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Becoming Minimalist

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

Not What We Possess, But What We Pursue

Written by joshua becker · 33 Comments

what-we-pursue

“We become that which we love.” ― Saint Bridget

For too long, society has defined the good life in terms of physical possessions. We have been told happiness is found in big houses, new cars, fashionable clothing, and full closets. As a result, we spend much of our lives pursuing possessions seeking this promised happiness in them.

But fullness of life is not found in the things we possess. Consider for just a moment the foolishness of defining the good life in terms of physical possessions:

Possessions often ebb and flow. As recent years have proven, financial success is often at the mercy of a national economy and increasingly, a world economy. When the economy takes a downturn (as it always does), so must the good life.

Possessions are often arbitrary. Not always, but often, the amount of possessions we own is a product of our environment. Those who grow up in a first-world country have a greater advantage than those who grow up in a third-world country. Even within those individual countries, some will inherit large sums of money and personal goods from their parents, others will not. Either way, using such an arbitrary system to define the potential for happiness is unwise on almost every level.

Possessions never satisfy our greatest needs. Possessions never fully satisfy the inmost desires of our soul. They never have. And they are not about to start. In fact, most of the time, they distract us from the very things that do bring our lives fulfillment.

Possessions are never enough. I have met people with more physical possessions than they could ever need and yet, they still desire more. Those who define the good life in terms of wealth and possessions will never find it. You can never find enough happiness in things that were never designed to provide it.

But our lives are not defined by the things we possess, our lives are defined by the things we pursue.

It is not our possessions, but our pursuits that bring definition to our lives. Consider the reality that what we desire most influences nearly everything about us: how we spend our money, our time, our energy. It provides motivation for our day. It dominates our thinking. It defines our view of success.

This is good news. No matter the current circumstances of our lives, we can choose to pursue anything we desire. We can define our lives by our decisions each morning. And those who choose to pursue things of lasting value and significance can find lasting fulfillment and purpose regardless of how much they possess.

So, by all means possible, choose your pursuits wisely. Pursue beauty, faith, hope, love, justice, significance, and contribution. Pursue opportunity to improve this world for somebody else. And realize again our lives are too valuable to waste chasing possessions.

Image: marcelometal

Comments

  1. Fawn says

    July 17, 2016 at 3:00 PM

    Once again, thanks. Your blog posts keep me on track.

    Reply
  2. Brenda Maldonado says

    July 17, 2016 at 6:58 AM

    Thank you, great to read this! My husband and I just downsized our home and purged stuff we just didn’t need. It was a great feeling! It is already allowing me to pursue the volunteer humanitarian work that I love. I am writing this from Zambia where I am training local nurses how to resuscitate newborns. Life is about doing what we love and making the world a better place, not maintaining and organizing our pilesof accumulated stuff! Always nice to find those that share the same values.

    Reply
  3. JessJess says

    April 19, 2016 at 7:30 AM

    Thank you. I needed this today. It is so easy for me to get discouraged. I choose to live this life, but trying to spread the wonder to others can fall on deaf ears, and it saddends me because I want every one to feel this joy. Keep it up! You are doing such good for so many.

    Reply
  4. Susan says

    March 31, 2015 at 5:53 PM

    I am not one to comment much but read the posts often. This really hit home for me today!! Thank you!
    We have a main home but are closing on a piece of property for our vacations/retirement home (somewhere to put our camper for now and build in a few years). I caught myself in the last few days thinking about how big a home we are going to be able to afford to build on this new property!???! And….for the first time in my life I stopped and asked myself…why? We only need so much space and the rest would be a waste. I think my minimalist journey is farther along than I realized and it is really sinking in!!
    We are buying this land in the country/woods to get away and unplug and not waste money to put our camper on commercial land where in the end all we will have done is waste the money and fish in someone else’s lake. This way we will be paying the money and own something in the end. It will serve us as a vacation/get away spot now and a place to retire in 20 years.

    I want to thank Joshua for the posts he creates and this website. I come from a family of hoarders. Never thought it would be possible to come even close to minimalist living…but, realize more now than ever that it is the journey that is important. The end result can be wherever that journey takes you. The way my thinking has changed…I truly understand the idea of quality over quantity and cannot wait for the rest of the journey!

    Reply
    • William says

      August 28, 2015 at 6:31 PM

      A lot of thanks to you, Joshua.

      The reason why we have so much poverty in this world is because of how our universities have long being teaching greedness and unknownlies.

      The human mind is always ready to absorb whatever is repeated to it well enough.

      And The Univerty is the first home repeatitions. That is why it works like magic.
      I am very sure the world is getting tired of it. Thanks to the great powers of internet. It will complelete;y die soon. No longer relevant.

      What we need today is real BakingandSharingPlathforms just like Christ’s many years. Feeding thousands with far less goods and efforts.

      Reply
  5. Nancy says

    September 26, 2014 at 7:14 AM

    My eye opener was when I cleaned out my home after 35 years to move to Myrtle Beach, SC from CT. I was mortified when I saw everything piled in the garage for a tag sale. Clothes with tags still on them, duplicates of things (probably bought because I forgot I had one or couldn’t find it). Shoes in boxes, jewlery, clothes that I bought because they were “on sale” and were one size too small, but “I will fit into them”. I now live in a one bedroom condo, there is one closet for my husband and I. I do not shop for things I do not need, I still have “stuff” though but am learning that I don’t use half of what is here. Our stuff has been in storage for 2 years, never have returned to get anything out of it. So cold turkey was not that hard for me. If I don’t need it, I don’t buy it even if it is 75% off. Although I do like buying things for my son and grandchildren. I put heart into my gifts now. I now longer send checks. I have found it more exciting to find a gem for someone else.

    Reply
  6. Alana says

    September 26, 2014 at 6:12 AM

    So spot on.
    My viewpoints on life and happiness changes dramatically after caring for my terminally ill mother and seeing her through her death followed by my husband being diagnosed a year later with a fast progressing neurological disease. Life turned upside down and I ha to take a hard look at my priorities and focus in life. Daily I am thankful for everything I have and am content for the most part. I’m learning to live more in the now rather than worry about the future. What is truly important are the things you have listed.
    Thank you

    Reply
  7. Dina says

    June 20, 2014 at 9:47 AM

    I LOVE this post and the quote really hit home!

    I’ve been reading and enjoying your posts. I’m not one to comment on posts, but I couldn’t let this one go.

    Thank you, Joshua, for being a generous and positive contributor to this world.

    Reply
  8. Subbalakshmi Kumar says

    June 20, 2014 at 6:50 AM

    Brilliant post! Have been decluttering and redefining my life slowly but surely for the past three years. Because it was very slow and gradual, it seems as though not much has changed. But looking back 3 years I’ve actually come a long long way. Posts of like-minded people like you, Leo (Zen Habits) and Marla (Fly Lady) have inspired me hugely. Thanks a ton!

    Reply
  9. Steven Blake mba says

    March 3, 2014 at 3:21 PM

    Very relevant to me. This week I realised I owned absolutely nothing that is irreplaceable or that has any hold on me. It’s a great feeling of freedom! Thanks for another great posting.

    Reply
  10. Jo@simplybeingmum says

    August 28, 2013 at 12:59 AM

    I’d also add…
    Our lives are too valuable to spend time managing possessions

    Reply
  11. Kim says

    May 3, 2013 at 4:27 AM

    Loved this!

    Reply
  12. Rosalie says

    May 2, 2013 at 12:59 PM

    Love your post!very inspiring!
    I try each day to declutter my life…thanks for your help!
    Continue..
    A french reader

    Reply
  13. David J. Singer says

    May 1, 2013 at 7:58 AM

    I was happy when I had less. I was happy when I had more. I am happy now.

    Great post. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Donna says

      January 9, 2015 at 8:05 PM

      Amen. I have been rich and I have been poor and what really mattered was who I was with.

      Reply
  14. Mike@WeOnlyDoThisOnce says

    April 30, 2013 at 8:04 PM

    Great read, especially for those who view the two as interchangeable.

    Reply
  15. Sandra Pawula says

    April 30, 2013 at 5:17 PM

    I love the contrast between possessions and pursuit in this post. I agree fully, I would much prefer to have a meaningful pursuit than possessions, which drain your pocketbook and take away your precious time.

    Reply
  16. tVM says

    April 30, 2013 at 3:58 PM

    Thomas Merton echoed the same statement you attribute to Saint Bridget. As well, the opening line to the “Dhammapada” attributed to Buddha are “We are what we think.” I believe we are defined by our relationship with God. If understanding that relationship is what we pursue, then our pursuit defines us in a special way.

    Reply
  17. TB at BlueCollarWorkman says

    April 30, 2013 at 1:42 PM

    Right on, man, right on. I remember people and fun I have shootin’ the sh!t with them more than any stuff I had at the time.

    Reply
  18. BrownVagabonder says

    April 30, 2013 at 11:05 AM

    Its interesting to me that I know intuitively that more possessions will not make me happy, but I always fall prey to the media. I see something that in my opinion complete my wardrobe and I really, really want it. Even though I have a billion items in my wardrobe already. This applies to every other part of my life. I have a lot of stuff, as everyone does in the Western world, but I still want more. I see an advertisement and I fall prey. My self-control only goes so far. I guess, it is a work in progress, that will go on forever, more so as Advertising gets more and more pervasive in our lives. Do not let them get into your head! Resist the urge to increase the stuff in your life. :)

    Reply
    • everlearning says

      May 1, 2013 at 10:23 AM

      First, to Joshua Becker: Fabulous post and thank you as always!

      Second, to ‘BrownVagabonder’: I admire that you are so honest about where you are in life and your weakness for materialism and you continue to read these posts. You get it and it seems to me you are trying to pursue it as you struggle with it. Learning is one of the best parts of life and I encourage you not to give up and to continue to recognize what you’re up against and try your best to fight it. Yes, the advertising and the materialistic lifestyles will always be there, but YOU can change! We all can! I don’t think it’s easy for anyone, but it does get easier. You’re open and you are clearly aware of your weakness and that you want to change. That is often half the battle. Hang in there! We’re all trying!

      Reply
  19. Mr. Everyday Dollar says

    April 30, 2013 at 9:45 AM

    “The amount of possessions we own is a product of our environment.”

    And that’s why 3% of the world’s children live in the US and the US consumes 40% of the world’s toys.

    Reply
    • Laura says

      February 10, 2017 at 8:45 PM

      That’s a sickening thought!

      Reply
  20. Karen @Journey towards simplicity says

    April 30, 2013 at 8:27 AM

    Yes, the simple truth… “our lives are not defined by the things we possess, our lives are defined by the things we pursue.” This message is so clear to me yet I see others wrinkle up their noses and offer odd looks- they just don’t get it- the brainwash of consumerism still has quite a hold on so many…

    Reply
  21. Angela says

    April 30, 2013 at 7:48 AM

    Great post – love the quote!

    Reply
  22. Vincent Nguyen says

    April 30, 2013 at 7:09 AM

    Stoicism makes a pretty good case against the desire to own more possessions. They combat this “hedonic treadmill” by consciously wanting what they already have. In other words, they practice extreme gratitude.

    It’s sort of interesting to hear that lottery winners are only happier for a short amount of time before baselining to their original level of happiness. That says a lot about the way we are wired to only want more and more. There’s no amount that will make us truly happy until we make a mindset change.

    Reply
    • Ellen says

      March 3, 2014 at 9:52 PM

      Francis Schaeffer once pointed out that all the things we value today will be in the city dump tomorrow. (“How Should We Then Live” I believe)

      Reply
      • Ellen says

        March 3, 2014 at 9:54 PM

        Sorry – I put that in the wrong place. :-)

        Reply
  23. Sue Toumazou says

    April 30, 2013 at 7:05 AM

    AMEN!

    Reply
  24. Shannah Pace says

    April 30, 2013 at 6:47 AM

    Love this post. Very spot-on for our life.

    Reply
    • Kathy K says

      September 29, 2014 at 9:29 AM

      Thanks for this article. Have always known this to be true, but succumbed 12 years ago to the conventional wisdom that I must become a homeowner. Loved my modest little house, but home ownership caused my entire life to change. After almost a year of being unemployed, I recently realized that I had spent those years living to pay the mortgage and not living my life and pursuing the things I’d always pursued before. An avid lover of travel, I had taken exactly one out-of-country trip — to Vancouver, where a friend had generously loaned his apartment for a week — in those 12 years. Within a week of this shocking epiphany, I put my house on the market and now have a contract pending. I am working each day to organize, pack, donate, divest myself of about half of what I have accumulated by the time I have to be out of the house. Don’t know exactly what the next step — or the next after that — is, but I’m already happier and closer to being true to who I was before — and will be again.

      Reply
      • Laura says

        February 10, 2017 at 8:44 PM

        That’s awesome! Enjoy your next adventures <3

        Reply
    • Melissa Rodriguez says

      January 14, 2016 at 10:56 PM

      I love your posts! I am inspired and making changes in 2016 to achieve a minimalist life style. I’ve barely begun and I FEEL different! Please keep them coming!

      Reply

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