Very, Very Simple: 12 Tools for a Simpler Life

by Joshua Fields Millburn

Very, Very Simple is a clear, compassionate guide to living with less—and finally feeling better about the stuff you own. Inside, you’ll discover 12 practical tools (flexible rules, not rigid dogma) to help you define what’s no longer acceptable in your life and let it go.

This isn’t about owning fewer things for the sake of minimalism. It’s about removing the excess—physical, mental, and emotional—that’s keeping you overwhelmed, distracted, and dissatisfied.

Short, thoughtful, and immediately actionable, Very, Very Simple helps you create space for what actually matters. Less clutter. Fewer distractions. More life.

In this expanded audio edition, Joshua Fields Millburn and T.K. Coleman pause throughout to discuss the philosophical implications of these tools—like a mini-podcast appended to each short chapter.

Genres: Self Help

Kindle Edition

Published January 24, 2026

About the author

Joshua 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.

Reviews

[Brianne Nelson]

The title is an accurate description for this quick guide on simplifying your life via minimalism. It primarily focuses on physical possessions but also touches on digital minimalism and boundary setting. Would recommend reading this book if you are new to minimalism/intentional living philosophy or could use a refresher for quick decision making.

[Bryan]

This was a nice read and while it wasn’t long there are so many great ideas on how to change not just your clutter but your outlook on your life. This is very helpful to drill down on your core values and understand what truly matters to you. Not what matters to someone else because someone’s else’s thoughts and ideas are just that, someone else’s.

[Julie Nicholson]

A short simple guide to how to live a simpler life based on years of experience.

[Anbu Manoharan]

Very short and to the point!

Some of the minimalism books are so unnecessarily long (ironic to the subject). This book does not fall under such a “this-should-have-been-a-blogpost” category.

[Stevanie]

Short, practical, always good vocabulary.

[Jim Owen]

less is more

Great advice with solid tools on not only getting rid of your clutter, but how to stop future clutter. Everyone needs these tools.

[Deborah L. Lemaster]

It's very simple

As much as I declutter, I still need
reminders of why I still keep things.
Time to declutter again. Have fun if you decide on the decluttering journey.

[D Murgatroyd]

A minimalist book on minimalism. What more can I say? Brilliant and the advice works!

[Brenda]

I love decluttering and cleaning books. I like how succinctly written this book is, except the joking title. I'm certain I'll reread this book many times.

[Vanessa Coutu]

J’en aurais voulu encore plus.

[Bradly MIller]

Short simple and sweet.

[Lois]

Lots of helpful information.

[Nena]

This is just the content from their website, ebooks, and podcast mixed and re-served. The lists, the 20/20 rule, 90 rule… etc etc

[Fernando Liceaga]

A very, very simple book in the best way possible. It doesn't mean it's a bad book at all. A very short but effective one.

[Olivia]

Some helpful tips & suggestions of rules to follow. There were a few mistakes in the audio book I thought would have been edited out.

[Tanner]

This book helped in two ways: Simplifying simplifying and actually making me want to.