Joshua Becker's Blog

The Greatest Luxuries in Life Can’t Be Bought at a Store

There’s a quote that’s been floating around the Internet for years now. Every time it’s shared, it’s quickly reposted, re-shared, and liked over and over again. I’ve even posted it myself.

The viral quote is simple and goes like this:

“6 luxuries in life:

1. time
2. health
3. a quiet mind
4. slow mornings
5. meaningful work
6. a house full of love.”

It’s not hard to see why the quote resonates. It speaks of things universally understood to be important and meaningful, but not necessarily enjoyed by everyone.

If luxury is defined as “a condition of abundance or great ease and comfort,” these six things describe it well.

But there is something about that list I think about every time I see it. None of those six items are for sale. And they never have been.

And yet, we live in a world that tries to convince us the luxuries of life are something to be purchased.

It seems almost every day of our lives, we’re flooded with messages designed to sell us a counterfeit version of “luxury.” A nicer house, a newer phone, an extravagant vacation, a limited-edition sneaker, a fragrance that promises to make the opposite sex swoon.

The messaging is so good and so ubiquitous, the items they sell slowly, over time, become our definition of luxury. They’re shiny, exciting, gratifying (at least for a moment), and desired by so many, that they begin to feel like the greatest expression of a life of abundance.

But as we know from experience, that feeling is quick to fade—always leaving us wanting more.

And I don’t know about you, but if there is a version of luxury that doesn’t fade, that is what I would like to devote my life pursuing! Based on the viral nature of the list above, I am confident I’m not alone.

Of course, one of the reasons a counterfeit version of luxury is purchased by so many is because it appears easier to attain than the truer, longer-lasting luxury.

These luxuries—quiet minds, slow mornings, meaningful work—are not easy to find. They require time, attention, self-examination. They require intention, hard decisions, and sometimes even hard conversations. They also require us to live differently than the culture around us.

It’s easy to fill a shopping cart. It’s harder to ask: What do I really want from this one life I’ve been given? And what changes do I need to make to discover it?

The world offers us counterfeits because they’re easier to manufacture, easier to market and sell, easier to accept, and easier to profit from.

A scented candle in a jar is easier than fostering peace in a chaotic household. A perfectly staged brunch is easier than carving out an hour of meaningful connection. A bigger paycheck is easier than the hard work of finding work that matters. And it is easier to buy a trip to Disneyland than it is to build a life of habits that supports long-lasting health.

Still, while these deeper luxuries may not be easy to attain, they are not entirely outside our reach either.

Time, health, a quiet mind, slow mornings, meaningful work, and a home full of love—these things may not be guaranteed, and they may not come quickly. But they are not as far outside our control as we sometimes assume.

And just like everything else, the first step to making these truths a reality is believing they are possible:

We gain more time by choosing what matters and letting go of what doesn’t.

We protect our health with small, consistent steps in the right direction.

We quiet our minds by limiting noise, both external and internal.

We enjoy slower mornings when we stop overpacking our days (and maybe waking up a bit earlier).

We move toward meaningful work by paying attention to our gifts and values and appreciating the value of it.

We foster love in our homes not with perfection, but with presence.

Of course, not every life circumstance is within our control. Life brings hardship, and some seasons are harder than others. But more often than we realize, our lives reflect the things we choose to pursue. And while we can’t control everything that happens to us, we can always control how we respond.

So let’s choose well.

Let’s define luxury differently than the world around us. Let’s stop chasing what’s temporary and start pursuing what lasts. Let’s live a life rich in meaning, not rich in things.

Because the greatest luxuries in life cannot be bought at a store. But they can be built. One thoughtful, intentional decision at a time.

The post The Greatest Luxuries in Life Can’t Be Bought at a Store appeared first on Becoming Minimalist.

One Question to Ask Before Any Purchase

We live in a world filled with empty consumeristic promises.

To get the girl, buy this cologne.To be the life of the party, get this television.To impress your friends, buy this watch.To turn heads, drive this car.To raise a better family, buy this bigger house.

These promises bombard our senses incessantly—even within the comforts of our home. And more than we realize, these messages begin to shape our conscious and subconscious thoughts.

As a result, too often, we buy stuff we don’t need. Our closets become crowded, our drawers overfill, our garages can’t fit our cars, and our homes fill with countless products we thought were a good idea at the time; but in reality, rarely get used.

Our lives soon become buried under everything we own.

To counter these empty promises, I want to offer a simple, life-transforming question—five simple words to ask before making any purchase.

The question is this: But what if I don’t?

Whenever you feel the pull of consumerism, simply ask yourself the shortened version of this thought, “What might I be able to do if I didn’t make this purchase?”

Every purchase contains an opportunity cost. The question, “But what if I don’t?”, forces us to recognize and articulate it.

For example:

If you don’t buy that large screen television, how much debt could you pay off?

If you don’t buy the bigger house, how much more money would you have to travel?

If you don’t go clothes-shopping today, how could you build up an emergency fund?

If you don’t make this purchase on Amazon, what good could you accomplish in the world with the money instead?

You know what you’ve been promised if you buy… but what if you don’t? How would your life improve if you said ‘no?’

With every purchase we make, we sacrifice a small amount of freedom. This one, simple question helps us recognize exactly what it is.

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3 Things My Aunt Did That Made Saying Goodbye a Little Easier

Note: This is a guest post from Joe Darago, Executive Director of The Hope Effect, and a friend of mine for over 30 years.

I come from a big family—five sisters and me—filling every corner of our modest home in Northeast Ohio with laughter, noise, and life. There was never a dull moment.

My dad’s side looked a little different. He was the only son of Joseph and Teresa, raised alongside two sisters who never had children of their own. But what they may have lacked in children, they made up for in presence.

Aunt Marilyn and Aunt Liz were constants in our lives. They attended every holiday, came to many sporting events, and had a saved seat at our six graduations. They took turns investing in us—quietly and consistently.

Even when I left home for college and eventually moved out of state, the rhythm of connection continued. Birthday cards arrived on time. Calls were never forgotten. Milestone moments always brought a message or a visit. Their love was steady—minimal in flash, but immense in weight.

Maybe that’s why I’ve always been so passionate about family—a value that has shaped so many of my life choices.

About a decade ago, both Aunt Marilyn and Aunt Liz began facing health challenges. In a beautiful act of mutual care, they moved into the same home to help one another recover and reduce expenses.

One thing they didn’t reduce, however, was their belongings.

Our family has never been great at letting things go. Boxes in the sunroom held documents from our great-grandfather. Furniture from Grandma’s house crowded every corner of the living room. And the musty basement was packed with remnants from the old family store—items long unused but still quietly taking up space.

This past weekend, I traveled back to Ohio to say goodbye to Aunt Liz. As the family pastor, I had the honor of overseeing the funeral for the last of my two aunts.

The service was deeply meaningful. Friends and family came to pay their respects, share stories, and support one another through our grief. As I stood there, listening and leading, I was reminded—once again—of what truly matters in life.

No one mentioned her possessions. Not once.

But everyone spoke of how she made them feel.

How present she was.

How faithfully she encouraged others, even in quiet ways.

Of course, while no one mentioned her possessions during the service, she and my other aunt left behind plenty of material things to sort through. My sisters and I have been tasked with handling these in a way that honors both our family and her wishes.

Thankfully, Aunt Liz sensed the end was near about a year before she passed. And in that final stretch of time, she made some intentional choices—quiet but impactful—that have made all the difference.

Here are a few things she did that were incredibly helpful, and I share them in hopes they might serve others walking a similar road:

3 Things My Aunt Did That Made Saying Goodbye a Little Easier

1. She Set Up a Trust

Aunt Liz owned two homes, held several retirement accounts from past jobs, had a life insurance policy, and was a dedicated coin collector. Knowing how complicated this could become, she worked with a professional to establish a trust, appoint an executor, and clearly document who would receive what.

This one step saved my sister—who served as the executor—countless hours and headaches. More importantly, it helped us avoid confusion or conflict about finances. Money has a way of straining even the closest families. Because Liz planned ahead, we were free to grieve without tension.

2. She Simplified Where She Could

My aunt was the keeper of our family’s history and secrets. She took great pride in our heritage, always sharing stories of the past—names, places, and moments most of us would have forgotten if not for her. In many ways, she was our family cloud.

Because of that, her home was crowded with the artifacts of generations—photos, furniture, letters, and keepsakes she couldn’t bear to part with.

And yet, in her final year, something shifted. While her home still held plenty, it was clear she had begun to simplify. Closets were partially cleared. Papers were filed and labeled. Some items were gently set aside for donation.

These small acts of preparation made a significant difference. They lifted a burden from our shoulders—and served as a quiet reminder that even a little intentionality can have a lasting impact.

3. She Talked About What Matters

Perhaps the most meaningful gift Aunt Liz gave us was her willingness to talk about death—openly, honestly, and with peace. She had personal conversations with each of us, asking us to consider taking on specific responsibilities after she was gone.

One of us would care for her aging pets. Another would carry on the family Christmas tradition she had lovingly kept for years. And someone, she said, would need to pick up the mantle of family historian.

I gladly accepted that role—and in the months that followed, she began setting aside items for me as she came across them. Old photographs. Handwritten letters. Notes explaining why something mattered.

None of us enjoyed those conversations. But all of us are grateful we had them. They spared us the pain of guessing what was important to her and brought clarity to the difficult process of sorting through what was left behind.

I know I’m not alone in this experience.

Many of us have aging parents, relatives, or lifelong friends who will one day leave behind more than just memories. Along with grief, they may leave behind decisions—about possessions, finances, pets, traditions, and legacies. And it will fall to us to sort through what remains.

The question is: how can we prepare now for what we know is coming?

3 Simple, Loving Steps We Can All Take

1. Initiate the conversation.

It might feel awkward at first, but starting the conversation is a gift to everyone involved. Begin gently. Ask thoughtful questions: Is there a will? A power of attorney in case of health challenges? What are their hopes if the unexpected happens?

These are not easy topics, so approach them with compassion. The goal isn’t control—it’s understanding what matters most and honoring it.

2. Listen to the stories.

Behind every item is a memory. Often, the story is more important than the object itself. Ask why something matters. Don’t be afraid to ask open-ended questions that invite storytelling. 

Questions like: What’s the story behind this? Who gave it to you? Why did you keep it all these years? can unlock important family history.

For photos: Where was this taken? Who are these people? What happened that day?

For letters or heirlooms: Did this belong to someone else in the family? What does it remind you of?

Listening patiently, without rushing, honors the person and gives meaning to the objects left behind. 

Pro tip: write names on the backs of photos. Aunt Liz didn’t do that, and now I’m piecing together clues from extended family members.

3. Don’t wait to share your feelings at the funeral.

At my aunt’s service, I invited others to speak. The room filled with beautiful memories and heartfelt words. But as I listened, I couldn’t help but wonder—had Liz heard these things while she was still alive?

Don’t wait. Tell your loved ones what they mean to you now. Say the words. Let them hear your gratitude, your admiration, and your love while they’re still here to receive it.

Minimalism isn’t just about letting go of stuff. It’s about living with purpose and preparing with love. The intentional steps Aunt Liz took in her final year didn’t just ease our burden—they reminded us of what really matters.

May we all be brave enough to start the conversation, kind enough to preserve the stories, and wise enough to speak our love while there’s still time.

***

Joe Darago has served as the Executive Director of The Hope Effect since its founding in 2015. He and his Christie live in Edmond OK where they enjoy parenting their four adult children and grandparenting two + one on the way. He is passionate about changing the way the world cares for orphans… because every child deserves a family.

The post 3 Things My Aunt Did That Made Saying Goodbye a Little Easier appeared first on Becoming Minimalist.

The Danger of Assuming Your Experience Is Universal

There is a small nuance in language that I often find myself chiming in on when I see a need to do so.

At first, the adjustment seems and sounds small. But in reality, there is a life-giving truth contained in it. And equally so, a great danger in missing it.

I first noticed this years ago, during a conversation about minimalism.

I was speaking with a woman who had just started simplifying her home, and she said, “It’s just really difficult for me because I’m a woman. And women like nice things.”

I don’t think she meant to say it in a negative way. In fact, I’m sure she didn’t. It was just something she believed to be true.

But immediately, my mind went to the dozens of women I know—both online and offline—who have exemplified for me what it looks like to live a simple life. Many women I know who aren’t captivated by “nice things,” and who have both chosen a different path and speak boldly about the freedom they’ve found because of it.

So I offered back a different perspective: “Well, not all women like nice things. Just some do.”

It’s a small change—just one word added to the sentence. But this is an important point. Because if all women love nice things, then yes, simplicity becomes impossible. But if it’s only some… suddenly there’s room to choose something different.

Over the years, I’ve heard the same kind of reasoning show up in different forms:

“Women love fashion.”“Guys are into cars.”“People who grew up poor aren’t able to get rid of stuff.”“Teachers always hold onto every resource.”“Readers never part with their books.”“Artists need clutter to be creative.”

In each case, a personal experience is projected outward—assumed to be universal and by extension, unchangeable.

But here’s the thing: they’re not universal truths.

Some women love fashion. But not all women.Some men buy expensive toys. But not all men.Some people who grew up poor have a hard time getting rid of stuff. But not all.Some teachers keep every resource.Some people struggle to declutter because of their past.Some readers can’t get rid of books.

Each of these statements is more accurate than the universal assumption we make based on our own experience.

And the more we realize that, the more we can grow and expand our potential to change. Because if we are tied to our behavior because of something we cannot change, we are a prisoner to it. But once we see not everyone’s tendency is the same as ours, we are free to choose a different path.

This is good news that we all need to hear.

To illustrate this point, after a speaking event one evening, a woman shared her story with me. She and her sister grew up in a home of extreme hoarding. “Because of that experience,” she told me, “I became a minimalist because I wanted nothing to do with the lifestyle. But my sister became a hoarder. Same childhood, same environment—but we chose opposite paths.”

I’ve never forgotten her words and the power of her example.

There may be inherited tendencies in our past because of our upbringing, but we are never a prisoner to them. Our behaviors aren’t always universal. And just because something feels familiar doesn’t mean it’s required. We always have the power to break patterns that no longer serve us.

The more tightly we hold onto sweeping assumptions—about ourselves or the world around us—the more we limit what’s possible.

We assume, “It’s not just me. Everyone is the same way. I can’t help it.”

But what if that’s not true? What if the story you’ve been telling yourself about who you are and what you need isn’t the only story that can be told?

You may have grown up in a home where the women loved fashion, but that doesn’t mean every woman loves fashion. And once you see that, you can begin to overcome that temptation.

You may have grown up in a family where the men loved cars, but that doesn’t mean every man loves cars. And once you see that, you can overcome that obsession.

If you are an artist who believes every artist requires lots of stuff to be creative, you’ll never open yourself up to the possibility that “the enemy of art is the absence of limitation” (as Orson Welles once said).

Freedom begins when we stop assigning our limitations to the world and start reclaiming the possibility of change. That is why it is so dangerous to assume our experience is universal.

I do not mean this to sound harsh or aggressive. Just the opposite, I hope it will open up potential and opportunity in your life to live differently.

Change is always possible. And if a change in your life would benefit you and your loved ones, I hope this truth will empower you to experience it today.

The post The Danger of Assuming Your Experience Is Universal appeared first on Becoming Minimalist.

Inspiring Simplicity. Weekend Reads.

Never underestimate the importance of removing stuff you don’t need.

Encouragement provides us with motivation. It invites us to dream dreams of significance for our lives. And it begs us to work diligently with optimism and promise.

Overcoming the pull of consumerism is a difficult challenge regardless of our stage in life. Therefore, simplicity requires encouragement. To that end, I hope you will find motivation in these articles below.

Each post was intentionally chosen to inspire simplicity in your life. For maximum effect, find a quiet moment this weekend and enjoy them with a fresh cup of coffee or tea.

Maybe This Summer Isn’t Meant to Be Magical | Our Little House in the Country by Ciara Winters. Maybe this is the summer where you stop trying to prove anything—and just allow yourself to be.

3 Principles For Living A Life Less Ordinary—Starting Now! | Forbes by Angela Cusack. Living a life less ordinary isn’t about escaping the life you have. It’s about inhabiting it more fully. It’s about choosing presence over performance, clarity over assumption and stillness over spinning.

The Quiet Freedom of Living Below Your Means | Simple Money by Harper Bennett. Living below your means isn’t about sacrifice or going without. It’s about creating space.

Guarding The Gate: How I Stay a Minimalist | No Sidebar by Justin Hall. With some proactive strategies, we can maintain and continue to reap the life-changing benefits of the minimalist life.

The Big Idea: Should We Embrace Boredom? | The Guardian by Sophie McBain. Smartphones offer instant stimulation, but do they silence a deeper message?

Recently Released Inspiring Videos

The Minimalist Life | YouTube by Joshua Becker. My intention is to take our community to the next level, where we can connect every day and share our challenges, our wins, and motivation to keep living a minimalist life. Hope to see you there!

How to Let Go of the Idea That More is Better | YouTube by Joshua Becker. We live in a world that often tells us that more is always better—more possessions, more money, more activities, more food. But when we pause to question it, we might find that the pursuit of more doesn’t always bring the satisfaction we expect. In fact, it can often lead to overwhelm and stress.

—

The Minimalist Life. If you’ve ever wanted more personal support applying minimalism to your home, habits, and schedule, I’ve just launched something new. The Minimalist Life is a private community with live coaching, weekly challenges, live events, and encouraging accountability. The founding member pricing ($18/month) ends June 30.

The post Inspiring Simplicity. Weekend Reads. appeared first on Becoming Minimalist.

20 Stats That Show Exactly How Much Time and Money We Can Save Through Minimalism

Imagine saving hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars each year—just by owning less. These 20 stats show how.

Most people I know want more time and money. In most cases, I can see why.

We’re stretched thin—trying to meet deadlines, pay bills, care for our families, and still find space for rest, joy, purpose, and meaning. The days feel short. The expenses pile up. And it’s easy to believe that the only solution is to work harder, earn more, or somehow fit more into an already full life.

But maybe there’s a better answer. What if the solution isn’t found in earning more, but in owning less?

Every item we buy has a cost—and not just in dollars. Our possessions cost us time to earn, time to maintain, and time to manage. And the quickest way to get more time and money back into our lives is to pursue minimalism.

And it turns out, the numbers back this up. Here are 20 statistics that show just how much minimalism can change our everyday by giving us more time and more money.

Money

1. Americans waste $18,000 on “non-essential” expenses each year (source)

2. Despite owning enough clothing to form an average of 135 outfits, Americans spend an average of $1,445 yearly on clothes and shoes. (source)

3. On average, people spend $360 each year on jewelry, whether for gifting others or buying for themselves—despite already owning 34 pieces of jewelry. Men, on average, spend more on themselves than women do. (source)

4. Families spent $24 billion on toys annually. Parents spend an average of $240 on toys and games every year while grandparents spend $500. All while it’s estimated that 20-30% of toys are never played with. (source)

5. Americans spend $14.6 billion every year on home organization. (source)

6. In the United States, people throw away over $473 billion worth of food annually—38% of all the food in America. (source)

7. Nearly $10 billion in electronic devices—comprising computer equipment and devices, screens, and small electronic appliances—is thrown away every year in the US alone. (source)

8. On average, Americans spend approximately $1,100 per year on coffee from coffee shops. (source)

9. Nearly 25% of grocery shopping dollars are spent on processed foods and sweets—that amounts to $125/month for the average American household. (source)

10. In the US, consumers spend an average of $150 per month on impulse purchases. (source)

11. The average American spends over $1,000 a year on subscriptions—$200 of it on unnecessary or unused subscriptions. (source)

Time

12. On average we spend two hours per day buying things and taking care of the things we already own. (source)

13. Americans spend nearly two hours a day shopping online at work. (source)

14. The average woman makes 301 trips to the store annually, spending close to 400 hours a year shopping. This amounts to 8.5 years spent shopping during a typical lifespan. (source)

15. The median size of a new American home has grown to 2,338 square feet from 983 square feet in 1950, driven partly by the need to store excess possessions, increasing housing costs. (source)

16. 54% of Americans feel overwhelmed by clutter, with managing possessions elevating stress hormone levels, particularly for mothers, costing mental health and time. (source)

17. Americans spend more than two full days online shopping per year. (source)

18. The average American now spends 2.5 days per year (60 hours) looking for lost items, costing households $2.7 billion annually to replace misplaced possessions. (source)

More

19. 81% of shoppers are willing to increase their online spending purchase just to meet a retailer’s free shipping threshold. (source)

20. The national average credit card debt among cardholders with unpaid balances in 2025 averaged $7,321 (with much of it tied to unnecessary purchases), which results in an extra $120 billion in credit card interest and fees every year. (source)

The data doesn’t lie: when we own less, we can save more—both time and money. And with that, we gain something even more valuable—margin to live a better, more intentional life.

The post 20 Stats That Show Exactly How Much Time and Money We Can Save Through Minimalism appeared first on Becoming Minimalist.

What Simplifying My Home Taught Me About Self-Worth

Seventeen years ago, I discovered minimalism. It took only a simple sentence from my neighbor to forever change my view of material possessions. This is what she said:

“That’s why my daughter is a minimalist. She keeps telling me I don’t need to own all this stuff.”

The statement came at the most ordinary time: I was cleaning out my garage on a Saturday afternoon.

And yet, the statement also came at the most perfect time: When my heart (and mind) was ready to receive it.

I had just spent the beautiful Saturday morning pulling dirty, dusty items out from my garage into the driveway. And I had done it all at the expense of my 5-year-old son, who was asking me to play catch with him in the backyard.

That was the day I realized all the possessions I had collected weren’t just not making me happy, they were distracting me from the very thing that did.

At first, simplifying my life was about owning less and clearing physical space. But cleared physical space quickly gave way to clearer mental space. And over time, I began to see other areas of my life where minimalist principles could be applied. Every area of life where distraction has taken us from our deepest values and passions becomes an opportunity to simplify.

Believe it or not, this post today is the 2,000th article published on Becoming Minimalist. That is 2.5 articles/week for the last 17 years.

Over the years, I have written much about the life lessons I have learned through minimalism. But as I reflect on my journey for this milestone article, all of the lessons lead to one truth that is perhaps the most important:

Our lives are too valuable to waste chasing and accumulating material possessions.

In fact, this may be the single most important truth I have learned and desire to communicate on Becoming Minimalist. I hope you will hear it today in your heart.

You see, minimalism didn’t just give me a cleaner garage, it changed how I viewed the entire world—and how I viewed my potential and opportunity.

Simplicity didn’t just give me my life back, it paved the pathway to live a fuller, deeper, and more purposeful life. Carrying less means we can travel further in the pursuit of our greatest dreams and ambitions.

Minimalism allows us to dream bigger dreams for our life. When distractions are removed, intentionality is found, self-growth is experienced, and self-worth grows.

Reflecting back, here are a few of the lessons I’ve learned and try to communicate regularly on this site. Each of them help us discover greater potential and a self-worth greater than material possessions:

1. The world will try to hijack your passion. Don’t let it.

We are all born with passions and talents inside us. And deep-down, a desire to serve and love. But the world has learned how to hijack that passion and direct it toward things that benefit someone else’s bottom line.

Marketers are skilled at convincing us that our energy should be spent buying what they are selling. And society sells a picture of success that mainly focuses on external indicators.

But your greatest passion isn’t for things that will be discarded in a few years. Nobody says their greatest goal in life is to just own as much clutter as they can. We were designed and created for something more.

Simplifying helped me see that and minimalism forced me to ask why I had accumulated so much. It is true that unhealthy motivations exist inside us and marketers are masterful at exploiting them. Don’t let them.

2. Comparison is a thief of joy and self-worth. Overcome it.

So much of our consumption is fueled by comparison. We see someone else’s lifestyle, wardrobe, car, house, or vacation—and we begin to desire it for ourselves. Jealousy and envy come quick, especially when we aren’t living intentionally with the resources that we do have.

But trying to live someone else’s life will always keep you from becoming the best version of yourself. It will keep you from appreciating the unique good that you can bring into this world. And it will keep you focused on the things you don’t have rather than appreciating what you do have.

There’s only one person who can live your life—only one person with your story, your voice, your experience, your gifts, your passion, your abilities, and your influence.

When we fill our homes and calendars trying to keep up with others, we rob the world of the one thing we can offer it: our authentic contribution.

Minimalism gives us the space to stop comparing and start contributing. And when we do, we discover we have so much more to contribute than consumerism.

3. We live finite lives. Be deliberate with them.

Time, energy, money, attention—these are not infinite resources. We all have differing amounts of them, but each are finite and limited.

Minimalism lives and dies on this reality. If money and time were in infinite supply, it would make sense to accumulate as much as you can. But they are not infinite. Our lives are finite. So what we choose to pursue and accumulate with them is of utmost importance.

Unfortunately, many of us live lives as if there are no boundaries.

We spend money on things we don’t need. We spend hours organizing closets full of things we don’t use. We distract ourselves endlessly on social media and with television. We sacrifice time with our loved ones for the sake of accumulating wealth or power… and then we call it living.

Life is short. And if we’re not careful, we can waste it chasing things that never mattered. As Seneca wrote (and which became the basis for my book, Things That Matter), “We are not given a short life but we make it short, and we are not ill-supplied but wasteful of it… Life is long if you know how to use it.”

Simplicity taught me to see every resource as precious: my hours, my dollars, my energy, even my life. And the more we invest them in things that matter, the more fulfilled we become.

4. You are more than what you own. Believe it.

Culture has a way of convincing us to believe things we know aren’t true.

For example, none of us, deep-down, believe our value is tied to the things that we own. But subtly, starting in childhood, we begin to look up to those who have more. Magazine covers, movies, and television shows exalt those who live in bigger houses, have nicer clothes, own cooler toys, or earn the bigger paycheck.

All lives are created equal. But for some reason, those with more get put on a pedestal—even when they don’t deserve it.

But a person’s value is never tied to their possessions. In fact, sometimes it is those least worthy of our admiration who accumulate the most. And those who are most worthy of being looked up to as role models are looked over.

Minimalism helped me remember again, and see through clearer eyes, that our worth is not determined by the square footage of our home, the logo on our clothing, the gadgets on our shelf, or the car in our driveway.

You have value because of who you are—your heart, your soul, your ability to love, create, forgive, and make a difference. That’s the part of you that matters. And no purchase can change that.

5. Self-worth is built by doing things that give us self-worth. Not consumerism.

This last point, I should admit, is not necessarily something I learned by pursuing minimalism. Instead, it was learned during the creation of The Hope Effect (which was a result of minimalism).

You don’t become more confident by buying something new. You don’t develop a stronger sense of purpose by upgrading your home decor. You don’t develop greater self-esteem by consuming more and more.

Self-worth grows when we align our actions with our values. When we do things that grow our self-worth, we develop self-worth. Self-esteem is not something we think ourselves into having. It is developed through our actions and our decisions—when we help others, keep our promises, do hard things, learn new skills, and show up for people.

Ironically, the more time we spend caring for physical possessions, the less we are able to invest in the practices that actually build our self-esteem. It’s hard to find time to volunteer at the local non-profit, if we’re spending our days driving from store to store.

Here’s the truth: we don’t need more stuff to feel better about ourselves. We need more of ourselves—freed up and fully engaged in activities that grow our self-worth.

I’ve now written 2,000 articles on Becoming Minimalist. That’s tens of thousands of hours spent encouraging others to own less and live more intentionally.

But underneath every word has always been this simple truth: You matter.

Your life holds value. Not because of what you own, but because of who you are.

The world will try to tell you otherwise. It will measure your worth in net worth, productivity, or popularity. But those measurements fall short. They fade. And they fail to account for the selfless goodness your life brings to others.

Minimalism isn’t just about decluttering your stuff. It’s about clearing space and focus to see that your time, your attention, your values, and your story matter deeply.

So live with fewer distractions. Spend your limited resources on things that matter. And never forget:

Your life is too valuable to waste chasing material possessions.

Spend it on something greater.

The post What Simplifying My Home Taught Me About Self-Worth appeared first on Becoming Minimalist.

I’m Offering Something New (17 Years in the Making)

For over 17 years, I have been writing about minimalism on this blog.

During that time, I’ve written over 1,700 articles—sharing stories, principles, and practical tips. I’ve written books that have helped hundreds of thousands of people take their first steps toward owning less and living more. I’ve recorded 400 videos for YouTube. And the Uncluttered Course has helped over 90,000 people declutter their homes, room by room.

But over the years, I have kept hearing the same comment:

“I start strong, but I struggle to keep minimalism going over time. How can I keep this going?”

The answer to this question matters. You don’t just want to read about minimalism over and over—you want to live it. You don’t want a one-time decluttering project—you want a lifetime of intentional choices.

You want minimalism to become your way of life, not just something you think about when your house gets messy. You want to spend your days focused on things that matter.

And to accomplish that, we all need more than just education. Life change can be difficult. And if we’re going to build habits that transition minimalism from an idea into a way of life, we need the support of like-minded people.

So for the first time in my nearly two-decade-long journey, I’m trying something completely new.

I’m offering a community where we work together, month by month, to bring minimalism into every area of your life—your home, finances, schedule, digital life, habits, and relationships (just to name a few). The principles of minimalism are powerful and life-changing—especially with physical possessions—but their impact reaches far beyond that.

This brand-new, private community is called The Minimalist Life, and it’s designed for people who are ready to move beyond consuming content about minimalism and start living it fully.

Here are just some of the things included and why I am so excited about this:

Monthly themes and weekly action items that guide you step-by-step through your minimalism journey in a clear, thought-out way.Personal accountability through weekly check-ins, progress prompts, and highlighted personal stories so you can take consistent action and make sustainable changes.An encouraging, supportive community of like-minded people on the same journey to cheer you on and share their experiences.Live coaching sessions—three times/month—where you can ask me questions, get unstuck, and learn more about how to apply what you learn.Practical tools and specific resources created by me that make minimalism manageable and applicable, not overwhelming.An easy-to-use app to keep all of the membership content, videos, resources, and conversations quickly accessible whenever you want it.

This isn’t just another online course you complete and move on from. It’s about lasting, legitimate personal development and growth. It’s ongoing support that helps you build minimalism into your daily rhythm, one intentional choice at a time. And in an online world that is increasingly populated by AI-generated content, this community is about human interaction—with me and others.

If you’ve been reading my content and thinking, “I want this life, but I need help making it stick,” this community is for you. Or, if you’ve been applying minimalism to your physical possessions and are ready to apply the principles elsewhere, this community is for you.

The doors to The Minimalist Life open today. And you can join, starting now, at my founding member rate: $18/month or $180/year (save two months). This special pricing is only available until June 30th.

Click here to join us or learn more.

I can’t wait to meet you and walk alongside you as you create the calm, focused, intentional life you’ve been dreaming about.

With you on the journey,

Joshua

The post I’m Offering Something New (17 Years in the Making) appeared first on Becoming Minimalist.

The One Realization That Can Change Everything About Your Finances

Note: The following article was published in the June 01 issue of Simplify Magazine.

Real financial freedom isn’t about affording everything—it’s about realizing you don’t need everything.

In 2008, Memorial Day weekend promised beautiful weather—not always the case in Vermont at that time of year. So my wife, Kim, and I decided to spend the Saturday doing some shopping, running errands, and tackling our spring cleaning. Our garage was the first target.

That morning, as Kim and our infant daughter slept in, I made breakfast for our five-year-old son, Salem, and then brought him outside to help. But as soon as we started pulling out the bins, he rediscovered his summer toys and ran for the backyard. Before leaving, he asked, “Will you play with me, Dad?”

“Not now, buddy. I’ll come play as soon as I finish, I promise.”

But as the hours wore on, that promise felt more and more out of reach. I was knee-deep in stuff—cleaning it, organizing it, moving it from one side of the driveway to the other. Salem returned a few more times, asking again and again for me to join him.

At one point, our neighbor June, an elderly woman with a garden trowel in hand, watched me struggling with the clutter. She smiled and said, “That’s why my daughter’s a minimalist. She keeps telling me I don’t need to own all this stuff.”

The sentence stopped me in my tracks.

I looked at the heap in the driveway. I looked at my son, alone in the backyard.

And I realized, for the first time, the stuff I owned wasn’t just taking up space in my garage. It was taking something far more valuable: my time, my energy, my attention—and in that moment, my opportunity to play catch with my son.

That was the beginning of a journey toward minimalism for our family. And that one realization didn’t just change the way we saw our home. It changed the way we saw everything, including money.

For many, financial independence is defined by the ability to buy whatever we want, whenever we want. A new car. A kitchen remodel. A spontaneous weekend trip. We equate freedom with consumption, assuming that if nothing is out of reach financially, then we must be doing well.

But what if we’ve been aiming at the wrong target?

What if real financial freedom isn’t found in the ability to buy anything but in the realization that we don’t need to?

That shift—simple but profound—has reshaped the way I think about money, success, and what it truly means to be financially free.

The Prosperity Paradox

Here’s the problem: the more money we have, the more money we think we need. The solution the world is offering—earn more and then one day you’ll feel secure—is the exact opposite of what we need.

This is what I call the Prosperity Paradox.

Our relationship with money is one of the most defining—and often confusing—relationships we have. We earn it, save it, spend it, chase it, worry about it, and sometimes even fight over it. Some describe money as a tool—and it is. But it is also something more. It is emotional, powerful, and deeply tied to our sense of well-being.

Consider this: 77% of people in the wealthiest country on earth report feeling anxious about money.[1] And more than 70% say their desire for more money influences their daily decisions.[2] That’s not just a tool. That’s something that touches our heart and mind in profound ways.

The Prosperity Paradox says this: The more money we have, the more money we believe we need.

This isn’t theory—it’s backed by data. Empower recently surveyed Americans and found that those making over $200,000 a year said they would need an additional $150,000 annually to feel financially comfortable.[3] Charles Schwab, in another study, found that 87% of millionaires don’t consider themselves wealthy.[4]

We can see this in how people define what it means to be “rich.” For many, the word “millionaire” signals success. But the closer one gets to that number, the less likely they are to view it as true wealth. In fact, millionaire status is now considered by many to be “just getting started.”

This paradox plays out again and again: retirement targets growing as net worth increases, happiness tied to ever-larger income brackets, and comfort levels that seem always out of reach. The more we accumulate, the more we convince ourselves we need.

Even John D. Rockefeller, once the richest man in the world, when asked how much money is enough, famously replied, “Just a little bit more.”

If our goal to achieve financial freedom is simply to accumulate more money, we will never arrive. The finish line keeps moving.

That’s why this realization—that needing less is more powerful than earning more—changes everything.

Becoming Minimalist

But that raises the important question: if the common approach to financial independence doesn’t deliver on its promise, what does?

For me, the answer came that very weekend in 2008, when my neighbor June introduced me—almost accidentally—to the idea of minimalism. Her words sparked a realization that would change the way I viewed not just my possessions, but money itself.

Real freedom doesn’t come from purchasing power—it comes from the realization that we don’t need more in the first place. And once we stop needing more, we stop spending more. That’s when everything changes. That’s when peace and clarity show up—not in having more, but in finally wanting less.

When we own less, we begin to see how little we truly need. And when we stop needing more, we stop spending more. Suddenly, financial independence doesn’t feel like something reserved for the wealthy—it feels possible, right now, with what we already have.

Minimalism helped reveal this truth to me. The less I owned, the less I needed. The less I needed, the less I spent. The less I spent, the freer I felt. And with every unnecessary item I removed from my home, I began to remove financial pressure from my life.

Abundance in Less

It’s understandable why “spend less” is a hard sell. For most of our lives, we’ve been conditioned to think that spending less is a sacrifice. In a culture that defines success by accumulation, the idea of buying less sounds like going backward.

That’s certainly what I used to believe—until I actually tried it.

I made the intentional decision to own less and buy less. And it remains one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It didn’t just improve my finances; it improved nearly every part of my life.

Owning less meant fewer things to clean, maintain, insure, and replace. It meant fewer distractions and more focus. And it meant I could put my time, money, and energy toward the things that actually matter.

Life didn’t get smaller when I started spending less. It got bigger.

I had more freedom, not less. More clarity. More purpose. And I found myself more present in the things that bring lasting fulfillment—my family, my faith, and the opportunity to help others.

In short, spending less didn’t feel like I was depriving myself. It felt like I was discovering greater abundance—in the truest sense of the word.

And here’s what’s most important: this isn’t just possible for a few. It’s available to all of us.

Financial freedom doesn’t begin with acquiring more money. It begs with having less desire for money.

Becoming Content

This isn’t to suggest that money doesn’t matter. It does. Money provides shelter, food, warmth, and care. It can be used to do good in the world. It can bring stability and security.

But money alone doesn’t bring freedom. Contentment does.

The Harvard Business Review published a study by Ashley Whillans showing that people who prioritize time over money report significantly greater well-being—more fulfilling relationships, more joy, and more satisfaction. Contentment, not accumulation, is the key.[5]

Contentment isn’t about settling for less. It’s about appreciating what already is. It allows us to stop chasing “more” and start building a life that aligns with what matters most.

Here are some principles that can help bring this new vision of financial independence closer:

Define what is truly “enough.” Rather than letting culture or comparison dictate our financial goals, we can take time to define what we genuinely need to live a meaningful life. And often that number is far less than expected.

Lower fixed costs where possible. Housing and transportation are two of the largest expenses for most households. Downsizing or driving a paid-off car can create breathing room in the budget—and in the soul.

Break the habit of lifestyle inflation. When income increases, it’s easy to spend more. But each upgrade delays freedom. Choosing instead to let increased income create margin, not upgrades, moves us closer to peace.

Find joy in simplicity. A home-cooked meal, a walk around the block, a quiet evening—these are often the richest moments. And they don’t cost very much.

Be generous. Generosity interrupts the cycle of always needing more. It reminds us that abundance is not about accumulation but about impact. And it grows contentment every time it’s practiced.

Avoid the comparison trap. Someone else will always have more. But comparison is a thief—of joy, of gratitude, and of purpose. Financial independence isn’t about outperforming others. It’s about being free from the need to.

Make a Choice

When we stop tying freedom to a number and begin tying it to values, everything begins to shift. We stop asking, “How much do I need to be free?” and start asking, “What can I remove that’s keeping me from freedom today?” That’s the realization that changes everything.

Financial independence becomes less about someday and more about today. It becomes less about stock market returns and more about a satisfied heart. It becomes less about accumulation and more about intentionality. And slowly we begin to see that maybe the finish line was closer than we thought.

In the end, we all want the same thing: to live with peace, to care for the people we love, and to spend our days on what matters most. And maybe—just maybe—that future begins not with a raise or a windfall but with a decision. To own less. To want less. And to walk in freedom now, not later.

The post The One Realization That Can Change Everything About Your Finances appeared first on Becoming Minimalist.

Inspiring Simplicity. Weekend Reads.

My desire with each Weekend Reads is to provide you with articles and posts that encourage simplicity and minimalist living. Below, you will find links to blog posts and news stories that I hand-picked over the last couple weeks. I hope you find inspiration and practical help inside them.

That is my goal on Becoming Minimalist: to intentionally promote simplicity in a world that needs to hear it.

Finding Calm in Complexity | Linkedin by Robert Waldinger. A simple mind shift allows us to come home to ourselves, even briefly, throughout our busy days.

The American dream is no longer buying a house—it’s paying off debt | AOL by Sydney Lake. About one-third of Gen Zers say they’re financially underwater due to inflation, high interest rates, and stagnant wages.

25 Things I Won’t Be Purchasing in 2025 (to Save Money & Avoid Clutter) | The Simplicity Habit by Julianna Poplin. To avoid overspending and prevent clutter from coming into your home, it takes thought, planning, and intentionality.

From Comparison to Contentment | No Sidebar by Heather Spiva. When we compare what we have to what others have and what we think we should have, it pushes us into an emotional downward spiral. And it’s brutal.

10 Tiny Money Habits That Will Change Your Life in a Year or Less | Simple Money by Richard James. Small leaks sink big ships.

Recently Released Inspiring Videos

15 Places to Apply the Pareto Principle to Help Minimize | YouTube by Joshua Becker. As soon I heard the Pareto principle, it felt like a lightbulb moment. I began noticing it everywhere. Soon, it was about more than numbers and statistics (or even the exact percentages.) It became a new lens through which to see my excess possessions. 

The Most Important Home Buying Advice You’ll Ever Hear | YouTube by Joshua Becker. Buying a home is a very personal decision that weighs a large number of factors. And only you know all the variables for making that decision. But too often, the most important piece of home buying advice we need is the one we never hear.

The post Inspiring Simplicity. Weekend Reads. appeared first on Becoming Minimalist.