By Joshua Fields Millburn & Ryan Nicodemus
Health, relationships, passion, growth and contribution are the main themes into which this book by the minimalists is organized. As with the essay collection I reviewed earlier, this short tome provides more tactical examples from Ryan and Josh as they make their way toward a more simple life.
These books strike a chord with me due to the experimental nature of the approach espoused by the authors. In this book you will hear mention of experiments like moving to a remote cabin in rural Montana, holding packing parties where you box up all of your things and techniques to tell if an item belongs in your life.
As a person who has a problem with collecting (typically gadgets and books) I found the premise of living with less exciting to consider. The key driver for this realization was the authors mention of a psychology study in which it was reported that in frequent consumers, the idea of making a large purchase delivered more of a reward than the actual purchase itself. Indeed, of the items we buy at approximately 90% are not used after the first 6 months. In the average household there are 300,000 items – if this 90% of unused mental and physical detritus was removed we would still own approximately 30,00 things!
I certainly do not see my self being able in the short term to take to a tiny house and live out of a suitcase, my two boys, wife and dog would likely be hard to fit. However, the idea that my own quarter of our family can prescribe to a minimalist, intentional lifestyle is extremely attractive. I have already worked to purge my office at work, getting rid of all but the essential items required for my job – surprisingly this physical downsizing has provided more space mentally. When combined with my new habit of meditation I have found I am actually beginning to enjoy my trips to work and look forward to being in that space.
My home will be more of a challenge, in which I plan to start with my office and then move to the closet. Perhaps if I can get my 75,000 of our items down by 50 % I will feel this growing sense of calm at home also.
As with their other work I heartily recommend this book and think you will find value in the tips and tactics shared within.
Think Live Grow 