On average, we see 5,000 advertisements every day calling us to buy more and more. And I want to be just one voice inviting us to buy less.
From the very beginning, Becoming Minimalist has had one goal: inspire others to live more by owning less. When I write, I write for those who have never been introduced to the minimalism lifestyle—those are the people I want to reach.
I write books and blog posts for those who are beginning their journey or have not begun…
…and also for those who are looking for encouragement and inspiration to follow through with their desire to own less.
I have discovered, after all these years, that owning less is countercultural, encouragement is essential, community is important, and there are significant truths about minimalism we need to be frequently reminded of. Even in my own life, I need to remind myself often of the core truths of minimalism.
Here are 5 Truths About Minimalism I Remind Myself Often:
1. Excess possessions are a burden and a distraction. Every thing we own requires time, money, energy, and focus to maintain. And every increased possessions adds increased anxiety on to our lives. This exchange would make sense if possessions made us happy. Unfortunately, they do not. Instead, they only distract us from the things that do.
Read more: 21 Life-Giving Benefits of Owning Less
2. Our society is built on excessive consumption. Our economy thrives on artificially manufactured needs and wants. As a result, we are constantly bombarded with messages claiming we are not as happy as we could be and the quickest remedy is to “buy their product.” Discontent is sown into our soul at every turn—and on every billboard. But their messaging is carefully crafted for their own selfish gain. And there is a wonderful joy available to those who reject it.
Read more: 10 Reasons to Escape Excessive Consumerism
3. My life is too valuable to waste chasing material possessions. We each get one life to live and we each get to determine what our life is going to be focused on. Some will use it to pursue money, fame, or power. Others will use it to passionately pursue bigger houses, nicer cars, and fuller closets. But not me. My one life is too valuable to waste chasing things that will never last. I will pursue love and hope, impact and significance. And I will seek to live a life that benefits others above all other things.
Read more: Life is Too Valuable to Waste Chasing Possessions
4. There is no right way to do minimalism. Minimalism is always going to look different from one person to another. And well it should—each of us have different passions and values and gifts that we can offer to the world. For example, a minimalist writer is always going to own different things than a minimalist farmer or a minimalist carpenter. And someone who desires to use their newfound freedom to travel the world is going to own something different than a minimalist who desires to use their freedom to host beautiful dinner parties. Find freedom in this reminder. And refrain from comparing your version of minimalism to anyone else’s.
Read more: Find a Rational Minimalism that Works For You
5. Minimalism is the pathway, not the goal. Owning the fewest number of things possible is not the greatest goal for your life or mine. Minimalism is not our greatest obsession. Minimalism is simply a means to an end. It removes physical distractions so our greatest priorities can be elevated. It allows our lives to be defined by things that matter. If minimalism has allowed you the opportunity to pursue those things in life you most desire, you have succeeded.
Read more: Live with Less. Pursue Your Passions. Finally.
Minimalism, as a way of life, holds benefit for all. Regardless of gender, religion, race, or socio-economic class, there are life-giving benefits to intentionally owning fewer possessions and removing the pursuit of empty consumerism. This is a message that must be proclaimed and shared often and widely. And for that reason, I will continue to do what I do: inspiring others to live more by owning less.
I will lend my voice to the movement and I hope you will too.
I just want to say… I think you’re incredible. I’ve been on this path of minimalism for 5 years now and it’s affected every part of my life in such hugely positive ways. You have been my biggest influence… I read all your books and posts and I just want to thankyou for continually sharing yourself and your thoughts with us all.
Joshua
I am just now realizing our journey on this earth is a pilgrimage!
Our ultimate destination is heavenly & our PURPOSE here on earth IS NOT related to our material comforts & posessions. Your book and articles have helped me realize this TRUTH.
Marilyn
Joshua,
I think the philosophy of minimalism has changed my life more than anything else and has deepened my Christian faith as well. Just this year we have unloaded, donated, and discarded vast amounts of stuff. This month alone we have given away a bookcase and called Habitat for Humanity to come get our china cabinet. Half of the contents of the cabinet were donated to Goodwill, and the other half was sorted and stored in more accessible places. Both my wife and I have cleaned out the closets and have gotten rid of about half of our clothes. It helped that after we started this process we both lost a significant amount of weight. (Closets are still too full) We are continuously questioning the value and wisdom of owning and keeping everything in our house as well as any purchases we are tempted to make. It’s surely easier to buy stuff than it is to get rid of it.
One quote that impacted me from this blog is Everything is in the process of becoming garbage-Jerry Seinfeld. Wow! That really puts into perspective my “precious” possessions.
I have read The More of Less three times- once on my own, once reading it out loud with my wife, and finally in audio book form on a long car trip.
“Thank you” doesn’t come close to expressing our appreciation to you, Joshua, for giving us the nudge we needed to really live our lives to the fullest.
Jeff
I wrote this five years ago and it still is true. I would’ve thought that we “be there” by now, but we’re still working daily on minimizing. More than that, however, our focus has changed. Thanks for helping us see the value of fewer possessions and realize what’s really important.
BTW, adult children REALLY DON’T want our precious possessions! And I’ve found out I really don’t either!
Jeff
Joshua,
I found your awesome blog few days ago. It has been very useful for me.
“Owning less is countercultural.”
Unfortunately it’s more and more usual all over the world…
Minimalism, for me, is an essential ingredient in managing my anxiety.
Anxiety is a heckler in the brain. Ever present, waiting to insert himself.
Minimalism has helped me remove not just physical distractions, but also mental distractions and mental clutter.
It has given me a more clear path in life.
I’ve always been an outside of the box thinker. I’ve always done little experiments with myself. Minimalism has helped me really see things differently even more so. It’s accelerated the process.
It is different for everyone, like you say. Minimalism isn’t the end goal. It’s a way forward to a more meaningful life whatever that means to each of us in our own way.
Thanks as always for sharing your words.
This is exactly why I started following this blog. I have an artsy personality, but all the stuff that I just kept buying or keeping only made me feel overwhelmed. And then life got difficult and I had no control over anything, so I started to have really bad anxiety attacks that complicated my life even more.
Getting a grip on the material things in my life helps me deal with my life in general and keeps me calmer.
Minimalism is one of the bricks that helps me built a happy and content life.
“I never minded with the material things of life. Thank God I always thougth that the true freedom of wealth is not based in multiplicating goods but in reducing needs.” Zigmunt S. Felinski (1822_1895)
I have closely followed your newsletters and articles since about a year. Though far from being a minamalist (yet) I still feel the need to celebrate as my mindset about buying, shopping & owning has changed (and still is evolving). Formerly known as the ‘shopping queen’ amongst my friends, I get confused questioning looks when I don’t want to hit every new launch/ event/ show and constantly want to upgrade things that are still working perfectly well. That is quite bizarre especially when living in Singapore, a shoppers paradise.
One thing I wanted to share is about the negative energy produced by things simply lying around and how it literally drags us down. I have felt it so strongly in our study/ entertainment room which has shelves and racks of redundant things like Cd’s & vcds and bears proof of years of compulsive shopping indulgences for the latest gadget and ‘lifestyle’.
As I cleared (some) racks and gave away things to charity, I rediscovered the joy and peace of the room. :)
Love, love, love this post! I’m so grateful of the reminder that everyone’s minimalism may look different. That’s what I’m learning about myself and my husband. His take on living with less looks so different from mine, and that’s okay. Together, we’ve managed to refocus and place far less emphasis on consumerism in our lives, and we’re doing it coming from his side of the garage as well as mine. We’re meeting in the middle, finding a deeper purpose (via our Heavenly Father) and it’s absolutely all good!
Joshua,
I loved reading this list of truths. I think that I need to remind myself often of these as well. I am so thankful that I found your website, your book, The More of Less, and your Uncluttered course and group. You have changed my life for the better. I hope others will join us on this path. Thanks again for everything. Tonia
Very inspiring, positive and moving article.