Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Get started
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
Love People, Use Things summary
Because the Opposite Never Works
24 mins
Brief summary
Love People, Use Things by Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus is a book that helps you to live a meaningful life with less. It offers insights, practical tips, and personal experiences of the authors who achieved the minimalist lifestyle while maintaining relationships and pursuing their passions.
Table of Contents
Love People, Use Things
Summary of 7 key ideas
Audio & text in the Blinkist app
Key idea 1 of 7
Your excess consumer goods may be holding you back from happiness.
Meet Jason and Jennifer Kirkendoll. By their mid 30s, this couple had it all – four kids, two dogs, and an enormous house packed with designer clothes, fancy furniture, and countless consumer goods. Really, they only lacked one thing: happiness.
Despite their material wealth, the Kirkendolls were miserable. They had no time for each other and no energy for creative pursuits. So they made a change. They rented a dumpster and filled it with all their excess junk. Then, one day, the dumpster caught fire and all the junk burned – along with their house.
Luckily, no one was hurt. And oddly, the fire was the best thing to ever happen to the Kirkendolls. It wiped away their material fixation for good. The only thing left was a sense of freedom.
The key message here is: Your excess consumer goods may be holding you back from happiness.
Minimalism is the art of living a fuller life by having fewer things. You see, our modern world encourages us to seek happiness, fulfillment, and meaning through consumerism. A constant barrage of advertising and social norms tell us that buying certain clothes, electronics, or other goods will enhance our lives. But these purchases only offer brief gratification and do little to actually improve how we feel.
In fact, a lifestyle of consumerism is at the root of many contemporary problems. Excessive buying leaves many people struggling with debt – today, the average American holds more than $16,000 in credit card debt. And the things we buy often go unused or unappreciated. They clutter up our homes and distract us from more fulfilling activities, like learning skills or spending time with loved ones.
Luckily, it's possible to break this cycle by removing all the excess that’s cluttering up your life. A good way to start is by separating all your goods into three piles. One pile is for essential goods, things like food and basic clothing. The second pile is for nonessential things, which are items that are useful but not strictly necessary – think furniture or treasured keepsakes. The final pile is the junk pile. You can sell, donate, or toss pretty much everything in this pile.
Of course, this process isn’t easy. Sorting your items makes you think deeply about what you truly value. But such introspection is really an added bonus. Thinking critically about the things you own opens space to reevaluate your entire life. It might even push you to recognize other changes you need or want to make.
Want to see all full key ideas from Love People, Use Things?
Key ideas in Love People, Use Things
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is Love People, Use Things about?
Love People, Use Things (2021) is a manifesto extolling the pleasures of minimalism. This primer explains why living with fewer things can lead to less clutter and more fulfilling relationships.
Love People, Use Things Review
Love People, Use Things (2021) is a thought-provoking book that challenges our societal obsession with material possessions and encourages a more intentional, minimalist lifestyle. Here's what makes this book worth reading:
- It offers a refreshing perspective on consumerism, reminding us of the importance of valuing relationships and experiences over material goods.
- Through personal stories and practical advice, the authors show how minimalism can lead to greater happiness, freedom, and fulfillment.
- The book sparks self-reflection and invites readers to question their own attachment to things, ultimately inspiring them to live a more meaningful life.
Who should read Love People, Use Things?
- Budding hoarders looking to cut back
- Thrifty savers seeking tips on light living
- Anyone interested in the practice of minimalism
Categories with Love People, Use Things
Book summaries like Love People, Use Things
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
37 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
Love People, Use Things FAQs
What is the main message of Love People, Use Things?
The main message of Love People, Use Things is to prioritize relationships over material possessions.
How long does it take to read Love People, Use Things?
The reading time for Love People, Use Things varies depending on the reader's speed. However, you can read the Blinkist summary in just 15 minutes.
Is Love People, Use Things a good book? Is it worth reading?
Love People, Use Things is worth reading as it offers valuable insights on simplifying your life and finding true happiness.
Who is the author of Love People, Use Things?
The authors of Love People, Use Things are Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus.
What to read after Love People, Use Things?
If you're wondering what to read next after Love People, Use Things, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Essentialism by Greg McKeown
- Effortless by Greg McKeown
- Let It Go by Peter Walsh
- Atomic Habits by James Clear
- The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod
- The Power of Less by Leo Babauta
- Time and How to Spend It by James Wallman
- Brag Better by Meredith Fineman
- It Begins with You by Jillian Turecki
- The High 5 Habit by Mel Robbins