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.
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:
- 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:
We learned quickly that our journey to live with less on the outside would force our attention inward:
- Stop Comparing Your Life. Start Living It.
- 20 New Ways to Measure Success
- Learning to Consider Gratitude a Discipline
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 three books. And they sell pretty well:
- 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 | BAM
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:
“The things you own end up owning you. It’s only after you lose everything that you’re free to do anything.”
― Chuck Palahniuk, Fight Club
Freedom is loving others as you love your self. It is feeling passion for the needs of others by helping them find what you think you can teach them to find properly. I made a quick reading about minimalism and thank you I will continue reading later. In the mean time, I will take advantage of the natural light day doing my errands and continue reading to this page when I can seat again. Blessings.
I happened upon your website through another site and I’m so glad I did. The idea of “becoming minimalist” is inspiring and so fantastic. We live in a society that sometimes causes us to take on a certain lifestyle filled with “stuff” we don’t really need. It often becomes “wants vs needs” instead of “what we only need.” It would be wonderful if more people recognized what they really only needed and started living with less. I’m gradually doing so.
wow. Glad for what you are doing. Found your blog by googling “how to declutter”. We live in the UK (with three growing children) where houses are super tiny and was a bit over whelmed this evening looking at all the stuff in our house. We are also followers of Jesus – so it was encouraging to read that bit about faith, too. A holy moment even? Thank you for your encouragement tonight. Press On…
Hi Joshua,
I lived overseas for more than seven years working in a 3rd World country. Since returning to the U.S. I have been intentional regarding purchases and possessions. I am currently working full-time and am finally moving into my own place this month. It is my desire to live with less from the start and live with passion for those things that really matter. I want to thank you for the work you do that encourages people like myself to truly live for what matters. Blessings to you!
Hi, Joshua.
I was writing about Financial article, especially about consumptive life style and BOOM…I got one of your article.
The outlook of your site is just like the name ‘becomingminimalist’.
Firstly, I thought you were just an ordinary person, then I realized that you’re outstanding. I just a newly writer of English article and I found that you have massive vocabularies. Then, I finally know that you are an author. I have published one book about a teacher’s inspirational journey, but it’s self published and sold out just 20 books from self promotion. Can you suggest me how to be a better writer and self promoter for my book?
Thank you.
Hi Joshua, I was led to read your blog as I’m learning how to start a blog myself, along with my 12 yr old son. He’s one of my 8 children, so I’m trying to find the time to blog. Perhaps I’ve discovered how through your blog as well. Having a large family, we’ve accumulated a lot of “stuff”. Having a lot of stuff does take control over one’s life and one’s time. I’m glad I came across this. I would love to adopt this lifestyle. My challenge now is getting the rest of my family to jump on board. I think I can find time by eliminating clutter. It may also free up some space in my brain. Cluttered home=cluttered brain.
Dear Joshua,
Like you, my husband and I are moving towards a minimalistic life – so much so that for the past 7 or 8 years, I have been actually documenting (weighing and photographing) all of the stuff that we have intentionally gotten rid of in our lives. After having to move to Napa, CA, to care for my in-laws, we both were essentially “assaulted” by an overflow of more stuff as his mother was a hoarder.
I’m wondering if you might be willing to speak with me (email, phone) to talk about how I can tell my story since I know that it has substance and information that others would want to read. Furthermore, my journey has also had the impact of my background as a yoga teacher…..and some of the first words my teacher told us was that we suffer because of our attachments. When we no longer have those attachments, we lose ourselves….
Interestingly enough, my classical business background also has shown me that people suffer not only from materialistic items but from ego, pride, control, money, etc.
Anyway, I just wanted to see if you might be open to helping another minimalizer write her story too.
Thank you for any consideration!
Kristi L. Gall
[email protected]
707-685-2355
I very much enjoy your website and great, inspirational articles. Looking through archives I haven’t noted this topic which is one area I have a very difficult time trying to minimize. Sports equipment and hobby/craft items. living in a place with four seasons and loving the outdoors I have lots of clothing and equipment for so many sports and activities. I’ve not been able to minimize as much as I think i ‘should’. but I have tried to become more mindful and to not have duplicates of many things.. just one of each and not lots of backups and extras as I used to have. My most difficult area to minimize is my hobby/craft section. I have tried to determine my favorite crafts/hobbies and to eliminate the others… but this is painful for me to do.
I’d love to see an article directed to one or both of these topics.
Thanks again for your example and encouraging articles!
We are all so challenged by these principles – well done with your endeavours to help us (me) move from a culture of acquisition, comparative (non)asset measurement, ownership inertia and ceaseless tail-chasing.
We do have the power to opt out, and be free(er).
Hello! I would like to challenge myself to rid my home of 2,016 items in 2016. I am also extending this challenge to my family. I’ve been following you on Facebook for a few months and I know I have seen posts from you about doing exactly this. What would you recommend I share with my family to explain to them the nature of this “challenge” and how to tackle something of this magnitude.
Joshua,
I would like to tell you about my journey. In 2011, long before I had ever heard about minimalism, I was lying in the hospital fighting for my life, I had had many surgeries and infections in the previous 7 months. I told my husband that when I recovered, I was going to clean out our storage room and get rid of stuff; I did not want to leave everything we had collected over the years for our children to go through when we are gone. At that time, our daughters were 23 and 26. We were hanging onto furniture, lamps, dishes, etc. “just in case” they might want or need them. In addition, I had Rubbermaid totes of dishes and figurines that had belonged to my parents. The storage room was literally packed to the gills.
I spent that summer recovering. The next summer, I dug in. (I work in a school and and have summers off.) I sold things, one item at a time on a facebook site, and in the next year I probably made close to $1000. I was very satisfied with my work and thought I was done.
I probably let things go for about a year, and then I decided I could do more. Eventually I found your website and started reading about minimalism. This year I have gotten rid of many items, especially clothes. I will never totally have a capsule wardrobe, but I kept what I actually wear and donated the rest. I have started selling on eBay. With the proceeds I want to take my granddaughters to Disney Land in 2018. My goal is to have all of the eBay items sold by the end of 2016; what is left at the end of this next year will be donated. The only things I put on my Christmas list for this year was a set of DVDs of a TV series I really liked and cash for our future vacation. I don’t have my husband totally on board, so we will probably never truly be minimalists, but I am so happy with the way my life is changing by not being attached to all of the stuff that we have always had in this house. I have more space physically and mentally, the house is easier to clean, even with 2 dogs, and we have more money because I’m not always buying more stuff.
Thank you for your inspiration!
Christy
Bravo, Christy!
I have a small collection of quotes and miss-quotes and among them is the Bumper sticker
“Poverty is owning a horse”
Seems to me, “poverty is owning.”
The more things you have, the more they cost you in time and money.
Hello
I’m so happy, and relieved, I have found you. I was at a point where I just was so unhappy but for no logical reason AND I had done all I could do to “fix” things. I was always left feeling “off” and knew it was something simple that I just couldn’t see. Somehow I found you and the minute I read a few posts, I knew this was where my journey had been leading. One step at a time, I’m making some key changes. Thank you. :)
I am newly devoted to minimalism. Would love an online friend to share encouragement. I get overwhelmed at the things a lifetime has accumulated! I have been unable to locate anywhere to find
a chat room or a place to talk with others searching for minimalist lifestyle.
Simply thank you.
Thank you for your value sharing. I very appreciate it. I have already started and now I feel free..
I started the minimalist move about six months ago. I have been following you on Facebook and recently read all your books amongst others that deal with minimalism. I can honestly say minimalism has helped my life become less stressful, I have saved so much money buy not filling my life with things I do not need as well as making money selling things I do not need and using that to pay off credit card debt I had ( that’s right had). Living in a minimalist mind set and life style I have managed to become debt free. I can say I am the most content with my life now more than ever just by changing my mind set. Can’t wait to read your new book.
Although it is a fact that we must consume in order to live, I firmly believe that consumerism is damaging to society. As you referred to in your post, consumerism is excessive when we let ourselves be influenced by advertisements and marketing and end up buying what we need and what we don’t need. Besides that, credit cards make it easier for us to make purchases beyond our income-level, which may some of the shopaholics get to the point of being broke and full of debt. That’s one of the many drawbacks of being materialistic. Any addiction is harmful and consumerism is one of worst of them.
Just a few months ago, I started researching ways to declutter and organize our home as well as our daily lives. It led me to your site and I am so thankful it did. Your posts are inspiring and truthful. It really got me thinking about not only decluttering but what we purchase every single day that now, I can confidently say, we are becoming minimalists. It is so easy to buy, buy, buy, but what satisfaction is it really giving you? I have a dream to take my son to Disney World in Orlando, FL in the next 5 years and my husband and I are making that a reality by not buying things we want but focusing on just the needs which is putting more money in our savings for that dream to come true. Thank you for your inspiring words and I look forward to every post.
Hi,
I think I m going through this process right now, taking away what doesn t work, hasn t been used or just dwells on the floor ,waiting for an improbable future application. There is though a question. What if you keep throwing away old unused speakers, selling old cameras and lamps, giving away clothes…because you want to concentrate on things which matter and feel light and clean, but…just an example: If you like art, music and you like to create from scraps, like painting with all possible fluids, doing music with all possible old appliances and so on..in this case more is better, how can you decide to give everythig eway in this case?
I wish I could just use them once and than make free space for the next. Anybody has a solution?
Good Morning Joshua. I am enjoying the few articles I have read so far. Minimizing has been growing as a desire in my heart for several weeks now, and finding a post on Facebook of yours was timely! Will you share what church you teach at/attend?
I hate the habit of “making more to spend more”. It is so easy to get into that habit, especially when it comes to buying services. For example…we recently needed to use a more expensive daycare provider temporarily. In all honesty, she was better in that she seemed to have a more structured environment with more learning. If we could afford the money, we might have kept using her but we eventually went back to our cheaper one.
Another example…my husband wants to buy a car. The more expensive ones are supposed to be safer but we can only afford so much.
I hate realizing this because I totally get why people spend more and more. Yes, sometimes it is for things you don’t need but sometimes you feel like you need to spend more to get better services. You want the best education for your kid? Send them to a very expensive private school! Does that make sense? How do you find solutions to this? How do you not think, “I’m cheating my kid by not spending more money on them.” Hopefully you already have written about this and you just need to steer me in the right direction.
I happened to stumble a shared post from an FB friend and starts reading your article. I was amazed and so touched because as of the moment, my family is building a smaller home just for the 4 of us, my 5 year old little girl and my parents. Now I know that we are on the right path of simply “Living a Simple Life”.
fear reminders of trauma / pain/ threat – when I face my fears I keep getting panic attacks.. guilt.. anger that I am this way although I know why….. my desire to overcome fear – impact and provide options over obstacles to where the need is in community whilst self is isolated, unhappy, fearfill, anxiety driven, what feels no back up – so it’s very careful treading / whilst working a simple job with food in a positive environment part time – Boundaries against the Pressures…. Trying to Establish own Foundation Strong Family Unit – failed 3 ivfs – stress/ getting there – unhappy yes – but hopeful I will find peace and balance – struggling to Find Inner Peace/soul-mind-present/ many tears.
Hi ,I need help please
I want some money for my startup business.everyone can help me please reply [email protected]
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!
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.
Hi Joshua, heard a story from TEDs talk, definitely a great story helping money makers realize the reality. Thanks
lh.louis
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
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.
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!
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!
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………
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
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
You’ve written Four books silly! And you firgot to put “More with less” on your books page! Zinga!
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 :(
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
I would love to interview you for my TV show when you come to Portland Oregon on your book tour. Each show has a different theme and I am working on a minimalist show. Let me know if you have an interest in this.
For The Greener Good
https://youtu.be/-GLJkwNZ9uM
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.
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
The Japanese rights have already been sold. Sorry.
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.
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?
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!
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.
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.
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!