Joshua and Ryan talk about how to avoid recluttering our lives with new possessions, burdens, and obligations once we’ve excised our excess, and they answer the following questions:
What is “recluttering”? (00:00)
How do we address recluttering with loved ones and roommates who seem to see our clean spaces as places to dump their stuff that doesn’t have a home? (07:55)
How do we ensure the items we bring back into our homes after decluttering don’t become recluttering? (18:11)
How do I figure out my ‘why’ for recluttering? (32:15)
What’s problematic about having options? (35:02)
How do you define “consumerism”? (35:39)
Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast
Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support
Joshua and Ryan discuss our escalating advice epidemic as our society swells with scores of well-meaning people advising other people on what they are supposed to do, and they answer the following questions:
What are ‘shoulds’? (00:00)
What possesses some people to insist on giving others unsolicited advice? (03:13)
How can we provide appropriate advice and/or guidance to loved ones to alter behaviors that are impacting us negatively? (17:46)
How do our expectations complicate things? (21:14)
How do we critically evaluate all the ‘shoulds’ out there and take what works for each of us? (23:34)
Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast
Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support
Joshua and Ryan talk about all the digital clutter on our computers, phones, tablets, and other devices taking up space on our hard drives and in our minds, and they answer the following questions:
What are the benefits of not having digital clutter taking up space in your mind? (00:00)
What is the Diderot effect? (04:48)
What do you define as ‘digital clutter’? (10:41)
Where do we start in addressing digital clutter to ensure we stay focused and motivated and not get overwhelmed with all of it? (13:31)
As an avid gamer, how do I ensure I don’t let my enthusiasm and passion for gaming turn into clutter with all of the games and consoles available, and how do I ensure it doesn’t consume me to the detriment of my relationships? (21:00)
How about a basic overview of how to manage it all: emails, documents, photos? (30:18)
How can overwhelm actually help us? (33:17)
Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast
Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support
Joshua and Ryan talk about the perniciousness of compulsive decluttering (aka obsessive-compulsive spartanism) on the occasion of their 300th episode, and they answer the following questions:
What is spartanism? (00:00)
Hoarding, spartanism, ad nauseum—must we diagnose everything? (06:06)
How do we recognize and respect the challenges of others? (06:59)
How could letting go of everything be a bad thing? (11:16)
How do we ensure our decluttering doesn’t trigger other compulsive behaviors; for instance, the compulsion to constantly check our phones for notifications when we’re trying to sell what we decluttered? (11:46)
What is the “art of noticing”? (17:38)
When does minimalism turn into compulsive decluttering or obsessive-compulsive spartanism—what signs do we look for? (19:40)
Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast
Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support
Joshua and Ryan talk about “summer simplifying,” and they answer the following questions:
Which moniker won in your audience poll—“simpletons” or “minimizers”? (00:00)
Where do you start when your entire home needs decluttering? (06:04)
What is the most important thing to do to get started? (10:04)
How do we get our children to participate in decluttering? (13:27)
How do I break my emotional and sentimental attachment to my collection of books, and how do I appropriately curate my collection and recycle the books I don’t keep? (14:07)
What is the Enneagram? (22:19)
What do we do with items that have a sentimental attachment? (25:51)
Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast
Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support