A memoir is normally someone's life story. For Joshua Millburn it's just 5 years. But a lot happens in that short time.
Joshua and his best friend Ryan became "The Minimalists". They also made a documentary, which I asked my local library to stock. "In the meantime," said my helpful librarian, "would you be interested in a book they have written?".
The book is written by Joshua with short notes inserted by Ryan - an entertaining way to have co-authors. It feels like you're sitting in the living room with Josh telling you a story. In the adjacent kitchen, ostensibly doing something else, Ryan is close enough to throw in the occasional interjection - sometimes profound and sometimes just poking fun of Josh.
Josh, with the advantage of a headstart began with the idea of eliminating one item per day - but ended up doing much more than that.
His friend Ryan chose the quicker method of packing everything he owned, as if moving house. He didn't move house, but instead unpacked items as he needed them. Anything that was still packed at the end of 21 days was deemed unnecessary.
In that sense of the word he figures it's the same as hoarding - just better organised. Behind all the shuffling we are still clinging tightly to physical items that not only bring us no joy, but often prevent us from finding any.
Joshua has a fantastic alternative which I'll be using from now on. "What are you passionate about?". He also explains the key difference between excitement and passion.
"At twenty-eight ... I was forced to look around at all the stuff surrounding me. It was everywhere. My house was full of things I'd purchased in an attempt to find happiness."
After changing his mindset, and his actions, his experience is much different:
"Ultimately I discovered that I truly needed far less than I thought I did. For the first time in my life, I could see happiness getting closer as I walked away from the stuff I thought would make me happy and towards real happiness."
If that's not you but you like a well-told story of a major change in someone's life, this may also be right up your alley.
Joshua and his best friend Ryan became "The Minimalists". They also made a documentary, which I asked my local library to stock. "In the meantime," said my helpful librarian, "would you be interested in a book they have written?".
Two women
In a short space of time Joshua loses both his mother and his wife. In different ways the two events bring him face-to-face with the way we accumulate stuff to make us happy (which it doesn't) and the degree to which we often neglect people in the pursuit of working for money to buy that stuff.Firing himself
Josh was spending all of his 6-figure income (and more) to seek happiness - but not finding it. After discovering minimalism, in his own unique and interesting way, he realised that working 10-12 hours a day, often 6 days a week, just wasn't worth it. When instructed to plan the company's next round of downsizing Joshua puts his own name at the top of the redundancy list.Best buddy
Around this time, best friend Ryan notices positive changes in Josh. Ryan's questions give Josh the chance to explain his new mindset to Ryan - and to readers. The book tells how each of them downsized.Josh, with the advantage of a headstart began with the idea of eliminating one item per day - but ended up doing much more than that.
His friend Ryan chose the quicker method of packing everything he owned, as if moving house. He didn't move house, but instead unpacked items as he needed them. Anything that was still packed at the end of 21 days was deemed unnecessary.
"Decluttering"
This word can mean different things to different people. Josh is not a fan of some TV segments on how to declutter - when it's mostly just re-shuffling many items into neater arrangements.In that sense of the word he figures it's the same as hoarding - just better organised. Behind all the shuffling we are still clinging tightly to physical items that not only bring us no joy, but often prevent us from finding any.
Experiments
The second half of the book is more about Joshua's life (and Ryan's) after discovering minimalism. Joshua conducts "experiments" on himself to find what is useful in life and what is just clutter. These include not having a TV, going a month without a phone and not having internet at home. It's not just about physical clutter but what clutters up his life, his time and his mind.What do you do?
This question should not exist - outside of maybe an industry networking event. I've always detested it and was pleased to find a kindred spirit in Joshua. It really is just about finding what someone does for money, an indication of how much they earn and therefore their social status.Joshua has a fantastic alternative which I'll be using from now on. "What are you passionate about?". He also explains the key difference between excitement and passion.
What's it all about
In the second last chapter Josh sums up his experience:"At twenty-eight ... I was forced to look around at all the stuff surrounding me. It was everywhere. My house was full of things I'd purchased in an attempt to find happiness."
After changing his mindset, and his actions, his experience is much different:
"Ultimately I discovered that I truly needed far less than I thought I did. For the first time in my life, I could see happiness getting closer as I walked away from the stuff I thought would make me happy and towards real happiness."
Is this book for you?
If you're thinking you have too much stuff, and you'd be better off with less, you should read this book.If that's not you but you like a well-told story of a major change in someone's life, this may also be right up your alley.
Comments
Post a Comment