I have to admit when I came across Love People, Use Things by Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, I had never heard of them. Millburn and Nicodemus are known as The Minimalists. They have a website, podcast, films, and a book. Apparently, these two have helped people live with less and lead lives with intention. Love People, Use Things is their latest book.
Now, unless you’re a complete sociopath, you can probably get behind the idea of loving people and using things. It’s a good concept to consume less, pare down, and strive to live a more meaningful life. Will Love People, Use Things help you? of
Well, yes…and no.
Love People, Use Things is a mixture of memoir (mostly by Millburn), self-help, and how-tos (mostly from Nicodemus). It is divided into seven distinct relationships dealing with stuff, truth, self, values, money, creativity, and people.
Now this book should have been helpful to anyone trying to find more meaning through strengthening relationships and decreasing one’s addiction to having things. Sadly, I found Love People, Use Things to be lacking.
For one thing, Millburn’s memoir is so extensive, it often drowns out the important how-tos. Millburn just rambles on and on. And I really could live without him relaying a racist joke his mom made during his youth and how he cheated on his wife with a nurse taking care of his mom when she was dying of cancer. Eww.
Another quibble I have is with much of the self-help aspect. I found it preachy and tone-deaf when it came to issues of mental health. I know from personal experience eating well and working out are good things, but they are not a cure-all for depression.
Plus, for guys who claim to be minimalists, the book is written is a maximalist style. The writing is overwrought and uses to many fifty dollar SAT words. It became eye-rolling. Also, both Millburn and Nicodemus are writing from a place of privilege, which I found condescending and ignorant with those not as privileged.
Sure, loving people and using things is a great notion, but you’re best ignoring this book and seeking other outlets and venues on minimalism.
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