Becoming Minimalist

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

Dream Bigger Dreams Than Minimalism

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Being a minimalist is not my greatest goal in life. It is not my greatest obsession. I dream much bigger dreams for my life.

I am passionate about my soul, my wife, my kids, my friends, solving problems, and influencing others for good. I want to live a significant life that makes the most of the potential and opportunities I have been given.

I will focus on these priorities above everything else. They are the most important to me and the most important for the world around me.

In short: I am a husband, a father, and a human bring first. I am a minimalist second.

This is not to discount the lifestyle I have chosen and have dedicated the last ten years of my life to promoting.

Minimalism is a means to that very end.

Minimalism removes physical distractions so my greatest priorities can be elevated. It allows my life to be defined by eternal pursuits, those dreams that will long outlast me, not by the physical possessions in my home.

Minimalism is a means to an end, but it is not the end itself.

Minimalism simplifies life. It focuses our energies on things that matter. But obsessing about minimalism begins to complicate it again. And I refuse to allow possessions to define my life—not the collection of them or the removal of them. My desire is that my possessions will never be a burden to me, whether in abundance or lack.

At the end of my life, I want to hear my children say, “You were a good father,” not “you were good at being a minimalist.” I want people to remember me as a friend and servant and someone who stayed focused on the needs of others, not as “a minimalist.”

Therefore, I choose minimalism. But it will never become an obsession. It will define my lifestyle, but not my life.

I invite you: Dream big dreams with your life. Dream bigger dreams than minimalism. Pursue greater achievements with your newfound time, energy, and money.

Minimalism is not the finish line. It is only a manner of arriving there.

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. You have been a huge influence Josh. I’ve learned so much about minimalism. Of course I’ve adapted to my life and how I can manage things. For someone who suffers from OCD. Its a great deal to not have to worry about 101 things and keep it simple.

    A clear mind makes room for new dreams.

  5. Thank you Josh. This certainly puts things into perspective and differentiates your from some other minimalist I have followed. Personally, my focus is on being all I am designed to be by my creator- God.
    Many have stated minimalism is only for middle and upper class individuals but this perspective is inclusive of all mankind if they choose to pursue it.

    • I agree whole-heartedly, Marviin! God first in the whole scheme of things. The rest falls neatly into place by Design. Nice perspective Josh has . . . a point.

  6. Love the article. It got to the core where minimalism should be at in one’s life. It’s not the be-it-all and end-it-all. This is the perspective we should be looking at when it comes to minimalism.

  9. Thank you Josh for inspiring me to pursue a minimalist lifestyle. You Have an encouraging heart. May you be blessed far more than you could ever hope for or imagine.

  12. Spot on. For me, minimalism helps me discover myself better and easier.
    If I’m a better mom, minimalism has cleared up the time for me to play that role with more focus, rather than buying one more thing to prove to my son that I’m good.
    Our lives get defined by moments, but things.
    We came without things into this world, we’ll leave without taking anything with us (Not even the body! Seriously!). All we have to spend meaningful are the moments in between.

  13. Spot on!

    In his book The Road to Character, David Brooks wrote about the difference between resume virtues and eulogy virtues. Looks like Joshua knows which are more important.

  14. I love this- I know I don’t want to get so caught up in de-cluttering that I miss out on other things. But the process is so transformative it really sets you up for dreaming bigger dreams.
    The distinction between “lifestyle” and “life” matters as well.

  15. Fantastic article. Yes, space in our environment = space in our mind and soul.
    What are the desires of your heart?
    You’ll have more time to search inwardly and meditate.

  16. I needed to read that today! Lately I’ve been feeling pressure (1000% self-inflicted) to get rid of stuff so I needed to be reminded that minimalism is a means to a much greater end :)

  18. I love this!! thank you. I enjoy calling myself a minimalist because it reminds me of my intention but I love the clear way you have put it as the way to achieve our real goals.
    thank you for the clarification

  21. So much yes to this post.

    I have been feeling a little disappointed recently about our house not being quite as pared back as I would like, but then I am not the only one who is living here.

    Living simply and minimizing is not the end goal, but it can be easy to get lost in the beautiful, minimalist Instagram photos, but they are just a single moment of someones day. Minimalism is simply the means to get to the goal, the things we truly value.

    xx

    • Well said! I was feeling the same way. This post and your comment really made me realize that my minimalism journey should not be inviting more stress in. That is the opposite effect I am looking for!

  23. Joshua, I couldn’t agree more. Thank you for this very important reminder. It’s easy to get caught up in the minutia of minimalism but so important to look beyond it, into the potential of what it creates. Huzzah from Tennessee!

  24. and yet I choose not to live as an austere monk. I need my bike for excersise…my camera for photography…my pc for–well, you know. these are tools and yes we can stop from being hoarders. but things exist to give us pleasure in doing the things we enjoy. play soccer with the kids? you bet! get the goals and ball…tennis anyone? how about canoeing?

  25. A great reminder that minimalism should be for a reason… It cannot be a reason in its own right. Thank you

  26. Removing clutter is an ongoing process, just like all the other tasks we pod each day. It is important to remember that the outside clutter is just a symptom of the clutter inside our hearts and souls. That is the basic issue for me. Removing the inside clutter. I have pack rat tendencies. Once the process of removal has begun it gives time to focus on why the clutter happened in the first place. Each of us is on a journey. We are affected by what goes on in the world around us. When we are free of ” things”, we are free to look at ourselves and our world and focus our energies on adding love to the chaos around us and maybe, just maybe, when we leave this vale of tears there will be some smiles instead.

  27. I am going back to minimalism and I need constant reminders for me to hang on..as I’m about to partake (my family as well) to a one year-no-shopping for anything new like shoes, clothes and bags for me ( well except groceries, toiletries, school supplies and things for the kids that they have outgrown)..in order to pay the debt that we’ve had from my father-in-law for more than a decade now!! We’re pursuing our goal of paying off the entire debt all together during the first half of next year hence my need for minimalism.. realizing that it is a tool needed for us to get to our goal ..that of being debt-free and to be able to do what we’ve really wanted to do for a long time– travel, being able to help more people..we’re looking forward to being with you in our journey.. thanks

  28. Thank you for this reminder! I really needed it this right now. I was starting to obsess again over “To-Do” lists to declutter and be more minimalist. I think I will take a much more relaxed and patient approach to minimalism in the future.

  29. My dream to achieve abundance of peace and contentment is blurred by the need to survive. If only I could find that passion that eludes me in every dark corner of my imagination. If only I discover the purpose for which I am called and equipped to do in this world. That would truly be contentment and peace.

    • The purpose for each of us, in my opinion, is to live each day to the fullest extent possible with or hearts focused on sharing the love we have in our hearts. Nothing else matters. The rest will take care of itself as we live.

  30. So very well said, and such a good reminder. I often get caught up in the weeds of minimalism…but knowing it is just a means to an end of living for the eternal and not the temporal is so important to keep in front of me.

  31. Beautiful, and so true. There are these components that make our journey sweeter, lighter, and more involved…but the essence of it all is the present moment, the relationships, and the memories we bring with us. And that can look very different for everyone. Minimalism is a tool, yet not the finished product. Thanks for sharing and putting it into perspective yet again!

  32. I’m trying to find out if anyone is thinking about life’s unnecessary fusses — doing business online when it’s simpler to write a check and put it in the mail, phone plans that never offer the minimal service I need, things like that. Is there a way for all of us to get together to exchange stories and maybe do something about it? This may not be exactly something you deal with, but if you can tell me where to start looking, I’d be so grateful.

    • Emily, I agree with you. I just write the check and ignore the pleas to “do it faster” by going online. And I keep what I call a “dumb phone” (no internet access, just used for calls, texts, and occasional picture-taking) and get the cheapest phone plan I can. I NEVER use anywhere near all the data I’m offered on the plan, but I figure who cares! It works for me. I’m not interested in taking the time or the fuss to search for something else that’s exactly as I would have it – I just make do with what’s available. Good luck to you!

      And Joshua, as always an important and well-stated message!

  33. Since my mother died 3 years ago and had to deal with decluttering a six bedroom home with a lifetime of hoarding, I became a minimalist. I didn’t want to leave all this for my children. I immediately went home and got rid of most everything that I don’t use either daily or monthly. I now scan every paper that I needed to keep and put on a thumb drive. If I need anything, it is right there. All important deeds, warranties, ownership papers, marriage cert, passports go into my bank safety deposit box. I no longer carry a purse, just my cell phone with credit card pockets attached and put cash in my pocket. I only shop once a week for groceries and toiletries and buy only what I will eat or use in a week. I never run out of items that way, and my refrigerator and cupboards are much cleaner. When I go home, the only thing waiting for me is my dog. Life is so much easier.

  36. It can be difficult to embrace minimalism without allowing it to completely take over your thoughts and lifestyle. I agree that it should be kept in perspective. And as always, it is a work in progress…

  41. Thank you, Josh. So eloquently stated and an excellent reminder of the essence of minimalism. I plan to print it out and keep it handy to aid in staying focused–God first, others next, then ourselves, and stuff …….somewhere after those priorities.

    Keep sharing your insights and wisdom which I know you receive from the Lord. 🙂

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