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Maximal Ep. 413 | Harm Caused by Decluttering

The Minimalists talk about the balance between holding on and letting go, minimizing digital music clutter, whether to pay off a car loan early, RV living with children, ransacking luxury-goods stores, using Ziploc bags, the problem with social media, and much more.

Discussed in this episode:

How can I let go of possessions my daughter doesn’t want me to let go of? (02:40)

Can digital music become clutter? (14:09)

Should I pay off my car loan or invest that money instead? (23:27)

How can I prepare RV living with three small children? (33:40)

What do The Minimalists think about the mobs that recently stormed high-end luxury stores in California? (39:27)

Why does Joshua still use Ziploc Bags? (46:20)

Why do The Minimalists use social media? (55:56)

Is each successive generation getting better at decluttering? (01:06:37)

How can we let go of the belief that we need to be perfect to do something? (01:13:15)

How can I let people know that we prefer to be gifted experiences rather than stuff for our daughter’s birthday? (01:19:20)

How was Ryan’s experience at Burning Man? (01:24:39)

Are podcasters who run ads scamming their audience? (01:38:16)

Is decluttering making us ashamed of our homes? (02:02:00)

What do we love about this Patron’s home in Bangalow, Australia? (01:14:22)

LINKS

Added Value: Andy Grammer, “Expensive”

Added Value: Messiah

Article: Against Decluttering

Book: 16 Rules for Living with Less

Book: Everything That Remains

Essay: Can We Have an Honest Conversation About Advertisements?

Podcast: Hidden Clutter

Podcast: Cluttercore

Watch: How Was Burning Man?

Website: RyanNicodemus.com

Subscribe: The Minimalists' Newsletter

MAXIMS

Holding on too long leads to clinging, but letting go too soon leads to falling.

Clutter is contextual: if my treasures get in your way, they are clutter.

Silence is more valuable than noise.

If you have to finance it, you can’t afford it.

It’s easier to enjoy the summer if you aren’t fretting about winter.

A wrong thing done to an adversary is still wrong.

Everything is negotiable if you’re willing to walk away.

Simplicity is an experience, not a prescription.

A liberated mindset is the greatest legacy.

Letting go is contagious.

FOLLOW OUR TEAM

Joshua Fields Millburn

Ryan Nicodemus

T.K. Coleman

Malabama

Professor Shawn

Danny Unknwn

Post-Production Peter

Maximal Ep. 413 | Harm Caused by Decluttering

Comments

As someone who grew up a people pleaser with a deep fear of conflict, I find social media perpuates the fear by showing us extreme examples of disagreement and bashing/shamng one another. The examples of healthy debates, like the ones between TK and Josh, feel uncommon because those don't get the clicks.

Aaron Gonzalez

I liked TK's mention of how social media culture can affect the way we interact with others offline. That idea gets overlooked, but it's such a powerful consequence. Our perception of the world can be easily skewed, for better or worse. I appreciate you bringing that to light. Gave me some food for thoughts ✌️

Aaron Gonzalez

As far as advertisements, I think the key is to build trust with your followers. Chalene Johnson does this best! I trust that she will only advertise products that she loves and be honest about the ones she doesn’t like. I follow many other influencers that I like but don’t trust their intentions when they push a product.

Ginger Lang

Fabulous episode. Thoughts about Maria’s situation…I have an inkling that her daughter’s emotions are not tied as much to the stuff as they are to Maria taking a paid position in the school which takes her away as a readily available support system to help with the grands. I’m a full time teacher and have grands that live near. I know they appreciate my freedom in the summer when I’m not working at school. Love your show! I find nuggets of wisdom and immense value in every podcast.

Nancy

It’s amazing how much consciousness it takes to stop comparing yourself to others! I think there is tacit encouragement from every angle to do this, sadly.

Chris Wileman

The “What’s your Beyoncé ?” conversation was great! Mine would have to be for the perfect powder run 🏂❄️❄️❄️ I think most winter sports enthusiasts would agree. I’ve definitely put myself into some uncomfortable & scary situations for it.

CTots21

Hope you enjoy it! It’s my favorite one and I go back to it often.

CTots21

From the consumer perspective of a podcast being paid to promote ads: as soon as you accept money to run the ad then we no longer know if the ad runner is truly independent and genuine. Most people will accept money for anything so it ruins it for those who actual have values.

Mike Vern

She hasn’t directly asked for my help, but she is actively searching for a new job and has been slowly opening up to me. I have been talking with her daily and giving her as much advice and guidance as I can. She has been stuck in the mindset that the corporate world is the only way she can be successful and has been slowly breaking that mindset as she sees more clearly now about how the boss is treating her.

Alexa Russello

Is she asking for your help?

The Minimalists

Congrats!

The Minimalists

I really enjoy your episodes, I just found out I’m pregnant for the first time ever (my husband is super excited too) and I’m really thankful I found your books and podcasts and became a minimalist back in 2019. It helps me get some perspective on the changes to come and to focus on experiences rather than stuff.

Denise Kludo

I have raised nine children without social media - engage with your child and bring them out and experience new things with them and their friends. I have try to arouse in them a desire to experience life, not watch some fake people pretend to experience life. For instance go to the berry patch and pick the berries to go home and really make a pie with. Don’t just go to get a cute picture of them in a matching berry outfit and never even taste a berry. Show the children that they are there for more than an instagram picture and they will want to join you in the endeavor to keep social media at a minimum or not have it at all. Social media is a thief and a robber- it robs you of your time and it steals contentment from you. So JFM I firmly agree with you on this 😊 At 18 they will see on their own.

Sheila Malinowski

Guys I need your help. A friend of mine is having a hard time “letting go” of her job, even though the boss is clearly belittling and harassing her. I have been trying to help her grasp the concept of being free of the corporate world. What is the best (or a couple of the best) episodes I can guide her to listen to? Thanks in advance ❤️

Alexa Russello

I think I'm going to read "Everything that Remains" just because it's the most evocative book title ever...

Kim Walker


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