Minimalist Rulebook: 16 Rules for Living with Less

by Joshua Fields Millburn

When it comes to letting go, I wish I could hand you a list of the 100 items you’re supposed to own to be a minimalist. But minimalism doesn’t work like that. What brings value to my life could very well get in the way of yours. Further, the things that once added value may not continue to add value, so we must constantly question not only the things we acquire but the things we hold on to.

Because minimalism is not an antidote to desire, and because, like most people, Ryan and I still act on impulse, we’ve created sixteen rules and tactics we use to help stave off the tug of consumerism and get organized—including the No Junk Rule, the Seasonality Rule, and fourteen others—all of which are compiled in our new ebook, Minimalist Rulebook: 16 Rules for Living with Less.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Ebooks

30 pages, ebook

Published January 19, 2020

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

[Robert · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've read The Minimalists's books. I've listened to most of their podcasts. I have a love/hate relationship with them. They are minimalists, yet they produce and hawk an excessive amount of "content". The content is mostly regurgitated. It has to be; there's only so much that can be said on the topic of living with less.

This ebook is an example of the excess. It's a ploy to capture an e-mail address (pure modern-day marketing). I will say, they have been good in the past with unsubscribing from their marketing lists.

There's nothing new here. It's a quick package of their spiel. Interestingly, Nicodemus does not receive a writing credit on this. It's one of the areas that I've wondered about in the past, but also one I quickly abandon as in the end, I truly don't care about their business arrangement.

The 20/20 rule, the 30/30 rule, the 90/90 rule, the 16 rules, etc. I tire of lists like this one. The core message is good, but how many times do they repackage their spiel?

[Fatma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Consumerism is celebrated way more than it should. And ever since I was introduced to minimalism years ago, it has added value to my behavior as much as it has taken away possessions from me😂
While I don’t have a capsule wardrobe and instead of photo scanning parties, I have photo printing nights, I still appreciate the impact it continues to have on my life.

As for the book itself, it is what it says it is; a rulebook. It’s concise, straight to the point, and serves as an introduction to minimalism. That is both its pro and con!! I wish it expanded more on the topic and discussed it from multiple views while also giving examples and concrete evidence. Because the book, as it is, doesn’t feel complete.

So if the concept is not new to you, I don’t see what value this book will provide. But don’t hesitate to go ahead and see for yourself, it’s only 30 pages long.

[Pedram · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've found out that I'm already a minimalist to some extent, but there are still changes that I can apply to have a better minimalistic life.

[Tito Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Minimalism is the new trend in this complex and sophisticated digital era.

The author has elucidated his idea of minimalism through 16 Rules which he feels would effectively declutter our lives and allow us to live without worrying about trivial issues.

Some of the rules like the 90/90 Rule (the Seasonality Rule), the Spontaneous combustion Rule and the Rule of conscious gift giving are very much essential to effectively make our lives stress free.

The book does not go indepth in analysing each rule but provides an introduction to the same. The author has a podcast and a YouTube channel completely dedicated to minimalism. The episodes are informative and persuasive.

Hope the trend never withers and this becomes a norm of our society someday.

[Poornima Jha · Rating 4 out of 5]

gem of a book. very handy.

[J.H. Moncrieff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great resource! Truly minimalist.

A quick, helpful read to assist you when you're paring down, and help you keep it that way.

[Francis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Court, avec de bons petits conseils (parfois radicaux) sur comment bien débuter le minimalisme.

[Z]

Great book if you want to start with Minimalism

[Chris Weatherburn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Low rating as it is a short book, here is my summary;

As the name suggests it is a short book, if you can get rid of things you don’t need you are then not ruled by your possessions and can have a better life. Starts off with a challenge that you can set yourself and a friend remove one item out of your house for thirty days, but increase by one a day, so by day 30 you are removing 30 items.

To help declutter put things into three categories
Essentials: food clothes sheltered. Most needs here are universal.
Non-essentials: things we want in our life
Junk: Items we think we like but they don’t serve a purpose or bring us joy.

Get rid of junk. 90/90 rule have you used it in the last 90 days or are going to use it in the next 90 days – if not get rid of it.

Consider getting rid of 10 items for every 1 item you purchase – so buy things deliberately. This would include items you keep ‘just in case’, note these differ to items such as fire blankets which are emergency items and ‘just for when’ items which are consumables such as toothpaste.

Avoid unnecessary purchases by putting off purchasing items by asking yourself if you can get by without the item. The more expensive the item, the longer you wait. The aim is to purchase items with intention, not impulse.

Don’t upgrade items, when they break or wear out, consider then replacing, repairing or going without.

If struggling to sell things add a time deadline and if this passes just donate the item to charity. When you look at an item think what if it spontaneously combusts – would you care or be relieved?

With giving gifts gift experiences, not items, equally if receiving gifts be more specific about what you enjoy and perhaps point them in the direction of the experiences you want to enjoy with them.

VLOG summary: https://youtu.be/4sOMdV5I7Ng

[Caspian Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

In 30 pages this eBook does a great job at providing simple steps to become a minimalist. It has useful rules and guidelines that I will try myself before I move out. There were some ideas that were a bit dubious, such as rule 14, which is being willing to walk away from everything. It’s certainly one thing to be flexible with relationships and possessions, but I would hate for this book to encourage people to all of a sudden leave their spouses and marriages in pursuit of minimalism – though the book clearly states that there are some things you can’t just walk away from (like what I mentioned), but at some points it almost feels like they are putting a condition on love, and that people are expendable. This is my main criticism, but I like the fact that the eBook also has the humility to say that nothing in it is a hard and fast rule, and that you should choose what works for you. I think it’s a great read if you are looking to become a minimalist.

[Candy B · Rating 3 out of 5]

As I declutter in the new year I find some of these books interesting. Lesson learned from this particular book that I've not considered before ... Spontaneous Combustion Rule. Something to think about as I clean out my attic and computer!

Quick 30 page book free pdf file available on www.theminimalists.com

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has 16 rules to get rid of clutter and avoid clutter later on. Some of the rules were too intense for me. The 1 in 10 out is hard to follow. I like the 1 in 1 out rule better as I don't have too many clothes or things The other rules like 20/20 etc would work perfect

[Elena Emanuele · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think it‘s a great book, even it‘s saying things, we (or at least I) don‘t wanna hear. I think sometimes it‘s too extrem, but they say, that that is their perspective and way how they do minimalism and we don‘t have to do that.
Would recommend it:)

[Kristia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brief list of strategies on how to start or sustain the minimalist lifestyle. It’s nice that Joshua gave random examples on how he applied it. Though I’m already familiar with some of the things they wrote, the book is nice and surely a quick read.

[aloverofstories · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm quite new on my minimalism journey, and The Minimalists have really helped me pick up the pace. This Rulebook is quite interesting. I love the challenges and would love to give them a try starting with the 30-day Minimalism Game!

[Prabhanjan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I might not agree with everything said in this book; but I do find most of it insightful. I have been following The Minimalists' podcast for over an year now; and I can recall them mentioning this short book a gazillion times. I am surprised I didn't read it until today.

[AncsaT · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nem voltam tőle elájulva. A szabályai legfeljebb inspirációnak jók, hogy ezekből kiindulva kitaláljam a sajátjaimat. Ezért kapta a második csillagot. A harmadikat meg azért, mert rövid, nem rabolta el túl sok időmet.

[Daniela Iulia Mironiuc · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am somewhere in between, 3-4 stars.

[lexie mayewski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good little refresher course for someone who’s already very familiar with The Minimalists and their ideas/thoughts.

[Jenae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely helpful but the amount of rules is a bit overwhelming and in some ways unrealistic. Also wasn’t super well-written (i.e. used the word “jettison” like three different times)

[Hussein Azher · Rating 3 out of 5]

A gift is actually a smile.

[Mollie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some ideas I will probably not be able to integrate into my life but these few rules help getting into the minimalist mindset of only having what serves a purpose.

[Javier Noriega · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mejor de lo que me esperaba. Consejos interesantes.

[lazy.reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Straightforward and insightful!

[Byron Flores · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a very short document when you can fin some basic tips to become a minimalist. There is not rocket science there but their simplistic approach provides some introduction to this topic.

[Kirtan Varasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though a short book, this had all or many elements which I could relate to. Thought provoking and practical. I have saved this book for another read! Well done

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye opener... Something to think about.

[Mansura Mokbul · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a good book to start minimalism. These basic tricks will help anyone who wants to start.

[livie jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Recommend! Loved the definition they put towards minimalism without setting rules for a way of life.

[Addyat Amal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just like the title. Easy to understand. Basic rulebook for the minimalist.