The NO JUNK Rule | The Minimalists Ep. 430 

How does an empty kitchen countertop make you feel?

I love the way you love your best friend. You often randomly speak of him when he isn’t on the show because his presence pops up in your soul. That’s deep. Ryan is blessed to have you. ❤

Well, I’m in my 70s and there weren’t any fancy gadgets in the 1950s or 1960s. A stove, pots (maybe 2), a frying pan, a colander for spaghetti (they didn’t call it “pasta” in those days), a toaster and a few dishes. You didn’t need a big house because you didn’t have many things. We all had a 1 car garage that didn’t have a lot of crap in it because there was only a grocery store and a 5 and 10 in town and they hadn’t invented stuff yet. The advent of 24 hour TV (networks didn’t come on until nightly news) and glossy magazines kind of put an end to this country. Glad to see you guys trying to turn back the clock and open people’s eyes. Keep it up. It seems to be working or that might be wishful thinking on my part. Onward.

TK has philosophical touch - When he speaks Ryan and Josh have different thoughts Good show Josh " I didn't know that I was supposed to be embarassed"

TK is so wise!

Heyyyyy Ryan! Good to have you back! Thank you all guys, much love & respect.. I smiled a lot today listening to you teasing each other 😆 Bless you - you are like family now after 6 years of following you. T.K. full of wisdom, as usual 🥰

The spontaneous combustion question is a gratifying question. Rather the answer is the most gratifying. Literally everything in my home, aside for a very few items, including important papers. I'd be happy if all suddenly combust into vapor dust nothing. The idea just gives a massive sense of relief and loss of weight. May be time to just give things away.

I went thru my kitchen items and separated out duplicates. That made LOTS of room! But I also got honest about only needing enough things for two people. We no longer entertain much so keeping dishes and stuff for over 4 people is unneeded. If more than four show up, then stuff does not need to match!

12:28 abundance mindset “you reap what you sow, not necessarily reap where you sow.” major 🔑s

Always good to see Ryan.I love when when all 3 of u together.

We have a lot of counter space and a large island and the only thing on them is s&p grinders, my kitchenaid mixer and one small plant. We love it, easy cleaning. Everyone that comes over says “wow there’s nothing on your counters “. But they say it with a sense of awe not condemnation.

Happy to see Ryan. Hope he's back for good

Wow!!!!! I love the wisdom!!!! TK you’re amazing- the 3 of you are such a great team!!!!!

Good to have the musketeers together again. Good times. As you guys were talking about emabarassment, I tripped over the paving slabs 😂 I was like it's ok don't be embarrassed!😅

Just wow, TK!! Don’t know how I stumbled upon episode #430, but I’m glad I did! This message is far more reaching than decluttering. . . ❤🙏🏾

Yay Ryan’s back!❤❤

I’m happy that Ryan is back!!! I love you guys ♥️

The story about the Ethiopian was amazing. Thank you for sharing!

welcome back RYAN!!

I love clear counter tops. Visual peace. We have a dishrack w hand soap, and a sponge, water filter, multi-temp digital kettle bc we are tea aficionados, a fruit/ginger bowl and a candle - the candles are a daily use joy. People ask when we moved in lol 😂

You guys just keep getting better and better

Love you all. I learn so much from your wisdom

Leave, Laugh or Lead. LOVE IT!

"You reap what you sow, but you don't always reap where you sow." Awesome

I so relate to the spending more money as a minimalist. But it's not about marketing or identity at all for me. I'm a homeschooling mom of 4 little children and my husband works from home. I was not functional prior to my decluttering journey. Piles of dishes on the counter even though we ate take-out most nights and used paper products for everything else. Wayyyy too much clothing that didn't fit my fluctuating body even though most days I just stayed in pjs if I wasn't going anywhere. Piles of papers I was too overwhelmed to deal with. Overwhelm, stress, & chaos everywhere in my house. When decluttering, I'm forced to get up close and personal with my stuff and that's when I understand why the systems I have in place weren't working or why I'm overwhelmed. For instance- "these pants fit, are comfortable, and look good on me, so why am I not wearing them? It's because I need a shirt that actually goes with them - buys shirt - "these shirts fit, are comfortable, and look good on me, so why am I not wearing them? -they need a pair of pants that goes with them- buys pants... now I have several super cute outfits that I'm comfortable in and am excited to get dressed into everyday. Money spent, life improved. Same with dishes- our dishes were big and heavy and I was worried my kids would break them, so I decluttered them and invested in a pretty set of Corelle dishes. Money spent, but dishes are now streamlined- doing smaller less overwhelming loads of dishes, no more paper products, no dishes on counter & sink- life improved! Same with pantry- I invested in an organization system for our pantry with super tall shelves- money spent, but now we can see our food, meal planning is easier, our food gets eaten, less waste, life improved. Same with paper organization- my current filing system just wasn't working for me, so I spent money to invest in a "Sunday basket" and tabs that would make paperwork easier for me to tackle. Less overwhelm, bills paid on time, paperwork easier to find and deal with, life improved! So, I think of the spending as an initial investment of very specific things to improve my life. But I am functional now in ways I wasn't at all 6months ago. I totally see the benefit of decluttering and am now understanding why I have been so overwhelmed to the point of not wanting to do anything at all. Life is better now. Things are just things. Keep pressing on!

Feel like everyone needs to know that toast can be made in a frying pan. No oil or butter needed. Medium heat. Takes twice as long but works so well for those of us in small kitchens. I feel dumb just discovering this, but I guess that is exactly what they used to do before toasters existed.

Glad ryans back

I love how some people assume that if things are clear and free of clutter in your home, it means you don't do anything there. I have a stove top espresso maker and an air fryer/convection oven on my counters, that's it. I have. few other essential appliances and those are in the cabinet....I make it a point to only keep enough items so that everything fits in cabinets close at hand...that's because too much clutter frankly stresses me out and seriously affects my mood. Thanks for these conversations, mostly because I don't feel like an unsentimental freak anymore. :) Incidentally, I am an artist and we met once at The Other Art Fair LA. It was nice meeting you...thanks again for all you do to keep this conversation going.

TK is definitely using great Biblical wisdom in his minimalism advice. Don't be afraid to call it out when you do even if it offends someone.

What is essential is what you need to cook or bake your favorite foods. Pack most your kitchen in boxes and only pull out what you need. After a month or two donate what you didn't use.

My rule has been, if I have had three instances where I wish I had a certain tool and truly feel it would have made a difference, then I’ll purchase it. Its stopped me from buying so many things!

Three of the exact same knives…. All JA Henkels classics. THREE of them. No knife sets. Just the the same favorite knife times three. I cook a lot, and clean the kitchen every morning. And…. No kitchen gadgets- I rely on my knives :)

Perhaps the person who asked the question for today's discussion really just want's permission to let it go. it served its purpose but you don't need to keep it forever.

Insightful as usual x

13:00 abundance mindset major🔐 when you sow, you don’t look to reap wh you sow,

I love practicing the abundance mindset❤

I just subscribed to your channel after watching this video podcast.

My instant pot was an essential part of cooking weekly as I made homemade dog food for my senior pup but he now has passed, and I don't use that gadget anymore so I may just let it go as I just did for my glorified bacon cooker ( air fryer)

I have a 4 shelf 6’ x 4’ bakers rack and every kitchen need/want has to fit on the rack or it is a no. I can also see what I have or what I might need. I did let go of somethings that I thought I needed and I have not needed them!

Embarrassment is actually a form of pride!

I keep all my kitchen stuff in cabinets and drawers, never remains on counter after item is used. A clear counter zone is essential for my relaxation.

Labels can also be a short cut, to not take the time to understand others.

That quote is from Apostle Paul. - all things are permissible, but not all things are profitable.

Financial sprints really worked for me. I loved No Spend January 2024...my first serious attempt at it. I wish I could keep going at it..but life happens. I now keep a dated list of things I want to buy as they come up as Kate suggested when going off a No Spend, but am finding I don't want or need them. Interesting too. Even better, I had extra money left over. So far anyway.

I'm good getting rid of things. I struggle with where it needs to go. Trash or donate... Sometimes i just cant find a place for it even though i use it. 🙃

Funny, watching this episode I just remembered that I gave my microwave away like 3 months ago (health rather than space usage related). Honestly I missed making a bowl of popcorn every day (or more often than I should have) at first, but today I didn’t even remember that I no longer had a microwave at all… how much did I actually need it?

I flew in to LAX and called my brother to go visit him. He clearly didn't want me to come see him; I suspect it's because he and his wife are out of control horders and are too embarrassed for anyone to drop in.

For me, I never use the dishwasher. 🤷🏻‍♂️ 23:17 - In my case, it's being single. 👍

id argue to properly start minimizing will cost you some money. The last guy made comments similar to what i think. Copa's question is vague because it depends on what she was spending on.

Peaceful

Still talking myself out of getting a salad spinner, garlic press and lemon zester. No way I'm giving up my air fryer or apple corer 🍎

Ryan 👍

It's brutal to have someone over and not be able to offer them tea or coffee.

What is that one thing minimalism has helped you overcome?. Minimalism has really changed my life in so many ways.

If you don’t embarrass yourself, you must not be living! Doing new things can cause embarrassment but then you learn what not to do the next time.

The question should be What should I have to make me function better as a person?

If your a mash potato lover then you need 2 potato peelers. Those bags have a lot of potatoes and to much for one person to do by themselves haha

Ryan ❤❤❤🎉

I ordered your rulebook via email, but didn't receive anything, neither in my spambox

So often, when we are in a place of shame, we are telling ourselves either: 1. We are not enough. Or 2. We are too much.

Im a Filipino. I can give away everything except my ric cooker

How has minimalism positively impacted your life?

Whos the annoying laughing in the background 🥴

How is it that Minimalists went from interesting and an internet wonder to totally boring and not worth watching. What happened?