Uploaded June 2021 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
• 📝 Get access to free 'How To Get Started With Minimalism' checklist: petercook.myflodesk.com/minimalismchecklist
• ☕️ Buy me a coffee: ko-fi.com/petercook
I recently embraced minimalism and decluttered my entire apartment. In the process, I discovered a minimalist secret: your stuff is talking to you!
I first learned about this concept in the book “Goodbye Things” by Japanese minimalist Fumio Sasaki. He calls it the silent to-do list.
Have you ever felt overwhelmed, just looking at all the stuff you’ve surrounded yourself with?
Maybe you weren’t conscious of what was causing it, but you just felt a sense of dread, a lack of inspiration as you looked around.
Well, I recently had this insight. Like a light bulb went off in my head.
Every item that you allow in your space isn’t just an inanimate object. On the surface, it is. But everything that captures your attention leaves an imprint on your brain. Especially the things you see on a daily basis.
And with those things, it’s as if they take on a personality. They want to be cared for. If they are neglected, their message only becomes louder.
The silent to-do list consists of all the messages our stuff sends us. Like the messy desk, which wants to be organized. Or the dishes that need cleaning.
A long silent to-do list affects our ability to focus. So, is the goal to end up with an empty silent to-do list? No. As long as you have things, there will always be items on your silent to-do list. But by cutting down on our possessions, you eliminate tasks from the list. And once you’ve stripped all the clutter away, it will become easier to prioritize the messages that remain. And you will now also be rewarded with positive messages, ones of appreciation!
0:00 – Introduction
1:15 – Silent to-do list
1:56 – With fewer silent to-do’s, it’s easier to focus
3:52 – Positive silent messages
4:43 – Shape your environment, or it will shape you
– BOOKS MENTIONED IN VIDEO –
• Fumio Sasaki – Goodbye, Thingshttps://a.co/d/btaSacV
• Benjamin Hardy – Willpower Doesn't Workhttps://a.co/d/2EdALHl
• James Clear – Atomic Habits: https://a.co/d/bTHhDIM
– LINKS –
📚 Interesting books to read:
• Stoicism For Beginners: https://a.co/d/hPU8GTX
• Minimalism 101: https://a.co/d/bJkA6Lt
• Declutter Your Life: https://a.co/d/carqttB
DISCLAIMER: Some of the links are affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase, I may earn a commission, at no cost to you.
• 📝 Get access to free 'How To Get Started With Minimalism' checklist: petercook.myflodesk.com/minimalismchecklist
• ☕️ Buy me a coffee: ko-fi.com/petercook
I recently embraced minimalism and decluttered my entire apartment. In the process, I discovered a minimalist secret: your stuff is talking to you!
I first learned about this concept in the book “Goodbye Things” by Japanese minimalist Fumio Sasaki. He calls it the silent to-do list.
Have you ever felt overwhelmed, just looking at all the stuff you’ve surrounded yourself with?
Maybe you weren’t conscious of what was causing it, but you just felt a sense of dread, a lack of inspiration as you looked around.
Well, I recently had this insight. Like a light bulb went off in my head.
Every item that you allow in your space isn’t just an inanimate object. On the surface, it is. But everything that captures your attention leaves an imprint on your brain. Especially the things you see on a daily basis.
And with those things, it’s as if they take on a personality. They want to be cared for. If they are neglected, their message only becomes louder.
The silent to-do list consists of all the messages our stuff sends us. Like the messy desk, which wants to be organized. Or the dishes that need cleaning.
A long silent to-do list affects our ability to focus. So, is the goal to end up with an empty silent to-do list? No. As long as you have things, there will always be items on your silent to-do list. But by cutting down on our possessions, you eliminate tasks from the list. And once you’ve stripped all the clutter away, it will become easier to prioritize the messages that remain. And you will now also be rewarded with positive messages, ones of appreciation!
0:00 – Introduction
1:15 – Silent to-do list
1:56 – With fewer silent to-do’s, it’s easier to focus
3:52 – Positive silent messages
4:43 – Shape your environment, or it will shape you
– BOOKS MENTIONED IN VIDEO –
• Fumio Sasaki – Goodbye, Thingshttps://a.co/d/btaSacV
• Benjamin Hardy – Willpower Doesn't Workhttps://a.co/d/2EdALHl
• James Clear – Atomic Habits: https://a.co/d/bTHhDIM
– LINKS –
📚 Interesting books to read:
• Stoicism For Beginners: https://a.co/d/hPU8GTX
• Minimalism 101: https://a.co/d/bJkA6Lt
• Declutter Your Life: https://a.co/d/carqttB
DISCLAIMER: Some of the links are affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase, I may earn a commission, at no cost to you.
