40 Top Quotes From Minimalism
In "Minimalism: Live a Meaningful Life," Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus advocate for a transformative approach to living by shedding the excesses and distractions that clutter our lives. As leading figures in the minimalist movement, the authors share their personal journeys of transitioning from lives steeped in consumerism to lives filled with purpose and intentionality. Emphasizing that minimalism extends far beyond decluttering physical possessions, Millburn and Nicodemus explore how embracing simplicity can lead to greater clarity, contentment, and fulfillment.
The book challenges societal norms that equate material possessions with happiness and instead encourages readers to focus on what truly matters—relationships, personal growth, and meaningful experiences. Through thoughtful reflections and practical strategies, "Minimalism" inspires individuals to break free from the consumerist trap, redefine success on their own terms, and create a life of greater authenticity and purpose. (Minimalism Summary).
Minimalism Quotes
"Happiness comes from within, from inside yourself, from living a meaningful life.”
"Unless you contribute beyond yourself, your life will feel perpetually self-serving. It’s okay to operate in your own self-interest, but doing so exclusively creates an empty existence. A life without contribution is a life without meaning. The truth is that giving is living. We only feel truly alive when we are growing as individuals and contributing beyond ourselves. That’s what a real life is all about.”
"You needn't settle for a mediocre life just because the people around you did.” (Meaning)
"Five Values that allow us to live a meaningful life: 1. Health 2. Relationships 3. Passions 4. Growth 5. Contribution”
"Success = Happiness + Constant Improvement”
"Minimalism is a tool we use to live a meaningful life. There are no rules. Rather, minimalism is simply about stripping away the unnecessary things in your life so you can focus on what’s important”
"We only have a finite amount of time on this earth. It can be spent accumulating monetary wealth, or it can be spent in a meaningful way—the latter of which doesn’t necessarily preclude someone from the former, but the relentless pursuit of riches doesn’t lead to a meaningful life.”
"We weren’t downsizing, we were uprising.”
"Ultimately, minimalism is the thing that gets us past the things so we can focus on life’s most important things—which actually aren’t things at all.”
"Minimalism looks different for everyone because it’s about finding what is essential to you.”
"Real happiness comes from within.”
"We are not our stuff. We are more than our possessions. Our memories are within us, not our things. Our stuff weighs on us mentally and emotionally. Old photographs can be scanned. You can take pictures of items you want to remember. Items that are sentimental for us can be useful to others. Letting go is freeing.”
"Careers are dangerous because people invest so much of themselves into their careers that they establish an identity and a social status based upon where they work and what they do for a living.”
"Your identity should come from your meaningful life, not from how you earn a paycheck.”
"When we appreciate others for who they are, not who we want them to be, then, and only then, will we understand.”
"Minimalism is a tool to eliminate life’s excess, focus on the essentials, and find happiness, fulfillment, and freedom.”
"Without a vision, you will settle for whatever is in front of you. Ergo, you need a distinct vision of what you want your relationships to be-- what you want your relationships to look like. If your vision is compelling enough, you'll do anything to make it a reality.”
"The meaning of our lives is to grow as individuals and contribute to other people in meaningful ways.”
"If you're not growing, you're dying; and if you're dying, then, by definition, you're not a meaningful life.”
"You should do something online. You could make a difference. The world needs people like you to help them see things clearly.”
"Real happiness, however, comes from who we are—from who we’ve become. Real happiness comes from within. Likewise, discontentment is also a result of who we’ve become.”
"It's the growth that makes you feel alive.”
"Honesty is a gift we can give others. It is also a source of power and an engine of simplicity,” Dr. Sam Harris wrote in his book, Lying. He continued by stating, “Knowing that we will attempt to tell the truth, whatever the circumstances, leaves us with little to prepare for. We can simply be ourselves.”
"We feel safe around authentic people, as if we could reveal to them our deepest, darkest secrets, as if we could trust them with anything. And when we get to know these people on a deeper level—when we establish a connection with them—it’s refreshing to discover they are who we thought they were, that beneath the surface they are authentically themselves.”
"None of us is perfect, but we all have the capacity to be authentic, to remove the pretense and the facade from our repertoire and just be authentically ourselves, not the people we think we’re supposed to be.”
"So you’re left scratching your noggin, wondering how to convert them to your singularly valid viewpoint, which can be mind-numbingly frustrating. Don’t worry, though, you needn’t get on the same page right way; you need only understand you both have your reasons for being on separate pages.”
"As you grow, something amazing tends to happen: you have more of yourself to give. It's an incredible cycle: the more you grow, the more you can help others grow; and the more you help others grow, the more you grow in return.”
"People tend to designate one of three labels to their work: job, career, or mission.”
"Are we constantly improving our fitness? Are we happy with our progress?”
"Minimalists search for happiness not through things, but through life itself; thus, it’s up to you to determine what is necessary and what is superfluous to your life.”
"Happiness comes from within, from inside yourself, from living a meaningful life.”
"Finding ways to transform the into is the ticket to changing your life long-term.”
"..you’re not happy with your current situation, but you’re comfortable enough that you don’t want to sacrifice your comfort today for something that could potentially be less comfortable tomorrow, and thus you don’t change.”
"To have the tallest building in town, you must tear down everyone else's.”
"Unless you contribute beyond yourself, your life will feel perpetually self-serving.
"You can’t change the people around you, but you can change the people around you.”
"Minimalism is a tool to eliminate life's excess, focus on the essentials, and find happiness, fulfillment, and freedom.”
"We are not our stuff. We are more than our possessions. Our memories are within us, not our things. Our stuff weighs on us mentally and emotionally. Old photographs can be scanned. You can take pictures of items you want to remember. Items that are sentimental for us can be useful to others.”
― Quotes from the book Minimalism by Joshua Fields Millburn
Minimalism Author
Joshua Fields Millburn, along with his partner Ryan Nicodemus, is a leading voice in the minimalism movement. Through their books like "Minimalism: Live a Meaningful Life" and their podcast "The Minimalists," they advocate for living with less material possessions and finding greater meaning and contentment in life. Millburn's writing style is relatable and sincere, sharing personal experiences of his own journey toward minimalism and intentional living. He inspires readers to let go of consumer-driven habits, declutter their physical and mental spaces, and focus on what truly matters. Millburn's insights into mindful consumption, personal growth, and building authentic connections empower readers to break free from the pursuit of materialism and embrace a simpler, more purposeful existence. His message of living deliberately and consciously resonates with those seeking a more intentional and fulfilling life beyond the confines of consumer culture.
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
