On December 31, I met my friend Jeff Slobotski for coffee at Scooter’s in Omaha, NE. It was a cold morning, but the coffee was warm.
When I ordered, the barista initiated our conversation, “So,” she asked, “Are you ready for the new year?” The question should not have been unexpected—it was New Year’s Eve after all.
And yet, for some reason, I felt ill-equipped to answer. “I don’t know,” I replied, “I guess we’ll find out soon enough.”
As I sat down across the table from Jeff, we began to catch up. If I’m lucky, I see him twice/year. If I’m not, it’s only once. There’s always much to share between us—what has happened since we last talked and what projects we are working on for the future.
It was in that moment, as I was still thinking through the simple question asked at the counter, I first made this observation, “This is, by far, the most ambitious list of goals I have ever had entering a new year.”
Those who know me well, both online and off, know I have been very focused these past 7 months. But until now, I have said very little on this platform. Mostly because this website is not about me primarily, it is about us as a community and everyone else who believes their life is too valuable to waste chasing material possessions.
Also, I must admit, I have shared very little publicly because there are some things that need to be in place before an announcement can be made. But maybe now, halfway through August, is the right time.
Here is what I have been working on this past year and what to expect next at Becoming Minimalist. Each update contains some personal information, but also facets that involve all of us. Because, quite frankly, I don’t think any of this succeeds without you.
A Full-Length Book. Last year, I signed a two-book contract with WaterBrook Multnomah, an imprint of Random House. The first book is going through final edits and will be released in May, 2016. My goal for this book is to “introduce minimalism to the masses” on a larger scale than ever before. In fact, my hope is to put the book on the New York Times bestseller list.
The book argues for owning less, offers practical thoughts on implementing it in your home, and calls the reader to dream big dreams for their life. This book has been a significant undertaking, but I could not be more pleased with it. It shares more about my personal journey into minimalism (the good and the bad) than I have ever shared before and I look forward to telling you more about it in the coming months. I think you are going to find value in it.
A Non-Profit Organization. Our publisher was very generous with their offer—more generous than my modest family needs. I outlined exactly one year ago how Becoming Minimalist supports us, and very few things have changed since writing that post. As a result of our financial needs already being met, my wife and I decided to use the book proceeds to launch a nonprofit organization.
Because the plight of the orphan has always been near to our hearts, we will be launching a new organization this Fall to re-think and re-invent orphan care around the world. The details will be announced right here on November 1. It is a significant undertaking. But I am excited to see firsthand what a community of people who have decided not to buy worthless possessions can accomplish with their money and lives.
Speaking. I am thrilled to see the interest for minimalist living continue to grow. Over the past year, I have spoken to physicians, financial agents, law firms, and highway patrol departments. I have traveled to Stockholm, Boston, Las Vegas, and neighboring communities here in Phoenix. I have spoken at conferences for Senior Move Managers, Sustainable Living Advocates, Simple-Living Enthusiasts, Aspiring Writers, and Young Mothers (just to name a few).
Currently, I receive more requests than I can fulfill. I feel bad turning down opportunities to share this message, but appearing at all of them is no longer possible. However, I work hard to accept as many requests as possible. If the message of owning less would benefit your event or organization, you can request me as a speaker here. Also, you can find my upcoming appearance schedule on the same page. For example, in the next few months, I will be speaking at conferences in Nashville, Minneapolis, and Chicago. If you’re close, join us.
A Do-It-Yourself Program. I am working diligently to create a short, 3-month at-home course to help people make minimalism more of a reality in their lives. Minimalism means different things to different people. But one constant that unites us is the fact that intentionally owning less is a countercultural lifestyle—and people are looking for inspiration, encouragement, and help because of it. This program will provide all of them.
The program will be completed and launched in conjunction with the book as a means to help people move beyond words on a page. But, in order to do it right, I will be offering a pilot course this January before the book releases. You can expect an announcement with details in the month of December.
Social Media Changes. Our social media accounts continue to grow. Our Facebook group is nearing 300,000 people and Twitter followers now exceed 30,000. Over the coming months, I am committed to expanding my reach in two places:
- Pinterest. Some of the material on Becoming Minimalist does very well on Pinterest and I recognize it as a valuable platform to reach others. I will continue to be more intentional about using it.
- Joshua Becker Facebook page. Because the Becoming Minimalist Facebook page is devoted entirely to the idea of owning less, I post very few personal updates on it. However, as my pursuits evolve, some of you are interested in receiving more general updates (nonprofit news, speaking engagements, special announcements, personal meet-ups, etc). If that is you, you can now follow Joshua Becker, Author on Facebook. This will allow me to keep the two accounts distinct.
Email Changes. Roughly 50,000 people receive Becoming Minimalist posts via email. To date, these emails have been automatically generated by Google Feedburner, a service that is free but offers limited control over appearance—I am reminded regularly by those who receive the emails.
Over the past 6 months, I have been testing a new email delivery system that provides greater flexibility in display, appearance, and control. As a result, the emails are far more consistent with the look and feel of the actual Becoming Minimalist webpage. Over the coming months, I will be transitioning everybody over to the new system. If you are already receiving these emails, you won’t need to do anything on your end. You’re going to love it.
If you do not receive Becoming Minimalist posts via email, you can sign up here:
As I mentioned, it’s been a focused year and there are exciting days ahead. I look forward to seeing what the future has in store for all of us.
I’ll be hanging around the comment section today answering any questions you might have.
Vincent Nguyen says
Finally, I can stop referring to it as “my friend’s foundation” and can now say “Joshua Becker’s (mysterious) foundation”. :)
joshua becker says
That’s funny.
Teresa says
We returned home 3 weeks ago after adopting our third child from China…Orphan no more!!! Thank you for developing your non-profit to help orphans. Their needs are so overwhelming and anyone who has spent any time in an orphanage understands the heartache. PS. Go Huskers!
Amy says
Congratulations Teresa! We also have three children adopted from China. :-)
Judy says
Just curious…why China? Is it more difficult to adopt from US? I think adoption is a great thing!!! :)
Daisy Chain says
Ayse, you have hit the nail on the head, we need a new economic model. How can we expect others not to want what we in the western world have when we have so much and they have so little. Joshua ‘s previous post on the fact that we are rich and why it matters speaks to this.
ayse says
thank you for your respond daisy. i will into that post, i don’t think i have seen it..
Carolyn Bostic says
Congratulations on your developing programs and books. I have yet to read the previously published books but so enjoy your daily blog and the comments community.
ayse says
about 2 years ago, when i decided to clean the clutter in my surrounding and stop buying things that i did not need, i have come across the becoming minimalist… it has been quite the inspiration and motivation when i get tempted to revert to old habits :) i have been also bugging my kids to follow the same principles; it is work in progress, but i am sensing they are getting the message..
even though i am truly committed to living minimally and am happier when i don’t purchase things that i don’t need, i cannot stop thinking how this all will work with our current model of capitalistic economy based solely on over consumption if we all stopped buying much less… have you ever pondered about that?
thank you for all you are doing and hope you succeed in your mission.
joshua becker says
Sure. And I don’t think you have much to fear. Just because people stop spending money on material goods, does not mean they will stoop spending money on other things. One of the truths about the free market system is that the system always caters to the needs of the people—the system provides what the people want.
As desires change so will the offerings. As people begin moving money away from goods and towards experiences for example, there will be more money available to those providing services… and the industry will grow. There may be some hiccups along the way, but a free market is always drive by smart people. Personally, I think there is room for more justice-minded organizations to begin receiving more money as well.
ayse says
i personally believe in those principles as well.. the more people live by and act on them, the easier will the transition be. investing in education and traveling to make experiences are few great examples..
thank you for your kind response.. good luck and hope many more people hear your message.
Kellen says
Actually the “free market: system” has destroyed billions of people’s lives around the globe. When you talk about neoliberal capitalism giving people what they want, you’re talking about the imperialist core. Capitalism continues to be a destructive force around the world. It seems contradictory to me to embrace minimalism and capitalism at the same time. Will you be discussing this contradiction in your book?
Kelsey Hancock Carpenter says
Hey Joshua,
Congratulations on all you have done and are doing. I still look up to you guys a lot as role models in my life and my marriage: minimalism has been a priority for us since before we were married thanks to you. I actually already managed to find your nonprofit through Facebook and am incredibly excited and interested in it. I’m pursuing my MSW with the idea of pursuing international adoptions and my husband is an associate pastor now, let me know if there are opportunities to get involved with what you guys are doing short or long term. I’m very interested in any opportunities to work with you in a field about which I am already incredibly passionate. We’re discussing how we can incorporate a campaign personally or perhaps through the church youth group during the upcoming holiday season. I know its been a number of years, and I have grown and changed a lot in that time, but I am still very passionate about orphans and children. I am so encouraged to see you relevantly working to meet that need. You are in our thoughts and prayers!
Kelsey (Hancock) Carpenter
joshua becker says
Thanks for the comment Kelsey. Because the organization officially launches on November 1st, our first Featured Campaign is called “Homes for the Holidays.” With this campaign, we will challenge people to ask for donations to build homes for orphans in lieu of Christmas gifts. As most of us can attest, we already have enough stuff… why fill our houses with even during the holidays? Especially when there is so much good that can be accomplished instead. Maybe that is something your church youth group might be interested in?
Julie Nicholson says
Well done. It’s really nice to hear your good news. I’ve been reading your posts for many years and they have encouraged me on my journey, through the ups and downs. May your future projects be blessed.
Dottie Jones says
My husband and I have been working for 5 years with a group in Lunsar, Sierra Leone. This last year of Ebola crisis has left an already broken country in worse condition. The need for care for orphans resulting from this devastating disease is staggering. I will be pleased to describe what we have been doing if you would be interested in helping. A friend began a Facebook page in 2011 documenting our network of local people beginning churches and schools. Search See the Good America.
joshua becker says
One of our major goals with this organization is to become an advocate on behalf of orphans everywhere. Many people believe the crisis is being adequately addressed. But your comment above, along with stories from all over the world, remind us we have so much left to accomplish for the most vulnerable of us all.
Tonya@Budget and the Beach says
That’s really awesome you are using the proceeds to start a non-profit! Congrats on all your success!
joshua becker says
The greatest potential of the nonprofit lies in the hands of the Becoming Minimalist community. I am excited to see how everyone responds in November. I think we can accomplish so much together.
Debbie Carlson-Gould says
Hi Joshua, Congratulations! Sooo very excited for you and for all of us! Your writings (and those of your guest writers) have helped me crystallize my own thoughts and feelings about how I’d like to proceed with positive intention into the second half of my life. My daughter is grown, my PR/marketing/events career is losing its appeal, and we still have this sorta big house that I don’t feel like cleaning anymore…haha! But that’s just part of it.
My experience in finding your writing is similar to Cathy’s, and I am wondering the same thing as she: is there a platform for individuals like me to legally reference your work, provide workshops, and/or services in my community? (I live in the Seattle area.) If the answer is “no”, that’s okay. I’m exploring many issues and needs to which I may apply my energies and skills moving forward. It’s just that I find reducing the excess demand for “stuff” gets to the root of so many problems our world faces. (I know, I know- preaching to the choir!) Would love to hear from you either way. Soon, you’ll be so famous, you’ll be getting all sorts of similar inquiries!
Thanks again for all you do. Be well, and do good, ~Debbie