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.
LadyRhinoa says
Thanks Brian, now lets see if I can find them on Bloglovin’. My best regards.
http://taoliving.co.uk/
Chloe Lepeltier says
I like to think that I am in this wave of new writers.
I’m actually about to launch my website: http://consciousbychloe.com
“My journey to a simpler, greener and happier lifestyle.”
Now I’m excited to add new blogs to my feed, make new friends and find more inspiration.
Thank you for sharing your list!
Chris says
Two Less Things is one of the few UK blogs on Minimalism, but managed to spark interest from the BBC and The Independent newspaper as the idea grows here across the water.
Catherine says
I love your blog Chris and found it after I’d just started blog at mindfulminimalism.co.uk. It’s so lovely to find people this side of the pond :-)
Anthony @ Break the Twitch says
Thank you for the list and more than honored to be mentioned on it!
Abdel Russell says
Thanks, Josh. And to everyone else, life is more fulfilling when your success and happiness impacts the success and happiness of other people. We all have something to share. Feel free to visit my site http://www.AbdelRussell.com.
Jacob Jolibois says
Honored to be included, Joshua. Thanks for helping to foster the community!
Jennifer Adams says
Another self supporting post. I’ve been blogging for nearly 4 years now. About being a runner, working a full time job, balancing 13 kids and life and, more recently, minimalism. It’s been life changing for us for sure. I still work – and run – and try to balance life – but minimalism has made life SO much easier!!
Melissa Camara Wilkins says
What a list! Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Daisy @ Simplicity Relished says
I’m so glad that you’ve compiled this list, and I agree that the increasing popularity of simple living is hugely encouraging!
My blog, Simplicity Relished, is geared towards people in their 20s who desire to live courageously, intentionally, and adventurously. I believe that the millennial generation is primed to bring great change to the world, and I hope we’ll stop tripping over our stuff as we pursue what matters to us. Thanks for your blog! :)
Evelyn @ Smallish says
Thanks so much for this list, Joshua. It’s always fun to find new friends on this journey!
Flower Patch Farmgirl says
Love Evelyn’s blog! Happy to see you on this list, friend. Much deserved.
Rachel @ Intentionally Simple says
I was happy to see your blog featured on this list Evelyn! It’s one of my favorite simple living blogs!!