Becoming Minimalist

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

The 10 Most Important Things to Simplify in Your Life

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Based on our personal journey, our conversations, and our observations, here is a list of the 10 most important things to simplify in your life today.

“Purity and simplicity are the two wings with which man soars above the earth and all temporary nature.” —Thomas à Kempis

Simplicity brings balance, freedom, and joy. When we begin to live simply and experience these benefits, we begin to ask the next question, “Where else in my life can i remove distraction and simply focus on the essential?”

Based on our personal journey, our conversations, and our observations, here is a list of the 10 most important things to simplify in your life today to begin living a more balanced, joyful lifestyle:

1. Your Possessions – Too many material possessions complicate our lives to a greater degree than we ever give them credit. They drain our bank account, our energy, and our attention. They keep us from the ones we love and from living a life based on our values. If you will invest the time to remove nonessential possessions from your life, you will never regret it. For more inspiration, consider Simplify: 7 Guiding Principles to Help Anyone Declutter Their Home and Life.

2. Your Time Commitments – Most of us have filled our days full from beginning to end with time commitments: work, home, kid’s activities, community events, religious endeavors, hobbies… the list goes on. When possible, release yourself from the time commitments that are not in line with your greatest values.

3. Your Goals – Reduce the number of goals you are intentionally striving for in your life to one or two. By reducing the number of goals that you are striving to accomplish, you will improve your focus and your success rate. Make a list of the things that you want to accomplish in your life and choose the two most important. When you finish one, add another from your list.

4. Your Negative Thoughts – Most negative emotions are completely useless. Resentment, bitterness, hate, and jealousy have never improved the quality of life for a single human being. Take responsibility for your mind. Forgive past hurts and replace negative thoughts with positive ones.

5. Your Debt – If debt is holding you captive, reduce it. Start today. Do what you’ve got to do to get out from under its weight. Find the help that you need. Sacrifice luxury today to enjoy freedom tomorrow.

6. Your Words – Use fewer words. Keep your speech plain and honest. Mean what you say. Avoid gossip.

7. Your Artificial Ingredients – Avoid trans fats, refined grain (white bread), high-fructose corn syrup, and too much sodium. Minimizing these ingredients will improve your energy level in the short-term and your health in the long-term. Also, as much as possible, reduce your consumption of over-the-counter medicine – allow your body to heal itself naturally as opposed to building a dependency on substances.

8. Your Screen Time – Focusing your attention on television, movies, video games, and technology affects your life more than you think. Media rearranges your values. It begins to dominate your life. And it has a profound impact on your attitude and outlook. Unfortunately, when you live in that world on a consistent basis, you don’t even notice how it is impacting you. The only way to fully appreciate its influence in your life is to turn them off.

9. Your Connections to the World – Relationships with others are good, but constant streams of distraction are bad. Learn when to power off the blackberry, log off Facebook, or not read a text. Focus on the important, not the urgent. A steady flow of distractions from other people may make us feel important, needed, or wanted, but feeling important and accomplishing importance are completely different things.

10. Your Multi-Tasking – Research indicates that multi-tasking increases stress and lowers productivity. While single-tasking is becoming a lost art, learn it. Handle one task at a time. Do it well. And when it is complete, move to the next.

Joshua Becker

About Joshua Becker

Writer. Inspiring others to live more by owning less.
WSJ Bestselling author of The More of Less.

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Comments

  1. Amen! I am so thankful to have found your family’s story and blog. What you are saying affirms what I have been thinking and feeling for some time. I needed this affirmation as I often question my thinking and can begin to waver when I am faced with the outside world and its opposite opinions. I have yet to find a friend who understands where I am coming from or who can relate with me on this. Reading your articles makes me feel known, not alone, and reaffirmed in my convictions and I am oh so grateful. Thank you. I will continue to fight the good fight and seek to establish a minimal home and lifestyle for my family.

  2. It’s all good except for the suggestions to like on Facebook and Twitter. Those two “places” detract and subtract from every point made.

  4. sacrifice luxury to enjoy freedom tomorrow, really wise words and also goes to dose still owing debt, find the help you need and relieve your self from the captiviy of debt

  6. I started my journey towards simpler living over a year ago after I realized not missing possession that I put away in a storage facility for months. “Why am I paying someone to keep things that I don’t even remember needing?” and with that, I began downsizing. Of course, it goes beyond living with less stuff as your article indicates. It has been an oddly liberating feeling and it has slowly changed my perspective on many other areas of life. Enjoy your blog and will be visiting it more often.

  7. in addition to these 10 things, by far the best thing one can do for themselves, the plant and the animals is to stop purchasing products of violence, cruelty and death by living vegan.

  8. I’m relatively new at this and still purging my possessions. I’m really enjoying the freedom, little by little. Question: What do I do with those cherish items that have been handed down from past generations or the items from my childhood? Any tips/advice appreciated. Thanks so much!

  9. I’m glad to see that eliminating debt made this list. The presence of debt, particularly consumer debt, is indicative of needless spending and accumulation of objects.

  10. Great article and amazing initiative. Lowering our expectations, desires and possessions is a key to not only happiness, but also to harmony on Earth… Once we understand we need less, we stop being blind to those fellows who need more–since they do not have anything. I support your blog and wish you good luck!

  11. Hi,
    Negative emotions are not bad. They guide me in life so I can take actions to correct course. They are indicators, signals I can and must use

    What is bad about negative emotions is if I keep with them.

    I just discovered you site and enjoy it very much ! Just sayin’

    JF

  12. truly i was before like saul mentioned in the bible who had his first encounter with God on the way to Damascus, he was an avowed enemy of the lord Jesus christ. however, after the experience on the way to Damascus he became a different person. He was commissioned and he started preaching the same gospel he had persecuted. Before i was a servant or slave of the law, culture and tradition to facbook but after reading this informations i was totally turned off, i log in nomore.thank you mr Joshua Becker.

  13. I am telling you the true right now, If my Girlfriend is willing to agree with this Article I will propose to her next month, Because she’s not living in the real world thank you so much. J.B

  14. Every possession we own represents a small commitment of time. We have been going through, item by item, and asking if that item is really earning it’s keep. Is it being used enough to earn a spot in our home. All the slackers have to go. Because with 7 people in 1600sf, we don’t have space for things that we don’t use.

    • Right on! I want to come to your home…..you sound like the essence of organization!

      After a 2 week trip, living out of our carry on luggage in hotel rooms, and then coming home to a big crowded house, it hit me just how unnecessary so much of this stuff is. Back in the hotel, there was no maintenance, no to-do lists and no visual clutter…..no wonder I felt relaxed! Why not make everyday home life easier, simpler and more tranquil….like a vacation?

  15. JOSHUA GREAT PIECE. I HAVE ALWAYS FELT WE ALL NEED SOMETHINGTO LOOK FORWARD TOO. IT’S LIKE A BOX, EVERY DAY WE PUT THINGS IN AND TAKE THINGS OUT. TO ME IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT THE BOX GETS CLEANED OUT COMPLETELY BUT LEAVE ONE THING IN THAT BOX/BUCKET LIST TO LOOK FORWARD TO TOMORROW. LIFE SEEMS TO FLY BY SO FAST AND WE GET BOGGED DOWN WITH THE TRIVIAL STUFF. WE SHOULD STAY HEALTHY AND HAPPY AND DO WHATS BEST FOR EACH OF US. WE SHOULD TRY TO DO A GOOD DEED FOR SOMEONE EVERY DAY IT’S SO EASY A SMILE A QUICK HELLO HOPE YOU ARE WELL AND OCCASIONALLY BUY SOME UNFORTUNATE PERSON A NICE MEAL. THANKS AGAIN.

  16. Thank you for your wonderful counseling. I loved it and am committed to apply at least some of the comments. I personally suffer from 2,3,8,9 and 10. But it happens sometimes in life that distracting things may intervene while you attempt to prioritize single-tasking. We should also give room to some urgent things requiring immediate solution in the midst of our main duty. Those also need sacrificing but I think are important.

  18. It was important for me to re-read and clarify in my mind that (9) connections with the world had to do with somewhat artificial connections – email, Facebook, etc. – rather than “sit down and let’s talk” connections. Really listening, mentoring, taking counsel, working on an issue as a team are not artificial. We humans need social interaction, but we must be careful of what kind and how deep these interactions go. Thank you for your list. Spot on.

  21. Great article Joshua! I really like point number 4 about negative thoughts. I heard somewhere that a positive mindset is 33% more intelligent than a negative one, which makes sense since more doors open for you and you seem more approachable. There’s a really good video I’d recommend that really complements this point. I’ll link it at the end. Your point about screen time is pretty difficult for me to do. I’m currently in college, and I spend about half my day looking at a screen for homework and research. It’s a challenge people my age will have to face. I don’t know about you, but I bought screen glasses to reduce the light hitting my eyes. Keep up the great work! Can’t wait to read more of your articles. Have a great day.
    Let me know what you think! http://blog.jaretgrossman.com/365-video-series/have-a-positive-mindset-127/

  22. Great points! Sometimes I’m wondering how simple could be the steps for achieving more and for being more efficient in the day-t-day life. By the way, I’ve noticed that you mentioned both – paper and digital worlds. That sounds very useful for me as I use both every day. Recently I’ve read one productivity blog and they were talking about the new planning system which joins this two worlds together: kck.st/2dLmsIU. Sounds innovative and interesting. I think to give it a try.

  23. I agree with so much of this and the motivation behind it. I love helping people to simplify their homes and their lives . If you find you need a little more of a structured method for clearing your clutter, why not check out this my Home Declutter Kit http://kck.st/2e8YIld

  24. Nice article. You love your family and with love also comes the thought to maintain/build more reserves for the people you love(one form of caring). In a process to build the reserves you strain yourself, not thinking about own health. This is what happens being a responsible son in Indian families.

    I sometimes go through these kind of article and keep my close for 5 minutes to gain confidence and boost energy levels. Trying to Implement things mentioned in your article will be my goal for next one year. Lets c….. :) Thank you!

  25. Wish I could just take most of my stuff out to the curb and leave it for some needy peeps to use. I don’t want to sell, donate, etc. That will keep me stuck, as well. Ugh. Too much crap – but some of it – like retro treasures from 40’s and 50’s – I really want to keep.
    and sooo many books. I have taken boxes and boxes to the library over the years. guess I just need to use the library instead of buying books!
    thanks for all the great info here.

  27. Josh, each point is very interesting. I specially like point 6. Your Words – “Keep your speech plain and honest”. Nowadays people tend to be too scared about others opinion on themselves to the point that we lose our originality. Being hones and sincere is a great counsel.

  28. Kirsten – you have been asked to present at this conference. What an honor! Now think back over your life and remember all the positive things and people (amm and charlie) that brought you to be the wonderful, conissapomate, intelligent young women whom ATCO asked to present at the conference. I’m very proud of you. Hugs,

  29. I love your article. I stumble on your website because my life now needs some minimalism and it’s probably true that it takes so much energy to arrange all these stuff and taking lots of your time especially “me time” and kids time.

  30. There are four things that are essential for animals to survive (Food, Air, Water and Sleep). What you are talking about is all how you use your brain and actually not necessary to live.

    I am now convinced the universe was created and ruled by viruses because they do not need food, water, air or sleep but are in and out of our body in billions. Every time you inhale millions enter. We know viral particles are present in placenta and also in every cell (mitochondria).

    The way we think and act also is orchestrated by these particle. People have been made to believe we need proof, “Really, you don’t need proof”. Time as come when these viruses have already created “Plasmid” and is distributing them to every bacteria on earth because “We stopped living on earth like the other animals do and tried to take over control”.

    Only hope is to revert back and stop killing, conquering and ruling but “Live and Let Live”.

  31. I’m a fan of the late Bo Lozoff. His son went to South America to help. I can only paraphrase this story. He asked a local woman, “You eat beans and rice every day?”
    “Yes.”
    “You have eaten pizza?”
    “Yes.”
    “You have eaten hamburgers?”
    “Yes.”
    “Are they delicious?”
    “Yes.”
    “What is your favorite food?”
    “Beans and rice.”

  33. I recently came across your web site and you have a lot of inspiring information on here. Thank you for sharing!

    • All of my books (except for Simplify) are available in physical formats as well as digital formats.

  41. The part about screen time really hit home with me, thank you. It’s important to remove ourselves from the grasp of our mobile gadgets, otherwise we’ll miss out on meaningful experiences.

  44. You are completely right about the negative thought. I used to be influenced by negative thought around me and then I made bad decision. Negative thought – the thing we should all avoid.

  45. There is a typo in tip #10 “while” should be capitalized as it begins a sentence, unless the period is the typo and was meant to be a comma. I only mention this because 40,000+ shares… and also alot of people all over the world learn english by reading online, which is why it is good when ESOLs mispronounce a word, it means they learned it by reading books or blogs.

    And by the way I have waaay more than 2 goals. Maybe a top 10 list is more realistic. :-)

  47. Number 4 is bad advice it will leave you lying to yourself and sacrificing a good source of drive in life.

    • I agree. I had two health insurance policies, neither of whom would claim primary payer status, and I was held liable for my hospital bills. My futile attempts to resolve this over many months resulted in very negative thoughts which prompted me to hire a lawyer, who worked it out. Worry and negative thoughts may sometimes be the way to find answers, resolve important issues, and move on to peace.

    • I think you misread or misunderstand #4. Letting go of bitterness, hate and resentment is never bad advice. Drive doesn’t come from any of that. Revenge might, though, if that’s what you’re going for but that seems counterproductive in a minimal lifestyle. #4 was good advice for moving on in peace within yoursel.

  48. Wow! You have just mentioned the things that we need to remove from our lives. We clutter our homes with stuff that we do not need.

    Thank you for sharing these tips.

  50. Sometimes when I wonder about the true meaning of life, I end up getting only one answer that is do those things which leads to happiness, immense bliss and contentment.

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