The Minimalists

The Minimalists talk about setting down burdens that exhaust us, why it's so difficult to ask for help, the scientific benefits of infrared saunas, and much more. Discussed in this episode: What happens when the person everyone depends on is the one who falls apart? (4:48) Where do you struggle to ask for help? (26:20) Right Here, Right Now: Very, Very Simple in print, and Clutter Counseling with...

The Minimalists talk about the trap of productivity, the point at which optimization makes your life worse, when purchasing quality goods becomes an extravagance, seven minimalist rules that will help you eliminate your email clutter, and much more.  Discussed in this episode: Don't you hate when people waste your time? (0:48) How can I escape my addiction to optimization? (6:08) At what point doe...

The Minimalists talk about everyday things that turn into clutter, areas in your home that become messy quickly, one question to ask before buying new clothes, 15 useful tips for using your phone less, and more. Discussed in this episode: Is every item you own something you eventually have to organize? (7:22) Where do minimalists actually store all the everyday stuff that usually ends up covering...

The Minimalists speak with behavior expert Dr. John Demartini about loved ones who criticize your minimalist lifestyle, ways to reconcile the tension between simplicity and luxury goods, how our consumption patterns shape our identities, whether good and evil exist, and much more. Discussed in this episode: What is meant by Charles Bukowski's assertion that we are reduced to ashes by our purpose a...

The Minimalists talk about what to do with sacred things that feel like clutter, which minimalist brands work well for home furniture, how to simplify everything in five weeks, how clutter is harming your health (and how to fix it), and more. Discussed in this episode: Why are people constantly angered by trivial things but indifferent to major matters like totally wasting their lives? (00:54) How...

The Minimalists talk with author and speaker Kute Blackson about quiet luxury, letting go of stigmas, the difference between surrendering and giving up, the requirements of optimism, and more. Discussed in this episode: How should I handle the assumptions and stigma I've encountered since embracing a simpler, more comfortable style of dress? (3:50) What's the difference between surrendering and gi...

The Minimalists talk about letting go of sentimental items you rarely use, some of the things we dislike owning, sustainable products for your home, six tiny habits that prevent a messy home, and more. Discussed in this episode: How can I part with my father's prized possession that I rarely use? (4:05) Is there anything you own that you dislike owning? (14:27) Right Here, Right Now: Play the 30-D...

The Minimalists talk about dropping everything for a fresh start, why one big change often leads to several more, a handful of questions to ask before buying anything, what we'd get rid of first if we had two hours to declutter your house, and more. Discussed in this episode: What should I do if I'm torn between staying in the life I've rebuilt or starting over somewhere new for a fresh start? (11...

The Minimalists talk about the difficulties of podcasting, how our love for minimalism has changed over the years, what we dislike about decluttering, how to let go incrementally, and more. Discussed in this episode: A wise kid asks: Do you love minimalism? (4:16) What do you love about minimalism? What do you hate about minimalism? (17:21) Right Here, Right Now: Weekly writing tips from the How t...

The Minimalists discuss the passing of Joshua's brother, Jerome, and they talk about confronting loss, the difficult road to acceptance, the difference between processing and complaining, finding meaning in tragedy, and much, much more. Contribute to the GoFundMe for Jerome's family . Discussed in this episode: Is it better to confront loss with replacement or acceptance? (00:57) What's the differ...

The Minimalists speak with Katy Joy Wells about setting the emotional stage in your home to make it feel more peaceful, uncovering your happy place amid the chaos, finding silence in a noisy world, getting rid of clothes we're unsure about, 15 ridiculous things that society still accepts as normal, and more. Discussed in this episode: How can I intentionally create a more peaceful, happy emotional...

The Minimalists talk about the next step beyond owning less, minimizing the desire to complain, practical ways to stay motivated when you're a beginner, 50 emotions you regularly feel but haven't ever had a name for, and more. Discussed in this episode: Once I've minimized, what's the next step beyond just owning less? (7:36) Congratulations! You've finally minimized everything. Your life is now c...

The Minimalists speak with Kristen Ziegler about identifying and minimizing excess pantry items, the most absurd things we own, how to reset your algorithm, how decluttering and cleaning your home boosts your dopamine levels, and more! Discussed in this episode: How should I best organize my excess pantry items? (4:54) What's the most absurd thing in your pantry? Why is it still there? (20:24) Rig...

The Minimalists talk about whether everything is replaceable on a long-enough timeline, downsizing when you enjoy everything you have, the best time to search for a new job, our favorite organizing hacks, and more. Discussed in this episode: Is everything replaceable on a long-enough timeline? (00:47) How can I let go of my meaningful, seemingly irreplaceable belongings? (4:30) Which would you giv...

The Minimalists speak with Dr. Orion Taraban about how couples can navigate minimalism when only one partner wants to live that way, what's missing from your love life, a new idea to help kids let go, three do's and don'ts that can make or break your relationship, and much more. Discussed in this episode: How do I live a minimalist life when my spouse doesn't share those values? (5:30) What's one...

The Minimalists talk about being a minimalist in a maximalist household, butting heads with people you live with, overcoming body-image insecurities, and much more. Discussed in this episode: How do I stay sane as the only minimalist in a household of loving but devoted maximalists? (1:50) How do you butt heads with the people you live with? (21:16) Right Here, Right Now: Emotional Clutter on Kind...

The Minimalists talk about minimizing information clutter, enjoying learning without trying to optimize your entire life, letting go of the news when it feels overwhelming, why you're terrified of empty space in your home, and much more. Discussed in this episode: When did my love of learning turn into compulsively scavenging for self-improvement—and how do I let go of that need to optimize everyt...

The Minimalists talk about relapsing into consumerism, purchases that make you a bad minimalist, living small in a big world, and much more. Discussed in this episode: Do no-buy challenges create lasting change in our consumption habits—or are they just temporary detoxes before we relapse into old spending patterns? (2:06) What's the last thing you bought that made you feel like a "bad" minimalist...

The Minimalists speak with Andy Hnilo about harmful ingredients people should avoid in their skincare products, what a simple skincare routine looks like, letting go of expensive beauty products you rarely use, and much more. Discussed in this episode: What harmful ingredients should people avoid in hygiene and beauty products, and what are the few essentials most men and women actually need? (2:4...

Joshua Fields Millburn makes an apology for a recent mistake. Download our free resources and sign up for The Minimalists' newsletter at  TheMinimalists.com .

The Minimalists talk about finding work-life balance, knowing when it's time to leave a job that is emotionally exhausting, ergonomic home-office tips, why you don't want new things (and what you actually want instead), and much more! Discussed in this episode: How do I know when a job I love has become career clutter? (2:38) When does the work you love get in the way of the life you love? (20:17)...

The Minimalists talk about some difficult decluttering dilemmas, including what to do with belongings left behind by deceased loved ones, why we don't need to keep every sentimental item, how to handle the endless stream of freebies we receive, and much more. Discussed in this episode: How do I declutter my late husband's belongings while honoring what my young daughters might one day wish I had k...

The Minimalists speak with Steve Patterson about being frustrated when people don't understand us, the benefits and downsides of being abnormal, minimizing chaos at a cultural level, and more! Discussed in this episode: Why do people frustrate me when they don't understand my lifestyle? (4:03) In what ways are you abnormal? What are the benefits? What are the downsides? (19:19) Right Here, Right N...

The Minimalists speak with divorce lawyer James J. Sexton about all the nuances of divorce, including the courage it takes to walk away from a marriage, housing and financial advice for recently single mothers, lessons from spousal cheating, how to know when a relationship is over, and much more! Discussed in this episode: What does it take for someone to find the courage to file for divorce? (10:...

The Minimalists talk about why you have trouble getting the clutter out of the house after you've organized, how to know when it's time to let go, the Wouldn't Replace It Rule, how to deal with all that boomer junk you've inherited, and more. Discussed in this episode: Why do I have trouble letting go of the things I've already decluttered? (3:08) How do you know when it's time to let go of a thin...