Yesterday was a fun day.
The Becoming Minimalist Facebook page passed 1,500,000 followers.
The milestone caused me to reminisce a little bit about the page.
I can remember exactly where I was when I started it. I was upstairs, in my bedroom, in our house in Vermont. I had been introduced to minimalism 18 months earlier by my neighbor.
January 3, 2010 was a Sunday. My kids were in bed and my wife was downstairs with a group of ladies. I was a bit bored and looking for something to occupy my time… so I created a Facebook page to supplement this blog.
My first post was nothing fancy:
“Hey everybody, this Facebook page is dedicated to sharing information about the becomingminimalist.com webpage. It is also created for you to share your own stories and/or photos of your journey towards minimalism in all areas of life.”
My second post, two days later, was equally exciting:
“Just posted a review of my spring/summer wardrobe experiment. Now if I could just get my wife to try it…”
I didn’t know much about Facebook and knew even less about Facebook pages.
- The page started on January 3rd, 2010 with 0 followers.
- January 3rd, 2011, one year later, it had 1,000 followers.
- January 3rd, 2012, two years later, it had compiled 4,000 followers.
If you think I took any shortcuts growing this blog… those numbers should tell you otherwise. The growth of Becoming Minimalist (both this blog and the FB page) has always been slow, but consistent and meaningful.
Nevertheless, because I put myself out there, the page grew… and continued to grow… and yesterday we celebrated a milestone.
Friends, I want to encourage you today with a simple thought:
Put good out into the world, you never know who (or how many) people are going to see it.
You see, my inspiration for this website was simple: I wanted an online journal to document our family’s journey into minimalism.
My inspiration for the Facebook page was no different: a place to talk about minimalism—our journey and yours.
I wanted a place to talk about the joy of owning less. A corner of the Internet dedicated to pursuing a bigger life than the accumulation of physical possessions. It was the good that I wanted to put out into the world.
Somewhere along the way, more people started watching than I ever imagined.
But this is what happens when we put good into the world…
- When we offer a listening ear to a struggling friend.
- When we give a loving embrace or say a loving word to our children.
- When we encourage and lift up others on social media rather than tear down.
- When we publish our poetry, our story, or our writing for the world to see.
- When we serve others with the talents and abilities that we possess (whether we help a friend change their oil or give our all to a classroom full of children).
When we put good out into the world, people notice—often more than we realize. And our good deeds and kind words hold the potential to change more lives than we ever thought possible—starting with those who are closest to us.
We may not do good for the sake of being noticed, but in a world that seems to be growing in hostility more than ever before, we desperately need to see yours.
More people are watching than you realize.
Congratulations from Australia, I shared your post with my daughter 9 years ago,blessings to you and 1.500,000 of us
Yay!
Every day I give away something. Today, I found some paper fans I was given as a party favor. I added them to the box of kiddie jewelry and stuffed animals for the free table at our local food pantry. Then I gave some crochet books and wrapping paper away. Food donations to the pantry go in the bin at the library. We buy very little.
Congratulations on your mission’s milestone Joshua! This particular article is talking to me. It in inspiring and encouraging.
Tall oaks from little acorns grow. My very best wishes in your mission in pursuit of less consumption.
I have been reading about decluttering for awhile now. Start it and it would get over whelming. I came up with a way to keep me motivated I keep a journal 10 paper items 1 object and 1 digital item I would get rid of daily. If I could not do it daily I would finish it by the end of the week. This method works for me. You have a journal to see your progress. Thank you for helping me live a better life.
What an incredible and well-deserved milestone..
“Hagan bien y no miren a quien” is a saying in Spanish that this post made me think of. :)
Translates to “do well onto others without looking at who it is”
I appreciate your positive vibe!
I needed to read this today. I’m a school nurse struggling with the enormity of my job. My school is very large and there is only one of me. Everyday is a struggle not to quit because of too much responsibility and the inability for me to do all that I am supposed to. One human simply cannot. However, the kids need a nurse and I need to keep putting out the good. Even if it’s only a small fraction of all that’s needed. I’m a minimalist and I like my life to be simply. It’s hard when your job is as far from simple as it can get. Thanks for the uplifting words.
Christy,
I’ll keep you in my prayers. I’m sure others will too.
We love and respect our school nurses!
They have a great relationship with my daughter. She sees them every day to manage her Type 1 Diabetes.
My daughter asked me if I wanted to look at the jewelry sale catalog from JC Penney the other day. I said absolutely not! Tear off the mailing label & shred it & throw the catalog in recycling! Why? I already have over 100 earrings, numerous necklaces, bracelets & who knows what else?? I get new jewelry all the time from my business challenges! I need to bless others with giving it away!!
A HUGE congratulations on your milestone!!!
I had always believed that one should do all the good they can in this world, but I had been taught that you do not let your identity be known, as if “blowing your own horn” and saying “look at what I did!” Now thanks to the way you said it in this post, I see the influence people can have when others observe goodness in our acts of love and kindness. It still is not necessary to shout how good you are, but always model goodness and others will see more goodness in the world. Thank you for the message today!
I am so glad I was introduced to the minimalist way of thinking and living. It has made me realise that the pursuit of more is simply a prison that we build and lock ourselves up in. Thank you for speaking on putting joy out there in the world too; even in the form of our writing! What a coincidence as I was becoming disheartened that there was little or no traffic to my blog but this has inspired me to continue writing regardless. I am so glad to be part of this community.
Hearty congratulations, Joshua. I am inspired by your posts and thank you for introducing me to minimalism. Best wishes to you and your family.
The timing of this article really is remarkable. Just this morning I received a message from my pastor/friend who recently adopted a little girl from Colombia, South America. This little girl is about my daughter’s age. Maybe that’s why I felt so drawn to reach out, but becoming new parents to a girl who’s never felt loved or wanted just overwhelmed my heart. It’s only been little things here and there…having her over to play, inviting her to a birthday party, and offering some outgrown clothes (decluttering too!). Today, she thanked me for the understanding and the care and for being a bright spot while they figured out how to be parents. The thing is, I didn’t realize how much impact such small actions were having. I am so thankful for her message and for your post today.
Thank you for bringing the minimalist movement forward, Joshua! I am so glad I came across “The More of Less” several years ago. It has helped us set our lives on a course toward freedom and joy. And whenever I need a positive boost, I can read comments and find encouragement! Congratulations and thank you!
Amen! ❤️
I love this post. I know what you say is true. I have seen it in action. I saw it in action in the many encouraging and loving comments to a fellow student reaching out for help in this morning’s uncluttering class fb page. I watched the outward ripple of a stone tossed in the water of kindness. Thank you, Joshua!
Great message. It was a great way to start a Monday and the work week. Thanks for spreading the positive!
Thanks for encouraging our bravery to pit ourselves out there for all the world to see. Kindness ❤️
*put ☺️
I hope to reduce my clutter of “stuff” considerably by years end and just keep on until its all gone! Your blog and facebook page are inspiring to me. I know it can be done, even with baby steps. And yes, let the world see you smile and show Gods love to them, with a large dollop of encouragement. Life is tough but there is also much good out there. We just have to grab it and hold on.
Congrats, that is a huge milestone, look how many people you are helping. You are definitely on point with putting goodness into the world, it seems to be spinning so far off course, more goodness can only help. I’m so glad I found your blog & FB page and have started on this journey! I am slowly & sadly realizing how my collection of “stuff” has contributed greatly to my stress, frustration & loneliness. Thank you!!!
Exactly what I needed to read this morning. Thank you Joshua and congratulations on the milestone. It’s amazing to reflect and see the slow and steady growth you have achieved, it’s really inspiring.
I always do good for other people. But one of my friend from the past, never aknowledged it, he was never thankful. He was a narcissist and I knew it after seeing these red flags. At first ones I was not alarmed, but now I know. He was narcissist. I walked away. I was happy and content in my life. He was borderline, depressed and anxious, narcissist to the point. He was maximalist. He had so much stuff and so tremendous debt I was at the point paying his bills… That almost made me broke myself and I was minimalist… I am glad to be finally out. This guy, as a guy too, I used to love much. But that was a mask, his love I mean, then all the truth and control started, angry episodes… I was like punchbag for him. Never ever deal with narcissist. I am out, my finances are better, I keep it minimalistic, and my life is so calm now. Exactly, do good, and walk away from the bad. Not all people will see the good!!!