I first heard about the book “Love People, Use Things” by Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus on the Blinkest app. When I listened to this book summary, it tickled my fancy right off the bat because it extended my point of view about minimalism.
I haven’t read or learned a lot about minimalism yet. Besides “Love People, Use Things”, I also read Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport and Less is More by Francine Jay.
I’ve been a minimalist since 2021. Previously, I thought that minimalism was solely about having less and buying only what was essential for a frugal lifestyle. Over time, my perspective has shifted.
Now, for me, minimalism is about living a meaningful life with only the essentials. It doesn’t mean I have to have only a few items, like a couple of clothes or a few pairs of shoes. It means that I can have as many things as I understand which is enough for me considering a plain and organized environment. Everything that I have whether stuff, money, or relationships must have a purpose. Put another way, to live with the essential meaningfully.
Interestingly, what is essential to me might not be to you, and vice-vise, or what is essential to me today, might not be in the future, or was not in the past.
Oshua and Ryan are two authorities in the Minimalist world. They host a podcast called “The Minimalists”, stream a documentary The Minimalist: Less is More on Netflix, and go overseas in tourneys to spread the word about this lifestyle.
So, Oshua and Ryan carry the banner that we should improve our relationships with stuff, truth, self, values, money, creativity, and people to live essential lives. This way, we’ll live a deliberate and meaningful life, and it’ll save the three most important resources of human beings: time, energy, and attention.
“Every possession, as a minimalist, own serves me a purpose or brings me joy. Everything else is out of the way”
This book emphasizes the importance of disconnecting from materialism and prioritizing meaningful connections.
The authors state that minimalism isn’t an antidote to desire. In other words, the problem doesn’t lie in consumption but in thoughtless consumption. It means that we should foster our awareness and sensitivity to know and understand when enough is enough.
Besides that, they declare that we must pay attention not only to things we acquire but also to things we hold on to. So, each item, idea, or person we hold in our lives should be carefully thought out. And self-reflect If they add value to our lives. If not, it’s time to let them go and make room for freedom, and other opportunities that might come.
We shouldn’t be attached to any stuff we possess, habits, and relationships. this way it’s easier to walk away when you want. We’ll find freedom in nonattachment.
Moreover, it doesn’t mean that we should get rid of only unnecessary things but also change our mindsets for life. After all, to be a minimalist isn’t all about having a few items, it’s also about living intentionally. It enforces the necessity to take ownership of our life as a whole.
While it starts with the stuff, it’s ultimately a stewardship program for one’s life.
I haven’t read this book in one go. I loved it so much that I had to let it sink in and write down my thoughts.
This book is a must-read for those who crave a significant life. At some point in the book, you will forget that the authors are minimalists because this masterpiece is much more than spreading the idea of this lifestyle. It is a guide to people to live their lives fully and take the most out of all realms of life like health, relationships, growth, and service.
Have you ever read this book? Could you give it a try? Please, let me know in the comments below your thoughts about Minimalism or the book “Love People, Use Things”.
Thank you for reading.
Keep meaningful.
