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A Day in the Life of a Minimalist
At age 30, Joshua Fields Millburn left his six-figure career, ditched most of his material possessions, and started focusing on life’s most important aspects. Once he embraced his newfound minimalist lifestyle, he never looked back.
Suffice it to say, everything has changed in Millburn’s life in the last three years. After his mother died in October 2009 and his marriage ended a month later, he began questioning everything in his life: his material possessions, his career, his goals, his health, his relationships, his path in life. Soon he discovered minimalism.
In the three years since the author adopted a minimalist lifestyle, he has written more than 300 essays about minimalism and intentional living. He has written about his journey, his failures, his lessons, and everything he has learned during his transformation. A Day in the Life of a Minimalist is a collection of his best, most important individual writings—rethought and edited specifically for this collection.
This 208-page book contains 50 essays about living a meaningful life with less stuff, including “The Short Guide to Getting Rid of Your Crap,” “The Commodification of Love,” “Letting Go of Shitty Relationships,” and the title essay. Collectively, these essays are purposefully organized into nine sections—lifestyle, goals, experiments, clutter, relationships, changes, philosophy, consumer culture, and work—covering a variety of topics, viewpoints, and arguments within those themes.
Also included are a special forward written by Colin Wright (the man who introduced Millburn to minimalism) and an introduction by Joshua Fields Millburn, as well as two unpublished essays that can’t be found anywhere else: “What If Everyone Was a Minimalist?” and “Work-Life Balance.”
These essays were written to encourage readers to think critically about the excess in their lives and, ultimately, to take action towards living more intentionally. This collection is short enough to be read in a few sittings, or it can be digested slowly, reading one essay a day for nearly two months, applying its principals each day to your own life.
Cover design by Dave LaTulippe · Published by Asymmetrical Press
Suffice it to say, everything has changed in Millburn’s life in the last three years. After his mother died in October 2009 and his marriage ended a month later, he began questioning everything in his life: his material possessions, his career, his goals, his health, his relationships, his path in life. Soon he discovered minimalism.
In the three years since the author adopted a minimalist lifestyle, he has written more than 300 essays about minimalism and intentional living. He has written about his journey, his failures, his lessons, and everything he has learned during his transformation. A Day in the Life of a Minimalist is a collection of his best, most important individual writings—rethought and edited specifically for this collection.
This 208-page book contains 50 essays about living a meaningful life with less stuff, including “The Short Guide to Getting Rid of Your Crap,” “The Commodification of Love,” “Letting Go of Shitty Relationships,” and the title essay. Collectively, these essays are purposefully organized into nine sections—lifestyle, goals, experiments, clutter, relationships, changes, philosophy, consumer culture, and work—covering a variety of topics, viewpoints, and arguments within those themes.
Also included are a special forward written by Colin Wright (the man who introduced Millburn to minimalism) and an introduction by Joshua Fields Millburn, as well as two unpublished essays that can’t be found anywhere else: “What If Everyone Was a Minimalist?” and “Work-Life Balance.”
These essays were written to encourage readers to think critically about the excess in their lives and, ultimately, to take action towards living more intentionally. This collection is short enough to be read in a few sittings, or it can be digested slowly, reading one essay a day for nearly two months, applying its principals each day to your own life.
Cover design by Dave LaTulippe · Published by Asymmetrical Press
211 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 7, 2012
34 people are currently reading
895 people want to read
About the author
Joshua Fields Millburn
24 books1,103 followersJoshua Fields Millburn is one half of the simple-living duo The Minimalists. As the bestselling author of five books, Millburn has been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Time magazine and has spoken at Harvard, Apple, and Google. His podcast, The Minimalists Podcast, is often the #1 health show on Apple Podcasts, and his popular documentary, MINIMALISM, is available on Netflix. Raised in Dayton, Ohio, he currently lives in Los Angeles.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
August 18, 2013
I've always been a big fan of minimalism as a philosophy/lifestyle. I've followed The Minimalists for a couple of years now and when this book was made available for free, I decided to get it and read it.
A Day in the Life of a Minimalist is an easy read. It's split up into parts that focus on a certain topic and each "chapter" is usually a very short, quick read. It's a collection of posts, some from the website, some never before published. I would not recommend actually buying this book as much of the material can be found for free on the internet, but if you like The Minimalists and was a book that organizes what Millburn considers his most important posts, then the book is a good buy.
I really enjoyed reading this ebook. The author does repeat a lot of what he says. You get a glimpse into how he went from a big corporate job to adopting a minimalist lifestyle and becoming a writer. These glimpses happen again and again. Having this repetition can be annoying and overkill, but when keeping in mind that each chapter was written to be read on a blog and anew, the repetition makes sense.
This is not a how-to book. There are very few chapters where the author gives any kind of step-by-step instructions or methodology into living minimally. Reading this book for that kind of information is going to leave the readers disappointed. However, I do feel that this book is a good introduction and anyone interested in learning about minimalism may start here.
A Day in the Life of a Minimalist is an easy read. It's split up into parts that focus on a certain topic and each "chapter" is usually a very short, quick read. It's a collection of posts, some from the website, some never before published. I would not recommend actually buying this book as much of the material can be found for free on the internet, but if you like The Minimalists and was a book that organizes what Millburn considers his most important posts, then the book is a good buy.
I really enjoyed reading this ebook. The author does repeat a lot of what he says. You get a glimpse into how he went from a big corporate job to adopting a minimalist lifestyle and becoming a writer. These glimpses happen again and again. Having this repetition can be annoying and overkill, but when keeping in mind that each chapter was written to be read on a blog and anew, the repetition makes sense.
This is not a how-to book. There are very few chapters where the author gives any kind of step-by-step instructions or methodology into living minimally. Reading this book for that kind of information is going to leave the readers disappointed. However, I do feel that this book is a good introduction and anyone interested in learning about minimalism may start here.
December 24, 2012
This book is a compilation of essays or posts on how to simplify your life by divesting yourself of unimportant, unnecessary clutter -- such as possessions, debt, relationships, in order to grow and become a more focused, happier individual.
There are some great suggestions regarding writing, and since I am a blogger, I appreciated the author's insight. The author's ideas about purchasing useless stuff in order to fill a void is something I've learned and agree with. Incurring and having alot of debt can be a depressing, stressful situation and is something anyone can change, if they set their mind to it.
There is some repetition throughout the book, which is a quick and easy read. I finished it in two days.
I did feel the information and instruction being provided might be more pertinent to people who are not in committed relationships or married, as the subject matter mostly pertains to how the individual can effect change and does not delve into how couples may work together to achieve the same end results.
Nonetheless, I found this book to contain some very valuable information and would recommend it to anyone who is trying to find a way to live a simpler, happier life.
There are some great suggestions regarding writing, and since I am a blogger, I appreciated the author's insight. The author's ideas about purchasing useless stuff in order to fill a void is something I've learned and agree with. Incurring and having alot of debt can be a depressing, stressful situation and is something anyone can change, if they set their mind to it.
There is some repetition throughout the book, which is a quick and easy read. I finished it in two days.
I did feel the information and instruction being provided might be more pertinent to people who are not in committed relationships or married, as the subject matter mostly pertains to how the individual can effect change and does not delve into how couples may work together to achieve the same end results.
Nonetheless, I found this book to contain some very valuable information and would recommend it to anyone who is trying to find a way to live a simpler, happier life.
March 7, 2020
There are a lot of good thoughts in this book. I am all on board with owning things that have use and meaning rather than being owned by a bunch of stuff that collects dust. I love the ideas of living in a way that brings meaning to my life or other’s lives. Miller shares what he has learned on his path in embracing minimalism that is useful for those who want to embrace a life with less.
I did find a number of the essays to be repetitive. I imagine if I were reading these as they were published on the author’s website, more time would fall between readings, and they wouldn’t feel as repetitive. At times the essays feel as though I’m reading from his journal rather than something meant for public consumption. Other times, while Miller’s advise is good, it feels as though the narrative is praising the author more than sharing his experience.
At the end of the book, I find that I enjoyed reading the book and appreciate learning from Miller’s experience. I did feel that this is fundamentalist minimalism, teaching the reader how to be a true minimalist and how not to get off the straight and narrow. Miller does come back to point out that the main point is to be in control of your life rather than having your life be in control of you. I can’t help but think that the determination and focus Miller had that helped him succeed in the corporate world is the same trait that he used to be successful as a minimalist. This isn’t a criticism, mind you, just an observation that not every reader has the same determinate and focus. So I would encourage a reader who feels overwhelmed to be patient and take things one step at a time.
I did find a number of the essays to be repetitive. I imagine if I were reading these as they were published on the author’s website, more time would fall between readings, and they wouldn’t feel as repetitive. At times the essays feel as though I’m reading from his journal rather than something meant for public consumption. Other times, while Miller’s advise is good, it feels as though the narrative is praising the author more than sharing his experience.
At the end of the book, I find that I enjoyed reading the book and appreciate learning from Miller’s experience. I did feel that this is fundamentalist minimalism, teaching the reader how to be a true minimalist and how not to get off the straight and narrow. Miller does come back to point out that the main point is to be in control of your life rather than having your life be in control of you. I can’t help but think that the determination and focus Miller had that helped him succeed in the corporate world is the same trait that he used to be successful as a minimalist. This isn’t a criticism, mind you, just an observation that not every reader has the same determinate and focus. So I would encourage a reader who feels overwhelmed to be patient and take things one step at a time.
June 13, 2017
I used to love The Minimalists but I fell out of love due to JFM. I've read all of their there books but honestly didn't finish this one. Too much repetition and way too much humblebrag. JFM comes across incredibly full of himself and it gets old really fast. He seems like he just hasn't had enough life experience yet to be preaching about some of this. I only got about a quarter into the book but the number of times he mentions his best selling books is ridiculous. (Mostly they are all just blog posts, not fresh content, also published by his good friend who happens to own a publishing company.)
I love what these guys are doing and they surely get some credit for my start towards minimalism, but their success seems to have inflated their egos. (JFM at least.) There are other places I will go for minimalism content.
I love what these guys are doing and they surely get some credit for my start towards minimalism, but their success seems to have inflated their egos. (JFM at least.) There are other places I will go for minimalism content.
December 29, 2017
This is my third book by The Minimalists, and probably my last. I will continue following their work, but their printed material tends to get repetitive. I love JFM's ideas. I loved their documentary. And as a minimalist, he and Ryan have inspired me to "jettison" many of my own possessions. That said, I think others, such as Joshua Becker, articulate these same ideas better and more succinctly in print form. Still, I found much to appreciate in this volume, and it was a nice refresher on many of the ideas JFM has shared in their previous work. Whether or not JFM's expression of minimalism fits your life, he will certainly make you think about why you have the stuff you have.
April 27, 2019
This was the final of Joshua’s books I’ve read and I found that I had already read the exact same passages in other of his works. So while it had the same message as the others that I enjoyed, some of it was word for word. I think you really only have to read one book from the minimalists and then find other authors on minimalism.
September 1, 2017
loved the documentary and the website so much i got the audiobook as well. repeats all the same stuff but it's all such good stuff that i couldn't help myself.
February 4, 2021
Me gustó, pero si ya conoces lo que hace, viste sus documentales o estás suscripta a sus newsletters, se hace medio repetitivo.
November 25, 2012
This book was well thought out, very well written, and easy to read.
JFM breaks down the book into ten chapters, each of which are essentially a collection of blog posts, or essays, surrounding each topic. I found this format made the book very easy to read and gave it a nice flow. I was able to glide seamlessly between essays as well as between chapters.
Some of the gems:
"Eventually the frustration turns into reward; the pain becomes pleasure."
"Once I jettisoned the superfluous stuff in my life, I was able to focus on my health, cultivate meaningful relationships, get into the best shape of my life, grow as an individual, and contribute beyond myself in myriad ways."
"Sometimes you have to follow your heart even when you know you are going to lose."
"My only bills at this point are rent, utilities, and insurance. Everything else had to go. I decided that pursuing my dream was worth it."
"Nearly all masterpieces share two commonalities: time and action."
"Success is a simple equation. Happiness + Growth + Contribution = Success"
I encourage you to give this book a read and find some gems of your own.
JFM breaks down the book into ten chapters, each of which are essentially a collection of blog posts, or essays, surrounding each topic. I found this format made the book very easy to read and gave it a nice flow. I was able to glide seamlessly between essays as well as between chapters.
Some of the gems:
"Eventually the frustration turns into reward; the pain becomes pleasure."
"Once I jettisoned the superfluous stuff in my life, I was able to focus on my health, cultivate meaningful relationships, get into the best shape of my life, grow as an individual, and contribute beyond myself in myriad ways."
"Sometimes you have to follow your heart even when you know you are going to lose."
"My only bills at this point are rent, utilities, and insurance. Everything else had to go. I decided that pursuing my dream was worth it."
"Nearly all masterpieces share two commonalities: time and action."
"Success is a simple equation. Happiness + Growth + Contribution = Success"
I encourage you to give this book a read and find some gems of your own.
September 12, 2013
A collection of essays (blog posts, for the most) about a minimalist lifestyle. The author has some interesting insights -- I liked the idea of living without goals -- and some of the stuff is things you've heard before, but it's all thought-provoking and good for stimulating discussion and perhaps some lifestyle changes.
Personally, I'm not so sure I'm into "radical minimalism" but I'm definitely partway down that path. Call me a mesimalist, perhaps.
I'm curious how he's going to feel about some of these things in a few years and/or decades; some of it feels a little too pure and ideal to be workable in the long term. Worthy notions, all, just maybe susceptible to the interruptions and difficulties posed by everyday living.
Personally, I'm not so sure I'm into "radical minimalism" but I'm definitely partway down that path. Call me a mesimalist, perhaps.
I'm curious how he's going to feel about some of these things in a few years and/or decades; some of it feels a little too pure and ideal to be workable in the long term. Worthy notions, all, just maybe susceptible to the interruptions and difficulties posed by everyday living.
May 22, 2013
This took me quite a long time to get through because I had to take it in very small doses, as reading it in bigger chunks just reminded me how very repetitious it was. The author acknowledges this in the beginning of the book and offers some explanation about how that will help get his message across. I think it's more a matter of he didn't want to have to do too much editing of these essays, most of which I got the idea had been previously published on his website. I really need to find a better book on minimalism, as the two I've read so far seem to be from the perspective of people who are succeeding at it by writing books quickly to make money so they don't have to work at anything besides their minimalism.
January 22, 2015
While I embrace minimalism and there is merit in some of his ideas, Millburn has compiled a book that seems trivial and his life inexperience shows.
Millburn sounds full of himself in this book and constantly reminds the reader about his achievements. His suggestions are arrogantly delivered yet are impractical for those with families who have responsibilities and must keep to schedules.
The largest fault I have with this book is that his suggestions are extremely selfish and self-serving. Minimalism for him is about making himself happy - and no one else. He does not suggest sharing with others or helping the poor which is a real shame.
He claims that the sole purpose of life is to enjoy life and be happy and I disagree. I do however agree that we need to live with a lot less.
Millburn sounds full of himself in this book and constantly reminds the reader about his achievements. His suggestions are arrogantly delivered yet are impractical for those with families who have responsibilities and must keep to schedules.
The largest fault I have with this book is that his suggestions are extremely selfish and self-serving. Minimalism for him is about making himself happy - and no one else. He does not suggest sharing with others or helping the poor which is a real shame.
He claims that the sole purpose of life is to enjoy life and be happy and I disagree. I do however agree that we need to live with a lot less.
October 28, 2014
Although I knew some of the content of this book through the author's blog The Minimalists, the majority of it is new material. It makes you think and reassess your life choices and encourages you to change what you think should be changed, by focusing on daily action instead of trying to move the whole mountain at once. The book is written in a simple and concise style and although dealing with a "serious" subject, it also has a great deal of humor. Above all, you can see it is an honest account of a personal experience, and that makes it an even better read. Really enjoyed it.
February 21, 2013
This is a collection of blog posts from theminimalists.com coauthor Joshua Millburn. I was not previously aware of the blog, so I enjoyed reading it. (If I had already been a follower of the blog, I would have been disappointed.) I have been a reader of voluntary simplicity literature since I was in college in the early 90s, so nothing said in the book was really new to me, but it's nice to have the encouragement that a book like this can give you, that you're not alone. The book is well written, and I am interested to check out some of the author's other work.
March 15, 2013
This is a light read but I wouldn't recommend reading it straight. I lost count of the number of times "corporate job" was mentioned. Towards the end, I just rolled my eyes every time I encountered it.
I guess with minimalism once you get the idea, it's just the same thing throughout. I have read Minimalism: Essential Essays and have enjoyed it. It made me think. It started my journey towards simplifying my life. But with this one...well, I liked the parts which were different, with no mention of leaving my corporate job.
I guess with minimalism once you get the idea, it's just the same thing throughout. I have read Minimalism: Essential Essays and have enjoyed it. It made me think. It started my journey towards simplifying my life. But with this one...well, I liked the parts which were different, with no mention of leaving my corporate job.
July 11, 2013
This is a series of blog-style essays about minimalism.
I really appreciated the fact that the author spends a lot of time focusing on the mindset of minimalism rather than the steps toward minimalism. There are some basic steps mentioned in the book, but the author is sensitive to the fact that minimalists share common attitudes rather than lifestyles.
After reading this once, I feel a lot more comfortable with minimalism and myself; conveniently, this is one of those books that can be read multiple times with new connections gleaned at each read. I'll definitely read this one again.
I really appreciated the fact that the author spends a lot of time focusing on the mindset of minimalism rather than the steps toward minimalism. There are some basic steps mentioned in the book, but the author is sensitive to the fact that minimalists share common attitudes rather than lifestyles.
After reading this once, I feel a lot more comfortable with minimalism and myself; conveniently, this is one of those books that can be read multiple times with new connections gleaned at each read. I'll definitely read this one again.
April 4, 2013
As a collection of essays that have (almost all of them) been published on the website http://www.theminimalists.com/. These selected essays are a good way to gain insight into how Millburn thinks and his approach to achieving happiness.
Book touches author's views on minimalism, living a meaningful life, and much more. There are parts of this book that may encourage you to take a step back and reflect.
Book touches author's views on minimalism, living a meaningful life, and much more. There are parts of this book that may encourage you to take a step back and reflect.
September 6, 2014
Couldn't finish as it was too repetitive. Very self important and painfully earnest.
You also have to question taking advice from people who spent a large part of their life believing that money was the route to happiness - have they not experienced a human childhood on the planet Earth? The "money isn't everything" motif is one of the most common themes in every form of storytelling through out history. To discover this in their late 20's is amazing.
You also have to question taking advice from people who spent a large part of their life believing that money was the route to happiness - have they not experienced a human childhood on the planet Earth? The "money isn't everything" motif is one of the most common themes in every form of storytelling through out history. To discover this in their late 20's is amazing.
January 7, 2017
I couldn't finish this book even though I am really interested in minimalism. The book is a collection of essays (blog posts) and it is way too repetitive. The author seems self-absorbed in his own accomplishments and personal growth. I feel like he is confusing the concept of minimalism with the process of maturing and identifying his own personal values. I had great hopes for this book but I just couldn't get past the repetition and self-absorption that read like a memoir about self-help.
December 2, 2014
Thought-provoking
This book isn't so much a "how-to" guide to become a minimalist, but more a look at his journey to minimalism. It mentions fellow minimalists of which I've read their books/journey. This collection of essays (blogs) is among the best and gives a fresh perspective to an often misunderstood lifestyle. I can't wait to read more of his writing.
This book isn't so much a "how-to" guide to become a minimalist, but more a look at his journey to minimalism. It mentions fellow minimalists of which I've read their books/journey. This collection of essays (blogs) is among the best and gives a fresh perspective to an often misunderstood lifestyle. I can't wait to read more of his writing.
April 23, 2015
Although I've been following the minimalists blog for a fair few months now I really enjoyed this collection of essays.
He comes across as humble, self assured and comfortable in himself. I enjoy the way he writes on minimalism and I've spent the last 7 months minimising my own families stuff and I find supportive material to read like this very helpful.
He comes across as humble, self assured and comfortable in himself. I enjoy the way he writes on minimalism and I've spent the last 7 months minimising my own families stuff and I find supportive material to read like this very helpful.
February 17, 2013
Great philosophy - many of the ideas are ones I already believe. Unfortunately, minimalism is not easy to put into practice with kiddos. I will begin to implement some of the ideas in this book, but it will be a long time until I get to minimalist nirvana.
January 14, 2015
Promising but premature. I think this memoir could've benefited from more time living minimally and writing. It reads like a conversation with a friend who just came back from a vacation and was telling you all about it. I like the ideas; I think presentation suffered.
November 25, 2012
An excellent "primer" on minimalism and the transition to a minimalist mindset. I particularly liked the grouping of the essays as a way to highlight foci/themes in his overall work.
March 3, 2013
JFM writes some mean non-fiction. Motivating, helpful and a good reminder of how to live a meaningful life.
February 21, 2013
Good. As a collection of essays from blog posts goes you're bound to see some repetition but it didn't detract from the book.
March 24, 2013
some good stuff but alot of repetition
October 17, 2014
It was a quick, easy read. Left me motivated to cut the time wasters out of my life and get busy doing what I want to do with my life.
June 29, 2013
Loved the book! Feeling inspired to test this out!
August 31, 2013
A great collection of the essays on the blog, and a good platform to dive off of in exploration of the philosophy of minimalism.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews