In 'Love People, Use Things,' Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus expand on the concept of minimalism by exploring how it can help individuals reevaluate and heal their relationships with seven key aspects of life: stuff, truth, self, values, money, creativity, and people. The book delves into how consumerism hinders true happiness and how adopting a minimalist lifestyle can lead to a more intentional, meaningful, and fulfilling life. It uses personal experiences and expert insights to provide a template for living with fewer distractions and more focus on what truly matters.
This memoir tells the story of Joshua Fields Millburn, who, after losing his mother and his marriage in the same month, began to question the life he had built. He discovered minimalism and, over four years, jettisoned most of his material possessions, paid off significant debt, and left his six-figure career. The book is a heartrending, uplifting, and deeply personal account of his journey, interspersed with insightful and often humorous comments from his best friend, Ryan Nicodemus. It focuses on the 'why' of minimalism rather than the 'how,' exploring themes of simplicity, consumerism, and finding true fulfillment.
In this book, Marie Kondo introduces her revolutionary KonMari Method for tidying and organizing. Unlike traditional methods that focus on cleaning room by room or a little at a time, Kondo's approach involves categorizing items (clothes, books, papers, miscellaneous items, and sentimental items) and discarding those that do not spark joy. The method promises lasting results by changing the way one thinks about and interacts with their possessions. Kondo emphasizes the importance of handling each item, thanking items for their service, and finding a designated home for each item to maintain a tidy and organized space. The book also delves into the psychological and lifestyle benefits of tidying, suggesting that it can lead to greater clarity, confidence, and a more intentional way of living[1][3][5].
How might your life be better with less?
Not so many years ago, Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus were mired in the corporate grind, banking six-figure salaries in pursuit of the American Dream. Expiating for the satisfaction their careers failed to provide, they did what most humans would:
They bought stuff. Lots of stuff.
When that didn’t work, they bought more. And when that didn’t work, they hit bottom. What came next was a search for meaning that would forever alter the trajectory of their lives—and ignite the spread of minimalism across the world.
Known today as The Minimalists, Joshua and Ryan advocate for the pursuit of living less materially and more deliberately. Through their website, books, podcasts and films, they share practical, experience-based insights on how minimalism can lead to freedom—providing the foundation for a life built not on consumption, but instead on conscious purpose and mindful intention.
With a devoted readership in the millions, they’ve written several books, given TED Talks and spoken at places like SXSW and Harvard Business School. They’ve been featured on every major television network and profiled in major publications like The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and TIME.
In 2016, Ryan and Joshua made an unexpected splash when their Netflix documentary Minimalism enervated audiences around the world. Now they’re back with a brand new, must-see follow up, Less Is Now.
Given what these fine young gentlemen represent, I will restrain inclinations verbose to simply say that this is a conversation about how to live with greater intention and purpose.
It’s about creating more by consuming less. It’s about prioritizing experience over accumulation. It’s about growth, contentment and love. And it’s about the deep personal satisfaction that comes with contributing beyond ourselves.
In other words, minimalism isn’t martyrdom—it’s freedom.
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YouTube: bit.ly/theminimalists577
Joshua, Ryan and their message is a gift. Receive it graciously. Then put it to work.
Peace + Plants,
Rich
The Rich Roll Podcast 
