Becoming Minimalist

Own less. Live more. Finding minimalism in a world of consumerism.

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Welcome to Becoming Minimalist. If you are new, welcome! We are honored to have hundreds of thousands of regular readers, and brand new readers every day. If that’s you, welcome. I’d love to make your experience here as comfortable as possible.

Most importantly, Becoming Minimalist is designed to inspire others to pursue their greatest passions by owning fewer possessions.

To find out more about my forthcoming book, The Minimalist Home, click here.

Our Story

Our 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.

We 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.

Our Writing

Get introduced to our simple message by reading some of our most popular posts:

Or, to discover the importance of owning less, try one of these posts:

We learned quickly that our journey to live with less on the outside would force our attention inward:

And would be entirely unique because of our life’s values:

Our story has been seen on the CBS Evening News, the Wall Street Journal, National Public Radio, The Guardian, The Boston Globe, and countless interviews/reviews you can find all over the Internet.

Over the course of the last eight years, we’ve written four books:

And 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.
  • Pinterest: Promoting simplicity in home and life.
If you’ve heard enough and are convinced to try it out yourself, you’ll find some good suggestions here: 7 Ways to Sample Living With Less.
* Where appropriate, Becoming Minimalist utilizes affiliate links to generate revenue and income for operation. For example: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Other affiliate links on this website: Bluehost and ConvertKit

Joshua Becker

About Joshua Becker

Writer. Inspiring others to live more by owning less.
WSJ Bestselling author of The More of Less.

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Comments

  3. I just came across your website while searching for guidance on minimizing possessions in our life. And I’d have to say we’re off to a good start but ONLY because a year ago at this time we were preparing to move. I started in October of 2014 when we decided we were going to try to move in early 2015, and went through literally every inch of my house, pulled out everything and got rid of a TON of stuff. Turns out we couldn’t sell our house but this “pretend move” as I call it was what I needed to get started. I read your “15 Clutter Busting Routines” and we actually already practice quite a few of them. I think my kitchen is still my hang up, but as far as the rest of the house goes, I think we’re doing pretty good! One trick I read about with clothes is to go through your whole closet, and anything that you are keeping, put back in with the hanger BACKWARDS. Then, as you wear the items put them back with the hanger the right way. Then after a year (living in the Midwest I like to go through all seasons be sure the clothes had a chance) if the hanger is still backwards it goes. Also if I do purchase something new (usually good will or thrift store so new to me) I have to put an article in the good will pile in our spare bedroom first. I look forward to digging into your site more!

  4. Dear Joshua,

    My name is Justin and I am currently a college student. I chose to give a speech of persuasion for my public speaking class on minimalism. I was wondering if you would be willing to do a few minute interview with me over the phone or on skype, to ask some questions that may persuade someone to become a minimalist. If you are able to, please let me know I would greatly appreciate it.

    Sincerley,

    Justin.

  6. Dear joshua becker,

    I am student aged 25 years interested to follow minimalism, so how do you suggest me to start.

    How can any one Without job (money) i.e., poor in material possession follow minimalism?

    please share your knowledge and help me to understand minimalism.

    Thank you,
    saran

  7. Does anyone have any suggestions for helping the entire family live a minimalist lifestyle? In concept, my wife agrees with de-owning our things to enjoy a better life but in practice its not happening. My teenage step daughter has not bought into the idea and takes clutter to the extreme. I have tried to set a good example, share articles and encourage minor progress. However, we continue to be buried in our ever growning stuff.
    Any suggestions would be appreciated.

  8. Love this post! I take one full day and rest. In fact at this point I could rest everyday Im not fishing. I used to live for my possessions but finally let go. Now I live free…minimal posessions and much more time energy and money to do what I love….fish! This is an awesome post!

  9. Hi Joshua,
    I just wanted to reach out and say how much your story has inspired me. After taking some time to digest and investigate further this idea of ‘more life with less’ – I’ve decided to embark on my own journey to achieve this aim. Just like your story about cleaning the garage… I’ve spent many moments maintaining ‘stuff’ instead of playing with my kids, and that’s not the life I want for any of us. So thank you for being such an inspiration! I’m excited about starting my own journey now and how much richer our lives will be because of it!

  10. I am pretty annoyed and wondering if this webinar is a scam at this point….I bought book (have since cancelled my order), filled out registration, was told that my username wasn’t valid…changed it. Then told my email was already being used…hmmmm? So figured my first registration must have gone through….tried existing user login and then as new. NOTHING. Then I entered my email under “forgot password” to try and get help and was told that it wasn’t possible because email may have been dismantled by host. there is absolutely no contact info anywhere!?!?!?!? So I’m wondering if most people buy the book, can’t register, get annoyed and figure it’s only @
    $10. I am having trouble finding an easy contact info on this site as well………

  11. Purchased Uncluttered online with Amazon,
    Tried to register for the Uncluttered course.
    I got: my email in database; went to get new password and got:
    The email could not be sent.
    Possible reason: your host may have disabled the mail() function.

    HELP

  12. Hello those at becomingminimalist.com…. Yesterday, May 2, I purchased the digital form of the new book. I did not receive a receipt number until today, when it was downloaded to my Kindle. Here is the number….D01-5450440-6688908. This is actually an invoice number, and the only number provided from amazon. I was not able to sign up for the free course because of this. Would someone let me know how this can be fixed? Thank you.

    Lisa Dale

  14. I’m very interested in becoming minimalist and read your articles frequently. It’s a shame your book is not available here in the UK until next month :(

  15. Hi Josh,

    I listened to you on Rob Bell’s Podcast this morning as was loving the way you describe the benefits of a life of Minimalism. About 12 months ago I made a more focussed effort to be more intentional with the things I purchased in order to allow me to focus on what matter to me most. I have been looking through your site today and have found so much super helpful stuff to apply to my life.

    Thanks so much for the work you put in.

    Cheers from Melbourne, Aus

  17. Hello. I am from Indonesia. Many of our people here own less than more, since we have not many, not have much.
    Today is first day of Ramadhan. I saw your blog shared by a friend of mine in Facebook. I do like this blog. Being minimalist, in my opinion, as you describe here, fits daily values taught by my religion.
    The more you give, the more you receive.

  18. Dear Joshua,

    Hi, my name is Takashi Yumiba. I’m a Japanese freelance translator.

    I find LIVING WITH LESS such a great book that I’d like to share it with as many Japanese readers as possible.

    Could you please tell me if the rights are available? If they are, I’ll talk to an editor at a Japanese publisher.

    Of course, I’ll protect your copyright.

    I’m looking forward to hearing from you.

    Thank you for your kind cooperation.

    Best,
    Takashi

  19. I realize now at 63 the happiest I have been in my life was when all my possessions fit in a car trunk, small u haul and top of my car, not necessarily at the same time. I have a 3 br 2 bath 2 car garage and a storage bldg. And am miserably drowning in stuff. Organizing to me is just rearranging junk.

  20. My wife and 3 kids recently moved from a 3500 sq ft house California full of stuff to live in Nicaragua for 6 months. It is amazing what I don’t need and how fulfilling life really is when you live it. We return in a few months and will begin to slice down my belongings. Why is it I have 4 framing hammers?

  21. Just wanted to let you know that I wrote a review (sort of) of “The More of Less” on my blog at Grandma Friday. I thoroughly enjoyed your book and found it both inspiring and useful. Thanks!

  22. In 2010, I sold or gave away the majority of my belongings to move from Florida to Maine. In 2013 I found myself at a crossroads. Homeless with my 16 yr old son, we made a choice to stay out of the rat race and buy a camper instead of looking for another ‘home’ to be a slave of. Living in an RV has had it’s challenges, but I hope I never have to go back to stationary living again. Every year I find myself getting rid of more and more STUFF. And I wish I hadn’t wasted so many years carrying a whole houseful of STUFF around with me from one house to the next. We should not be a slave to our belongings. We should focus our attention on things that ACTUALLY MAKE US HAPPY. I am so excited to have come across this group and look forward to being inspired by like-minded individuals.

  23. Thank you for this blog. I started minimizing/decluttering about 15 years ago and it is a process. It does not happen overnight and it is a continuous process. I am soooooo happy to find someone who is thinking like me. I am continuously living intentionally. I have gotten off tract, but somehow I manage to get back on tract, simplifying my life. I reached your blog by accident searching for something else, I don’t remember what I was searching for, because I got excited in reading your blog. Thank you. This is so inspiring.

  24. I just started reading The More of Less and in the beginning it tells the garage clean out story. It hit me like a ton of bricks. I spend so much time trying to move, organize, clean up our stuff that I don’t have the time to play with my 7 yr. old. She hears the “not now”, “later”, “tomorrow”. I read her that portion of the book and we both cried together. I told her it is more important that we have together time than it is to have things. No more trying to organize, it’s time to downsize our possessions and gain the life that we want. I’m looking forward to finishing the book, but already I cannot thank you enough!

  25. I was unable to finish the course as we were out of town. Am I permitted ti sign up again and just start over?

  26. I signed up for the course and got the page where it said: Instant Access. I was unable to get in. Does that not open until tomorrow? There isn’t an easy way to get information once “paid” which is frustrating.

  27. The same things happened to me…what should happen from here. There is also a disclaimer with a 7-day money back guarantee; then it says just “email me” an I can’t find an email address anywhere.

  28. I signed up for the first course, but l couldn’t do it because of family’s medical issues. I would like to take the course again, but I don’t know how to go about it. Would you please help me? This has been the only site that has helped me even think about getting rid of my stuff. Thank you! Sandy S.

  29. Hi Joshua

    I am the founder of Millington’s, which is an online ebookstore (a lot like amazon)
    We have a team of media marketers who promote our store.
    I am looking for great authors who would like to publish their books through Millington’s.

    Please send us an email at [email protected] with any questions you have.

    Thank you for your time.
    Tim

  33. Thank you, your words have really helped our family. Looking forward to seeing how this plays out in years to come.

  34. New idea. Have stuff you just CAN’T GET RID OF because IT DOES THIS OR THAT (my problem) or it came from….

    Put all those things into a box with a detailed list of what it is and look at the list everyday until you’ve convinced yourself you don’t need it!!!

  35. I need to speak to someone about my purchase. I’ve not taken this course for the $89 I paid. I had a family member become sick that I’ve had to care for and would like to take this course again in the future. Now is not a good time for me. How do I receive a refund. I’ve got a receipt I received for the course and I do receive a weekly email which I’ve not read except for this one from this Monday, October 17th. Please respond. Thank you and blessings

  36. Thank you for a great blog. The idea of minimalism could be beneficial to so many people. As a psychiatrist I meet a lot of people with stress related disorders which to some extent could have been avoided just by not chasing money and by working less.

  37. The following message is printed in the REI CO-OP HOLIDAY 16 catalog. I think it is very interesting that this message would appear in a retailer’s catalog.

    More is sneaky. It tricks us into thinking we need it. That because we can, we totally should. Well, more is a liar. If something doesn’t get us out doing what makes us laugh and sweat and surprise ourselves, it’s just another thing we have to dig though to get to what does. As malls fill up and credit cards overheat, let’s get back to what really matters. Let’s lose what’s weighing us down and spend more time doing what we love. Together. Outside.

  38. I appreciate you sharing. I discovered this very thing for myself after I moved ALL of my clothes into a heaping pile and spent a couple days trying on all of them and chucking ones that meant nothing. I believe I got rid of about 1/2 to 2/3 of all of it. I still keep an awareness and it really does simplify things! I will say, though, I have used it as an idol and it has distracted me from the love of God before: so I pray it remains an effective form of use rather than a healer. Thanks, again. Blessings,
    Julie

  39. Hi Joshua,
    My sister and her 3 adult daughters in Lincoln & Omaha, NE took your online course this year and told me so many great things about it that I want to do the same! I have a book club who has been together for 11 years and we all agreed, your book would be a great book for the start of 2017. We would also like to sign up for the online course, but I cannot find information about how to do so? I believe the next course begins Jan. 9th, I submitted my name and email, but I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t missing the chance to register?
    Thanks!

  40. I have noticed that the more I reduce the clutter of my physical space the more open my mind becomes.
    This has had many significant impacts upon my teaching environment within the high school classroom I occupy oh for so long with oh so very many different types of learners.
    When I provide materials for each student to grow and prosper I find that each student is able to thrive for themselves.
    Removing materials and allowing them to function upon their own is the most useful learning strategy I know.
    Reducing clutter is not going stark or barren; it’s being very specific to what gets to stay within the classroom to be used intentionally for the instructional process.
    Great.
    Thanks for the support.

  41. I wish to sign up for the course that starts Jan 9, 2017 with the 25% discount from the book. I ordered the book tonight from Amazon but it won’t be shipped until next week. Can you send me the code to use for the 25% discount so I can sign up for the course?

    thank you,

  42. I’m a Chinese reader from Shanghai. I just bought a Chinese version book of last month but left it in corner of my room. Last weekend, I thought of it, then I read it and found that minimalist-lifestyle is what I’m looking for ! Thank you for teaching me the way to tell valueless from worthwhile.

    • the book name is ‘the more of less’. It seems this editor is not friendy to some Chinese marks.

  43. I am an Icelandic reader and I must say that becoming minimalist has changed my life for the better.

    Both my partner and me worked a lot, we have a house, had 2 cars and a lot of money. The house was filled with things; many of which had no meaning to us. We could buy anything we wanted…but it didn´t bring me any joy.

    The journey started with uncluttering our home. We probably threw out/donated 1/3 of everything we have and that also feels good knowing that other can benefit from our old clutter.

    Decluttering the house gave us more free time as a family and we realized how stressful it had been to own way too much. We used the precious time during weekends moving piles of junk from one place to another in an attempt to get it under control. Crazy…

    When we got more free time and became more relaxed at home I started to feel even more how stressful my work life was. My working day was almost 10 hours including transport and I work in a stressful business. Only 2 weeks ago a college was transferred to the hospital in an ambulance after having collapsed at work….the diagnosis….stress, on his way to burnout.
    After having Christmas holiday I was dreading going to work, which ended up with me cutting my hours and only working 32 hours a week.
    Reading quotes like: “You can always make more money, but never more time” really got me thinking.

    After starting to work less I have more time at home with my children (home earlier) and due to owning less I can use the time making pancakes and playing games…instead of running around and moving things/cleaning.

    I am working on decluttering my time schedule and being way more picky on what to do with my time. I plan for at least every third weekend to be a weekend where we do absolutely nothing…no plans, no obligations.
    That have given me the time to start reading novels again, walking in nature or just enjoying petting our cat.

    Sorry it got so long….:)

  44. I recently decided to get rid of the stuff that we keep but do not really need. It is not as easy as it seems. Some of the things belong to someone else and we have to ask permission to give it away. I find it the hardest to get rid of books. I can give away clothes, shoes and even costume jewellery but books are very difficult to part with. My daughter and I do charity work in a village and we usually ask people for toys and clothes and go with boxes of good stuff. I am stunned to see that some of the items have not been used and still have the price tag and packaging.

  45. I watched the documentary on Netflix “Minimalism”. I can appreciate that you minimalized your home and have become aware of the evils of “stuff”, however I couldn’t help notice the plastic water bottles your family wasdrinking out of in the house. Minimalism should be tied in with zero waste. Plastic is horrible for our society. Something to think about.

    • Thanks Angela. Some people embrace minimalism for zero waste motivations, but not everybody. For us, we refill the plastic bottles with tap water and put them in the fridge to chill.

  46. Hi Becker family! I just watched the “Minimalism” documentary on Netflix. My husband and I are roughly your age but we don’t have kids. A couple of years ago, we bought a 4 bedroom home near where you live. 6 months later, jobs took us out of the Phoenix region and we decided to rent our home. Why in the world would a family of two buy a 4 bedroom home? We sold a ton of stuff. In 1 week, I made close to $1700 selling our stuff – book shelves, furniture, couches, and random things here and there. $1700! I also donated so many clothes to the AZ Humane Society thrift store. We moved from a 4 bedroom home to a 1 bedroom apartment. We’ve moved around a bit more since then (always in 1 bedroom apartments) and every time we move, we still get rid of things, donate clothes, and pair down. I can’t believe we’ve accumulated so much stuff.
    I realized that I have been practicing minimalism for years but I have not been doing it mindfully. Wanting that promotion or constantly returning to school to rack up degrees or certifications for a possible promotion or next job thinking it might make you happy is also a trap that one easily falls under. I made this mistake and realized that minimalism involves a lot of mindfulness.
    Thanks for this site and your posts on facebook. Kudos to you, Becker family! My next plan is to sell this computer I’m typing this message on along with the speakers, accessories, and even this desk. :-)

  47. I have been a part of the uncluttered course and have been waiting to continue this next round, but have not received any of the emails. I do not have my original email with log on information (because I accidentally deleted my entire inbox and messages a few months ago!). Could someone please contact me so I can be added back on to the list? There is still much work to do! Thank you for all your help and guidance.

  48. Hey Joshua,
    I just wanted to thank you for staying on topic in your blog. So many of the bloggers have taken political stances or gone on long rants about politics in the U.S. I love your blog, your site and pretty much all your books and advice. I realize that blogs change with time, but yours is one I am always happy to read. Keep up the great work, your time and effort is appreciated!
    Pam

  49. Josh! I love your blog, I’ve been following it for years! My house looks a million times better because of your inspiration! Can you post a tour of your home?!

    -Molly

  50. Love the minimalist lifestyle! The becomingminimalist blog has been a pearl of great price to helping me and my family with this lifestyle :)

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