“When things aren’t adding up in life, start subtracting.” —Anon
Minimalism is based on a very important premise: Our lives and our resources are limited—so how we spend them matters.
If we had unlimited time, money, and energy, minimalism would be less necessary because we could do everything.
But we do not have unlimited time, money, and energy. When we spend those resources on things that don’t matter (excess physical possessions for example), they are wasted and we can never get them back.
That monthly bill you’ve been paying on your storage unit? Money gone forever. That Saturday you spent organizing your garage (again)? Time gone forever. Those hours you spent shopping online for yet another pair of pants or shoes? Energy you can never regain.
Possessions are needed for life, of course. But excess possessions quickly become a distraction. We are promised by marketers that our next purchase will make us happier, but their promises rarely come true.
Rather than bringing happiness into life, possessions often distract us from it.
That is my story. I discovered minimalism on a Saturday morning while cleaning out my garage. My son was 6 and asking me to play catch with him (as any 5-year-old boy would do). But I couldn’t play catch… because I had to clean out the garage that was full of junk.
After hours of working on my garage, and during a brief complaint session with my neighbor, she responded by introducing me to minimalism—a lifestyle that her daughter was trying to live out.
I remember looking at the pile of possessions in my driveway—dusty old things I’d spent all day cleaning and organizing. While looking at the pile, out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of my son swinging alone on the swing set in the backyard. And suddenly I realized, my possessions were not making me happy. But even worse, they were distracting me from the very thing that did bring me happiness.
I had wasted my time and my energy on things that didn’t matter. As a result, I missed spending time and energy on the things that do.
We live in a world where the default thinking is, “If my life isn’t adding up, I just need to find what’s missing and add it.”
So we continue shopping and buying things: more decorations, different furniture, trendier fashion, bigger televisions, a remodeled kitchen, or novelties that promise to bring convenience into our life. All the while thinking, this next purchase will satisfy my discontent.
If we’re not adding possessions to our home, we’re scheming to add wealth to our pocketbook. We add more hours at work, chase a different position, start a side hustle, or read books about getting rich quick. We think, all too often, more money will make us happier. But it rarely does.
If we’re not adding possessions or money to our life, maybe it’s commitments. We enroll our kids in activity after activity hoping their success will shine a brighter light on us. Or we become people-pleasers agreeing to do everything asked of us at the school, in our community, or in our religious circles. We think more activity and accolades will make us happy and more fulfilled, but usually we just end up burnt out.
I hate to continue, but I probably should. Another thing we often add to our lives believing it will bring happiness are vices of every kind. Alcohol, sex, substances, television, sugar, social media, just to name a few. These vices that we believe will calm our stress or improve our day (and may perhaps do that in moderation) soon become controlling forces in our lives that rob us of money, time, energy, and self-control.
Indeed, our culture’s approach to making the most of our lives is to constantly add more and more to it.
Into that world, minimalism speaks. And it reminds us:
Maybe you don’t need more things in your life, maybe you need different things in your life.
Maybe the key to more fulfillment, meaning, and happiness is not found at a department store. Maybe it’s found at your local donation center as you remove the burden of unneeded possessions from your home and free yourself to focus on things that matter.
Maybe the key is not adding more commitments to your schedule, maybe the missing step is cutting back and finding more quiet evenings around the dinner table together as a family.
Maybe the key is not in adding more and more money to your bank account, maybe the key is simplifying your lifestyle so you can live on less.
Just to clear up any confusion, I’m not implying that there are never important seasons in life to be adding opportunities (or even possessions). What I’m saying is that if you’ve been adding and adding to your life thinking you’re going to find greater happiness, maybe there is a different approach that you haven’t considered.
Maybe you don’t need more things in your life. Maybe you need different things.
Ann Schnitker says
I’m a 75 yr old woman! This was and is my one New Years Resolution! To become a Minimalist! So far so good! It feels really good to not be buying “stuff” all the time, on-line and off! Cleaning out drawers and cabinets, asking myself, how many of these items to I truly need! Amazing what you accumulate and don’t USE! Thank you for your posts!
Dianne says
Awesome!!!
Your posts are always inspiring and our lives are better because of you. Thank you Joshua
Lisa says
Thank you, Joshua, for another great post! Your work is inspiring!
Carol says
As we are downsizing and purging belongings in preparation to trainsition from a traditional home to full time camper van life I’m continually amazed and overjoyed at how freeing it is to let go, declutter, and get rid of excess. There are very few physical things that are as meaningful as I assumed they would be.
Missy says
“Alcohol, sex, substances, television, sugar, social media, just to name a few. These vices that we believe will calm our stress or improve our day (and may perhaps do that in moderation) soon become controlling forces in our lives that rob us of money, time, energy, and self-control.” Can you please explain why sex is considered a “vice” to you? Do you have a personal experience with sex addiction? Do you see it as a pervasive issue in our society? If not, perhaps you should consider choosing your words more carefully. To refer to sex as a vice (definition: immoral or wicked behavior), is irresponsible especially in today’s society where there is so much shame surrounding sex. How committed couples choose to spend their intimate time has nothing to do with minimalism.
LookUp says
I’m pretty sure he meant exactly what the word vice defines. Constant sexual gratification without moral responsibility. Period. There are far too many ways for endless sexual escapades to damage everyone. And I do mean everyone.
joshua becker says
A vice is a “bad or unhealthy habit.” Sex can, unfortunately, fall into that category for many people.
Missy says
Do you have research to back that up? Your view that sex is a “bad or unhealthy habit for many people”? I know that sex addiction exists and is incredibly damaging. But is that what you are talking about? Sex addiction? Or are you talking about promiscuity? I guess I would like to know what led you to add sex to your list of “vices” such as alcohol and sugar? Sex can be such a wonderful and healthy thing. I don’t think sex is such a rampant problem that it needs to exist in a list of “bad or unhealthy habits.” I guess my suggestion to you is to be responsible with how you speak to a large audience about these sensitive subjects. What works for you may not work for others. There do not seem to be enough disclaimers about that. I appreciate your suggestions about minimalism but do not appreciate your preaching about morals.
joshua becker says
You want research that sex can become a “controlling force in our lives that robs us of money, time, energy, and self-control?” That’s not hard to find Missy.
“Sex addiction may affect 10 percent of men. Women make up 40 percent of those affected.” Source
Is that enough people affected to change your view on whether or not it should be included on this list?
Missy, I’m happy to mention that not all sex is bad. I just don’t think anyone is arguing that it is.
Missy says
Joshua, thank you for your article which states that the notion of sex addiction is “definitely controversial” and that “the scientific community debates whether such a problem even exists.” It is not a diagnosable condition in the DSM-V and in my opinion, does not constitute “enough people” to change my view about why it *should* be included on your list of “bad or unhealthy habits.” Good thing we have our own opinions and that you are not in charge of my morals.
joshua becker says
Missy, thanks for the feedback. It’s fine with me if not everyone agrees with my thoughts. I thought you were genuinely interested in why I chose to include it in my list.
LL says
I’m all in for sex! It’s super healthy and amazing, and I am happy that people have their own opinions and morals.
But I don’t think you need to be addicted to sex, or drugs in order to “use” them in a damaging way. I’m far from a prude, and do not judge any consensual sexual acts as good or bad (neither do I think Joshua does?). To me it’s a matter of people using it as an escape, a distraction. Shopping and even cleaning can fall into the same category. Neither is bad, but both can be used in a harmful way.
Not preaching either, just thought I’d add my 2 cents =)
M says
Contentment has it’s place, getting there can be a struggle. I started by being thankful for what I did have. I never purchased a piece of furniture that could not be used in other areas of the home for a different purpose. (this does exclude the bed) If you don’t need it, don’t bring it home. Go for comfort and need and occasionally joy.
jill says
I think the point Joshua was making abt sex etc was that we can over indulge in many things not just aquiring possessions and act in an addictive way. We shouldn’t replace our shopping behaviors with other dysfunctional behaviors.
And he is right. We shouldn’t be addicted to any of them. Eating is something that is healthy for us unless we do it in an addictive way. Same for sex. It is healthy unless it becomes an addiction.
Jen Rao says
I love the clarification you add at the end, Joshua. Minimalism isn’t about having nothing, it’s about loving what you have. Thanks for a great article!
Beth says
I completely agree, Jen!
Avery says
This is spectacular. Thank you Joshua. ?
Jo says
I have learned to be content. This has been a journey for me. I was not raised wealthy, yet my mother modeled contentment. I longed for “things” in my young adult life. I’m 56 now. I get it. Contentment is not “settling”, it is peace. I enjoy the freedom and peace that contentment brings. Thanks for helping so many reach a healthier life.
Steph says
“Maybe you don’t need more things in your life, maybe you need different things in your life.”
This is such a great thing to think about! I’m definitely going to be giving it a once over and how I can apply this to my life.
Thank you for this post!
XO Steph