theminimalists

"Kill Them with Love" (Patreon)

Published:

2021-07-22 12:05:01

Imported:

2023-09

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Content

Joshua and Ryan discuss the minimalism rules submitted by their patrons, and they answer the following questions:

What are the questions you ask yourself before buying anything? (00:00)

What is the newest nickname you’re considering for The Minimalists’ audience? (11:38)

I get rid of one thing, every day. If I get rid of five things today, great—but I still have to get rid of one thing tomorrow. (13:23)

How do we deal with people who don't get it and continue to ignore our pleas to stop giving us stuff? (15:31)

What mantra have you found particularly helpful in your life? (19:03)

How do I communicate positively that gifts are not necessary, even if that is someone else’s love language? (20:14)

We lived on a sailboat for years, so minimalistic habits were easy: Buy used whenever possible. Give one to two things away for each thing brought in. Organize a local gifting table. Avoid plastic whenever possible. Use libraries. Don’t give gifts that one can’t eat or drink, unless it is an activity. Break the gift-giving cycle as much as possible and simply give people your time and energy. (25:06)

Generally, I don’t buy things unless I let go of at least one thing. I also don’t buy things based on income, but rather a small percentage of net worth. And I don’t borrow money. (27:21)

I think about whether or not what I buy is going to be used or worn on a daily basis. I don’t own more than one of anything in my kitchen besides plates, cups, and silverware. Less stuff is less chaos in my life. (28:17)

If I’m struggling to decide whether to get rid of an item, if it costs less than $100 to replace, I donate. We keep $100 in savings specifically for replacing this kind of thing. So far we’ve used it once in 10 years of decluttering! And each item we have belongs in a container. If I want to purchase something new, it must fit in its designated “container” (a bookshelf is a great example of this!). So, for example, if I want to buy a new book, I have to make room on the shelf. (29:49)

Wouldn’t it be best to just consider how much energy anything might drain from your life in maintaining it before you bring it into your life? (32:13)

I have learned to tell myself that if I say “yes” to something, I am saying “no” to something else. That puts a lot of pressure on an item to be the “one”. (32:47)

Is it possible that human beings are actually born perfect? (33:18)

I don’t buy on impulse. I plan and consider alternatives, then go buy exactly what I need. I don’t buy an “it will do”. If I don’t find exactly what I need, I leave without it. (37:07)

I don't replace things that are in good working condition to get a new model. (39:55)

After putting anything in my “cart”, I wait an hour before checking out to decide if this is necessary for my life. (46:04)

I see a lot of talk about material items, but I try to apply this to my schedule as well. My anxiety goes through the roof if I over-schedule myself. I control it by taking a minimalist approach to my schedule by making sure I leave room to complete activities on the weekends to make my weeks easier. (47:26)

I always have a donation bag and I’m always putting things in there. When I have two full bags, I donate to someone. (48:58)

When I'm cleaning and come across something I completely forgot about, I throw it out. I don't even give myself a chance to think about it. If I forgot about it, I'm not going to miss it. (50:03)

Everything in my house goes through this thought process: if I died today, there would be someone that would have to deal with all my stuff, and I don’t want to put that burden on anyone. I lost my father in my 20’s, so I think that’s why my thought process goes that way. It’s an unfair burden to leave people all of your stuff after you’re gone. (52:11)

I always ask myself, “If I buy this, where will it live?” It has to have a place to live permanently. (54:44)

All things purchased must have a dual purpose of some kind. (56:42)

LINKS

Bonus: Love People, Use Things

Book: Love People, Use Things

Book: Minimalist Rulebook

Essay: Play the 30-Day Minimalism Game

Essay: Questions to Ask Before Purchasing

Essay: Scared to Death of Death

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Instagram: Joshua Fields Millburn

Instagram: Jordan Moore