The Minimalists, creators of a minimalist lifestyle, talk about their kitchen essentials, the No Junk Rule, asking for help, spending money in minimalism, connecting with others without feeling judged, and letting go of embarrassment.
Identify your own minimalist kitchen essentials based on your needs and preferences rather than blindly following someone else's list.
Build trust and open up to non-judgmental and supportive people when asking for help, challenging feelings of embarrassment and shame.
Deal with judgment by either leaving the situation, finding humor and not taking it personally, or leading the conversation by questioning the judgments made about yourself.
Deep dives
Importance of Minimalist Kitchen Essentials
Michelle, a former Pampered Chef and Tupperware partygoer, seeks advice on minimalist kitchen essentials. The hosts emphasize that everyone has different essentials based on their needs and preferences, and it is essential to focus on what is essential for oneself rather than blindly following someone else's list. They suggest using the 'no junk rule' to identify essential items, value-adding non-essentials, and junk. The hosts also emphasize that reducing clutter and creating a minimalist kitchen does not require buying new things but rather eliminating what gets in the way of one's needs and preferences.
Overcoming Embarrassment and Seeking Help
The hosts discuss the challenges of feeling embarrassed or ashamed when asking for help. They emphasize the importance of trusting and opening up to people who want what's best for you and who respect and value you. They encourage being transparent about feeling embarrassed and finding people who are non-judgmental and supportive. The hosts highlight the role of shame and the fear of not being enough in triggering feelings of embarrassment, and they suggest challenging the stories we tell ourselves by adopting an abundance mindset and realizing that embarrassment is not real. They also acknowledge that practice and starting small can help build confidence in asking for help.
Understanding Judgment and Lens of Others
The hosts address the difficulty of connecting with others when they judge based on their own preconceived notions. They explain that judgment often reflects the insecurities of the judge rather than the person being judged. They suggest three options for dealing with judgment: leaving the situation, finding humor and not taking it personally, or leading the conversation by challenging and questioning the judgments made about oneself. Each option depends on personal comfort and what one can tolerate.
Experience and Lessons from Owning a Coffee Shop
The hosts share their experiences and lessons from owning a coffee shop called Bandit Coffee Company for eight years. They highlight the intentional minimalist design and community-focused approach of the shop, as well as the challenges and successes they encountered. They also discuss their decision to sell their stake in the business back to the founders, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to be part of the journey and acknowledging the growth and impact of Bandit Coffee Company.
Starting the Minimalism Game with Areas of Least Clutter
A listener shares a tip from playing the 30-day Minimalism Game multiple times. They suggest starting with the areas of the least clutter, surprising themselves by finding items to minimize even in seemingly clutter-free areas. They emphasize that it builds momentum and allows for a less overwhelming start to the game. They encourage others to have fun and wish them luck on their minimalism journey.
The Minimalists talk about their minimalist kitchen essentials, the No Junk Rule, and letting go of embarrassment. Watch all 2 hours of episode 430 on The Minimalists Private Podcast.
Discussed in this episode:
What are The Minimalist’s kitchen essentials? (02:39)
How can we get better at asking for help? (15:40)
Why did I spend more money when I tried minimalism? (31:22)
How can I connect with others when I feel like they’re judging me? (43:35)
