Ep. 144 | Simpleliving
The Minimalists・151 minutes read
The Minimalists, Joshua Fields Milburn and Ryan Nicodemus, discuss simple living, intentional living, diet changes, and the benefits of minimalism through personal experiences and recommendations. They emphasize the importance of prioritizing essential items, decluttering, and focusing on individual values to lead a more meaningful life.
Insights
- 1. Eliminating excess possessions can lead to a more intentional and fulfilling life, focusing on what truly matters and reducing distractions.
- 2. Dietary changes, such as Joshua's modified carnivore diet, can significantly impact energy levels, inflammation reduction, and overall well-being, highlighting the importance of personalized nutrition choices.
- 3. Shared living spaces, relationships, and communication dynamics benefit from mutual respect, support, and open dialogues, emphasizing the value of compromise and understanding in interpersonal interactions.
- 4. Simplifying life through minimalism offers opportunities for growth, learning, and enjoyment, encouraging individuals to prioritize meaningful experiences, declutter possessions, and align their actions with personal values for a more purposeful existence.
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Recent questions
How can minimalism impact diet and energy levels?
Minimalism can extend beyond possessions to influence diet and energy levels. Joshua Fields Milburn shares his experience with a modified carnivore diet, focusing on consuming only five foods. By eliminating certain items like fruit, starchy carbs, eggs, nuts, and seeds, he noticed significant improvements in energy levels and reduced hunger. The removal of eggs revealed an intolerance, leading to immediate negative effects. These dietary changes resulted in enhanced energy, reduced need for sleep, improved skin condition, and even increased libido and sexual performance. The success of this diet highlights the personalized nature of lifestyle choices and the importance of monitoring one's well-being to achieve optimal health.
How can minimalism improve relationships and communication?
Minimalism can positively impact relationships and communication by emphasizing mutual respect, support, and compromise. The hosts discuss the importance of giving to the "us box" in relationships, focusing on shared values and beliefs. By sacrificing personal preferences for the benefit of the relationship, individuals can foster a healthy and supportive dynamic. Open communication about issues, asking for improvement suggestions, and avoiding negative language or attacks are key aspects of maintaining strong relationships. By simplifying communication and focusing on shared priorities, individuals can create a harmonious and fulfilling connection with their partners.
What strategies can help in simplifying daily tasks and reducing stress?
Simplifying daily tasks and reducing stress can be achieved through various strategies. Utilizing tools like calendars for planning ahead and budgeting apps for financial management can alleviate anxiety about responsibilities and future worries. Implementing techniques to reduce distractions, limiting social media use, and scheduling leisure time can enhance focus and productivity. By distinguishing between short-term happiness and long-term well-being, individuals can prioritize essential tasks and goals, leading to a more fulfilling and stress-free lifestyle. Gradually breaking strong attachments to possessions and conflicting priorities can also contribute to reducing stress and simplifying daily routines.
How can minimalism benefit children and teenagers?
Minimalism can benefit children and teenagers by instilling important values and promoting meaningful experiences. Encouraging children to understand the value of minimalism through actions like decluttering toys can teach them the importance of giving and helping others. By involving kids in activities that focus on nourishing and engaging experiences rather than expensive entertainment, parents can foster a sense of gratitude and simplicity. For teenagers, minimalism can help filter through societal pressures and preferences, allowing them to prioritize what truly matters and align their actions with their values. By simplifying life and focusing on essential tasks, children and teenagers can lead more meaningful and fulfilling lives.
How can minimalism influence personal growth and decision-making?
Minimalism can significantly impact personal growth and decision-making by simplifying life and prioritizing essential aspects. By clarifying personal values and beliefs, individuals can guide their daily actions and reduce worries about the future. Reflecting on missed opportunities and prioritizing meaningful activities can lead to better decision-making and valuable lessons for the future. Embracing a simple life can be more interesting and fulfilling than a maximalist approach, as it allows for unique experiences and a focus on intentional living. By slowing down, saying no to unnecessary busyness, and simplifying daily tasks, individuals can prioritize what truly matters and lead a more meaningful and purposeful life.
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Summary
00:00
"The Minimalists: Simple Living and Intentional Living"
- The podcast is hosted by Joshua Fields Milburn and Ryan Nicodemus, known as The Minimalists.
- Episode 144 focuses on simple living, a recurring theme in their discussions.
- They mention having Jordan record the video and audio for the episode.
- The hosts joke about blaming Podcast Sean for any audio issues.
- They discuss their recent tour experiences and upcoming topics.
- The hosts emphasize intentional living as a key aspect of simple living.
- They define minimalism as a tool to eliminate excess and focus on what's important.
- The hosts share personal experiences with diet changes and healthy eating.
- Joshua talks about his modified carnivore diet and the five foods he currently eats.
- Joshua explains the benefits of cutting out certain foods and how it has impacted his hunger levels.
13:45
Diet Changes Improve Energy and Well-being
- The individual experienced hunger three times in a month, linked to poor sleep and extended periods without eating.
- Energy levels improved significantly after removing five items from the diet: fruit, starchy carbs, eggs, nuts, and seeds.
- The removal of eggs revealed an intolerance, leading to immediate negative effects.
- The diet changes resulted in enhanced energy, reduced need for sleep, and improved skin condition.
- The individual plans to continue the diet for 90 days and monitor blood work for adjustments.
- Increased libido and sexual performance were noted alongside improved mental clarity and energy levels.
- The diet's impact on inflammation reduction and overall well-being was significant.
- The diet's success is emphasized as a personal journey, not a universal recommendation.
- The importance of individualized dietary choices is highlighted through a comparison with a partner's contrasting diet.
- Roommate dynamics and minimalism are discussed, emphasizing mutual respect, support, and compromise in shared living spaces.
26:57
"Healthy Relationships: Giving to the 'Us Box'"
- Relationship dynamics discussed, focusing on giving to the "us box" in relationships.
- Importance of mutual giving to the "us box" for a healthy relationship.
- Example of sacrificing preferences for the "us box" in a relationship.
- Discussion on changing perspectives on preferences in relationships.
- Importance of shared preferences and agreement on bringing items into the house.
- Emphasis on simplicity in the household by agreeing on shared items.
- Avoiding negative language and attacks in communication within relationships.
- Policy of open communication about issues in relationships.
- Recommendation to ask for improvement suggestions in relationships.
- Importance of focusing on personal priorities for achieving a minimalist lifestyle.
40:02
"Letting go for future contentment"
- 1. Realization that possessions can end up owning you, leading to a lack of memory about their contents.
- 2. Suggestion to conduct a packing party for one room to assess unused items like cosmetics or moldy products.
- 3. Encouragement to evaluate possessions' practicality, such as questioning the need for excessive coffee mugs.
- 4. Balancing present life enjoyment with future concerns to avoid anxiety and ensure congruence with future goals.
- 5. Importance of clarifying personal values and beliefs to guide daily actions and reduce worry about the future.
- 6. Utilizing tools like calendars to plan ahead and alleviate anxiety about daily responsibilities and free time.
- 7. Emphasizing the significance of budgeting apps to manage finances and reduce future worries.
- 8. Implementing strategies to reduce distractions, like limiting social media use and scheduling leisure time.
- 9. Differentiating between short-term happiness and long-term well-being to prioritize future contentment.
- 10. Gradual process of breaking strong attachments to possessions by starting with weaker emotional connections and strengthening the ability to let go over time.
54:30
"Minimalism in Travel: Letting Go for Growth"
- Traveling with limited space on airplanes motivates minimalism
- Owning only essentials for trips enhances the experience
- Bag space limits what can be brought, reflecting life's limitations
- Souvenirs and excess items can weigh us down metaphorically
- Starting small helps build the muscle of letting go
- Breaking free from attachments is akin to overcoming addiction
- To move forward, stop adding more "anchors" to your life
- Letting go of possessions can lead to unexpected benefits for others
- Building relationships based on shared values, not just proximity
- Quality of relationships matters more than quantity or frequency of interactions
01:08:30
Surrounding oneself with supportive values and beliefs.
- Values and beliefs are non-negotiable, leading to a need to surround oneself with supportive individuals.
- Minimalism is about prioritizing essential items over non-essential and junk possessions.
- Entertainment for kids doesn't have to be expensive; focus on nourishing and engaging activities.
- Actively entertain kids rather than passively pacifying them to ensure their well-being.
- Coziness in a minimalist home can be achieved through items that truly add value to one's life.
- Essential, non-essential, and junk categories help in determining the necessity of possessions.
- Temporary discomfort in minimalism can lead to identifying what truly adds value to one's life.
- Different individuals have varying definitions of coziness and clutter, reflecting personal preferences.
- Prioritize and limit conflicting priorities to reduce stress and focus on essential tasks.
- Distinguish between being a freelancer and an entrepreneur to streamline priorities and tasks effectively.
01:22:45
"Clear path, quality clients, meaningful work"
- Setting a clear path is crucial for entrepreneurs and freelancers to determine their goals and outcomes.
- Kevin Kelley's concept of "a thousand true fans" emphasizes the importance of quality clients over quantity.
- Hustling excessively can lead to stress and reduced quality of work.
- Identifying the ultimate goal and working towards it is essential to avoid aimless hustling.
- Prioritizing meaningful work over constant hustling can lead to a more fulfilling entrepreneurial journey.
- Adding value to people's lives can lead to support and success in business endeavors.
- The appropriately sized living space is more important than adhering to a specific square footage.
- Adjusting living spaces according to current needs is crucial for a comfortable lifestyle.
- Simple living can be made fun for kids by involving them in activities that promote giving and helping others.
- Encouraging children to understand the value of minimalism through simple actions like decluttering toys can instill important values.
01:36:32
"Minimalism: Simplifying for a Meaningful Life"
- Giving brings instant gratification, satisfying both others' needs and one's own desire.
- Children have a strong inclination to share and give, sometimes excessively.
- Minimalism is demonstrated through actions rather than words, with a focus on common actions over a common language.
- Gamifying tasks like decluttering can make them more engaging and enjoyable.
- Simplifying life through minimalism creates space for fun and enjoyment.
- Minimalism can benefit teenagers by helping them filter through societal pressures and preferences.
- Minimalism is applicable to anyone dissatisfied with the status quo, regardless of age or background.
- Minimalism is about simplifying and making changes to lead a more meaningful life.
- Looking at individual examples rather than cultures for inspiration on simple living is more beneficial.
- Admiration for Japanese culture's functionality and space optimization, influencing future home design choices.
01:50:38
Diverse experiences shape valuable life lessons.
- Certain items like the Calphalon, pour-over kit, and German-engineered coffee travel kit are admired for their quality.
- German engineering is appreciated for its precision and design in various products like sunglasses and power tools.
- Living in different places exposes one to diverse cultures and teachings, like sauna lessons from the Blackfoot tribe in Montana.
- Lessons learned from individuals are valuable, regardless of their cultural background.
- Overcoming the fear of missing out involves prioritizing meaningful activities and evaluating time usage.
- Reflecting on missed opportunities helps in making better decisions in the future.
- Living a simple life can be more interesting than a maximalist or medium life due to the uniqueness it brings.
- Variety in interests and experiences makes life intriguing and enjoyable.
- Slowing down is essential to avoid rushing through life and missing out on intentional living.
- Saying no to emergencies and unnecessary busyness helps in prioritizing and simplifying daily tasks.
02:05:35
Simplify life for a cleaner, happier home.
- Simplifying life is crucial, even though it may be challenging with a complex life.
- Joshua Becker, author of "Clutter Free with Kids" and "The More of Less," emphasizes the importance of simplifying, especially for families.
- Learning to say no is essential to stay focused and manage a full plate effectively.
- Owning fewer possessions significantly reduces the cleaning workload.
- Organizing is not the same as decluttering; owning less makes cleaning easier.
- Cleaning more frequently, like two to three times a month, reduces the time and effort needed.
- Cleaning as you go, especially during meal preparation, prevents a buildup of dishes and makes cleaning easier.
- Using a squeegee in the bathroom helps maintain cleanliness and reduces the effort required for deep cleaning.
- Psychological clutter from delaying cleaning tasks can be avoided by addressing them promptly.
- Living a meaningful life aligned with your values minimizes regrets and leads to valuable lessons for the future.
02:20:26
"Minimalists: Financial Focus and Environmental Impact"
- Recycled or pre-used boxes are environmentally friendly and often gently used, sourced from other stores that have excess boxes.
- Purchasing pre-used cardboard boxes for moving is convenient and saves time compared to searching for free boxes from places like gas stations or liquor stores.
- The Simply Southern tour recently concluded, focusing on important topics like finances with experts like Dave Ramsey's team.
- Dave Ramsey is a prominent figure in finances, with a radio show reaching 14 million listeners and a focus on helping people with money problems.
- The Minimalists had the opportunity to be on Dave Ramsey's radio show, discussing financial advice and the impact of his work.
- The Minimalists emphasize the importance of corporations like Dave Ramsey's team, which prioritize helping people with their finances and making a positive impact.
- The Minimalists released the Houston event on their Patreon feed, where 100% of profits went to building a grocery store in Dayton, Ohio.
- The Minimalists are expanding their YouTube content with living room conversations, quickie podcast episodes, monthly vlogs, and minimalism tips.
- The Minimalists are working on their second documentary, "Less is Now," with one scene left to film and plans for post-production work.
- To stay updated on The Minimalists' content and receive show notes, listeners can sign up for their email list on their website.
02:34:19
"Replace lost item by returning to owner"
- To replace a lost item, return it to the original owner and receive a new one. For inquiries for the minimalist, call 062197839 or email a voice memo to podcast@theminimalists.com, focusing on questions about sex, love, business, jobs, and sleep for upcoming episodes. Remember to prioritize loving people and using things, as the opposite approach is ineffective.
