What are your perspectives regarding inclusiveness?
  • How do we become more psychologically flexible?
  • How do I avoid becoming inundated with media clutter when my family members relentlessly consume it?
  • What are finite and infinite games?
  • What is the “Hate That Thing Rule”?
  • Is there any value in replacing the star players on a team?
  • What do you consider “bootlicking”?
  • What is “bootkicking”?
  • What is problematic with making certain topics strictly taboo?
  • What is an important distinction to consider regarding disagreements?
  • How do we say “no” more effectively?
  • What is the “Entryway Rule”?
  • How do we stay informed and keep others informed without stress and anxiety?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • The news is not designed to inform; the news is designed to attract attention.
  • Letting go is not a one-time event: we are always letting go.
  • To worry is to punish yourself today for something that has not happened.
  • Mediocrity results from accumulation of compromises.
  • Approval from loved ones is nice, but needing approval is a prison.
  • Rigidity forms a container for discontent.
  • The goal isn’t happiness—it’s emotional versatility.
  • Happiness is a byproduct of living a meaningful life.

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In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, we talk about avoiding lifestyle inflation. Watch all three hours of episode 365 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How do I better manage my impulses and my budget as my income increases?
  • What is “lifestyle inflation”?
  • What is the “casino technique”?
  • How do we find the motivation and energy to declutter after working all day?
  • What is “setting the stage”?
  • How do we adopt minimalist practices when we’re struggling with significant mental challenges?
  • How do you define minimalism?
  • How do we let go of the fear of future scarcity and affordability when we’re letting go of stuff?
  • What are your perspectives regarding inflation?
  • Are there plans for Sunday Symposium events online?
  • How will refunding dissatisfied customers and allowing them to keep items affect consumerism?
  • How do we determine what luxuries to let go of when we can comfortably afford them?
  • What is the “scorched earth approach”?
  • Do we ever truly own our homes?
  • What is “weaponized morality”?
  • What is “dichotomous feedback”?
  • What is the difference between feedback and criticism?
  • What is the “Out in the Open Rule”?
  • How do you structure your budgets?
  • How do we appropriately budget for unexpected expenses?
  • Is it problematic to hold on to mementos from past relationships?
  • How do we let go of the fear of getting rid of our credit score?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • A rich person with poor spending habits is broke.
  • Trivialities are compelling only when one’s life is void of meaningful experiences.
  • Clutter is a car crash for our psychological well-being.
  • You won’t miss the missing things you don’t like.
  • Not buying a thing is letting go in advance.
  • The true cost of an item extends well beyond the price tag.
  • Great businesses value people over profits.
  • Peace is the thing; disturbance is the non-thing.

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In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, we speak with Wendy Smith, author of Both/And Thinking, about shortening cycles of inner conflict. Watch all two hours of episode 364 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • Why did Wendy Smith write Both/And Thinking?
  • How do we better analyze and accept our shortcomings and failures?
  • What is “emotional ambivalence”?
  • How do we determine what jobs are the best fit for us?
  • How do we best manage our anxiety regarding current crises?
  • What are “rabbit holes, wrecking balls, and trench warfare”?
  • What is the false trade-off between big changes and small actions?
  • What is the difference between help and support?
  • What is “ecobricking”?
  • How do I make commitments and let go of my FOMO?
  • What is the “possibility of opportunity”?
  • What is problematic regarding absolute certainty?
  • How do I choose between a fulfilling job and a lucrative job?
  • How do we shift from “either-or thinking” to “both-and thinking”?
  • What is a “statement of vision”?
  • How do we avoid sacrificing passion for profit?
  • How do we tactfully manage rocky relationships with family and friends?
  • How do we commit to leaving an unfulfilling job?
  • What are “competence traps”?
  • What is the danger in participating in “retail therapy” as self-care?
  • What is the “Once a Month Rule”?
  • Why do we relentlessly search for contentment?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Every ounce of inner conflict is self-inflicted.
  • Accepting discomfort is comforting.
  • There’s nothing to hold on to.
  • Wonder is a fire extinguisher for anxiety.
  • Dreams don’t come true—decisions do.
  • The closer you are to someone, the greater the chaos.
  • Compassion conceives connection.
  • You can let something go without throwing it away.

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In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, we talk about how to decide what to get rid of. Watch all two hours of episode 363 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • What is a sensory deprivation tank?
  • How do we determine what to let go of when we’re attached to everything we have?
  • What is “stuffitis”?
  • What is “one-day-itis”?
  • What is the “Didn’t Know Rule”?
  • How can we become less dependent on technology?
  • How do we reframe the ‘language of necessity’?
  • How do we determine the appropriate amount of friction?
  • How do you view freedom?
  • At what degree of failure is it appropriate to replace an item?
  • What costs should we consider when repairing or replacing something?
  • What do you consider one of the greatest myths of education?
  • How do I minimize my beloved stationary supplies?
  • What is the distinction between promoting and advertising?
  • How do I best manage my anxiety regarding decluttering?
  • What does Ryan want for his birthday?
  • What is your perspective regarding discomfort?
  • What are your views on walk-in closets?
  • What are your opinions regarding public and private schools?
  • How do we let get of sentimentality when we let go of stuff?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • You strangle everything you cling to.
  • Our society is suffering from an illness called stuffitis.
  • You lose traction when you remove all friction.
  • When in doubt, don’t upgrade!
  • The only way to let go is to stop clinging.
  • It’s hard to find a needle in a haystack—even harder to find it in a needlestack.
  • If it’s not worth sorting through, it’s not worth keeping.
  • Internal clutter is a side effect of external clutter.

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In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, we speak with hospice physician Zach Bush, MD, about accepting death. Watch all three hours of episode 362 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How does it seem that we effortlessly let go of everything when we die?
  • How do we detox the memory bank of the human body?
  • How can we recognize the moment a loved one passes on?
  • What is your perspective regarding the relationship between religion and death?
  • What is the distinction between moments and seasons?
  • How do we move on from the guilt of lost time with a loved one that has passed?
  • What four things should we say to a loved one that is dying?
  • What is your viewpoint regarding authentic connection with others?
  • How do we ensure we don’t burden our loved ones with any of our physical or emotional baggage when we pass?
  • How are our memories within our biological essence?
  • How do we live with reality as it is and release the stress of constantly trying to force our expectations upon it?
  • How do we balance appropriately between our health and our empowerment?
  • Since palliative care is generally only available to those who are terminally ill, is there another legal and ethical option for me when I’m ready to pass on?
  • Do people who believe in life after death grieve differently for their loved ones?
  • How do I emotionally prepare for my father’s death when we finally have a mutually enriching relationship again?
  • What is your understanding regarding the soul?
  • What are your views regarding appropriate attire for formal and informal events?
  • What value have you found in immersing yourselves in beliefs contrary to your own?
  • What are the three levels of happiness?
  • What gives you the experience of eudaemonia?
  • What is the “Didn’t Know Rule”?
  • What do you own that you wouldn’t consider minimalist?
  • What do you view as the difference between reality and the reality that words describe?
  • What is the difference between feedback and criticism?
  • How effective do you consider the act of voting?
  • How do ethics and policies often clash?
  • What do advertisers get right?
  • How do we find peace with the loss of a loved one when we missed sharing their final moment?
  • How do you differentiate between ads and promos?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • One cannot cling to the now.
  • Moving on requires letting go.
  • Your coffin does not come equipped with a hitch for a U-Haul.
  • Life and death are best taken one day at a time.
  • The experience of life cannot exist without the looming promise of death.
  • Death is the ultimate upgrade. —Zach Bush, MD
  • For the soul, death is just another moment. —Ram Dass
  • The more you try to rule things by force, the more you will stir up violence against you. —Alan Watts

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In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, we talk about managing guilt and disappointment when saying “no.” Watch all two hours of episode 361 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How do I manage the guilt I feel when I must refuse the requests of others for my assistance?
  • Why is it so difficult to say “no” in the moment?
  • Is it selfish to expect adequate compensation for my time and expertise?
  • What practices have you found helpful for maintaining peace of mind despite the intermittent chaotic onslaught of OCD?
  • How do we remain fiercely intentional even when it’s not pleasurable?
  • How do we determine our ‘enough’?
  • How does misery exist in all relationships?
  • How do we become more diplomatic in our interpersonal communication?
  • How important is it to clarify our outcomes?
  • How do I appropriately manage the anger I feel toward the transgressions of others?
  • How can anger be productive?
  • How do we have a healthy dose of obsession and devotion in our lives?
  • How is capitalism misrepresented?
  • What are the three attributes of positive capitalism/voluntaryism?
  • Why do you consider “consult your doctor” cowardly advice?
  • Who have you found that supports not using sunscreen?
  • What is your perspective regarding introversion?
  • What has been your experience with unschooling?
  • How do we tactfully decline the requests of loved ones?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • To be happy, stop saying “yes” to the things that make you miserable.
  • What if your weakness was actually your superpower?
  • Letting go of desire also involves letting go of the desire to let go.
  • Misery and joy are preexisting conditions.
  • Feelings are better witnessed than displayed.
  • Mo’ expectations, mo’ emotions.
  • Radical inclusion requires complete acceptance.
  • Feelings are not to be conquered but engaged with imagination.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

Follow Our Team

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#361

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, we speak with sleep expert Jack Dell’Accio about best practices for sleep. Watch all two hours of episode 360 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • When did Jack Dell’Accio begin studying sleep?
  • How do couples tactfully address their sleep issues that affect one another?
  • Is it more beneficial for couples to sleep together or to sleep apart?
  • What approaches have you found effective as a couple in improving your sleep?
  • How do I effectively communicate my sleep wants and needs with my partner?
  • How important is it to use your bed solely for sleep?
  • What options are available for those with sleep apnea?
  • How do mattresses affect sleep?
  • What are some alternatives to the CPAP machine?
  • How do I make my sleep more adaptable to different conditions?
  • How do we become more flexible?
  • What nontoxic mattresses are available in the US?
  • What are the effects of light and circadian rhythms on sleep?
  • What are the three most important things to consider in a mattress?
  • What treatments are available for my struggle with anxiety-related insomnia?
  • How are anxiety and sleep related?
  • How are sleep medications detrimental to sleep?
  • What pre-sleep routines will ensure better sleep?
  • How much deep sleep is ideal?
  • What supplements do you recommend to improve sleep?
  • What is your perspective regarding pardoning student debt?
  • What is the difference between schooling and education?
  • What is your viewpoint regarding risk as it pertains to education?
  • Why are you proponents of educational alternatives?
  • How do you view money through the lens of minimalism?
  • Why is sentimentality problematic?
  • What is your opinion regarding incandescent bulbs compared to LEDs?
  • What is no longer useful to you as a minimalist?
  • How can a consistently restless sleeper attain more restorative sleep?
  • How do we get our toddler to sleep in his bed all night so he doesn’t disturb our sleep?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • One man’s ‘enough’ is too much for the next man.
  • Living well will help you sleep well.
  • Every choice you make cuts off other possibilities.
  • Subtraction is greater than addition.
  • Psychological flexibility stretches one’s capacity for happiness.
  • Each day is an opportunity to begin again.
  • Every solution is found within the problem.
  • The only thing you’re “supposed” to do is discover whatever works for you—and dive in!

Links Mentioned in This Episode

Follow Our Team

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#360

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, we talk about getting rid of excess “friends” on social media. Watch all two hours of episode 359 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How do we appropriately curate our ‘friends’ lists in our social media accounts?
  • Why do we act on social media in ways we would never act in real life?
  • How do we appropriately manage misery arising from the memories of past mistakes?
  • How does minimalism influence your budget, your diet, and your transportation?
  • Can one be a minimalist and a prepper?
  • How do we balance between contentment and ambition as minimalists?
  • What is “purpose-driven passivity”?
  • What is the difference between impulse and improv?
  • How do we tactfully encourage our partners to embrace minimalist practices?
  • What are some viable alternatives of Facebook Messenger for group chats?
  • What does T.K. discuss in his talks at high schools?
  • What was Ryan’s experience at Burning Man?
  • What is the “No Piles Rule”?
  • How do you effectively address procrastination?
  • Why do you consider sunglasses and sunscreen obsolete?
  • What does Josh enjoy about his new home, and what is still taking some adjustment?
  • What are the best resources regarding intermittent fasting?
  • How do I create a reading habit that defies distractions?
  • What is the “Entryway Rule”?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua, Ryan, and T.K.’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Just-in-case friends aren’t friends at all.
  • A mistake ceases to be a mistake when it becomes a lesson.
  • Minimalism is a concise way of saying “living-within-your-means-ism.”
  • Letting go is the ultimate form of prepping.
  • Opting-out is an active choice, not a one-time decision.
  • The why-to is infinitely more powerful than the how-to.
  • Support bound by expectations isn’t supportive.
  • The best testimony is a well-lived life.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

Follow Our Team

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#359

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, we are joined by licensed therapists Vanessa Bennett and John Kim to discuss relationship clutter. Watch all two hours of episode 358 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • Why did Vanessa Bennett and John Kim write It’s Not Me, It’s You?
  • How do I search intentionally for a life partner without becoming consumed by that pursuit?
  • Does a need for relationships inevitably cause relationship clutter?
  • What is the danger in prioritizing my partner’s needs?
  • What is your perspective regarding codependency?
  • How do you maintain your joy without making others that are suffering feel that you’re not compassionate?
  • Is it a matter of personal responsibility to always accept blame?
  • What is your perspective regarding the Law of Attraction with respect to relationships?
  • Why is it important to recognize the distinction between the ‘what’ and the ‘how’?
  • What is the difference between ‘chasing’ and ‘attracting’ states?
  • When is it appropriate in a relationship to discuss intimate details?
  • What are some appropriate resources for sexual concerns?
  • How do I reclaim my identity in a relationship that came with cultural expectations?
  • How do we determine and set an appropriate pace in the development of a relationship?
  • Why is it important to separate attachment from expectation?
  • What are the two primary needs of humans?
  • What are the four different attachment types?
  • What are the three essential components of relationships?
  • Is a relationship doomed to fail if you don’t love yourself more than your partner?
  • What are the pros and cons of legal marriage?
  • Why is racism such a contentious topic of discussion?
  • What is your perspective regarding alternatives to public education?
  • What are horizontal and vertical networks?
  • What is the danger in accepting conventions in education?
  • What is your view regarding minimalism being a lifestyle of privilege?
  • What did you learn from your first Sunday Symposium event?

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Minimal Maxims

The Minimalists’ pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Needing a relationship is the source of relationship clutter.
  • Attraction is a mirror of our aspirations.
  • Fear is a consequence of future consequences.
  • Chemistry, compatibility, and love constitute the holy trinity of every relationship.
  • It is impossible to love someone without self-love.
  • Contracts inform us about the past; handshakes inform us about the future.
  • Learn to fight without fighting. —John Kim

Links Mentioned in This Episode

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https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#358

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Ryan Nicodemus returns and the trio talks about what makes them angry. Watch all three hours of episode 357 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How did Ryan enjoy his time off?
  • Can there truly be too much of a good thing?
  • How do Joshua and Bex manage time apart while living together?
  • Why was Joshua angry with T.K. last week?
  • What happened to Podcast Shawn when he tried his first IV drip with you?
  • How do we keep anger from turning into rage?
  • What is box breathing?
  • What is the ‘I Will Tell You’ policy?
  • What is the difference between honesty and transparency?
  • Is it possible to be too nice?
  • How can trying times prove the viability of relationships?
  • How do you forgive yourself for investing time and effort in fruitless pursuits?
  • What is the ‘Problem of the Hypothetical Demon’?
  • How do I support loved ones’ events without overloading my calendar?
  • Do the blind have an advantage in not seeing what tempts so many others?
  • How do you define “integrity”?
  • Is anger most commonly triggered by fear and sadness?
  • What is your perspective regarding acceptance?
  • How do I tactfully address a significant difference in our decor preferences with my partner?
  • How do we appropriately address our disappointment with a loved one’s failure to meet our expectations?
  • What is the “frequency illusion”?
  • What is “E-prime”?
  • What is the importance of observation and awareness?
  • What is your perspective regarding inflation?
  • How can we approach spending more effectively?
  • How does inflation inordinately affect the impoverished?
  • What feeds the urge to purchase impulsively?
  • How do you manage the tension with others created by your OCD?

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Minimal Maxims

The Minimalists’ pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • To forgive is to let go of future trauma caused by clinging.
  • Every relationship is a doorway to misery and joy.
  • Every unwanted gift is an opportunity to be generous.
  • Every ‘yes’ adds a little clutter to your calendar.
  • Big decisions with little discussion create big disappointments.
  • Anger is when your heart says, “I feel passionate but powerless.”
  • Our impulses blind us to the truth.
  • To change the world, give up your expectations about which parts of the world you will change.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

Follow Our Team

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#357

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, we are joined by musician and YouTuber Ruslan to talk about judgment as emotional clutter. Watch all three hours of episode 356 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • How do we help our children control their emotions?
  • Will I unduly risk advancing in my career if I delay taking advantage of continuing education and new opportunities for a few years?
  • What obligations do entertainers have regarding their audience?
  • How do we tactfully address unwanted gifts, especially those gifted with questionable intent?
  • How do we stop letting go?
  • How do we temper our judgment of others?
  • Why did Ruslan pivot from musician to YouTube creator?
  • Why did Ruslan choose to focus on doing commentary on others’ videos?
  • What gave rise to new creators during the pandemic?
  • What is problematic about an inordinate focus on high production values?
  • What lessons has Ruslan learned in his new pursuit?
  • Should art be judged not only on its own merit, but equally on that of its creator?
  • How do you mitigate the risk of admitting fault?
  • How have people weaponized the labeling of others?
  • How do we best manage the judgment of loved ones?
  • Where do Ruslan and The Minimalists disagree on judgment?
  • What is the difference between description and prescription?
  • Why is it important to draw a distinction between judging a person and judging a process?
  • What prompted Joshua to comment on Ruslan’s Kendrick Lamar video?
  • Why should we be concerned with calling bad “good” and good “bad”?
  • What is concerning about New Age ethos?
  • How do I ask my partner to accept me more as my true self after a significant time has passed in our relationship?
  • How do I address coworkers that use inappropriate language or discuss inappropriate topics at work?
  • Aren’t we obligated to stay informed about world affairs in the news despite the insidious presence of ads?
  • Is any press truly good press?
  • What is the difference between an obsolete item and a vintage item?
  • What is “object a”?

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Minimal Maxims

The Minimalists’ pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Emotions are great airplane passengers—but horrible pilots.
  • Debt doesn’t drain only your bank account; debt drains your freedom.
  • Acceptance is nice, but needing acceptance is a prison.
  • Gift-giving is no more a love language than pig Latin is a Romance language.
  • Letting go is not something you do; letting go is something you stop doing.
  • Simplify to be free, not to be a “good minimalist.”
  • Judgment is a mirror that reflects the insecurities of the judge.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

Follow Our Team

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#356

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, we are joined by Joshua’s wife, Becca Shern, host of How to Love, to talk about unconventional relationships and parenting. Watch all three hours of episode 355 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • Why did you create the podcast How to Love?
  • How can we improve our interpersonal communication?
  • How do I discuss creating appropriate boundaries with our children with my spouse and grandparents?
  • How do we incorporate specificity to better manage difficult conversations?
  • How do we treat children equitably within a family?
  • What is the best method for creating solutions?
  • What are the essentials we’ll need for our first baby?
  • How do we curb our impulsiveness?
  • How do we best convey to loved ones our wishes regarding celebrations?
  • What is the danger in having someone fulfill all of our expectations of them?
  • What are two methods for leading a happy, healthy life?
  • How do you address content that some find offensive?
  • Can I still consider myself a minimalist when I own more than my partner?
  • How do we keep from imposing our views on others?
  • How do we help children realize the benefits of minimalism?
  • What are the arguments in favor of alternatives to public education?
  • How do we build a bridge between two households for our children?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

The Minimalists’ pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Sincerity and candor are the bricks and mortar that build boundaries.
  • Wanting what you have trumps getting what you want.
  • The thing isn’t about the thing.
  • You needn’t get rid of all your stuff to see the problem it creates.
  • It is not my responsibility to un-offend you.
  • When you’re free from pleasing all the people, you’re free from needing all the things.
  • The thing you want is never the thing you want.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

Follow Our Team

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#355

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, we are joined by philosopher Peter Rollins to talk about misery, trauma, and letting go of souvenirs. Watch all three hours of episode 354 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.

Discussed in This Episode

  • What drives The Minimalists to help others?
  • What inspires Peter Rollins to create?
  • Why is work meaningful to us?
  • How do we continue to practice minimalism after experiencing a traumatic event?
  • What do you consider “normal”?
  • What is your perspective regarding happiness?
  • What was philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer’s view of misery?
  • How did Schopenhauer define “drive”?
  • What is Schopenhauer’s cure for misery?
  • How do we let go of the guilt of a poorly chosen present?
  • What is your viewpoint regarding gifts?
  • How do I embrace who I am rather than what I do?
  • What is your perspective regarding desire?
  • Do you have any concerns regarding the alleged death of detail in minimalist design?
  • How did Schopenhauer believe suffering was positive and not negative?
  • Why is Schopenhauer’s philosophy important?
  • What is the difference between a “finite game” and an “infinite game”?
  • What are the two types of God?
  • Why did T.K. convert to Catholicism?
  • What does it mean to Peter to be a Christian?
  • How do you define “belief”?
  • How is Christianity a matter of lack and not excess?
  • What is the importance of labels?
  • What is “pyrotheology”?
  • How are the well-intentioned tenets of many religions corrupted by their practitioners?
  • What are your views regarding the atrocities committed in the name of religion?
  • What would Peter Rollins do if he won the lottery?
  • What is the lure of transgressive behaviors?
  • How do you address childhood traumas as an adult?
  • How do you define “trauma”?
  • What do you consider magical about live events?
  • What is a temporary autonomous zone?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Happiness is a byproduct of wanting less.
  • Minimalism is a tool, not a prescription.
  • One man’s junk is usually another man’s junk, too.
  • A good story is the best gift.
  • Healing resides at the terminus of suffering.
  • A “human doing” is a downgrade from a human being.
  • Misery shows us how to let go.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

Follow Our Team

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#354

In this public episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists are joined by comedian Jamie Kilstein to talk about quitting minimalism, saying “no” to birthday gifts, and more. Listen to all three hours of episode 353 on The Minimalists Private Podcast: patreon.com/theminimalists

Discussed in this episode:

  • What is your perspective regarding people quitting minimalism?
  • Why do we often blame our problems on everything but ourselves?
  • What is “new-convert syndrome”?
  • What has helped you remain calm amid chaos?
  • How effective is therapy in recovering from toxic relationships?
  • How do we stop dwelling on former relationships?
  • How do we best manage our time so we can focus on what’s truly important?
  • What is “busyness”?
  • How do we most effectively minimize and organize our photo collections?
  • How do we tactfully refuse gifts?
  • What are T.K.’s three options regarding gifts?
  • What is the difference between natural desires and unnatural desires?
  • Can we buy back our freedoms?
  • What is “f-u minimalism”?
  • Is stand-up comedy dying?
  • What led Jamie to buy and return a Roomba?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • You don’t need to let go if there’s nothing to hold on to.
  • You’ll find meaning when you stop looking for it.
  • Extinguish the fire before rebuilding your house.
  • Your priorities directly correspond with how you spend your time.
  • Not buying a thing is letting go in advance.
  • A relationship is not loving if it’s not honest.
  • A gift is not a gift if you are not allowed to let it go.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

Follow Our Team

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#353

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists are joined by musician Matt Nathanson to talk about the problem with expectations and assumptions. Listen to all three hours of episode 352 on The Minimalists Private Podcast: patreon.com/theminimalists

Discussed in this episode:

  • Why did T.K. Coleman join The Minimalists Podcast as the new cohost?
  • How can disagreement contribute positively to relationships?
  • Are we obligated to always attend the funerals of loved ones?
  • How do we let go of the fear we’ll forget memories in order to let go of sentimental items?
  • How does having duplicate items in multiple residences fit in the minimalist lifestyle?
  • How do we overcome passion burnouts?
  • How do you define “passion”?
  • What are the four pillars of passion?
  • What is the difference between minimalism and essentialism?
  • What is the distinction between biologically essential and psychologically optimal?
  • How do I accept my mother dating after the death of my father?
  • What is “chronological snobbery”?
  • How do novel ideas become cliches?
  • What is your perspective regarding hatred?
  • How can anger contribute positively to our lives?
  • What is the value in producers of goods charging subscriptions to use embedded features of their products?
  • How is greed not wholly negative?
  • Why will you not purchase brand-new office chairs again?
  • What reseller platforms do you find valuable?
  • How do you maintain a tidy kitchen?
  • What makes advertising bad?
  • Should I let go of my goal of an idealized life?
  • How do I build my business without inundating the public with promotions?
  • What should we consider when creating a business?
  • What is the Sunday Symposium?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Distractions are the weeds that grow out of boredom.
  • Every expectation is a roadblock on the highway to happiness.
  • It’s not the dream if it’s not your dream.
  • Minimalism is the natural state for human beings.
  • Competition confounds contentment.
  • I cut my worries in half by getting rid of half of my possessions.
  • The more things you have, the more things you have to worry about.

Mentioned in This Episode

Follow Our Team

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#352

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists are joined by their new cohost, T.K. Coleman, to talk about dead things, dead relationships, and much more. Listen to all three hours of episode 351 on The Minimalists Private Podcast: patreon.com/theminimalists

Discussed in this episode:

  • Why did T.K. Coleman join The Minimalists Podcast as the new cohost?
  • How can disagreement contribute positively to relationships?
  • Are we obligated to always attend the funerals of loved ones?
  • How do we let go of the fear we’ll forget memories in order to let go of sentimental items?
  • How does having duplicate items in multiple residences fit in the minimalist lifestyle?
  • How do we overcome passion burnouts?
  • How do you define “passion”?
  • What are the four pillars of passion?
  • What is the difference between minimalism and essentialism?
  • What is the distinction between biologically essential and psychologically optimal?
  • How do I accept my mother dating after the death of my father?
  • What is “chronological snobbery”?
  • How do novel ideas become cliches?
  • What is your perspective regarding hatred?
  • How can anger contribute positively to our lives?
  • What is the value in producers of goods charging subscriptions to use embedded features of their products?
  • How is greed not wholly negative?
  • Why will you not purchase brand-new office chairs again?
  • What reseller platforms do you find valuable?
  • How do you maintain a tidy kitchen?
  • What makes advertising bad?
  • Should I let go of my goal of an idealized life?
  • How do I build my business without inundating the public with promotions?
  • What should we consider when creating a business?
  • What is the Sunday Symposium?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Letting go is the ultimate love language. —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • A possession is clutter when it ceases to add value. —Ryan Nicodemus
  • Passion does not exist without suffering. —T.K. Coleman
  • Nobody has the power to upset you, unless you hand them that power. —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • Minimalism is the thing that gets us past the things. —Ryan Nicodemus
  • Your heart can’t afford the damage caused by clinging. —T.K. Coleman
  • A funeral is a celebration of letting go. —The Minimalists

Mentioned in This Episode

Follow Our Team

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#351

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists discuss organizing, hoarding, and decluttering with professional organizer Dr. Julia Raz, and they answer the following questions:

  • When should you hire a professional organizer, and what should you look for in one?
  • What is a professional organizer?
  • How do I create a new space with a minimalist aesthetic when I move?
  • What is the crux of most couples’ disagreements?
  • How do I find the system of organization that works for me?
  • What questions help us get to the ‘why’ of decluttering?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Organizing is not the solution—it is the problem.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Systems don’t create habits—actions do.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

Follow Our Team

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#350

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists discuss outgrowing possessions, careers, cities, routines, habits, traditions, and relationships, they release a major announcement, and they answer the following questions:

  • How can you tell you’ve outgrown something?
  • What is the common denominator of outgrown things?
  • How do I move on from my past traumas so they have the least negative impact on my present self?
  • What is your perspective regarding trauma?
  • How do I move on from something without feeling I’m losing part of my identity?
  • Who is the new cohost of The Minimalists Podcast?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Your identity is contaminated by the residue of the past.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “If we cling to the past, we get dragged from the present.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “We are defined by our character, not by our things.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#349

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists discuss emotional clutter with psychologist Dr. Susan David, and they answer the following questions:

  • What is optimum emotional health, and how do we achieve it?
  • How does acceptance help us manage our emotional state?
  • Can anger be productive?
  • How are emotions actually data?
  • How do emotions and values work together?
  • What is the ideal relationship between stimulus and response?
  • What is “fusion”?
  • What is the “readiness potential”?
  • How do we address overidentification with an emotion?
  • How do I silence the naysayers in my head?
  • What is the “amplification effect”?
  • What is the importance of self-compassion?
  • What is the difference between a “have-to” goal and a “want-to” goal?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Emotions are like children: you can love them without letting them run the show.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Worry is punishment for something that hasn’t happened.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “The calm is waiting beneath the chaos.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “There’s no way out but from within.” —Oziris Shai

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#348

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists discuss ten ideal ways to simplify our lives, and they answer the following questions:

  • Where do we best start our decluttering odyssey?
  • What is “setting the stage”?
  • What is the “true cost” of an item?
  • What two ways do you recommend to save money on every purchase?
  • What platforms have you found reliable for selling unwanted items?
  • How do we effect positive change in our city’s policies regarding architectural aesthetics?
  • What is “wabi-sabi”?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • Complexity is ugly; simplicity is beautiful.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “A madhouse is built with bricks of expectation.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#347

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists talk about earning a living from creative pursuits with writer Jeff Goins, and they answer the following questions:

  • Why do even the most talented artists often struggle financially?
  • What is the premise of Jeff’s book?
  • How does stubbornness help artists?
  • How does a hyper focus on details harm artists?
  • What is the importance of patrons for artists?
  • How do artists best actualize their dreams?
  • What is the best use of our creations that no longer hold any meaning for us—save for posterity, recycle, repurpose, trash?
  • How do I best manage my PR on social media so I have adequate time to produce my art?
  • What is the Sunday Symposium?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Needing a thing reduces one’s ability to enjoy that thing.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “The artist’s priority is art.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “Before you can create great art, you must first create yourself.” —Jeff Goins

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#346

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists discuss the pros and cons of owning versus renting homes from a minimalist perspective, and they answer the following questions:

  • What are your respective opinions regarding owning versus renting homes?
  • Is there an age deadline for homeownership?
  • How do we determine which is more financially feasible for us between renting and buying?
  • What are “Zoomtowns”?
  • Do you consider tiny homes a viable homeownership option, particularly regarding resale value?
  • What should we look for in a community when we’re ready to plant roots?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “The quality of your neighborhood is determined not by home prices, but by the quality of your neighbors.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Ask not what your neighbor can do for you, but what you can do for your neighbor.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#345

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists speak with Vanessa Van Edwards about communication problems and the signals we send to others through our body language, facial expressions, word choices, and vocal inflections, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I overcome the feeling of being chronically misunderstood?
  • What are the four channels for cues?
  • What is the importance of congruence in our communication?
  • How are we most commonly misunderstood?
  • What are warm and confident words?
  • How do we organically incorporate mirroring into our communication?
  • How can you tell if someone is actively listening to you?
  • What are the two misconceptions about eye contact?
  • What is “Resting Bothered Face”?
  • What is “phubbing”?
  • What are “invitation cues”?
  • As a teenager living under my parents’ roof how do I tactfully address the conflict arising between their values and beliefs and my own that are continuously evolving at my age?
  • What is “openness”?
  • What is the “Platinum Rule”?
  • Why is nonverbal communication so powerful?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Simple actions speak louder than bland natterings.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Actions talk—words balk.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “The body speaks the truth even when the mouth can’t.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “Everything we say involves everything we don’t say.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#344

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists talk about practical, reliable, and durable goods and the social, moral, and environmental responsibilities of the companies that produce them, and they answer the following questions:

  • Where did you get the idea for the title, “The Good Goods”?
  • Is there a curated list somewhere on the Internet of companies that sell high-quality, durable goods that also take responsibility for their social and environmental impact?
  • What is “impact anxiety”?
  • What is “corporate social responsibility”?
  • Do dollar stores sell any high-quality items?
  • How has planned obsolescence changed our shopping habits?
  • What are the benefits of buying locally?
  • How do we find items that are high-quality and appropriately priced?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Everything is 100% off if you don’t buy it.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “The most sustainable item is the item that’s left on the shelf.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “When in doubt, go without.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#343

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists discuss the benefits of near-death experiences with their friend T.K. Coleman a month after his brush with death, and they answer the following questions:

  • How has having your film nominated for an Emmy affected you?
  • How many times has T.K. appeared on the podcast?
  • What near-death experience did T.K. experience recently, and what lessons did he take from it?
  • What mattered the most to you in your moment of crisis?
  • What effect did T.K.’s near-death experience have on his relationships?
  • What insights or enlightenment do near-death experiences yield?
  • Did T.K.’s near-death experience alter his views regarding minimalism?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “The world’s richest dead man is still dead.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “We waste our lives when we’re scared to death of death.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Near-death experiences help us avoid near-life experiences.” —Joshua Fields Millburn

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#342

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists discuss our shared clean-slate fantasy of renting a giant dumpster and tossing everything in it, as well as more prudent and responsible decluttering methods, including selling, donating, and recycling, and they answer the following questions:

  • Why did you renovate The Minimalists podcast studio after its first year?
  • How do we tactfully approach a loved one regarding their maximalist lifestyle encroaching on our shared minimalist space?
  • What are the three reasons that we cling?
  • Why is striving for perfection such a fruitless pursuit?
  • How do we appropriately pass on personalized items?
  • How do I help loved ones let go of their attachment to things?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “We stop clinging when we start recognizing the abundance of our daily lives.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “The harder you try, the harder you fail.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#341

Learning more about Earthing products: earthing.com/simple

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists are joined by earthing expert Clint Ober to discuss pain reduction, the science behind grounding, and “the most important health discovery ever,” and they answer the following questions:

  • What is the science behind grounding, and how do I explain it to loved ones who perceive it as metaphysical woo-woo?
  • How can grounding relieve much of our discomfort?
  • What are the most significant benefits of grounding, and what individuals would realize the most benefit from it?
  • What grounding tips do you have for individuals that use wheelchairs?
  • How did Clint come to recognize the personal benefits of grounding?
  • What are the best methods for grounding?
  • What is your perception regarding inflammation?
  • If grounding is so healthy, why does the professional medical community largely ignore it?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “The truth is the truth regardless of our beliefs.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Mainstream media prioritizes your attention over your well-being.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#340

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists talk about the many shapes and sizes of excess, including stuff, debt, screen time, commitments, and emotional clutter, and they answer the following questions:

  • When is something considered excessive?
  • What are the three ways to gain acceptance?
  • How do we encourage others to break away from the excessive pursuits that are causing them to feel perpetually overwhelmed?
  • What is “POMO”?
  • How do I ensure my daily schedule doesn’t become excessive, and how do I best organize my time management tools to achieve that goal?
  • How do I stay focused on my obligations and responsibilities when my emotional clutter is constantly distracting me?
  • What is your perspective regarding personality?
  • How do I cut down on excessive screen time?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “If poisoned by excess, more poison will not save you.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “An app can’t take action—only you can take action.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#339

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists speak with Dr. John Delony, author of Own Your Past, Change Your Future, about loneliness, friendship, love, lust, and jobs that make people miserable, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I ensure I don’t fall back into crippling codependency as I explore building relationships again?
  • How do we intentionally practice solitude?
  • What is the difference between solitude and hiding?
  • How do we make friends as adults?
  • Is there any issue in striving to associate with like-minded individuals over open-minded individuals?
  • Where is the best place to find a long-term partner or spouse?
  • What are the differences between love, like, and lust?
  • How do I determine whether to keep a job I detest that makes me miserable, yet provides well for myself and my daughter?
  • How do we transition from an overabundance of acquaintances to fewer, more meaningful relationships?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Less isn’t always better, but too much is too much every time.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “It’s hard to be a friend when you are your own worst enemy.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#338

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists discuss what to do with family heirlooms and “generational junk,” and they answer the following questions:

  • How do we tactfully tell our relatives we don’t want their “generational junk”?
  • How do I help my parents minimize their hoard to live more simply when they’re resistant to do so?
  • How do we support our family members without accepting their donations of their possessions?
  • How do I appropriately rehome a family heirloom that is a historical artifact?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Letting go of excess helps us hold on to what’s important.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “You needn’t own an object to experience it.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#337

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists speak with Joshua Becker about Things That Matter, becoming minimalist, and finding purpose, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I discover what truly matters when I’m already struggling to find meaning in my daily life?
  • How do we discover our purposes?
  • Would you change your minimalist journeys based on what you know now?
  • How do we recoup and regroup from the past purchase of a luxury item, especially when we’re trying to recover from the financial repercussions of the purchase, such as a considerable car loan?
  • What does Joshua Becker recommend regarding vehicle purchases?
  • How do I reframe minimalism as merely a tool rather than a goal?
  • How do I ensure my needs are met along with those for which I’m a caregiver?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Our priorities are showcased not by what we say but by how we spend our days.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Personal boundaries protect boundless love.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#336

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists talk about purchases that lead to buyer’s remorse, and they answer the following questions:

  • Does regret serve us in any way?
  • How do we overcome the loss and regret we feel after donating items so we don’t end up simply replacing them and repeating the cycle?
  • How do we recognize when we’re senselessly justifying a purchase that holds little to no actual benefit for us?
  • Do your children have any regrets?
  • What do we do when we experience buyer’s remorse with every purchase?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “If everything is valuable, then nothing is valuable.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Shame is tamed when guilt is jilted.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#335

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists talk about the clutter that invades our counters, cabinets, and refrigerators with Max Lugavere, author of Genius Kitchen, and they answer the following questions:

  • What is essential to prepare healthy meals?
  • What is a Thermapen?
  • Why are glass containers better for storage than plastic containers?
  • What is the value of the cast-iron skillet in the kitchen?
  • What are the pros and cons of the microwave?
  • What are the benefits of sous vide?
  • What are the dangers of using kitchen items with nonstick coatings?
  • What kitchen cleaning products and methods have you found safe, effective, and minimal that prevent foodborne illnesses and keep everything spotless when not in use?
  • How do we ensure we keep the appropriate amount of food on hand for our household?
  • How do we efficiently and effectively cook in tiny kitchens?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Countertop clutter constrains creativity in the kitchen.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “It’s not the size of the space that matters, it’s how you use it.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#334

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists talk about functional movement with Aaron Alexander, author of The Align Method, and they answer the following questions:

  • What daily exercises will help us move with the most freedom and the least pain?
  • How do our postural patterns affect our overall health?
  • What is the “55-38-7 Principle”?
  • Is sitting for long periods unhealthy?
  • What movements during daily office work are beneficial?
  • What is the most ideal sitting position?
  • What is the value of stillness?
  • What are the most appropriate workspace ergonomics for those that spend long hours at desks?
  • How do we best relax?
  • How important is appropriate breathing?
  • What is “learned helplessness”?
  • How do we reevaluate our movements?
  • What is “piezoelectricity”?
  • What is “parasitic tension”?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Your body is not the problem—what you are doing to your body is the problem.” —Aaron Alexander
  • “A sedentary body produces a restless mind.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Movement is medicine.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#333

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists discuss why far too many of us spend far too much on storage containers, “clutter coffins,” of all sizes, yet the best way to organize our stuff isn’t to store it in a basement mausoleum—the best way to organize is to get rid of the excess stuff—and they answer the following questions:

  • What has contributed to the rise of the storage business?
  • What do you consider “clutter coffins”?
  • When are storage units useful?
  • What is the average profit margin of the storage industry?
  • What does the phrase “Be present” mean to you?
  • How do I reconcile my love of scrapbooking and its requisite accoutrements with my striving to live a minimalist lifestyle?
  • What is “legalism”?
  • What is your perspective regarding the zero-waste movement?
  • What are the origins of spring cleaning?
  • How do my partner and I determine how much stuff we should actually save for our future child?
  • How do you determine what is worth storing?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Organizing is well-planned hoarding.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Understanding the why helps you realize the how.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#332

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists talk about sustainable living with environmentalist Claire Potter, and they answer the following questions:

  • What impact did the pandemic have on our environment with all of the disposable items designed to protect us from infection, and how can we move forward safely with less waste?
  • How biodegradable are biodegradable plastics?
  • What are the pros and cons of plastic?
  • How do we stay motivated and inspire others to live a sustainable, minimalist lifestyle when those around us do not; that is, if we live sustainably but more people live unsustainably, aren’t all of our efforts meaningless?
  • What is your perspective regarding sustainability?
  • What is the “circular economy”?
  • How much does farming crops damage the environment compared to farming meat?
  • How do we frame sustainable living to interest non-environmentalists?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Living with less is the best way to live with more.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Convincing is not consent.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#331

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists talk about how much stuff is enough stuff, and how much stuff is too much stuff, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do we avoid apathy when we’re sorting generations of stuff?
  • What does “letting go” mean to you?
  • When you have too much stuff, how do you determine what to let go and where to send it—yard sale, online consignment, donation center, or, very worst-case scenario, landfill?
  • What is The Minimalists’ process for letting go?
  • How do we appropriately address a loved one’s consumerism that causes us discomfort?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “The stuff doesn’t make us miserable—clinging to stuff does.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Judgment is a mirror that reflects our own insecurities.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#330

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists talk about simple pets with Dr. Karen Shaw Becker and Rodney Habib, authors of The Forever Dog, and they answer the following questions:

  • Do humans actually need pets?
  • What does the acronym “DOGS” represent?
  • How many pets are too many?
  • What is a puppy scam?
  • What is genetic deletion?
  • What is a healthy diet for pets?
  • How do we ensure a superlative longevity for our pets’ lives?
  • How do I address my spouse’s frustrations with a pet when I get value from the companionship and care of the pet but they do not?
  • How much exercise does my pet need?
  • How do we ensure we don’t become totally consumed by our pet guardian identities?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Our identities are shaped by the stories we tell ourselves.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Our identities cannot hide us from ourselves.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#329

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists talk about different kinds of surprise purchases, impulse purchases, and annoying purchases, and they answer the following questions:

  • What’s the difference between surprise purchases and impulse purchases?
  • Why do sales seem particularly pernicious now?
  • What are the two kinds of surprise purchases?
  • Do manufacturers bear any burden for creating superfluous products that exist as little more than items to be purchased as surprise gifts for others based on their novelty rather than their practicality?
  • Are we being too dismissive of new technology that seems to promote sedentary lifestyles but could be incredibly helpful to the physically challenged?
  • How do we get our partners to include us in the purchasing processes of significant items?
  • How do you define “compassion”?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “To be on the same page, you must first read from the same book.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Compassion is the key to understanding others.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#328

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists question the beliefs, opinions, and worldviews that have shaped all of us with Michael Gungor, author of THIS, and they answer the following questions:

  • Why did Michael write THIS?
  • Why does getting everything we want often bring misery instead of joy?
  • How do we determine if a belief no longer serves us?
  • What does “belief” mean to you?
  • How do our beliefs form?
  • How do you break the constant collective mindset of depression and anxiety when you grew up in a family that believed it was simply an ever-present state of being?
  • How do you define “anxiety”?
  • Did Michael discover a deeper truth through his experience with different religions?
  • What is your perspective regarding truth?
  • What does it mean to “add value”?
  • If I’ve given everything I can to please those I must please in my profession, what more can I do to show my commitment to the cause?
  • What does “need” mean to you?
  • How do we determine when a struggle has become futile and move on?
  • What are your thoughts regarding the ego?
  • What does “heaven” and “hell” mean to you?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “To move on, drop whatever is weighing you down.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “To let go is to be free.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#327

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists talk about the psychology behind panic buying, and they answer the following questions:

  • What causes panic buying?
  • What are the causes of supply-chain shortages?
  • What have you seen purchased in recent panic-buying frenzies?
  • When might it be appropriate to panic?
  • Is it ever advisable to simply save money for medical emergencies rather than spending that money monthly on health insurance?
  • Can everything be negotiated?
  • Do other countries respond to crises with panic buying similar to the United States?
  • Where is the line between preparation and hoarding?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “You won’t have enough until you know what enough is.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “The simple things aren’t the easy things.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#326

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists discuss the physical clutter that is created by mental clutter with Dr. Amishi Jha, and they answer the following questions:

  • What are the ideal steps to reduce mental clutter?
  • How do we refine our attention?
  • What is the “Find Your Flashlight Practice”?
  • How do we let go of sentimental stuff that has continuously piled up for decades and is physically and mentally holding us back?
  • How do we wind up emotionally attached to stuff?
  • How do we appropriately develop new habits?
  • What is “contingent reality”?
  • How do you maintain mindfulness in the corporate world amid the constant bombardment of demands from obligations and responsibilities?
  • What is “task switching”?
  • How do we enjoy wholly disconnecting in our free time without feeling like we’ve wasted time?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “A mind is a terrible thing to clutter.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “A quiet mind is a clutter-free mind.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#325

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists discuss the three most dangerous words in the world—Just. In. Case.—and they answer the following questions:

  • Should I hold on to collectibles so I can pass them on to my children if they become valuable?
  • How do I address a hoard of just-in-case items I’ve stashed for use at work?
  • How can boundaries help with just-in-case items?
  • How do you address the ‘I-told-you-so’ crowd regarding just-in-case items you purged that you must purchase again?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “If you ever regret letting go, you can simply let go of the regret.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “I would deeply regret if I died with no regrets.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#324

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists are joined by philosopher Peter Rollins to discuss nihilism, despair, anger, and depression, and they answer the following questions:

  • How are nihilism and minimalism related?
  • Is Fight Club’s Tyler Durden an example of nihilism?
  • What did Nietzsche mean by the “death of God”?
  • What started the recent rise in nihilism?
  • Is anger merely unrealized expectations?
  • What is the “belief through the other”?
  • How do you define “fundamentalism”?
  • Are nihilism and pessimism the same perspective?
  • How do we overcome pessimism?
  • What would cause someone to become a nihilist?
  • Why did Nietzsche believe we must all experience the death of God?
  • What is “dialectics”?
  • How do I help myself and my children adequately recover and move on after the death of their father ‬and the disintegration of my second marriage?
  • What are “beta-elements”?
  • What is an “alpha function”?
  • What is your perspective regarding “symptoms”?
  • What is the value of a psychotherapist for those of us struggling with issues?
  • How do you find new meaning in life when the meaning you wanted is no longer an option?
  • How do you define “depression”?
  • What is the “object cause of desire”?
  • How do you define “love”?
  • How do you address a void?
  • Why do you consider Los Angeles the most religious place in the world?
  • What is “leveling”?
  • What is the difference between a problem and a mystery?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “A meaningful life resides at the intersection of devotion and love.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “If there’s no meaning of life, there’s still meaning in life.” —Peter Rollins

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#323

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and The Minimalists’ team talk about dealing with paper clutter, including bills, mail, receipts, taxes, photos, books, pamphlets, files, contracts, letters, and other random paperwork, and they answer the following questions:

  • What documents are essential to keep?
  • What companies do you recommend for scanning physical photos and storing them in the cloud?
  • What are the most effective methods for organizing important paper documents in the office?
  • What resources do you use to keep paper clutter from ever entering your homes?
  • Where do I begin tackling a monster of paper clutter that threatens to eat up an inordinate amount of time?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “How would your life be better with less clutter?” —Joshua Fields Millburn

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#322

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, The Minimalists are joined by T.K. Coleman in Atlanta to discuss minimalism with purpose, resolving conflict, and creating a “social budget,” and they answer the following questions:

  • When have you found telling the truth problematic?
  • Is minimalism a Western solution for overconsumption?
  • Why are so many so consumed with consumption?
  • What is the “American Dream”?
  • What makes us singularly human?
  • What is minimalism to you?
  • How do you appropriately resolve conflict with loved ones in a family business?
  • How do you define “love”?
  • What is your perspective regarding power?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Be willing to stand alone for the sake of taking a stand.” —T.K. Coleman
  • “All conflict is self-conflict.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Trying to change someone means you hate who they are.” —Joshua Fields Millburn

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#321

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan are joined by counselor, podcaster, and author Ian Morgan Cron to discuss identity clutter and the outdated stories people tell themselves, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do you start rewriting your story when you feel overwhelmed and insecure about who you are and who you want to be?
  • What does the acronym “SOAR” represent?
  • What is “act as-if”?
  • How do you discover your true identity after traumatically losing your societal identities?
  • What is the difference between a role and an identity?
  • How can the Enneagram help us discover ourselves?
  • How do you define “personality”?
  • What is the role of self-awareness in personality and in identity?
  • How do beliefs become problematic?
  • How do I find peace with who I am?
  • How do you define “shame”?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Enough is enough when you decide it’s enough.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “We accept ourselves as soon as our actions align with our values.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#320

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan discuss the pros and cons of hustle culture, and they answer the following questions:

  • Do some people claim they’re busy to be envied for being in demand?
  • What is the difference between “hurry” and “hustle”?
  • How do you define “productive”?
  • What is the fatal flaw of hustle culture?
  • How can we break free of hustle culture?
  • How do you appropriately address burnout with yourself or an employer before it reaches the point of no return?
  • How do I set appropriate boundaries in my profession?
  • After leaving an extraordinarily stressful career, how do I resist the temptation to take on another one for “success” and wealth?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “What others think, what others believe, what others expect—these are bars to a prison cell; to break free, you must realize that those bars are lining their cage, not yours—you can walk away at any point.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “When you sacrifice your contentment, all that remains is discontentment.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#319

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about what they’ve learned, how they’ve grown, and in what ways they’ve subtracted since they started The Minimalists eleven years ago, and they answer the following questions:

  • How has your understanding of, and approach toward, minimalism developed over the last eleven years?
  • Why does minimalism seem radical?
  • How do we address our issue with clinging?
  • What is the most important lesson you’ve learned about consumerism?
  • What is the “god-shaped hole”?
  • Based on your eleven years of experience in minimalism, what advice do you have for those of us starting on our minimalism journey at an older age?
  • Is deprivation helpful?
  • If you had the power to make everyone a minimalist, would you do it?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “To persuade someone is to unlove them.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “I’d rather empower someone than exert power over someone.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#318

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan speak with Amanda Montell, author of Cultish, about what makes a cult a cult, and they answer the following questions:

  • Who decides whether a cult is a cult?
  • Are cults strictly negative?
  • Is CrossFit a cult?
  • How do otherwise reasonable people fall susceptible to cults?
  • What are the characteristics of a cult?
  • What is the “thought-terminating cliche”?
  • What are the “exit costs” of cults?
  • What are some red flags to look for regarding cults?
  • Why does it seem the US is replete with cults?
  • How do cults start?
  • What is the “cult of consumerism”?
  • How do cult members not see how it’s hurting them when it’s so obvious to everyone else?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Every dogma comes prepackaged with a blindfold.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “A self-righteous person is unable to see the truth.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#317

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about giving gifts, getting gifts, and sometimes refusing gifts as a minimalist during Christmastime, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I address the guilt I feel when I don’t get a Christmas gift for someone that expected one?
  • Can gift-giving be a love language?
  • What are some clutter-free gift ideas?
  • What are the three types of fun?
  • What is the minimalist approach to Christmas stockings?
  • What are some good charities for children?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Dispossession drives discontentment.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Don’t let your Christmas be consumed by peer-pressured purchasing.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#316

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about expired food, expired medications, expired possessions, and expired daily habits, and they answer the following questions:

  • How can we appropriately manage the expiration dates of everything in our lives?
  • Is the expiration date listed on food the last day it can be used?
  • How do I appropriately let go of perishable items that no longer serve me, especially when there was a degree of expense involved?
  • What do you consider clutter?
  • What can we do about expired sources of content, such as a blog with dated viewpoints, narratives, and opinions?
  • How do we determine when we’ve entered a new season in life and it’s time to let go of hobbies, friendships, and dreams of past seasons?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Less content, more contentment.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Clinging corrupts contentment.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#315

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about so-called luxury items—desiring them, purchasing them, clinging to them, understanding them, and letting go of them—and they answer the following questions:

  • How do you define “luxury item”?
  • How do we differentiate between luxury, elegance, and trendy?
  • As my fiance and I are creating our wedding registry, how do we ensure we don’t fall into the trap of exploiting the kindness of others for luxury items that will just fill the areas we just decluttered?
  • What is “expensive pain”?
  • What is an “alternative registry”?
  • Is crowdsourcing a reasonable way to fund a honeymoon?
  • Why do some pursue luxury instead of living within their means?
  • What is “low-grade misery”?
  • What is the ultimate luxury?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “The thing you want is never the thing you want.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “The less we own, the less we’re owned.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#314

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about earning a living doing work that matters with career expert, author, and Ramsey personality Ken Coleman, and they answer the following questions:

  • Do I have to have a “purpose” at work?
  • What three elements make up one’s purpose?
  • Must a purpose be a lofty pursuit?
  • What do you recommend as the best options for making money on the road for those of us that want to travel and see the world?
  • How do I balance pursuing a purpose with the responsibilities and obligations of being a parent and a spouse?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Human worth is not determined by net worth.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “A paycheck will help you survive, but a purpose will help you thrive.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#313

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan discuss The Minimalists’ Spontaneous Combustion Rule as it applies to material possessions, relationships, and homes, and they answer the following questions:

  • What is the Spontaneous Combustion Rule?
  • How do we determine when it’s appropriate to let go of friendships, and how do we address the aftermath of loneliness when there are no new friendships to fill the void?
  • What are the three types of relationships?
  • How do we address the overwhelm we feel from others’ stuff when we’re living in an environment that’s not our own?
  • How do we know if the desire to move to a new place that may “fit us better” is a genuine feeling and not just escapism?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Running toward is the opposite of running away.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “You can run from anyone—except yourself.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#312

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan are joined by Ryan’s wife, Mariah, on the occasion of his 40th birthday, and they talk about the wisdom that accompanies midlife maturity, as well as answer the following questions:

  • When do maturity, wisdom, and knowledge best align?
  • What is Ryan’s favorite dinner?
  • How have your needs in a romantic partnership changed as you move toward your 40s?
  • What is “whataboutism”?
  • How has responding instead of reacting helped your relationship?
  • Are Ryan and Mariah always in agreement regarding their minimalist practices; and, if not, how do they find compromise with one another?
  • How do you find equilibrium in your relationship when an individual is on their minimalist journey but their partner is not?
  • What is the “hedonic treadmill”?
  • What guests have you had at your tour stops?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “It takes two to tangle.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Compliance is not a prerequisite for love.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “Their journey is not your journey.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#311

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about inner conflict, self-doubt, and self-hatred with author, speaker, and attorney Mel Robbins, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I rebuild my relationship with myself?
  • What is the most important relationship in our life?
  • What moment led to the High Five Habit?
  • Why do most mantras not work?
  • How did you keep from blaming yourselves and beating yourselves up for the failure of your marriages, and how did you restore your confidence in starting new relationships afterward?
  • What does a high five represent?
  • Can thinking about yourself negatively actually benefit you positively?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “You would break up with anyone who treats you as poorly as you treat yourself.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Be careful what you think because thoughts turn into opinions, opinions turn into beliefs, beliefs turn into ideologies, and ideologies turn into dogma.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Self-love extinguishes the flame of self-hate.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#310

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about finding something more compelling than material possessions, and they answer the following questions:

  • Why is Salt Lake City one of Joshua’s favorite cities?
  • How do I explain to my children the importance of curating their toys in terms they’ll understand?
  • How do I let go of a relationship I didn’t end?
  • Why am I relentlessly searching for the next thing that will improve my life, and how do I better channel that energy?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Podcasts · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Letting go doesn’t make you happy; it makes room for what’s important.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “To let go is to love.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Doing less isn’t about the doing; it’s about the less.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Happiness doesn’t come from addition; it is uncovered with subtraction.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Dear preppers: you can’t trade canned corn for the love of a community.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “The only person’s love you need is your own.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “How you spend your time is more important than how you spend your money.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#309

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about trading in our materialistic clinging for transcendent freedom with author, podcaster, and comedian Lisa Lampanelli, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do you define “humor”?
  • What is the “United States of Avoidance”?
  • When life changes your path, how do you stop clinging to the hope you once had?
  • How do we accept the death of a dream?
  • What do you mean by “daring to suck”?
  • Is it helpful to simply treat our passions as hobbies until they pay the bills?
  • How did Lisa get her start in comedy?
  • When a loved one has passed, how do I honor their final wishes as executor and appropriately distribute the possessions they clung to when they did not leave specific instructions for doing so?
  • How do you stop clinging to the security of a job simply because it pays well?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Love begins at the place where clinging ends.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “‘Security’ is a misnomer. So is ‘good.’” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Sincere actions arise from sincere desires.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#308

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about calm, serenity, and the sound of simplicity with musician Andrew Belle, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do we find serenity in the echoes of our decluttered spaces?
  • If you’re living a life that aligns with your values, why would it be necessary to take a vacation from it to find solace and silence?
  • Is there any evidence that overconsumption of podcasts or other informative audio is linked to anxiety?
  • How do we move closer to access and further from excess?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Peace cannot be created—it is already there beneath the chaos.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Too much is always too much.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#307

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about resisting the incessant tug of consumerism while striving to simplify, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do we overcome our shopping addiction?
  • What are the three prime indicators of compulsive buying?
  • What is consumerism?
  • When does something become an addiction?
  • Why do people have shopping addictions?
  • When creating a capsule wardrobe and running up against challenges regarding durability, should we buy more clothes at once or purchase clothes more often?
  • What is Project 333?
  • How do I adjust my shopping habits so they better align with my minimalist practices?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Podcasts · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Clutter doesn’t make you discontented—chasing contentment through consumerism does.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “The ‘how’ is most useful after you understand the ‘why.’” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#306

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about removing the excess to expose the everyday beauty that’s all around us with author, podcaster, and pastor Erwin Raphael McManus, and they answer the following questions:

  • What exactly is “beauty”?
  • Can beauty help us find peace?
  • How do we discover and incorporate singular beautiful accents and items throughout our homes while maintaining a simple, minimalist style?
  • What is the value of negative space?
  • How do we find the beauty inside ourselves, and then be content with it?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Are you wearing that shirt, makeup, and jacket for you, or are you wearing it to meet someone’s else’s expectation?” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “The path to misery is paved with comparison.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#305

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about the folly of the self-help industry’s focus on exhausting positivity—on trying to convince us that we can out-eat, out-learn, and out-perform our humanness—with author, podcaster, and professor Kate Bowler, and they answer the following questions:

  • What is the “gospel of hustle”?
  • What are the signs that positivity has become toxic for us as individuals, and what are the signs that our well-intentioned positive vibes are becoming toxic to others?
  • Where did the ‘good vibes only’ orthodoxy originate?
  • Why does complaining seem to encourage camaraderie?
  • What is the problem with the language of positivity?
  • What is “horizon work”?
  • What is “choice poor”?
  • How do we address those that weaponize perspectives, such as toxic positivity, to bully us into accepting and adopting their way of thinking as our own; for example, when people that disapprove of minimalism call minimalists “privileged”?
  • How do you define “elitism”?
  • What is “prudential wisdom”?
  • Where did the notion come from that being positive is the cure for everything, the path for everyone, the solution to whatever life throws at you—what is wrong with embracing sadness, contemplation, grief, anxiety?
  • What is “limited agency”?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Self-pity is the bedrock of toxic certainty.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Our emotions are mountains: the peaks create the valleys.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#304

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about how to avoid recluttering our lives with new possessions, burdens, and obligations once we’ve excised our excess, and they answer the following questions:

  • What is “recluttering”?
  • How do we address recluttering with loved ones and roommates who seem to see our clean spaces as places to dump their stuff that doesn’t have a home?
  • How do we ensure the items we bring back into our homes after decluttering don’t become recluttering?
  • How do I figure out my ‘why’ for recluttering?
  • What’s problematic about having options?
  • How do you define “consumerism”?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “The stuff doesn’t fill the emotional void—it widens it.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Mo’ possessions, mo’ problems.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#303

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan discuss our escalating advice epidemic as our society swells with scores of well-meaning people advising other people on what they are supposed to do, and they answer the following questions:

  • What are ‘shoulds’?
  • What possesses some people to insist on giving others unsolicited advice?
  • How can we provide appropriate advice and/or guidance to loved ones to alter behaviors that are impacting us negatively?
  • How do our expectations complicate things?
  • How do we critically evaluate all the ‘shoulds’ out there and take what works for each of us?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “The Truth does not require persuasion, coaxing, or coercion—it is the Truth whether you are convinced or not.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “There are no ‘shoulds’—only ‘coulds.’ —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#302

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about all the digital clutter on our computers, phones, tablets, and other devices taking up space on our hard drives and in our minds, and they answer the following questions:

  • What are the benefits of not having digital clutter taking up space in your mind?
  • What is the Diderot effect?
  • What do you define as ‘digital clutter’?
  • Where do we start in addressing digital clutter to ensure we stay focused and motivated and not get overwhelmed with all of it?
  • As an avid gamer, how do I ensure I don’t let my enthusiasm and passion for gaming turn into clutter with all of the games and consoles available, and how do I ensure it doesn’t consume me to the detriment of my relationships?
  • How about a basic overview of how to manage it all: emails, documents, photos?
  • How can overwhelm actually help us?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Doing less is not about the doing—it’s about the less.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Every upgrade is, in some way, a downgrade.” —Joshua Fields Millburn

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#301

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about the perniciousness of compulsive decluttering (aka obsessive-compulsive spartanism) on the occasion of their 300th episode, and they answer the following questions:

  • What is spartanism?
  • Hoarding, spartanism, ad nauseum—must we diagnose everything?
  • How do we recognize and respect the challenges of others?
  • How could letting go of everything be a bad thing?
  • How do we ensure our decluttering doesn’t trigger other compulsive behaviors; for instance, the compulsion to constantly check our phones for notifications when we’re trying to sell what we decluttered?
  • What is the “art of noticing”?
  • When does minimalism turn into compulsive decluttering or obsessive-compulsive spartanism—what signs do we look for?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “The inability to let go is a problem; so is the inability to hold on.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “A life without values is an undervalued life.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#300

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about “summer simplifying,” and they answer the following questions:

  • Which moniker won in your audience poll—“simpletons” or “minimizers”?
  • Where do you start when your entire home needs decluttering?
  • What is the most important thing to do to get started?
  • How do we get our children to participate in decluttering?
  • How do I break my emotional and sentimental attachment to my collection of books, and how do I appropriately curate my collection and recycle the books I don’t keep?
  • What is the Enneagram?
  • What do we do with items that have a sentimental attachment?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “If everything is sentimental, then everything loses its sentiment.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “It’s not worth it when the cost of your sentiment is your sanity.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “They must often change, who would be constant in happiness or wisdom.” —Confucious

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#299

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about the best options for therapy when you’re feeling sad, grieving, depressed, anxious, or overwhelmed with author, podcaster, and psychotherapist Lori Gottlieb, and they answer the following questions:

  • When is the appropriate time to talk to a therapist?
  • What is “idiot compassion” compared to “wise compassion”?
  • What is self-sabotage, and how can we identify and address its manifestation in us?
  • What is the most important phase of change?
  • What is the most challenging part of change?
  • Why should someone schedule a session with a therapist?
  • What key power can therapy give us?
  • What do we do when cost is an impediment to mental healthcare?
  • What are the downsides of trying to help others change?
  • What mantras, self-talk, meditations, et cetera, have helped keep you focused, centered, and positive when addressing significant life challenges?
  • In their lives, to whom do most people talk the most?
  • How do we give ourselves self-compassion?
  • How do we get past childhood traumas and disappointments?
  • What is “forced forgiveness”?
  • Must we forgive to move on?
  • How do we handle pride appropriately?
  • Why does there seem to be a stigma against mental health in older generations, and, more specifically, how can we get our parents to talk about their feelings and vulnerabilities?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Podcasts · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “To love someone is to see them for who they are without trying to change them.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “To accept is more loving than to expect.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#298

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about the minimalism rules that have helped simplify their lives, and they answer the following questions:

  • How valuable are rules?
  • How important are boundaries?
  • Once I only have my essential items, how do I keep them from wearing out quickly?
  • How is minimalism not a destination?
  • What is our language problem?
  • How effective is it to reverse clothes hangers to minimize a wardrobe?
  • Is it helpful to restrict the amount of clothes hangers to create an appropriate wardrobe?
  • How do you develop and maintain the discipline needed to stick to your minimalism rules or other habits you’re trying to establish?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Habit changes don’t work as well as lifestyle changes.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “Once you understand the ‘why,’ the ‘how’ takes care of itself.” —Joshua Fields Millburn

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#297

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about healing our relationships with stuff, truth, self, values, money, creativity, and people with podcaster and Director of Entrepreneurial Education for FEE, T.K. Coleman, and they answer the following questions:

  • What gave you the inspiration for Love People, Use Things?
  • Do we learn more from those that have been redeemed, or from those that have led “perfect” lives?
  • How did the line blur so much between private lives and public lives?
  • How do I reconcile with my minimalist values when I must trash items I no longer use that can’t be donated, recycled, or upcycled?
  • What is the true cost of things?
  • How do I justify to my minimalist self that it’s okay to have numerous accoutrements for several hobbies that bring me joy?
  • What separates minimalism from dogmatism?
  • How do I rejuvenate my creativity when I’m overwhelmed by burnout?
  • How do we avoid falling into maintenance mode as creatives?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “We do not create because we know that our ideas will live on; we create because creativity is part and parcel of what it means to be fully alive.” —T.K. Coleman
  • “Creativity is essential, consumerism is not.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Show me your calendar and I’ll show you your priorities.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#296

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan discuss the perils of pursuing fame, clout, and attention in today’s insta-world with director Nick Bilton and artist Chris Bailey of HBO’s Fake Famous, and they answer the following questions:

  • Why did Nick make a film about fake fame?
  • What constitutes actual fame?
  • What impact is social media having on our children?
  • How has Chris’s life changed since the film?
  • Why do the people who just post photos of themselves in skimpy outfits and pouts get five million followers, yet the people who actually have something meaningful to say get only a handful of followers?
  • What is the number one photo opportunity in L.A. for influencers?
  • What is an “Instagram vacation”?
  • If maintaining social media accounts is part of our daily work, how do we incorporate minimalism to ensure our use is intentional, appropriate, and valuable?
  • What value have you gotten from social media?
  • Has the experience of the global pandemic actually helped us get away from our glowing screens?
  • What is the prime purpose of social media?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “To discover what matters, we must understand what doesn’t.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Our children are influenced by what we do, not what we say.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#295

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about gift-getting, gift-giving, and birthday celebrations for adults and kids alike with podcaster and Registered Dietitian Rebecca Shern, and they answer the following questions:

  • What does Joshua want for his birthday?
  • Why do we never seem to know what we truly want?
  • Instead of spending lots of money and giving expensive gifts, what are some meaningful ways to celebrate birthdays?
  • How do you celebrate your child’s birthday?
  • What if gift-giving is one of my love languages?
  • How do you celebrate your birthday?
  • Is gift-giving just a matter of simply asking others what they want?
  • How do we appropriately address a loved one who insists on giving us gifts when we’ve asked them countless times not to, and do we tell them that we’ve actually given away most of the gifts they’ve given us?
  • How do my spouse and I address the societal expectations of others regarding our choice of participation in traditional gift-giving events, such as birthdays and Christmas?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Instead of saying ‘no’ to gifts, say ‘yes’ to experiences.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Going with the flow will lead you to the falls.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#294

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about how minimalism, in more ways than one, is about starting over with less, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do we start over?
  • As I’m letting everything go and starting over, how do I explain it to my friends and family who think I am crazy or terminally ill?
  • What advice do you have for those of us dealing with the stress and anxiety of being forced to start over professionally after being let go from our jobs?
  • What is absolutely essential?
  • What two questions should we ask ourselves when we’re considering a fresh start?
  • How important is an emergency fund when you’re starting over?
  • Is starting over simply a matter of considering a new direction?
  • When you’re starting over from scratch and you realize you can’t do it alone, how do you get over your pride and ask others for help?
  • What is the difference between enhancement and dependency?
  • Why should we give money rather than loan money?
  • When you’re starting over with nothing, how do you live without sentimental stuff in your life?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Minimalists don’t focus on owning nothing—they focus on owning only that which adds value to their lives.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Thriving with less is better than surviving with more.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#293

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about what we must refine to ensure our spiritual and material lives align with author, podcaster, and fitness expert Ben Greenfield and podcaster and Registered Dietitian Rebecca Shern, and they answer the following questions:

  • What is a “fit soul”?
  • What are the dangers of transactional relationships?
  • What are the four pillars of the spiritual journey?
  • What is the practice of self-examination?
  • How do we determine our purpose?
  • Is there a link between sex and spirituality?
  • How do you explain sex to your children?
  • What is “eye gazing”?
  • How do you punish and reward your children?
  • What is the “God-shaped hole”?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Most ‘food’ isn’t food.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Avoid processed foods for a prolonged life.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#292

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about how we all seem to find ourselves having the things we don’t need, and needing the things we don’t have—and how we’re so disconnected from our communities that bartering for those things is nearly impossible—with the founder of HaveNeed, Josh Kline, and they answer the following questions:

  • What is HaveNeed?
  • How has the pandemic affected bartering?
  • What is your distinction between items that are essential, nonessential, and junk?
  • What would the world look like if there was no such thing as money, which has a vice-like grip on the material world; that is, what would the world look like if it ran strictly on barter?
  • What is the history of bartering?
  • What is the “mutual coincidence of wants”?
  • What is “Object A”?
  • Bartering has been around forever, but seems to have fallen out of favor in recent times—why?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Society has encouraged us to disconnect from our humanity, but humans would be better served if we disconnected from societal norms.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “The right thing to do is rarely the easy thing to do.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#291

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about our want for things, why we want what we want, and how we can free ourselves from chasing unfulfilling desires with author and professor Luke Burgis, and they answer the following questions:

  • What is mimetic desire?
  • Does it help to identify the origins of our desires?
  • Should we strive to be immune from desires?
  • What is negative imitation?
  • How do we find fulfilling desires?
  • Can a relentless desire to be debt-free actually cause adverse unintended consequences?
  • What are “borrowed desires”?
  • What costs should we consider in the pursuit of our desires?
  • What is a “misery tax”?
  • How do we recognize and address the influences, especially those online, that promote mindless consumption?
  • How is social media addictive?
  • What is “hate watching”?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Our desires often lead to our misery.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “The thing you want is never the thing you want.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “What you want usually isn’t what you desire.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “More media, more misery.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#290

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about how to take back control of our income and our creative outcomes by making a living on our own as an aspiring creator, small business owner, artist, or entrepreneur with the CEO of Patreon, Jack Conte, and they answer the following questions:

  • Why did Jack start Patreon?
  • Where do you find the most practical feedback from your audience?
  • How do I best prepare myself to make the jump from working full-time for others to working full-time as a small business owner with as much tranquility as possible?
  • What should be my primary focus as a budding entrepreneur?
  • How did Jack benefit from his “not being prudent” approach to his professional pursuits?
  • When do you know it’s time to turn your side hustle into your full-time business?
  • What is the first step I should take to become an online creator?
  • What do you mean by “add value”?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Change occurs when the status quo becomes unbearable.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Playing it safe will keep you alive; embracing change will help you thrive.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#289

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about our desire for friendship that leads us to accumulate scores of friends, acquaintances, coworkers, partners, lovers, companions, contacts, colleagues, and associates; our realization that relationship clutter is getting in the way of loving, meaningful connections; and they answer the following questions:

  • Is it loving to let go?
  • How can I stop feeling pressured to keep up with so many connections?
  • I’ve never struggled to declutter my “friends” on social media when they no longer have a meaningful place in my life, but how do I explain their removal when they ask me about it without hurting their feelings?
  • What does a truly healthy friendship look like?
  • How do we ensure mutual respect in a relationship?
  • How do we appropriately apply attention in a relationship?
  • How do you define “toxic relationship”?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “A healthy relationship is one that enhances your life without trying to change the other person.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “There are three main ingredients in a healthy relationship: love, respect, and understanding.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#288

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about that empty feeling we all experience from time to time—and the things we do when we attempt to fill the void—with podcaster, writer, and director Jennette McCurdy, and they answer the following questions:

  • What is the disconnect between our higher quality of life in this modern age and our happiness?
  • How does society and culture influence disorders?
  • Why do others often insist we not give up our “successful” careers?
  • What are the three different types of relationships?
  • How do we appropriately manage expectations in relationships?
  • I think minimalism can help many of my loved ones find meaning in their lives and avoid the void, but I find it difficult to communicate it to them effectively so they see and understand the benefits and find it more attractive than the rat race they’re in—any tips?
  • What is the elevator pitch for minimalism?
  • How do you address the shame that sometimes accompanies minimalism?
  • How is power the opposite of freedom?
  • Was Jennette shamed for walking away from her acting career?
  • Does confidence come from consistency?
  • Filling our voids with stuff isn’t good, but what is good—what should we replace that consumption urge with that is meaningful?
  • What is the “suckhole”?
  • Why is Jennette’s podcast titled Empty Inside?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Chasing the ‘good’ binds us to the ‘bad.’” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Fill the void with acceptance, not stuff.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#287

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan discuss identifying how much is enough so we can subtract the excess to get there, and they answer the following questions:

  • What is “enoughism”?
  • How is enoughism different from minimalism?
  • Given that the key to transformation is understanding our ‘whys,’ why does anyone truly want more, and, conversely, why does anyone truly want less?
  • When it comes to a small business, how much record-keeping is enough and what is the ideal way to store it?
  • How does renouncing something create an attachment to it?
  • How do we learn to recognize the difference between enough and a false sense of security and comfort from unnecessary consumerism?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Enough is enough when you decide it’s enough.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Don’t confuse enough for perfection.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#286

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about our constant search for meaning, purpose, and significance; they discuss ways we can rethink spirituality, sex, and death with author Jamie Wheal; and they answer the following questions:

  • What is “meaning”?
  • Why do we always seem to look for shortcuts?
  • What are heuristics?
  • What constitutes a true nihilist?
  • Is awareness a curse?
  • Once we find meaning in life, do we have a duty to help others find meaning as well?
  • What is the difference between being selfish and being self-centered?
  • What is the Hedonic treadmill?
  • What is the difference between narcissism and nihilism?
  • What is rapture ideology?
  • How does one find meaning after a close loved one has passed and they are struggling to deal with the passing?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Suffering is not the way, but it illuminates the path toward a more meaningful life.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Compassion is the antidote to suffering.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#285

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan discuss how we’re too often led astray by the status quo and how we can benefit from doing the opposite, and they answer the following questions:

  • What does it mean to be authentic?
  • What is so problematic about trends?
  • Can we find meaning in suffering?
  • Why are opinions so inconsequential?
  • When have you benefited from thinking the opposite?
  • I’m being advised by my ethics class in college that retirement is detrimental to our growth and development as human beings—do you think that is true?
  • What is the best kind of growth?
  • Some of the worst advice I’ve received is, “Fake it until you make it”—what is wrong with being a work in progress?
  • How is all advice flawed advice?
  • Do we improve our lives more by addition or subtraction?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “All advice is flawed advice.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “Progress is achieved not through addition but through subtraction.” —Joshua Fields Millburn

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#284

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan discuss minimizing and letting go of sentimental stuff, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do we tactfully and appropriately address loved ones regarding stuff they’ve given us that we’re giving away—especially those things they consider of significant sentimental value?
  • How do we avoid arguments with loved ones regarding possessions?
  • Why does our brain try so hard to hold us back from releasing sentimental possessions?
  • What do we do with all of the things associated with a loved one when we’ve lost them in a particularly tragic, traumatic way?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “There are no shoulds—only coulds.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Our memories are not in our things; our memories are inside us.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Letting go is part of the grieving process.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Letting go is not something you do; letting go is something you stop doing.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “If we let go too soon, we fall; if we hold on to long, we stall.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Letting go is an act of self-compassion.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “Sometimes letting go of shoulds is more freeing than letting go of stuff.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#283

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan discuss trauma, the ego, and setting boundaries with holistic psychologist Dr. Nicole LePera, and they answer the following questions:

  • Why did Dr. LePera write her latest book?
  • How do you start on a path to healing and commit to it when your motivation is almost nil?
  • Why is it so difficult to break our patterns?
  • How do we reframe failure?
  • How important is the caloric intake of the brain?
  • How do we recognize if a goal is empowering or disempowering?
  • How do I work with loved ones to adjust our lifestyle preferences so I can attain and maintain mental peace?
  • How do you forgive others and yourself and move forward when a loved one passes suddenly and you feel you haven’t had a chance to tell them everything you needed to, and how do you forgive others that you feel treated that person terribly in life and let go of the anger toward them?
  • How are forgiveness and acceptance associated?
  • How do we let go of anger?
  • Are there types of bodywork that address the mind-body connection together, or are there types of psychotherapy that address the mind-body connection in tandem?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Understanding is the only road that leads to lasting change.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “The mind and body are separate, but both are standing in the same room.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#282

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan discuss emergency items, preparing for emergencies, and when it’s appropriate to hold on to certain just-in-case items, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do we prepare for chaos?
  • What are the three types of emergencies?
  • What do you keep in your car?
  • How do we reconcile what we actually need with what we want?
  • What is the most important thing in an emergency?
  • What essentials should we keep in a first aid kit for both home and travel?
  • What is the difference between an emergency item and a just-in-case item?
  • How do you differentiate between just-in-case items and just-for-when items?
  • What are “b.s. emergency items”?
  • What books, websites, podcasts would you recommend as resources for information regarding emergency preparedness?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Their emergency isn’t your emergency.” — Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “When in doubt, go without.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “During a disaster your community is more important than your hoard.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#281

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan discuss the relationship between minimalism and environmentalism with author and environmental lawyer Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and they answer the following questions:

  • What is our biggest environmental problem, and is it too late to fix it?
  • Since environmentalism is an idea that I cannot back down from, compromise on, or see from both sides, at what point is it dangerous to keep saying there are no ‘shoulds’?
  • Why are landfills more prominent in the United States compared to Europe?
  • How can we make individuals and companies more environmentally conscious?
  • What is your opinion regarding the policy of the United States to ‘leap-first, look-later’ regarding environmental chemicals?
  • What is the Toxic Substance Control Act?
  • What are PFAs?
  • Why have we seen such an increase in chronic diseases among children?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Corporations supply only what we demand; thus, if we change our desires, we change the world.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Blaming social media for society’s problems is like blaming booze for an alcoholic’s problems.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#280

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about the problem of busyness and how we can better manage our time, and they answer the following questions:

  • Why can’t we ever seem to get ahead of our to-do lists?
  • What lists do you find helpful?
  • What is “busyness”?
  • How do we gain more discretionary time despite the onslaught of modern obligations and responsibilities?
  • Is striving for work-life balance a fruitless endeavor?
  • Are there any tools that can help with our overwhelm?
  • What is the fear related to busyness?
  • What can someone do if they feel they’re too busy to figure out how to become less busy?
  • Would you be doing what you’re doing today if you only had six months left to live?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “We are too busy only because we don’t understand why we are busy.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “We are too busy because we have too much time.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Busy is an excuse, not a lifestyle.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#279

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about hoarding—the clinical definition, the statistics, the causes, the symptoms, the common types, the risks, the recovery—and they answer the following questions:

  • What is the clinical definition of “hoarding”?
  • What is “spartanism”?
  • What are the common types of hoarding?
  • What is the difference between hoarding and collecting?
  • What is the “sunk-cost fallacy”?
  • What are the symptoms of hoarding?
  • What are the causes of hoarding?
  • How is hoarding diagnosed?
  • Do children hoard?
  • When do obsessions become unhealthy?
  • What are the five levels of hoarding?
  • Are there affluent hoarders?
  • How does one become a hoarder?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Letting go is not something you do—it’s something you stop doing.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Clutter is the physical manifestation of what’s going on inside of us.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#278

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about alternative living options—communal living, throuples, combined families, long-term singlehood, nomadic living—with CEO and cofounder of Nourish Balance Thrive, Christopher Kelly, and they answer the following questions:

  • What is ancestral health?
  • What has likely caused our overall decline in health?
  • Is our current status quo of living arrangements in detrimental conflict with the natural order?
  • How do people continue to help the paradigm of the nuclear family work?
  • How do we set appropriate boundaries with roommates and ensure those boundaries are not crossed to prevent theft, property damage, and tense co-living environments?
  • What is Christopher’s communal living arrangement?
  • Why did Christopher adopt his communal living arrangement?
  • How does Christopher manage living with several different families?
  • What is ‘helicopter parenting’?
  • What is your definition of “commune”?
  • What are the pros and cons of unusual living arrangements in cultures that wholly embrace them?
  • What does the “WEIRD” acronym represent?
  • How do you define “solitude”?
  • What is Joshua’s living arrangement?
  • What is the ‘sweet spot’ regarding how many people you can live with?
  • Who created the monogamous nuclear family?
  • At what point does a group become a cult?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Searching for ‘pros’ tethers us to the ‘cons.’” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Unusual is usually ideal.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “A genuine life doesn’t require someone else’s approval.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#277

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about unsubscribing and unfollowing anything that doesn’t bring tranquility or increase well-being, and they answer the following questions:

  • How has unsubscribing and unfollowing helped your tranquility?
  • Should we attempt to explain ourselves to others when they question our minimalist lifestyle, or simply invite them to ‘unfollow’ us?
  • Can minimalism help us bring order back to our chaotic lives?
  • How do we determine the appropriate ‘path’?
  • We can’t impose tranquility on the world around us, so how do we adjust our internal settings to maintain inner tranquility?
  • Why do insults irritate us so intensely?
  • How do we adjust relationships that are predicated on conflict?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Imposed peace always leads to conflict.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “All conflict arises from within.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “If one has a deep enough desire to eliminate conflict, they will remove anything that produces that conflict.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Tranquility is not a destination.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#276

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about letting go—letting go of sentimental items, letting go of junk, letting go of anxiety and stress—letting go of anything that harms our well-being or interrupts our peace, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do our things own us?
  • Given that I’m under a deadline to move, how can I increase my decluttering pace without becoming overwhelmed and stressed?
  • Are there circumstances where a storage unit makes sense?
  • When the amount of your belongings is completely overwhelming, how—and where—do you even start?
  • Why are we so obsessed with prescriptiveness?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Podcasts · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “The ‘Why’ is the starting point; the ‘How’ is the finish line.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “A life without boundaries is a life without peace.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#275

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about raising organized children with behavioral and developmental pediatrician Dr. Damon Korb, and they answer the following questions:

  • What are executive functions?
  • What is behavioral pediatrics?
  • What do you mean by “organized children”?
  • How has the pandemic affected children’s health?
  • How do we set appropriate boundaries with our children?
  • How do we help our children adopt minimalist practices that stick at an early age so they don’t lose them and suffer the consequences in adulthood?
  • How can we be minimalist parents?
  • How can we teach our children to be problem-solvers?
  • How can we help our children deal with boredom?
  • What advice do you have for first-time parents?
  • How do you balance setting boundaries with a child while still allowing them room to explore and learn about who they are?
  • How do we appropriately handle our expectations regarding our children?
  • What are the “5 H’s” regarding kids?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Our desire to control impedes our ability to love.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “We often don’t know what our boundaries are until they’ve been crossed.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “Never lift a child into a tree—but if they can climb it, they can climb as high as they want because they can get down.” —Dr. Damon Korb
  • “When you’re disappointed in your kids, you’re disappointed in your own expectations.” —Dr. Damon Korb

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#274

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about success, failure, fulfillment, and satisfaction—and how incessantly chasing those things can lead to foolness rather than fullness—and they answer the following questions:

  • What does success mean to you?
  • What are your beliefs regarding spirituality?
  • How do value judgments affect success?
  • What is nihilism?
  • How do I overcome my addiction to procrastination so I can focus on doing meaningful work?
  • What are the two kinds of ‘haves’?
  • What is the “thing you can’t not do”?
  • What is the best way to address distractions?
  • What do you mean by “the costs we must pay”?
  • How do you rebuild yourself and restructure your idea of success after a failure?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Happiness is not a byproduct of success—it is a byproduct of enough.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “He who settles for success is a successfool.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Love is the foundation upon which success is built.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#273

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about the mental, emotional, digital, and other clutter that reveals itself after we minimize our stuff, and they answer the following questions:

  • When are how-to’s helpful?
  • How do we appropriately curate scanned photos so we’re not trading physical clutter for digital clutter?
  • What advice do you have for young people who are embarking on their minimalist journeys so they have solid practices in place to prevent clutter?
  • What one piece of advice would you give your younger self?
  • How do we appropriately curate our many digital subscriptions and still satisfy ourselves since each service has programs exclusive to its platform?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Podcasts · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “A minimalist life is a well-curated life.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Stop searching for answers and start taking action.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#272

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about love, relationships, sex, and parenting with blogger, podcaster, and Registered Dietitian Becca Shern, and they answer the following questions:

  • What is our language problem?
  • What is the difference between loving someone and being in love with someone?
  • What does commitment mean to you?
  • What is your definition of “love”?
  • How do you view unconditional love?
  • How do you recognize when it’s time to end a relationship?
  • What are the three components of a relationship?
  • Why is compatibility the most difficult component of most relationships?
  • Do you ever passionately disagree about important decisions that affect the entire family, and, if so, how do you handle compromise and conflict resolution?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “There is no ‘should’—there never was.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Respect and appreciation help us find compromise and resolve conflict.” —Becca Shern
  • “Disagreements are easier to solve when we approach them with love and understanding.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#271

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about reducing—or maybe even eliminating—obligations, and they answer the following questions:

  • What is your ‘context’?
  • When is an obligation an actual obligation and not a perceived obligation?
  • Is there a difference between commitment and obligation?
  • What is the difference between want and desire?
  • Do we truly want to be happy?
  • What do you mean by ‘commitment’?
  • How do I appropriately address societal obligations, such as charitable giving, when I don’t have the means to meet those obligations?
  • What does ‘virtue’ mean?
  • What is the difference between a community and a tribe?
  • How do I prioritize financial obligations, such as debt?
  • How do I step back from obligations I’ve accepted in the past?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Change happens not from how often we say ‘yes,’ but when we say ‘yes’ to only that which propels us toward our destination.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “‘No’ is the most freeing word in the world—it is often the most compassionate, too.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Boulders can be set down as easily as they were picked up.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#270

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about starting over and kicking off the New Year with some friendly decluttering, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I start decluttering?
  • What is the difference between decluttering and organizing?
  • How do I conduct an effective Packing Party?
  • How do I get my kids involved in decluttering?
  • How do I determine whether or not to keep a car that’s functional, but not ideal?
  • Once you declutter, how do you keep the clutter from coming back?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Podcasts · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Minimalism is not the destination—minimalism is the vehicle.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “The most effective way to declutter is to leave the junk at the store.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “A life without boundaries is a house without walls.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#269

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about habit change, letting go of stuff, and the creative process that went into making their new film, Less Is Now, with filmmaker Matt D’Avella, and they answer the following questions:

  • How long have you been working on Less Is Now?
  • How did the Less Is Now project start?
  • How did the Less Is Now project evolve?
  • How did you settle on a budget for Less Is Now?
  • How do you curate the absolute essential tools for your work when it seems to require an overwhelming amount of items?
  • How can constraints help creativity?
  • Will a college degree provide a significant advantage for me in the entertainment industry?
  • Is it dangerous to try too many things?
  • How is there creation in destruction?
  • What advice do you have for someone that’s just starting out that wants to have a successful film career like you?
  • What is the Slow Growth Academy?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “No one can be a better you than you.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Success without adding value is failure.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “If you want to find success, you must first define success.” —Matt D’Avella

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#268

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan discuss finding peace within and without with writer Leo Babauta, and they answer the following questions:

  • How can you be a minimalist with a large family?
  • How did you start on your minimalist journey?
  • Who inspired you to adopt minimalism?
  • How do you convert other family members to minimalism to ensure peace when you’re living in close quarters?
  • How important is it to recognize what you’ve accomplished?
  • Is leading by example the best approach to helping others adopt minimalist practices?
  • How do you recognize when you’re taking decluttering too far?
  • Is there a danger in living to minimize?
  • What does it mean to “question the ‘must’”?
  • What is spartanism?
  • What is Metta meditation?
  • How do we shift between decluttering and simplifying to live a life of purpose?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Decluttering won’t give you purpose, but it just might uncover a more meaningful life.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “To live a purposeful life, surround yourself with purpose-filled people.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#267

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua treats The Minimalists’ audience to three exclusive conversations with Glennon Doyle, Dave Ramsey, and Derek Sivers in celebration of the ten-year anniversary of The Minimalists, and they answer the following questions:

  • Has quarantining been a blessing in disguise for some people?
  • Why do we have so much difficulty addressing our discontent?
  • What is our ‘braver, bolder self’?
  • How crucial is the ‘why’?
  • Do we compound our problems by focusing on solutions?
  • Has your financial advice changed in light of the pandemic?
  • How crucial is a budget during a pandemic?
  • Why do we have problems determining what is essential and what is nonessential?
  • How is the pandemic likely to affect the housing market?
  • How much more dangerous a practice is debt during a pandemic?
  • What message of hope do you have regarding the pandemic?
  • Is much of our brokenness attributable to the misalignment between our values and our actions?
  • How did you develop your beliefs independent of the influence of others’ beliefs?
  • How do you recognize when it’s time to let go?
  • How has your relationship with material possessions changed over the years?
  • Is it true that you even minimized your middle name?
  • How do you decide when it’s time to move to a new place?
  • How have your views on social media changed over the years?
  • How much is enough?
  • What are your views on ads?
  • What is meta-inconsiderate?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “You can’t ever get enough of what you don’t need.” —Glennon Doyle
  • “You can rarely buy a solution to your problems.” —Joshua Fields Millburn

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#266

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan discuss their evolution as The Minimalists over the last decade, and they answer the following questions:

  • Does it feel like ten years since you started The Minimalists?
  • What did you believe about minimalism that you no longer do?
  • How have we been lied to as a society?
  • How is the word ‘hope’ problematic?
  • Is there an issue with forming habits?
  • What is the difference between the ‘how’ and the ‘why’?
  • How might ‘help’ be a bad thing?
  • How could balance be equated with mediocrity?
  • How are solutions an issue?
  • How have you adjusted your lifestyle as your popularity grows?
  • How has your perspective of popularity changed?
  • What’s one thing that is still challenging?
  • Of what projects are you most proud?
  • How can advice and truth be in conflict?
  • What’s the biggest difference between you both now and ten years ago?
  • What’s the problem with comparison?
  • How are attachment and love incompatible?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Attachment always equals misery.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “If you don’t want to get dragged, let go.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Beliefs cloud the truth.” —Joshua Fields Millburn

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#265

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Rebecca Shern talk about what it really means to eat in a balanced way, how to improve our immune systems, and why our overall health is related to our gut health with author and VEEP Nutrition CEO Joel Greene, and they answer the following questions:

  • Why are the most common-sense health practices not obvious?
  • What is the immune system, and why is it so important?
  • What is making us more susceptible to COVID-19?
  • How crucial is it to control inflammation?
  • How important is gut biome diversity?
  • What is the apple-peel protocol?
  • What is HMO?
  • How does immunity begin in the gut?
  • What is the order of operation to rebuild a healthy gut?
  • Can meat heal a compromised gut?
  • Can fasting help improve gut health?
  • How important is a balanced diet?
  • What are the best foods for ideal gut health?
  • What is Joel Greene’s Chipotle hack?
  • What is ‘eating in threes’?
  • What is a pre-load meal?
  • Do vitamins and supplements actually improve our immune system?
  • Are probiotics supplements helpful?
  • What is SIBO?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Synthetic solutions lead to unnatural results.” —Joshua Fields Millburn

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#264

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about celebrating the holiday season with purpose and intention with author Meg Nordmann, and they answer the following questions:

  • Why is gift-giving problematic?
  • What do you think of when you think of the holiday season?
  • What is the most common question you get about the holiday season?
  • How do you handle someone who insists on giving gifts?
  • How do I mentally manage the holiday season when I work in an industry dependent on consumerism?
  • How do I make the holiday season wholly enjoyable and thrilling for my children without succumbing to the typical holiday trappings?
  • What is the ‘Four Gift Rule’?
  • How do we tactfully ask loved ones not to give us gifts, especially those who grew up with gift-giving as a practice to show appreciation for others?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Don’t practice saying ‘no’—practice saying ‘yes’ to what matters.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Receiving love is more important than receiving gifts.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#263

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about the high price of materialism, and they answer the following questions:

  • What is a ‘curative’?
  • Why is it important to recognize our discontent?
  • Is money entirely problematic?
  • Why does it seem most of us continue to make terrible financial decisions when we’re poor?
  • Do celebrities influence society with their bad habits?
  • How do I strengthen my focus on minimalism to avoid materialism?
  • How do I get my family’s buy-in regarding minimalism?
  • Is it reasonable to be expected to pay to avoid materialistic ads?
  • What should I do with stuff I love when I don’t have space available for it?
  • What is our language problem?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “We don’t value the right things because we opt for anything.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “If you’re not paying for the product, you’re likely the product.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Love people and use things because the opposite never works.” —The Minimalists
  • “There’s no such thing as toxic love.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#262

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about mental health, the psychology of healing, and consciously creating a healthy relationship with yourself and others with author and holistic psychologist Dr. Nicole LePera, and they answer the following questions:

  • What is a ‘holistic psychologist’?
  • What do you focus on in your new book?
  • How do you define ‘trauma’?
  • How do I stay positive and focused on the days when maintaining my mental balance is particularly challenging?
  • What is ‘bypassing’?
  • How do I tactfully address my extended family placing undue hospitality obligations and stress on me regarding hosting them in my home?
  • How do we let go of others’ expectations?
  • How do we communicate appropriate boundaries?
  • What can you do to promote healing in someone other than yourself?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “There is no fix—only change.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Listening is the best medicine.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “When in doubt, show compassion.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#261

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about how to find redemption within ourselves and with others with author and former con artist Matthew Cox, and they answer the following questions:

  • When did your journey as a con artist start?
  • What incident stands out above all others in your journey as a con artist?
  • What are ‘enhancements’?
  • How did you create fake individuals?
  • When did your scams start falling apart?
  • Did you ever squeeze out of a scam?
  • How do you define ‘redemption’?
  • How have the events of your journey changed you?
  • When did you recognize that what you were doing was wrong?
  • How do you stay out of prison?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Our mistakes are the culmination of one bad decision at a time.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “We all screw up, so be the screw-up you want to see in the world.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Children learn from what you do, not what you say.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#260

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about the 2020 election, our current political divide, and how we can find unity even when we disagree with returning guests T.K. Coleman, Kim Iversen, and Jamie Kilstein, and they answer the following questions:

  • If your values aren’t aligned with either of the major party candidates, is voting for a third-party candidate really a wasted vote?
  • How do we incentivize the system to improve?
  • Is it okay to minimize politics in my life and ignore the social media posts, the news, and the debates that feel very toxic, or is it my responsibility as a citizen to be well-informed and confident in my political opinions?
  • Is it our duty to vote?
  • Is moralizing politics the crux of the problem?
  • Are these candidates really the best we have to offer?
  • What is Unity2020?
  • Should I vote even if I don’t fully understand the issues?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “A corrupt system does not make room for the Truth.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Focus less on government and more on contributing beyond yourself in a meaningful way.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#259

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about sex and porn addiction—how to recognize it, how to break it—and, conversely, even the possible positive attributes of porn with director, media personality, and adult film star Lisa Ann, and they answer the following questions:

  • Is porn addiction a recognized addiction?
  • How do we better limit access to porn for children?
  • Do we overmoralize porn?
  • Is porn addiction just a matter of self control?
  • Why is Gen Z statistically having the least sex of any generation?
  • What are the pros and cons of porn?
  • Are there age limits for adult film stars?
  • Can a minimalist approach to viewing porn enhance a relationship?
  • How does libido play into relationships?
  • How important is communication in a sexual relationship?
  • What are your thoughts on the difference between guilt and shame being a primary trigger to lead someone to become addicted to porn?
  • How does age affect porn addiction?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Podcasts · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Guilt tells us something about our actions, but shame says something about our identity.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Learning from your guilt can help you avoid shame.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#258

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua discusses our constant craving for spirituality with author, podcaster, and pastor Erwin McManus and his son, film producer Aaron McManus, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I responsibly let go of expensive items that can’t be reused by others?
  • Is anything actually ‘free’?
  • How compatible are minimalist and Buddhist practices?
  • I recently let go of religion, but I don’t know what to cling to next.
  • What is the difference between religion and faith?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Podcasts · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “We must say ‘no’ to almost everything so we can say ‘yes’ to the most important things.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “It’s not about how many things you have—it’s about what you’re actually doing with those things.” —Aaron McManus
  • “Your resources are a conduit for all the good you long to do.” —Erwin McManus
  • “Progress is measured by our ability to let go.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Religion is a brace; love is the strength.” —Erwin McManus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#257

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about how The Minimalists apply minimalism to social media, how they’ve changed their opinion about social media over the years, and they review the new Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma with social media specialist Jess Williams, and they answer the following questions:

  • Is social media the original social distancing?
  • How do we do a better job of using social media as a tool?
  • What are the problems with social media?
  • Has the smartphone become more of a distraction than the TV?
  • Do we unfairly judge others in assuming that they’re simply wasting time on their smartphones rather than being productive?
  • Has the ubiquitousness of social media contributed to creating an overly judgmental society?
  • How do we set appropriate boundaries for social media?
  • How do I address the desire to explain my behavior to others?
  • Why do disagreements escalate so quickly on social media?
  • How do I balance staying informed with being in the moment?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Podcasts · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Used absentmindedly, a smartphone becomes an Amazon Echo constantly reminding us we’re not good enough.” —Jess Williams
  • “When everything’s important, nothing’s important.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “There is no secret algorithm for discipline.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#256

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about repairing and strengthening relationships during difficult times with comedian Josh Wolf, and they answer the following questions:

  • Is it possible that the global pandemic actually helped save some relationships?
  • What are some good habits to adopt to save a relationship?
  • What is ‘Object A’?
  • How much is enough?
  • What does it feel like to be satisfied?
  • What is the difference between pleasure and joy?
  • What is the ‘price of admission’?
  • Has social media given us a false sense of self-importance?
  • What is the difference between a recipe and a template?
  • Is restricting a partner’s choices a reasonable solution to their staunch resistance to change?
  • What is the value of stretching our comfort zone?
  • How will I know when I’ve found ‘the one’?
  • Do we set unrealistic expectations regarding relationships?
  • Why do we often start relationships in an attempt to fix ourselves?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Podcasts · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “You are complete in an empty room.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “If we’re not content where we are, we won’t be content where we end up.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Happiness should always be a byproduct, not a goal.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “We can dislike aspects of someone, yet still love the whole person.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Love from someone else is not a substitute for love from yourself.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “People don’t hate change—they hate being changed.” —Joshua Fields Millburn

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#255

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua discusses books and how to best ensure they enhance our lives, and he answers the following questions:

  • What is the true value of books?
  • How do I determine whether to keep or purge books I own that I haven’t yet read?
  • What do I do with books to which I’m attached but my partner insists I let go?
  • Why do writers choose that profession?
  • How do I let go of books I inherited from a loved one that have sentimental value?
  • How do I start trimming my book collection?
  • Why do some items have sentimental value?
  • How do I break my sentimental attachments to my books?
  • What is the ‘why’ behind the ‘what’?
  • What is the perfect amount of books?
  • What makes one book format better than the others?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “If everything is precious, then nothing is precious.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Clinging is always an inappropriate way to hold on.” —Joshua Fields Millburn

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#254

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua talks about waste and all the ways in which we are wasteful with Sheila Morovati, Founder and President of Crayon Collection and Habits of Waste, and they answer the following questions:

  • Why do we rarely consider how we’re being wasteful?
  • How can I reasonably ensure my donated items don’t become a burden to anyone else?
  • How do I ensure I don’t receive unwanted correspondence?
  • How do I responsibly repurpose or recycle outdated technology at work?
  • What are my recycling options if I live in a city without a robust recycling program?
  • What are some alternatives to plastic storage?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “The most sustainable purchase is the one that’s left on the shelf.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “The less we consume, the less waste we produce.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#253

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan discuss spirituality, evolving beliefs, and the impermanence of everything with author, podcaster, and theologian Rob Bell, and they answer the following questions:

  • What does it mean to ‘own your story’?
  • How has Rob’s faith evolved?
  • What is the origin of the book title, Everything Is Spiritual?
  • What is the ‘wordlessness of grace’?
  • What does it mean to ‘hold a place for God’?
  • Do you believe in a higher power that can provide comfort and guidance?
  • What causes a negative reaction to practices considered fringe?
  • What is our language problem?
  • How do religion and minimalism align?
  • How do you define religion?
  • How important is order?
  • What are the polarities of feasting and fasting?
  • How do you define spirituality?
  • Is Rob Bell still a Christian?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Labels are useful, but not as powerful as our everyday actions.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Actions speak louder than labels.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#252

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan discuss the many ways we’ve stuffed our lives to the breaking point, how we can relieve that pressure, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I determine what is essential to pack for a move?
  • How do I incorporate some friction into my decision making?
  • What should I do with scrapbooks and mementos that I’m clinging to?
  • Is it inconveniencing others to ask them for help in storing items?
  • Is it helpful to limit storage space when decluttering?
  • What is the difference between joy and pleasure?
  • How do I ensure I maintain a minimalist mindset throughout my day?
  • How do we still manage to responsibly recycle and repurpose items despite the restrictions imposed by the global pandemic?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Not buying something is letting go of it in advance.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Even the best excuse is still an excuse.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “No matter how much you prepare, you can’t prepare for everything.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “The best time to declutter was yesterday; the second best time is today.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#251

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about all the extra things we do, and the extraneous activities, obligations, and tasks we commit to that make our lives more complicated with author and fitness expert Ben Greenfield, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I let go of limiting beliefs?
  • How do I reconcile my creativity and my desire for profit?
  • How important are mission statements?
  • How important is the skill of delegation for creatives?
  • How do I appropriately delegate responsibilities and obligations?
  • What are some opportunities for diversification?
  • How can I ensure I’m planning an intentional life as a senior in high school?
  • How do I determine my purpose?
  • How important is adaptability and flexibility?
  • How do we appropriately minimize commitments and obligations?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Good businesses make money; great businesses make a difference.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Everything you’ve picked up, you can put down.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “A meaningful life overflows with joy, not commitments.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#250

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan discuss all things weddings—debt, expenses, expectations, responsibilities, ceremonies, outfits, wedding guests, and more—with blogger, author, and matrimonial expert Jessica Bishop, and they answer the following questions:

  • What are the most common questions regarding weddings?
  • How do I appropriately manage my family’s expectations regarding the wedding?
  • Where do most couples go wrong regarding their wedding planning?
  • Is there any scenario where it would be appropriate to take on debt for a wedding?
  • How do I maintain a minimalist wedding despite a large guest list?
  • What are some alternatives to traditional weddings, particularly in light of the global pandemic?
  • What consumes most of the budget for a wedding?
  • What is the appropriate number of guests for a wedding?
  • How do I create a minimalist celebration ceremony rather than a traditional wedding?
  • What are the different variations of marriages?
  • What does commitment truly mean in a relationship?
  • What are some celebration event options for couples?
  • How do couples arrive at an appropriate budget for their wedding?
  • What are some of the most ridiculous things that couples have spent their wedding budget on?
  • What is the appropriate size and cost of a wedding gift?
  • How do couples set the appropriate expectations with their guests regarding wedding gifts?
  • What are the most ideal gift registries for weddings?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “We sacrifice what we want to get what we want now.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Expectations are the anchor of discontent.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Gift-giving is not a shortcut to love.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#249

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan discuss the death of shopping malls and the shopping mall culture, and they answer the following questions:

  • What are the different kinds of dying malls?
  • What is the history behind malls?
  • How do we encourage retailers to use environmentally responsible packaging?
  • How effective is recycling?
  • Where do fashion and intentionality align?
  • How do we transform vacant malls into a community commodity?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Almost anything is more valuable than consumerism.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Abandoned malls are consumerism at its terminus: an empty carapace brimming with nostalgia, not meaning.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Reusing is better than recycling. Recycling is better than refuse. Refuse is better than refusing to let go.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#248

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about owning less, wanting less, decluttering physical and digital spaces, and more (about less) with YouTube minimalist Ronald L. Banks, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I ensure I purchase new items intentionally?
  • How do I appropriately address my constant yearning for upgrades?
  • Why do we try to use possessions to validate ourselves?
  • How do I appropriately manage my bloated digital storage?
  • What is the best method for organizing photos?
  • Are there instances that warrant more rather than less?
  • How does minimalism simultaneously encompass less and more?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “The consumer high rarely extends past the checkout line.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Minimalists don’t focus on having less, less, less; they focus on making room for more: more time, more passion, more creativity, more experiences, more contribution, more contentment, more freedom. Clearing the clutter creates room for the intangibles that make life rewarding.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Minimalism is not living without—it’s living with everything you need.” —Ronald L. Banks
  • “Minimalism is a tool, not the end result.” —Ronald L. Banks
  • “More freedom is more empowering than more stuff.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#247

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan discuss the fear of missing out (FOMO), the joy of missing out (JOMO), and how to be content in the midst of uncertainty with author, theologian, and philosopher Peter Rollins, and they answer the following questions:

  • What is ‘the lack’?
  • What is the difference between freedom and determinism?
  • What are hypothetical and categorical imperatives?
  • Can too much freedom cause anxiety?
  • How do I find satisfaction with my current situation rather than constantly searching for something new?
  • What is the difference between desire and drive?
  • Why do most of us seem to crave change?
  • What is the burden of freedom?
  • What is the ‘lack of the secret’ compared to the ‘secret of the lack’?
  • How can I curb my constant desire for new things?
  • Is our desire for the new related to our past?
  • What is guilt?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “New isn’t better—it’s merely newer.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “New products don’t equal a new you.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “The box is often more addictive than the product.” —Peter Rollins

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#246

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about stuff and why many of us still have too much, and they answer the following questions:

  • How can pressure help me become a better minimalist?
  • How do I manage my children’s belongings?
  • How do I help my loved ones simplify their lives?
  • How do I address my compulsion to build collections?
  • What is the difference between joy and happiness?
  • What creates true joy?
  • How much is enough?
  • How can friction help me on my minimalist journey?
  • What is the value of ‘why’?
  • How do I curate what’s appropriate for me to keep long-term when I’m constantly moving?
  • How do I let go of the burden of cost?
  • How do I remove the meaning I’ve given to things?
  • What is the ‘price of admission’?
  • How do I responsibly dispose of items that no longer serve their function?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “The most sustainable purchase is left on the shelf.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “It’s hard to be joyful in a home that mimics a landfill.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#245

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about our obsessions with trends and fashion, as well as dissect our infatuation with clothing, style, and shoes with the founder of PreachersNSneakers, Tyler Jones, and they answer the following questions:

  • How did PreachersNSneakers start?
  • Is the current hip wardrobe of many modern religious leaders simply the new version of wearing the ‘Sunday best’?
  • Is it problematic for modern religious leaders to promote and sell church-branded swag?
  • Is it acceptable for religious leaders to wear expensive clothing that was gifted or donated to them?
  • Can function be separated from form?
  • How concerned should we be about the message our appearance communicates?
  • Would Jesus wear expensive, fashionable clothing?
  • How do I purchase clothing intentionally without becoming obsessed with it afterward?
  • Is our culture influencing our possession obsession?
  • How do I select clothing that can serve multiple purposes in a seasonal climate?
  • Is it helpful to employ delayed gratification to curb our shopping?
  • Is it best to search for items that are multi-functional with a durable style?
  • How do I develop my own personal style so I’m not adversely influenced by advertising?
  • Are we essentially paying companies to use our bodies as walking billboards?
  • Are Kanye West’s presidential aspirations questionable?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Are companies paying us to wear their logos, or are we paying them for the privilege to advertise on our bodies?” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “What you wear isn’t as important as what you do.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#244

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about why we are addicted to negativity, gossip, and other disempowering emotions and behaviors; what we can do to improve or walk away from negative situations; and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I tactfully address disrespectful family members?
  • How do I handle welcome and unwelcome teasing from others?
  • How do I manage the offensive behavior of others?
  • How do I stand up for myself with loved ones?
  • How do I address a toxic relationship with a superior at work when using HR is not an option?
  • What is the difference between immoral and illegal?
  • How do I recognize when I’ve reached the breaking point at my job?
  • How do I appropriately address people who constantly judge me and overstep boundaries?
  • How do I establish appropriate boundaries with others?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “You can establish a boundary without erecting a fence.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Compassion is more powerful than criticism.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#243

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about dealing with toxic people, as well as defining, reassessing, repairing, and letting go of toxic relationships with podcaster and comedian Jamie Kilstein, and they answer the following questions:

  • What’s your definition of a ‘toxic person’?
  • What’s your definition of ‘relationship’?
  • Is it possible to be toxic to some people but not toxic to others?
  • Can jealousy be helpful?
  • Is there a difference between empathy and compassion?
  • Is it realistic to expect to find a partner that’s on my own frequency?
  • What is the ‘us box’ in relationships?
  • Do my partner and I have to hold the same beliefs to be compatible?
  • Is compromise a necessary component of a productive relationship?
  • How do I deal with toxic people in the workplace?
  • What are the essentials of meaningful work?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Malice never intersects with meaningful work.” — Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “The road to misery is paved with compromised values.” — Ryan Nicodemus
  • “Don’t let your baseline be ‘dread.’” — Jamie Kilstein

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#242

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua talks about hormones—both female and male hormones—and how they change in our 30s, 40s, 50s, and beyond; what we can do to optimize our hormones to get the best out of life; how our hormones affect our sleep, stress, mood, energy, and sex drive; and how diet, sleep, sunlight, and exercise affect our hormones with registered dietitian Becca Shern and regenerative medicine expert Adam Lamb, and they answer the following questions:

  • What are hormones?
  • Do hormones work in conjunction with one another?
  • Is ‘normal’ actually ‘optimal’ or ‘good’?
  • What are some warning signs of hormone imbalance?
  • How do I determine if hormone replacement therapy is right for me?
  • How does stress affect our hormones?
  • Can hormonal birth control negatively affect testosterone levels in females?
  • How do hormones affect sex drive?
  • What’s the link between hormones, anxiety, and depression?
  • Why does testosterone seem to be the silver-bullet hormone for so many people?
  • Can testosterone help with thyroid issues?
  • What’s the best way to determine hormone levels?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “When you feel off, stop guessing—start testing.” —Adam Lamb
  • “It’s hard to fix a problem without a name.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Data is good, but it’s useless without corrective and supportive lifestyles.” —Becca Shern

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#241

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about creating a healthy lifestyle, managing stress, healing your mind, strengthening your body, and becoming extraordinary with podcaster, journalist, and author Max Lugavere, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I best relieve stress?
  • How do I best mitigate chronic pain?
  • Can you expand on your stance that ‘food isn’t entertainment’?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Don’t confuse pleasure with well-being.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Emotional support is the antidote for emotional eating.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#240

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan discuss how to find balance, contentment, and tranquility in our new normal with author, podcaster, and health expert Rich Roll, and they answer the following questions:

  • What are the best methods for envisioning our new normal?
  • How have your health practices evolved as a result of the recent crises?
  • How do you find the strength to keep pushing when it all starts breaking down?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Sometimes it takes a breakdown to experience a breakthrough.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Keep track of how many times you get up, not how many times you fall.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#239

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan discuss what minimalism will look like after this moment of uncertainty, whether a movement of Neo-Minimalism will form in the wake of the reset, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I better control my online purchasing after relying on it so heavily during these recent crises?
  • Given our current crises, what emergency items are reasonable to keep on hand as a minimalist?
  • How has your definition and perspective of the word “essential” changed?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “If it feels like too much, it’s too much.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “You’ll survive living with what’s essential, but you’ll thrive living with what adds value.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#238

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan are joined by T.K. Coleman to discuss race in America, racial justice, colorblindness, protests, riots, indifference, systemic oppression, and what we can do to help.

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “If you’re passionate about everything, you’re passionate about nothing.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Judge a system by its actual effects, not the intentions that drive it.” —T.K. Coleman
  • “Pursue conversations where you have no idea what to expect.” —T.K. Coleman
  • “If you genuinely believe you have a way of communicating that offends no one, you are naive.” —T.K. Coleman

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#237

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about why we hold on to material possessions in an attempt to hold on to our memories, what we can do to hold on to our memories without holding on to the stuff, and they answer the following questions:

  • Should I hold on to sentimental mementos, like a wedding dress, in case my children may want them someday?
  • How do I find the strength to let go of my deceased parent’s belongings?
  • How do I determine what sentimental items are appropriate to keep?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Anything can be a sentimental item if we assign sentimentality to it.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “The material possessions aren’t the problem; our attachment is the problem.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Attachment is suffering.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Only make rules for yourself if they help you be a better person.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#236

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan discuss local, national, and international politics; outrage and divisiveness in the current political climate; and the quagmire of disarray and turmoil created by tribalism and partisan politics with journalist and podcaster Kim Iversen, and they answer the following questions:

  • How can we help our government officials adopt more minimalist practices, especially with respect to budgets?
  • Which political party is most closely aligned with the principles of minimalism?
  • How do we all maintain balance in this heated political climate?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “A tribe unites against a common enemy; a community unites around a common cause.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Political affiliation doesn’t matter as much as how you treat the people around you.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#235

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan field a flurry of questions from their podcast supporters, including:

  • What system do you use to organize your personal and professional lives?
  • How do I determine which habits are helping me and which habits are not?
  • How do I ensure I carry forward the lessons I learned from the pandemic regarding appropriate scheduling?
  • How do I tactfully say ‘no’ to bosses and coworkers when I’m not on the clock?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Knowledge is not power; knowledge is potential power.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Hours of productivity mean little without the desired outcome.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Whenever you say ‘yes’ to something unimportant, you’re saying ‘no’ to something important.” —The Minimalists

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#234

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua talks about whether reducing our consumption is enough to save the planet, or whether we need to do more than recycle, share stuff, and consume less; the upsides and downsides of capitalism; potential necessary changes to environmental policy; and some misconceptions about human progress with author and MIT scientist and professor Andrew McAfee, and they answer the following questions:

  • How can we use minimalist practices to help the environment?
  • How do we train ourselves to purchase more intentionally and less impulsively?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Minimize carefully—that which is essential for the next person may be nonessential for you.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Stuff will not make you happy; repeated social engagements with your loved ones will make you happy.” —Andrew McAfee

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#233

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua Fields Millburn talks about The Minimalists’ “No Junk Rule,” followed by three “Qonversations” with Dan Savage about sex and dating apps during a pandemic; the artist Colleen McCulla about using art to make sense of a post-coronavirus world; and a controversial chat with T.K. Coleman about whether we should give up our freedoms to stay safe.

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “We never look in the rearview and wish we would have panicked more.” —Joshua Fields Millburn

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#232

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua talks about stoicism, what it means to live a good life, and different philosophies for living with author and professor William B. Irvine, and they answer the following questions:

  • Is stoicism applicable to all cultures?
  • How do I explain the benefits of stoicism to my loved ones?
  • How do I practice stoicism without sacrificing human emotion?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Stoicism is not about abolishing emotion; stoicism is about trying to minimize the number of negative emotions and embracing the positive emotions.” —William B. Irvine
  • “Too much of a good thing is a bad thing.” —Joshua Fields Millburn

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#231

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about earning a living, being responsible with money, and choosing a new career path during times of financial uncertainty with author, podcaster, and entrepreneur Chris Guillebeau, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I break out of the cycle of office jobs?
  • If I’ve grown tired of my current career but I’m overqualified for many other jobs, are there any other options open to me aside from completely starting over?
  • What is the best financial advice you’ve ever received?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “There’s no such thing as good debt.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “It’s never too late to start saving for retirement.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “Earning money is more important than saving money.” —Chris Guillebeau

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#230

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan discuss the disconnection between designers and users, producers and consumers, and tech elites and the rest of us with author and professor Ramesh Srinivasan, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I narrow down what tech is most appropriate for me from the plethora of tech that’s available?
  • How do we deal with the constant intrusion of advertising in our lives that hitchhikes on our tech?
  • What are the ramifications of tech companies selling user information?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “The Internet is the logic and language by which all human experience is increasingly mediated.” —Ramesh Srinivasan
  • “Billboards are the original pop-up ads.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Advertisements suck.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Society breaks when profit is put ahead of people.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#229

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about what minimalism looks like when it’s taken to its extremes with YouTuber Youheum Son, and they answer the following questions:

  • Once it seems like you’ve minimized everything, where do you go from there?
  • What foods and utensils are in an extreme minimalist’s kitchen?
  • What is the minimum number of physical items you need to survive?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Don’t confuse surviving with thriving.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Monks live with nothing; minimalists live with what’s appropriate.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#228

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan discuss how to maximize wealth, how to minimize financial stress, and the wisest economic actions to take with the Director of Entrepreneurial Education for the Foundation for Economic Education, T.K. Coleman, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I maximize my wealth while minimizing my stress in accumulating it?
  • What are the wisest economic actions to take on a modest income?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “You may not need a budget in order to know how poor you are, but you do need a budget in order to know how you’re underestimating the hidden sources of wealth in your life.” —T.K. Coleman

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#227

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan expand on how to live—not just survive, but thrive—through these unsettling times. They discuss societal panic, fundamental habit shifts, and the appropriate actions we should take in the midst of a pandemic, and they answer the following questions:

  • How should we address the societal panic during the pandemic?
  • What things that we’ve taken for granted will now fundamentally change as a result of the pandemic?
  • What actions should we take right now?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Constantly searching for breaking news will break you.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#226

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan discuss the appropriate preparation and response to societal crises with the Director of Entrepreneurial Education for the Foundation for Economic Education, T.K. Coleman, and they answer the following questions:

  • Are we preparing needlessly for problems that won’t exist?
  • How does the free market respond to a crisis?
  • Why aren’t there sufficient tests for COVID-19?
  • Are there some countries that are handling the pandemic better than the United States?
  • Why does tribalism often take precedence over community?
  • Is government incompetence and overregulation just as harmful to our health as the virus itself?
  • Are some government regulations appropriate and helpful?
  • How can we effectively use incentives instead of regulations?
  • How effective are masks and respirators against the virus?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Consumerism is a compromise on your liquidity, and your liquidity is your greatest advantage in a crisis.” —T.K. Coleman
  • “Don’t let others’ expectations dictate your standards.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Be clear on what is ‘just-in-case’ and what is ‘just-for-when.’” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#225

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan discuss the appropriate preparation and response to societal crises with the Director of Entrepreneurial Education for the Foundation for Economic Education, T.K. Coleman, and they answer the following questions:

  • How likely is a minimalist to survive in a catastrophe?
  • How do I quarantine for 2-6 weeks as a minimalist?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Consumerism is a compromise on your liquidity, and your liquidity is your greatest advantage in a crisis.” —T.K. Coleman
  • “Don’t let others’ expectations dictate your standards.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Be clear on what is ‘just-in-case’ and what is ‘just-for-when.’” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#224

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan discuss particularly difficult topics, including trauma, bereavement, traumatic stress, sorrow, and even traumatic death with professor, trauma/grief counselor, and researcher Dr. Joanne Cacciatore, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I overcome the trauma of my past to address the challenges of the present?
  • How do I overcome the negative feelings attached to items so I don’t needlessly replace them?
  • Is it helpful to remove mementos of a lost loved one to overcome trauma and grief?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “We don’t let go of the memories when we let go of the stuff.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Letting go creates space for what’s truly important.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#223

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about interior design, feng shui, the calmness of clutter-free spaces, and how to have a minimalist home that’s not boring with designer, entrepreneur, and Queer Eye star Bobby Berk, and they answer the following questions:

  • When I have more space than I have belongings to fill it, how do I appropriately address that empty space?
  • Is there a way to effectively stage a home for sale in a minimalist fashion?
  • How do I make a room feel cozy while maintaining a minimalist aesthetic?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Minimalism exposes the beauty beneath the banality.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “A mind is a terrible thing to clutter.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “An appropriately appointed home will recharge you each day.” —Bobby Berk
  • “‘Trendy’ is a euphemism for ‘soon-to-be-out-of-date.’” —Joshua Fields Millburn

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#222

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan discuss dependency, sobriety, and different types of addiction, including our addiction to stuff, alcohol, food, drugs, cigarettes, money, status, social media, attention, television, breaking news, smartphones, and porn with author and blogger Laura McKowen, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I help my mother overcome her addiction to shopping and hoarding that is negatively affecting me?
  • How do I address my addiction to online shopping?
  • Is there a correlation between a minimal life and a sober life?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Sobriety is the capacity to savor.” —Russ Hudson
  • “A simple life is not an easy life: a forest fire is easy; a campfire is simple.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Covering emotions with pleasure is like covering rotting wood with paint.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#221

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan argue about what’s healthy and what isn’t healthy with author, podcaster, and health expert Dr. Paul Saladino, MD. They also discuss fiber, fruits, vegetables, meat, vitamins, nutrients, cholesterol, fat, ketosis, toxins, and the gut microbiome, and they answer the following questions:

  • Why is it so difficult to determine what’s healthy?
  • What is inflammation?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Health is perspectival.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Health is a journey, not a destination.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#220

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan get back to basics for spring cleaning and discuss decluttering, organizing, and letting go of excess stuff, and they answer the following questions:

  • How can I help my parents embrace decluttering?
  • How do I tactfully tell my family I don’t want to inherit their belongings?
  • How can I save mementos and still be clutter-free?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “The best way to organize your stuff is to get rid of most of it.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Our memories are not in our things; our memories are inside us.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “We can’t make room for new memories when we’re clinging to old memories.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Keeping memories doesn’t mean keeping clutter.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “The more we hold on to stuff, the more we let go of precious memories.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “If everything is precious, then nothing is precious.” —Joshua Fields Millburn

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#219

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about minimalist fashion, capsule wardrobes, cleaning out your closet, and the pros and cons of trendy clothing with author, blogger, and podcaster Courtney Carver, and they answer the following questions:

  • How can I be a minimalist and still keep up with the current fashions?
  • How do I find sustained satisfaction with my current wardrobe despite the onslaught of new stylish temptations?
  • How do I ensure my clothes last longer?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Trendy looks good today; timeless looks great everyday.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “The best recipe for discontent is to compare our lives to others’ lives.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Love people use things—because the opposite never works.” —The Minimalists
  • “Err on the side of quality, not trendy.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#218

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about desire, yearning, craving and impulse and lust and longing and aspiration with author, theologian, and philosopher Peter Rollins, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I commit to a desire?
  • How do we make time for our desires?
  • Is it unhealthy for someone to lust and yearn for others outside their marriage?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “The most precious material in the world is the desire of the people we desire.” —Peter Rollins
  • “Getting everything you want metastasizes into not having what you need.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “One’s lust is not the problem—it’s the solution to a problem.” —Peter Rollins
  • “Honest communication creates lasting relationships.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#217

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan discuss fame, notoriety, the difference between being famous and being well-known, and the upsides and downsides of stardom with actor, writer, and director Jennette McCurdy, and they answer the following questions:

  • Why do we seem to get more satisfaction from celebrities losing fame than gaining it?
  • What can we do about celebrities that use their fame to spread ill will?
  • Will the general public ever finally realize that fame is hollow?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “We often don’t want what we think we want.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Everything you’ve picked up, you can set down.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “What you’re chasing isn’t as important as why you’re chasing it.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#216

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about 80-hour work weeks, packed schedules, endless meetings, overflowing inboxes, unrealistic deadlines, and bringing our work home with us with author and entrepreneur Jason Fried, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I balance my professional life and my personal life so it doesn’t feel like I’m just living to work?
  • What can I do to help temper the intensity of my company’s culture?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Be the calm you want to see in the workplace.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “You needn’t be a vessel into which others pour their stress and anxiety.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#215

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan discuss the lessons they’ve learned from their years of blogging and podcasting, and they answer the following questions:

  • What is the most effective medium for sharing my expertise in order to build an audience?
  • How do I determine what I should select for my next entrepreneurial pursuit?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “You can do everything—but not at the same time.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Create value, not content.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “If you don’t know what you want, then you’ll get everything you don’t want.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Good businesses make money; great businesses make a difference.” —The Minimalists

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#214

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about starting New Year’s resolutions, when it’s appropriate to give up on a resolution, and what actions to take when you’re feeling stuck with author, podcaster, and fitness expert Ben Greenfield, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I improve my sleep hygiene in the new year?
  • How do I apply minimalism to voluntary pursuits in the new year to ensure I’m being highly effective and not overextending myself?
  • After several false starts, how can I ensure I stick with minimalism the next time I attempt to adopt it?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Sometimes we must walk away to come back.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “One day or day one—you decide.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Someday is not a day of the week.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Lifestyle changes are more effective than dieting.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#213

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan discuss the internal conflicts many people experience when it comes to community and individualism, reason and spirituality, and religion and atheism with mathematical physicist, economist, and podcaster Eric Weinstein, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I move on from my current community and find a new community since our values no longer align?
  • Are minimalism and religion working toward resolving the same human conflicts?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “We all have a general lack of self-awareness when it comes to self-awareness.” —Eric Weinstein
  • “We must question what we hold close, otherwise we cling to everything.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “We live happier lives when we fulfill our own expectations rather than others’ expectations.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#212

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about organizing, tidying up, and cleaning your home with author and entrepreneur Melissa Maker, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I attain and maintain a clean and orderly home when my partner persists in being a packrat?
  • How do I appropriately store a plethora of important documents?
  • How do I overcome the overwhelm I feel whenever I try to address the clutter in my home?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Cleaning is an act of self-love—we take care of ourselves when we keep our spaces clean.” —Melissa Maker
  • “You cannot get where you’re going without moving from where you are.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “When you’re hopeless, find someone who’s hopeful.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#211

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about student debt, graduating from a university without any debt, and tips for avoiding college debt altogether with author and podcaster Anthony ONeal, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I determine if it makes sense to take on student debt for an advanced degree?
  • How do I find someone that has managed a debt-free college education pursuing what I want to pursue?
  • What is a reasonable amount of money to invest in a college education?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Debt is making your future self suffer for your current indiscretions.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “You don’t always get what you pay for.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Your dream school is an affordable school; your affordable school is a school you can graduate from debt-free.” —Anthony ONeal
  • “Most purchases are unreasonable if you’re in debt.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “Sometimes we need to get unreasonable relative to the status quo to become reasonable.” —Joshua Fields Millburn

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#210

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about consumerism, the successes and failures of modern society, the price of progress, and whether civilization has actually made us less civilized with author and podcaster Dr. Christopher Ryan, and they answer the following questions:

  • Are technological advances primarily benefiting or degrading our society?
  • How do I survive and thrive in traditional mating rituals in a world that is becoming increasingly digital?
  • How much sacrifice is too much sacrifice?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “A watch tells the time; a twenty thousand dollar Rolex tells people you have issues.” —Dr. Christopher Ryan
  • “People who say relationships are a lot of work might be in the wrong relationships.” —Dr. Christopher Ryan
  • “Enough is in the eye of the beholder.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “There’s no such thing as the perfect amount of anything.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#209

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan discuss the elements of a best life, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I live what I believe is my best life despite the criticism of others?
  • If I alter my blueprint for life because my plan isn’t working out, isn’t that giving up on my dreams?
  • How do I address the stress associated with society dictating to me how to live my life?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “If you follow someone else’s recipe, you will bake the same cake—but you might not enjoy the taste.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “You’ll never live your best life by living to meet others’ expectations.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “The best life is not a perfect life; the best life is a simple, meaningful life.” —The Minimalists

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#208

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan discuss fear, anxiety, worry, discomfort, and paranoia with singer-songwriter Lee DeWyze, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I overcome contentment and the fear of failure and purposely put myself in my discomfort zone to challenge myself?
  • How do I address my fear of the judgment of others and make a career move that many see as a step backward?
  • How do I address my fear of being alone?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “If you’re not careful with something long enough, it breaks.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Criticism highlights a problem; feedback highlights a solution.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Comfort provides a fertile environment for fear to grow.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Hate is fear with fangs.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Giving in to fear begets more fear.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “Fear’s mortal enemy is confidence.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#207

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about raising kids, the data behind good parenting, and how parents can be more confident in their parenting decisions with professor and author Emily Oster, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I determine with my partner who will sacrifice their career to take care of our children?
  • How do I ensure my hoarder relatives don’t negatively impact the minimalist values I’m instilling in my child?
  • What’s the best way to educate children in a world dominated by consumerism?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Be clear with others what you do want, rather than what you don’t want.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Hoarding is the new second-hand smoking.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Minimalism is not a way to escape consumption; minimalism is a way to consume responsibly.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Children learn more from conduct rather than counseling.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#206

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan discuss career advice, pursuing your passion, mentors, and the stepping stones to success with author and radio personality Ken Coleman, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I find a job that adequately fulfills my professional and economic needs?
  • How do I secure my dream job despite fierce competition in the field?
  • How do I ask someone to be a mentor?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Sometimes you must give up to move up.” —Ken Coleman
  • “No one is sitting around just contemplating how they can help you find your dream job.” —Ken Coleman
  • “If you truly want to succeed, stop competing and start contributing.” —Ken Coleman
  • “Aspire to be the best version of yourself.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Adding value begets value.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “Practice doesn’t pay well, but it always ages well.” —Ken Coleman
  • “Ask not what you can get—ask what you can give.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Contributing to someone’s life is the best way to get their attention.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#205

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan discuss how to start simplifying, how to become a minimalist, and some practical tips and rules for decluttering with lifestyle entrepreneur MJ Gordon, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I motivate myself to minimize?
  • What is one unexpected result you realized after adopting minimalism?
  • How do I overcome analysis paralysis and wholly embrace minimalism?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Minimalism is not unlike a horizon: once you arrive, a new horizon appears.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “The benefits of minimalism are different and plentiful for everyone.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “We lose our resilience to stress when we consistently pander to our comforts.” —MJ Gordon
  • “We grow most significantly when we’re in our discomfort zone.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “You will experience exponential growth if you fill your to-do list with your trepidations.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Letting go begins with loosening your grip.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “If everything is precious, then nothing is precious.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Plans are useless without action.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#204

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about several modern crises—depression, loneliness, addiction, connection, belonging, and meaning—with author Johann Hari, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I increase my happiness and live a more fulfilled, meaningful life in spite of the daily barrage of negativity from social media and the Internet?
  • Are the allegedly high rates of depression accurate?
  • As an introvert, how do I develop connections with others?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “A meaningful life exists at the confluence of one’s values and actions.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “The well-lived life is a value-driven life.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “If life has a purpose, it involves suffering and problem-solving.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “If we live overwhelming lives, it doesn’t take much for us to feel like we’ve lost control.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#203

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about buying new and used material possessions with intention, purchasing products that last a lifetime, and being responsible with time and money when shopping for necessities with author and business owner Tara Button, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I find satisfaction with what I already own rather than seeking out ‘perfect’ replacements?
  • How do I control my urge to shop?
  • How do I know that what I really want is what I really need?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Podcasts · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Sometimes everything you ever wanted isn’t actually what you want.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “It’s okay to have something you want as long as you can afford the true cost.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “You don’t have the time to own more.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “No item can make you more or less of a person.” —Tara Button

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#202

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua talks about stillness, quietude, combating distractions, and slowing down with author Ryan Holiday, and they answer the following questions:

  • What skills should I learn to lead a more peaceful, purposeful life?
  • How can I make my long commute less stressful?
  • How do I combat the societal pressure to hustle tirelessly, no matter the cost?
  • How do I appropriately balance personal and professional obligations as a business owner?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “The true cost of anything goes far beyond the price tag.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “We must do the things that people in the future will want to write about and read about and dream about as they’re taking action to shape their own future.” —Pete Buttigieg

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#201

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan discuss values, contribution, leadership, minimalist uniforms, and whether or not there could ever be a minimalist president with 2020 presidential candidate Mayor Pete Buttigieg, and they answer the following questions:

  • How would you reduce the national debt?
  • Is it feasible and responsible to replace the Electoral College?
  • How important is freedom, and how would you incorporate it into your presidency?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “The true cost of anything goes far beyond the price tag.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “We must do the things that people in the future will want to write about and read about and dream about as they’re taking action to shape their own future.” —Pete Buttigieg

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#200

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan discuss decluttering our spaces, lives, hearts, and minds, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I determine what to keep regarding my hobbies?
  • How do I determine what to keep regarding seasonal and special-occasion clothing?
  • How do I help my family members become more organized?
  • How do I appropriately keep and store holiday decorations?
  • How do I determine the appropriate amount of toys for my child?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “We must understand both the ‘what’ and the ‘why’ of decluttering to make positive, permanent changes.”
  • “The easiest way to organize your stuff is to get rid of most of it.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#199

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about simple choices to improve overall wellness with Dr. Ryan Greene from Monarch Athletic Club, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I attain and maintain a healthy relationship with food?
  • What lifestyle changes most positively impact health?
  • How often should I exercise to maintain optimal health?
  • How do I overcome my craving for sweets?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Granular changes produce grandiose results.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “When in doubt, go for a walk.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “What’s optimal for one person is suboptimal for another person.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Don’t forsake quality for quantity.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “‘For the most part’ is often most of the problem.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Food is nourishment, not entertainment.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “If you want to quit something, stop surrounding yourself with it.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#198

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan discuss success, successful people, and how the world’s most successful people launched their careers with author Alex Banayan, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I cultivate a passion, and how do I determine when a passion is no longer worth cultivating?
  • How do you define success?
  • What are the essential healthy habits of successful people?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Success is doing what you want, how you want to do it.” —Alex Banayan
  • “Success and happiness are byproducts of living a meaningful life.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “Success isn’t measured by ephemera.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “A miserable successful person is a failure.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “When you feel good, you do good.” —Alex Banayan
  • “Good health doesn’t create success—it aids it.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#197

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan discuss bucking the status quo, embracing our idiosyncrasies, and what happens when we refuse to conform with author, podcaster, and entrepreneur Jason Zook, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I reconcile creating material goods for my business while eliminating material goods in my life?
  • How do I address the disappointment of my family and friends when I choose different paths in life than the ones they believe are most ideal for me?
  • Is maintaining traditions with family and friends—particularly during the holidays—a healthy practice, or should we always strive to challenge the status quo?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “If you try to appease everyone, then you’ll appease no one.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “You won’t get to your destination by taking their path.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “The only person you needn’t disappoint is yourself.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “The way things have always been done is not the way things have to be done.” —Jason Zook
  • “You make your beliefs stronger if you’re willing to question them.” —Joshua Fields Millburn

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#196

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan discuss questioning religion, questioning atheism, questioning belief systems, and finding peace with Mosaic pastor Erwin McManus, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I introduce minimalist principles to my church?
  • Is it possible to have faith while still harboring doubt?
  • How do I address my family’s disapproval of my religion?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Without doubt there is no faith—there’s just belief.” —Erwin McManus
  • “We must question what we hold close, otherwise we cling to everything.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “A person that doesn’t doubt, doesn’t think.” —Erwin McManus
  • “Faith and doubt are two sides of the same coin.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “It’s not just okay to have doubts—it’s not okay to not have doubts.” —Erwin McManus
  • “Live a life of intention, not a life of obligation.” —Erwin McManus
  • “Compromising our values to gain approval is a recipe for discontent.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “The only approval we need is our own.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “We live happier lives when we fulfill our own expectations rather than others’ expectations.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#195

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua discusses artistry, resourcefulness, originality, and craft with singer-songwriter Jay Nash, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I best use my newfound free time after a digital detox?
  • How do I determine if I’m adequately prepared to quit my day job to pursue my passion full-time?
  • What time of day are most people at their creative peak?
  • How do we determine which thoughts will likely lead to the most productive projects?
  • Where do you find inspiration as a creative?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Don’t be responsible to other people’s expectations.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “You must first produce sediment in order to pan for gold.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “The best time to create is today.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “An idea isn’t power; acting on an idea is power.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “You can’t judge creations as they are forming—you just have to let them come out.” —Jay Nash

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#194

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan discuss financial independence, spending habits, and solving money problems with filmmaker Travis Shakespeare, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I pay off debt when I’m only earning enough money to pay for life’s essentials?
  • How do I save and invest with the earnings from a minimum-wage job?
  • Is financial independence necessary for a minimalist, and, if so, what is the first baby step toward that journey?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Debt is a spiritual poison.” —Travis Shakespeare
  • “We can’t maximize life with minimum effort.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Money isn’t everything, but it’s also not nothing.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Money won’t solve all your problems, but it will solve your money problems.” —Joshua Fields Millburn

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#193

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan discuss consciousness, the mysteries of the brain, and decluttering our minds with New York Times bestselling author Annaka Harris, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I mentally declutter?
  • Why do spontaneous purchases give us a brief surge of pleasure?
  • Is obsession a mindset or a disorder?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “A fairy tale well-told doesn’t make it more true.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “The things that truly bring us joy are rarely things.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Labels are incomplete and limiting—but necessary.” —Joshua Fields Millburn

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#192

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about tribes, picking sides, and finding common ground with people who have different beliefs with comedian and podcaster Jamie Kilstein, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I find common ground with a partner that prefers a different climate?
  • How do I find common ground with people that hold beliefs that are different than mine?
  • Why do I find it particularly challenging to find common ground with certain people?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Stand your ground even if you can’t find common ground.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Showing respect is the best way to avoid confrontation.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “An open mind is an asset; a porous mind is a liability.” —Joshua Fields Millburn

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#191

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about the pros and cons of positive thinking with educator and podcaster T.K. Coleman, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I stay motivated when I see my contemporaries succeeding while I continue struggling?
  • How do I balance positive thinking with healthy skepticism?
  • How do I stay positive despite the anguish from past abuse?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Dogma is the enemy of understanding.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Always prepare for the worst no matter how full your glass.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “The best way to proselytize is not to proselytize.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Letting go is the ultimate superpower.” —Joshua Fields Millburn

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#190

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua discusses minimalist business models, entrepreneurship, building a small business, and making your business better with author and podcaster Paul Jarvis, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I incorporate minimalist practices into my daily work life without sacrificing any professional obligations, responsibilities, or gains?
  • How do I determine which social media applications are having a positive effect on my business?
  • How do I untether from the identity associated with my job?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Social media can enhance your business, but is not the point of your business.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Our identities are shaped by the costumes we wear.” —Joshua Fields Millburn

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#189

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua talks about earning income, managing money, financial willpower, budgeting mistakes, and what it means to live a “rich” life with author Ramit Sethi, and they answer the following questions:

  • What is the most effective investment strategy if I have limited funds to invest?
  • How do I resist making impulsive purchases?
  • How do I address my issues with credit cards?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “A bad habit is better replaced than avoided.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “A ditch is dug one shovelful at a time.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Every foundation was once a ditch.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “The problem is not credit cards; the problem—and the solution—is you.” —Ramit Sethi

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#188

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about insecurities, criticism, perceived failures, and redefining success with singer-songwriter Griffin House, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I get the most honest, constructive feedback from others?
  • How do I let go of the obsession to make everything perfect?
  • How do I overcome shyness and self-doubt?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Don’t let anyone’s opinions stop you from doing what your heart truly yearns to do.” —Griffin House
  • “Feedback builds us up; criticism tears us down.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Perfect is the nemesis of meaningful.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “We stop feeling like failures when we accept failure as part of the process.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#187

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about birthday gifts, gifting experiences, their favorite consumables to give as gifts, and when it’s appropriate to give physical gifts, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I set the appropriate expectations with my loved ones regarding the kinds of presents I prefer to gift?
  • What are the most tactful methods for requesting specific gifts or no gifts at all?
  • What does the ideal minimalist birthday party entail?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “A kind person is the best kind of person.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “The best gift is the joy of less.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Worry less about how something looks—worry more about how it makes you feel.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#186

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua and Ryan talk about sustainability, overconsumption, environmental concerns, health and beauty products, and shopping with co-founder and CEO of TheGoodTrade.com, AmyAnn Cadwell, and they answer the following questions:

  • What are the most pragmatic hygiene practices for a minimalist?
  • How do I introduce sustainability practices into our relationship without offending my partner?
  • Where should I start if I want to live a more sustainable life?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “You can’t buy well-being, but you can buy tools to help you achieve well-being.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Important changes are not easy, but they can be simple.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “The only thing people dislike more than change is being changed.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “The direction is more important than the goal.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Small and consistent actions result in big changes.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#185

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua discusses simple diets, optimal health, strategies for healing, and the gut microbiome with author and podcaster Rich Roll, Dr. Paul Saladino, and Dr. Tommy Wood, and they answer the following questions:

  • What are the most reliable resources regarding information about vegan, carnivore, and omnivore diets?
  • Are branded diets created for the good of public health or simply to promote products and services?
  • What food purchases should I prioritize on a limited budget?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Solutions are not binary in an analog world.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “If we don’t make good decisions today, we’ll pay for our bad decisions tomorrow—with interest.” —Joshua Fields Millburn

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#184

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan chat about creativity, creating more and consuming less, and the difference between “creating content” and “producing meaningful creations” with filmmaker and YouTuber Matt D’Avella, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I redirect my creative energy toward the most positive, productive pursuits?
  • How do I determine if I’m creating out of love or obligation?
  • How do I maintain a consistent message, yet still always keep it fresh and engaging?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “An obligation to produce will almost always kill creativity.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “A new light on old ideas changes how they are perceived.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Creativity is looking at the same problem in a different way.” —Matt D’Avella
  • “Consistency is far more important than new and improved.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#183

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan discuss simple families, minimalist parenting, and traveling with a family with author and podcaster Denaye Barahona, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I reach a compromise with my partner regarding the quantity of our children’s toys?
  • How do I help my children adopt minimalism in spite of the societal pressure encouraging them to acquire all of the latest and greatest things?
  • How do I help my children cultivate values focused on relationships, contribution, and experiences, rather than the acquisition of material items?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Intentionality as an action is more important than minimalism as a concept.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “We are our children’s primary role models.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “Lead by example and be prepared for the many deviations.” —Denaye Barahona
  • “Fun stuff comes after less fun stuff.” —Denaye Barahona

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#182

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan talk about the most precious kind of freedom—awareness—as well as intentional living, mindfulness, meditation, and purpose with neuroscientist, author, and podcaster Sam Harris, and they answer the following questions:

  • Is minimalism a practical lifestyle given today’s chaotic world?
  • What does it mean to live a meaningful life, and how can mindfulness help?
  • How can mindfulness ultimately help me determine and pursue my life’s purpose?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “A meaningful life exists at the confluence of one’s values and actions.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “The well-lived life is a value-driven life.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “If life has a purpose, it involves suffering and problem-solving.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “If you’re suffering, then you’re lost in thought.” —Sam Harris

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#181

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan talk about the things they stopped buying as minimalists and why they stopped buying them with YouTuber Shelbizleee, and they answer the following questions:

  • Will economies continue to survive and thrive if minimalism is adopted by the masses?
  • How do I better control my spending online where they make it so easy to be impulsive?
  • How do I stop myself from buying food I don’t need?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “No boundaries equals no impulse control.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “Today’s convenience is often tomorrow’s headache.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “If you take away a bad habit and don’t replace it with something good, it won’t be long before a bad habit is back in your life.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#180

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan discuss whether success leads to sadness, whether sadness leads to success, and how to deal with both with singer-songwriter Matt Nathanson, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I carve out time to take better care of myself so I can be the best me for myself and others?
  • Do you combat sadness differently as minimalists?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “If Armageddon is coming, we won’t be able to stop it by being bummed about it.” —Matt Nathanson
  • “If we live overwhelming lives, it doesn’t take much for us to feel like we’ve lost control.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “If we give ourselves space, then everything can be awesome.” —Matt Nathanson
  • “We create our own reality.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#179

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan talk about their favorite things, why they add value to their lives, why they may not add value to your life, and they answer the following questions:

  • How much is too much in a collection?
  • How do I part with favorite items that are simply sentimental?
  • How do I part with favorite items that no longer add value and now function as distractions?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “We must let go of everything eventually, so what things will you let weigh you down in the meantime?” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “When we lose a favorite thing, it’s not long before a new favorite thing takes its place.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “Even our favorite distractions are still distracting.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Being productive around the clock is a distraction in itself.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#178

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan talk about disagreements, arguments, and conflict with educator and podcaster T.K. Coleman, and they answer the following questions:

  • How can I be forthright with my friends without offending them?
  • What is the best way to “agree to disagree”?
  • What media most effectively adds value to people’s lives?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Don’t focus on what people are loving—focus on the hearts doing the loving.” —T.K. Coleman
  • “You can always be right, or you can get along—choose one.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Showing someone compassion is the best form of support.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “Binary thinking will ultimately lead to grayscale rainbows.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Communicate via the media that actually brings you the most joy.” —T.K. Coleman
  • “Don’t ask what the world needs—ask what makes you come alive, and go do it; what the world needs is people who have come alive.” —Howard Thurman
  • “Seek multiple opposing opinions and points-of-view to make fully informed decisions.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#177

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan discuss freedom, travel, an introduction to minimalism, and the new American Dream with author, podcaster, and intrepid traveler Colin Wright, and they answer the following questions:

  • Is homeownership still an ideal goal?
  • What is considered freedom today, and how do we gain more freedom in our lives?
  • How have your social interactions during your travels enriched your worldview?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “The right investment for somebody could be the wrong investment for everybody else.” —Colin Wright
  • “Our freedom corresponds directly with our ability to walk away from anything.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Debt-free is the new American Dream.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “Your perspectives shape your worldview; your worldview shapes your life.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “To live life to the fullest, we must seek different perspectives—no matter how uncomfortable they make us.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#176

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan talk about feeling stuck creatively, feeling stuck emotionally, and what it takes to get unstuck with singer-songwriter Rosi Golan, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I determine if I should continue to ‘drudge through the drudgery’ at my current job, or if it’s time to move on?
  • How do I craft a plan to get unstuck?
  • How do I overcome creator’s block?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “You don’t get unstuck with more planning; you get unstuck with less friction.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Decision is the antidote to stuck-ness.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Writer’s block is shorthand for ‘this is not a priority.’” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Research is not writing.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Limitations breed creativity.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#175

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan discuss minimalist health and fitness with Ben Greenfield from the Ben Greenfield Fitness podcast, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I create an exercise habit that fits my busy life?
  • What are some effective exercises that don’t require a gym?
  • What is the ultimate minimalist exercise?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Everyone has eighteen minutes a day for their health.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Gym memberships don’t make you fit; consistent actions make you fit.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “The simplest exercise is always the exercise you enjoy.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Minimal exercises lead to maximal health.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#174

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan talk about digital clutter, technological exhaustion, quitting social media, and overall online health with their friend Cal Newport, author of the new book Digital Minimalism, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I overcome the guilt I feel when I unfollow friends and family on social media?
  • How can my company or brand remain relevant without a constant media presence?
  • How do I keep up with work without drowning in information?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Relevance is irrelevant if we’re not first contributing something of value.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “I have never been influenced by a social media influencer.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Producing something truly valuable is what actually matters.” —Cal Newport
  • “A company’s relevance increases in direct proportion to the experiences it creates.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “Deep work does not intersect with breaking news.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Most news isn’t newsworthy.” —Joshua Fields Millburn

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#173

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan discuss budgeting, tuition, debt, and other money quagmires with author Rachel Cruze, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I persuade my partner to join me in crafting a shared budget to ensure our financial contributions are equitable?
  • Should I assume the responsibility for the college savings for our child if my ex-partner isn’t financially savvy?
  • How do I stay motivated while paying off debt?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Don’t pursue the goal, pursue the ‘why’ behind the goal.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “More money planning will result in less money problems.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “We must make short-term sacrifices if we want to achieve long-term gains.” —Rachel Cruze
  • “Debt-free is the new American Dream.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “Knowing what lies beyond the landscape propels us toward the horizon.” —Joshua Fields Millburn

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#172

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan talk about independence, rejection, and creating meaningful work without gatekeepers with comedian Andrew Schulz, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I balance the need to support myself with the need to fulfill myself?
  • How do I create demand for my new creation?
  • How do I minimize rejection in my life?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “A cart has never pulled a horse.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Creations that add value will always forge their own demands.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “Everything great rises from rejection.” —Andrew Schulz
  • “The best meal is the meal you could have had one more bite of.” —Andrew Schulz
  • “If you’re true to yourself, you needn’t wallow in rejection.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “The power to discern between criticism and feedback will help you get the most out of rejection.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#171

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan discuss subtracting the superfluous from our lives in order to make room for the valuable, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I minimize my talking and maximize my listening?
  • Is letting go of obligations as important as letting go of stuff?
  • How do I determine what “obligations” are truly obligations?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Minimalism is a tool to help you say ‘yes’ to that which is most important and meaningful.”
  • “Walking toward the right obligations allows us to leave behind obligations that don’t serve us.”
  • “Your calendar reflects your true priorities.”
  • “Minimalism won’t free you from meaningful obligations.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#170

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan are joined by Chris Hogan, author of Everyday Millionaires, to talk about budgeting, wealth, and retirement, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I ensure my purchases are always intentional without obsessing over them?
  • How many revenue streams are appropriate to ensure lifelong financial freedom?
  • How significant a role does positive thinking play in becoming successful in life?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “You can purchase ephemeral pleasure, but you cannot purchase financial freedom.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Being intentional and being consistent are the key ingredients for success in anything you do.” —Chris Hogan
  • “Interest that you pay is a penalty; interest that you earn is a reward.” —Chris Hogan
  • “Never be afraid to ask for help in life: don’t let your ego get in the way of your progress.” —Chris Hogan
  • “Don’t try to make money—try instead to make something that adds so much value that people want to pay for it.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “What you do with your money matters more than where it comes from.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “If you believe in what you’re doing, it doesn’t feel like work—it feels like service.” —Chris Hogan
  • “It’s impossible to put negatives in and expect positives out.” —Chris Hogan
  • “Think carefully: your mind controls your actions and your actions shape your life.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “It’s hard to be hateful when you’re grateful.” —Chris Hogan

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#169

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan talk about baggage, boundaries, and letting go of the past, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I remove the emotional baggage of a past relationship?
  • Is it selfish to share my emotional baggage with my partner?
  • How do I ensure I’m not unwittingly creating emotional baggage for others?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Some of the worst experiences in my life are some of the best experiences in my life.”
  • “Sharing our pain with our partner is a hallmark of love, but we mustn’t batter our loved ones with our suffering.”
  • “Baggage weighs us down only when we refuse to set it down.”
  • “Before we let go, we must first loosen our grip.”
  • “Even the best excuse is still an excuse.”
  • “It’s hard to stay a victim when we go out of our way to contribute beyond ourselves in a meaningful way.”
  • “If I’m living just for myself, then I’m not really living at all.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#168

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan talk about their personal collections, and they answer the following questions:

  • What should I do with items that are no longer useful but might have value as decorations or collectibles?
  • Is it better to store or display collectibles?
  • What should I do with collectibles that bring me joy that I’m too embarrassed to display?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Collectibles are best collected in a museum.”
  • “Understanding the ‘why’ of your collecting will help you hold on tighter or let go faster.”
  • “If you’re embarrassed by your things, you must let go of them or the embarrassment.”
  • “Guilt speaks to your actions; shame speaks to your character.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#167

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan are joined by Diane Capaldi to talk about hope, despair, joy, and regret, and they answer the following questions:

  • What should I do if I still feel little hope toward transitioning into a minimalist lifestyle after decluttering?
  • How do I maintain the hope of living a meaningful life if my loved ones don’t support me?
  • Isn’t hope simply a form of craving that a minimalist should seek to overcome?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Hope is a loosely held expectation without a specific destination.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “A comfortable life is not remotely a virtuous pursuit.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Hope is a power stance—craving is not.” —V
  • “Minimalism doesn’t eliminate desire; minimalism helps us to be less impulsive in an impulsive world.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#166

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan are joined by James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, to talk about creating new, empowering habits, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I select and develop the habits to foster my passions?
  • How do I determine where to start with new habits when I’m overwhelmed by the options?
  • How do I break the habit of never saying “no”?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Subtraction is greater than addition.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Start small with a new habit even if you start with a small failure.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “Whenever you say ‘yes’ to something unimportant, you’re saying ‘no’ to something important.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “‘Yes’ is a form of time debt; ‘no’ is a form of time option.” —James Clear
  • “‘No’ is a decision; ‘yes’ is a responsibility.” —James Clear
  • “Say ‘yes’ until you have to say ‘no,’ and then say ‘no’ until you have to say ‘yes.’” —Joshua Fields Millburn

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#165

In this special year-end episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan reminisce about their favorite memories of 2018, and they answer the following questions:

  • When should I stop pursuing a relationship?
  • Is it still a hobby if I make money from it?
  • What are a minimalist’s views on religion?
  • Did your absence from social media make you realize it made your life more meaningful, or did it make you realize it’s just a modern platform to advertise?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “A parable speaks to the heart; a command speaks to the mind.” —Peter Rollins
  • “If the outcome is income, then it’s clearly not a hobby.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Forcing yourself to make money from a hobby is a great way to kill your love for that hobby.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “A paintbrush can create a masterpiece. A paintbrush can destroy a masterpiece. An idle paintbrush, however, does nothing at all.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “A silent monk sitting in a temple converts absolutely no one.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#164

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan are joined by Jordan Harbinger to talk about what it takes to start a successful small business, and they answer the following questions:

  • When is it acceptable to take on debt to expand my business?
  • How do I run a minimalist business and still earn a living wage?
  • How do I establish a work-life balance when starting a business?
  • How do I overcome the fear of failure to migrate from corporate cog to owner-operator?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Don’t confuse hustle with productivity, creativity, or quality.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Say ‘yes’ until you have to say ‘no,’ and then say ‘no’ until you have to say ‘yes.’” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Short-sighted entrepreneurs focus on hustling over adding value.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “Job security is a misnomer when your security is in someone else’s hands.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Keep your day job until you’re the only one that’s stopping you from scaling on your side hustle.” —Jordan Harbinger
  • “Betting on an employer instead of yourself is playing the odds for disappointment.” —Ryan Nicodemus

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#163

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan discuss upgrading your phone, clothes, technology, housing, appliances, and anything else you might consider upgrading, and they answer the following questions:

  • Under what circumstances can I justify an upgrade?
  • How do I resist the urge to upgrade to the ‘latest and greatest’?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Every upgrade is also a downgrade.”
  • “Upgrades that place you in debt downgrade your quality of life.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#162

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan discuss our culture’s addiction to stuff, shopping, drugs, alcohol, outrage, drama, success, and achievement, and they answer the following questions:

  • When should I stop trying to save those individuals that refuse to save themselves?
  • How do I break my addiction to the status quo?
  • How do I break my addiction to success?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Some cultures consider competition to be a mental illness.”
  • “Worry more about impressing yourself than impressing others.”
  • “We fail when our definition of ‘success’ is ‘excess.’”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#161

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan discuss re-evaluating our lives so we can make the changes we need to make, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I effect positive change in a friendship?
  • How do I ensure there’s adequate support in place to make a significant personal or professional change sustainable?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Debt-free is the new pay raise.”
  • “It’s okay to sacrifice your comfort as long as you’re not sacrificing your values.”
  • “A comfortable life is not a meaningful life.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#160

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan discuss the holiday shopping season, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I explain to my young child the importance of gifting things of value?
  • What should minimalists gift their loved ones?
  • How do I convince family members to gift my children valuable experiences instead of material items?
  • How do I resolve the conflicts between my duties as a marketer and my values as a minimalist?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “If gift-giving is considered a love language, then Pig Latin is a Romance language.”
  • “Traditions are birthed out of today’s actions.”
  • “Discontent is birthed at the place where our values don’t align with our actions.”
  • “Money over values is a failed equation.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#159

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan chat with Randi Kay about self-care, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I move on from the darkness of my past to become the person I want to become?
  • How important is foot care to overall health?
  • How do I practice self-care without feeling selfish?
  • How do I balance caring for myself with caring for others?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Act as if your future self is watching.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Self-care is taking care of the best version of yourself.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Self-care and selfish reside on opposite sides of our values.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Self-care is a daily brushing of the mind, body, and soul.” —Randi Kay
  • “To give your best to others you must first give your best to yourself.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “A life without boundaries is the most bound life.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “If giving doesn’t fill you up inside, then it isn’t truly giving.” —Randi Kay

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#158

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan talk about reducing excess stuff, including some of the things that might add value to your life, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I appropriately address the frustration I experience when I lose any of the few things I truly value?
  • How do I determine if any family items are heirlooms to be saved for future generations?
  • Should I minimize gradually or quickly?
  • How do I minimize dispassionately?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Letting go is instantaneous; letting go takes forever.”
  • “Physical attachments to material items are non-transferrable.”
  • “Letting go of our stuff hurts us only when we conflate material with meaning.”
  • “If news is always breaking, then it’s broken.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#157

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan talk about fear, depression, success, judgment, and gift-giving, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I explain my mental health issues to my new partner?
  • How do I address gift-giving with loved ones that insist on giving gifts and question my judgment for not wanting them?
  • How do I conquer the fear of criticism that is holding me back from sharing my creative work with the world?
  • How do I overcome decision fatigue and choose a career?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Confidence is a way to kill fear.”
  • “Missing out is letting go in advance.”
  • “Criticism highlights the problem, while feedback actually highlights the solution.”
  • “It’s better to have done something badly than to not have done anything at all.”
  • “It’s not worth creating if everyone likes it.”
  • “Create to create—not to reach an objective.”
  • “Don’t let perfection be the enemy of creation.”
  • “Binary thinking produces gray-scale rainbows.”
  • “There are many paths in life; if you choose one that aligns with your values and beliefs, you can’t go wrong.”
  • “If you want to overcome fear, get lost a little bit.”
  • “Judgment is but a mirror that reflects the insecurities of the person that’s doing the judging.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#156

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan sit down with Peter Rollins, producer of Making Love, to discuss why people struggle with love, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I appropriately enrich a relationship?
  • When should I stop pursuing a relationship?
  • How do I best love myself?
  • How do I determine if a love is good or bad?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “We desire the desire of the ones we desire.” —Peter Rollins
  • “None of us gets what we want, but you can not get what you want in different ways.” —Phil Harrison
  • “Embrace the healthy tension.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “Recognizing our past helps us best free ourselves from it.” —Peter Rollins
  • “Internal clutter gets in the way of love; thus, to love ourselves, we must let go of that which is in the way: emotional clutter, psychological clutter, spiritual clutter, mental clutter, existential clutter.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “The more your short-term actions align with your long-term values, the more love and respect you’ll have for yourself.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “Find the space where you’re accepted and gradually you’ll accept yourself.” —Peter Rollins
  • “Don’t let others’ opinions make you think less of yourself—get those people out of your life.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “Hate often masquerades as love, so tread lightly and with intention.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “If you really want to test your love, ask yourself whether you would start the relationship over again.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “Does your love seek to fill the lack and to get rid of the struggle in your life, or does your love animate and help you enjoy the lack and the struggle in your life?” —Peter Rollins

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#155

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan answer a bunch of questions about minimalism, including:

  • Which revenue stream should I focus my energy on to ensure my company is profitable?
  • What project are you focused on to complete within the next year?
  • Should I spend more money for an apartment with an extra room for a home office?
  • How does having a child change one’s minimalist practices?
  • How do I find happiness when I’m stressed?
  • What can I do to minimize more quickly?
  • How do you consistently deliver practical and valuable advice?
  • How do I learn to push through discomfort?
  • Why do you do what you do?
  • How do I create a company while remaining true to my minimalist values?
  • How do I stay true to my minimalist values through a significant financial windfall?
  • Do minimalist practices remain consistent throughout the world?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Creating is creating, regardless of your location.”
  • “Happiness is ephemeral, and if you’re always chasing ephemeral things, then you’re always going to feel the pang of discontent.”
  • “Help people solve problems and the money will follow.”
  • “Money may be a passenger in the vehicle, but it’s never allowed in the driver’s seat.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#154

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan talk about spouses, significant others, partners, boyfriends, girlfriends, and lovers, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do my partner and I create a mutually agreeable budget?
  • How do I live as a minimalist without my spouse’s support?
  • How do I purge my spouse’s excess stuff without upsetting them?
  • How do I determine between an ideal relationship and a simply comfortable relationship?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Trashing someone else’s stuff isn’t letting go—it’s theft.”
  • “The best way to ruin a relationship is to try to control the other person in the relationship.”
  • “Easy relationships atrophy; simple relationships grow.”
  • “If a relationship is missing support or respect, it’s guaranteed to be pernicious.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#153

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan sit down with Rachel Cruze, author of Love Your Life, Not Theirs, to discuss managing finances, eliminating debt, and avoiding the comparison trap, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I determine the appropriate amount of money to save when my income fluctuates throughout the year?
  • How do I explain minimalism to non-minimalists?
  • How do my partner and I decide who is responsible for each financial obligation in our household?
  • How do I maintain a balance between taking care of debt too much and not enough?
  • How do I keep myself motivated to keep paying off my debt when it feels overwhelming?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “It’s okay to have some nice stuff, just don’t let your nice stuff have you.” —Dave Ramsey
  • “Minimalism is the thing that gets us past the things, so we can make room for life’s most important things—which, actually, aren’t things at all.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “The more you’re willing to sacrifice, the quicker you will get out of debt.” —Rachel Cruze
  • “Without any boundaries, you’ll find you get nowhere.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “You have to stop doing what you’re doing to do something different.” —Rachel Cruze
  • “If you want to get out of debt, then you must accept that it’s not easy, that it takes a lot of hard work, and that it requires a plan.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “Sometimes the best thing to do is simply turn around.” —Joshua Fields Millburn

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#152

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan talk about donating, selling, recycling, reusing, and trashing their excess stuff, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I determine what items I should donate and what items I should sell?
  • Will friends appreciate me gifting them my unwanted belongings, or will they be offended?
  • What should I do with items that are missing pieces, e.g., board games, rather than just throwing them away?
  • How do I determine what is the best use of my time and energy between recycling, selling, and trashing?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “The best way to declutter is to avoid new clutter before it enters your home.”
  • “Holding on to something incomplete will make you feel exactly that—incomplete.”
  • “You will be more complete without the incomplete objects in your life.”
  • “When getting rid of old possessions, sell whenever it makes sense. If you can’t sell in seven days, donate immediately. If you can’t donate, recycle. If you can’t recycle, trash it.”
  • “There’s an official rulebook for minimalism—and you’re the author of your own book.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#151

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan talk about how the city in which you live affects the rest of your life, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I decide where it’s best for me to reside?
  • How will I know when I’ve simplified enough?
  • How do I choose a more affordable location for my family without sacrificing neighborhood amenities?
  • Why are some areas of the world happier than others?
  • How important are transportation options when considering places to live?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “People don’t hate change—they hate being changed.”
  • “Don’t simply run away from something—ensure you’re also running toward something else.”
  • “Don’t mistake others’ happiness for your own.”
  • “The more we contribute to our community, the happier we make our community.”
  • “To get where you’re going, you must have a way to get there.”
  • “The vehicle we regularly use isn’t nearly as important as sticking to our budget.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#150

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan sit down with Dr. Christopher Ryan, author of Sex at Dawn, to discuss sex, couples, and nontraditional relationships, and they answer the following questions:

  • If I consider the physical characteristics I find attractive when choosing a partner, am I being intentional or shallow?
  • Should I save my sexual accoutrements for the possibility of a future relationship?
  • Is building a strong emotional base crucial for a healthy sex life?
  • How should I respond to criticisms regarding the traditional life choices of my partner and me, e.g., waiting until marriage to live together and have sex?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Looks do matter in terms of attraction; but, in terms of long-term compatibility, values matter more.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Figure out your non-negotiables, and then don’t negotiate.” —Dr. Christopher Ryan
  • “A strong emotional base is crucial for all relationships.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Unquestionably, instability is the birthplace of chaos.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “A healthy sex life is different for everyone; so, in my experience, great sex happens when it’s consensual and all parties’ preferences are respected and supported.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “No response is often the most appropriate response.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “People who challenge your values and beliefs are not entitled to a response.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “Extended travel with a partner is one of the best methods for testing compatibility.” —Dr. Christopher Ryan
  • “We must be content with what we currently have in order to appreciate something better.” —Joshua Fields Millburn

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#149

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan sit down with Nate Green to discuss how he’s moving forward after exiting a ten-year relationship, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I move on from a relationship but still remain friends with my former partner?
  • How do I rid myself of the remnants of a relationship that ended badly?
  • How do I forgive myself for a breakup that was my fault?
  • How do minimalists best divide up their collective items during a breakup?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “A well-curated exterior is an indication of a well-curated interior.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “The advice you most often give is the advice you need to take.” —Nate Green
  • “I try to only speak when I have something more valuable to say than silence.” —Michael DeSanti
  • “Before you can forgive you must understand who you are forgiving and who the forgiving is actually for.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “The best way to forgive yourself is to consistently be honest and freely forgive no matter how uncomfortable it is.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “Even if you can’t make amends to the person that you feel that you’ve wronged, you can start living differently right now.” —Nate Green
  • “The view in the rearview mirror is not the horizon.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “You must be willing to let go of anything to regain everything.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “If you can’t handle the shit you’re buried in, hire a professional shit cleaner.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “The important things are rarely actual things.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “If you let life keep on lifing, it’ll just take care of itself.” —Nate Green

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#148

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan sit down with Chris Hogan, author of Retire Inspired, to discuss financial freedom, getting out of debt, and retirement planning, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I retire and still ensure I can leave a legacy?
  • How do I take on mid-life responsibilities and obligations—marriage, children, mortgage—while still appropriately saving for retirement?
  • Which is the better retirement investment between a 401K and a Roth IRA?
  • How do I ignore the judgement of loved ones and fully pursue my passions?
  • Is a house an asset or a liability?
  • Is it possible to overdo Dave Ramsey’s baby steps related to investing and paying off a mortgage?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Don’t use your retirement to fund your emergency.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “How miserable are you willing to be to impress the people around you?” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Other people’s expectations are just that—other people’s expectations.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “Opinions are just like yesterdays: everybody has them.” —Chris Hogan
  • “Renting is simply paying for the freedom to walk away.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “You can’t afford a house unless you can afford to put down 20% on a 10-15-year mortgage.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “Renting is not throwing away money: you’re paying for extra time so you can purchase a home the right way.” —Chris Hogan
  • “I will never go into debt to own the thing that takes me to work just so I can pay for the thing that takes me to work.” —Joshua Fields Millburn

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#147

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan talk about the difference between curating and collecting, and they answer the following questions:

  • Are museum collections considered intentional curations?
  • Shouldn’t I save items I acquired on vacation that are exclusive to the areas I visited?
  • Shouldn’t I save items that improve with age?
  • How can I best curate a collection of items that are meaningful to me?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Curators create space; collectors just fill space.”
  • “Without curators, anyone can put up ‘art’ in a museum.”
  • “As the seasons pass, some things get better with age and some things rot—it’s critical to recognize the difference.”
  • “Excuses to collect are plentiful—focus instead on curating a meaningful life.”
  • “Even the best excuse is still an excuse.”
  • “Be proud of your creations instead of your possessions.”
  • “Our objects possess no meaning except the meaning we thrust upon them.”
  • “Curation is the deliberate collection of that which adds value to our lives.”
  • “Collecting is an impulse, but curation is a skill; and, when developing any skill, you need practice, and, sometimes, a mentor as well.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#146

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan talk about their personal challenges, and they answer the following questions:

  • What aspects of minimalism have you found particularly challenging, and how have you overcome those challenges?
  • How do I return to challenging myself in my discomfort zone after an extended period of time spent in my comfort zone?
  • Is procrastination always bad?
  • How do I best manage a relationship with a loved one that collects stuff?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Don’t let your amateur crastination turn pro.”
  • “A planned respite isn’t procrastination anymore than a planned car crash is an accident.”
  • “One can differentiate taking a break from procrastination by considering the guilt they feel during downtime.”
  • “Find your breaking point before you are broken.”
  • “You can be in a relationship with a brick wall if you love and accept it enough, but the question to ask is this: How do our relationships align with a meaningful life?”
  • “You can fix broken things even if you’re missing pieces.”
  • “People don’t hate change—they hate being changed.”
  • “Meaningful tasks rarely reside on our to-do list.”
  • “Creation leads to contentment.”
  • “Hurting is not growing.”
  • “You’ll know you’ve found your passion when it’s something you’re willing to bust your ass for.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#145

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan answer an assortment of difficult questions about simple living, including:

  • How do you define simple living?
  • How do I incorporate simple eating practices into my simple living practices?
  • How do I maintain my minimalist lifestyle with a non-minimalist roommate?
  • What one thing can I do immediately that will have the most significant impact on my adoption of a minimalist lifestyle?
  • How do I find a balance between “living my present” and “worrying about my future”?
  • How do I break the strong attachment to my stuff?
  • How do I maintain my minimalist lifestyle among those in my social circle obsessed with material goods and money?
  • How do I reduce my family’s entertainment expenses while still keeping my children happy?
  • How do I make my home cozy without “unnecessary” things?
  • How do I craft a simple life with the little personal time I have as a constantly hustling freelance entrepreneur?
  • What are your thoughts on the tiny-house movement?
  • How do I make simple living fun for my family?
  • How do I become a minimalist as a teenager?
  • What cultures offer exemplary examples of simple living?
  • How do I maintain simple living practices without the fear of missing out?
  • Will living a simple life lead to living a bland life?
  • How do I slow down to enjoy life when everyone around me is so busy?
  • How do I live a simple life while balancing my responsibilities related to work, school, and family?
  • How can I make housecleaning a simpler process?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Minimalism is the thing that gets us past the things, so we can focus on life’s most important things—which, actually, aren’t things at all.”
  • “Sometimes we must slow down to avoid going too far.”
  • “You can’t change the people around you, but you can change the people around you.”
  • “Strive to live the life your future self will be proud of.”
  • “Our beliefs must be anchored in our values.”
  • “A schedule will help you plan your future so you don’t worry about it.”
  • “Start with the easiest things so you gain momentum and confidence to tackle the most difficult things later.”
  • “Don’t bring stuff into your life that you know you’ll become attached to.”
  • “Minimalism isn’t easy—but it is simple.”
  • “As the chaos grows, so does the need to simplify.”
  • “In order to stay focused with a full plate, we must learn the art of saying ‘no’.”
  • “The fewer things we own, the fewer things we must clean.”
  • “Cleaning is easier for minimalists.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#144

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan sit down with Anthony ONeal, author of 5 Mistakes You Can’t Afford to Make in College, to discuss school debt, consumer debt, scholarships, credit scores, and credit cards, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I strike a balance between paying off my student loan debt and building my dreams?
  • How can I attend college with no money?
  • How do I justify buying things of value when I’m in debt?
  • How do I pay off my significant student loan debt with my modest income?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Simple isn’t necessarily easy.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Don’t talk about money problems until you create a budget.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “Content people don’t have the best of things, but they make the best of things.” —Anthony ONeal
  • “It’s not how any of us starts—it’s how any of us finishes.” —Anthony ONeal
  • “Go for the layup shots that are almost always guaranteed instead of always risking it for the three-point shots that aren’t guaranteed.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Spending four years of careless spending will force you into eight years of careful budgeting.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “I’m not against money—I’m against money problems.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “You can’t spend your way out of debt.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “It didn’t take you a day to get into debt, and it’s not going to take you a day to get out of debt.” —Joshua Fields Millburn

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#143

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan discuss anxiety, worry, and stress, and how they personally deal with these negative emotions, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I reduce my priorities to reduce my anxiety?
  • How do I minimize my worry and indecisiveness to minimize my anxiety?
  • Will simply letting go of stuff help me shed my anxiety?
  • How do I rid myself of the physical feelings of anxiety?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “If you go searching for anxiety, you will find it.”
  • “Busy does not mix with anxiety.”
  • “When we tell others we’re ‘busy,’ we’re telling them our lives are out of control.”
  • “The easiest things are usually the least meaningful things.”
  • “Our material possessions are a physical manifestation of our mental state.”
  • “The more we detach from things that don’t add value to our lives, the calmer, the freer, and the lighter we feel.”
  • “Follow your fear to find the root of your anxiety.”
  • “Oxygen is anxiety’s enemy.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#142

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan discuss the best ways to explain minimalism to your parents and other relatives, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I address my parents’ toxic, wholly unsupportive relationship with me, and how do I forgive them for it?
  • How do I help my loved ones better understand my lifestyle choices so they simply accept me?
  • What do I do when my parents ask me to clear their clutter for them, but they won’t let go of anything?
  • How do I help my aging parents understand that many of the possessions they want to pass along to loved ones have little intrinsic or extrinsic value?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Family is not determined simply by bloodlines.”
  • “Sometimes the best way to love someone is from a distance.”
  • “My expectations shape my mood.”
  • “You can’t change the people around you, but you can change the people around you.”
  • “You can’t care for others until you first care for yourself.”
  • “No matter how close to perfect you believe to be, you will always be judged.”
  • “Doing is often the opposite of helping.”
  • “Helping is helpful, unless the people you’re helping don’t want help.”
  • “In helping a drowning person you may drown yourself.”
  • “Patience is paramount.”
  • “You don’t have to be mean to be honest.”
  • “Most gift horses have tooth decay.”
  • “You can’t fix a problem until you see the problem.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#141

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan discuss tips for buying things intentionally, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I stop myself from compulsively consuming?
  • When you must consume, what brands do you trust?
  • How do I manage my professional responsibilities and obligations to make more time for my personal pursuits?
  • Should I spend more money on better products, or should I save money purchasing less inexpensive products that might be less durable?
  • What criteria do you ensure a product meets before you purchase it?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Not buying something is your future self letting go of that thing in advance.”
  • “Don’t relegate the responsibility of your consumer purchases to the companies—take that responsibility solely upon yourself.”
  • “More isn’t better; only better is better.”
  • “Forsaking your budget is far more harmful to you than forsaking quality.”
  • “If it doesn’t fit, you must deep-six.”
  • “A few things to consider before making a purchase: budget, occupied space, and hidden costs.”
  • “The ability to not act on every impulse is what makes us better human beings.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#140

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan discuss ownership of things versus access to things with Ryan Delk from Omni, and they answer the following questions:

  • Is ownership simply a matter of satisfying one’s ego?
  • Is it always better to rent something instead of buying it?
  • Should I invest in things I use frequently instead of minimizing everything?
  • How do I determine what I must own compared to what I can have access to?
  • How do I enjoy the benefits of streaming services without the stress of the expense and the constant notifications?
  • Where do I draw the line between ownership and access regarding items that adapt and evolve as I use them, such as musical instruments?
  • Why does our culture place such an emphasis on ownership?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Things don’t have a personality, but they can augment your personality.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “History doesn’t repeat itself, but it rhymes.” —Mark Twain

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#139

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua brings his doctors from NBT onto the podcast to discuss his personal health problems, including fatigue, hormonal imbalance, insomnia, digestive issues, gut health, back pain, multiple chemical sensitivities, brain fog, low libido, erectile dysfunction, heavy-metal poisoning, and more, and they answer the following questions:

  • Is there a link between excess material possessions and an increase in mental health issues?
  • What’s the best way to support someone who is dealing with a serious health problem?
  • How do I take responsibility for my health without obsessing over it?
  • How do I safely recover from burnout?
  • Why do we seem to have more health problems today than we ever had in the past?
  • How do I best deal with chronic fatigue syndrome?
  • Can I safely detox from heavy metals on my own?
  • What are your thoughts on the low-carb, ketogenic, and Whole30 diets?
  • How necessary are most supplements?
  • How do I attain and maintain good gut health?
  • What are the symptoms of Candida overgrowth, and what natural remedies will eliminate it?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Excess is a sign of instability.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “The road to support is paved with understanding.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Obsession is helpful until it’s no longer useful.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “If you give up worry, there’s nothing to worry about.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Fix the things you can fix and you’re willing to fix, and then don’t worry about it.” —Dr. Tommy Wood
  • “Extinguish the fire before rebuilding your home.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Even LeBron James has shown he can’t win alone.” —Joshua Fields Millburn

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#138

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan chat with T.K. Coleman about goals, direction, standards, and expectations, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I determine what’s most important to me so I can shape my professional and personal goals around it?
  • How do I pursue my interests and simultaneously purge my guilt for not attending college?
  • What can I use to motivate me to take action on challenging pursuits that interest me?
  • How do I find the right direction when I realize I’m going the wrong way?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Prioritize discovery over dogma.” —T.K. Coleman
  • “Don’t confuse your excitement with your passion.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Following your passion means pursuing what you believe in past the point of all obstacles.” —T.K. Coleman
  • “If it’s always exciting it’s probably an indicator it’s too comfortable—obstacles create the discomfort we need to grow.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Instead of having a goal have a direction in which you want to travel.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “There is no piece of insight—no matter who it comes from or how awesome it is—that isn’t fully capable of destroying your life if you don’t combine it with critical thinking and creativity.” —T.K. Coleman
  • “Find people you want to emulate.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “The more we pursue meaning, the more things will fall into place.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “Passion is one half love and one half obsession.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Obsession is about going deep on something for long, sustained periods of time.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Perspiration trumps aspiration.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “An idea is worth nothing without taking immediate action.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “If you’re passionate about something, and you can’t motivate yourself to take that first step, then your first step is probably too big.” —T.K. Coleman
  • “You won’t see the sunrise if you’re facing westward.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “It’s wise to stop to get a lay of the land before you change course.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “Giving something up that isn’t good for you is not without its reward.” —T.K. Coleman

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#137

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan talk about letting go of sentimental items, souvenirs, trinkets, keepsakes, and mementos, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I manage the multitude of emotions prompted by my minimalism journey?
  • What options are available for writing journals if I don’t want the clutter of physical journals and I don’t want to write on a computer?
  • Should I save anything with the consideration of what my children might like to own?
  • How do I find the leverage to part with the few things that remind me of my recently deceased loved one?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Frequency doesn’t equal friendship.”
  • “Any storage unit either of us ever had was a burden.”
  • “Too few is greater than too much.”
  • “When it comes to saving precious heirlooms for children, avoid the guessing game by asking them what they want.”
  • “If you wait until you’re completely ready, you may never let go of anything.”
  • “What’s the cost of not letting go?”
  • “Our memories aren’t in our things—our memories are inside us.”
  • “Create boundaries or you’ll hold on to everything.”
  • “More gain, more pain.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#136

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan talk about friends, partners, coworkers, acquaintances, and other types of relationships, and they answer the following questions:

  • When you adopted minimalism, did you struggle to find people who shared your newfound values and beliefs?
  • How do I minimize my friends to the few that actually add value to my life without offending anyone?
  • What’s the value of having acquaintances who are responsible with their money?
  • How can I turn valued acquaintances into cherished friends?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Responsibility is contagious.”
  • “Your friends reflect you, and you reflect them.”
  • “You get more when you give more.”
  • “The more values and beliefs two people share, the more fruitful the relationship.”
  • “Acknowledge small losses now so you’re not forced to address huge losses later.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#135

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan talk about setting intentions, differentiating essentials from nonessentials, developing a plan to leave the corporate world, and the difference between “good intentions” and intentionality, and they answer the following questions:

  • Do you recommend that everyone leave their corporate jobs?
  • How do I minimize my consumption of a plethora of unnecessary physical consumables?
  • How do I remind myself during my daily routine of the intentions I set for myself?
  • How do I maintain my composure with seemingly good-intentioned people who insist on contributing their unsolicited advice at every opportunity?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “We were born to choose our path; we weren’t born onto any specific path.”
  • “Help people solve problems and the money will follow.”
  • “Treats are no longer treats when they become routine.”
  • “Knowing the ‘why’ behind the ‘what’ makes the ‘how’ significantly more manageable.”
  • “If we do less, we can be more.”
  • “Intentions are different from intentionality: setting intentions without committing to action is like buying a Thighmaster just so you can store it in your closet.”
  • “Good intentions often lack intentionality.”
  • “Confidence is key when navigating through people’s judgements: an intentional life is a path to confidence.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#134

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan discuss the upside of constraints, the freedom of limitations, and the flexibility of nonstandard lifestyles, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I acclimate myself to letting go when I’ve been encouraged so strongly for so long to save everything?
  • How can I embrace a minimalist lifestyle despite my current maximalist obligations and responsibilities?
  • What constraints have you implemented in your life to help you become a better minimalist?
  • How can I determine what constraints are in my best interest?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Minimalism is a life of well-curated constraints.”
  • “Every impulse that arises is a potential pothole on the road to a meaningful life.”
  • “Constraints are useful only when they increase our freedom.”
  • “Continuously avoiding things we dislike stunts our growth.”
  • “If you pad your world, you’re never going to develop the callouses necessary to create something meaningful.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#133

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan chat about experiences, regrets, the adventures of moving to to a new city, and the cost of bad habits, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I avoid getting mired in the materialism of city life when I move there from my rural residence?
  • How can I spend time out and about with my friends without spending an inordinate amount of money?
  • Is it better to follow the tried and tested route based on other peoples’ experiences, or is it better to take risks and enjoy your own experiences?
  • How do I better internalize the lessons from the good and bad experiences of my past?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Live your life for you and you can be communicative, you can express yourself, without having to impress others.”
  • “Do what others do unless you have a good reason not to.”
  • “Learning from others’ mistakes is a good idea, as is learning from others’ successes, but there’s rarely only one way to do something.”
  • “Learn—then let go.”
  • “If you wouldn’t beat up a loved one for their past mistakes, don’t beat yourself up for yours.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#132

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan chat with T.K. Coleman about education, college, and careers, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I move on from my current job when it leaves me little time to pursue an education or even look for a new job?
  • How do I prepare myself adequately for the upcoming challenges of college?
  • How do I determine if I’m following the most appropriate career path for me?
  • How can I avoid work meetings that distract me from meaningful work without upsetting the status quo?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Every princess wants a prince, but so few are willing to kiss the frog to discover him.” —T.K. Coleman
  • “You have to love your life for it to become livable.” —T.K. Coleman
  • “The fastest way to get where you want to be is by appreciating where you are and respecting yourself for what you’re doing.” —T.K. Coleman
  • “Don’t just have something you’re running from—make sure you also have something you’re running to.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Making progress is more productive than pursuing perfection.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Experimenting with your curiosity yields far more benefits than finding your passion.” —T.K. Coleman
  • “You must be willing to walk away from anything if it’s no longer serving a purpose in your life.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “You must not only follow your dreams—you must also let your dreams follow you.” —T.K. Coleman
  • “Continuously upgrade your dreams to reflect the person that you’re always in the process of becoming.” —T.K. Coleman
  • “Sometimes you must tear down the boundaries you set for yourself to avoid rotting in your self-imposed prisons.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “Desire is what you long for; love is what you’re committed to.” —T.K. Coleman
  • “What would you be willing to do if it cost you everything?” —T.K. Coleman
  • “Adult problems are youth problems left unresolved.” —T.K. Coleman
  • “Tomorrow’s road to success is paved by all of yesterday’s many small failures.”
  • “People don’t fear failing per se: people fear failing and being alone, failing and being blamed for it.” —T.K. Coleman
  • “Be real with yourself about what you want, take ownership of your path, and don’t be a victim about it.” —T.K. Coleman
  • “Freedom is not free—freedom is something you have to take.” —T.K. Coleman
  • “You learn more about the ideas you study when you have real world experience to weigh them against.” —T.K. Coleman
  • “You can’t know ‘there’ until you go there.” —T.K. Coleman
  • “The most important part of a plan is taking action.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “Abandon the permission-based mindset.” —T.K. Coleman
  • “You learn how to create value by creating value.” —T.K. Coleman
  • “Start with the results you want to create, or you’ll pursue a purposeless aim.” —T.K. Coleman
  • “Learn out loud—document the journey.” —T.K. Coleman
  • “Don’t confuse schooling with education.” —Joshua Fields Millburn
  • “The best person to give you any advice on what’s best for you is you.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “Don’t let others’ expectations dictate your decisions.” —Ryan Nicodemus
  • “The only way to know if something is a better fit for you is to try it on.” —T.K. Coleman
  • “Too often we confuse talking about work with actually performing work.” —Joshua Fields Millburn

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#131

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan brought Rich Roll into the studio to chat about the role food plays in our everyday lives and how to use food as fuel instead of entertainment, and they answered the following questions:

  • How do I maintain a healthy diet while traveling?
  • How do I purchase organic foods and grass-fed meats given my modest budget?
  • How do I determine what is trendy from what is actually beneficial for me?
  • Is there a relationship between nutrition and mental health?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “That which is real often isn’t trendy, and that which is trendy often isn’t real.”
  • “Eat real food, close to its natural state.”
  • “Trendy and beneficial aren’t always opposites; the question to ask is: How is trendy going to serve your life?”
  • “Our brains and our bodies are not standing in separate rooms.”
  • “Food addiction can be as hard to overcome as drug addiction.”
  • “If you fuel your body, you fuel your brain; if you abuse your body, you abuse your brain.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#130

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan talk about new beginnings, starting over, creating new habits, walking away from bad situations, health problems, and losing weight, and they answer the following questions:

  • What items should I keep, sell, donate, or recycle before I move to a new residence?
  • How can minimalism help me adopt an appropriate diet?
  • How do I build the confidence necessary to undertake a new beginning in my life?
  • How do I overcome the fear of stepping outside my comfort zone to start a new career?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “The good life is birthed from great habits.”
  • “Routines are ‘shoulds’; habits are ‘musts.’”
  • “You will become what you focus on.”
  • “Apologizing to yourself for your past is an effective way to accept and let go.”
  • “Starting over requires forgiving yourself and moving forward in a way that aligns with your values and beliefs.”
  • “Change isn’t impossible—it’s incremental.”
  • “We needn’t let go of everything to move on.”
  • “A life of surplus comfort isn’t a life well-lived.”
  • “Comfort is the place in which we grow and learn the least.”
  • “We learn from what we’ve learned.”
  • “You must live on the edge of your comfort zone to grow, to learn—to become a new and better version of yourself.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#129

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan talk about resetting, taking breaks, prioritizing, healing, and finding time to recover, and they answer the following questions:

  • What role can minimalism play in healing?
  • How can I get the alone time I need between a full schedule and a full house?
  • How do I prioritize tasks that are important but not urgent?
  • How can a minimalist stay a minimalist when they live in a non-minimalist environment?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Enough is never enough when we have the wrong mindset.”
  • “What’s urgent usually isn’t what’s important.”
  • “To make your habits a priority, make your habits both important and urgent.”
  • “When it comes to prioritizing, calendar is the ally and procrastination is the enemy.”
  • “Even a great excuse is still an excuse.”
  • “A person who blames others for their discontentment will always rely on others for their contentment.”
  • “If you wait around for everyone else to become a minimalist before you become a minimalist, you will never yourself become a minimalist.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#128

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan chat with Derek Sivers about simplicity, complexity, parenting, creativity, and saying “no” to almost everything, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I prioritize the most important things in my life once I’ve eliminated the clutter?
  • How do I say ‘no’ to gifts and donations from my loved ones for my newborn without looking like an unappreciative jerk?
  • How do I stay present with my loved ones when there are so many pressing demands on my time from my professional life?
  • How do I ensure I stay committed to my minimalism journey?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Common sense ain’t so common.”
  • “To take back control of our lives we must practice saying ‘no’ more frequently so we can say ‘yes’ to what’s truly important.”
  • “If all you’re doing is aspiring, then you’ll end up with aspiration all over the place.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#127

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan talk about some of their favorite high-quality items, and they discuss finding a balance between quality and quantity. They also answer the following questions:

  • How do I transition to buying quality over quantity?
  • What brands of products and services do you recommend to other minimalists?
  • What’s the best approach to fight that programmed obsolescence that is engineered by big companies?
  • What is your definition of quality?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Most items are obsolete before we buy them.”
  • “There’s always going to be a better version around the corner. And around that corner. And around that corner. Stop worrying about the better version of a material possession and focus on being a better version of yourself—one doesn’t need to buy anything to do that.”
  • “Raising one’s standards increases the quality of one’s life.”
  • “Quality is perspectival.”
  • “Quality increases with necessary effort.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#126

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan talk about Easter, corporatism, and letting go, and they answer the following questions:

  • How can I tactfully let loved ones know I don’t want any Easter gifts for my family?
  • Do you believe you still would have adopted minimalism if it hadn’t been for those tragic events in your life years ago?
  • How do I help my loved ones stay motivated to maintain minimalist practices?
  • How can minimalism better address corporatism and its burgeoning waste?
  • What are some prime examples of products and services that fraudulently market themselves as minimalist or essentialist?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Instead of saying ‘no,’ tell them what you’re saying ‘yes’ to.”
  • “There are five transformative words to use whenever you’re asking something of others: ‘Would you be willing to…?’”
  • “It doesn’t take a car crash to become a safer driver, but sometimes that’s what it takes to wake us up.”
  • “Common sense ain’t so common these days.”
  • “Ask yourself, ‘How might my life be better with less?’”
  • “Alone we can’t be the change—we can only be the voice. But everyone we touch can be an echo of that voice.”
  • “Capitalism is awesome. Crony capitalism, however, is ruining our environment and depleting our resources.”
  • “If minimalism is a product, then I ain’t buying it.”
  • “If minimalism is about nothing more than counting your stuff, then I lost from the start.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#125

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan chat with Rob Bell and Andrew Morgan about religion, spirituality, and their new documentary, The Heretic, and together they answer the following questions:

  • What are a minimalist’s views on religion?
  • What resources do you recommend for those interested in incorporating spirituality into their minimalist practices?
  • Was it painful when the church turned its back on you, and, if so, how did you move past the pain?
  • Do you accept the title of ‘heretic’ like a badge, or do you simply shake it off?
  • Do we actually choose our beliefs, or are they a result of an unconscious process?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “If you’re going to go in, go in all the way.”
  • “It’s easier to give birth than to raise the dead.”
  • “Calling is overrated; curiosity is underrated.”
  • “And then what?”
  • “We must walk away to move on.”
  • “You don’t need clergy to confirm you’re excelling in life.”
  • “Your beliefs are a path to your values.”
  • “As a human being, you’re a vitamix of nature and nurture, of impulse and instinct—so, a practice, a religion, can be incredibly helpful to give you a path to transform your heart to take part in the healing of the world.”
  • “We may not get to choose our beliefs, but we do get to choose how close we hold them.”
  • “How you hold a belief is equally important as the belief itself.”
  • “Don’t insist on being right in a wrong way.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#124

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan talk about creativity, writing, music, and hobbies with Paul Johnson of Canyon City, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I reconcile my minimalist values and beliefs with all of the items that are necessary for my hobby?
  • How can I ensure my work space only contains those tools that are absolutely essential?
  • Is it still a hobby if I make money from it?
  • Are hobbies essential for a happy mind?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “It is impossible to have the peaks without the valleys.”
  • “Constraints breed creativity.”
  • “Always leave room to exhale after each inhale.”
  • “Don’t write stories in lieu of living them.”
  • “Creativity is portable.”
  • “Having Jimi Hendrix’s guitar does not make you Jimi Hendrix.”
  • “If the outcome is income, it’s not a hobby.”
  • “Forcing yourself to make money from a hobby is a great way to kill your love for that hobby.”
  • “A hobby is something you do for pure joy.”
  • “Pursuing happiness is a fool’s errand.”
  • “Essential is perspectival.”
  • “Hobbies aren’t the way to happiness, but they do make life far more interesting.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#123

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan talk about how to live as a minimalist and still respect the important people in their lives, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I find common ground with my houseful of non-minimalist roommates?
  • How do I find a balance with my non-minimalist partner?
  • How do I minimize the friends, family, and colleagues in my life that insist on tearing me down instead of building me up?
  • How do I overcome my introversion to develop strong, enriching relationships with others?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Give all you can give and take only what you need.”
  • “Lead by example and you’ll raise the standards of everyone in your life—and they, in turn, will raise yours.”
  • “On a long enough timeline, everything is temporary.”
  • “Raise your standards and lower your expectations.”
  • “Hurt people hurt people.”
  • “Misery encourages others to pull up a chair and stay awhile.”
  • “Distance creates the room necessary to let go.”
  • “You can’t change the people around you, but you can change the people around you.”
  • “It’s possible to show love and support from any distance.”
  • “No values, no self; know your values, know yourself.”
  • “When everything is urgent, nothing is urgent.”
  • “Do the things you find meaningful, make friends along the way—approaching it in the reverse way can be more difficult.”
  • “Don’t conflate meaning and excitement.”
  • “People love people who are interesting.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#122

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan invite Courtney Carver into their new studio to talk about emotions, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I maintain high standards for myself without beating myself up when I fall short of those high standards?
  • How do I let go of resentful feelings I have toward people that cling to their belongings and don’t embrace minimalism?
  • How important is it to take emotion out of all of our important life decisions?
  • Why is being emotional stigmatized while so many of us desire to feel good?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Maintain high standards and low expectations.”
  • “Wherever focus goes, energy flows.”
  • “Motion moves emotions.”
  • “Emotions are like assholes: everybody needs them.”
  • “Let reason guide you, but let emotions inform your decisions.”
  • “It doesn’t matter what you let guide you as long as your actions align with your values and beliefs.”
  • “Some stigmas are useful, other stigmas are a byproduct of fear—so choose your stigmas wisely.”
  • “The only stigmas that matter are our own.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#121

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan are back “in studio” to talk about how they’re using social media in 2018, and they answer the following questions:

  • What advice do you have for those that want to use social media more intentionally for their business?
  • How do I create a social media strategy for my business without sacrificing my personal privacy?
  • How do I determine the line between too much and just enough when I use social media for promotion?
  • Did you discover a newfound value or a lack of value regarding social media after being off of it?
  • Did your absence from social media make you realize it made your life more meaningful, or did it make you realize it’s just a modern platform to advertise?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “We are nothing more than dogs thrashing in the collars of our self-imposed demands.”
  • “If it feels like too much, it’s too much.”
  • “Before using social media, ask yourself: How can I use this tool as little as possible and still add value to the various platforms people love?”
  • “A paintbrush can create a masterpiece. A paintbrush can destroy a masterpiece. An idle paintbrush, however, does nothing at all.”
  • “A silent monk sitting in a temple converts no one.”
  • “When you give yourself permission to waste time, intentionally waste time—which, then, actually isn’t a waste at all.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#120

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan are back “in studio” to talk about decorations, and they answer the following questions:

  • Are non-functional decorative items appropriate in a minimalist’s home and work environments?
  • How can I reconcile my need to minimize my possessions when others’ perceptions of my personal and professional statuses rely on those possessions?
  • How do I address the unsightliness of my child’s collections?
  • How do I curate an art collection as a minimalist?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Step slowly to avoid going too far.”
  • “If someone likes you for who you are trying to be, then it is not you that they like.”
  • “Our choices influence other people.”
  • “As parents, we teach our children to pick their battles, but we, too, must pick our battles carefully.”
  • “A parent’s job is not to order their children around; a parent’s job is to set boundaries.”
  • “No matter what, you can always say ‘no.’”
  • “Art extends beyond the framed objects on our walls.”
  • “Buy art only if you love it, you have room for it, and you don’t have to go into debt to acquire it.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#119

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan are back “in studio” to talk about collecting, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I reconcile my collector’s mindset with the principles of minimalist philosophy?
  • How do I appropriately purge my medals and trophies?
  • How do I express my minimalist viewpoint regarding my loved ones’ collections without offending my loved ones?
  • What fuels people’s desires to collect in the first place?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Ensure collecting doesn’t interfere with living.”
  • “Trophies look back; champions look forward.”
  • “Clutter is in the eye of the beholder.”
  • “Better questions lead to better solutions.”
  • “Asking loved ones for support is the best help you can ask for.”
  • “We often collect things to mask our hoarding.”
  • “Insecurity leads to collecting.”
  • “Completing the collection will not make you complete.”
  • “Embrace the incompleteness.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#118

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan chat with minimalist-traveler Colin Wright, author of Some Thoughts About Relationships, and they answer the following questions:

  • What minimalist advice would you give a teenager on the cusp of graduating from high school and starting their journey into life?
  • What does a happy, ideal life look like to you now that you’ve fully adopted minimalist practices?
  • How do I purge the emotional baggage I accumulated throughout my childhood that is now interfering with my adulthood?
  • How do I best utilize the free time I’ve discovered as a result of embracing minimalism?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “There is no single, definitive definition of success.”
  • “No one on their deathbed says they regret not accumulating more stuff.”
  • “If you can cultivate one minimalist superpower, make it the minimalist superpower of detachment.”
  • “Just as much of our stuff we cling to doesn’t add any value to our lives, many of our emotions we cling to don’t add any value.”
  • “You must determine if you’re following someone else’s path, or if you’re following the path you want to follow.”
  • “The measurement of success is not money and things.”
  • “Our childhood shapes us, but, once we leave our childhood home, we get to form how we want our lives to be.”
  • “You want a little friction in your life so you have traction to move forward and grow.”
  • “Happiness is not the point; happiness is a beautiful byproduct of striving to live a meaningful life.”
  • “Sitting around and doing nothing while you’re happy will always lead to you being unhappy.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#117

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan visit Nashville with musician Griffin House, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I keep from bringing the mental clutter I accumulate at work into my personal life?
  • How can I ensure I continue to look my best but minimize my cosmetic consumption?
  • How can I better use food as a fuel instead of as a crutch?
  • What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs that want to use your journey as entrepreneurs as their business model?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Food is not entertainment.”
  • “It’s easier to fast than to diet.”
  • “Find your audience’s greatest need and fulfill that need.”
  • “If you’re just getting started, say ‘yes’ until you have to say ‘no,’ and then say ‘no’ until you have to say ‘yes.’”
  • “We’re not born to do one specific thing.”
  • “Every boulder you picked up, you can put down.”
  • “If we let ourselves become consumed by the world’s problems, we don’t take time to identify our own personal problems—which is a problem.”
  • “Advertisements are propaganda.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#116

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan are back in-studio with Dan Harris, author of Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics, and they answer the following questions:

  • I know what I must do to achieve happiness in the long-term, but how do I address my unhappiness in the short-term?
  • How do I let go of all of the nagging feelings of regret when I make mistakes?
  • How do I squeeze meditation into an already full agenda?
  • How do I maintain happiness without becoming complacent?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character responses. Find more quotes from The Minimalists at MinimalMaxims.com.

  • “Happiness is more of the good and less of the bad.”
  • “Prime the pump—start each day with a small victory.”
  • “Better to have spent a minute meditating than tweeting.”
  • “When it comes to meditation, one minute counts.”
  • “Complacency is not the birthplace of contentment.”
  • “Once you reach the horizon, there’s always another horizon.”
  • “Happiness is ephemeral, but living a meaningful life brings lasting rewards.”
  • “The price of security is insecurity.”
  • “The only bad meditator is someone who doesn’t meditate.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#115

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan have a hilarious conversation with satirist JP Sears in Atlanta, and they answer the following questions:

  • Is it necessary to explain to those that contribute to your mission how the money will be used?
  • What tips do you have for those that hate public speaking but must be public speakers?
  • How did you maintain your mental health after you completely decluttered your life?
  • How do I reconcile taking advantage of nearly every deal when shopping for a large family with the tenets of minimalism?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Joshua on maintaining mental health with minimalism: “Too often we mistake pleasure for happiness.”
  • Joshua on maintaining mental health with minimalism: “Always be willing to reconsider those decisions you’ve made that have helped you grow because they may not continue to help you grow in the future.”
  • Ryan on maintaining mental health with minimalism: “The best way to eliminate mental clutter is to be as proactive as possible.”
  • JP on maintaining mental health with minimalism: “Have your beliefs, but don’t believe your beliefs.”
  • JP on maintaining mental health with minimalism: “A belief that serves us will eventually dis-serve us.”
  • Joshua on reconciling shopping needs with minimalism: “Everything is 100% off if you don’t buy it.”
  • Ryan on reconciling shopping needs with minimalism: “If you’re feeling angst because you suspect your actions are not aligning with your values and beliefs, something has to change.”
  • JP on reconciling shopping needs with minimalism: “Get vulnerable with those parts of your heart that confirm you’re valuable enough for your family rather than avoiding those parts through the medication of shopping.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#114

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan are back “in studio,” and they answer the following questions about challenges of the New Year:

  • What tips and tricks do you have regarding daily task planning and organizing?
  • How do I dial back my proclivity to be a workaholic and learn to enjoy life again?
  • How do I inspire myself to hold true to my minimalist ways year after year?
  • How do I take a leap of faith into a new creative endeavor when the direction and viability of the pursuit are not clear?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Joshua on inspiration for commitment: “We needn’t wait for the New Year to find a resolution.”
  • Ryan on inspiration for commitment: “Minimalism isn’t inspiring; living a meaningful life is.”
  • Joshua on new creative pursuits: “The direction is more powerful than the destination.”
  • Joshua on new creative pursuits: “You can be the kindergartner of your own destiny.”
  • Ryan on new creative pursuits: “An entrepreneur’s first step requires bravery—and a little stupidity.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#113

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan present their favorite moments from 2017, and they answer the following questions:

  • The workload at my current job consistently flows over into my personal time on my evenings and weekends, and it causes me a great deal of stress and anxiety in doing so—should I stick it out, and, if so, how do I manage the stress and anxiety?
  • What are the most responsible clothing manufacturers that produce the highest quality clothing?
  • How do I deal with setbacks and failure when I’m challenged by a mental illness?
  • When you experience major life events, do you find your values change, and, if so, what do you do about it?
  • How do you handle a toxic relationship with a parent?
  • How do you determine which sentimental items to keep, and how do you ensure that you don’t apply that sentimentality to everything else?
  • What advice do you have for creating a realistic value-based budget and adhering to it?

Listen

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Google Play · YouTube

Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Joshua on addressing toxic relationships with family members: “Victims become victimizers.”
  • Joshua on addressing toxic relationships with family members: “You can’t change the people around you, but you can change the people around you.”
  • Ryan on addressing toxic relationships with family members: “Don’t go out of your way to support someone and forsake your own meaningful life.”
  • Rob Bell on addressing toxic relationships with family members: “Some people you have to love from a distance.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#112

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan give you a special episode as a Christmas gift, and they answer the following questions:

  • Why do you think you receive any criticism at all for spreading such a positive message?
  • How do I resolve my feelings of guilt regarding all the items that I purge that must wind up in a landfill?
  • How do I deal with the difficult decisions regarding what items, values, beliefs, relationships to let go?
  • Is it possible to take minimalism too far?
  • What rules should I set for myself when developing my daily schedule to ensure it focuses on my true priorities?
  • How should I address the stress and anxiety I experience when I visit my loved ones’ cluttered environments?
  • How do I help my loved ones find the leverage they need to let go of worthless items?
  • What is the best way to move past negative feedback?
  • How do I let go of friendships that are no longer adding value to my life?
  • How do I conquer the fear of change?
  • What do you believe is the greater good, and how do you believe minimalism can contribute to it?
  • How can I promote a more minimalist lifestyle to others through my profession?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Ryan on criticism: “Simply being offended doesn’t automatically make someone right.”
  • Joshua on resolving guilt regarding purging: “You’re going to have to let go to move on.”
  • Joshua on letting go of bad relationships: “You can’t change the people around you, but you can change the people around you.”
  • Joshua on letting go of items: “I don’t want to be detached from life; I want to be detached from giving meaning to stuff.”
  • Ryan on fully embracing minimalism: “Minimalism is about creating a simple life for yourself so you have the energy, time, and other resources to contribute beyond yourself in a meaningful way.”
  • Joshua on addressing the stress and anxiety arising from others’ clutter: “Judgement is just a mirror that reflects the insecurities of the person who’s doing the judging.”
  • Joshua on letting go of toxic relationships: “If you truly love someone—and it’s a toxic relationship—sometimes the best way to love them is from a distance.”
  • Joshua on the greater good: “It all comes down to how each of us maximizes the happiness, meaning, and well-being in the lives of the most number of people.”
  • Ryan on the greater good: “Minimalism can help someone fill the void with contribution to their community rather than stuff.”
  • Joshua on engineering solutions: “Create sustainable products in alignment with your values.”
  • Ryan on engineering solutions: “Ensure all of life’s necessary products are recyclable.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#111

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan return to their hometown, Dayton, Ohio, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I develop and maintain a healthy relationship with an ex-partner with whom I share children?
  • How can I best help others adopt minimalist practices?
  • How do I reconcile disagreements with a loved one to ensure those disagreements don’t adversely affect our relationship?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Joshua on the need to be right all the time: “You can be right, or you can be in love.”
  • Ryan on the greater good: “Minimalism can help someone fill the void with contribution to their community rather than stuff.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#110

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan are back “in studio” to speak with minimalist filmmaker Matt D’Avella of The Ground Up Show. Together they answer the following questions:

  • How do the two of you split up the responsibilities and obligations of The Minimalists?
  • To what ideal career did you aspire as you were graduating from high school?
  • Did you always know you were discontented or did your discovery of minimalism help you realize you were discontented?
  • How did you address the risks involved in deciding to leave your careers in the corporate world?
  • How did you keep from falling back into the rat-race mentality with The Minimalists?
  • What advice do you have for other entrepreneurs regarding consistently creating meaningful content?
  • How do you determine what’s working and what’s not working during the creative process?
  • What advice would you give to someone that wants to be an entrepreneur who’s starting with nothing?
  • How did you not obsess about statistics when you were first starting out?
  • How can someone make an unrealistic goal a reality?
  • How do I create and maintain a balance between my personal and professional lives?
  • What’s the simplest advice that’s the most important to follow?
  • What can a person do today to turn their life around if they’re stuck in a career that’s unfulfilling?
  • Where do you go to reset when you’re feeling doubt?
  • What drives you?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Joshua on simple, important advice: “You can’t change the people around you, but you can change the people around you.”
  • Ryan on simple, important advice: “Love people and use things because the opposite never works.”
  • Joshua on resetting one’s life: “Don’t just know what you want to do—know why you want to do.”
  • Joshua on resetting one’s life: “Find something compelling. And that’s usually within the why.”
  • Ryan on resetting one’s life: “Pick one thing to focus on, and then actually put in the work.”
  • Joshua on places for quiet reflection: “The LACMA.”
  • Joshua on places for quiet reflection: “There’s going to be a lot of sediment before you find gold.”
  • Ryan on places for quiet reflection: “My own mind.”
  • Ryan on what drives him: “All of the work I do is a net positive.”
  • Joshua on what drives him: “Improving and contributing.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#109

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan speak with Joshua Becker, founder of Becoming Minimalist, in Phoenix, and they answer the following questions:

  • Does the minimalist life ever become stress-free?
  • How does a minimalist appropriately purge religious items?
  • What should I do with everyday use items that are in storage—such as spoons and forks, pots and pans, cups and bowls—while I’m temporarily living with a roommate?
  • What recommendations do you have for goods that are both sustainable and durable?
  • Will the economy crash if everyone practices minimalism?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Joshua on purging spare items: “If something is too precious for me, I try to figure out a way to let it go.”
  • Ryan on purging spare items: “One day or Day One—you decide.”
  • Joshua Becker on purging spare items: “Generosity is not only the result of minimalism in our lives, but it also becomes the lifeblood of it: our excess becomes a blessing to others.”
  • Joshua on minimalists crashing the economy: “We will still spend money, but we’ll spend money on more meaningful experiences.”
  • Ryan on minimalists crashing the economy: “Minimalism brings a balance between too much and too little.”
  • Joshua Becker on minimalists crashing the economy: “The economy will shift instead of collapse.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#108

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan speak with Scott Harrison, founder of Charity Water, in New York City, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I help my child adopt minimalist practices without ruining their childhood expectations of the holidays?
  • How do I address the stress from my passions so I don’t lose my love for them?
  • How do I overcome the fear of leaving a ‘safe’ job with corporate benefits for a more independent pursuit that’s better aligned with my passions?
  • How do I get my partner to accept and embrace minimalism?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Joshua on leaving ‘safe’ corporate jobs: “Security is a misnomer.”
  • Joshua on leaving ‘safe’ corporate jobs: “It is not the security blanket that brings one security.”
  • Ryan on leaving ‘safe’ corporate jobs: “To have a job that brings you security just so you can live a life that you hate is never worth it.”
  • Scott on leaving ‘safe’ corporate jobs: “If you’re working a job you hate just to pay the bills—get out.”
  • Joshua on coercing others into minimalism: “Forced minimalism ain’t minimalism.”
  • Ryan on coercing others into minimalism: “Don’t spend too much time investing in people who don’t invest in you.”
  • Scott on coercing others into minimalism: “You can quietly start without them.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#107

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan visit Denver, and they answer the following questions:

  • How can I ensure I don’t fall off the minimalism wagon?
  • How do I determine my passions, cultivate them, and incorporate them into my life?
  • Have you ever taken minimalism too far?
  • How do I stay confident and motivated through failures?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Joshua on taking minimalism too far: “Minimalism is not about deprivation—minimalism is about living intentionally.”
  • Ryan on taking minimalism too far: “If I find I’m depriving myself, I can always bring things I purged back into my life.”
  • Joshua on moving past failures: “Lower your expectations, but raise your standards.”
  • Joshua on moving past failures: “If you ask better quality questions, you’re going to get better answers.”
  • Ryan on moving past failures: “Sometimes we need to talk less and listen more.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#106

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan speak with Malcolm Fontier in Brooklyn, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I minimize daily stress and still fully engage in each and every moment?
  • What should I do when my values and beliefs are in conflict with the actions I believe I must take for the welfare of my loved ones?
  • How do I help my community adopt minimalist practices?
  • Are there values and beliefs I must adopt in order to finally call myself a minimalist?
  • How do I ensure my existence in the material world consistently aligns with my minimalist values and beliefs?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Joshua on requisite values and beliefs: “Minimalism is apolitical.”
  • Ryan on requisite values and beliefs: “Minimalists must believe in themselves.”
  • Joshua on staying true to ourselves: “Sometimes we must remove ourselves from the chaos so we can re-enter more deliberately.”
  • Ryan on staying true to ourselves: “In order to live a meaningful life, you must also contribute meaningful creations.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#105

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan speak with Courtney Carver, founder of Be More with Less, in Salt Lake City, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I know when I’ve taken minimalism too far?
  • What should I do if the countless accoutrements and other moving parts required for my job are causing me stress?
  • How should I support my loved ones who want to let go of their cherished items but are in a highly vulnerable state?
  • Is there one thing you treasure more than anything else?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Joshua on struggling to let go of stuff: “Organizing is just well-planned hoarding.”
  • Joshua on struggling to let go of stuff: “The easiest way to organize your stuff is to get rid of most of it.”
  • Courtney Carver on struggling to let go of stuff: “If you need new stuff to store your stuff—too much stuff.”
  • Ryan on struggling to let go of stuff: “Sometimes a person doesn’t realize they’re not that thirsty until they’re drowning.”
  • Joshua on a favorite thing: “Pass.”
  • Ryan on a favorite thing: “My treasures have nothing to do with who I am as a person.”
  • Courtney on a favorite thing: “My coffee machine.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#104

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan speak with Lewis Howes, author of The Mask of Masculinity, in San Diego, and they answer the following questions:

  • What do you suggest as a first step for those that are interested in adopting minimalism but have a fear of change?
  • What advice would you give someone who doesn’t have children to prepare them for a relationship with someone else who already has children?
  • How do I maintain a simple, intentional lifestyle in an increasingly complex world?
  • Is there anything inherently spiritual or deeply philosophical in minimalism that inspires you and keeps you focused on spreading your message?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Joshua on embracing change: “In order to live the best life, we must be prepared to change our mind.”
  • Ryan on embracing change: “It’s okay to close doors, but don’t be afraid to open them again if life calls for it.”
  • Lewis on embracing change: “When I let go of serving myself and focused on serving others, I truly started making a difference.”
  • Joshua on maintaining focus: “Avoid busy work—enjoy focused work instead.”
  • Ryan on maintaining focus: “Any boulder we’ve decided to pick up, we can put down.”
  • Lewis on maintaining focus: “When I have a clean space and a clean mind, I can attack a powerful vision.”
  • Joshua on spirituality in minimalism: “No matter which road you take, minimalism will help you better understand your values.”
  • Ryan on spirituality in minimalism: “It doesn’t matter which prophet you follow—or if you follow a prophet at all—living a simple life is the secret to a good life.”
  • Lewis on spirituality in minimalism: “Letting go of shit that doesn’t matter allows us to have inner peace and matter.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#103

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan visit Edmonton and record one of their favorite episodes, and they answer the following questions:

  • Where should I start regarding adopting a ketogenic diet?
  • How do I address my parents regarding my distaste for accepting family heirlooms?
  • Was there anything you purged that surprised you?
  • How do I minimize without offending those who gave me the things I’m purging?
  • How do I navigate holidays with loved ones who aren’t aspiring minimalists like me?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Joshua on minimizing items from loved ones: “Letting go is a muscle, so flex it.”
  • Ryan on minimizing items from loved ones: “It doesn’t matter if your parents live with you—if it’s your house, you get to make the rules of the house.”
  • Joshua on enjoying holidays with non-minimalists: “Presence is the best present.”
  • Ryan on enjoying holidays with non-minimalists: “When it comes to gifts, set the expectation early, and then give an amazing gift.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#102

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan visit Calgary, and they answer the following questions:

  • What tips do you have regarding finding, and being satisfied with, your own clothing style?
  • What advice do you have for those people who are reluctant to take action immediately to improve their lives?
  • What is your favorite ski resort?
  • What is your favorite podcast?
  • How do you explain you don’t want physical gifts to a loved one that enjoys giving gifts?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Joshua on his favorite podcast: “Joe Rogan is the undeniable Mozart of podcasting.”
  • Ryan on his favorite ski resort: “Sunshine Village. It has mountains for days.”
  • Joshua on gift-giving: “If gift-giving is a love language, then Pig Latin is a Romance language.”
  • Ryan on gift-giving: “If gift-giving is your love language and you’re buying people shitty gifts—what a lazy-ass way to show your love!”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#101

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan visit Vancouver for their 100th episode, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do you address feelings of loss when a prized possession you use daily is stolen?
  • What is your process for curating the most important things in your life?
  • How did you start living simple, intentional lives, and what advice would you give others seeking to do the same?
  • How do I resolve my feelings of guilt regarding things I’ve purged from my life?
  • What resource—book, podcast, film, etc.—has inspired you the most in your minimalism journey?
  • How can I help my children adopt minimalism while respecting their attachment to their things?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Joshua on addressing guilt after purging: “Often when we think we’re feeling anxious or guilty or whatever, there’s a positive emotion on the other side of it.”
  • Ryan on addressing guilt after purging: “Ruminating on guilt associated with the past is one of the worst wastes of your time.”
  • Joshua on helping children declutter: “It’s important to continuously challenge our children because it simultaneously challenges us.”
  • Ryan on helping children declutter: “It’s important for parents to set boundaries for children while still respecting their feelings.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#100

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan speak with Julien Smith, founder of Breather, in Montreal, and they answer the following questions:

  • What is the most challenging aspect of your current journey as The Minimalists?
  • How do I reconcile many of the traditional goals I grew up with—corporate career, marriage, children, home ownership, etc.—with the tenets of minimalism I now follow?
  • How do you recommend we address others who question our minimalist lifestyle?
  • How do we help our children become more conscious of compulsory consumption?
  • What advice do you have for recent college graduates who are graduating with mountains of debt and molehills of prospects?
  • What is the next step after decluttering?

Listen

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Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#099

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan visit Ottawa, and they answer the following questions:

  • As dedicated minimalists, what do you want the world to look like in five years?
  • How important do you believe the history of minimalism is to the current minimalism movement?
  • Do you believe taking on some student debt is a more effective use of your time than working 16+ hour-days for years to pay for a college education?
  • What are some tricks and tips for getting rid of heirlooms?
  • How do we help children adopt minimalism?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Joshua on taking on student loan debt: “Don’t confuse schooling with education.”
  • Ryan on taking on student loan debt: “Graduating college with zero debt is going to feel so much better than graduating college with a lot of debt.”
  • Ryan on heirlooms: “If you don’t want to hold on to your shit, your kids definitely don’t want to hold on to your shit.”
  • Joshua on helping children adopt minimalism: “Your actions shape your child’s future self.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#098

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan speak with Chris Guillebeau, author of Side Hustle, in Portland, Oregon, and they answer the following questions:

  • How often do you recommend reassessing your values to ensure your short-term actions still align with your long-term goals?
  • When is bankruptcy the appropriate option for those people that are struggling with their finances?
  • How do I help my partner adopt minimalist practices?
  • What ideas, concepts, and skills did you glean from Corporate America that helped you in your minimalist journey?
  • Do you believe the philosophy of minimalism you have adopted has informed your spirituality?
  • When you’re at home, what kinds of meals do you cook, what kitchen utensils do you use to prepare them, and how long does it typically take to make them?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Joshua on lessons from Corporate America: “I couldn’t be the person I am today without my past wins and losses.”
  • Ryan on lessons from Corporate America: “You’re in the wrong job if it doesn’t align with the person you want to become.”
  • Chris on lessons from Corporate America: “It’s not the work you do, it’s how you do it—that’s the value that can transfer.”
  • Joshua on minimalism and spirituality: “Our material clutter is a physical manifestation of our internal clutter: mental clutter, financial clutter, and spiritual clutter.”
  • Ryan on minimalism and spirituality: “It does not matter what religion you follow or what god you worship—they all want you to live a simple life.”
  • Chris on minimalism and spirituality: “Getting rid of the excess allows you to figure out what you believe in.”
  • Joshua on appropriate diets: “Bring into your life only that which is appropriate.”
  • Ryan on appropriate diets: “It doesn’t matter how good your excuse may seem, it’s never good enough to justify eating unhealthy foods.”
  • Chris on appropriate diets: “There’s always something we should be proud of, and there’s always more we can do.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#097

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan visit Toronto, and they answer the following questions:

  • What ultimately made you decide to quit your jobs?
  • What should I do if I have conflicting values?
  • What tips do you have for traveling light?
  • Can social media truly add value to our lives?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Joshua on traveling light: “All those things we thought we were going to need ‘just in case,’ we’re actually not going to need.”
  • Ryan on traveling light: “If you pack for more than a week when you go on vacation, you’re going to be distracting yourself from an awesome vacation.”
  • Joshua on the value of social media: “Rarely did a distracted person ever create anything meaningful.”
  • Ryan on the value of social media: “Instead of being a tool on social media, use social media as a tool.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#096

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan talk about where they’re moving, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do you move past feelings of shame regarding past mistakes and embarrassing episodes in your life?
  • How do you ensure you’re addressing any emotional baggage attached to items as you’re getting rid of them?
  • Is there a path to purchasing a house without taking on debt?
  • Is it cheaper to sell your furniture before a move and then buy new furniture for the new place, or is it cheaper to pay to move the furniture you already own?
  • How do you decide if it’s better to stick with what you have where you currently live, or if it’s better to move to a new place and start over?
  • What should I do with all my camping gear that I feel is overwhelming me?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Joshua on keeping old furniture versus buying new furniture: “Neither ‘cheap’ nor ‘expensive’ are synonyms for better.”
  • Joshua bonus maxim: “Don’t try to cram your old life into your new space.”
  • Joshua bonus maxim: “Sometimes cheap is too expensive.”
  • Ryan on keeping old furniture versus buying new furniture: “Don’t ask what the cheaper option is—ask what the opportunity cost is.”
  • Joshua on sticking around versus moving on: “It’s best to choose to graduate from a place before you’re ready to divorce it.”
  • Ryan on sticking around versus moving on: “When relocating, it’s important to know what you’re running toward—running from something can lead to the same problem, or it can lead to even bigger problems.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#095

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan talk about budgeting, and they answer the following questions:

  • Is it good or bad to have a credit rating?
  • Is it appropriate to move in with loved ones to save money?
  • In what order should I pay off my debt?
  • What advice do you have for creating a realistic value-based budget and adhering to it?
  • How do I stick to my budget without restricting experiences with loved ones?
  • What do you recommend to those in the ‘pre-budget’ stage that are not ready to make every dollar go in its place?
  • How can I still afford some enjoyment in life while paying down my crushing student loan debt?
  • What can I do with all these books, CDs, and DVDs that are weighing me down?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Joshua on budgeting experiences: “No matter what, we always miss out on something; therefore, it’s important to replace ‘the fear of missing out’ with ‘the joy of missing out.’”
  • Ryan on budgeting experiences: “Sacrifices are necessary in order to meet one’s financial goals.”
  • Joshua on committing to a budget: “When would ‘now’ be a good time to have a budget?”
  • Ryan on committing to a budget: “Waiting around for ‘one day’ will always keep you waiting; ‘one day’ or ‘day one’—you decide.”
  • Joshua on enjoying life while paying down debt: “Change your beliefs, change your life.”
  • Ryan on enjoying life while paying down debt: “Get a plan in place or be lost forever. And be prepared to learn along the way: if your plan fails, readjust—but never give up.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#094

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan speak with Andrew Belle in Indianapolis about his new album, Dive Deep, and they answer the following questions:

  • As an introvert, how do you meet the demands of a passion that requires an extroverted personality?
  • What suggestions do you have for preparing yourself for the reality of daily life once you’ve graduated college?
  • How do you resolve the feelings of guilt you have for even purchasing items you need to run a business?
  • How can I be more intentional regarding the relationships I bring into my life?
  • To what extent did the bursting of the housing bubble in 2008 affect your journey into minimalism?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Joshua on relationships: “Don’t mistake quantity for quality.”
  • Ryan on relationships: “Regardless if you tell your friends ‘yes’ or ‘no,’ your honesty is what truly matters.”
  • Joshua on influences for adopting minimalism: “Sometimes tragedy illuminates the path.”
  • Ryan on influences for adopting minimalism: “Start incorporating minimalism into your life now before you’re forced into becoming a minimalist.”
  • Joshua on the transition from college to daily life: “The bird who enjoys her cage still isn’t free.”
  • Ryan on the transition from college to daily life: “If you just sit around in a spire, there’s going to be aspiration everywhere.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#093

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan visit Spokane, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I minimize the many accoutrements I have for the many passions I pursue?
  • How do you ensure you’re adding the appropriate amount of value to a relationship?
  • What advice do you have for ensuring you don’t lose memories when you let go of sentimental items?
  • How do I minimize a plethora of paper documents I’ve saved and filed just in case I need them?
  • How do you explain your new minimalist lifestyle to former colleagues who are non-minimalists without bragging or sounding elitist?
  • What advice do you have for someone considering which mortgage term is most appropriate for them?
  • How deeply have you delved into the more energetic aspects of adopting minimalism?
  • How do you stay humble amidst the trappings of fame that come with being The Minimalists?
  • How do we help our children adopt minimalism when everything they own is the most important thing in the world to them?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Joshua on explaining minimalism to non-minimalists: “When you walk away from everything, the important things follow.”
  • Ryan on explaining minimalism to non-minimalists: “People hate change, but people hate being changed even more.”
  • Joshua on appropriate mortgage terms: “What percentage of people pay off a 30-year mortgage in less than 30 years?”
  • Ryan on appropriate mortgage terms: “There is no such thing as good debt.”
  • Joshua on just letting go: “When you take a meaningful path, the benefits are plentiful.”
  • Ryan on just letting go: “The physical things we have in our life are physical manifestations of what we have on the inside.”
  • Joshua on maintaining humility: “To stay humble, constantly put yourself in a state of discomfort.”
  • Ryan on maintaining humility: “You’ll support the people you love no matter what.”
  • Joshua on helping kids adopt minimalism: “If we want our kids to be the best versions of themselves, then we need to be the best versions of ourselves.”
  • Ryan on helping kids adopt minimalism: “As parents, you get to set the boundaries for your children.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#092

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan discuss whether nostalgia is useful or dangerous, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do you determine which sentimental items to keep, and how do you ensure that you don’t apply that sentimentality to everything else?
  • Is it okay for an aspiring minimalist to keep a small container of sentimental items as a time capsule?
  • How did you let go of yearbooks?
  • Is there a healthy form of nostalgia, or is it inherently useless to hold onto the past?
  • How does nostalgia impact historical awareness, and how will minimalism change that in the future?
  • Does nostalgia have a place in today’s world?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Josh on the utility of nostalgia: “Many things are both useful and dangerous. An automobile is useful; an automobile is dangerous. Likewise for nostalgia.”
  • Ryan on the utility of nostalgia: “Memories exist with or without a physical item in hand. Don’t use nostalgia as an excuse to hoard those physical items.”
  • Joshua on nostalgia’s impact on historical perspectives: “Nostalgia is a rose-colored rearview.”
  • Ryan on nostalgia’s impact on historical perspectives: “The past shapes our present, but does not ever equal our future.”
  • Joshua on nostalgia’s role in our lives: “Everything in today’s world has a place in today’s world. The question, then, is what will we choose to be nostalgic for in tomorrow’s world?”
  • Ryan on nostalgia’s role in our lives: “Nostalgia can make us feel warm and fuzzy. When one feels stressed over the nostalgic items they hold onto, it’s time to let go.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#091

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan visit Grand Rapids, and they answer the following questions:

  • What is the best way to get rid of items that are still useful, but are of no value to me?
  • How do I let go of the stress I feel when I witness my loved ones not aligning their short-term actions with their long-term values?
  • How do you address all the stress that comes with inheriting all the stuff that comes with the passing of a loved one?
  • Before you quit your corporate jobs, did you have your financial houses in order regarding retirement?
  • How often should a minimalist do laundry?
  • How do you continue to practice self-control as you become more successful and gain a greater capability to get more stuff?
  • How do you deal with the stress of purging sentimental items, and how do you explain to those that gifted them to you that you have no need for their gifts anymore?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Joshua on laundry and retirement planning: “I agree with Ryan.”
  • Ryan on laundry and retirement planning: “I do my laundry once a week, and once a month I contribute to my retirement—both are non-negotiable.”
  • Joshua on self-control: “Contribution is key.”
  • Ryan on self-control: “Every day I try to be the best version of myself that I plan to be five years from now.”
  • Joshua on letting go of receiving and storing physical gifts: “Before you let go, set the proper expectations with yourself and your loved ones.”
  • JFM bonus maxim on letting go of receiving and storing physical gifts: “Don’t be burdened by other people’s burdens.”
  • Ryan on letting go of receiving and storing physical gifts: “As an adult, you get to choose what to do with your things.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#090

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan visit Cleveland, and they answer the following questions:

  • What advice do you have for minimalists who have loved ones that prefer to receive physical gifts?
  • What is the best way to explain to a potential partner that you’re a minimalist?
  • What advice do you have for those that want to adopt minimalism into their lives, but fear the changes?
  • How do you manage the negative feedback that inevitably comes with failure?
  • What is your advice to minimalists struggling to reconcile their personal values and beliefs that conflict with their professional values and beliefs?
  • As minimalists, what are you saving your money for now?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Joshua on things to do in Dayton, Ohio: “Press Coffee Bar. Dayton Art Institute. Dayton Visual Arts Center. Downtown Dayton.”
  • Ryan on things to do in Dayton, Ohio: “United States Air Force Museum. Thai 9. University of Dayton.”
  • Joshua on curation versus hoarding: “Curators are the people who can take what would otherwise be a hoard and curate it into something meaningful, intentional, and necessary for current and future generations.”
  • Ryan on curation versus hoarding: “Unless you’re a professional curator, you’re probably just hoarding.”
  • Joshua on saving money: “There’s nothing inherently wrong with money. The question is—when we have access to more of it, what are we going to do with it?”
  • Ryan on saving money: “My secret to being financially secure is I always spend less money than I make.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#089

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan visit Columbus, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do you respond to people who resign themselves to situations by saying, “That’s just the way it is”?
  • How do you manage to continue to grow and to cultivate open minds and soft hearts?
  • What advice do you have for saying ‘no’ to people and to activities you like in order to avoid becoming overly committed and stressed?
  • What struggles and expectations have you had to address since becoming ‘The Minimalists’?
  • What do you recommend to a minimalist who is living among a group of people who have no interest in minimalism?
  • What are you really excited about right now?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Joshua on staying true to your own expectations: “A congruent life is a well-lived life.”
  • Ryan on staying true to your own expectations: “Don’t just say ‘no’ for the sake of saying ‘no’—be clear on what you’re saying ‘yes’ to.”
  • Joshua on living in harmony with non-minimalists: “On a long enough timeline everything is ephemeral.”
  • Joshua bonus maxim: “Beware of drowning people—they will also drown you.”
  • Ryan on living in harmony with non-minimalists: “I would not recommend moving back in with your parents and then telling them they have to get rid of all of their shit.”
  • Joshua on what he’s most excited about in the present: “Rebecca.”
  • Ryan on what he’s most excited about in the present: “The opportunity to examine new topics through the lens of minimalism in future projects.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#088

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan visit Cincinnati, and they answer the following questions:

  • What questions have your audience members posed that have made you reevaluate your values and beliefs?
  • What questions did you ask yourself when you were younger to help you determine that happiness was more important to you than material success?
  • What advice do you have for people who seem to take minimalism to an extreme, or for those who offend others with their obsession with minimalism?
  • What suggestions do you have for those who want to quit their corporate jobs but need to maintain their level of corporate benefits for the welfare of their family members?
  • How do you maintain balance between your five core values?
  • Is there a question you wish audience members would ask that they have not yet asked?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, shareable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Joshua on maintaining benefits without a corporate job: “When you don’t know the answer to something, the three most powerful words are ‘I don’t know.’”
  • Joshua bonus maxim: “Money is part of the equation, but it is not the primary driver for doing what I do.”
  • Ryan on maintaining benefits without a corporate job: “Minimalism is not about having an easy life—it’s about having a well-curated life.”
  • Joshua on finding balance among values: “You’re only as strong as your weakest value.”
  • Ryan on finding balance among values: “Your priorities are not what you say they are—they are what you do.”
  • Joshua on the ideal question: “Every question is the ideal question to the person that posed it.”
  • Ryan on the ideal question: “I don’t have a preconceived notion of what the perfect question should be.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#087

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan speak with Rich Roll live on the Less Is Now tour, and they answer the following questions:

  • What questions did you ask yourselves, and what resources did you consult, to determine your five foundational values?
  • What has helped you ‘drudge through the drudgery’ and stay focused on your projects?
  • How do you let go of the fear that you don’t have enough?
  • What films do you find most relatable to the journey of becoming a minimalist?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, sharable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Joshua on letting go of fears: “Sometimes letting go of control is the best way to regain control.”
  • Joshua bonus maxim on letting go of fears: “Lower your expectations and raise your standards.”
  • Rich on letting go of fears: “Control is an illusion.”
  • Ryan on letting go of fears: “Pursuing control will eventually teach you that you have no control.”
  • Joshua on an ideal minimalist film: “August.”
  • Ryan on an ideal minimalist film: “I Am.”
  • Rich on an ideal minimalist film: “Fight Club.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#086

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan talk about shopping, and they answer the following questions:

  • Do you ever splurge on anything?
  • How do I justify purchasing something new to replace something that is still functional, but has lost its luster?
  • How do I quell my feelings of guilt after purchasing new items?
  • How do I reconcile my need to sell merchandise for my livelihood with my need to hold true to my minimalism values?
  • How can I create a profitable minimalist store?
  • What are good questions to ask myself before I go shopping?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, sharable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Joshua on aligning values: “Intentional creators focus on creating value, not urgency.”
  • Ryan on aligning values: “If you’re adding value to people’s lives, you needn’t sell them trinkets to earn a living; offer them something that they will find immense value in instead.”
  • Joshua on commodifying minimalism: “Meaning and purpose are lost when profit is the motive.”
  • Ryan on commodifying minimalism: “Selling minimalism is like selling water to a fish.”
  • Joshua on questions to ask yourself before shopping: “Before bringing something new into your life, ask yourself: Will this add value? Can I afford this? What is the true cost?”
  • Ryan on questions to ask yourself before shopping: “Make a list before you go shopping, and then don’t buy anything that is not on your list.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#085

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan speak with Patrick Rhone, author of Enough, in Minneapolis, and they answer the following questions:

  • Is America’s consumerism more nefarious than that of other countries that therefore makes practicing minimalism even more crucial in the United States?
  • Is it better to use up what you have, or is it better to sell it, donate it, or give it away?
  • Should I hang onto the things I purchased for the person I want to become?
  • Are there similarities between the principles of living in Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning and the principles of minimalism?
  • Where should I draw the line with memorabilia?
  • Is it possible for me to live a minimalist lifestyle while making a living selling other people things they don’t need?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, sharable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Joshua on recognizing life-changing events: “We all experience car crashes in life: the question isn’t about the crash—the question is about what we do after the crash.”
  • Ryan on recognizing life-changing events: “For us to make a major change in our lives, sometimes we must have a major catastrophe—but we shouldn’t have to wait for that moment.”
  • Patrick on recognizing life-changing events: “Every moment is a fresh opportunity to make a new start.”
  • Joshua on drawing the line with memorabilia: “The winner is not determined by the trophy.”
  • Ryan on drawing the line with memorabilia: “Even if you win a gold medal, it doesn’t matter how many you hold onto—you’re going to have to work your ass off to win another one next year.”
  • Patrick on drawing the line with memorabilia: “When you win that gold medal, how many fingers will you be holding up?”
  • Joshua on practices that conflict with our values: “If your actions don’t align with your values, you’ll continue to experience a chasm of discontent.”
  • Ryan on on practices that conflict with our values: “If you want to live a discontented life, live outside your values and beliefs—but you’re certainly not going to be happy.”
  • Patrick on practices that conflict with our values: “Tell your own story of your life, and, by doing so, you will help others live their lives better.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#084

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan speak with Rob Bell in Los Angeles, and they answer the following questions:

  • What is the best way to tell people you’re a minimalist that is easiest for most people to understand and accept?
  • Is it possible to have a better life with ‘more,’ and, if so, what would that ‘more’ be?
  • How do you find a deep-rooted, lasting happiness in everything?
  • How do you find the flow that makes your work effortless?
  • Why does minimalism seem to be more popular with females than males?
  • Can minimalism help you improve your financial situation?
  • Do you ever secretly buy things and hide them from one another?
  • How do you handle a toxic relationship with a parent?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, sharable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Joshua on the relationship between minimalism and finances: “I made really good money in the corporate world, but I spent even better money—and that equation never works.”
  • Ryan on the relationship between minimalism and finances: “If you’ve dug yourself into a hole, there isn’t an easy way to get out of it—it’s going to take a lot of work.”
  • Rob on the relationship between minimalism and finances: “The more debt you have, the less oxygen your soul has.”
  • Joshua on toxic relationships: “Victims become victimizers.”
  • Joshua bonus maxim: “You can’t change the people around you, but you can change the people around you.”
  • Ryan on toxic relationships: “Don’t go out of your way to support someone and forsake your own meaningful life.”
  • Rob on toxic relationships: “You must determine how much you can engage with someone without losing yourself.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#083

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan discussing hoarding and collecting, and they answer the following questions:

  • What are your thoughts on emergency preparedness?
  • How can a minimalist coexist with their hoarder partner?
  • How can I help an older family member adopt minimalist practices to improve their life?
  • How do you broach the subject of minimalism with a family member that is a dedicated hoarder?
  • Do most hoarders actually find the things they were saving for one day, or do they simply purchase replacements?
  • As a hoarder, where do you start when you’re completely overwhelmed by stuff?
  • Once you’ve decluttered, how do you ensure the cycle doesn’t start again?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, sharable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Joshua Bonus Maxim: “If you’re just driving around without a destination in mind, you’ll never get there.”
  • Joshua on discussing minimalism with hoarders: “Approach people you care about with compassion and understanding.”
  • Ryan on discussing minimalism with hoarders: “To keep confrontation from escalating, don’t use the word ‘you’ unless it’s followed by a compliment.”
  • Joshua on successful hoarding: “Hoarding is always a problem, never a solution.”
  • Ryan on successful hoarding: “I’ve yet to hear a good reason why the average person should hoard.”
  • Joshua on decluttering an overwhelming hoard of stuff: “When facing an overwhelming challenge, it’s best to start with the ‘why,’ not the ‘how.’”
  • Ryan on decluttering an overwhelming hoard of stuff: “If you don’t know where to start, that’s a good sign there isn’t a wrong place to start. The only wrong you can do is not taking action.”
  • Joshua on breaking the cycle of clutter: “Once you finally reach the horizon, there’s always a new horizon.”
  • Ryan on breaking the cycle of clutter: “Temporary habits are almost as bad as no habits at all.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#082

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua injures himself at a rest stop & Ryan eats chocolate in front of a crowd in Madison, Wisconsin, and they answer the following questions:

  • What tips and tricks do you have regarding moving?
  • How can you grow side hustles without increasing mental clutter and losing focus?
  • How much chocolate is too much chocolate for a minimalist?
  • What do you do when you’re a minimalist, but your partner has no interest in minimalism?
  • How do you become successful without becoming obsessed with goal achievement?
  • How does minimalism apply to kids?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, sharable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Joshua on chocolate limits: “Food is not entertainment.”
  • Ryan on chocolate limits: “It doesn’t matter how much chocolate you eat—if you have a void, chocolate is probably the last thing that’s going to fill that void.”
  • Joshua on introducing partners to minimalism: “Ask them to ask themselves: ‘How might my life be better with less?’”
  • Ryan on introducing partners to minimalism: “In order to have meaningful relationships, you must support those people. But it’s impossible to support someone if they don’t support you back.”
  • Joshua on finding success without obsessing over goals: “Let go of your goals, and, instead, travel in the right direction.”
  • Ryan on on finding success without obsessing over goals: “Don’t water down your goals with more goals. But regardless of how many goals you have, it doesn’t mean anything without taking massive action.”
  • Joshua on minimalism and kids: “No matter your age, no matter your race, no matter your level of income, no matter your perceived status—everyone can benefit from living a more meaningful life.”
  • Ryan on minimalism and kids: “Kids! Become minimalists now before you have to in the future.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#081

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan talk about their families, and they answer the following family-related questions:

  • How does caring for others fit into minimalism?
  • How do you pitch minimalism to folks that are resistant to getting rid of their stuff?
  • How do I part with gifts from family and friends without offending the gift-givers?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, sharable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Joshua Bonus Maxim: “The price of the thing is not the value of the thing.”
  • Joshua on explaining minimalism to family and friends: “Actions speak louder than pontification.”
  • Ryan on explaining minimalism to family and friends: “No matter how one lives a meaningful life, showing always works better than telling.”
  • Joshua on preparing for the birth of a child: “Lower your expectations; raise your standards.”
  • Ryan on preparing for the birth of a child: “When one lives an authentic life, they needn’t change a thing.”
  • Joshua on judging others: “Why do you look at the clutter in your brother’s room, but fail to notice the clutter in your own?”
  • Ryan on judging others: “Judging others never helps; accepting and appreciating others, warts and all, is the best way to help others move forward.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#080

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan visit Chicago, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do you deal with the collisions with the values and beliefs of the non-minimalists in your life?
  • How do I donate items to different charities when I don’t have a car to haul the items to those charities?
  • What questions did you ask yourself to determine your passions, and what actions did you take to pursue those passions?
  • What have you learned about yourself that you weren’t able to recognize before adopting minimalism?
  • How can I meet my daily personal and professional obligations without a smartphone?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, sharable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Joshua on what he’s learned about himself after adopting minimalism: “Patience is a choice.”
  • Ryan on what he’s learned about himself after adopting minimalism: “My priorities aren’t what I say they are—they’re what I actually do.”
  • Joshua on meeting obligations without a smartphone: “What is driving you crazy may not be the tool itself, but how you’re using the tool.”
  • Ryan on meeting obligations without a smartphone: “It doesn’t matter what boulder you’re carrying: you picked it up, and you can set it down.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#079

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan are joined by Minimalism director Matt D’Avella, and they answer the following questions:

  • Was it hard to invest so much money and time into your film project without assurance it was going to succeed?
  • How do I further minimize the essentials in my life when I feel like I’m always overbooked and I can’t catch my breath?
  • How have your lives changed since you made the film?
  • What can we do as a community to further promote the message of living more intentionally and simply?
  • What was the most challenging thing about making the film?
  • If you were to make the film again, what would you do differently on that pass?
  • What is your next project?

Listen

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Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#078

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan visit Seattle, and they answer the following questions:

  • After you found success, what changed in your lives?
  • Can you be in a committed relationship with someone who doesn’t share the same core values as you?
  • If I must use social media for my job, how do I regulate my usage of it effectively?
  • How can I ensure my family has access to all of my digital archives when I pass away?
  • What is the most significant obstacle most people encounter when they’re trying to minimize?
  • How can I be a minimalist and still enjoy a hobby that requires a significant amount of accoutrements?
  • How can I be a minimalist with multiple dogs without getting rid of the dogs?
  • Is the ease or difficulty of adopting and maintaining minimalism tied to geography?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, sharable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Joshua on ensuring our families have access to our digital archives when we pass away: “If you’re preparing for a future that’s inevitable—we’re all going to die—then let’s take care of that now so we’re not scared to death of death.”
  • Ryan on ensuring our families have access to our digital archives when we pass away: “Minimalism is about living deliberately, and preparing for death is one of the most deliberate things we can do.”
  • Joshua on overcoming obstacles to minimizing: “There are two reasons we don’t let go: fear and greed.”
  • Ryan on overcoming obstacles to minimizing: “It doesn’t matter why we hold on to things—there’s never a good enough reason to hoard. Letting go will always feel better than hoarding.”
  • Joshua on participating in hobbies that require numerous accoutrements: “Limitations breed creativity.”
  • Ryan on participating in hobbies that require numerous accoutrements: “It takes big balls to admit to yourself that buying another tool isn’t going to make you a better mechanic.”
  • Joshua on maintaining minimalist practices with several dependents: “It’s harder to be a minimalist with kids, but it’s so much more important.”
  • Ryan on maintaining minimalist practices with several dependents: “It doesn’t matter how many kids or pets you have—it just makes your minimalism look a little different from others.”
  • Joshua on the relationship of minimalism with geography: “It’s important to graduate from a place before you find that you want to divorce it.”
  • Ryan on the relationship of minimalism with geography: “There isn’t one damn good reason to not live a deliberate life.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#077

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan stop by Live Wire Radio in Portland, Oregon, to record a live radio show in which they must convince the audience to keep or let go of certain possessions.

Listen

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Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#076

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan visit the great state of Maine, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I help my children minimize their stuff without doing it for them?
  • How do you deal with gift-giving from others around birthdays and Christmas?
  • How do you discover your identity and your passions?
  • As an artist, how do I minimize many of the tools that are requisite for my art?
  • How do you stay focused on maintaining minimalist practices despite the temptations of the surrounding consumerist world?
  • Is minimalism more difficult to practice with a family than as a single person?
  • What has been your favorite part of your minimalist journey?
  • Do you feel kinship with religious and spiritual practitioners?
  • What books are you reading right now?
  • How do you determine the career path that will work best with your life?
  • What has added value to your life in Portland, Maine?

Listen

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, sharable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Joshua on practicing minimalism with a family versus as a single person: “Minimalism is more challenging as a family, but that’s why it’s more important.”
  • Ryan on practicing minimalism with a family versus as a single person: “Pass.”
  • Joshua on the favorite part of his minimalist journey: “As my life changes, that which adds value changes as well.”
  • Ryan on the favorite part of his minimalist journey: “Nothing makes me happier than living a well-curated life.”
  • Joshua on kinship with religious and spiritual practitioners: “Minimalism is not about deprivation; minimalism is about aligning your short-term actions with your long-term values.”
  • Ryan on kinship with religious and spiritual practitioners: “It doesn’t matter what organized religion you belong to, or what god you worship: they all want you to live a simple life.”
  • Joshua on books he’s currently reading: “Discourses. The Average American Male.”
  • Ryan on books he’s currently reading: “Sex at Dawn.”
  • Joshua on choosing the best career path: “If there is a right path and a wrong path, take the right path. If there is a right path and a left path, then pick a path and go.”
  • Ryan on choosing the best career path: “The best recipe for discontent is being stuck in a career that doesn’t align with your long-term values and beliefs.”
  • Joshua on what has added value to his life in Portland, Maine: “Portland, Maine, has a shit-ton of culture per capita.”
  • Ryan on what has added value to his life in Portland, Maine: “Portland, Maine, has the best lobster rolls I have ever had.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#075

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan bring their Less Is Now Tour to Boston, and they answer the following questions:

  • Once your needs are met for the month, what do you do with your remaining money?
  • How can minimalism help with significant transitions in our everyday lives?
  • As an artist who creates physical artifacts, how do I reconcile that with being a minimalist?
  • Have there been moments when you’ve struggled when considering purchasing an item or letting go of an item?
  • How do explain your recent adoption of minimalism to your maximalist friends and family members, especially when it pertains to gifts?
  • How do you find the willpower to let go of sentimental items and family heirlooms?
  • How did you overcome the adversity of being disadvantaged in your youth to achieve the success you enjoy today?
  • Can you quantify the ideal minimalist wardrobe for a child?
  • How do you assess the value of relationships?
  • Once you’ve downsized, minimized, and eliminated everything, where do you go from there?
  • How do I get my family members to adopt minimalism?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, sharable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Joshua on explaining the benefits of minimalism to family and friends: “You might be broke if you have a car payment, you have a credit card payment, you have a credit card, you have a student loan payment, you have a 30-year mortgage.”
  • Ryan on explaining the benefits of minimalism to family and friends: “The people in your life who love and appreciate you will support you no matter what.”
  • Joshua on letting go of sentimental items and family heirlooms: “I’ve never regretted anything I’ve let go of, but if I ever do, I’ll let go of the regret.”
  • Ryan on letting go of sentimental items and family heirlooms: “If you don’t ever start letting go, you’re going to be waiting the rest of your life.”
  • Joshua on overcoming adversity and realizing your potential: “There are two reasons we make changes: fear and meaning. And I feared staying in my previous life more than I feared making the change.”
  • Ryan on overcoming adversity and realizing your potential: “If you just want to be rich, go get a sales job. But you’re going to fucking hate it.”
  • Joshua on the ideal minimalist wardrobe for a child: “Full price is often the intentional price because sale price is fool price.”
  • Ryan on the ideal minimalist wardrobe for a child: “You and your husband get to set boundaries: you don’t need anyone’s permission but your own to do anything.”
  • Joshua on assessing the true value of our relationships: “You can’t change the people around you, but you can change the people around you.”
  • Ryan on assessing the true value of our relationships: “It doesn’t matter whose blood someone has in their veins: I invest in people who invest in me.”
  • Joshua on what to do when the decluttering’s done: “In order to live a meaningful life you must align your short-term actions with your long-term values.”
  • Ryan on what to do when the decluttering’s done: “If you aren’t clear on what your values and beliefs are, you’re going to be lost the rest of your life.”
  • Joshua on convincing family members to adopt minimalism: “People don’t hate change: they hate being changed.”
  • Ryan on convincing family members to adopt minimalism: “If you truly love your friends and family and want them to be happy, you’ll support them in their happiness.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#074

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan visit Vermont for the first time, and they answer the following questions:

  • Once you decluttered your home, how did you fill the empty space appropriately without falling back into old habits?
  • If you could give minimalism a more appropriate name, what would you call it?
  • How do you deal with all the paperwork in life that seems so important and necessary?
  • What do your daily lives look like now that you’ve wholly adopted minimalism into every facet?
  • What baby steps can someone take if they’re having trouble integrating minimalism into their life?
  • Can minimalism be applied to other areas of life besides our living and working spaces?
  • When you tell people you’re minimalists, what’s the difference in their reactions between now and when you started six years ago?
  • Is there anything you simply had to have, something you couldn’t let go?
  • Did you have to teach yourself to say ‘no’ to things?
  • How can the poor and destitute benefit from minimalism?
  • How do you deal with unwanted and unneeded gifts you receive from loved ones?
  • As a minimalist, how do you reconcile minimalist practices with all the non-minimalist things that come with having children?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, sharable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Joshua on applying minimalist principles to all aspects of life: “Intentionality is contagious.”
  • Ryan on applying minimalist principles to all aspects of life: “Minimalism is not just a well-curated home: minimalism is a well-curated life.”
  • Joshua on people’s reactions to discussing minimalism in the past and in the present: “I don’t care what people think about me; I care what I think about me.”
  • Ryan on people’s reactions to discussing minimalism in the past and in the present: “I don’t care what people think about me.”
  • Joshua on insidious items: “The best parts of me are made up of some of my worst failures.”
  • Ryan on insidious items: “If I die with no regrets, I’ll really regret that.”
  • Joshua on saying ‘no’ to daily demands: “I can’t beat Ryan’s answer.”
  • Ryan on saying ‘no’ to daily demands: “I say ‘no’ to as many things as I can so I can say ‘yes’ to the important things.”
  • Joshua on adopting minimalism when someone’s living paycheck to paycheck: “Money doesn’t buy happiness. But neither does poverty.”
  • Ryan on adopting minimalism when someone’s living paycheck to paycheck: “It doesn’t matter how much money you have—if you make shitty decisions, you’re probably going to have a shitty life.”
  • Joshua on unwanted and unneeded gifts: “Presence is the best present.”
  • Ryan on unwanted and unneeded gifts: “People buy gifts because they want you to be happy. If your life will be happier without those gifts, you will be doing them a disservice if you don’t get rid of them.”
  • Joshua on minimalism and children: “We must lead by example.”
  • Ryan on minimalism and children: “Having children makes minimalism even more important.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#073

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan kick off their Less Is Now Tour in Pittsburgh, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I maintain a minimal wardrobe when I have a career that depends on appearance?
  • Who influenced you to adopt minimalism?
  • What are your passions?
  • How do you stay focused on your minimalism practices and resist falling off the wagon?
  • How do I appropriately minimize a sentimental item that was made specifically for me?
  • How do I find my mission in life?
  • When I’m moving, how do I best determine what to keep?
  • How does minimalism help the grieving and coping process?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, sharable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Joshua on practicing meditation: “Our material possessions are a physical manifestation of what’s going on inside us.”
  • Ryan on practicing meditation: “It only takes a minute to clear some mental clutter.”
  • Joshua on managing daily tasks: “My short-term actions must align with my long-term values every day.”
  • Ryan on managing daily tasks: “Exercise. Meditate. Contribute.”
  • Joshua on finding motivation: “Pass.”
  • Ryan on finding motivation: “It’s okay to veg out, but if you veg out too much, you become a vegetable.”
  • Joshua on addressing toxic relationships: “Victims become victimizers.”
  • Ryan on addressing toxic relationships: “You can’t change the people around you, but you can change the people around you.”
  • Joshua on minimizing digital clutter: “You’ll never reach the end of the Internet, so stop trying.”
  • Ryan on minimizing digital clutter: “Simple is not easy. Purge relentlessly. Curate carefully.”
  • Joshua on getting rid of gifts you don’t want: “The only person’s permission you need is your own. The best way to deal with clutter is before it happens.”
  • Ryan on getting rid of gifts you don’t want: “When someone gives you a gift, they want to make you happy; if your life would be happier without that gift, I assure you they would want you to get rid of it.”
  • Joshua on regrets: “Successes are composed of fragments of failures.”
  • Ryan on regrets: “If I die with no regrets, I’ll really regret that.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#072

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan discuss their evolving approach toward social media and news media, and they delete many of their smartphone apps live on the air. They also answer the following questions:

  • How do minimalists cope with the daily deluge of media?
  • Which social media platform do you find the most effective?
  • Is there an ideal newsfeed for minimalists?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, sharable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Joshua on participating in social media responsibly: “To live intentionally, we must continually ask ourselves, ‘Is this useful?’”
  • Ryan on participating in social media responsibly: “What would life be like if we checked social media only once per day?”
  • Joshua on using social media with more focus and intention: “Minimalists aren’t Luddites.”
  • Ryan on using social media with more focus and intention: “Tools are as useful as the user.”
  • Joshua on using media more mindfully: “Let go of distractions—make room for intention.”
  • Ryan on using media more mindfully: “The more we practice self control, the better we get at it.”
  • Joshua on identifying essential media: “Essential is perspectival.”
  • Ryan on identifying essential media: “Watch yourself, consume less, participate in your local community.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#071

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan discuss the best ways to handle clutter, and they answer the following questions:

  • I’ve minimized my possessions to only those things that add value to my life and that bring me joy, but my space still feels cluttered—what do I do next?
  • What should I do with all the books and papers I accumulated as I was earning my college degree?
  • How do I deal with the clutter of my partner?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, sharable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Joshua on defining clutter: “Clutter is like pornography and sandwiches: you know it when you see it.”
  • Ryan on defining clutter: “If you feel like your life is cluttered, that’s a clear sign to take action.”
  • Joshua on determining when consumables have become unhealthy clutter: “If it doesn’t fit, you must quit.”
  • Ryan on determining when consumables have become unhealthy clutter: “Hoarding is hoarding no matter what thing you’re hoarding.”
  • Joshua on still feeling cluttered after decluttering: “Loosen your grip—massive clutter requires massive amounts of #letgo.”
  • Ryan on still feeling cluttered after decluttering: “What could you #letgo of to feel less cluttered?”
  • Joshua on counting collections as clutter: “Often collecting is well-planned hoarding.”
  • Ryan on counting collections as clutter: “One man’s collection is another man’s nightmare.”
  • Joshua on dealing with incoming clutter: “The less we let in, the less we have to let go.”
  • Ryan on dealing with incoming clutter: “If clutter is still coming in, you’re not taking the right steps.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#070

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan discuss their values, principles, and beliefs, and they answer the following questions:

  • What does the phrase “add value” mean?
  • When you quit a job you’ve held for a long time, how do you find your new identity separate from the identity you created through your job?
  • When you experience major life events, do you find your values change, and, if so, what do you do about it?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, sharable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Joshua on passing minimalist ideals onto children living in a materialistic society: “To demonstrate our values, we must do more than tell—we must show.”
  • Ryan on passing minimalist ideals onto children living in a materialistic society: “Leading by example is the best way to transfer our values and beliefs to others.”
  • Joshua on how minimalism changed his values: “Minimalism didn’t change my values—it helped me discover what my values are.”
  • Ryan on how minimalism changed his values: “Minimalism helped me stop giving my values lip service and start taking action.”
  • Joshua on values that don’t give us joy: “If you are living by your values, but aren’t happy, consider changing what you value.”
  • Ryan on values that don’t give us joy: “If something you value is making you unhappy, you may not value that thing as much as you thought.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#069

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan discuss how they deal with being overwhelmed, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I encourage and support someone who wants to adopt the best practices of minimalism, but can’t seem to find and keep the motivation to do so?
  • How do I declutter, de-stress, and live a more meaningful life as a 12 year-old, especially at school?
  • How do I deal with setbacks and failure when I’m challenged by a mental illness?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, sharable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Joshua on addressing anything that distracts from long-term values: “Distractions are inherently meaningless. Values are inherently meaningful. Pause, and then choose wisely.”
  • Ryan on addressing anything that distracts from long-term values: “Take it simple: one step at a time.”
  • Joshua on determining the line between fully engaged and overwhelmed: “Engagement is an action; overwhelm is an emotion. When we are overwhelmed by our actions, we must focus.”
  • Ryan on determining the line between fully engaged and overwhelmed: “Look at being overwhelmed like a flashing yellow light: use caution when saying ‘yes’ to others and tasks.”
  • Joshua on coping effectively when overwhelmed: “Lean into the experiences you avoid.”
  • Ryan on coping effectively when overwhelmed: “Sometimes saying ‘no’ to others and tasks leaves room for saying ‘yes’ to a meaningful life.”
  • Joshua on avoiding procrastination when feeling overwhelmed: “Don’t let your crastination turn pro.”
  • Ryan on avoiding procrastination when feeling overwhelmed: “Having an accountability partner can often be the kick-in-the-pants needed to get things done.”
  • Joshua on determining what to focus on when multiple things compete for our attention: “Prioritize, and then decoct.”
  • Ryan on determining what to focus on when multiple things compete for our attention: “If saying ‘yes’ to others is distracting you from focusing on your priorities, everyone loses.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#068

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan discuss happiness, meaning, discontent, and despair, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I make friends that share the same values and beliefs as me?
  • What are some best practices to stay motivated while minimizing?
  • How do you deal with things that you love that you believe might be holding you back?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, sharable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Joshua on recognizing when you’re truly happy: “Happiness is a byproduct of a meaningful life.”
  • Ryan on recognizing when you’re truly happy: “Chasing happiness is an endless pursuit.”
  • Joshua on splurge items: “There is little correlation between happiness and stuff.”
  • Ryan on splurge items: “Splurging will never feel better than living up to one’s values and beliefs.”
  • Joshua on being the happiest he’s ever been: “Happiness isn’t the objective—a meaningful life is.”
  • Ryan on being the happiest he’s ever been: “I focus less on happiness these days, and instead focus on purpose.”
  • Joshua on whether values must make you happy: “Values don’t make us happy; aligning our actions with our values makes us happy.”
  • Ryan on whether values must make you happy: “Values don’t make you happy; living up to them does.”
  • Joshua on helping others recognize their values and beliefs so they can improve their relationships: “You can’t change the people around you, but you can change the people around you.”
  • Ryan on helping others recognize their values and beliefs so they can improve their relationships: “Trying to force someone to change is like trying to potty train a six month old baby.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#067

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan discuss the things people hold on to, the things people let go of, and the things that may or may not add value to our lives, and they answer the following questions:

  • If my family and I are moving into a fully furnished house for the next year, should we sell everything or should we place it in storage?
  • As a divorce lawyer, how can I help clients realign their values so they don’t fight over the division of their things?
  • How do I minimize the paper clutter that results from all the documentation that my job requires?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, sharable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Joshua on the correlation between hoarding and financial security: “Excess is a sign of weakness.”
  • Ryan on the correlation between hoarding and financial security: “There’s not one good reason for the average person to hoard.”
  • Joshua on purging things immediately versus gradually: “The best plan is the plan that works for you.”
  • Ryan on purging things immediately versus gradually: “Comparing yourself to others as a guide to live life is a sure way to discontent. Instead, follow your values and beliefs.”
  • Joshua on using minimalism to control one’s surroundings versus using minimalism to liberate oneself: “Letting go of control is the best way to regain total control.”
  • Ryan on using minimalism to control one’s surroundings versus using minimalism to liberate oneself: “Anything taken to the extreme is going to be problematic.”
  • Joshua on addressing relatives that take issue with our large donations of things: “There’s a fine line between panic and excitement.”
  • Ryan on addressing relatives that take issue with our large donations of things: “The ones that truly love you will support you no matter what.”
  • Joshua on sentimental things: “Our memories are not in our things—our memories are inside us.”
  • Ryan on sentimental things: “You will find way more value in a few sentimental items versus a hoard of grandma’s knickers.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#066

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan discuss lessons from touring, on-the-road routines, and their favorite cities.

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Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#065

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan talk about dealing with unpleasant experiences, and they answer the following questions:

  • Is there anything you removed from your life that you now regret that you removed?
  • What do you do when you’ve gotten rid of something that was of value to a family member?
  • Does becoming a minimalist help you better cope with unpleasant situations that arise in your life?
  • How can I get over the regret of bad decisions I’ve made that have led to bad experiences?
  • How do you answer the critics that claim minimalism is just for rich white people?

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Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#064

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan discuss jobs, careers, missions, passions, side hustles, and earning income, and they answer the following questions:

  • How can I keep the job I love, yet still alleviate the financial stress of being underemployed?
  • Do I need to keep my diplomas?
  • How can I tell if an employment opportunity is actually a pyramid scheme instead?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, sharable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Joshua on suitable jobs for minimalists: “A vocation that matches your short-term actions with your values is ideal.”
  • Ryan on suitable jobs for minimalists: “It doesn’t matter what you do for a living. What matters most is living a life that aligns with your values and beliefs.”
  • Joshua on working long hours but still maintaining one’s values: “What are your priorities? There are 168 hours in a week—plan accordingly.”
  • Ryan on working long hours but still maintaining one’s values: “Our priorities are what we do, not what we say they are.”
  • Joshua on leaving a job you love to move out of state: “Consider your values when making life-changing decisions.”
  • Ryan on leaving a job you love to move out of state: “Home is where you find the most support.”
  • Joshua on the best way to negotiate a salary: “You will never have to settle if you add considerably more value than you’re worth.”
  • Ryan on the best way to negotiate a salary: “If you don’t ask, you’ll never know.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#063

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan discuss friends, family, acquaintances, and coworkers, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do you reconcile your relationships with friends that have values and beliefs that starkly contrast with your own?
  • How do you minimize the chaos caused by certain people in your life?
  • How do you use breakups as catalysts for positive change?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, sharable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Joshua on managing the obligations of social media and social events: “Schedule ‘you’ time before anything else, and then fill out the rest of your calendar accordingly.”
  • Ryan on managing the obligations of social media and social events: “Saying ‘no’ doesn’t make you a bad friend, especially when it enables you to say ‘yes’ to life’s most important things.”
  • Joshua on ridiculous questions regarding friends: “Q: Does minimalism mean I have to let go of my friends? A: No, minimalism allows us to better prioritize our most important relationships.”
  • Ryan on ridiculous questions regarding friends: “Q: How do I make all of my best friends become minimalists? A: You don’t make your friends do anything.”
  • Joshua on determining who among our friends are true friends, as opposed to those people that are just using us: “You can be used only if you’re useful.”
  • Ryan on determining who among our friends are true friends, as opposed to those people that are just using us: “You get to choose what you do with your time—not anyone else. Choose wisely.”
  • Joshua on using the silent treatment to let go of former friends: “Silence speaks volumes.”
  • Ryan on using the silent treatment to let go of former friends: “Don’t avoid important conversations.”
  • Joshua on the differences between family, friends, and acquaintances: “Family will suffer for you; friends will support you; acquaintances will be there when it’s convenient.”
  • Ryan on the differences between family, friends, and acquaintances: “I invest in people who are invested in me, regardless of whose blood they have in their veins.”
  • Joshua on maintaining healthy relationships with friends who don’t share the same values: “Values are the bedrock of friendship.”
  • Ryan on maintaining healthy relationships with friends who don’t share the same values: “Being friends with someone whose values don’t align with yours is possible, but it isn’t easy.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#062

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua jumped on Instagram Live to answer a bunch of questions about minimalism, including:

  • How can I live with a non-minimalist who likes to keep everything?
  • What has been the most valuable thing you have learned on your minimalist journey so far?
  • Was your partner a minimalist before you met?
  • How do you manage stress when you feel mentally tired or overwhelmed much of the time?
  • In regards to people, how do you go about saying “no”?
  • Should I move to improve my life?
  • Do you do laundry every day?
  • Do you see a link between minimalism and spirituality?
  • Do you have some tips for dealing with people in your life who don’t understand minimalism?
  • If I have debt, should I invest first or pay off the debt first?
  • What do you think of Dave Ramsey?
  • Your film is not available on Netflix in my country—is there another option to watch your film worldwide?
  • When is your next tour date?
  • What are our thoughts on nutrition?
  • What is your favorite recipe on the Minimal Wellness website?
  • How do you retrain a young child’s materialistic mindset when your family is becoming more minimalist?

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Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#061

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan talk about finances, debt, economics, and they answer the following questions:

  • Should I invest my earnings when I have school loan debt and credit card debt, or should I focus on paying down the debt?
  • My family’s medical debt seems the most pernicious of any of our debt—how do I best address it?
  • What financial advice do you have for recent college graduates?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, sharable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Joshua on paying debt off slowly: “There’s no such thing as good debt.”
  • Ryan on paying debt off slowly: “There’s no such thing as good debt!”
  • Joshua on turning minimal finances into maximal finances: “The best way to give yourself a pay raise is to spend less money.”
  • Ryan on turning minimal finances into maximal finances: “Money can solve only so many problems.”
  • Joshua on budgeting as a minimalist in a household of non-minimalists: “Agree on outcomes before agreeing on actions.”
  • Ryan on budgeting as a minimalist in a household of non-minimalists: “You don’t have to be a minimalist to follow a budget.”
  • Joshua on budgeting for a wedding: “If you have to go into debt, you can’t afford it.”
  • Ryan on budgeting for a wedding: “A wedding doesn’t need to cost an arm and a leg to make it a meaningful experience.”
  • Joshua on student loan debt: “There is no such thing as good debt.”
  • Ryan on student loan debt: “There is no such thing as good debt!”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#060

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan present three audiobook chapters from their most popular book, Everything That Remains.

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Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#059

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan talk about different types of minimalist dwellings and simple-living situations, and they answer the following questions:

  • I’d like to move to a much smaller home, but how do I get my partner and my children on board?
  • I have a lot of extra room in my home—how do I ensure I don’t fill it all with new stuff?
  • What are your views on microhomes?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, sharable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Joshua on what he left out of his new home that he misses: “As my needs change, my possessions change accordingly.”
  • Ryan on what he left out of his new home that he misses: “Minimalists do not deprive themselves of the things that add value to their lives.”
  • Joshua on whether art is simply stuff: “Possessions have no intrinsic meaning, only the meaning we give to them.”
  • Ryan on whether art is simply stuff: “Minimalism helps me create beautiful art. It helps me create a beautiful life.”
  • Joshua on where to start decluttering: “Just start. Letting go gets easier by the day.”
  • Ryan on where to start decluttering: “One day or day one—you decide.”
  • Joshua on the appropriate amount of technology in the home: “The most valuable technologies don’t supplant, they supplement.”
  • Ryan on the appropriate amount of technology in the home: “Technology is a great tool, but don’t get caught up in the upgrades.”
  • Joshua on regretting parting with items: “I’ve never regretted letting go, but if I ever do, I’ll let go of the regret.”
  • Ryan on regretting parting with items: “The greatest regret I have is not letting go sooner.”
  • Joshua on maintaining a minimalist home with children: “Minimalism with children isn’t a challenge, it’s an adventure.”
  • Ryan on maintaining a minimalist home with children: “I can’t think of one good reason for the average person to hoard things.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#058

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan answer a bunch of questions about minimalism, including:

  • When will The Minimalists have a tour stop in my city?
  • Can I gradually adopt minimalist practices, or do I have to adopt them all at once?
  • How do I get all my family members to become practicing minimalists like me?
  • What are the best options for financially sound end-of-life planning?
  • How did you let go of items that you spent a lot of money on?
  • If everyone adopted minimalism and stopped buying stuff, wouldn’t that cause an economic crisis?

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Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#057

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan talk about clothing brands, simple wardrobes, and minimalist accessories, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I balance being a minimalist with my desire to own a full wardrobe of nice clothing?
  • What are the most responsible clothing manufacturers that produce the highest quality clothing?
  • I have purged most of my clothes, and I need to acquire well-made replacements that will last—where do I start?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, sharable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Joshua on managing a wardrobe in a volatile climate: “As with life, plan for the hot days and plan for the cold days.”
  • Ryan on managing a wardrobe in a volatile climate: “I can’t think of one good excuse to hoard clothes.”
  • Joshua on apparel emblazoned with pop culture references: “I avoid logos, brands, and advertisements whenever I can.”
  • Ryan on apparel emblazoned with pop culture references: “Wear what you love.”
  • Joshua on just-in-case clothing: “I own what I need, and I constantly reevaluate my needs.”
  • Ryan on just-in-case clothing: “Typically I remove items from my life I don’t use at least once a year.”
  • Joshua on ethical second-hand clothes retailers and donation warehouses: “Buying used clothes, no matter the brand, is often the most ethical way to shop.”
  • Ryan on ethical second-hand clothes retailers and donation warehouses: “No matter where I get my clothes, I usually wear them out before I get rid of them.”
  • Joshua on minimizing a wardrobe to meet the approval of others: “You don’t need anyone’s approval but your own.”
  • Ryan on minimizing a wardrobe to meet the approval of others: “Days are less stressful for those who can find a simple wardrobe to fit their lifestyle.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#056

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan read mean tweets from their critics, and they talk about the best ways to respond to criticism.

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Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#055

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan discuss the brief but inspirational life of one of their closest friends, Stanley Dukes.

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Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#054

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan talk about organizing material possessions, and they answer the following questions:

  • Once you’ve decluttered, how do you maintain your newly minimized living space?
  • What are some good alternatives to paper planners for keeping your schedule organized?
  • What do you think of Marie Kondo’s method?
  • How do you declutter your digital collection?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, sharable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Joshua on recognizing when organizing is being used as a distraction: “Organizing is not nearly as freeing as letting go.”
  • Ryan on recognizing when organizing is being used as a distraction: “Distraction is a form of procrastination.”
  • Joshua on minimizing organizational tools: “It’s quixotic to assume we can use possessions to combat our problem with possessions.”
  • Ryan on minimizing organizational tools: “It’s impossible to keep it simple if you have an abundant supply of organizing materials.”
  • Joshua on using software to organize: “I embrace technology, but whenever I rely too heavily on tech, I feel disorganized.”
  • Ryan on using software to organize: “No software will do the hard work for you—taking action is our responsibility.”
  • Joshua on using organizing as an excuse to cling to stuff: “Before organizing, pretreat your possessions by getting rid of most of them.”
  • Ryan on using organizing as an excuse to cling to stuff: “You’re allowed to use as many excuses as you want in life, but it won’t be much of a meaningful life then.”
  • Joshua on everyday carry: “Everything I carry, I need.”
  • Ryan on everyday carry: “Comparing our material possessions to others is a great way to see discontent.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#053

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan talk about how they handle stress, tension, and anxiety, and they answer the following questions:

  • What have you found most challenging about maintaining a minimalist lifestyle, and how have you overcome those challenges?
  • What can I do to feel more comfortable around non-minimalists?
  • Do you think you both would have continued to be long-term minimalists without having one another along for the journey for support and encouragement?
  • The workload at my current job consistently flows over into my personal time on my evenings and weekends, and it causes me a great deal of stress and anxiety in doing so—should I stick it out, and if so, how do I manage the stress and anxiety?
  • How do I deal with the stress and anxiety of commuting daily in my car so I don’t have to give up access to the things I love like my job, my partner, and my recreational activities?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, sharable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Joshua on providing guidance: “For more meaningful interactions, I avoid questioning other people’s intentions.”
  • Ryan on providing guidance: “Being a role model for others is one of the biggest honors.”
  • Joshua on the influence of ambient clutter on stress levels: “Material clutter is a physical manifestation of what’s going on inside us.”
  • Ryan on the influence of ambient clutter on stress levels: “A visually overstimulating room can be just as distracting as a noisy room.”
  • Joshua on striving to become a stress-free minimalist: “Minimalism helps us feel less stressed by letting go of our vapid problems like consumerism, and replacing them with more empowering problems.”
  • Ryan on striving to become a stress-free minimalist: “Removing physical clutter can help free up mental space.”
  • Joshua on tools and tips to minimize stress and anxiety: “Just breathe.”
  • Ryan on tools and tips to minimize stress and anxiety: “Daily incantations affirm who we are and how we feel.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#052

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan talk about dealing with material possessions while moving, and they answer the following questions:

  • In preparing to move to a more spacious place, how can I prepare appropriately to ensure I hold to my minimalist practices and not fill it with unnecessary items?
  • How can I help my children purge much of their superfluous belongings during a move, yet still make it fun for them?
  • How do I ensure I pack only what I need when moving?
  • How do I politely refuse family heirlooms and other donations from family when they’re moving?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, sharable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Joshua on finding inexpensive or free moving boxes: “If you have less stuff, you’ll need fewer boxes.”
  • Ryan on finding inexpensive or free moving boxes: “Between friends, family, and local grocery stores, you can find a lot of cardboard boxes for free.”
  • Joshua on determining what to keep and what to purge: “Distinguish between just-for-when and just-in-case items. Let go of just-in-case items with the 20/20 Rule, and apply the 90/90 Rule when dealing with just-for-when items.”
  • Ryan on determining what to keep and what to purge: “It doesn’t matter what rules you follow, as long as you’re following rules that fit within your lifestyle.”
  • Joshua on determining what to sell, what to donate, and what to give away: “Moving is the perfect time to throw a literal packing party.”
  • Ryan on determining what to sell, what to donate, and what to give away: “When selling possessions, it’s important to determine the value of your time versus the sunk cost of the items.”
  • Joshua on parting with sentimental items: “The first step in letting go is understanding that our memories aren’t inside our things—our memories are inside us.”
  • Ryan on parting with sentimental items: “Start small—give away one sentimental item to see how it feels. If you can’t sleep at night, ask them to return it.”
  • Joshua on determining what is essential: “Ask yourself, ‘How do I want to live?’ Build your home and your stuff around that life.”
  • Ryan on determining what is essential: “Don’t bring things into your home just because there’s a space for it—instead, ask, ‘What is going to serve a purpose or bring me joy?’”
  • Joshua on forcing children to adopt minimalist practices: “The road to discontent is cluttered with good intentions.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#051

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan discuss our addiction to possessions, shopping, social media, entertainment, and more, and they answer the following questions:

  • When I go to a store to return a purchase thanks to buyer’s remorse, how do I ensure I don’t succumb to my inner compulsive shopper where I wind up exchanging an item instead of returning it?
  • I recognize my binge watching of Netflix and YouTube makes me unproductive, antisocial, and unfulfilled, but how do I stop doing it?
  • As a small business owner, how do I help my customers avoid compulsory consumption without damaging the source of my income?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, sharable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Ryan on eschewing social media and calling people instead: “Social media is a tool. Used properly, it can add a tremendous amount of value to our lives.”
  • Joshua on eschewing social media and calling people instead: “Avoid ‘keeping up.’ Focus instead on giving and getting value.”
  • Ryan on our desire to create collections: “Hunting and gathering is in our DNA. Collecting is a side effect, and it’s becoming an antiquated form of survival in most of the modern world.”
  • Joshua on our desire to create collections: “Collecting is well-planned hoarding. Thus, we often form collections to cover up our hoard.”
  • Ryan on doing nothing: “When I snowboard, I always take a few moments to ‘just be on the mountain.’”
  • Joshua on doing nothing: “Sometimes nothing counts as something.”
  • Ryan on spending an inordinate amount of time playing video games: “Habits are hard to break. Others’ habits are even harder to break.”
  • Joshua on spending an inordinate amount of time playing video games: “You can’t help people who don’t want help.”
  • Ryan on minimizing social media use: “If you want a break from social media, turn it off—the power button is right there.”
  • Joshua on minimizing social media use: “Use social media intentionally: unfollow and unfriend the people who aren’t adding value, and work hard to create value yourself.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#050

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan talk about getting back to basics for the new year, and they answer the following questions:

  • What should I do when I love my job, but my company’s values and beliefs don’t align with my own?
  • How do you start working toward a goal, and how do you ensure you remain accountable to achieving that goal?
  • How do you measure your success throughout the year?
  • How do I get back to basics emotionally after a tumultuous year?

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Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#049

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan answer a bunch of questions about minimalism, including:

  • Can adopting minimalist practices improve my mental state?
  • What are The Minimalists’ plans for 2017?
  • When are The Minimalists coming to my city?
  • After I adopt minimalist practices and declutter, how do I maintain my new neat and orderly life?
  • How do I address the nagging worry that everything will fall apart?
  • When you purchase items, do you ensure the companies you purchase from use ethical, sustainable, and environmentally responsible practices?
  • What did you do to grow your website and spread your message?
  • What tools do you use to write?
  • How do I stay present while traveling and stop viewing much of my trips through the camera viewfinder?

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Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#048

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan present some of their best answers from 2016, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do you minimize social media feeds and not miss important info?
  • What are some alternative education options besides college?
  • How do you commit to a career choice?
  • How can you best express the benefits of minimalism to others?
  • How do you find your passion?
  • How do you form a financial team with your partner who thinks some debt is okay?
  • How do you differentiate between good criticism and bad criticism?

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Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#047

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan talk about the different influences that helped them let go, and they answer the following questions:

  • When did you realize minimalism was the right path for you, and what brought you to that realization?
  • How do we help budding adults struggling with the overwhelm of consumption, and how do we do a better job helping our children adopt minimalist practices early so they don’t find themselves struggling through similar situations later in life?
  • Do you believe you still would have adopted minimalism even if you had not “had it all”?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, sharable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Ryan on receiving unneeded gifts: “When you receive a gift, it’s yours now—you can do whatever you want with it.”
  • Joshua on receiving unneeded gifts: “Let it go: it’s just stuff.”
  • Ryan on the most difficult thing to give up: “Identity is one of the hardest things to let go: it takes a lot to see ourselves differently.”
  • Joshua on the most difficult thing to give up: “Letting go of our attachment to stuff is difficult, but necessary.”
  • Ryan on practicing minimalism among roommates who do not practice minimalism: “Showing respect is the best method of persuasion.”
  • Joshua on practicing minimalism among roommates who do not practice minimalism: “Don’t preach—teach.”
  • Ryan on minimizing the time requisite to achieve a goal: “Unorganized or unclear goals lead to discontent.”
  • Joshua on minimizing the time requisite to achieve a goal: “Discover what’s essential to reach your objective, and then eliminate the rest.”
  • Ryan on reconciling minimalist values with family and friends with non-minimalist values: “It’s important to love, support, and respect family—and more important to never act against your values and beliefs.”
  • Joshua on reconciling minimalist values with family and friends with non-minimalist values: “You can’t change the people around you, but you can change the people around you.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#046

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua answers questions about parenting as a minimalist, including:

  • How do you minimize the accoutrements that seem requisite when you have young children?
  • How do you initiate a minimalist lifestyle with family members, and how do you maintain and measure the results of such a lifestyle?
  • How do you help children adopt and maintain minimalist practices on their own?
  • What are the best gifts for children?
  • How do I let go of sentimental items?
  • Should I hold onto my children’s items for future children I may or may not have?
  • When co-parenting, how do I explain to the children how to reconcile the different values and beliefs of each household?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua’s pithy, sharable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Joshua on minimizing children’s possessions: “Before we let go, we should first understand the benefits.”
  • Joshua on minimalist travel with children: “When traveling, limit yourself to what fits in only one bag. Sometimes limitations are freeing—they force you to select only the essentials.”
  • Joshua on explaining to your children about the preciousness of time: “Rob Bell says, ‘You are always teaching your kids. And sometimes you use words.’”
  • Joshua on explaining to children the relationship of possessions to social status: “You don’t have to try to be better than anyone to be a better human being.”
  • Joshua on nighttime sleep routines for children: “Have as few things in the routine as possible. Keep it simple: hygiene and reading are plenty.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#045

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua answers a bunch of questions about simple living, including:

  • Do you plan on making another movie?
  • What do you think of veganism and its effects on the environment?
  • What do I tell family members who are upset that I don’t want to participate in a gift exchange during the holiday season?
  • How can I be a minimalist as a teacher or a student when I have so many physical items—books, papers, etc.—to deal with?
  • What are your thoughts on tiny houses?
  • What are your thoughts on renting versus buying?
  • What is the simplest way to explain minimalism to others?
  • How do I get started with minimalism?
  • How do I convince family members to adopt minimalism?

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Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#044

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan present two audiobook chapters from Minimalism: Live a Meaningful Life.

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Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#043

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan talk about creativity, craft, passion, and different types of creative work, and they answer the following questions:

  • Do you consider the value of your content for your audience while you’re creating it?
  • How can I improve my craft?
  • What is the best method for editing my work?
  • How do I create a blog?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, sharable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Ryan on creativity and originality: “If you create something unique, by default it is original.”
  • Joshua on creativity and originality: “Worthwhile creations reside at the intersection of connection and originality.”
  • Ryan on half-completed projects: “Concentrating on one thing at a time is the best way to accomplish any task. Multitasking doesn’t exist.”
  • Joshua on half-completed projects: “Constraint breeds creativity.”
  • Ryan on creativity: “It’s not about how others define creativity—the one putting in the work gets to decide.”
  • Joshua on creativity: “Creativity sits in the absence of consumption.”
  • Ryan on creating consumables while minimizing consumables: “Living with less makes room for the things—even physical things—that add the most value to our lives.”
  • Joshua on creating consumables while minimizing consumables: “Don’t just live with less stuff—live without excess.”
  • Ryan on motivation to create: “If I stop creating, I stop living.”
  • Joshua on motivation to create: “Avoid content in favor of meaningful creations. Content is nebulous; important creations align with values.”
  • Ryan on flow state: “There is no magical formula: put in the work and you will find a flow state.”
  • Joshua on flow state: “Drudge through the drudgery.”
  • Joshua on minimal farming: “When confronted with an unknown, it’s okay to say, ‘I don’t know.’”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#042

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan talk about creating a meaningful holiday season, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do you get into the holiday spirit with all the everyday challenges of life, as well as the constant bombardment of holiday advertising?
  • How do you avoid succumbing to the overconsumption of alcohol amid all the pressures of the holiday season?
  • How do you discuss with your family that you want to replace holiday traditions that no longer add value to your family’s holiday season?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, sharable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Ryan on mindfully participating in family holiday festivities: “The best way to contribute is to accept support from your loved ones, and to show your appreciation of them.”
  • Joshua on mindfully participating in family holiday festivities: “Be present. Be attentive. Just be.”
  • Ryan on acquiescing to the stress of the holiday season: “Busyness doesn’t always equal productivity. And it certainly doesn’t always equate to adding value.”
  • Joshua on acquiescing to the stress of the holiday season: “Busyness has become a status symbol, but it has become a vacuous endeavor. ‘Busy’ is the foulest four-letter word in the English language.”
  • Ryan on loneliness during the holiday season: “Are you feeling lonely this holiday season? The best way to create a bond with your community is to contribute.”
  • Joshua on loneliness during the holiday season: “‘Lonely’ and ‘alone’ are not synonyms. Sometimes a crowded place can feel the most alone.”
  • Ryan on holiday decorating without clutter: “Whether to have a bunch of decorations or not is the wrong question—the right question is ‘What adds the most meaning to my holiday season?’”
  • Joshua on holiday decorating without clutter: “A simply decorated home is the most elegant home.”
  • Ryan on juggling the festivities of the holiday season: “Party invitations are just that—an invite. You get to decide what to do with your time.”
  • Joshua on juggling the festivities of the holiday season: “Say ‘no’ to almost everything, so you can say ‘yes’ to that which is most important.”
  • Ryan on keeping the magic and fun of the holiday season without Santa: “There’s always room for new traditions. What matters most is that your family knows you love and support them.”
  • Joshua on keeping the magic and fun of the holiday season without Santa: “Honesty is the bedrock of the most healthy traditions.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#041

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan present two chapters about “Minimalism” and “Stuff” from Essential.

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Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#040

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan discuss reducing digital, physical, and mental noise in our everyday lives, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do you deal with negative emotions?
  • What methods do you recommend for getting to sleep?
  • How do you adopt minimalism when you have mental challenges?
  • How do you manage to be a minimalist among non-minimalists?
  • How do you break the cycle of compulsory consumption?
  • Should you proactively provide others with constructive criticism?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, sharable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Ryan on restaurant noise: “I avoid TV-filled restaurants unless I’m there to watch football.”
  • Joshua on restaurant noise: “The first step in turning down the volume is avoiding the noise. At the very least, turn your back to the noise.”
  • Ryan on the value of noise and static: “Noise isn’t always bad. I love going to concerts—plenty of noise there.”
  • Joshua on the value of noise and static: “The noise helps us appreciate the quiet.”
  • Ryan on ignoring devices and focusing on loved ones: “I’ve been to plenty of get-togethers where the invite specifically asks for no phones to be present during the event.”
  • Joshua on ignoring devices and focusing on loved ones: “For more meaningful get-togethers, leave your phone in the car, suggest a phone-free evening, and keep a phone basket near the door.”
  • Ryan on silencing mental noise: “Meditate.”
  • Joshua on silencing mental noise: “Are your negative thoughts useful? If so, take action. If not, let go.”
  • Ryan on noise while writing: “I like being in a coffeeshop. It’s not the noise, though—it’s the movement of the people I enjoy.”
  • Joshua on noise while writing: “Silence reigns supreme.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#039

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan discuss giftgiving, the holiday shopping season, Black Friday, and the commodification of love, and they answer the following questions:

  • What gifts are appropriate for minimalists to gift on special occasions where gifts are the expectation, such as weddings, baby showers, bachelorette parties, and the like?
  • What gifts have you given on Christmas?
  • How do you tactfully part with gifts from loved ones without offending the gift giver?
  • How do I explain minimalism to family members with regard to giving gifts and receiving gifts?
  • What is the difference between a thoughtful gift and asking someone what they want for Christmas?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, sharable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Ryan on gift limits: “Try to compromise—can you ask your family to give consumables or experiences?”
  • Joshua on gift limits: “Don’t set expectations without first attempting to understand why someone is upset.”
  • Ryan on gifts for fathers: “Gift him an experience. How about preparing his favorite meal?”
  • Joshua on gifts for fathers: “Most dads I know—including myself—prefer presence over presents. After all, presence is the best present.”
  • Ryan on charities: “Charity Water is my favorite charity, and World Vision is a close second.”
  • Joshua on charities: “GiveWell.org provides evidence-based, thoroughly vetted analysis of the best charities to donate in your name, or as a gift.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#038

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan embark on a positive, apolitical discussion about the results of the 2016 U.S. presidential election, and they talk about where we go from here.

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Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#037

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan discuss focus, pacifiers, success, priorities, goals, and much more, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do we better educate ourselves about negative media?
  • How can minimalism help us develop and maintain clarity of mind?
  • Can pacifiers be useful?
  • How do we maintain a minimalist lifestyle?
  • How do we stay grounded with so much going on?

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Minimal Maxims

Joshua & Ryan’s pithy, sharable, less-than-140-character answers to the lightning-round questions:

  • Ryan on social media: “I check social media once a day.”
  • Joshua on social media: “Does this message serve the greater good? If not, delete before sending.”
  • Ryan on multitasking: “There’s no such thing as multitasking.”
  • Joshua on multitasking: “There’s only single-tasking. Or single-tasking plus noise.”
  • Ryan on goals: “I don’t have goals. If I don’t need a goal, then I don’t have it.”
  • Joshua on goals: “Instead of goals, I prefer to have a direction in which I travel: if you’re searching for a sunrise, head east; for a sunset, west.”
  • Ryan on focus: “If you don’t meditate—meditate. Five minutes a day—try it out.”
  • Joshua on focus: “First identify your ideal life, then shed that which does not serve your vision.”
  • Ryan on nutrition: “If I eat crap, I feel like crap.”
  • Joshua on nutrition: “Eat real foods. No sugar. Nothing processed. Reduce carbs. Treat food as nourishment, not entertainment.”

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#036

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan answer questions in front of a sold-out crowd in their hometown, Dayton, Ohio, including:

  • With the infinite possibilities of places to travel to and to live in, how do I minimize those options and focus on one place?
  • Have you considered focusing your efforts on educating the younger generations on minimalism to prevent the problems with consumerism that arise as we grow older?
  • When you’re on major media outlets, do you believe the interviewers are wholly engaged and later become advocates for minimalism?

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Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#035

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan answer questions in front of a sold-out crowd in Salt Lake City, Utah, including:

  • What is your relationship with everything that remained after your purge of most of your physical belongings?
  • How does minimalism apply to life beyond physical belongings?
  • Do you feel pressure to be role models of minimalism, or is it just part of who you are?
  • How do we help our kids adopt minimalist practices when they’re so entrenched in a compulsory consumption society?
  • How do we explain to loved ones that we appreciate items they’ve given to us after we’ve donated the items when they’re no longer useful to us?
  • What are the best methods for storing digital files?
  • Will you share more personal insights into your lives as minimalists in future content?

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Mentioned in This Episode

Our sincere thanks to all the folks at Megaplex Theatres at The Gateway in Salt Lake City for graciously hosting us and for helping us capture this podcast episode.

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#034

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan answer questions in front of a sold-out crowd in Chicago, including:

  • How do we help the Baby Boomer generation adopt minimalism?
  • How did you connect with all of the minimalists featured in your film?
  • How did your move to Montana relate to your minimalist journey?
  • Have you ever asked for anything back that you gave away?
  • What advice do you have for documentary filmmakers?
  • What new projects do you have planned for the future?

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Mentioned in This Episode

Our sincere thanks to all the folks at The Logan Theatre in Chicago for graciously hosting us and for helping us capture this podcast episode.

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#032

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan take a break from their podcasting break to discuss some of their favorite documentaries.

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Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#031

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan discuss letting go and the willingness to walk away from anything.

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Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#030

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan answer questions in front of a sold-out crowd in Los Angeles, including:

  • Why do you feel as satisfied purging items as you do collecting items?
  • How do you live as a minimalist in areas with a high cost of living?
  • What are the three life lessons you want to leave behind as your legacy?
  • How do you pay for education for a new career without going into debt?
  • Which presidential candidate is most in line with minimalist principles?
  • What are the best first steps to start one’s journey into minimalism?
  • How do you become the minimalist you strive to be when you’re wrapped up in obligations that require you to work most of the time and put that life on hold?
  • How do you transition from a corporate career to your life’s mission?
  • How do you attain and maintain focus as a writer?

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Mentioned in This Episode

Our sincere thanks to all the folks at the Harmony Gold in L.A. for graciously hosting us and for helping us capture this podcast episode.

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#029

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan discuss debt, credit scores, credit cards, investments, and much more, and they answer the following questions:

  • Should you keep credit cards or cancel them after you pay them off?
  • Should you invest money while you’re paying off debt or put all the money toward paying off the debt?
  • Should you use federal income-based repayment programs if you have student-loan debt?
  • How do you form a financial team with your partner who thinks some debt is okay?

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Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#028

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan discuss passion, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do you focus on one passion when you enjoy many passions?
  • How do you find your passion?
  • How do you make a living from your passion?
  • How do you prioritize your time to accommodate all your passions?

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Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#027

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan hand the microphone to Colin Wright, of Let’s Know Things, for a special guest episode.

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Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#026

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan answer questions in front of a sold-out crowd in Dallas, including:

  • How do we share the film with others?
  • How do we find lending libraries?
  • How do we continue to resist compulsory consumption?
  • How do we avoid assuming an air of superiority over others who have not adopted minimalism?
  • What does it mean to live intentionally?
  • What do we do if we feel discontented with minimalism?
  • What tips do you have for kids to learn to live with less?
  • Did you foresee the minimalist movement growing this quickly?
  • What city have you found to be the most minimalist?
  • How do you reconcile yourself with not being able to accomplish everything you want to do?
  • How do you reconcile yourself with your inadequacies as a minimalist?
  • How do you explain minimalism to your friends and family who insist on giving you physical gifts?
  • How do we repurpose things we normally throw away?
  • How do we address legal issues with tiny homes?
  • How do we take control of our lives?
  • How do we keep pushing ourselves as minimalists?
  • How do we minimize the cost and stress associated with travel?
  • How do we differentiate between what we should donate and what we should throw away?
  • How can we help businesses adopt minimalist practices?
  • How do we minimize sentimental items?

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Mentioned in This Episode

Our sincere thanks to all the folks at the Texas Theatre (@TexasTheatre) in Dallas for graciously hosting us and for helping us capture this podcast episode.

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#025

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan hand the microphone to Jessica Lynn Williams and Melissa Cain, of The Mind Palace Podcast, for a special guest episode.

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Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#024

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan share a handful of interviews from their new film, Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things, which hits United States and Canadian theaters starting today, May 24, 2016. Find your nearest showing here. You can also pre-order the online version of the film worldwide here, which includes six hours of bonus content.

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People Featured in This Episode

  • Rick Hanson, Ph.D., Neuropsychologist
  • Jesse Jacobs, Entrepreneur
  • Shannon Whitehead, Sustainable Apparel Consultant
  • Sam Harris, Ph.D., Neuroscientist
  • Juliet Schor, Ph.D., Economist and Sociologist
  • Patrick Rhone, Author
  • Yarrow Kraner, Film Director and Photographer
  • Ryan Nicodemus Co-founder, The Minimalists
  • Joshua Fields Millburn, Co-founder, The Minimalists
  • Leo Babauta, Author
  • David Friedlander, Communications Director, LifeEdited
  • Jacqueline Smith, Illustrator and Designer
  • Joshua Becker, Author
  • Kim Becker, Co-founder, The Hope Effect

Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#023

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan answer questions in front of a sold-out crowd in Miami, including:

  • How do you resist relapses into compulsory consumption?
  • Where do you purchase minimalist clothing?
  • What’s next for The Minimalists?
  • How can you best express the benefits of minimalism to others?
  • How can you reconcile your minimalists practices with the maximalist practices of family members?
  • How do you stay inspired and focused through the process of integrating minimalist practices into your life?
  • How can you encourage industries to integrate minimalist practices into their daily operations and future planning?

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Mentioned in This Episode

Our sincere thanks to all the folks at the Koubek Center Theater (@KoubekCenterMDC) in Miami for graciously hosting us and for helping us capture this podcast episode.

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#022

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan discuss travel, moving, and packing lightly, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do you minimize your belongings when traveling abroad?
  • How do you move without using a U-Haul truck?
  • Is it better to get a new car or a used car for transportation?
  • How do you travel widely without incurring debt?

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Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#021

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua, Ryan, and director Matt D’Avella answer questions from the audience about their film, Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things, at their sold-out New York City screening:

  • How do we help our children adopt minimalism practices?
  • How do we help our parents adopt minimalism practices?
  • How do we reconcile our personal lives with our professional lives when many of our careers revolve around consumption?
  • How can minimalism help us become more spiritual?
  • How do we tell friends and family members we don’t want physical gifts for birthdays and holidays?
  • Why did you choose to make a documentary about minimalism?
  • What is the most valuable lesson you learned from making the film?

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Mentioned in This Episode

Our sincere thanks to all the folks at the SVA Theatre (@svatheatre) in New York City for graciously hosting us and for helping us capture this podcast episode.

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#020

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan discuss mental clutter, internal clutter, and emotional clutter, and they answer the following questions:

  • Is there a connection between physical clutter and mental clutter?
  • What is the best way to declutter your mind?
  • What are the best meditation practices to focus and clear your mind?
  • How do you practice minimalism despite mental health challenges?

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Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#019

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua discusses writing tips and best practices, and he answers the following questions he commonly receives regarding writing:

  • How did you become a successful writer?
  • What daily habits help you improve as a writer?
  • How do you keep your inner editor from interfering with your inner creator when you write?
  • What writing app do you use?
  • What books about writing do you recommend?

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Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#018

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua discusses diet, exercise, sleep, stress, and more, and he answers the following questions:

  • What diet supplements are most effective?
  • How does minimalism change your diet?
  • What is on the grocery list of a minimalist?
  • What are the most ideal exercises for a minimalist?

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Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#017

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Ryan answers a bucketload of listener questions, including:

  • How do you minimize social activities, but still participate enough socially to be beneficial?
  • How do you respectfully turn down gifts?
  • How do you determine what you can contribute to society that will add the most value?
  • What do you do with pets that are no longer adding value to your life?

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Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#016

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan discuss the perils of consumerism, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do you ensure the clothing you buy was created responsibly?
  • Where do you draw the line between spending more money for higher quality goods and getting sucked into consumerism?
  • How can you be a fandom collector and still be a minimalist?
  • How do you shop responsibly at warehouse club stores?

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Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#015

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua answers a slew of listener questions, including:

  • How do you stay passionate when work and side projects are similar?
  • How do you maintain minimalist practices in the whirlwind of college?
  • How do you explain to loved ones you won’t go into debt to buy gifts?
  • Should you accept a new position that fits your passion but pays less?
  • How do you keep from accumulating more stuff after a move?
  • How do you tell loved ones you don’t want physical gifts?

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Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#014

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan discuss careers, jobs, passion, and the concept of having a “mission” in life, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do you answer “Where do you see yourself in three to five years?”
  • Are there scenarios where more is less?
  • Do you have to make money from a passion?
  • How do you quit your job but still have security?
  • How did you transition from your corporate jobs to what you do today?
  • How do you commit to a career choice?
  • How do you ensure work duties don’t interfere with minimalist values?
  • How do you not lose passion in your work?
  • How do you balance passion and security during a health crisis?
  • What are your views regarding ambition?

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Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#013

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan talk about finances, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do you pay down student loan debt with only a part-time job?
  • How do you buy a house and stay debt-free?
  • Should you use retirement funds to pay down school loan debt?
  • How can you attend college without incurring debt?
  • How can you adopt minimalism if you’re financially challenged?
  • How can you afford to travel for pleasure when you earn less?
  • How can you still enjoy life’s pleasures while paying down debt?

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Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#012

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan talk about letting go of sentimental items, and they answer the following questions:

  • What do you say to those that lost sentimental items involuntarily?
  • What should you do with heirloom jewelry you’ll never wear?
  • How do you get rid of sentimental tchotchkes?
  • How do you help hoarders purge stuff without making them feel guilty?
  • How do you prevent sentimental attachments to newly acquired items?

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Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#011

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan answer a bunch of random questions about minimalism, including:

  • What do you do about relationships you no longer want to invest in?
  • How do you control your compulsion to buy clothes?
  • How do you deal with the guilt you feel when purchasing things?
  • How do you deal with people who say minimalism is wrong?
  • How do you explain to people why it took you so long to finish college?
  • How do you balance using tracking tools without getting overwhelmed?
  • Have you ever felt regret after letting something go?

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Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#010

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan discuss the “next steps” after removing the clutter, and they answer the following questions:

  • What activities did you cut out when you adopted minimalism?
  • Do you ever reach a plateau when getting rid of your stuff?
  • How do you store paper documents as a minimalist?
  • When does minimalism go too far?
  • What’s next after everything is decluttered?

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Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#009

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan talk about relationships, and they answer the following questions:

  • How do I transition into minimalism and be mindful of my relationships?
  • How do I tell those I enjoy giving gifts to that I don’t want any in return?
  • How do I help my friends understand my new minimalist lifestyle?
  • Where does minimalism end and negligence begin in relationships?
  • How do I explain to friends and family that minimalism is not a fad?

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Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#008

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan discuss the issues with “stuff,” and they answer the following questions:

  • What do you do when the experiences you enjoy involve a lot of stuff?
  • What do you carry with you every day?
  • What do you think of the KonMari Method for decluttering?
  • What suggestions do you have for stopping compulsive buying habits?
  • Do you believe you should only own a certain amount of items?

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Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#007

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan share a live Q&A event at which they wrestled with audience questions about minimalism, decluttering, passion, families, children, pets, clothes, finances, debt, mortgages, and much more.

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Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#006

In this “quickie” episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan discuss priorities, and they answer the following listener questions:

  • When minimizing possessions, how do you know when to stop?
  • When donating time, how do you minimize duties and schedules?

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Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#005

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan discuss the failures of the modern education system, and they answer the following listener questions:

  • How do you get a decent college education as a minimalist?
  • What are some alternative education options besides college?
  • How do you avoid getting caught up in the “rat race” vibe from friends?
  • How do you define success?
  • Whom do you consider a success?

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Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#004

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan discuss minimalism with children, and they answer the following listener questions:

  • How do you battle the clutter that comes with kids?
  • How do you convince loved ones to stop giving you physical gifts?
  • How do you help family members adopt minimalism?
  • How do you determine which items to keep “just in case”?
  • What advice do you have for buying a new, clutterfree home?
  • How do you declutter when your partner enjoys material possessions?
  • How can minimalism aid in the recovery from addictions?
  • How do you determine which books to keep and which to give away?
  • How do you keep minimalism from becoming an obsessive lifestyle?

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Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#003

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan discuss minimalism approaches to technology, and they attempt to answer the following questions:

  • How do you minimize social media feeds and not miss important info?
  • How do you minimize your online browsing habits?
  • How do you apply minimalism to technology?
  • How do you embrace minimalism when your partner has no interest?
  • What advice do you have for artists overwhelmed by art supplies?
  • What was the most difficult thing for you to get rid of?
  • How do you expand your vocabulary?
  • How do you explain you don’t want things for gifts, but experiences?
  • Is it better to donate items or to sell them?
  • What does value mean to you?
  • The Five Values in your book Minimalism are health, relationships, passion, growth, and contribution. If there was a sixth value, what would it be?

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Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#002

In this episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan discuss best practices for decluttering, and they attempt to answer the following questions:

  • What is one thing you always thought you wanted, but then, once you got it, you no longer wanted it?
  • How do you gradually declutter your home?
  • How do you explain greed in our society?
  • What do you do with old photos after you scan them?
  • How do you deal with the natural pulling away from friends with different values?
  • When is The Minimalists’ documentary coming out?
  • What charities do The Minimalists support?
  • Do The Minimalists gain any money from their website?

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Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#001

In this introductory episode of The Minimalists Podcast, Joshua & Ryan discuss their personal stories, as well as the format of their new podcast.

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Mentioned in This Episode

https://www.theminimalists.com/podcast/#000

The Minimalists Podcast is produced by Malabama, mixed by Peter Duff, and recorded at Earthing Studios. Our theme music was written and performed by Peter Doran. Our podcast is free of advertisements, so if you find value in these episodes, please consider becoming a supporter.

Some of the links on this site are affiliate links (e.g., links to books on Amazon), which means we earn some revenue, at no additional cost to you, from some of the products and services recommended.

Questions + Comments

If you have a question for our podcast, call 406-219-7839, or email a voice memo to podcast@theminimalists.com.

If you’d like to comment on the podcast, you can leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Not only do we read every review, but positive reviews also help our simple-living message reach more ears.

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