Welcome to Becoming Minimalist. If you are new, welcome! With over 1M readers every month, we’re honored to have new readers every day. If that’s you, welcome. I’d love to make your experience as comfortable as possible.
Most importantly, Becoming Minimalist is designed to inspire people to pursue their greatest passions by owning fewer possessions.
To find out more about my new book, Things That Matter, click here.
About Joshua Becker
My story begins in suburban Vermont while I was cleaning the garage, my wife was cleaning the bathrooms and my 5-year old son was playing alone in the backyard. I struck up a regular conversation with my neighbor who commented, “Maybe you don’t need to own all this stuff.”
The juxtaposition was striking. My possessions piled up in the driveway… my son in the backyard… my day slipping away… I immediately recognized something needed to change. My belongings were not adding value to my life. Instead, they were subtracting from it.
My family and I began donating, recycling, and removing our unnecessary personal possessions. We embarked on an intentional journey to own less stuff.
As a result, we discovered more money, more time, more energy, more freedom, less stress, and more opportunity to pursue our greatest passions: faith, family, friends. And we decided to write about it.
Becoming Minimalist quickly became a place to encourage others to embrace minimalism. It does not boldly require anyone to become minimalist overnight—nor does it specifically define the word for you. Instead, it encourages each reader to discover their own journey and the far-reaching benefits that come from owning less.
We are dedicated to rational minimalism and discovering what that uniquely means for us. And the more who are introduced to this life-changing message, the better! Because we’re all just trying to make the most of this journey called life.
Over the course of the last eight years, I’ve become a best-selling author and have written four books:
- Simplify: 7 Guiding Principles to Help Anyone Declutter Their Home and Life*
- Clutterfree with Kids: Change your thinking. Discover new habits. Free your home.*
- The More of Less: Finding the Life You Want Under Everything You Own.*
- The Minimalist Home.*
- Things That Matter*
Past media coverage includes:
CBS Evening News, The Wall Street Journal, National Public Radio (NPR,) The Guardian, The Boston Globe, The New York Times, USA Today, Washington Post, Forbes, TIME, Fox News, The Huffington Post, Minimalism Documentary (Netflix), Reader’s Digest, LA Times, Sirius XM, CNBC, TODAY Show, Chicago Tribune, Boston Globe, Good Housekeeping, and countless others you can find all over the Internet.
Our Articles
Get introduced to our simple message by reading some of our most popular posts:
- How to Declutter Your Home: 10 Creative Decluttering Tips
- What Is Minimalism? The 8 Essential Aspects of Minimalism
- The 10 Most Important Things to Simplify in Your Life
- 10 Reasons to Escape Excessive Consumerism
- 15 Clutter Busting Routines For Any Family
Or, to discover the importance of owning less, try one of these posts:
- Don’t Just Declutter. De-own.
- Minimalism Benefits: 21 Benefits of Owning Less
- Living With Less: 7 Ways to Sample Minimalist Living
We learned quickly that our journey to live with less on the outside would force our attention inward:
- How to Be Happy: 8 Ways to Be Happier Today
- How to Stop Comparing Yourself to Others
- 20 New Ways to Measure Success
- Learning to Consider Gratitude a Discipline
And would be entirely unique because of our life’s values:
If you really can’t get enough, browse our most popular articles. But be warned, there’s a bunch of information there.
Our Community
If you would like to receive new posts via e-mail, sign up here. We are also connected to our community through social media. Find us here:
- Facebook: Inspirational quotes and links.
- Twitter: Quotes, thoughts, links.
- YouTube: Promoting simplicity in home and life.
For interviews, media requests, or general questions, contact us at becomingminimalist@gmail.com
For more information on Joshua, visit his Wikipedia entry here.
Josh Becker, an influencer here to STAY.
Jealous competitors, go AWAY!
To his books and videos, rack them UP!
To you haters, just shut UP!
There’s an army of minimalists, nothing you can DO.
Josh is the original and best, … true and TRUE.
You can try all you want to give him the KABASH.
Won’t work. We. love. you. JÖSH ♡
Beautiful
Clever.
Hi Joshua, I have been a fan of your work for several years. I’m wondering if you can help me. You once shared a video that I would love to see again.
It’s an inspirational video about distractions… he says something about when was the last time he watched the sunset with his wife. At the very end, he leaves his phone and goes out with his family.
I thought maybe it was Gary Turk “Look Up” (it isn’t) but it’s that style.
I know this is not much to go in. :(
Any idea who or what I may be thinking of? Thanks in advance.
I like your stuff, but here’s the thing: it’s commodified. I don’t know what the answer is. I see it everywhere in the U.S. There’s not a single profession that once was about helping people that hasn’t fallen prey to it. I know. Folks gotta live, even people offering goodness and wisdom, but when I see someone talking about less and they get famous and they get followers and they get influence, there does seem to be a subtle shift in the substance of the message. The God of Mammon slithers in and takes over.
What has been my shift Dawn?
Dawn, there’s no shift in his message. Josh is helping so many people. During that time, he can’t help but to become financially successful. It’s a natural occurence when he sells books, etc. to millions of people. In my opinion, your useless babble gives people an indication of how full your mouth and mind is. Instead, you need to declutter and live a life of not being jealous, not being negative and not bringing down others when they have done nothing wrong. Ok sir “Dawn” ? Josh, i would delete the post. Probably a jealous competitor.
Hey Joshua. I’m wondering about the difference between contentment and complacency. I love all of your messages and find myself struggling to feel like I’m not becoming complacent. You are a good example by the way you live of how to be content but not complacent, yet I am still struggling with the balance as I become more aware of how good my life already is. Is this topic covered in any of your books or blog posts so I can learn more? Thanks so much.
Good question Kelcie. See if this helps: How Contentment Leads to Ambition
I was really hoping to do the decluttering course, but my husband just lost his job this past Monday. Do you offer financial assistance for the course?
Warmly,
Michelle
Hi, like the two others that have posted recently, I enrolled previously but can’t figure out how to get to my account. Can you please help? Many thanks.
Sure, that process hasn’t changed. You can sign back up for the course emails by visiting the Course Resources page after logging-in (my.becomingminimalist.com/login). The sign-up form is at the bottom of the page and is available at any point now or in the future for you to jump back in.
Same question! Anytime know how to cancel?
I purchased the course over 6 years ago. Life got in the way and I never started the course. We moved four times, packed the clutter, and took it with us. The advertisement when I bought the course a few years ago stated that I have lifetime access, but where do I find it? I would like to start the course and tackle this mountain.
Helen, I have the same problem, thank you for asking the question as I have not found a way to log in.
To the minimalist staff – I would love to know what the reply is as I think that I bought it as well.
Just found it… my.becomingminimalist.com/login
Hello Mr. Becker. Long time reader here, love your work. Tried to find a way to send this message privately. Lately you’ve started having a ton of ads. It’s very distracting and is really contrary to the whole philosophy you are preaching here. Although I understand the need to try to monetize a blog, please consider the total impact. Thank you for reading this comment.
Thanks for the comment. Here is where I explained that change: A New Day at Becoming Minimalist
I loved you work your topics, your explanation of everything is so good. Keep it Up.
Why don’t you mention planet and environment in this intro? Helping individuals to become minimalist has a great positive impact on our eco-responsability!
I see several unanswered messages here. Is this course still being offered?
Yup, I offer the Uncluttered Course a few times every year.
Please could you make a video just about grocery shopping (meal plan, shopping list, best organisation)? So much food is wasted. I guess there must be a way that people buy only what is really needed.
Can no longer get signed on to my account and would like to register for the class as an alumni.
Thank you for your help!
Could you please address inherited cluttered? My mom saved everything. Not a hoarder, everything was organized and mostly used. But now she has passed on and I live with my dad who doesn’t want to get rid of anything because…”do you know how much that cost? ” Or, “your mom bought that.” So I’m overwhelmed. I probably will not be able to declutter for decades! Help! All books, podcasts and articles never mention be being stuck like this. I’ve decluttered my personal items and still have more to go, but what about grandparents and great grandparents stuff? I don’t have anyone to pass it onto. Thank you. I love your books.
Same. I wonder how to get ahold of someone to find out how to do this. I’m going to try Facebook next.
I need to cancel the $99.00 course.
Please advise.
I’m happy to help. Reach out via email so we can communicate: https://my.becomingminimalist.com/customer-support/
Hi Josh, I previously bought your course. Can you direct me to where I sign in?
Thank you,
Joyce Simpson
Of course: https://my.becomingminimalist.com/login
The clock of life is wound but once
And no one has the power
To know just when the hands will stop
On what day – or what hour
Now is the only time you have
So live it with a will
Don’t wait until tomorrow
The hands may then be still
Mr. Becker. In a recent column you opened a paragraph with, “Every time I open social media….” My question is why are you even on social media? My wife and I have never succumbed, and I have no smart phone.
Are you practicing what you preach?
Thanks for the comment. I am on social media each day to reach people with the message of owning less and network with colleague, family, and friend. I think that’s great that you’ve chosen to not be on social media. You certainly don’t need to be on social media to make a difference in the world. Pertaining to your last question, you won’t find a mention of me telling people to never use social media, but you will find lots of occurrences of me advising people to use it wisely – something I hope I do.
Nice to meet you, Joshua.
I watched “Minimalism” on Netflix.
Your sensibilities are similar to the story in the Japanese “Hojoki.”
In Japan, the first part is learned in the compulsory education curriculum.
Buddhism also believes that if you let go of your attachments, you will be happy.
I hope this will give you some ideas!
I watch your videos on YouTube, and have been listening to your book “Things that matter” on Audible. I’m both inspired and encouraged.
Thank you
Joshua – I am on your mailing list, although I have not read most of the posts. I want to cull through the posts I have in my In-Box (472 to date, to be exact) but I’m also on an in-box clearing mission. QUESTION: Are the emails based on the content I can find on your website? I’d like to set a regular reminder to check your website for new material, instead of gathering a bunch of emails that never get read. Thanks in advance for your response! Wishing you well!
Yup. The same posts that get published here get emailed out the day they are published for free to anyone who prefers to read them that way.
Thanks so much for your response, Joshua!
I paid for a subscription quite a while ago, but I can no longer sign in. Can someone help me?
Please subscribe me to your blog.
Joshua,
You mentioned a ministry in your book that takes donated wedding rings. I don’t have a wedding ring but do have a ruby ring that I would like to donate but I can’t remember the name of the ministery or find it online. Can you provide?
The organization is called With This Ring.
Dear Mr. Becker:
Thank you for the time and work you put into your videos on YouTube. I especially like it when you illustrate the tips you suggest, such as seeing you clean the counters or wash the dishes. I hope it encourages many men to attend to the enormous job of keeping a home clean and welcoming.
My home isn’t the cleanest but I try to keep it welcoming. To help me pay attention to people and not the mess around me here are some tiny habits I aim to practice on a regular basis, to keep surfaces free of things that distract me much more than other folks:
Acting like a parent of multiples: Just like parents of twins or triplets often make it a practice of changing ALL the diapers at the same time, I push myself to clean all the toilets at the same time. The sink areas stay pretty clean because I wipe down the splatters with an extra towel I keep in the bathroom(s) but the toilets need more attention. If I clean one I then go around the house and clean the rest.
The paper items ready for recycling tend to get stuck in different rooms around the house. Empty toilet paper rolls, tissue boxes and cosmetic wrappers tend to sit, sit and sit on the bathroom counters for days—what gives? I am still in the process of building the habit of putting these items in our recycling bins right away.
Messes on the floor: My princess dog has cooked rice added to every meal, to aid digestion. She doesn’t focus on the rice, just the kibble, so the floor around her bowl is sprinkled with squooshy rice that hardens into hard, little pebbles that feel like Legos to your bare feet. To help me clean up the area I keep a dustpan and wide brush hidden away on the seat of one of the unused kitchen table chairs. Three times a day I’m down on my hands and knees or walking around like a bear, brushing up the rice. It keeps me limber.
Doormats and rugs: My husband raises a small number of horses and cows, so there’s a lot of dirt and manure being tracked into our house. When I walk the dog I try to remember to shake out the exterior door mat every day and the towel/rug we keep just inside the most often-used door. It helps to keep down how much mess is tracked into the house. Yes, we wipe down the dog’s paws in muddy weather. Princess paws.
Trash in the car: I use the driver’s door storage area for temporarily keeping car trash in check. Tissues, gum wrappers, toothpicks—it all goes there when I’m driving. At the gas station or at home I collect it and toss it in the trash. When I’m waiting at the park or movies for a friend to arrive I tidy up my car. Years ago I worked out of my car so I’m in the habit of bringing along anything I need if I’m stranded on a desert island. All that, and the princess dog crate, take up a lot of room and tend to get jumbled up over time. My friends tell me how clean my car looks and smells; it’s hard not to laugh.
The princess dog is our first indoors dog. I try to brush her everyday, outside. We shake out the towel she sits on when she’s on the couch. If there’s lots of pollen outside I wipe her coat down with a damp rag. I figure that the more fur and dirt I can keep out of the house, the better.
Pulling weeds: When I’m outside and see a weed, I pull it. I may not be able to pull all the weeds in every spot I see, but I yank out a few. When the weeds are absent you can better appreciate the flowers. I’m 71 now but when I was 32 with two little kids I was so bored outside with them playing in the yard. In desperation I pulled a weed or two in my dinky flower bed along the sidewalk. It snowballed into being interested in gardening and now I have flower gardens all around the house. When friends come over they love to walk around the yard and we meet at our botanical garden and parks to admire the gardens. I have several friends who plant-swap with me. It builds community. Pulling weeds and planting flowers keeps me limber.
My last tip is not a quick one but it helps me keep sane if I have people coming over. My husband is extremely willing to work with me on preparing for dinners and parties but needs a clear list of tasks to be done. Also, some tasks need some explaining and who has time for that when I’m in a rush? The answer is to have a printed, generic list of “to-dos” ready (kept in my recipe folder) and to prep him ahead of time for how to handle complicated tasks.
Being the kind of temperament that struggles to look on the positive side of things, even knowing that I’m loved by our heavenly Father and redeemed by Jesus, I do whatever I can to avoid feeling overwhelmed. My family and friends don’t care how perfect things are at dinner or other gatherings but I want to be able to focus on them and not on how things look. Chipping away at keeping the house, car, yard–life–tidy and ready for action helps me be more upbeat and focus on the joy of being with family and friends.
Best wishes to you and your family,
Hi
Greetings of the day! I hope everything is fine at your end.
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becomingminimalist.com
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Thank You
Joshua Becker. A minimalist at HEART. Helping the world, doing his PART.
He has a soothing voice and hair like no OTHER . A successful blog, youtube following and now another book? O BROTHER.
He offers great advice about living with LESS. Declutter! Get rid of that MESS!
We need this man, people’s lives are a WRECK. Follow his advice and maybe you be as famous as his V-NECK.
I hope he comes to Connecticut someDAY. Joshua Becker . . . Here to STAY.
😅 funny you
Joshua, I want to ask permission to use a translated version of one of your blogs in a book for the classroom. Can you please send me an email address where I can send the request? Marieta