“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?
Vanessa says
I love how often I get the warm fuzzies in my chest from bloggers I read. There is something so beautiful about the simplicity/minimalist movement that is creating community and a “we can do it together” mentality. So inspired by it!
A big thank you to you and everyone else who is pursuing an authentic life of AWESOMENESS :)
joshua becker says
I couldn’t agree more. I love the culture, but take little responsibility for it. I think it’s just a niche filled with bloggers who have realized there are things more important in life than beating the other person.
AliR says
I found this site after watching the segment on CBS, too. Very inspirational. I’ve been wanting to purge a lot in our house anyway…and that gave me the kick in the pants I’ve needed. =)
joshua becker says
That’s usually the one thing that I hear most often when I speak on this topic… I just needed that little nudge to go do it. Go get ’em!
Marc Morgan says
It is amazing to see the support of this community.
Joshua I was one of those 1600+ that bought through the 3 day book sale that Karol set up. It was the best money spent in a very long time. I still haven’t finished reading all of the wonderful ebooks. But they inspire me daily.
Thank you for all you do (and everyone else you mentioned), you really do change lives with your work.
joshua becker says
Yeah, lots to read there, that’s for sure. I know I haven’t read all of those books either. But thanks for buying the books and helping support our little community.
Ramblings of a Woman says
Woohoo! A brief blip on the news is good! Hopefully it will create even more traffic for you!
As far as you list of thank yous, these folks have all been helpful to me as well, but you have also contributed quite a bit to my outlook on life and where I want to go with my life. I am launching a new blog on Monday, Nov 8. I don’t have my own products (yet) but am affiliate for yours and a few others. Check it out if you’d like http://livingthebalancedlife.com!
Bernice
joshua becker says
Looks like it is gonna be good. Good luck with your new site Bernice.
Bill Gerlach says
Joshua,
The thanks all goes to you. Becoming Minimalist was one of a few blogs that somehow (I don’t even remember at this point) I stumbled across and immediately it added to an ever-deepening contemplative lens that I look (and experience!) at life through. Your words continue to motivate, inspire and most importantly challenge how I approach each day.
And the fact that you allowed me the opportunity to guest post and share/connect with your readers speaks to your selfless nature in all this. Thanks for helping create a more vibrant community each day.
Be well,
Bill
joshua becker says
Bill, Thanks for your guest post and for making Becoming Minimalist better than it was before.
Rachel Jonat says
I’m feeling the love just reading this post =)
joshua becker says
It’s like a really big gratitude party. We need more of these.
1craftynurse says
I actually saw that CBS story about minimalism and got really excited that something I felt so strongly about was actually being recognized on national television. Congrats!!!
joshua becker says
It’s definitely gaining more and more momentum everyday. Hooray!
Jack Bennett | 32000 days says
Great roundup of a great movement! Looking forward to learn more about minimalism in the days and weeks ahead. Keep writing and supporting your fellow minimalists :)
joshua becker says
Thanks Jack. Best of luck on your own blog as well.
Gip @ So Much More Life says
My blog arived on the map thanks to guest posts on David Damron’s former site The Minimalist Path and Arvind Devalia’s Make It Happen. Both brought me more traffic and readers than either realized, I think.
But… I get a LOT of traffic from simply commenting here. Strangely, I’ve never asked for a guest post here, but maybe I should. Maybe I just did.
Gip
joshua becker says
I’m glad to hear your comments here are generating traffic because I always enjoy your comments. Thanks for adding to the conversation.
T.C. Judd says
Joshua, for starters, I’d like to thank you…
When I first started reading on minimalism, I found your blog via several of the bloggers you thanked…and found your definition of practical minimalism / simplicity / etc. to be EXACTLY what I was striving toward. As I continue to write, I continue to be challenged and encouraged by you and the host of others you’ve already thanked here today.
Thanks to you and the community!
joshua becker says
It’s nice to have you aboard.