On August 13, 2009, Becoming Minimalist caught a break. Unannounced to me, a blog with over 200,000 subscribers linked to this site. It brought countless new readers to this site and continues to drive traffic here even now. In many ways, it put Becoming Minimalist “on the minimalist living map.” And when people ask me how this blog has grown so quickly, I always reference that date and that link as a milestone in this blog’s growth.
Since that time, I have tried to use this platform to help other blogs increase their readership.
I am really quite excited about the current state and future of simplicity-focused blogs on the Internet.
Every couple years or so, it seems like a fresh wave of minimalist bloggers begins to appear on the scene. If you haven’t noticed, we’re in one right now.
Each writer offers a unique stage of life with unique circumstances and experiences. As a result, each one is able to connect with a different reader or segment of the population. And I think that’s great.
If you are looking for new inspiration, there is no doubt you will find someone on this list below whose voice resonates deeply with yours. I am confident each author would welcome the opportunity to connect with like-minded readers.
Break the Twitch | Anthony Ongaro. Anthony is the Marketing Director for the bike share program in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Nice Ride. He writes about observing the way we live, experimenting with our habits, and then changing to better suit our needs. He is creative and genuine. And his video posts are a welcome change of pace.
Smallish Blog | Evelyn Rennich. Evelyn and her family of six live happily in a small-ish house. She writes about their attempts to live modestly, frugally, and green. Evelyn shares beautiful details about her experience and how others can find inspiration through them.
No Sidebar | Brian Gardner. I met Brian several years ago through the introduction of a mutual friend and quickly found we have countless things in common. Since then, we’ve become good friends and he has helped me in immeasurable ways. Brian has assembled a talented team of writers for his No Sidebar Project, a collection of articles on minimalism, productivity and simple living.
Melissa Camara Wilkins | Melissa Camara Wilkins. I needed to read about 2-3 paragraphs of Melissa’s writing to fall in love. Her writing is encouraging and gentle and uplifting—but filled with powerful truth. She and her husband are raising their six kids in a beach town in Southern California. She writes about defining your unique life and living it with purpose.
Minimal Millennial | Emily Torres. Emily recognizes that many people in her generation (and outside her generation) are dealing with debt, cluttered homes, unhealthy relationships, stressful jobs, or even just trying to figure out how to “grow up” in this ever-changing world. She writes for seekers of happiness, simplicity, health, and well-being.
Jacob Jolibois | Jacob Jolibois. As a side-note, it was Jacob’s blog that inspired this post. I already knew many of the other blogs on this list when I ran into Jacob’s. His well-designed site and helpful approach to blog posts caused me to reflect further on the current state of simplicity-focused writing. Go check it out and make room for more meaning in your life.
Frugaling | Sam Lustgarten. Sam has been blogging for just over two years on the act and art of maximizing your budget and minimizing costs. I’m a big fan of Sam. I appreciate the voice he is bringing to the personal finance world—that financial success is not just about finding more income, sometimes it is found in redefining the life we live.
Blonde on a Budget | Cait Flanders. After paying off $30,000 of debt, Cait adopted a more minimalist lifestyle, tossed 70% of her stuff and is currently in the middle of a two-year shopping ban. Her blog is actually a bit older than two years, but I still thought it deserved mention. She’s funny, sharp, thoughtful, and lives in Canada (how could it get any better?).
Simple… Not Plain | Janie Baran. What I appreciate about Janie is that her posts contain detailed thoughts on implementing minimalism. She has written about her own personal routine in wardrobe, beauty, laundry, and decluttering. Her writing is not merely inspiration, but also instruction. Whether a reader implements everything she writes or not, just hearing how somebody else incorporates these principles is helpful.
These lists are hard. And even though I spend a considerable amount of time finding simple living-focused writing online, I admit my scope is limited. Almost without a doubt I have missed blogs that should be included in the list above.
Use the comment section to spread the word about even more new blogs focused on simplicity or minimalism. It can be yours or someone else’s. Include the blog name, one link, and a 2-3 sentence description. Thanks.
Emily Torres says
Thanks for the mention, Joshua! I’m so excited to be listed among some fantastic blogs and excited to check out some new ones :)
Meryl @ Simple Family Home says
I’ve been writing about simplifying our lives and home in beautiful New Zealand over at http://www.simplefamilyhome.com. My focus is on ‘doable minimalism’ – we’re not extreme minimalists and we have two small kids. But all the physical, mental and lifestyle clutter? That we can do without.
Amy Smith says
My friend Cindy Ann and her husband adopted the minimalist lifestyle several years ago when they retired early to live on a boat. Cindy’s blog 1 Woman Walking chronicles her thoughts and experiments with living large, minimalist style. :-)
http://1womanwalking.blogspot.com/
Brady Faught says
You said I could Josh :) So here’s my self-promotion for my blog, Simplicify.ca
My collection of thoughts on simple living, health and happiness, and random other things like natural building and gardening.
Thanks for this list, keep up the great work! -Brady
Brady Faught says
Also. Raptitude.com by David Cain is one of the most amazing blogs I know, so well written and applicable to life.
Cait Flanders says
YES to this recommendation. I discovered David’s blog a little over a year ago, and we eventually connected and became very good friends. Let it be known that he is just as wonderful in-person as he is online. :)
Brady Faught says
Wow no way that’s cool to hear! Maybe you can pass on my love for his e-book ‘You Are Here’ that I’m currently reading :)
sally says
Yes, Raptitude is awesome.
Linda Sand says
http://www.skywaymom.com is about raising kids while living in a small high rise apartment in downtown St Paul, Minnesota.
Torrie says
I love finding new blogs, so I’m super excited to check out everyone on this list! A few of my favorite simplicity blogs are Just a Little Less (http://justa-littleless.blogspot.co.uk/) and The Gardener’s Cottage (http://thegardenerscottage.blogspot.com/).
I’ve done a few minimalist-inspired posts myself (like 19 Ways to Motivate Yourself to Clean the House: http://autodidacticambitions.blogspot.com/2014/06/19-ways-to-motivate-yourself-to-clean.html and Thoughts on Minimalism: http://autodidacticambitions.blogspot.com/2013/07/thoughts-on-minimalism.html ). If you look at my posts, you’ll even notice that I’ve referred people to your site in them!
I also wanted to say that I just finished reading your book for students–Living With Less. I loved all the scriptures tying in Christ’s teachings with minimalism, and I found the book simple but very inspiring. Thank you for your ministry—you’ve got a devoted reader for life here!
Claire/Justalittleless says
Thank you Torrie for the mention and to Joshua and everyone else writing about their simplicity practice around the world. Right now I’m particularly enjoying Blonde on a Budget and Exploring Alternatives.
Dan says
Hi Josh,
Been reading your blog for years now. ZenPresence.com is about simplicity and more – finding and living a meaningful life. I hope you all find your way.
Dan
Brian Gardner says
Very humbled and honored for No Sidebar to be included on this list. Thank you so very much for that.
Daisy @ Simplicity Relished says
I love your blog, Brian!
Nathan Atkinson @ Quiet Habits says
Sorry, self-promotion comment here. I’m really new to the minimalist blogging scene (7 months now!) and I love all the new blogs popping up! I write a lot about small and simple habits to improve your life. I think I offer a unique perspective as a newlywed college student who also works a day job. I’d love it if you would check out my blog and leave some feedback.
Link: http://quiethabits.net
joshua becker says
Thanks Nathan. Self-promotion on these types of things is always encouraged—actually, it was even requested.
Nicola says
I read a couple of those already, but it’s always good to find new simple living blogs to follow. Thank you for sharing :)