On this day, ten years ago, I was introduced to minimalism.
Almost immediately, I made a decision that changed my life dramatically: I decided to own fewer things in my home and life.
As I think about that decision now, ten years later, I realize that decision has only changed my life for the better. Over the course of the next nine months, we removed 60-70% of the physical possessions from our home. And to this day, I cannot think of a single negative effect or outcome that has occurred because of choosing to embrace and pursue minimalism.
My life changed while I was cleaning out my garage. It was a Memorial Day Weekend, a weekend I intended to spend with my family… once I finished up a little spring cleaning around the house.
Because that Saturday was a nice day, my five-year old son was in the backyard playing by himself. As any five-year old would, he kept asking me to play with him, running up front every 15 minutes or so. I kept pushing him off while one thing led to another during my garage-cleaning project.
At one point, I started talking to my neighbor, complaining about how much time had gone into my one chore. She changed my life with one sentence when she replied, “That’s why my daughter is a minimalist. She keeps telling me I don’t need to own all this stuff.”
As she made that comment, I looked at my driveway containing the pile of dirty, dusty things I’d spent all morning cleaning and organizing. As I looked at this pile of things in my driveway, out of the corner of my eye, I could see my five-year-old son swinging alone on the swing set in the backyard—the same backyard he had played alone in all morning long… wanting nothing more than his dad to come out and play catch.
In that moment, I realized something very significant. I realized that everything I owned was not making me happy. But even more, I realized that everything I owned was taking me away from the very thing that did bring me happiness in life—and not just happiness, but purpose and fulfillment and joy.
This is a very different realization. It’s one thing to say possessions aren’t making me happy. But it’s something even more to realize they are actually keeping us from it. It was a 10-second conversation that changed my life only for the good.
Here are some of the most significant ways minimalism has improved my life—and can improve yours as well:
1. I have more intentionality in my life.
Minimalism, above everything else, brings greater intentionality in our lives. At first, we became more intentional in the possessions we owned and brought into our home. But we soon discovered the premise of “promote the most important by removing every distraction” held promise and opportunity in countless aspects of life.
2. I have more time and money than ever before.
Life is made up of finite resources—money, time, energy, space (just to name a few). By reducing the number of physical possessions we owned and bought, we found many of those finite resources more available than ever before.
3. I have more passion for living.
A fulfilled life is a passionate life. A life spent pursuing things that matter breathes energy and momentum into our days. It is not difficult to wake up in the morning when you know your days count for something greater than yourself. Minimalism redirected my life’s energy toward pursuits of greater significance than material possessions—and spurred more passion because of it.
4. I compare myself less with other people.
We waste so much time and energy comparing our lives to others. There is no joy to be found there. Spending all of our time thinking about what we don’t own, causes us to miss appreciating the things we do own. Comparison makes us feel we are missing out on something—even though there is joy right in front of us. Since finding minimalism and desiring less rather than more, I compare myself less with other people—at least in terms of physical possessions.
5. I have discovered hidden talents and passions.
Minimalism, I suppose, does not change our talents or skills. But it does open up opportunity to pursue them in ways we hadn’t imagined before. In the process, it may unearth hidden talents and passions we never knew existed before. Writing, is the best example in my life.
Once we overcome the temptation to waste our most finite resources simply managing and pursuing more and more physical possessions, it’s amazing what else we discover we can do well. This fuels even more passion for living (as I mentioned above).
6. I have left an example for my kids they will never forget.
For the last ten years, I have modeled for my children that personal belongings are not the key to happiness, that security is found in their character, and the pursuit of happiness runs a different road than most advertisements will tell you. These are valuable life lessons I hope will shape their decisions far into the future.
7. I have grown in my faith and spirituality.
I don’t write much about my personal faith and spirituality on this blog—it’s just not something I choose to do (though it’s not hard to find if you’re looking for it). But as I look back over ten years of minimalism, I can’t overlook the impact and influence that minimalism has had on my spirituality—not that it has changed my faith, but it has certainly brought new depth to it. And for that, I am eternally grateful.
8. I measure the value of work in more fulfilling terms.
Work gets spoken of in too many unhealthy terms—both inside and outside minimalist circles. Inside minimalist circles, work can often be considered something to be avoided. I take a different viewpoint. Work is fulfilling when seen in the right context.
Outside minimalist circles, work is that thing you do to make as much money as possible to buy as much stuff as possible. This too, is unhealthy and selfish. Work is what we do to bring benefit to society and the people around us. When we do our work well, everyone benefits. Minimalism has caused me to see work in a new, more fulfilling light.
9. I took back control of my own life.
While I didn’t know it at the time, my decision to own less was ultimately about taking back control. It was about taking back a control I didn’t even realize I had given up. It was about saying no to societal pressure and cultural norms and making the decision to live life on my own terms. Minimalism provides that benefit to all who choose to pursue it.
10. I have accomplished things I never dreamt possible.
Ten years ago, I never would have imagined my life would look today like it actually does. This blog is read by 1 million different people every single month. I’ve written books—with a new one coming out soon. I started a magazine and founded a nonprofit organization changing orphan care around the world. I’ve spoken all over the world. And I’ve been interviewed for newspapers and radio shows and podcasts. More importantly, I have been more engaged in my kids’ lives and marriage than ever before.
The last ten years have been an unbelievable ride. Here’s looking forward to the next ten—both for me, and you!
My wife and I made this move a year ago, but the beginning happened 5 years ago as I approached my 60th birthday. I was looking through my closet trying to decide what shirt to wear, and it struck me that I didn’t wear half of the shirts hanging there anymore. The result was an hour of purging and over 4 large trash bags of clothing going to Charity.
The sense of liberation kept flowing, and now we are homeless and living in our van, down by the river……..no, not really. That would be extreme. But we have left the home behind and spent a year traveling. We could not have done that if we still were owned by “things”.
Oddly, the more we have given away, the more we have realized how important we are to each other, and that is, by far, the best part of the process for us.
Joshua, I am 69 years old. Over 30, maybe 35 years ago, I was reading an mystery novel. The story main character was in the midst of a divorce (caused by a missing brown sock), and the character was left with the house and stuff. I remember this line, “I looked around the house, and realized that I didn’t own any of this stuff, the stuff owned me”. I understood what this meant. I had felt this way for years, but, actually thought that I was alone in this feeling. So, I went ahead buying things, because I thought it was the thing to do. Thankfully at some point in the last decade I got introduced via internet to guys from The Minimalists, then shortly after to your writings, Joshua. And then, I realize I was not alone. I am so Thankful. You know there are some people like me, that needs that push, that start, that guidance, yes even in their later years. I am looking at your book right now, The More of Less. Thank you Joshua, I hope for nothing but the best for you and your family.
So, what did you do with all the stuff you pulled out of the garage and put in the driveway?
I was wondering the same thing Carol. I’m happily downsizing too, but figuring out how to get the stuff out of my house is the stressful part. :-)
HI Joshua,
I just wanted to tell you your posts have completely chaged my life. I discovered your blog just in the right time and I’m in the process of cleaning up my life and becoming minimalist. Wish me luck!
Blessings for you and your family,
Marjorie :)
I have been following your blog for years and have a couple of your books. Thank you for your motivation and inspiration.
Joshua,
Your story of the 10-second conversation that changed your life is inspiring. Those of us fortunate to have found your writing know that less is better, yet we still need the daily encouragement you provide to make better consumption decisions. Thanks for what you do, and congratulations on 10 years of minimalism.
Congratulations! I have been working at minimalism for 20+ years now. It is not the easiest path to take but definitely the most rewarding. I am 67 years young now and have found that without the pursuit of “stuff” I can live and love more freely than ever. I have also learned that living this way when multiplied by several million others leaves more resources available for those who are following us in this life. We are doing what was intended for us. Taking care of the world we will leave behind. May we all,”Live all the days of our lives.” Jonathan Swift.
Congratulations! I have been working at minimalism for 20+ years now. It is not the easiest path to take but definitely the most rewarding. I am 67 years young now and have found that without the pursuit of “stuff” I can live and love more freely than ever. I have also learned that living this way when multiplied by several million others leaves more resources available for those who are following us in this life. We are doing what was intended for us. Taking care of the world we will leave behind. May we all,”Live all the days of our lives.” Jonathan Swift.
I have been working on becoming a minimalist for 2 years and met the challenge of facing the “irreverence” disrespect towards arts and figurines very distasteful and have become less in control of my spending. Having them in my house has been more satisfying than selling them in stores. Probably into more years would clear everything.
I learned rational minimalism from you. It took me to a great new height of appreciation for minimalism. Thank you for that.
And happy 1st decade to your journey to minimalism!
Lot less time house cleaning (dusting, organizing stuff) got rid of much stuff past year as we are downsizing into two bedroom apt. with no yard work. Since we have a hand full of group homes in my area, I was even more motivated to unload household items and some furniture. It is a slow process and I don’t miss a thing either.
Hi Joshua, love your writing and insight into being a minimalist. Could I venture to say that more concisely you are doing what you love and only focus on what you enjoy and have removed all the excess that just clogs up your life? Would this be an accurate summary without using the word “minimalist”?
Could you also give me your insight please? I’m working full time (7 till 4:30), then rush home to work in (not on) a small business manufacturing lamp shades (www.joug.co.nz) with hardly time to eat dinner and work till I go to sleep. In the morning I wake up, pray and read the Bible, prepare breakfast and lunch (only veggies) and rush to work through traffic. I’m the furthest I’ve ever been from what I live doing (having a full time business, surfing and mountain biking). And it’s not sustainable long term.
The house I live in is big enough to have paying people live with me and I’m able to change the garage and upstairs if it into an 88 square meter apartment bring in more passive income allowing me to scale down doing what I do not like doing (working crazy hours) and doing what I love doing with only what I need. Do you think this is the way forward? If I sell and scale down I’d still be paying a mortgage but have no means for passive income.
Hi John
As a single parent without any child support I lived a life similar to yours (fulltime office job plus everything else = no holiday for 16 years straight) with a mortage to pay. Once my youngest finished college I downsized and sold or gave away anything I didn’t really need. I “have only in the house what is useful or beautiful” which keeps cleaning easy and everything always looks clean, tidy and organized. I am now using 2 of my 3 bedrooms as guestrooms (on Airbnb) which covers the mortage!
I now only work part time from my home office and have time to do anything I like. I also have time to help others, bake a cake to bring to a lonely senior in the neighborhood or make a meal for a sick friend. My sons pop in almost daily after work and there is always time to talk, or just spend time together. My home is a stressfree zone. The uncluttered space makes everyone feel relaxed. I’m never nervous or feeling burned out anymore, my health is at a peak and I am fit and look younger.
Minimalism for me is not only less stuff but also a simplified life with an abundance of TIME and FREEDOM. I think your idea of scaling down and creating space to generate passive income is a good way to get started..