On August 13, 2009, Becoming Minimalist caught a break. Unannounced to me, a blog with over 200,000 subscribers linked to this site. It brought countless new readers to this site and continues to drive traffic here even now. In many ways, it put Becoming Minimalist “on the minimalist living map.” And when people ask me how this blog has grown so quickly, I always reference that date and that link as a milestone in this blog’s growth.
Since that time, I have tried to use this platform to help other blogs increase their readership.
I am really quite excited about the current state and future of simplicity-focused blogs on the Internet.
Every couple years or so, it seems like a fresh wave of minimalist bloggers begins to appear on the scene. If you haven’t noticed, we’re in one right now.
Each writer offers a unique stage of life with unique circumstances and experiences. As a result, each one is able to connect with a different reader or segment of the population. And I think that’s great.
If you are looking for new inspiration, there is no doubt you will find someone on this list below whose voice resonates deeply with yours. I am confident each author would welcome the opportunity to connect with like-minded readers.
Break the Twitch | Anthony Ongaro. Anthony is the Marketing Director for the bike share program in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Nice Ride. He writes about observing the way we live, experimenting with our habits, and then changing to better suit our needs. He is creative and genuine. And his video posts are a welcome change of pace.
Smallish Blog | Evelyn Rennich. Evelyn and her family of six live happily in a small-ish house. She writes about their attempts to live modestly, frugally, and green. Evelyn shares beautiful details about her experience and how others can find inspiration through them.
No Sidebar | Brian Gardner. I met Brian several years ago through the introduction of a mutual friend and quickly found we have countless things in common. Since then, we’ve become good friends and he has helped me in immeasurable ways. Brian has assembled a talented team of writers for his No Sidebar Project, a collection of articles on minimalism, productivity and simple living.
Melissa Camara Wilkins | Melissa Camara Wilkins. I needed to read about 2-3 paragraphs of Melissa’s writing to fall in love. Her writing is encouraging and gentle and uplifting—but filled with powerful truth. She and her husband are raising their six kids in a beach town in Southern California. She writes about defining your unique life and living it with purpose.
Minimal Millennial | Emily Torres. Emily recognizes that many people in her generation (and outside her generation) are dealing with debt, cluttered homes, unhealthy relationships, stressful jobs, or even just trying to figure out how to “grow up” in this ever-changing world. She writes for seekers of happiness, simplicity, health, and well-being.
Jacob Jolibois | Jacob Jolibois. As a side-note, it was Jacob’s blog that inspired this post. I already knew many of the other blogs on this list when I ran into Jacob’s. His well-designed site and helpful approach to blog posts caused me to reflect further on the current state of simplicity-focused writing. Go check it out and make room for more meaning in your life.
Frugaling | Sam Lustgarten. Sam has been blogging for just over two years on the act and art of maximizing your budget and minimizing costs. I’m a big fan of Sam. I appreciate the voice he is bringing to the personal finance world—that financial success is not just about finding more income, sometimes it is found in redefining the life we live.
Blonde on a Budget | Cait Flanders. After paying off $30,000 of debt, Cait adopted a more minimalist lifestyle, tossed 70% of her stuff and is currently in the middle of a two-year shopping ban. Her blog is actually a bit older than two years, but I still thought it deserved mention. She’s funny, sharp, thoughtful, and lives in Canada (how could it get any better?).
Simple… Not Plain | Janie Baran. What I appreciate about Janie is that her posts contain detailed thoughts on implementing minimalism. She has written about her own personal routine in wardrobe, beauty, laundry, and decluttering. Her writing is not merely inspiration, but also instruction. Whether a reader implements everything she writes or not, just hearing how somebody else incorporates these principles is helpful.
These lists are hard. And even though I spend a considerable amount of time finding simple living-focused writing online, I admit my scope is limited. Almost without a doubt I have missed blogs that should be included in the list above.
Use the comment section to spread the word about even more new blogs focused on simplicity or minimalism. It can be yours or someone else’s. Include the blog name, one link, and a 2-3 sentence description. Thanks.
Claire says
Can’t let an opportunity like this go by without throwing my blog into the mix! Come and check out http://www.wantless.co.uk where I’m chronicling my attempts to chuck out my stuff, pare down my spending and simplify my frantic life to get myself out of a huge pile of debt, stress and hassle.
Kariane says
I love this list. Some of these wonderful blogs I’ve encountered, and others are new to me. I’m excited to hear more of these voices.
I blog over at simple, green living and healthy eating over at EverydayMindfulLiving.com
Dianna says
I find so much of what you share so helpful.
But…
I am at such a different point in life than you and your target audience. I have a home far larger than we need, but I don’t have a mortgage. I have 60 years of living and the stuff that accumulates from its hat, 36 years of marriage, raising a family and grandchildren. As I have been trying to get rid of things that need to be dusted that I don’t feel much attachment to anymore, I have people tell me how much my grandchildren will love and appreciate that because they love it now but are too little to have it now.
It seems almost impossible to declutter, to figure out how to live a minimalist lifestyle when you are old and have space for the stuff. Maybe I should just box it, store it out of site and let them figure it out when I’m gone or go to a home. At least I won’t have to dust it. :-)
Thanks for making life easier in so many ways. Even if all I do is reduce my attachment to the thoughts that have been weighing me down.
Claire says
This comment really touched me. Thanks for sharing. My grandmother’s in her eighties and although I’m sure she wouldn’t put a label on it, she’s never been one to hang onto possessions and has a very simple home. It never once crossed my mind to worry about what she might or might not leave when she’s gone. I’d much rather enjoy her company now.
Ethan Bridges says
Awesome list, Joshua!
I must admit I’m pretty new with minimalism. I gotta say I love the community as much as the lessons on simple living.
Thank you!
Grace says
I look forward to reading these over the weekend. I’m also looking for new inspiration.
Jo says
Hi Joshua, I am a big fan of your blog and your articles have really helped me start on the road toward a minimalist lifestyle. I am still a work-in-progress but I have noticed a big difference in myself and my life :)
Since you asked for a little self-promotion I hope you don’t mind if I put in a little something about an app I am working on called Flock2go. You could say it’s minimalist-inspired because it is helps you get less stuff in your news feed, rather than more.
I have a news feed on there called “Green Minimalism” where I post/share many of your links and some other great ones I have found online. If you are interested, have a look.
And thanks again for all the new blog-inspiration :)
Jo says
Sorry, if you are wondering the website is http://www.flock2go.com :)
Erin Ulrich says
This list is fabulous! Thanks so much for compiling it. It’s fun to see a few of my favorites, along with some new reads.
Susan Vogt says
At the risk of adding TMI to an already wonderful list of blogs, I offer my own: Living Lightly. It started with giving away stuff during Lent 5 years ago and has expanded beyond physical things to intangibles like letting go of time, money, memories, relationships, information, and feeling smug. I’ve also featured dimensions such as eating on a Food Stamp budget, reducing waste, cleaning a drawer a day, and buying nothing for 6 weeks. It’s not extreme but it’s a start.
Susan Vogt says
Whoops. Forgot the URL. It’s http://www.susanvogt.net/blog/
Edwin van Dongen says
Let’s also mention one of the most badass blogs around.
http://www.mrmoneymustache.com :)
Maureen@ADebtFreeStressFreeLife says
I read several of the blogs you mentioned and since you said it was ok, I’ll self promote.
After abusing credit cards and racking up over 50K in debt, I’m finally debt free. I write about getting out of debt, saving money, and learning to live contently with less. I explore how detrimental it is to your self-worth when you focus solely on what you want and how you’re going to get it.
Hope some of your readers will visit my blog at http://adebtfreestressfreelife.com
Sam @ Frugaling.org says
Wow! It’s incredible to be a part of this list. Thank you so much for including me. Always blown away to be with such great company. These are some fantastic, inspirational writers. :)