A lot can change in seven years—so I think this blog post is overdue.
I also think, in this crazy, hectic world that seems to change faster and faster from one day to the next, this promise to you is overdue.
So, if you don’t mind, allow me the opportunity to take a look back, share what has changed, and commit to you what will never change, here at Becoming Minimalist.
14 Years Ago
In 2008, Becoming Minimalist was started. My goal was simple. I had just been introduced to the lifestyle of minimalism and this blog would be my journal—a place to share what we were removing, the decisions we were making, and the lessons we learned.
The blog grew quickly, reaching more and more people. Living with less became a passion for me.
Soon, a new passion began to emerge. A desire to spread the message of minimalism as best I could to a world bound to consumerism. To not just share my story, but to invite others into the joy of owning less and to offer any help I could along the way.
Becoming Minimalist began to change. The focus became less on my story, and more on helping others. The blog continued to grow—doubling from month to month over and over again.
9 Years Ago
In 2013, a hobby became a career. As I announced here on Becoming Minimalist, I transitioned from my role as full-time pastor to full-time blogger. As I said at the time, “My greatest opportunity for impact is to promote living with less in a world that has bought into the lie that pursuing possessions is a worthy endeavor.”
And so, for the last nine years, Becoming Minimalist has been my full-time job. And I couldn’t be happier.
A lot has changed since that announcement:
I wrote Clutterfree with Kids to help parents navigate the most common areas of clutter in their child’s life.
I developed and began teaching the Uncluttered Course, a 12-week online course that has now helped over 75,000 families around the world own less stuff and live more life.I wrote The More of Less, introducing minimalism to the world.
I founded and formed The Hope Effect, a nonprofit organization changing how the world cares for orphans. The nonprofit organization was initially funded by the book advance proceeds for my books on minimalism.
I created Simplify Magazine, a digital, entirely ad-free magazine published quarterly. Each issue features 8-10 experts focusing on one topic. We’ve published 13 separate issues since 2017.
I took over No Sidebar, a website that promotes simple and distraction-free living by highlighting new and talented writers in the simple living world.
By popular demand, I wrote The Minimalist Home detailing my minimizing philosophy and providing a room-by-room approach for anyone who wants to love the home they live in.
I launched a YouTube channel hoping to reach a new audience, through video, with the life-giving benefits of minimalism. The channel just passed 250,00 subscribers—so it’s definitely working.
I created Simple Money Magazine. A digital, quarterly magazine that complements Simplify Magazine by focusing exclusively on simple, practical financial advice.
I developed and launched an app called Clutterfree. Clutterfree is the first app on the market to provide a unique and personalized roadmap to declutter your home. It is based on my philosophy and provides everything you need, in the palm of your hand, to declutter your home. It has been used effectively by 30,000 people to develop a decluttering checklist for their home.
Then, I wrote a third book, Things That Matter: Overcoming Distraction to Pursue a More Meaningful Life, to take the principles of minimalism that I am known for and show how they can be applied to other distractions in life.
Like I said, a lot can change in nine years.
Today
As you might expect, Becoming Minimalist has become much bigger than I ever anticipated with more resources to help people own less than I ever dreamt possible.
The Becoming Minimalist team has grown to 9 active employees who help me create videos, edit articles, manage magazines, stay active on social media, bookkeeping, and provide customer support. Even both of my kids, now 20 & 16, are involved with the company.
We are reaching new people, in new ways, every single day.
The Becoming Minimalist Promise
With that history as the backdrop, and the fast-changing world surrounding us, I want to take a moment and offer a promise to you about this blog. Because there are some things that will not change.
Becoming Minimalist exists to invite people to own less and live more.
That was my mission 14 years ago and will be my mission going forward. I will not waver from it.
Regardless of what changes happen in the future, my focus will remain the same. I wake up every morning, excited to work, trying to answer this question, “How can I help people own less today?”
That passion (and this platform) have led to some wonderful opportunities. But the question I ask about new ideas is always the same, “Will this help people own less?” And that will remain my question going forward.
My promise to you is this:
No matter what happens around us, Becoming Minimalist will remain true to its purpose. We will help people own less and live more.
That you can always count on.
Whether you have been reading Becoming Minimalist for 14 years or 14 minutes, if you recognize that your life is too valuable to waste chasing material possessions, you have come to the right place. Whether you are looking for consistent inspiration to own less or practical ideas to get you there, or just curious about the lifestyle, you have come to the right place.
Stick around awhile.
Valerie Rogers says
A mission never wavers. It’s a journey; one that remains vital during the current revolution we’re all in. Worldly possessions, mostly expendable, never satisfy any longing of the soul. Keeping the burden light yields flexibility. Minimalism, because it’s never too late to liberate.
joshua becker says
“Never too late to liberate.” Brilliant and true.
Paula Powell says
I am 75 and have followed you for years Josh. I think I’m pretty good about paring down possessions but still have a long way to go. I had hoped to box up more and more things and have a garage sale for financial reasons this spring but the virus put a hold on those plans for now. Your books, posts, etc help me keep a focus on what is really important in life and I appreciate you and staff so much. My son and family are moving back to Alaska as where they live is not safe due to racial unrest. They are benefiting also on what is really matters to them – family, less time on projects and more time in nature together. Thank you again!
Rebecca says
I may have missed it on one of your other platforms, but I’d love to hear from your children about what it has been like to grow up in a minimalist home. An interview on YouTube or just a back and forth conversation posted here maybe.
joshua becker says
I think that’s a great idea. YouTube would probably be the easiest place for something like that. I was on a radio interview several years ago where the station had called my kids to get some comments to play on-air, but that’s probably the closest to what you’re asking.
Helene Bennie says
It IS a great idea. However I would be careful about how you expose your kids in the social media world. But you probably have thought of that.
Susan Prinz says
Thank you so much for this ministry of minimalism. I’ve been intrigued with the idea of simplicity for nearly 20 years, after reading Richard Foster’s “Celebration of Discipline”, which had a chapter on simplicity as a spiritual practice. You have helped me continue the journey, moving gradually from decluttering (an on-going process) to living into the minimalism mindset. I am so grateful for the sense of lightness and increasing freedom that this way of life has provided me.
joshua becker says
I read that chapter while in college and even taught a small group lesson on it. My learnings from that chapter took on new life when my neighbor introduced me to minimalism.
Laurel says
Here’s to the next 12 years and more!
We’ve been on board for the journey!
Ana says
You’re providing so many helpful resources! I enjoy reading your blog and always walk away with a stronger conviction to keep my life simple. Thank you for the work you’re doing.
joshua becker says
And thank you for the kind and encouraging words. They keep me going.
Debbie says
Thank you so much for continuing your passion and remaining true to the purpose of your blog Joshua. At first I cringed thinking you might be saying it has gotten to be too “big” or a bit much. Glad to hear we can still count on looking for your inspiration and new ideas!
joshua becker says
Yeah, I didn’t want readers to think that, so I tried to cut off that thinking at the beginning by mentioning that some things never change. But an article like this usually ends in an announcement of some sort, so I hear you.
Sue says
When you had a subscription for a lifetime to Simplify Magazine, I subscribed, but never knew how to where to get the digital copies. I also subscribed at a time when I got a buy one, get one subscription for a lifetime and don’t even remember who I gifted it to.
Anyway, is there a way I can access the magazine, which I believe is quarterly? I read all your emails, columns, etc. You do a wonderful job. Thank you.
joshua becker says
Yes, if you subscribed, you can log-in to the website with your email address at any time. If you have any trouble, there is a Help page right there on the magazine website: simplifymagazine.com/contact
Cathy says
In a world of distractions, thank you for staying the course and knowing the purpose. You have inspired and helped transform my home, but more importantly, me. It has been a journey of facing what the material items were masking and I am stronger emotionally and spiritually today than where I started eight years ago this August. Thank you, Mr. Becker.
joshua becker says
Thank you for the opportunity to provide just a little bit of inspiration.
Betty White says
Is 76 too old to get started? I doubt it! I realize that my husband and I have been headed this way for quite some time, so finding this source for information (that is you!) makes it official. We are officially on the side of living minimally!
Carol Lembke says
Since I am 77, you are never to old. I wish I would have done this decades ago. I never realized how different my house could feel with less. I enjoy going into the kitchen and cooking when the counters are clean and empty. I no longer have problems finding room to put the laundry away. If I buy something there is no hassle to find a place, as I don’t buy it if I don’t need it. I never knew how much stress is caused by clutter and consumerism.
joshua becker says
Never too old to get started Betty.