The world shouts consumerism and consumption from every rooftop, billboard, and television. Minimalism quietly invites us to intentionality.
The world tells us to buy more. Minimalism invites us to pursue less.
The world attempts to “impress” more. Minimalism invites us to “live” more.
Minimalism is, in many ways, an invitation. It is not forced. It is not mandated. It is not mainstream. Nor is it extreme. But it is willing to embrace all.
The invitation is heard as a quiet whisper (though I am thankful for the increasing number of voices online amplifying it). Unfortunately, in a world that spends billions of advertising dollars seeking our attention, a quiet whisper can be difficult to hear.
But stop, listen. It is there. It is calling for you.
And why shouldn’t it? It has so much to offer.
Minimalism is an invitation to less stress. A minimalist life removes the clutter from our lives that heaps stress upon us. It embraces cleaner rooms, cleaner surfaces, and cleaner schedules. And in doing so, it embraces less uncertainty.
Minimalism is an invitation to less debt. Minimalism refuses to consume beyond our means. It has chosen to forgo keeping up with the “Joneses.” Instead, it seeks contentment. Minimalists around the world have paid off thousands of dollars in debt by embracing a new lifestyle. So can you.
Minimalism is an invitation to more time. Material possessions drain a countless amount of our time (purchasing, cleaning, maintaining, organizing, and rearranging). Minimalism recaptures that valuable time for our lives.
Minimalism is an invitation to freedom. Possessions hold us back and weigh us down. They keep us tied to the past rather than moving forward. Minimalism has removed unneeded possessions and found newfound freedom in life. And there are no limits to what you can accomplish with this new freedom.
Minimalism is an invitation to value life. At its core, minimalism is about identifying and embracing our individual values. It refuses to allow culture or corporations to shape our hearts’ desires. It has identified what is most valuable in life and has removed everything that distracts us from it. And life has been reclaimed.
Of course, receiving an invitation is one thing. Attending the party is something completely different.
The invitations have been sent. The door is wide open. And the party is amazing! Won’t you join us?
Carol says
I feel calm just reading your words. I used to be an organizationalist but thanks to you, I’ve become a minimalist. I knew I was at “the party” when I let go of my wedding dress, sterling silver, china and wedding rings!!! No regrets.
Cathy says
What a beautifully written invitation. I could feel the peace and grace flowing from it. I’ve been on board with minimalism and love it.
The beauty is how minimalism looks for each person.
nana says
Sooo Freeing.Who needs all the baggage.Jesus didn”t.I don’t either. Thank you, Joshua for helping show the way
Valerie says
Agreed! Thwarting the material world for the spiritual life is a basic tenet of all religion.
Ola says
I’ve been at the party for 2 years now, and it has changed my life. It’s great when things are great… when something goes wrong there’s a lot less to hide behind. I’m currently experiencing vulnerability that’s new to me and need to be OK feeling uncomfortable.
I know no thing would make it better.
Suzanne says
This is one of my favorite post! I’m working towards my minimalist life. Thank you for this.
Martha Miller says
I love everything about this post! When the cat caused the full-length mirror in my bedroom to fall and break, I didn’t worry about 7 years of bad luck; I thought, “Great, now I have open space in this corner!”
Keep the uplifting posts coming!
Judy says
Count me in!!! :)
Janet & Tom says
My husband and I have taken bags& boxes of not needed stuff and donated it . We realized it’s very freeing to not have a lot of stuff.Our goal is to live in a very small house when he retires in a few years . We love minimalism !
Uta Higgs says
Thank you SO much for all the inspiration – there is no turning back once the discovery of minimalism has been made!
Martin says
Thanks a lot for this invitation! I’m on my way to come around – and I try to convince my wife to come with me, to join that party. But you all know that: “I don’t know what to wear! Can’t find my shoes! But what if I don’t like that party? It’s such a long way, man!” – and so she’s stuck in her old habits of “have” and “keep” and “more”…
Okay folks, I’m on my way. See you soon – with or without her!
All the best from good old Germany… *haha*
Martin
Kwita says
Wir sind auch dabei, you are not alone! Grüße aus Frankfurt!
Christine says
Und ich auch! Schon seit 14 Jahren! Es wird immer besser! Grüße aus Bonn