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The Minimalists The Minimalists
Emmy-nominated Netflix stars, podcasters, and New York Times–bestselling authors Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus help millions of people live meaningfully with less. The Minimalists have been featured in TIME, GQ, ABC, CBS, NBC, BBC, NPR, and they have spoken at Harvard, Apple, Google.

The Minimalists Podcast

“Sincere prophets of anti-consumerism” (The New Yorker) Joshua Fields Millburn 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 100 million downloads, The Minimalists Podcast is one of the most popular podcasts in the world.

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Episodes

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?

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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?

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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?

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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?

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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?

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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

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?

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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?

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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?

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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?

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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”?

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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

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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 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

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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 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

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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 ‘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

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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 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

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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 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

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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 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?

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 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.

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 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?

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 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?

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/#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

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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 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

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/#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

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 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

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 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

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.

  • “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

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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.

  • “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

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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 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

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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 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

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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.

  • “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

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.

  • “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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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.

  • “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

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.

  • “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

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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.

  • “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?

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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 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

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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.

  • “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

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 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

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.

  • “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