Ryan Nicodemus returns to talk about the things that enhance—and the things that get in the way of—enjoying the adventures, experiences, activities, and hobbies that make life more delightful.

Discussed in this episode:

How can I enjoy my adventures and hobbies without getting overwhelmed by the accessories and equipment that accompany those experiences? (2:32)

What activities bring you joy, and what material things are an essential part of those activities? (21:39)

Listener tip: Minimize the noise and opinions to uncover a quieter life. (44:20)

Should I get rid of equipment, tools, and instruments that get better over time? (46:20)

What do The Minimalists think about minimizing social commitments? (52:14)

How can I declutter if my job requires me to hold on to a bunch of just-in-case items? (1:11:21)

Should I buy new luggage if I need more room to pack my travel essentials? (1:38:18)

What do people do to reverse the philosophy, mindset, and practice of minimizing too much? (1:38:17)

Amass or Trash: Should I donate my books once I’ve read them? (1:53:14)

Added Value: A song that reminds Joshua of Ryan. (1:59:27)

LINKS

Book: Outliers

Book: A Perfumed Scorpion

Essay: “How Much is Enough”

Event: Sunday Symposium

Podcast: The Renunciation

Resource: Minimalist Rulebook

Watch: Columbus

Watch: Once

Watch: Glen Hansard’s Guitar

Recorded at Earthing Studios.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Minimalists get brutally honest about the people, places, and things that frustrate the hell out of us.

Discussed in this episode:

What can I do if my sister is so upset with me that she refuses to communicate? (1:41)

What frustrating expectations do your family, friends, or coworkers have of you? (17:52)

Listener tip: Considerately letting go of kids’ clothes and toys. (40:46)

How can I help someone realize their self-indulgence is harmful? (43:48)

How can I encourage my workplace to let go of “hustle culture”? (1:04:01)

Talkaboutable: The initial frustrations of change. (1:26:36)

Sucky Ad: YouTube gets a taste of its own medicine. (1:28:24)

More About Less: What are 7 habits that are making your house feel more cluttered? (1:50:17)

Added Value: An upbeat way to recontextualize your fears and frustrations. (1:59:10)

LINKS

Added Value: “Part of Life”

Article: “7 Sneaky Habits That Are Making Your House Feel More Cluttered”

Blog: “Jump in the Lake”

Book: Emotional Clutter

Essay: “Store-Brand Insecurity”

Event: Sunday Symposium

Event: Simplehaven

Film: Less is Now

Game: 30-Day Minimalism Game

Podcast: Communication Problems

Podcast: Hedonism

Podcast: Shoes

Podcast: Small Things

Resource: Clutter Counseling

Song: “Blackberry Light”

Tweet: Shafeeq

Watch: Fragments

Recorded at Earthing Studios.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Patreon VIP and True Fan Exclusive. Joshua hosts Sunday Symposium in Los Angeles, California, and he answers the following questions:

How do we let go in advance? (1:20)

How do we stop fixing ourselves? (7:23)

How do you know you're not enlightened? (20:47)

What is The Minimalists' new documentary about? (27:52)

How do you address the emotions behind letting go? (32:34)

What role does love play in letting go? (40:50)

How do I make a big career change without clinging to my current job's perks? (48:58)

LINKS

Band: Canyon City

Book: Earthing

Book: Everything That Remains

Book: Stop Fixing Yourself

Book: Love People, Use Things

Essay: "Letting Go In Advance"

Essay: "Store-Brand Insecurity"

Event: Simplehaven

Film: Less is Now

Film: Minimalism

Resource: Minimalist Rulebook

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Minimalists talk about why the pursuit of pleasure leads to hedonism, and they answer questions about self-indulgence, pleasure-seeking, self-gratification, self-restraint, immoderation, overindulgence, extravagance, and more.

Discussed in this episode:

What pleasures are likely to get in the way of living a meaningful life? (1:33)

What nonessentials do you overindulge in? (29:54)

Listener tip: Letting go of worries, saying no to others, and minimizing online shopping. (48:31)

What’s the difference between self-care and self-indulgence? (53:17)

When does the need for sexual gratification and variety turn into escapism? (1:04:12)

Why does pleasure-seeking lead to FOMO? (1:29:52)

More About Less: To make the best of life, there must be pain. (1:44:17)

Added Value: JFM’s favorite song of the year is a hedonism anthem. (2:02:03)

LINKS

Added Value: “When I’m High”

Article: “Hedonism is Overrated”

Blog: Becoming Minimalist

Book: Against Empathy

Book: Emotional Clutter

Book: Everything That Remains

Book: Love People, Use Things

Book: Manliness

Event: Simplehaven

Event: Sunday Symposium

Essay: “The Amplification of Joy”

Essay: “Expensive Clothes Are Not an Investment”

Essay: “Letting Go in Advance”

Podcast: How to Love

Podcast: Infidelity

Podcast: Restraint

Podcast: Savage Lovecast

Website: Minimalism

Recorded at Earthing Studios.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Minimalists talk about the small things that feel like a big deal to let go of.

Discussed in this episode:

Do I count my straws, screws, and old paperwork separately when playing the 30-Day Minimalism Game? (1:24)

What small things turn into big problems? (17:27)

Listener tip: Preserving the memories of loved ones after they’re gone. (43:29)

What’s the kindest way to tell my partner that he’s holding on to clutter? (45:53)

If something adds value to my life but produces negative feelings, should I keep it or get rid of it? (1:00:52)

How can I talk to my young child about minimizing their things without forcing them to declutter? (1:09:29)

How can I encourage the people in my household to use resources more sparingly? (1:22:01)

Talkaboutable: What are three things JFM has renounced? (1:34:24)

Talkaboutable: Why is it so hard to lie? (1:42:57)

Talkaboutable: The average person loses up to nine items every day. (1:51:41)

More About Less: Good Housekeeping UK’s take on the Minimalism Game. (1:57:51)

Added Value: It takes a lot to really disappear. (2:03:14)

LINKS

Minimalism isn’t about counting the things you own; it’s about owning only the things that count.

What’s left undone undoes you.

Letting go of a thing requires letting go of the story behind the thing.

Minimalism is the thing that gets us past the things so we can make room for life’s most important things.

If a thing amplifies your misery, let it go.

Children listen with their eyes, not their ears.

Boundaries are best outlined by benefits.

Recorded at Earthing Studios.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Minimalists are joined by Erwin Raphael McManus to talk about the most effective ways to handle conflict with friends, family, and loved ones.

Discussed in this episode:

How can I respectfully convince my father to get rid of the tools he doesn’t use? (2:15)

What’s the hardest thing about being honest? (24:32)

Listener tip: Clarifying outer and inner expectations. (47:25)

As I change my life, why do I find it more difficult to communicate with others? (50:07)

How can I help my child heal the wounds caused by her narcissistic father? (1:00:44)

How do our emotions get in the way of communicating with others? (1:09:57)

Talkaboutable: What do we communicate by wearing the clothes we wear? (1:29:16)

More About Less: 94% of couples who reported being unhappy in their marriage also reported poor communication as the primary reason. (1:46:44)

Added Value: Struggling to communicate through the baggage of a past relationship. (1:53:14)

LINKS

Added Value: “I Love You Still”

Article: “Does Couples’ Communication Predict Marital Satisfaction, or Does Marital Satisfaction Predict Communication?”

Book: The Art of War

Book: Emotional Clutter

Book: The Four Tendencies

Book: The Seven Frequencies of Communication

Event: Simplehaven

Event: Sunday Symposium

Film: Less is Now

Instagram: Beulah

Patreon: Friday Afternoon Minimalist Zoom

Podcast: Holiday Anxiety

Podcast: Mind Shift

Resource: Clutter Counseling

Website: Erwin McManus

Website: The Seven Frequencies Test

Recorded at Earthing Studios.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Minimalists talk about the difference between minimalism and renunciation, and they explore the unforeseen downsides of renouncing things.

Discussed in this episode:

What’s the best way to avoid purchasing things that will soon be junk? (2:41)

What topping should never go on pizza? (22:56)

Listener tip: Make your phone more boring to make it more useful. (43:07)

When is it appropriate for someone to start calling themselves a minimalist? (49:24)

How do The Minimalists take criticism so well? (1:11:22)

How can you be an informed citizen if you’re overwhelmed by news media? (1:31:32)

Talkaboutable: Cringey advice that is actually useful. (1:44:10)

Talkaboutable: Christopher Walken doesn’t use modern technology. (1:50:15)

More About Less: Youth and What Happens When It’s Gone (1:55:24)

Added Value: CN Tower (2:06:29)

LINKS

Added Value: “CN Tower”

Article: “Youth and What Happens When It’s Gone”

Book: Atomic Habits

Book: Essential

Book: Love People, Use Things

Course: How to Write Better

Essay: "Counting Material Possessions"

Event: Simplehaven

Event: Sunday Symposium

Instagram: Oprah Daily

Podcast: Closet Clutter

Podcast: Lights On

Podcast: Living Room Clutter

Website: Professor Shawn

Recorded at Earthing Studios.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.