Recently, I sent out a tweet promoting an article I had just written about minimalism. An online acquaintance that I hadn’t spoken with in maybe 7-8 years replied: “You’re still talking about minimalism?”
I think he was being snarky. Regardless of his intent, I replied with a short message. “I’m going to keep writing about minimalism until everyone has a chance to experience the benefits of owning only what they need.” And I included a link to this important article: Credit card debt hits record $1.14 trillion, New York Fed research shows.
The article communicates an important truth about American consumerism (and most everywhere around the world too). As a society, we remain addicted to buying stuff. This addiction has led to more credit card debt today than ever before.
Debt is a burden. But being addicted to buying stuff doesn’t just carry a financial weight. Americans are reporting record high amounts of stress, depression, and exhaustion. And the trend is similar around the world.
Into this world, I want to share an important message: There is more joy to be found in owning less than we can ever find pursuing more.
If that is a message you need to hear, you will find it here. And if that is a message your friends and family need to hear, they can find it here. We have a society to change.
The invitation of minimalism has changed countless lives. I know this to be true because I receive emails every day from people who tell me their lives have been changed by it. And I will continue to write and record videos and create resources that not only spread the message of minimalism around the world, but help people apply it to their lives.
As we head into a new year, here are the existing resources from Becoming Minimalist that can help you own less. Most are free for you to use:
WRITING
Becoming Minimalist. I publish two to three new articles each week on this blog. If you would like to receive them ad-free over email, you can subscribe for free.
Over the last 15 years, I have published nearly 2,000 articles and all are available for free on the Archives page. If you are looking for a specific topic, use Ctrl-F on the Archives page to search titles or you can use my built-in Search page.
Simplify Ebook. I self-published a short 40-page ebook called Simplify that became a Wall Street Journal bestseller. It is both short and inspirational. You can download it for free here.
Books. I have four published books available:
- The More of Less: “Why” become minimalist
- The Minimalist Home: “How” to become minimalist
- Things That Matter: “Where” to apply minimalism
- Clutterfree with Kids: How to embrace minimalism with kids
VIDEO
I publish two videos every week on YouTube. You can subscribe for free to my YouTube channel.
SOCIAL MEDIA
If you would benefit from content on your social media feed that encourages you to own less (rather than buy more), you can find me posting regular content on Facebook, Instagram, and X. All are free for you to follow.
AUDIO
I do not have a podcast (although sometimes I feel like I should). For now, if you are looking for minimalist inspiration from me in audio format, you can find three audiobooks written and narrated by me: The More of Less, The Minimalist Home, Things That Matter.
APP
If you want decluttering help in the palm of your hand, The Becoming Minimalist app, Clutterfree is the only app on the market that creates a personalized decluttering to-do list for your unique home. I am very proud of what we designed and built.
When you download the app and set-up your home, Clutterfree will craft a specific to-do list for every room in your home (even an order of rooms to declutter first). It will also track your progress, record before-and-after photos, offer encouraging articles, and provide bonus decluttering plans from some of the influential names in the movement.
Clutterfree contains no ads and is entirely user-supported at $3.99/month (USD) following a 14-day free trial where you can determine if it is a helpful format for you.
DIGITAL MAGAZINES
I publish two online magazines on topics extending beyond minimalism.
Simplify Magazine is a quarterly, digital publication that pulls together experts in various fields to address some of the most pressing needs of the modern family. Since 2017, I have published 31 issues.
The theme for our next issue (March 01) is Minimalism. I offer the magazine for a one-time purchase of just $20 (USD) that provides access to all past, present and future issues of the magazine. No annual renewal fees—just a one-time purchase to subscribe forever.
Simple Money Magazine is a quarterly, digital publication designed specifically to help you handle your money more effectively and intentionally. Since 2018, I have published 26 issues.
I offer the magazine for a one-time purchase of just $35 (USD) that provides access to all past, present and future issues of the magazine.
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
If you are passionate about learning how to help others own less—whether as a professional (Organizer, Senior Move Manager, Life Coach, Social Worker, Therapist, Real Estate) or as a passionate individual who helps to help friends and family, I offer a six-week Professional Training Course where I teach everything I have learned about how to help others own less. Sign up here to receive emails and notifications about that training.
At the end of the course, you can become Becker Method Certified and join a growing network of over 100 professionals and individuals who meet quarterly for networking and training. We are united with one passion: Helping others declutter their homes and lives.
Additionally, if you need professional help in your home, you can find a Professional Declutterer to work with you individually on my list of Becker Method Certified Professionals and Individuals. Each professional has been trained by me specifically in my approach, methods, and strategies for owning less. You can find a professional in your area here: Becker Method Certified Pros.
SPEAKING
If you want to spread the message of minimalism, simplicity, or intentional living in your community, company, or event, I’d love to be a part of that. You can reach me here to discuss availability. And, as always, I speak at church and nonprofit events for free.
With both of my children now in college, I am more available than previously to accept speaking invitations. So I invite you to consider bringing the message of intentional living to your community.
No matter where you are in your journey of discovering a better life by owning less, Becoming Minimalist is here to help.
A profound message that can change people’s lives is worth repeating. And even those of us who embrace minimalism benefit from reminders, lest we slip back into the suffocating arms of clutter. Kudos to you, Joshua, for the life-changing message you share.
Keep writing about it. You are the one who introduced me to this concept many years ago. Still hard to let go of stuff but getting better. It’s a lifelong work. Thirty years of accumulation and I’ve been drowning with “stuff”. But I’ve since limited my buying just by keeping the word “minimalism” in my mind.
Now we have a new generation of humans that need to hear your message. Keep up the good work!
Keep it coming ~ you have No Idea how many lives you have touched, changed and given new meaning to through your minimalism as well as your Christianity. 🙏🏻👍🏻
Always there for us. Always the best steadfast way of thinking & living. I have gained so much from you…..thank you
Keep it going Joshua! Minimalism isn’t a trend in my mind. If you’re constantly being bombarded with things you need (but don’t really) in your life you need support to keep striving ahead. Even the bus I take is a culprit. You can unsubscribe to all retail sights and your still subjected to it.