The How to be a Minimalist podcast explores the concept of living an experience-based life, emotional minimalism, and discovering your minimalist WHY. It delves into the various aspects of life that focus on minimalism, including space-saving techniques, creating a podcast with high-quality audio, equipment, and software, and exploring the many areas of life it touches. The podcast features interviews, stories, and practical advice to help listeners live more intentional and meaningfully.
The Minimalists Podcast, hosted by Joshua Fields Millburn, Ryan Nicodemus, and T.K. Coleman, is a firm believer in not just having fewer things but focusing on experiences, living the life you really want, and having a meaningful life. The podcast is available on Spotify and can be found on the organizer’s Life Podcast with Clutter Coach, The Minimalists Podcast, and Wannabe.
These podcasts provide new inspiration on your minimalism journey and help you focus on the essentials. They are a valuable resource for those looking to simplify their lives and achieve a more organized home. Listen to the How to be a Minimalist podcast on Spotify or Deezer to learn more about happiness, minimalism, simple living, and like-minded philosophies.
📹 The Minimalists’ 5 Favorite Decluttering Rules
📹 How to Stop Buying More Stuff – Minimalism Advice from Joshua Fields Millburn
Decluttering has gotten easier, it’s stopping bringing in more clutter that’s hard for me now. In this episode, I’m joined by Joshua …
One of my own rules .. when going to any store (other than grocery) I don’t get a cart. I carry what I need. If there’s a sale and I’m drawn to it, I’m immediately limited in what I can carry. I’ve had employees offer to get me a cart but I always refuse. It helps me keep my perspective with my limitations to arm length in carrying items as well as the weight. I tell ya, things get heavier the longer you carry them.
I’ve been thinking about minimalism a lot lately in relation to me. I’m not looking to only have X # of possessions. I’m trying to get to the point where I don’t have things/clothes I never use. I’m not going to live in a …..to me….cold, sterile,vacant space. I’ve made huge progress but am not quite through thinning stuff out. I’m not going to wear the same thing every day for a week, or a month. I’ve reduced my wardrobe a lot. I don’t buy clothes for a life I don’t and never will live. I don’t have pieces of clothing that some fashion maven says I must have. My wardrobe perfectly fits my life. I like to have nice, pretty things around me, but no longer have stuff crammed into closets or in boxes that haven’t been opened in yrs. I don’t keep “family” things that were passed down because I think I have to. I am much less emotionally attached to stuff. So…..I’m not a minimalist in a strict sense, I’m just an old woman who got tired of having too much stuff. 🤷🏻♀️
90/90 rules in Canada where I live is not a good rule because I have winter clothes when temperature is reaching lower than 0 celcilus to near -35 celcilus and in July, the rule would tell me to get rid of those clothes but I would have to buy them each year because in July again it’s been more than 90 days that I wear those clothes and will take more than 90 days before wearing them back. So for winter in Canada, I would invent the 180/180 or more precise a rule that scope around 7 months so 7 months x 30 days / 2 = 105/105 rule but that would not be as cool to say 😅
Wait For It Rule – T.K. made the best point regarding holding off criticism/constructive feedback/contention for 24 hours. Josh, please note that he did not say “tomorrow”, he said “24 hours”. “And when I speak on it, I want the wait to come from my conviction & my clarity of thought and not from my body language alone” THIS IS SO POWERFUL
Before buying something new I ask myself if I will still love this item in a year’s time or is it more likely to end up in the ‘declutter’ pile. I also employ the moment of doubt rule, especially to clothing. If I pick something up and find myself wondering whether I should or shouldn’t get it or if it will suit me, I don’t buy it. That doubt means I don’t fully appreciate it, so is a mediocre choice that will inevitably lead to me discarding it in future.
Kudos to you both as I have been a minimalistic person for years and didn’t even realize it until I actually realized what minimalism actually was!!! I don’t even own a couch for several years now and I have not had cable TV or a home phone for over 10 years now :)- I am 51 years old with no friends, no relationship, never married and never owned a house and I am completely content as I look at my younger brother who works 15 hour days to support a wife who has never worked and he is supporting a 40 year old home with a $4k a month mortgage full of stuff and is completely miserble because he lives his life so that he can keep up with the Jones’ so he can impress people on Facebook!!!! I don’t have anything and I am completely content!!! :)-
I just happened upon you guys on facebook and i have to tell you i love it! It’s all so thought provoking. It really has been making me think about alot of things in a different light. I hate clutter but my house is full of clutter. I’m alreafy looking around at things i don’t need. Am looking forward to listening to more. You guys are great!
Unlocking the Power of Less! These minimalist rules are pure gold! Embrace the wisdom of The Minimalists and witness the magic of simplifying your life! From decluttering to prioritizing, it’s the ultimate guide to living with purpose and intention. Discover the beauty of minimalism and its transformative impact on every aspect of your life! Say goodbye to the chaos and hello to a life of clarity and freedom! Ready to embark on this life-changing journey? Count me in! Let’s redefine our lives together!
Oh boy this is exactly what I had to do this week – our adult daughter isn’t making the best life choices and I had to really take all personal feelings out of her situation, because we have helped in many ways – that’s our roll as partners.. but our help shouldn’t come with any conditions- and that’s a really hard lesson for any parent…. no matter what and even if – is how we are supposed to love our children right- we just want what’s best for our children, but they have make their own way in life, as we did … I remember all the times I made mistakes, but I’m ok with most of them… made who I am …
I’ve seen the spontaneous combustion in action. I learned it from one of my old professors when I was in undergrad. He’s an older guy and an experienced professor, having done research in a number of fields in chemical engineering. He does 10 years of study in one field, and pivots to the point where he still has a degree of expertise but still has to keep learning and growing. When he talks about it, he refers to it as “setting his lab on fire” – he did tell a story of it literally happening, which is a lot more common in my field than you’d think.
Two Items I want to relate; 1. Every time I listen to your ‘rules’ it amazes me how I or anyone else could come up with their version of the very same rules. 2. It impresses my how spiritually applicable each one of the ‘rules’ really is. Barefoot shoes, carnivore diet, and minimalism…I’m set! Oh! I forgot the bicycle!
Josh has a hair dryer…same reason for my 2 cars, it’s a priority (Josh, you might be able to have healthier hair w/o it…just saying), If 1 of the cars is down, have a back up – being on time and to a destination is important to me. De-cluttering is a fun thing to do – IF you get through the tough areas, you know, the areas that are not fun….my attic for example….took most of a weekend. Once you get the tough areas…then it’s …easy peasy…and then just maintenance. This article inspired me to go maintenance the clutter in the kitchen… the Junk drawer, the Vitamins, medicines that have expired….old salt/ herbs and spices that got old…etc.. Thanks for your website.
I have found that waiting to buy stuff gives me time to think about what I really want. I want to buy a hanging lamp. But what kind? How much am I willing to spend? What can I find that is in my budget. Maybe there is something else that I need more. Or I think that I need. Waiting lets me figure out what will really fit in my life better.
Consider this I did a search for how many vehicles were in America? The answer was a number that was a number that equaled more than people. So two things are happening here. 1.There are people supposedly who went to college but cant understand the effects of vehicles on the planet So let me break it down for you its simple A battery A engine produces heat, the gasoline used to power the vehicle is toxic and harmful to the earth when burned. The sad part is these opponents to climate change who are obviously not smart are still in debt to the college😔2. In the American 5 family household every single individual has to have there own car, truck, SUV, whatever. This is Madness
Is there any reference or leaning on to of religion here? Truly many religious texts including the bible reflect a lot of these things you’re saying. I love the rules that you are espousing but, does this come from a self-centered atheist perspective, or is there some belief in God here? Forgive me, new to your website
The best way to downsize and declutter is to pretend to prepare to live in a car with only the boot or trunk as storage etc by using The 3 plastic storage tub method 1 tub for clothes 1 tub for food 1 tub for everything else And that’s all a person needs and that way all the things that you have not placed in the 3 tubs are the things a person bought that they wanted but didn’t need
My personal favourite is: if you have a credit 💳 card don’t ever keep it in your wallet or anywhere close by,Leave it somewhere secure, lock it too. It helps prevent impulse purchases. The inconvenience IS the point! Another idea is to keep a running sheet date/time of when you last used something look at a month or two later -you may get a shock!
The only thing that i don’t like is how cold minimalist homes look. No memories, personal items or warmth. Their homes just look disposable…Like they could just walk out and leave everything.. Maybe minimalist could just swap homes become they don’t have personal stuff, pictures or memories from a time passed type of things.
Dearest Cass, there is a high that comes with the binge of the purchase and the purge of the declutter. When we give up both the binge and the purge, we are left with a lot of empty space and time— we need to know what is right to do with that, what is right for our OWN Self. Some things that can fill this space and time consist of: reading books from the library, spending time in nature, time with friends and family, listening to music, dancing, writing, playing a musical instrument, gardening, cooking… I’m listing these in order of the most ephemeral to more material. Playing music requires and instrument, cooking requires material items, crafting requires material items… we need to choose what is in alignment with our TRUE Self and keep within that arena— some people only need to sit and meditate but they are very very few. If our true self happens to need material items then deckuttering what we don’t need will help us live our best life. We just need to know who we are and not be afraid to sit in the nothingness of empty space and unscheduled time for long enough in order to discover that. Then we have to dare to be who we truly are and not put anything in the way of that. God bless you and thank you for this wonderful website helping myself and so many others ❤ 🙏🏻
it all boils down to lust of the eyes, we want something new to look at because we get bored looking at what we already have. I have found that if I rotate things, put some things away, rearrange the furniture or items thereon it changes the whole outlook and gives me something to look at in a new way.
I hate the work of decluttering. Donation sites are becoming more selective about what they will accept and selling on FB is a hassle. When I am tempted to make an unnecessary purchase, I think about the work it will take to eventually declutter that item or to declutter something else to make room for it.
The thing that you said about middle aged women shopping as a hobby and a job and it’s a part of her life!!!! That switched something in me. I do not want that to be my job. It is gross. It’s the opposite of my values and intention. Thank you so much for this interview! And, Cass, thanks for being so real! It is what keeps me, another ADHD mom, coming back to you! Not to buy something but to get inspired!
Cas, I absolutely love listening to you interview someone. You are so knowledgeable and prepared and above all, respectful. You allow the person to fully answer your questions. That is where I often find the most information. It’s never rushed, never talked over. Just a calm environment where I believe you truly want to hear what the person is saying. Well done!
The science of addicition shows us that any harmful habit we have developed because it gives us something that we need, even if it unfortunately comes with a lot if negative things attached. Whether you’re trying to stop impulse buying, binge-eating, binge-watching, gambling, drinking, or whatever, you cannot maintain long term success unless you replace that habit with something else that fills that need. It can help a lot to pay attention to how you feel immediately before and after that behavior, which requires suspending judgment and getting curious and compassionate instead. Maybe shopping helps you feel connected when you’re lonely or a sense of belonging and fitting in, maybe it gives you a hit of dopamine that you need to get through a hard day (or focus on the day ahead – especially if you have ADHD!) maybe it distracts you from anxiety or other unpleasant emotions. Understanding the WHY has to be the first step to making real changes, because then you can REPLACE that habit with something harmless that fills those same needs, which is so much more compassionate and sustainable than trying to white-knuckle through “giving up” a habit that you started for a reason!
We have a ” hunter gatherer” instinct by nature, there is also a thrill that comes with finding a good deal. I need help stopping that relentless search for deals, even while trying to be frugal. Also, pls discuss sometime other ways to satisfy that instinct. I have found that foraging for wild foods is one way to use that instinct for good without accumulation of ” stuff”
That was very inspiring!! I’m right with you Cas when it comes to purchasing. It has become a vicious cycle for me. I get rid of so many things then turn around and order new things and I’m right back where I was. I’m going to log out of my Amazon account so I can get ahead of the game. Thank you Joshua & Cas for making so much sense.
I discovered the Minimalists back in 2018 after we lost our home to foreclosure and rented a house. I watched the documentary over and over again. It really helped me during a very difficult time in my life. I still can’t label myself minimalist but when we decided to stop renting and move into a studio apartment we had in the back of our business, we would say we were striving for being minimal. I have so much respect for the minimalists!
Love Joshua Millburn! The minimalists turned me on to my new lifestyle of living with less. Still on the journey and everyday I try to have a little less and enjoy time doing things I enjoy such as a long nap this afternoon instead of slaving cleaning my home because now I have less to manage and clean.
I think it’s extra hard for those of us with ADHD. We just get bored so easily. And suddenly, there’s a shiny new thing!! How cute is that? I can use this to make a craft, or try a new learning toy for my kids, or decorate for the upcoming holiday or, etc. And suddenly…..DOPAMINE! I’m gonna buy 3! I just spent way way too much money on shopping this past weekend because I had a terrible awful no go lousy week. It’s a coping mechanism for me. But really it’s an ignoring mechanism. Or an avoiding mechanism. The trick is to find a healthier way to release. Any suggestions?
They are wrong about this middle aged woman. I have one purse and I don’t like Tupperware parties or Sensy, or any of that ponzi scheme kinda thing. I pay extra to YouTube so I don’t have to watch ads. Do you know, some podcasts have an ad every 10 minutes?! And I always comment about the excessive selling. I understand influencers are trying to make money. But any podcast that has all these ads, I don’t watch. Most of the ads have nothing to do with the subject matter of the podcast. Better Help, I am so sick of their incessant ads. I’d rather purchase a membership to my favorite influencers website, than to try to fast forward thru all the ads. Now Cass, if you had an organizational system or products you really like and use, I’d take that seriously. And these corporate entities should appreciate your endorsement and pay you for that. I love the suggestions. I am going to do the “get rid of one thing, then 2, then 3….” and the spontaneous combustion theory. Seriously, we had a house fire in 1986. We had 3 little kids and a house full of stuff. And you know what? We learned real fast the things we truly needed and what we missed. And even the bills that burned, guess what? More will come to replace the copies you had. It is a life lesson.
I feel like shopping is an addiction. I’m trying so hard to stop. I know I don’t want to accumulate more nor pay more bills, yet the allure is there. It’s easy to justify purchases. The best way I’ve found is to go cold turkey and tell myself that credit card bill won’t bring me joy. I’ve also found if I have a back up plan/even written down so to speak when I need that shopping high, I can refer to that list of things to do instead.
30:40 Perhaps we should ask ourselves why these material posessions bring a false sense of identity to our lives. We want to find identity with these items, that is: we like these items because we believe they will make us into the person we see using them. It looks good on her, and I want to be her. So I’ll buy the shirt so I’m more like her. Spoiled alert: we don’t become any more like her! And that initial perception of her wasn’t even real! Because she’s not a real person, she’s an actress in a promo article with lots of photoshop! We objectify our life, because we objectify other people’s identity. “I wanna be a Cali Girl, or a Southern Mama, or the Indie Desert Gal, or the Doe Eyed Blonde, or the Fun Mom.” Maybe it’s not the product we’re trying to buy, but the identity of the person we see selling it. And maybe why woman have problems with consumerism, is because they’re not selling products — they’re selling a false identity. And maybe middle aged Mom’s are trying to find an identity outside of their spouses, their children, their careers, and failing, so they try to accumilate one. But God made us unique. ❤ And even more, we should find our identity in Christ. ❤
I have been contemplating this, and still do : What Truly Ours, are 1. Food we already eat and not making us sick. 2. Clothes that we wear until worn-out. 3. Stuffs we use regularly, until broken/consumed. 4. Things we donated to other people. All food in fridge that left to rotten, clothes merely worn or just for keepsake, stuffs sitting in garage/basement/storage but never use, stuffs in display or piling around the house, all are not ours, just squatting in our house rent-free (even costly if considering the time we spend to shuffle it around or buying storage solution just for them). But, the letting go is still the hardest part for me. 😢
It is the constant churning that needs to stop, which is not so much minimalism but buying things that are discarded after only a very short time of being used. The comment in this piece of “you might as well put it on the curb” was relevant here. There are things that one can purchase, even via Amazon (though that company has gone downhill in quality), that do last for a long time and bring us value. I don’t know why influencers nearly always try to sell us cheap stuff rather than better things that will last. All this churning does not bring us happiness, but a few nice things might. A well-made bicycle should last us 25 years, likewise good cast iron pots, solid wood furniture. Maybe start with Tara Button’s book “A Life Less Throwaway: the lost art of buying for life”. This does not mean we ought to own nothing and all be minimalists, because I love my books, but we should think about things not winding up at the curb seemingly before we unwrap them from the packaging.
Yes, not interested in sponsored products that you see in someone’s house one day and not in any other article. I just fast forward through those segments and don’t even trust their favourite non-sponsored items (and have to say that they’re not sponsored). When they say it’s not sponsored it’s almost like they don’t like it as much judging by the enthusiasm in their voice compared to the sponsored gear.
Wow, what a guru! I’ve always respected and valued my stuff and was heartbroken when others didn’t. I have a screwed up vision of what a home should because I lived with a hoarder where each pathway and room was an Olympic hurdling event with 3D carpet. He would get annoyed at my stuff and did’t like me having room for my stuff and me in the house. Now I’m working out my own clutter threshold and when I move house I’ll be using the container method to its Nth degree. I’m not used to empty spaces yet but it’s an exciting process with progress.
I’ve come to the conclusion that I buy things either for necessity, or for novelty. If I know I’m buying something novel, I’ll enjoy it for a certain amount of time before I get bored of it and want to donate it. If I’m buying something for necessity, I go in knowing this item is going to last in my home. I don’t set a limit on the amount of novel items I bring into my home, but just making that distinction before making a purchase has saved me a lot of money. If I realize I’m just buying something for novelty, I’m much less likely to buy it! I don’t know if something like this would help you, but it has really helped me!
Thank you Cass! So grateful for this episode, and even more for your perspective on not wanting to merely SELL to your listeners/viewers/followers. You have so much integrity, I just want you to know that it matters to people like me. I’ve unfollowed so many “minimalist” “influencers” who have no issue giving decluttering advice and then turning around and promoting endless products. I feel a sense of betrayal when that happens. I also know the temptation to do that is REAL, and I admire you for choosing not to be that way. ❤
Testimonial for stopping social media: I will say that when I started decluttering I also took all social media off my phone (except YouTube). I had wanted to do this for years but kept not because some of my business came from Instagram. I finally decided to give it a year. I let that part go and it has been 3 years— so thankful… cut my desire for spending by so much! Also- one reason I watch you Cass is I don’t feel “sold” to.
Cass, I’m so glad you followed the impulse to sign up for the class about making $1,000 extra per month. It turns out you were inspired to listen in on it to get clarity about how you don’t want to do things! About how you don’t want to sell more “stuff”. Thanks for sharing that story along with the rest of your journey with us!!
This was very interesting & informative. I now HAPPILY live in 750 sq ft. I only have items in my home now that serve a function or purpose and bring me great joy. I am also still a Bricks & Sticks shopper still enjoying going into a Retail store. I only use Online shopping a few times a year for a hard to find gift. I am also very conscious of the money I spend as I want to get to the end of my life before the end of my money. Thanks again for a great Podcast !!
I hope I can help you look at things differently because I used to shop for fun too. I think what helped me most was volunteering with a homeless shelter and seeing people without basic necessities like socks. I often hear decluttering influencers say to toss something that is not in great condition (towels for example) because we “deserve” to have one that makes us feel good. Well, I find much more long lasting joy donating my money to help others in need than buying something new when what I currently have functions just fine. The other thing that changed me was how I felt when I first started decluttering and had the realization that every item I have ever purchased and will ever purchase will end up in a landfill. Even if I donate an item and someone else uses it between me and the landfill, I have participated in that process.
My home has sentimental items that either l inherited or gifted to me. I incorporate gifted items around my home because it makes me think of that person and appreciate them in the moment. I also know that it brings pleasure to my gifter to see their gift displayed / used during their visit. I also have items that l switch out for seasons. It brings me pleasure to refresh how my home looks. In essence l have items that are purely functional, purely beautiful (to me), purely sentimental and a mix of the above 2 or all 3 categories: functional, beauty and sentimental. I’m aware that each room is a ‘container’ that can only hold a finite number of items and secondly there must be space to move around. Thirdly, l must be able to store the item when not used or on display, without the storage interior spilling out. Stored items must be easily visible. If there is something l want, l’ll take a photo and it stays on my phone for at least 2 weeks before purchasing. This awareness helps to minimise impulse purchases.
Whwn Mom died, she had some pretty, glass things I never saw before and have never been able to have. If they broke, I would not replace them because they were hers; but I finally have some pretty decor, so I am unwilling to let them go. Thus, guidelines he suggested don’t work in every situation. They are guidelines, not rules. Ah, intentionality.
“Happiness is your default state,…” @12:09. JUST WOW! Complete game-changing perspective. OF COURSE!! (Summary here, my own) This is what our maker designed us to BE. We “chose and continue to choose,” like Adam and Eve chose (past tense, our present tense), their own perils… 22:15 goes on to the “you shoulds,” preachings and DIGNITY (required). Absolutely essential points by the guest @TheMinimalists.
Down sizing to a smaller house with only 2 bedrooms and 2 baths with a garage and out door space is enough when the kids are grown. Friends and family stays in an Airbnb or hotel when they visit. We socialize with them and invite them to dinner and we go out for entertainment. Everyone is happy. Keeping a big mcmansions is wasting money on up keep. The smaller space feels more homey too.
How much is growing up with scarcity of stuff is the cause of accumulating stuff. Scarcity could be a country not having essentials like what happened in Covid when toilet paper, hand soap and disinfectants were scarce. Scarcities could be food too. When they stuff becomes available some people buy in excess out of fear it’s going to be unavailable when they need them.
Great podcast episode, as always! Cas, I love how open and honest you are. One thing that might be useful if you struggle with Amazon purchases is to go to your Amazon orders and use the pull-down menu to choose 2023. Look at everything you bought last year and ask yourself if you got value from each purchase. At the time of purchase you thought you would, but did you? How often? 50%? 70%? Less? This won’t solve the problem, but it might help. Also, you’re probably shopping for that burst of happy brain chemicals, so maybe look for another, healthier source of those brain chemicals? Like, did you know studies show that both we and our dogs get boosts in oxytocin when we look into each other’s eyes? I’m not saying Penny can solve everything, but she’s awfully cute 😉
My brother says to move and start over. There is nothing you can’t buy again. I want to donate stuff but he wants to trash it all. He is also a big shopper (anything that’s a good value). He has gotten me some cute things that I will never use. He never pays too much for any of his stuff and so throwing stuff out doesn’t bother him. No he doesn’t live with me but is trying to help me get my house together. Example: I had banking stub from before I was married (over 50 years ago). It has now all been shredded. I have been declutterring for about 5 years now and still feel like I am in a sand pit. It keeps coming down into my clean space (from another room-not new stuff). Thank you for letting me vent.
I sell vintage collectables which stemmed from my own passion for collecting vintage items, but recently my own ‘keep’ pile has been getting out of hand. The thrill of hunting for treasure is a buzz and the fear of missing out on that one fantastic item or bargain stresses me out! Thanks to Cass and Dawn (Minimal Mom) I’ve got much better at decluttering my own/household stuff, I just need to practice the same with my business. It’s so true that “What the eye doesn’t see, the heart doesn’t grieve over” (a quote attributed to Philip Lymbery) which for me means less time scrolling the temptation of vintage sellers on Instagram, setting regular spending bans and focusing on enjoying what I already have. Love and appreciate the advice, thanks as ever💖
I am currently downsizing into a smaller house and it’s difficult. I am going to have to get rid of a lot of things and I’m struggling. But, I’m also excited about this new place as it’s a cottage in the country which is super cute and peaceful. I am slowly moving in and only bringing in the things I absolutely need and enjoy. Once I feel like it’s just right, the purging will begin. I don’t want it crammed full like my current house. I like his mantra of use things love people. I want this new house to feel loving and inviting.
Cas, I really enjoyed this podcast. I used to have a problem with spending as well. I didn’t spend beyond my means but I was continually buying things I didn’t really need. I realized it was all connected to my childhood and not having a lot when I was growing up and that I was constantly chasing after that little bit of excitement or that feel good feeling I got when I bought a new lipstick, item of clothing, kitchen tool or appliance, book, home decorating item, etc….whatever… you name it. Some call it “retail therapy”. But for me, the “high” was a wolf in sheep’s clothing. And it dissipated fairly soon or some other life disappointment/irritation/rough spot happened and I would feel the need to make another purchase. I rationalized what I was doing with all kinds of excuses. I FINALLY stopped myself from doing this over time by doing a couple of things. First, I start listening to what I was telling myself in the store or online while I was anticipating making the purchase and why I felt the need to buy it. I learned a lot about what was going on with me. Then when ahead and made the purchase, I made sure to keep all the receipts and tags for everything I bought and began to force myself to start returning items vs. keeping them a few days later when I’d come to my senses. And boy, did I hate returning things! But I made myself do it and over time I realized that if I stopped buying things I didn’t need…I wouldn’t have to return them. Over time, the purchases got less and less.
I found these two long before their movie came out and they facilitated such a powerful shift in the way I thought and behaved. I’ve also struggled with influencers and unfollowed many of them and fast forward through endorsements of the ones I do choose to keep following. When the Amazon driver starts showing up too much, I often take a no-spend month. This isn’t for necessities or experiences, just STUFF. It’s always a great reset and my bank account thanks me!
Case, also please don’t underestimate your ADHD and dopamine seeking behavior related to ADHD. So while there is totally a need for awareness, don’t consider it a moral failing. ” interest-based nervous system” is the best way I’ve heard it put. For me I was having mine a mid life crisis where unless something was really interesting/ novel/ or urgent, I was like acting like a a rebellious little kid. Now it’s like I’m starting from scratch and having to build novelty into my daily rhythms and it’s so fun. So I don’t have to keep thinking about getting a dopamine hit (to function btw) from purchasing things, but from building little life systems (that include always having the space to pause and put my face on a purring kitty) and yeah. My point is there’s more than one way to skin a cat- buying crap is just literally sold to us, but yeah. This prob didn’t make much sense but, you’re in the right track, just don’t be overly harsh on yourself and what you’re dealing with is really real- so don’t underestimate that. ☺️ #fellow50firstdatesbraingal
After his program episode focused on sunglasses as excess that should be discarded, without consideration of aging folks with cataracts and folks with eye diseases like glaucoma and macular degeneration, among others, I no longer listen to him. Sorry you invited him, Cass. It was hard listening to him and his guests diss sunglasses-wearing folks. He has no kids, he’s young-ish and healthy, in a country of aging population, that come with many aging health problems. He is immature, untried, and disrespectful. 👎⛔️🚫
I personally think minimalism is much easier for men. Women have purses dresses and skirts and heels and jewelry and purses, etc. Women are generally more sentimental and tasked with the keeping of family heirlooms. Men can easily get by with a few t-shirts, a few polos, few dress shirts, suits, shoes, etc. they don’t have to deal with tons of hairstyling products, tools, clips, etc. Men don’t need make-up and skincare and nail polish. Seems much easier to be a man!
When I was middle age I was spending and buying constantly. Looking back I think it was kinda like a mid-life crisis due to my situation. I needed to feel good about myself. My marriage was failing. I was miserable because he was cold and there was no connection anymore. Buying brought me happiness and made me feel worthy by having nice things. I’ve been divorced for years and years now, and very seldom do I feel the need to shop. If anyone is shopping whether it be thrift stores, specialty shops, or even Goodwill, we need to stop and think about why we are wanting to go shopping. Is it truly a need or are we escaping a feeling or situation. What other activity (call a friend, take a walk, listen to uplifting music or podcast.) can you do instead?
Hi, I stop buying things thinking that I dont need to have things to enjoy them. I go to the store and spend 15 minutes admiring and touching all the eastern decorations because they are so beautiful, but I dont buy anything. I get the pleasure in the admiring, so I can go. I feel happy with sharing. Hugs from Mexico.
It’s really hard to not puchase new things. Sometimes I try to think that our home is in a closed bubble from the world, and things only can come out of the bubble. I know that I buy stuff if I look at them. So the habit of not looking is the best for me. Like log out from online shops and don’t keep the password easy on you phone. And don’t go to shops. Having a list of things you can do instead of shopping might help you.
I know someone who is a real hoarder. it’s so hard to see her home and not ask the big question, why don’t you get rid of some of this stuff. I am my no means a minimalist, but I down sized to a one bedroom apartment, drive a Honda Fit, and have been working on cutting down even more. It’s so much better with less.
I decluttered a lot already. I decluttered things from my past. I used to cling to them as if the things were giving me my identity and i didn’t want to let that identity go. But i have dealt with that. My problems: No 1) -> I have lots of clothes that i don’t wear and still buy more. No 2) -> I hold on to stuff that belonged to my mom. She passed a year ago. No 3) -> I spent money eating out all the time 😢 No 4) -> I now have the urge to upgrade to pixel 9 pro. 😢
Hi Cas, Your adhd makes you more prone to addiction of any type as well as behaviors like impulsively and reward seeking. The adrenaline rush you get from buying or from purging (de-cluttering) is a way of replacing the dopamine which is lacking in those with adhd. You might want to discuss this with a professional for suggestions of how to get off this merry-go-round.
Cass I agree with some comments..when I purchase something that can help..I get a boost of every to declutter and donate. Not replacing items, but simply simplifying. On the other hand, I just got left by my partner and wanted everything new In my kitchen. I know you will not agree. Don’t have money at the end of the month. But I really,really want to feel is my own apartment.
1. Went to the funeral of a friend named Bill Milburn yesterday and you are interviewing someone with the same last name. Wow. 2. I suspect minimalists are not teachers or crafters because they both hoard supplies and would rather create than clean. 3. Hating the sense of lack when I grew up means I will never be a minimalist, but I am a curious person who loves learning, so I enjoyed hearing a different perspective from mine. (I was also a teacher and have many creative hobbies.)
Dear Cassandra, this is a article of you that I couldn’t watch till the end, because it made me so sad about the misunderstood child you were and I just cried. My daughter also has AD(H)D, she is in her 30’s and she also is still struggling with all day life. I just found out how much she struggles with ALL the things that are so ‘normal’ to me. I recommended your site and your YouTube website to her. I am sure she will find comfort there and in your ideas/hacks about cleaning and decluttering. Thank you so much for sharing your story. Very vulnerable, but very valuable indeed.
If people come to my home, it may look minimalist. But I love things. The things I own I love and find value. I love decor and interior design. I find myself buying decor but they give me so much joy. I don’t buy things to complete me or for me to feel successful or for others to see. I also am not attached to my things. It is very easy for me to let go of things. I feel torn because I love the items I do chose to keep in my home. I feel guilt that my items bring me joy.
The minimalist always rub me the wrong way a bit because they seem to put a lot of money and effort into the aesthetics of minimalism in a way that glamorizes how many poor people have to live and also makes something free into something that you’d have to actually BUY to attain (counterintuitive to their message). I feel like their advice is only really applicable for wealthy people with a shopping problem, and it would go a long way to just preface their advice by acknowledging that immense privilege. I also tend to gravitate more towards minimalists who focus on the environmental impacts (not everything needs to be matching crisp black- use what you have and what already exists) but that’s personal preference. That being said, this interview was definitely the most agreeable one I’ve seen, and I think you both did a good job of keeping the interview judgement free. I can see this being super helpful for the target audience although it falls flat for me. I knew I probably wouldn’t love it going in but I always give anything on this website a shot! The refocusing in on the mindset shift and the point about digital clutter at the end were on point! Not my cup of tea but well done for what it is.