Some people I speak with get nervous when they hear the term minimalist. For them, it conjures up images of destitution, barren walls, and empty cupboards. Rightly so, they decide that is no way to enjoy life. Believe me, I agree—that is no way to enjoy life.
They seem to assume that minimizing means throwing out everything or, at any rate, almost everything. That’s not the case at all. Rather, minimalism is about living with less, and as I often say, less is not the same as none.
Minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of everything that distracts us from it.
It’s about living with what you need. And that is always going to look different from one person to another and one household to another.
If you were to walk into my home today, you would probably not immediately assume that a minimalist family lives there. In our living room, you would find seating for five, a family photo, a rug, a coffee table, a clock on the wall, and our television. In our coat closet, you would find jackets, baseball caps, and a few winter-weather accessories. In our kids’ rooms, you would find books, craft supplies, and a drum set. The house is tidy and clutterfree, but it is not empty.
We are seeking to live a minimalist life, but at the same time we are still living, breathing, changing human beings. To live is to consume. So we still have possessions. But we have worked hard to escape the excessive accumulation of possessions.
That’s what I mean when I use the term “rational minimalism.” It’s a strategic approach to owning less. I don’t advocate getting rid of everything humanly possible and there are no rigid rules that need to be followed. Instead, I encourage people to get rid of what isn’t necessary so they can better pursue their goals in life.
This process requires rationality, intentionality, and a thought-out approach to discern what to keep and what to get rid of.
Take my life for example: We live in the suburbs of Phoenix and have two teenage children. We are active in our community. We like to entertain, show hospitality, and host small groups from our church in our living room. We love when our kids’ friends come over to play. I am a writer and my wife does bookkeeping. Our life is not identical to anybody else. It is our life—nobody else’s.
If we were going to become minimalist, it would have to be a style of minimalism specific to us. It would require us to ask questions, give-and-take, identify what we most value, and be humble enough to change course when necessary. It must be a style of minimalism that allows us to pursue our passions while discarding all the distractions that keep us from it.
The minimalism that works for us is almost certainly going to look different than the minimalism that works for you.
Find a style of minimalism that works for you. One that is not cumbersome, but freeing—based on your values, desires, and passions.
I am passionate about my soul, about my family, and about loving and influencing others. I focus on these priorities above everything else. Minimalism is a means to these ends for me. It removes physical distractions so I can realize my greatest priorities. So I ruthlessly get rid of what I have to in order to be true to my objectives. But if there are things that help me live my life the way I need to, I keep them and I use them. I don’t feel guilty about them at all.
It can be the same for you as you choose to walk down the path of minimalism. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you have to live with nothing. Live with whatever possessions give you the life you want.
This is a rational approach to owning less. And it’s the only approach that will free you to experience the life you want to live.
About Joshua Becker
Great news that Minimalism and Decluttering are not a ” One size fits all” proposition!!
What a relief.
Love the phrase: “Rational Minimalism!” It is indeed a very individual pursuit, as we all have different circumstances and Different goals. Your books were the first that I read on minimalism and have forever changed the way I see my life, my stuff, and my loved ones. Thanks Joshua!
I agree with everything Alexa said above. You lost me several years ago because you made me feel inadequate or incompetent at worst. I dropped you from my regular reading, also because you were trying to SELL me something I do/did not want.
Today’s note was referred to me from another blog which I do read.
It is much more to how my wife and I live and to how we want our grandchildren to see how we live.
I hope you will continue in this manner as you write in the future.
As a parent of two small kids, I can relate to the rational approach. We do our best to limit our consumerism, but I’m no longer single or childless so many of the minimalist lifestyles portrayed on YouTube and elsewhere are irrelevant to my situation nor do I push what many may consider my own radical take on minimalism on my family. I do me, but I keep my family in perspective when it’s a shared relationship.
Which is why I don’t feel bad about taking my son to Target to buy the skateboard he’s been asking for since his birthday. He even used his own money to purchase it despite being six years old.
It’s turned into an experience unto itself. He and my daughter are doing skateboard camp this summer and are super excited, and now spend each afternoon learning to ride. I had to take it for a spin myself, which was interesting.
I love this post, Joshua. For some time now I have been defining my own brand of minimalism, styling creatively and practically. I subscribe to Marie Kondo and the inner joy she espouses but often misunderstood. I certainly own less now and have been purposeful in my purchases.
Hope today is a good day for you! 🙏🏻 Seems like you were under a cloud on Monday. 🌂
So freeing when you once and for all— “let that sh*t go” :D
Perfectly explained! You hit it right on the mark. I’ve changed so much during the three years in this course and it’s been such a blessing to my husband and kids-thank you! This course effects many different areas in life-not just decluttering possessions. My husband is happier, my kids, and it’s helped me push past a lot of road blocks that I was stuck at. It’s helped me to
see that I can do it in the areas where I struggled with fear. I’ve pushed through the fear and accomplished, which has helped me to do that in other areas as well. It has helped define my life better, my goals and to focus on what’s important. And now my husband is on board and starting to declutter-woohoo! It’s going to be a life long process but that’s okay….because we are enjoying the journey and the changes that it’s made every step of the way. Right now I am decluttering my fantasy home school supplies! Keeping what we really use and donating the rest.
I agree with you whole heartedly! The joy of this has been watching my daughter and husband slowly engage in rational minimalism at their own pace.
This post was just the ‘top up’ of inspiration i needed right now. The journey to minimalism and not being an excessive consumer is exactly that a journey. Indoing a life of excess doesn’t just happen overnight, and at times i feel the ‘stuff’ creaping back in so this was a motivational read to keep on keeping on! Thanks
Living your best life is making things work for you. It was fun to get to see you on the Minimalism Doc on Netflix! Keep on speaking ‘freedom’!
I am so inspired by your writing, Josh. It is the perfect antidote to our materialistic, me-too, shallow, hectic, modern world. As a retiree, I know I am, by many people’s standards, comfortably well off. I am still working on it, this is not a destination but a journey; I still have to pull myself away from the racks of lovely new clothes in my favourite store, I still struggle to decide what I should keep and what should go.
But I’m beginning to really think about, to understand what I don’t need. Just because something is ‘nice’ and it’s there in front of you, is no justification for buying it. I take real pleasure in my now two drawers (only) of kitchen cutlery and implements. I can find stuff again! And look forward to outstanding challenges, for example the two spare bedrooms with all their nick nacks and unworn clothes.
Perhaps, just perhaps, I might even downsize. There’s a scary thought. I’m very comfortable here, but is it just possible a single, 66 year old, retired female with no children or grandchildren (that’s not as sad or lonely as it might appear) simply does not need a three bedroom, two storied house?
Many thanks again, Josh.
I just wanted to say thanks for the post! I’m early in my minimalism journey and your definition of minimalism has kind become a kind of mantra… it helped me decide to get rid of all my “collectible” teapots except the pot and set passed down from my husband’s grandmother. And now I choose to use that treasured pot everyday instead of wasting it on a shelf!
I have been decluttering for years and I live with Less now. I am content to live with little. It is also Biblical to not be consumed by material things. My husband had accumulated stuff for over 30yrs to use in retirement. He got Cancer just before retirement and did not get to use anything. He died. I had to get rid of all his stuff. Use what you have NOW AND ENJOY IT. I have now made the garage in to a gym. I have decluttered the house and it is going to get even more minimal when my daughter moves from the U.K. to California next year. I feel happier living with less. I have given most of my things to the Church to Bless others, to sell and raise funds so I am happy with this. Thank You for your blog and encouragement in TO LIVING WITH LESS! which it is all about. Not being consumed with worldly goods.
Very well written and I like your approach which is not one-size-fits-all or judgmental.
So true, minimalism isn’t empty houses and clutter-free lives. It’s living with just the things you need and value. I do still call myself a materialist, but losing my livelihood for many years taught me that actually I didn’t need anything more than everything I already had. And that was definitely one of the most valuable life lessons so far.
Josh, I have taken your course twice and love reading your posts, both continue to affirm how to maintain simplicity in my life. I have also associated minimalism to my health and nutrition. Eat healthy and take care to exercise creates a healthy mind and body, and every now and again we try something new or discard unhealthy habits that continue to define and support our direction in life. Thanks for your ongoing inspiration.
Love your post today. I was a minimalist before I even knew there was such a word. As a child, one of my chores was dusting and we had a lot of stuff to dust. This made me realize I didn’t want or need all the “stuff.” A few years back, my husband began to grasp the idea of “less is more” and we haven’t looked back or regretted anything we’ve gotten rid of. Knowing that our grown kids don’t want any of our stuff, we cleared out a lot, and the kids are happy that we did. Now, when I walk into someone’s home and there is a lot of stuff, it’s as though I walked into a noisy room. The stuff is all competing for my attention and I have to resist the urge to turn and run. Minimalism is an ongoing process. Some items’ time has “expired” and other items may have slipped into your home without your knowledge. I love the encouragement that you provide. Thank you.
Glad to see you open to the concept of what I call “modified minimalism.” I was blocked by one minimalist on Instagram because I simply said that I didn’t know if I could go that white and stark. I have another account so I can see her posts anyway, and she keeps bringing in new things because she earns a living promoting items that fit her aesthetic. I doubt the rest of us would keep buying and replacing so her way grates on my nerves.
Like yourself, if you looked at our house we would be the last people you think are into minimalism. But it works for us. Do I have areas that appear to be cluttered to others? Sure, such as the garage, but it contains things that I need on a regular and even not so regular basis, since I keep a lot of spare parts out there for fixing things around the house. Since I am just as big a proponent of reusing, much of what some might consider clutter falls into that realm. Best wishes to everyone on this journey to get some sanity into our lives.
Great read J… I had started to embrace a minimalistic lifestyle before following you. My biggest issue started in my garage. I would spend more time looking for things I needed; a tool, parts, etc… than performing a task. I finally said “enough’s enough.” I cleared out things I didn’t need and organized the things I did need. This carried over into my home. Not throwing everything away but clearing out closets so I could be aware when I needed something.(empty cleaning supplies, paper towels) This change in mindset has saved me immeasurable time… Time I can perform tasks efficiently and spend the extra enjoying my family. Thanks again…
Tim: some years back, we did likewise, purging tools, giving some to a cousin as much was inherited from husbands dad and husband had retired so duplicates (many) were purged some given to others. Then later the linens (excess) was donated to group homes, un worn clothing is purged twice a year after warm season and cooler one. Kitchen also is another problem has to be kept in check. A place for everything and like items with like, saves time and energy.
After I retired I moved into a one bedroom apartment, I just have what I need and what I really love, because of this I can save money for my travels. Life is wonderful this way!
You’ve described my approach to minimalism perfectly!
Mine too!
I love this post! I recently retired in 2017 at age 62 and moved to Manta, Ecuador. I sold everything and took only brought 4 suitcases. I bought what few things after I arrived that I needed to live in the condo by the ocean. I took the minimal approach when furnishing it. My resources were limited so that really helped me to follow through with my new minimalist mindset. I’ve bought your book and subscribe to your email posts etc. They keep me motivated. Thanks so much.
Lisa Coons
I love the simplicity of your posts. This makes so much sense, minimalism is whatever you can do to feel calm and less stressed. Whether that is getting rid of everything or just a few things.
Wonderful post! I like what you say about removing things that are a distraction. This is minimalism in a nutshell for me. I went through my house and boxed up all of my nick nacks that i had collected on various travels, many framed photographs, “collectables” etc. The house is now so much more calming, and the few items i have chosen to keep out are appreciated so much more. Keep the good words coming my friend!