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 new book, The Minimalist Home, 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.*
Available everywhere: Barnes and Noble | Amazon | IndieBound - The Minimalist Home.*
Available everywhere: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kindle | iBooks | IndieBound
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, TIME, Fox News, The Huffington Post, Minimalism Documentary (Netflix), Reader’s Digest, LA Times, Sirius XM, CNBC, TODAY Show, Chicago Tribune, Boston Globe, 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.
- Pinterest: Promoting simplicity in home and life.
For interviews, media requests, or general questions, contact us at [email protected]
For more information on Joshua, visit his Wikipedia entry here.
About Joshua Becker
Which brand of mens black tshirts do you like best?
Great blog! I started my minimalism 3 years ago and I wish to know this blog sooner!
I really made a lot of progress in minimalism when I was living for 1 year in Tokyo on 12 square meters with my wife.
I don’t have any problems with items now but I’m still working on time commitments. I wish to find more content about free time on this blog. For now, I just try to be more selective about movies, books, games, and meetings.
Scott, Great posting from Carey Nieuwhof podcast today, which I think might make you grin! I completed your course in the spring.
“ My rule of thumb is to dress well enough not to be distracting one way or the other: not badly enough that people want to take me shopping, and not well enough that people spend time wondering how much something cost or where I got it from.
Well-known leaders like Mark Zuckerberg and Steve Jobs made decisions to wear the same thing every day (grey T-shirt and jeans, black mock turtle neck and jeans, respectively). Albert Einstein bought several versions of the same tweed suit and wore that look every day.
Einstein reportedly said his decision to dress the same every day was so he didn’t need to think about what he was going to wear.
You know why these leaders got noticed? Nothing to do with their image. Everything to do substance.”
I saw this on my Facebook page and just had to share, because it’s such a wonderful way to still exchange gifts, but in a minimal way:
” I am having a 50th book birthday dinner party. All guests simply bring a book as a gift and write a sentiment inside (so no cards).” It was written by Tammy Wolle Mathews.
What recommendations do you have for families that have children and 1 set of grandparents living in the same home? I will be having a 2nd child in the upcoming months and my parents live with myself, husband and 3 year old. I feel overwhelmed by their life style (mainly my mother who has a very hard time letting things go OR when she sees me making a purchase she tends to feel she needs to as well. Which then leads to us having duplicates of things not needed). All the de-cluttering that I have done in the years they’ve lived with us seem almost in-vain and at times I feel like it dampens the quality of life and style of home I want to raise my children in. Any suggestions would help!
I do received a message from the profile of becoming minimalist after sharing one of your posts. It is telling me I won a prize valued 1000. Is it you or is someone else using your Facebook profile? Thank you.
It is not from me. You should report the fraudulent FB profile.
Hello!
I also received a fraudulent message on a Facebook video I shared from you. Reported it and came to let you know, only to see that someone else has had the same thing happen.
I hope FB is fast on taking that avvount down since it is a real life credit card scam.
Take care and thank you for all the inspiration you’ve given me in the last couple of years! ❤️
Stumbled across this, looking for encouragement tips –
Found out it has other information I need also about having less
Everything around me is cluttered & I don’t know 🤷🏽♀️ how to stop cluttering
My room
My car
My trunk – 🤦🏽♀️ so I will read your guiding information- thank you
Dear Joshua,
thank you for your posts and videos as well as the work behind your thoughts.
The short length of your videos makes them attractive and to the point. One can see your professional background in speaking.
Furthermore and as highly discussed, I disagree with the strange posts regading your hairstyle, but want to mention the actual one is fresh and young – I like. ;-)
On my own minimalist journey, there was and sometimes still is also some kind of – you can call it – ‘pain of letting go’. I.e. items loaded with emotion like memories or just being part of your life so long or being super expensive and have no value in reselling,… . So pain in different ways, as well as in ones wallet.
The closer I come to where I want to be in minimizing, still this sort of ‘pain’ comes up in one way or the other.
Was there ever something similar in your journey or experience?
Can you do a video on this topic, if others have the same issue?
I also recognized, while sharing my story more to than with others, people are so afraid of letting go now, no matter how bright and light the coming future would be tomorrow. (This principle is already scientfically profen.) Because of the (pure/ naked) fear of what will or just might come.
Thank you.
All the best Phil
Hi Joshua!
We have made great strides toward minimalism. We had a loft goal to get rid of 50% of our belongings as of this past January 1. Your 12 reasons totally fit, especially the Christian faith one. Very cool that you were a pastor of some churches and you live your Christian faith.
Hi Joshua, I could find no other way to contact you to ask for permissions using your 10 Reasons to Watch Less Television.
I’m putting together a website and one of my topics will be along the lines of killing your TV and how that can raise the quality of a persons life. I killed my TV in 1992 and fully appreciate your succinct article and would love to use it in its entirety. I would also introduce you and this website in the first paragraph.
May I have these permissions? If so, what are your guidelines for the cites?
Joshua, as an aside, news hounds and drama queens who compulsively watch television every possible moment are horrified that only occasionally (maybe 2 or 3 times a month) I’ll watch a movie or show on my cell phone. They are concerned that I have no life and that I’m totally out of touch with world events.
Actually, I have started 3 of my own businesses, and businesses for others, Tuesday nights are reserved for dinner and board games with friends at my house, I walk in the mornings before the heat of the day, an so on. I’m usually busy 12-14 hours a day “just” living life. I have had a value added life for many years now. So sweet! Television takes all of these wonderful things away from me–if I let it.
I have fought clutter for years and kept it at bay somewhat. This past year we lost our son and my mother. Besides dealing with grief, we have had to empty two homes that are bigger than our small house. Our house is overflowing with things to be sorted, sentimental items that are difficult to let go of, and just things that need decisions made. We also have storage units full. Can your course help, honestly? Or do I just need some time for now?
I purchased something from you in December for 11.97, I think it was a pre-order of a course or an app, but for the life of me, I cannot find any info on how to access whatever I bought! Can you help?
Sure Polly, send us an email: support -at- becomingminimalist . com
Hello! I am a lifetime member of the Uncluttered course. I cannot figure out where to login. Can you please help me? Thanks in advance for your help.
You can log-in to the Uncluttered website anytime: my.becomingminimalist.com/login
There is also a link at the top of this page marked “Course.”
I tried to login but the site says it doesn’t recognize my email. I think I was in the course – again? – Dec 30 2018???
You can use the Contact Support link on the log-in page, we’ll help you get it sorted out.
OK THANKS
Hi Joshua, I think I signed up for lifetime access to your course a few months ago, but can’t find sign on info. Help! 😀🤷♀️😀
I am having the same issue!
I purchased the course a while ago too and I can’t figure out how to login. The site doesn’t recognize my email address. I do still regularly receive your emails.
Josh, where do we begin? I feel like every area of my life has become cluttered, including my mind. The house, my inbox, my photos. My calendar. My to do list. It’s all too much! Where does one even begin, when the simple process of thinking of it makes me want to panic? Which book? Thanks, H
Thank you a lot.
I’m Chinese, and I’m trying to become a minimalism.
My English is poor.
I just want to say your website helps me a lot, and Thank you so much!
Hello Joshua, I became familiar with Minimalism couple of years ago. Ever since, I have been trying to practice it in any possible way I can. I intend to spread your words by translating one of your books titled ” Minimalist Home” to my mother tongue. I cannot find your email address. Could you please send me your email address? I need to explain few things to you and hopefully obtain your permission.
You will need to contact my publisher about obtaining international rights to the book.
Question: Are you the Josh Becker running for State Senate in CA? Thanks, PG
Nope. I’m Joshua Becker, if that helps.
I was at your speaking engagement last night and wish I would have asked this question instead of the one I did. Being a Christian, faith is really the essence of who we are and can’t really be compartmentalized. Since minimalism is also similar in the sense that it is a way of life, (not just decluttering etc.), how has your faith walk interrelated or been impacted by your minimalism journey?
For myself, minimalism goes so well with my Christian faith because it helps me focus on what is most important.
I am the one who has 5 kids… :)
I discuss that question pretty deep in my book, The More of Less. The book format was better for that conversation than the blog.
Sounds good, thanks!
Josh,
I appreciate your youtube video series on “Becoming Minimalist”. Although I am an avid reader (and an avid collector of both real and digital stuff) the video format allows me to learn quicker and absorb only that which I can take with me, and not store “for later learning” which never seems to come.
I have a couple of your books, though I have never gotten into them very deeply (my library is full of books that I intend to read “someday”) but actually seeing you on video give your message a much greater meaning for me.
Will join your email newsletter and continue to explore your site, videos and other works.
While homeschooling and raising my boys, I got behind on keeping the home uncluttered. Being the daughter of a “pack rat” didn’t help. 😁 I saw other’s clean homes and wished mine was also. Then my husband got sick and I got further behind. The last couple of years I had some remodeling done. All the “extra stuff” I didn’t want ended up in my husband’s work rooms. I could barely walk around in there.
In the mean time, I have seen my sister’s basement. It is packed, and she is in bad health. When she is gone, some one will have to unload all that “stuff”. I do not want to leave a lot of “stuff” for someone else to get rid of.
About 2 months ago, I found some articles by you, and follow you on Facebook. It has been slow. I don’t usually get much done at a time, but I have made some great progress. I want to eventually move, but don’t want to take it all to another house. I have set some goals: 1) to work inside while it is cold outside, 2) Once it warms up, to go through my husband’s tools and stuff in the outside buildings, 3) to get rid of a lot of “stuff”, 4) to be downsized enough to be able to move in 2 years.
Thanks for the motivation to not just “talk” about uncluttering, or “think” about it, but to actually “DO” it.
Godspeed on your journey. I started last year or so, trying to own less. I realized, like you, that when I’m gone, my husband and children will have to go through my things. I want that task to be as quick and easy as possible. Also like you, we homeschool, which makes more clutter. It’s tough to say no to purchases that I feel would be “educational,” but I realize that I’ve wasted a lot of money and heaped lots of guilt upon myself by bringing things into our home that we never use.
Just watching your video on finding the time to declutter. I have found it is also about decision fatique not just time. I recently went off work to heal from a car accident and finally decluttered the bathroom. I had tried numerous times in the past and could never decide what to dispose of and always kept everything. Rested, i found it easy to focus on only what i wanted and found new homes for the things i did not need.
Thank you for your videos. I am slowly tackling the kitchen and next I will reduce my clothing. I really enjoy your videos and have downloaded your book in audio for my next listen.
Best wishes to you and your family.
1. I’m in the course. The book does not come with the course. We purchase separately? Really?
2. Is anyone monitoring the social media posts for compatibility to course goals etc? Many are asking for input/weigh in…
Hi Mr. Becker,
enjoyed reading your bio/story. Great example for me as a story telling marketer, cos I could ‘feel it’ … I almost stood beside you in your yard, when you worked at your house with your wife … with your son … more or less … in the background :-) … probably cos I got three sons too who are worth my time! :-)
Best regards from Germany!
Udo
Hi Joshua,
I just discovered your website today and it’s a treasure trove of great articles. Minimalism is a relatively new concept to me and I’m trying to declutter my home and my digital files. My entry to minimalism was the whole Marie Kondo craze.
As a writer I’m a huge fan of minimalist writing apps. They make me more productive because they remove all distractions from the interface and writing process.
Anyway, keep up the great work!
Hello,
Do you ever do speaking engagements at conferences? If so, what is the best way to contact you?
Thanks!
You can reach me here: https://www.becomingminimalist.com/speaking/
Hi! I was out of the country and missed the deadline to pay and sign up for the Jan 12 course. Is there any way I could do so today?
Thanks!
I’m wondering how much work you’ve done with people who pursue needlearts as a hobby. These activities include sewing, quilting, knitting, crochet, needle point, cross stitch and other practical yet decorative arts.
When I look at my friends who live in uncluttered and tidy environments, I come back to their simplified and passive hobbies. It’s easy for me to use a library if my passion is reading or use a streaming service or rent movies. But, the creative process of putting unusual fabrics together into a quilt or patchwork jacket, finally finding the best pattern for some yarn you fell in love with and bought on a trip to Vermont and making a gorgeous sweater, or re-purposing tin cans with spray paint, a terra cotta saucer, and some rocks, into an herb garden in the kitchen seems to consume enormous amounts of space and time for sorting and maintaining.
Is this a particular issue or am I in denial and am a secret hoarder (although I prefer the term archivist)?
I just purchased Minimilist home. i’d like to take the course starting January 12. Where is the discount code found in the book?
thank you,
Tami
You can find the discount code at the end of book.
Is the 25% discount for the course in Jan 2020 in the Kindle version of the book or just the paper copy? I am asking because by the time the paper copy grts to me from amazon the sign up time will have passed.
Thank you
Hi Joshua! I have felt so convinced of the benefits of minimalism for several years. My BIGGEST CHALLELNGE, and it’s a huge one, is the woman I share a house with. She seems to buy so many unnecessary things and the house has stuff everywhere! There are 2 large buildings in the backyard filled with stuff, and she has 2 storage units filled with stuff, in addition to things under beds, behind doors, and packed closets! I feel like I am drowning in her excess! Because of her age (85) I feel obligated to stay here, but it is becoming increasingly more difficult. If I could, I would sell, donate or throw out most of her stuff. Seriously!
According to the page about the upcoming course, one must register by October 13th. I know the correct day is January 12th, but I recommend you correct the page describing the class in detail as it is confusing.
Hmm, sounds like you’re getting an old version of the page on your browser.
On what date does the next Uncluttered course begin? Thank you!
Mid-January, sign up now!
Thank you, I will!
I’m trying to figure out how to renew the course. I’m afraid I’m going to miss the deadline.
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.
can you have an autographed book signing at anderson book shop in larchmont ny? please look in to it .
Hi. Wow, great book. I thought I was already a minimalist but after reading your book, now i can say i truly am. I love your question – “Do i really need this?” Also, after throwing alo’t of things away, I still feel like they are home with me because they were in the home for so long. THANK YOU !! (no need to email back)
Yes good questions he makes you think about. My favorite saying is when he talks about throwing things out to make room for the things you LOVE. Wow. And as saidin The Karate Kid movie – “Lesson not just karate only. Lesson whole life. Whole life have a balance. Everything be better.” Being a minimalist gives you that peace, and balance.
This article, “You are more than a consumer” was a wonderful read. Every time I watch TV, buy groceries, shop for a birthday or baby shower gift, we’re reminded of where we can save money and get the best deals. We are constantly being bombarded with “you need this, you must have that, don’t go another day without this, etc etc”. I’m now retired and only wish I was “living the good life”. So many unsolicited phone calls every day and junk mail in my mailbox telling me how I can save even more money by just buying their product. Just please leave me alone, world, and let me enjoy my last years on this good earth. I have all I need, probably more than I need. I have a roof over my head, food in my belly and a family that loves me. That’s all I will ever need. Ever.
My dream of being a minimalist is a steady journey, and thank you for your various articles that get emailed to me. I may not be able to read them all in a timely manner, but I save them and read what interests me. What I have found is reading about other’s approaches inspire me in such different ways. I recently read the author that started project 333. I did her master closet clean out approach of doing it in a day. It took me a day and half because. . . dinner and kids needed to be taken care of. But I learned so much about myself in my buying habits and dressing habits. I am an out of sight, out of mind person. The things I had “stored away” were forgotten and it was easier to toss/donate. We have been living in this house for almost 4 years and I figured out if I didn’t use it/see it in the four years of being here, I didn’t need it. I took a note from Marie Kondo and kept a couple scarves that make me really happy, but I actually don’t wear them. I am looking for ways to use them in an artistic form or display now. It was liberating to get through my closet!
About 6 months ago we starting preparing our house for sale for a move that did not end up happening. In that time, I went through our storage room and books. I was able to make our spare bedroom an actual guest room for our frequent family guests. I also turned our storage room into a nice craft space that I can clutter up as I immerse myself into projects I can now do! I just shut the door when I need to hide it!
I love your approach to making the minimalist journey one to fit you and your own needs. I would love to see Clutter Free with Kids become an audio book since I am now keeping the book collection under control. :)
Do you have a book in the works or any detailed articles or course on decreasing business and over scheduling?
I finished both The More of Less and The Minimalist Home this past month. I have always decluttered every now and then when things become too stressful but having 4 kids and very generous family and friends is overwhelming, especially when they do not share the same views on “less is more” than you do. I began decluttering seriously, and much more rigorously than I ever have, on June 3rd 2019 (I will never forget that day because it took quite a bit to get my husband on board – showing youtube clips, leaving my goals around so he can see them, etc.) The amount of stuff I have hauled out of my 1,200 square foot house is incredible and yet we still have a house full of stuff. Lots more work to be done! Last night, my husband turned to me and said, “what can we do next?” SLOWLY but surely we are well on our way to a simpler life. Even my 6 year old has been on board with eliminating some toys that he no longer plays with. The challenge will be getting our parents on board with the less is more approach to Christmas gifts for the kids…. Thank you for the great website, the youtube videos, and all of the great work you are doing!
Hello,
On what date does the next Uncluttered course begin? Thank you!
October 15. You can find registration info here: my.becomingminimalist.com
I believe I registered a year or more. Is there a way that you can tell me? I don’t see a sign in page. Thank you.
The sign-in page is here: my.becomingminimalist.com/login
There is a Customer Support link on that page as well. We can look up your email address.
I have previously stored posts on Pinterest, but can no longer find the link at the end of any articles. Is it somewhere else or are you no longer providing for this? Thanks!
I have removed that option for the sake of simplicity.
Hi Joshua, Thanks for the amazing website. I really enjoy your writing
To what extent do you feel that computer files constitute “clutter”?
If one has for example 60 material possessions but 700 gigs storage filled with document after document of sentimental or work-related documents, is that person still a ‘minimalist’?
I just finished your book The More of Less and I am recommending to everyone. This past week we did some cleaning out of the basement. I moved my craft stuff into a room where it is accessible and all in one place. I ended up with about 12 bags of trash, selling off multiple pieces of furniture that I was hanging onto for sentimental reasons and I started organizing photos. I used your advice about “the best” and throwing out doubles. I have over 10,000 pictures to go through, so though I started I have a long way to go. However, I want to thank you for getting me started in the right direction. I’m excited to be able to do the crafts I love, now they are available. We have more work in the basement, but with your suggestions I think we will get the area we desire!