“Silent gratitude isn’t much use to anyone.” – G.B. Stern
If you didn’t get a chance to notice, Becoming Minimalist made a brief appearance on CBS News last week. (Just to be clear, by brief, I mean “fly-by-brief… don’t-blink-brief… and I-think-that-was-it-right?-brief.”). But the interesting thing was that the news story had nothing to do with me. The news story was about Everett Bogue’s minimalist lifestyle of living with less than 100 things. It was entirely about him (and some nice young lady who owns 500 shoe strings).
Everett e-mailed me that afternoon and gave me the head’s-up that Becoming Minimalist might make an appearance on the broadcast. Apparently, they were hoping to show a few screen shots from minimalist-lifestyle websites and Everett had given them this address. When they chose to use it, I sent Everett a private message just to thank him for the extra publicity.
And as soon as I sent him the message, I regretted it…
Everett had just helped this website be seen by 5 million viewers worldwide… and I sent him a private message of gratitude that would be seen by exactly 1 other person? How unfair was that? As I considered the irony of the private message, I was reminded of countless other bloggers who have helped Becoming Minimalist over the years become what it is today… most of which also received private messages of gratitude.
So to help set the record straight, here are 7 Bloggers I Would Like to Thank Publicly:
1. Leo Babauta, Zen Habits.
It was Leo’s post titled “A Guide to Creating a Minimalist Home” that inspired me to embrace minimalism. It was Leo’s link on August 12, 2009 that helped put this site on the map. He allowed me to introduce myself to his audience with a guest post, “The Lost Practice of Resting One Day Each Week.” And his support for both of my e-books have been extraordinary. His blog was named as Time Magazine’s #1 blog of 2010 and is outclassed only by his humility. Leo, thank you for helping readers find Becoming Minimalist and for being a shining example for all of us.
2. Tammy Strobel. Rowdy Kittens.
Tammy’s amazing story hit the nation in grand style on Sunday, August 08, 2010 when it was featured in the New York Times. The following Monday, she was on MSNBC. Tuesday was AOL. Wednesday was the Today Show. And on Thursday of that week, she published an article featuring an interview with me discussing my second book, Inside-Out Simplicity. That interview led to Becoming Minimalist’s busiest day ever. Earlier this summer, Tammy became the first minimalist blogger that I talked to on the phone. I sent her an email with some technical questions. Her response was “Give me a call. Here’s my number.” It was a pleasure. Thanks Tammy for living a minimalist lifestyle and including me in your success.
3. Everett Bogue. Far Beyond the Stars.
As mentioned previously, Everett graciously included Becoming Minimalist in his conversations with CBS News. Also deserving of a public thank-you, Everett’s first book, The Art of Minimalism, inspired me to write my first e-book: Simplify (keen observers will notice my book launched 1 month after his e-book launched). Everett has promoted both of my e-books with interviews. And I have learned more about blogging by watching him than from anyone else. Also, I shouldn’t forget to mention the fact that it was Everett’s personal editing of my photo that has led to my on-line face for the past 10 months. Thanks Everett for the publicity, inspiration, and support.
4. Mandi Ehman. Organizing Your Way.
Mandi was the first to offer me a guest post opportunity. To be sure, it brought me plenty of new traffic and readers. But more than that, receiving an e-mail from a full-time blogger asking for a guest post gave me unparalleled confidence and inspiration to continue in my blogging journey. Since then, our relationship has continued. When she launched her brand new Life… Your Way blog, I enthusiastically accepted the opportunity to become a regular contributor (to get a taste, check out 10 Minutes to a Clutter-Free Morning). Imagine my surprise months later when I was back-stage waiting to give a presentation to a roomful of preschool mothers on the joys of simplicity and the organizers showed a YouTube video of Mandi organizing her toy room. It was almost too ironic. Thanks Mandi for believing in the ability of a new-blogger and for continuing to include me in your present endeavors.
5. Joshua Griffin. More Than Dodgeball.
Years ago, Joshua Griffin taught me the most important lesson about blogging that I have ever learned. He said, “The most important step in blogging is to find your voice.” At the time, I had no idea what that meant… until I found my voice. And now, I both understand and agree. The most important step in being a successful blogger is learning to find your voice. And once you do, you’ll notice it. Thanks Joshua for challenging me to find my voice… even if you don’t remember the quiet guy sitting in the back of the room that evening.
6. Karol Gajda. Ridiculously Extraordinary.
One month ago, Karol laid the foundation and did all the legwork for the 3-Day Minimalist Book Sale. Through his brilliant idea, my e-book found its way into 1,600+ new readers’ hands. In addition, through affiliate commissions and other sales, I made $11,000 over the course of those 72 hours. It was my most profitable week by a long-shot. And while the motivation for this blog continues to lie in inspiration rather than monetization, it still feels good to know your hard work is worthy of compensation. Thanks Karol for the brilliant idea and for including me in it.
7. All the Guest Bloggers that have written for Becoming Minimalist.
This blog is what it is today because of the fellow bloggers who have supported me and offered me opportunities to connect with their readers. In return, I love offering minimalist bloggers an opportunity to spread their work by guest posting on this site. Because of their contributions, this blog is better. So, a special public thank you to Tammy Strobel, Jeffrey Tang, Daniel Richard, Sam Spurlin, Brett Oblack, Lynn Fang, Robyn Devine, Courtney Carver, Bill Gerlach, Mike Donghia, Faith Janes, and Matt Madeiro. With any luck, this list will continue to grow…
All of us are who we are today because of the foundation laid by others. Who do you need to thank today?
Zengirl @ Heart and Mind says
Joshua,
I am so happy for your success! It is all well deserved, I love all 7 bloggers you mentioned! Inspiring indeed.
Preeti
JG says
Wow – thanks for the kind words, Josh. I’ve gained SO much from your voice, happy/honored to be part of the inspiration that also then benefited me so much! Keep it up! JG
Matt says
It was an utter pleasure to guest post, Joshua, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to ‘speak’ to the community you’ve built around your site.
Thanks again. :) And thanks for letting me speak my minimalism story a good four or so months back, too. That was a turning point in my minimalist journey, and I’m not sure I ever extended my gratitude for that.
Keep spreading the good word!
AHodie says
Great post! You, too, are quite humble, Joshua. Although I’ve only recently subscribed to Becoming Minimalist, I have been reading your blog since “The Journey Begins” in May of 2008. You are one of several people that I follow and read everyday regarding minimalism, and you, along with Tammy, Leo and Everett, (and every minimalist blogger) are a great inspiration to us all, not only in taking this journey to minimalism but in helping many of us find our own voices to tell our unique stories to the world. Thanks for the inspiration!
Debbie says
Hi Joshua,
I have only recently found you from Everett’s blog, and as you are all so lovely at sharing each others’ sites – I now follow and enjoy many of the minimalist bloggers. You have been a real inspiration to me. It has been great to find like minded people. I really enjoy your blogs and have recently started my own thanks to the great information and advice you all share with others. We have downshifted our life already but now want to go further and embrace minimalism. I think it’s the way forward for a happy life! Love to you all and please keep the great posts coming :-)
joshua becker says
I’m glad you found us. As I mentioned before, the minimalist blogging niche is a definitely a wonderful culture to be a part of. I’m proud to be in it.
Jenny says
Congrats on the publicity on CBS…
It’s when we follow the path that we are supposed to be on that life gets interesting.
joshua becker says
And life becomes rewarding with or without the publicity.
Volker says
You wrote: “made $11,000 over the course of those 72 hours. It was my most profitable week by a long-shot. And while the motivation for this blog continues to lie in inspiration rather than monetization, it still feels good to know your hard work is worth of compensation.”
So you want to make the world better and will donate 1/4 of it? ;-)
Anyway, thanks for the post :)
joshua becker says
From the very beginning, we have donated a healthy percentage of all income from this blog to a Student Educational Center in Mongolia. Thanks for asking.
Lisa says
I found your blog through Tammy Stroebel’s blog after seeing and reading her story on MSNBC. I was looking for ways to lead a simpler life that didn’t involve dumpster diving, making furniture out of scrap wood or raising my own chickens. (Not that there’s anything wrong with any of these things, they simply would not be my choice.) When I read your blog, I knew I’d hit on the lifestyle that I’d always wanted and longed for but just didn’t know how to bring about. Ever since, your blog has inspired me. I appreciate how genuine, kind and wise you are. Taking the time to thank others is simply more proof. Keep writing, keep inspiring, keep being inspired. Thank you!
Lisa
joshua becker says
The “joy of less” is difficult to find in a world that loudly proclaims “more is better.” Thanks for the kind words. “Wise” might be pushing it a little, but I certainly enjoyed it to my wife. She got a chuckle… I think she because she knows better.