Memorial Day is a holiday in the United States where we pause to remember those who died in active military service. May nothing I write in this article overshadow that fact…
On a purely personal level, readers of this blog will know that Memorial Day weekend signifies something completely different in my life and my family’s life.
It was on Memorial Day weekend, 15 years ago, that I was first introduced to the concept of minimalism and my life changed forever. You can read my story here or watch it here.
In the last 15 years, my life has changed dramatically because of minimalism. As I sit down to reflect, here are some of the most significant changes that have taken place.
12 Ways My Life Has Changed After 15 Years of Minimalism:
1. I own less.
I have never counted my things—never wanted to actually. But when we first made the decision to become minimalist, we easily got rid of 60-70% of our things.
A lot has changed since then. We’re in a different season of life. Most significantly, my kids are now 21 and 18 (rather than 5 and 2) and with their growing bodies and growing independence, different possessions have come and gone over the years. So I would never try to guess on a % at this point.
But we still own much less than when we started this journey—and I can’t even begin to imagine how much stuff we would own if we hadn’t been pursuing minimalism these last 15 years.
2. I live in a smaller home.
We moved 12 years ago from Vermont (where my minimalism story began) to Phoenix, AZ. When we did, we bought a smaller home than we lived in before. We knew the neighborhood where wanted to live and waited for the smallest model of home to become available.
We bought a smaller home for numerous reasons and have never regretted that decision—even as our children have grown.
3. I have more money in savings.
I suppose, as you grow older, it would be expected that you would have more money saved and more money in your retirement accounts. But that is clearly not the case for every American. For us, however, it is.
While my income has increased from 15 years ago (as would be expected), my expenses have significantly decreased (see Point 1 and 2 above). Because of that, we’ve been able to save more than if our expenses had remained the same.
4. I am more generous.
Somewhere along this journey, someone thought our story should be put into a book. So 8 years ago, we signed a book contract to write two books (The More of Less & The Minimalist Home).
Because this blog was covering our modest financial needs, we used the book money to start The Hope Effect, a nonprofit organization changing how the world cares for orphans that is currently working in 5 cities around the world to make a difference for orphaned children.
Earlier this year, we exceeded $1M raised to help orphaned children find families. This is something that would never have happened had it not been for minimalism 15 years ago.
5. I have better habits in my life.
Minimalism in my possessions resulted in countless other lifestyle changes in my life. When I became intentional with my belongings, I also became intentional with other daily practices: how I spend my time, how I care for my body, and how I seek to make the most of my life.
Would some of these habits of eating healthier, exercising more, and writing more have happened anyway in my life? Possibly, I suppose. But minimalism certainly brought them about sooner.
6. I don’t try to impress people with the things that I own.
15 years ago, I had three bookcases full of books in my office, even though I read less than half of them.
I remember one afternoon after finding minimalism looking at the shelves and realizing, “I keep these books only because they look impressive. I’m literally using unread books to impress people when they come in my office.”
It was a light-bulb moment for me.
I also realized, as I looked around my office, I had hung my diplomas on the wall behind me for that exact same reason. Now, I realize there are other people who have those items in their office for reasons other than the ones I recognized in myself.
But it was a significant changing point in my life when I recognized how I was trying to use stuff to impress others… rather than trying to impress people with the life that I lived.
I no longer try to impress people with the things that I own—whether it be books, clothes, cars, houses, or technology. There are much better, and more fulfilling ways to make an impression on peoples’ lives.
7. I have more time.
Excess possessions are a burden on our lives and schedules. They require cleaning and maintenance and organizing and repairing and replacing.
And that doesn’t even begin to mention all the time we spend working, just to make the money, to spend the time shopping, to buy the things that we bring home to clean and organize and manage and maintain and ultimately replace.
Owning fewer possessions has freed up my life for more important uses of my time. And removing the pursuit of accumulating possessions has freed up even more time.
8. I see the entire world differently.
I see culture differently. I see society differently. I see advertisements differently. I see marketing differently. I see shopping differently. I see money differently. I see work differently. I see people differently.
The way I see the entire world has changed dramatically since beginning to live a minimalist lifestyle. And that is no exaggeration. The way you see the world will change as well.
9. I have a new career.
15 years ago, I was a pastor and loving every minute of it. I had not chosen the job to get rich, I had chosen the career to make a difference in peoples’ lives.
As this blog grew and the time demands continued to increase, I was faced with a choice: choose one or the other. So seven years ago, I changed my job and the good I try to bring into this world.
BecomingMinimalist.com has been my full-time career for the last seven years. And I have no intention of quitting anytime soon. I love what I do.
10. I have seen much growth in the minimalist movement over the last 15 years.
When I started Becoming Minimalist 15 years ago, I don’t know of any other blogs or websites dedicated solely to minimalism. There were people writing about minimalism (Leo Babauta comes to mind), but nobody writing about it solely.
But over the last 15 years, things have changed dramatically. There are now countless blogs dedicated to minimalism. There are also countless YouTube channels, books, and social media accounts. You can even find a documentary on Netflix.
I am grateful that the movement continues to grow and stand proud with all the other writers and creators who have helped proclaim the message of living more by owning less.
11. My faith has grown.
My faith has always been important to me. As I explain in The More of Less, my spirituality has greatly influenced my understanding and practice of minimalism. But equally so, minimalism has influenced and grown my personal faith.
I have learned lessons about the intersection of faith and myself, the world, money, and possessions that I could not have learned through any path other than minimalism.
12. I love helping others own less.
Minimalism, at first, was just a personal journey. In fact, this blog, that now reaches 1-2M readers every month was started as just a personal diary. I wrote about cleaning out my office and closet, and the time I threw out my wife’s Jell-O molds.
But along the way, my focus changed. Rather than writing about my own journey, I began using this space and my experience to help others own less and live more.
Over the last 15 years, I’ve written five books, engaged with social media, started a magazine, created an app, and launched a YouTube channel. Always with one goal in mind: help others discover and embrace minimalism.
I love the work that I do. And none of it would have happened without discovering minimalism, 15 years ago today.
Thank you so much for being a part of it.
Judy says
“next time you decide to minimalize your wife’s football shaped jello molds that she was planning to use for your son’s birthday party… don’t!”
Lol!!! ?
joshua becker says
Yup.
Judy says
I hate clutter so much! It’s disgusting—- The thought of pushing, shuffling, dropping, losing… etc. No way to live!
Rob Dewey says
As always, I found what you wrote uplifting and inspiring. Thank you so much.
Livia says
I wonder what is your view about filling your weekends constantly with activities away from home. It used to annoy me when people asked me every Monday at work what did I do for fun meaning where did I go over the weekend. I was often flabbergasted about the question as I was perfectly happy spending my time working on improving and enjoying my property. I didn’t have a need or desire to go anywhere. Once in a while, though I do enjoy exploring my world near and far – but not on a regular basis every weekend.
joshua becker says
I think people should spend their free time doing whatever brings them the most life.
Melissa says
I had no idea you were a Pastor before! I’m in a different style of minimalism right now- building a one storey home that will be more expensive than my two storey home – but it will have less of a yard to maintain and be less maintenance for us as we are both getting to the big 5-0.
My husband can also spend more time with a volunteer organization ( Australian Rural Fire Service )….it’s a relief to know we will all be doing what we love.
Jo Hatton says
Indeed! If covid has taught us anything it’s that we should cut out unnecessary travel. There’s no place like home to truely relax.
Maria Pinto says
I hope you are reading this Livia. I can relate to what you are saying from my own past when I was working. My husband and I never traveled much, and most vacations were at home. Every time I would come back to work people would always ask me “So where did you go on vacation”? and have that funny look on their faces when I would usually say I stayed home with my husband and critters! In the same breath some would tell me also that as much as they liked going away sometimes the fun was overshadowed by what they had to buy, how much time to prepare for a trip, and then coming back to work feeling exhausted, like they needed another vacation to recuperate from the last one. lol.
Lori Kleiman says
Thank you Joshua for your beautiful commitment to this way of life and service to others. I have happily followed your work for many years. I have been a practicing minimalist for the last eight years, though I can connect back many years to a knowing that this way of life would lead me to many gifts. I have watched minimalism grow and absolutely love that there is not just a one size fits all way to live this way of freedom. Thank you!
Colleen P says
I sure wish to have had a pastor like this before, one who was a true shepherd to the flock [benevolent] rather than manipulating us [malevolent] to tithe and give our inheritances and etc so that he and his wife could have a lifestyle of the rich, very showy and self-aggrandizing. He claimed to be blessed and chosen even as people went into bankruptcy financing his scam… one man even signed over his restaurant and then no longer had a way to make a living.
Is there a way you can help these flocks? And the pushing of consumerism and debt?
Sherry Johnson says
I appreciate all you efforts over the years. Enjoy you weekly reading articles online. Hope you continue for a long time.
Ann Collver says
In your list of accomplishments you forgot to list created and funded a foundation that does wonderful work in Mexico.
joshua becker says
I included The Hope Effect in Point #4.
Angie Sivori says
Wow! It is just amazing how much you have helped children in orphanages! And all due to your decision to minimize! You are making the world a better place!
Kaye P. Brooks says
This was an absolutely wonderful read. I am so proud of you for what you have accomplished. I am on my way but feel almost trapped!!! What do I do with all this stuff? The great news is that I am. a giver. I have given away lots of clothes and shoes to the shelter and the key, NOT buying new ones. I’ve cleared out rooms of furniture and not bought anything because I really don’t need or want anyTHING. It really does feel good and empowering. Thank you for sharing your journey.
Kaye P.