Scan barcode
Reviews tagging 'Alcoholism'
Love People, Use Things: Because the Opposite Never Works by Ryan Nicodemus, Joshua Fields Millburn, Joshua Fields Millburn
3 reviews
lennatheunicorncat's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
1.5
This really felt like a repeat of all that I have already read from them before. Milburn took over the majority of the book and the tone throughout reeked of privilege, especially in regards to the pandemic. This book is obviously for a white, middle class audience and ultimately rubbed me the wrong way or downright bored me while reading. Ultimately it wasn’t for me and I may not pick up anymore of their books if they’re just going to regurgitate what they’ve already written before.
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, and Infidelity
kelly_e's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
2.25
Title: Love People, Use Things: Because the Opposite Never Works
Author: Joshua Fields Millburn & Ryan Nicodermus
Genre: Non Fiction
Rating: 2.25
Pub Date: July 13 2021
Thank you to Celadon Books for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
T H R E E • W O R D S
Biographical • Repetitive • Dry
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Love People, Use Things is the latest book from the duo better known as The Minimalists. It goes becomes the simple act of decluttering to show readers how minimalism helps make room for reevaluation of other relationships in our lives. Basically a guide to the world beyond decluttering, and learning to live a fuller more deliberate and intentional life. It examines the spiritual, emotional, and financial liberation to shredding excess stuff, and taking the next step.
💭 T H O U G H T S
I've been an aspiring minimalist for nearly 5 years now, and have been a subscriber to their newsletter for a bit (I'll admit, I don't always read it - digital minimalism is a real thing too!) For me it's truly about choosing what I consume with intention, and when possible buying what I might need or want secondhand. Clutter, both physical as much as mental clutter, is a sure trigger for my anxiety, and so it felt fitting (and somewhat ironic) for this book to appear in mailbox.
But this book just didn't work for me. There is some good, with the research helping to drive their points home. But the good is drowned out with too much unnecessary rambling. In all honesty, this book would have been better and more effective if they'd used their own minimalist approach and cut nearly half of it out. If you're looking for a self-help book, I don't think this is it, as it felt more memoir than anything else, and was basically a summation of what their lives have been, rather than helpful or relatable.
I found the parts on decluttering and living with less more helpful than any of the later portions of the book relating to living more fully. In fact, the most interesting part for me was the "Six Questions to Ask Before Buying" and the "Minimalist Rules for Living with Less". Fully understanding there shouldn't be an external pressure to consume is one of the hardest things to learn. Chapters 6 (Creativity) & 7 (People) were where this book really lost me, and often had to re-read portions because my mind was drifting. In my opinion, they should stick to the minimalist side of possessions and leave the psychological side of it to experts in those areas.
Secondly, I feel this book is written from a place of privilege, and doesn't necessarily account for personal circumstances or make for easy application to the general public. There were times when I felt upset by language used, and wording that implied some people having more value than others. Maybe it would work better if there was a class to go along with the book to help actually apply what it is they're putting forth. Or if you're reading it over a long period of time, but its definitely not for leisurely reading.
Overall, I'm not sure why I spent so much time reading this book, I feel as though there were more intentional uses of my time, and I suggest you use your time on something else too.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• hardcore minimalists
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"But your things won't make you a more whole person. At best, the things we bring into our lives are tools that can help us be more comfortable or productive - they can augment a meaningful life, but they cannot bring meaning into our lives."
Author: Joshua Fields Millburn & Ryan Nicodermus
Genre: Non Fiction
Rating: 2.25
Pub Date: July 13 2021
Thank you to Celadon Books for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
T H R E E • W O R D S
Biographical • Repetitive • Dry
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Love People, Use Things is the latest book from the duo better known as The Minimalists. It goes becomes the simple act of decluttering to show readers how minimalism helps make room for reevaluation of other relationships in our lives. Basically a guide to the world beyond decluttering, and learning to live a fuller more deliberate and intentional life. It examines the spiritual, emotional, and financial liberation to shredding excess stuff, and taking the next step.
💭 T H O U G H T S
I've been an aspiring minimalist for nearly 5 years now, and have been a subscriber to their newsletter for a bit (I'll admit, I don't always read it - digital minimalism is a real thing too!) For me it's truly about choosing what I consume with intention, and when possible buying what I might need or want secondhand. Clutter, both physical as much as mental clutter, is a sure trigger for my anxiety, and so it felt fitting (and somewhat ironic) for this book to appear in mailbox.
But this book just didn't work for me. There is some good, with the research helping to drive their points home. But the good is drowned out with too much unnecessary rambling. In all honesty, this book would have been better and more effective if they'd used their own minimalist approach and cut nearly half of it out. If you're looking for a self-help book, I don't think this is it, as it felt more memoir than anything else, and was basically a summation of what their lives have been, rather than helpful or relatable.
I found the parts on decluttering and living with less more helpful than any of the later portions of the book relating to living more fully. In fact, the most interesting part for me was the "Six Questions to Ask Before Buying" and the "Minimalist Rules for Living with Less". Fully understanding there shouldn't be an external pressure to consume is one of the hardest things to learn. Chapters 6 (Creativity) & 7 (People) were where this book really lost me, and often had to re-read portions because my mind was drifting. In my opinion, they should stick to the minimalist side of possessions and leave the psychological side of it to experts in those areas.
Secondly, I feel this book is written from a place of privilege, and doesn't necessarily account for personal circumstances or make for easy application to the general public. There were times when I felt upset by language used, and wording that implied some people having more value than others. Maybe it would work better if there was a class to go along with the book to help actually apply what it is they're putting forth. Or if you're reading it over a long period of time, but its definitely not for leisurely reading.
Overall, I'm not sure why I spent so much time reading this book, I feel as though there were more intentional uses of my time, and I suggest you use your time on something else too.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• hardcore minimalists
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"But your things won't make you a more whole person. At best, the things we bring into our lives are tools that can help us be more comfortable or productive - they can augment a meaningful life, but they cannot bring meaning into our lives."
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Minor: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, and Death of parent
overdose, substance misuse, death of a parent, divorcebeauty_andbooks's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
What an overall inspiring book. I went into this book thinking it was going to fully focus on decluttering your life in the physical sense with objects. And while throughout the book, there were tips to declutter your things, the majority of the book dealt with the emotional baggage and connections you have with life and people, and how to focus on what's important. Millburn and Nicodemus provide tools and tips throughout the book, as well as personal stories from their early life and now, which help set up each chapter.
The book is highly enjoyable and within the first fifty pages, I was inspired to get rid of physical objects I've been reluctant to give up for years! (Who needs DVDs these days?!) My next step working with what I learned from this book, is looking deeper at my relationships and finances.
Thank you to Joshua Fields Millburn, Ryan Nicodemus, and Celadon for sending me a physical copy to honestly review!
The book is highly enjoyable and within the first fifty pages, I was inspired to get rid of physical objects I've been reluctant to give up for years! (Who needs DVDs these days?!) My next step working with what I learned from this book, is looking deeper at my relationships and finances.
Thank you to Joshua Fields Millburn, Ryan Nicodemus, and Celadon for sending me a physical copy to honestly review!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism