I want you to know you matter to me.
In a world filled with noise and superficiality, this may seem like just another statement. But, it’s not. I mean it.
You matter to me. And I wanted to take an article to make sure you know that.
Whenever I sit down to write, I have you in mind.
I don’t write for a faceless crowd, to rank high on Google, or with a clickbait title just hoping to drive clicks to a website. I write for you—individuals who have made an intentional choice for simplicity and a life that resonates with authenticity and meaning.
You matter to me because you are trying to live the best life that you can live—just like me. You want to be an engaged parent, a better friend, a more effective leader, a better neighbor, or a more engaged member of your faith community—passionately active in the lives of the people around you.
You’ve determined there are more important pursuits in life than material possessions. And so you are here, reading these articles and these ideas, because you value life’s quality over the quantity of stuff in it. And so you inspire me.
You pursue owning less to elevate your greatest values. So do I.
You matter to me because of the bold steps you’ve taken to embrace a countercultural lifestyle, working hard to push back against a culture that surrounds us and begs to acquire more and more.
You are here because you have decided life is too valuable to waste chasing and accumulating material possessions. Why else would you be reading this blog except that you dream of something bigger and greater.
That matters to me.
And you matter to me.
Please know that I work hard to show up for you with messages that inspire, motivate, encourage, and challenge all of us—myself included—to live an intentional life focused on things that matter.
I think a lot of times these types of messages can fall into, “I appreciate you because you support my work and allow me to do what I do.” And while that is true, that is not what I am saying today.
This is about me articulating something I don’t say enough: I truly care about you.
It means a lot to me that you are part of this community. It means even more that you have the courage to show up and live in alignment with a philosophy that values authenticity over acquisition.
My role in the world, as I see it, is to encourage and inspire people to own less and live more. That’s my passion and my commitment. As you read these articles every week, you are an active participant in this mission. You represent a change in the world—a shift in priorities and passion.
In this journey towards minimalism and intentional living, I want you to know that you are seen, you are appreciated, and you matter.
You are more than a comment or a message in my inbox, you are a real person, flesh and blood, on the other side of the keyboard sending me that message. And I read them all.
And for that reason, I care about you.
Even though we’ve never met, I want you to know today, and every day, that you matter to me.
Suzanne Ciccarelli says
Joshua, I am at the precipice of a journey which will address not only me but my folks and their folks for many many generations. I am committed to this as I became aware of all that the “life of keeping” is often and more likely than not, based in generational issues around loss and inability to provide. My folks are war babies and as such sort of hoarders. They cannot and will not part with anything that has a “useful life” or “monetary value”(most often perceived). They are in their 80’s and 90’s, still live in the same house (going on 61 years), and are actively working on making me and my sibling to be the next generation of “keepers”!! It is here I struggle. I feel a generational obligation but have realized after going “Becoming Minimalist” after your first issue of Simplicity that these issues are not mine and I can and will create and embrace my own sense of personal space and relationship with my belongings. It has been a very difficult and emotionally draining journey but one I am slowly slowly finding truth in. Thank you Joshua Becker for being so kind hearted and encouraging and simple. Especially your writings, they are an excellent example of succinct, straight forward examples of what your journey looked/looks like and what you have experienced. I am forever grateful. I will keep you posted as I travel my path. YOU matter Joshua!
Yvonne Owens says
After our kids left home, the back bedroom became a catch all space. Not very nice for a space to sleep in when they come for a visit. But we have made a lot of progress. Just a few minutes ago I was vacuuming behind that door and it struck me how good it felt to have that space empty instead of housing old picture frames we weren’t using. And I thought about Becoming Minimalist.
Kids are coming in tonight for a week.
You matter to us, Josh.
Ellen Krohn Solvik-olsen Espedal says
This post lifted my day. I love your posts, and I also feel that this community care about eachother. There are No hate messager here like there are in other group. Therefor No stress to add to your day for No reason at all. I always feel very calm and light Reading your posts, and they help focus on my journey… also forward. Thank you very much🇧🇻