594: Joshua Fields Millburn | Love People, Use Things

20/20 Rule

The 20/20 Rule offers a practical approach to decluttering by encouraging individuals to let go of items they hold onto "just in case." Joshua Fields Millburn explains that if an item can be replaced for less than $20 in under 20 minutes, it can be safely discarded 1. This rule, which he developed with Ryan Nicodemus, has only been used five times in a decade, demonstrating its effectiveness in reducing clutter without frequent repurchases 1.

It feels to me that we are worried, so worried about putting our stuff in a landfill, but it's already functionally in a landfill in your house.

--- Joshua Fields Millburn

By following this guideline, individuals can significantly minimize their possessions while avoiding unnecessary environmental impact 2.

   

Packing Party

The Packing Party Method is a unique strategy for evaluating possessions by simulating a move. Joshua Fields Millburn describes how he and Ryan boxed up everything in Ryan's house, only unpacking items as needed over 21 days 3. This method revealed that 80% of Ryan's belongings remained unused, highlighting the excess in everyday life 3.

And over the course of those 21 days, at the end of it, he had 80 percent of his stuff still in boxes.

--- Joshua Fields Millburn

The technique can be adapted to individual rooms, making it accessible for various living situations and encouraging a more mindful approach to ownership 4.

   

Letting Go

Simplifying the process of letting go involves both practical and philosophical approaches. Joshua Fields Millburn emphasizes that letting go is about stopping the clinging to unnecessary items and relationships 5. He suggests starting small, with games like the minimalism game, to build momentum in decluttering efforts 5.

Letting go is not something you do, it's something you stop doing as soon as you stop the clinging.

--- Joshua Fields Millburn

This mindset shift helps individuals understand the absurdity of their attachments and fosters a sense of freedom and tranquility 6.