Joshua Becker's Blog, page 119

Inspiring Simplicity. Weekend Reads.

Minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of everything that distracts us from it. It requires a conscience decision. It is a counter-cultural lifestyle that stands against the culture of overconsumption we live in.

The world we live in is not friendly to the pursuit of minimalism. Its tendencies and relentless advertising campaigns call us to acquire more, better, faster, and newer. The journey of finding simplicity requires consistent inspiration.

For that reason, I hope you will make an effort this weekend to find a quiet moment with a cup of coffee or tea and enjoy some of these hand-picked articles to encourage more simplicity in your life.

The Generosity Boomerang | Seth Godin by Seth Godin. One of the most important truths any of us can ever learn.

The Top 10 Tips I’ve Learned From Minimalists | The ExtraOrdinary Simple Life by Lara Blair. There is not one formula for choosing a simple life—it is not a one-size-fits all t-shirt.

Mobile Consumption and Why People Feel the Need to Have Every App | Mildly Minimal by Jake Sulpice. Maybe we should learn something from the 16GB phone.

Put Down The Phone, Parents | CBS Minnesota by Kate Raddatz. It’s not just our kids getting too much screen time these days. Parents are also guilty of spending too much time on their electronic devices.

Being ‘Good’ Isn’t the Only Way to Go | The New York Times by Aaron Hurst. 70% of Americans are disengaged at work. I agree with this post: it is important we begin to find meaning in our present work.

For many of us, spring has finally sprung. If you are in need of extra decluttering motivation while spring cleaning, our book, Simplify may provide just the inspiration you need. Or, if you have kids, try reading our newest book, Clutterfree with Kids.

Image: Giulia Mulè

16 Things Your Kitchen Can Do Without

Editor’s Note: This is a guest post from John and Dana Shultz. John and Dana share simple, delicious recipes on their website Minimalist Baker. All of their recipes require just 10 ingredients or less, one bowl, or less than 30 minutes to prepare. And they own far less tools in their kitchen than most.

Practicing simplicity in the kitchen doesn’t require sacrificing your ability to make incredible meals. In fact, having less clutter in the kitchen actually makes it easier to get in there and cook up something wonderful.

Simplifying the kitchen always starts with removing the utensils and appliances you aren’t using and don’t need. This means your kitchen can be decluttered very inexpensively with only a little time and thoughtful consideration.

Below is a list of 16 kitchen utensils we don’t own (and we run a cooking blog!). The list is partially inspired by A No-Frills Kitchen Still Cooks, a New York Times article packed with tips and suggestions for keeping a simple kitchen.

This list is neither exclusive nor conclusive. Rather, it’s merely a starting point to hopefully inspire you to reevaluate how much you keep in your kitchen. Be honest with your situation and only keep the tools you are using.

16 Kitchen Tools We Do Not Own

1. Kitchen Aid Mixer. Not owning this guy is pure heresy in the food blog world, but we survive just fine. Replacement: A $13 handheld mixer.

2. Crock Pot. It’s big, it’s bulky, and you probably only use it once a year. Replacement: Varies by dish, but usually a large pot will suffice. If you really need one, borrow it from a friend.

3. Knife Block. These can be more bulky than necessary. Replacement: Keep our knives in the silverware drawer.

4. Excessive Pots and Pans. We simplified down to 3 pots and 3 pans. Replacement: Clean cabinets.

5. More than 8 plates, glasses, and bowls. We love to host. Rarely do we have more than 8 guests, but even when we do, we still have options. Replacement: Use specialty disposable plateware.

6. Extra coffee/tea mugs. Again, we decided we rarely ever need more than 8, and we don’t even have that many. Plus, these can double as glasses if you have more than 8 guests!

7. Bread Maker. Bulky and likely eating up cabinet space. Replacement: Bread recipes that don’t require a maker such as our 7-ingredient Muesli Bread!

8. Toaster oven. If you don’t regularly use this, then it’s just eating up space. Replacement: Regular toaster or a traditional oven.

9. A wok. Although a fun device, it’s rarely used. Replacement: The largest pan you own.

10. A Juicer. Big, bulky, and hard to clean. Replacement: If you love to juice, you can juice without a juicer.

11. Espresso machine. First, you probably don’t use this as much as you thought you would. Second, to get a really good espresso you usually need very high quality equipment and the time to adjust your grind/machinery to get that perfect shot. This simply isn’t practical for the average coffee lover. Replacement: Sell the espresso machine and go to a coffee shop when you want good espresso.

12. Grilled cheese maker. You don’t need this. Replacement: Almost any pan.

13.  Rice maker. Only keep this if you regularly make a lot of rice. Replacement: Prepare rice in a traditional pot.

14.  Doughnut pan. When is the last time you made doughnuts? Exactly. Replacement: Go buy doughnuts when you want them, or try a pan-free version.

15. Quesadilla maker/ Panini press. Ah! Replacement: You can get the same effect by using a skillet, tin foil, and pressing down on a pan on top.

16. Egg scrambler/milk frother/other trinkets. Be honest, you don’t really use these things. And they are only taking up space. Replacement: Just a little creativity.

+1. Fine china / heirloom dishes. This was intentionally saved for last, because it’s likely the emotional attachment is greater than the pragmatic realization that you are not using them. This quote has helped us in this area: “The truth is, neither our love for the person, nor their love for us, nor our memories, are in the possession.”

I want to finish by admitting we keep things that others might consider superfluous, but we use them every day and continue to enjoy them. Ultimately, we feel that should always be our guiding principle and hopefully one that empowers you to question the same.

What else can you/have you removed from your kitchen?

—

You can find more of John and Dana’s fabulously wonderful recipes on their website, The Minimalist Baker.

10 Images to Help Inspire Simplicity in Your Life

Over the past two years, I have been creating inspirational images for the Becoming Minimalist Facebook page. They have circulated amazingly well.

The Becoming Minimalist page has grown from 25K fans in February, 2013 to over 120K today. I’m very grateful for the response and the opportunity it has provided to expand the influence of this blog and the message of minimalism.

While we have created hundreds of pictures over the past two years, the following 10 images consistently rank as readers’ favorites. I wanted to share them with you. And I hope they inspire more simplicity in your life.

I invite you to share these pictures freely on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Tumblr, or your office cubicle wall. May the inspiration for minimalism continue to grow both in and through our lives.

10 Images to Inspire Simplicity in Your Life

Owning less.

Happiness.

Gratitude.

Contentment.

Relationships.

You are welcome to share these images wherever you desire. High-resolution images are available by clicking through the image provided.

Links back to this website are helpful, but not required—the original creator is clearly marked on the image itself.

Answer Softly. Answer Clearly.

“Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for kindness.” —Seneca

This is a truth about life and relationships. But it starts with an illustration from a website.

The Internet can be a tough place. Readers and commenters hide behind keyboards and IP addresses. Safe in their home or coffee shop, some people go to great lengths to attack people and positions through the words they post online. Without the disadvantage of standing eye-to-eye with their opponent, they express disapproval, anger, or jealousy using words in comments, tweets, and blog posts they would never use face-to-face. We call them trolls and haters.

I’ve received my fair share. Not an inordinate amount (this community is among the most encouraging on the Internet), but certainly enough. It’s tough to be in the public eye nowadays without receiving some negative feedback and personal attacks.

But if you watch closely, you’ll notice I have a specific formula when addressing negative commenters on this blog or social media. I usually begin by thanking the commenter for the question or comment.

On Becoming Minimalist, it will read like this, “Thanks for the comment xxx and thanks for the opportunity to clarify my thoughts on this point.” Then, my kind response is followed by a clear answer to the charge (if it requires a response). Answer kindly. Answer clearly.

But this is not just an article about commenting on blogs. This is an important truth about life and relationships and people—because there are trolls and haters in every walk of life.

There is an old Jewish proverb that goes like this, “A gentle answer turns away wrath.” I have found this to be true over and over again in my interactions online and offline.

Gentle words soften the spirit of the accuser and exposes their foolishness to others. It prepares the platform for you to present your argument effectively. Kind and generous words do not prevent you from clearly presenting your argument, they make your case stronger.

In our interaction with others, we should work hard to counter harsh statements and attitudes with kind words. In our marriages, in our workplaces, in our neighborhoods, and in our relationships online, turn away negativity with positivity.

When you are attacked, hold your ground and state your truth. But beginning your response with just one sentence of gentleness will soften hearts and lay a much firmer foundation on which to stand.

3 Questions to Ask Before Making Any Purchase

“Too many people spend money they haven’t earned, to buy things they don’t want, to impress people they don’t like.” —Will Rogers

The average American home size has doubled in the past 50 years. Still 10% of households rent offsite storage and 25% of homeowners with two-car garages can’t park cars in them. 76% of Americans live paycheck-to-paycheck. And the average US household credit card debt stands at $15,191.

It appears we have a spending problem. We buy far more than we need.

And yet, our filled closets, overflowing drawers, and crammed basements stand as proof that purchases are not improving our lives. Our discontent is evidenced in our excess. (tweet that)

In every imaginable category (from homes and cars to clothing and technology), we must find greater intentionality in our consumer pursuits.

To accomplish this, I propose we start asking ourselves some very specific questions before making any purchase.

3 Questions to Ask Before Any Purchase (by category)
Clothing/Apparel:

1. Am I replacing an item of clothing or buying something new? If the item is not a specific replacement, rethink your need for it.

2. Is this something I will wear regularly? If you can’t see yourself wearing the item on a regular basis, rethink the purchase.

3. Is the style one that will last? Don’t believe all the hype of the latest trends, they are manufactured by the fashion industry and change quickly.

Technology:

1. What problem does this solve? Technology should make our lives easier by solving problems. If a new technology is not solving an existing problem, it is only adding to them.

2. Are there any rumors of new advancements to this technology? Technology is changing rapidly. If your purchase is not time sensitive, it may be wise to double-check if a new release is right around the corner.

3. Is this technology I can afford? Keep in mind the full cost is often far greater than the initial investment.

Furniture/Decor:

1. Is my purchase based on a genuine need or a cultural pressure? Am I succumbing to a specific pressure brought on by cultural, peer, or family pressure? Or is the furniture/decor something I truly need?

2. Am I choosing quality over quantity? With furniture, choose quality over quantity. One comfortable place to sit is far better than three uncomfortable options. And one beautiful piece of art decor will provide more life than a dozen cheap ones.

3. Is this style one that will last? 

Entertainment:

1. Will this entertainment choice result in rest and value? Entertainment moves our emotion, occupies our heart,  and exercises our mind. Or at least, it should. Choose to invest your entertainment dollars in places that will.

2. Am I overusing entertainment to escape my life? There is nothing wrong with enjoying entertainment. It serves an important purpose. However, it can become a personal and financial burden if we use it as a means to routinely escape our own reality rather than face it.

3. Is there a cheaper alternative? A walk in the park or a hike up a mountain is often more entertaining and beneficial than buying another movie ticket.

Food:

1. Will this food add fuel to my life? Unhealthy foods may taste better in the moment, but in the long-run, they detract from our well-being and lifestyle.

2. Are my food decisions contributing to my financial stress? According to statistics, Americans spend 42% of their total food bill eating out. If you are unable to get ahead financially, this is one easy place to start cutting back.

3. Who am I supporting with this purchase? You need to eat. Support your local economy while you do.

Personal Insurance/Health:

1. If purchased personally, have I discussed my options with a health insurance professional? Find professional help with this decision. It is their job to understand all your options (and they are changing quickly).

2. Have I researched the benefits of my existing plan? Am I getting the absolute most out of my current payments? Search dental, vision, and preventive care.

3. Am I pursuing a health-benefiting lifestyle? The most effective way to keep your health care costs at a minimum is to pursue a healthy lifestyle. Accidents and heritage happen, but healthy habits always pay for themselves in the long run.

Transportation:

1. Do I need a new vehicle? If not, why do I want a new vehicle? And is that a good enough reason to spend the resources?

2. How much cash + trade-in have I saved? Always, always buy your vehicles with cash. You won’t regret it.

3. What are the additional expenses associated with this purchase? Calculate insurance, gasoline, anticipated maintenance, and unique circumstances (parking, tolls). Factor these into your decision by comparing several models. Sometimes a vehicle may cost more upfront, but save money in the long run.

Housing:

1. Am I buying/renting only what I need? Choose shelter based on your needs, not what the realtor says you can afford.

2. What will be the additional expenses included in this purchase? Whenever possible, research the utility costs, insurance, taxes, expected maintenance, and HOA fees of your new purchase—especially if you are transitioning from a rental.

3. Will this arrangement bring freedom or burden into my life? Your home should bring you security and stability—not stress. Wisely consider also the impact of potential economic downturns on your home value and ability to make future payments.

Pets:

1. Is this a pet I can afford? Consider all costs associated with your pet: feeding, licensing, housing, cleaning, grooming, pet-sitters, and medical expenses.

2. “Will this animal or pet keep me from pursuing other important goals like travel, hosting others in my home, or financial independence?”

3. Will the benefits an animal brings to my life outweigh the extra work and expenses? Am I able to articulate the exact reason why I am taking on this responsibility?

I am very open to this being a fluid list. Are there any spending categories you would like me to add? Or do you have any specific questions for the categories above you have found particularly helpful? Let us know in the comment section below.

Inspiring Simplicity. Weekend Reads.

The simplicity/minimalism movement is a beautiful community. It is friendly, encouraging, and helpful. There is a genuine understanding that any promotion of simplicity is good for society—and there is little concern over who gets the credit for it.

It is a pleasure to be part of such a wonderful group of people. And I enjoy every opportunity to promote writing that encourages people to live more by owning less. So fix yourself a nice warm cup of coffee or tea. Find a quiet moment this weekend. And enjoy some encouraging words to inspire more simplicity in your life today.

Life Experiences—Not Things—Make You Happier | Huffington Post. If you’re wondering whether to use your tax refund to buy that new expensive bag or go on vacation, a new study suggests your best bet may be the latter.

Simplifying Home | Beginner Beans by Trina Cress. Perfect for spring cleaning, these room-by-room checklists are beautiful and amazingly thorough.

How I Discovered a Life-Changing, Unexpected Key to Happiness | Storyline by Joshua Becker. A retelling of my decision to pursue minimalism.

Focusing on the Important Stuff in an Age of Distraction | Goins, Writer by Jeff Goins. In a world saturated with social media and unlimited interruptions, many of us struggle to focus on what’s in front of us.

7 Simple Truths about Dressing with Less | Be More with Less by Courtney Carver. People often approach minimalist fashion with hesitation and resistance, but after getting started, they are thrilled with the benefits of dressing with less.

What Suffering Does | The New York Times by David Brooks. I write often about happiness. It is also important to consider the benefit of suffering in our lives—and how the two are not opposed to one another.

Image: Leah Tautkute

Materialism, Minimalism, and Immortality Symbols

“Modern man is drinking and drugging himself out of awareness, or he spends his time shopping, which is the same thing.” —Ernest Becker

The philosopher, Ernest Becker (1924-1974) is best known for two works: The Denial of Death and Escape from Evil.

Through these books, Becker weaves together a philosophy of humanity that argues most of a person’s actions are based on his or her fear of death. He writes, “Of all things that move man, one of the principal ones is his terror of death.”

But for Becker, it is not just the fear of physical death that moves people. In Escape from Evil, he contends that humanity’s greatest fear is to die without significance.

What man really fears is not so much extinction, but extinction with insignificance. Man wants to know that his life has somehow counted, if not for himself, then at least in a larger scheme of things, that it has left a trace, a trace that has meaning. And in order for anything once alive to have meaning, its effects must remain alive in eternity in some way.

To compensate, we begin to engage in the pursuit of immortality projects—any activity that will allow us to outlive our physical lives. By securing for ourselves immortality symbols, we are able to successfully defeat death, outlive our mortality, and overcome our terror of death.

These symbols could take many forms (writing, art, architecture). But Becker writes that most modern people in capitalist societies turn to wealth and possessions as their immortality projects. “Money gives power now—and, through accumulated property, land and interest, power in the future.” He contends that the pursuit of wealth and possessions is so common, “no wonder economic equality is beyond the imagination of modern, democratic man: the house, the car, the bank balance are his immortality symbols.”

I was first introduced to Becker’s philosophy years ago. And it has helped shape my understanding of why minimalism is a foreign idea to so many people. For those who pursue immortality through wealth and possessions, minimalism stands in sharp contrast to some of the very forces that make them human—even against the primal motivation of self-preservation.

But Becker’s contribution also gets me thinking, “Where then, do we find the motivation to own less? How do we live a life that is not motivated by the accumulation of more and more possessions? Is it even possible to live a life apart from the accumulation of money and possessions as our immortality symbols?”

Yes, of course it is possible. The key, it seems, is to discover and pursue new immortality projects—to make a conscience decision to not allow the appeal of the visible to crowd out its invisible competitors.

As a result, we choose to live a life of significance by embracing integrity, trustworthiness, honesty, and responsibility. We choose to touch the lives of others in meaningful ways by meeting their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. We seek to elevate others rather than ourselves. We invest in justice and equality. Through work, we contribute to society rather than only ourselves. And above all else, we choose to champion and excel in love.

By seeking these invisible immortality symbols, we address our need for significance and we satisfy our desire for immortality. We impact the lives of others and outlive our physical lives. And removing the pursuit of physical possessions from our affections provides even more opportunity to secure true immortality symbols.

9 Common Pursuits That Rob Us of Happiness

“Happiness is not a destination, it’s a way of life.”

Happiness. We look for it in different places. Some of us hope to buy it. Some think we can earn it. Others look for it in a new job, a new relationship, or a new accomplishment.

But one thing remains: happiness is something we all desire. We were designed to experience it.

Why then, does it appear at times to be so elusive? How can a society search so desperately for something, but still struggle to find it?

Maybe it is because the pursuits we have set before us as a means to find it are actually keeping us from it.

Consider these 9 pursuits and how they may be distracting us from happiness. Each of them are common in our lives and in our world. But  rather than contributing to our happiness, they may be robbing us of it.

9 Common Pursuits That Rob Us of Happiness

1. Following the crowd. The crowd rarely has our best interests in mind. Instead, they seek their own benefit. Scientists call this crowd mentality. And more often than not, following the crowd leads to destructive behaviors rather than life-giving. We would be wise to seek input into our lives from other sources than the popular perceptions of the day.

2. Trying to please everybody. Bill Cosby said it this way, “I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.” We are never going to please everybody. At some point, we will hold an unpopular opinion—one that gives us meaning and purpose and passion. And when we do, we ought to hold on to it desperately.

3. Chasing wealth. Studies confirm it over and over again: once our most basic needs have been met, money contributes very little to our overall happiness. And yet, we continue to pursue more as if it holds the secret key to lasting joy. But those who desire riches bring temptation to themselves and are often caught in a trap. Happiness is never the byproduct of chasing wealth.

4. Desiring a picture-perfect life. Happiness is not something we discover only after everything is perfect with our lives (our jobs, our appearance, our relationships). If that were the case, none of us would ever experience happiness. This world is imperfect—always will be. But happiness can still be found once we realize perfection is not a prerequisite.

5. Building our own kingdom. The size of our universe shrinks dramatically when we place ourselves at the center. Living selfishly for our own personal gain will never produce lasting happiness and fulfillment. Our lives are designed to be lived for something far greater. And only those who discover the hidden joy of living for others will find a happiness that truly lasts.

6. Entertaining distraction. Our world has become a constant feed of information, noise, and entertainment. Each distraction enters our mind with one goal: Gain control of our attention and resources. Those who sacrifice their resources to unlimited curiosity will never find the mental or financial capacity to become something greater.

7. Fighting for recognition. Searching for happiness in recognition is a losing endeavor. The world will never give you the respect or accolades you so desperately desire. They are all too busy fighting for their own. You will need to find it elsewhere.

8. Succumbing to fear. If given the chance, fear will always cripple. It will steal your life and potential. Living your fullest life will require courage in the face of fear. Sometimes you will fail. But be strong, most of the time, you will succeed—or become better because of it.

9. Searching for it around the next corner. Happiness is not something to be chased. It is a decision to be made. (tweet that)

And you have everything you need right now to choose it.

Just Look Around

“There is always, always, always something to be thankful for.”

Recently, I was playing tennis with a friend. It was not going well. I was losing. And not just normal losing, but the type of losing where you hope no one else is watching.

As is typically the case when I don’t win, I was getting frustrated. And when I get frustrated, I look for someone or something to blame (I know, it’s a character flaw). I tried blaming the racket, the balls, staying up too late, and the weather.

Unfortunately, the racket was the same as always, the balls were brand new, the night before ended at 10pm, and the weather was 75 and sunny (thanks Phoenix).

While I was looking for something else to blame (shoes, maybe), a loud roar suddenly emerged from the skies above. I looked up to notice a helicopter overhead. It was big. It was close. And it was loud.

As the helicopter flew directly over me, a passing thought entered my otherwise frustrated mind, “Wow, look at that big helicopter. That machine is one amazing accomplishment.”

Immediately, my mind found permission to stop thinking about tennis. And I began to look around at my surroundings—even if for only a moment.

I noticed a beautiful bird perched high above in a palm tree. I noticed flowers blooming along the fence and green grass all around. I felt a drop of sweat on my eyebrow, warm sunshine on my face, and just enough breeze to make it all perfect.

I looked down and noticed the healthy body allowing me to play. I felt comfortable shoes on my feet and a lightweight racquet in my hand. I looked across the net and saw a good friend, a valued relationship, and someone I would trust through any trial. Amazing things all around me.

The frustration and negativity in my mind began to melt away.

And I was reminded that life often works like this.

Granted, one bad tennis match is a trivial problem to overcome. Some of us are struggling through far more significant problems: illness, loneliness, failure, addiction, or loss (and that’s just a short list).

But sometimes, all we need to change our outlook and attitude is to just look around—to take our eyes off our problems, our frustrations, and our struggle. And instead, notice something amazing.

When we do, even for just a moment, we begin to notice we are surrounded by countless blessings every single day:

Beautiful flowers & singing birds
Blue skies & countless stars
Warm shelter & dry clothing
Food to eat & coffee to drink
Amazing art & passionate music
Trusted friends & loving families
Laughter & hope & faith
Or something as beautiful as your next breath

If you feel like you can’t go on, look around and notice the wonder of the world around you. Because when you do, you give your mind permission to stop dwelling on your problems and start finding beauty instead.

Oh sure, stopping to look around probably won’t fix your problem. But it may just give you the strength and hope you need to survive another day.

Related: On Gratitude | The Most Important Two Minutes of Your Life

How to Hold an Unpopular Opinion

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson

There are no unanimous opinions. Beliefs held by 100% of the population are not called opinions, they are called facts. And other than the most elementary truths (2+2=4, the sky is blue), 100% belief in anything is becoming increasingly rare.

Change, by definition, requires us to embrace a new (or contrary) opinion. Whether we are seeking to change ourselves or the world around us, there is no transformation without the introduction of a new idea. And new ideas are almost always met with confrontation on some level.

For me, this occurred just hours after making the decision to remove our unneeded possessions and pursue minimalism. I made a phone call to my mom to tell her the news. She was less than excited. She had plenty of preconceived notions about minimalism—at one point even wondering aloud how we were going to eat if we stopped going to the grocery store.

We laugh about it now, but in the moment, it was significant. Only hours into my journey, I was forced to decide if I would succumb to the pressure of popular opinion or if I would pursue what my heart was telling me to be true.

To be fair, years later, I have learned to present minimalism differently and cut off many of the most common objections before they even surface. Nowadays, rare is the individual who argues vehemently against my understanding and case for minimalism. Minimalism is still an uncommon opinion, but I have learned to promote the positives of minimalism rather than the negatives of consumerism.

However, on a macro-level, the objections refuse to slow. The stakes are just too high. There are businesses and economies and governments and personal livelihoods based on the pursuit of consumption and mass production. The introduction of any idea that seeks to tear it all down will be met with confrontation. It will require us to stand firm against the sway of popular opinion.

How then, in the case of pursuing simplicity, do we hold an unpopular opinion? How do we stand firm against the sway of popular opinion in this regard or any other? Whether we are in conversation with family and friends, attempting to live in a countercultural manner, or alone battling our own thoughts, here are some helpful principles to remember.

How to Hold an Unpopular Opinion

1. Celebrate your uniqueness. Your life was never meant to be lived like everyone else. You don’t look the same, you don’t sound the same, and your deepest-held values are unique. Throwing that away just to conform to popular opinion is one of the cruelest things you can ever do. And it will always prevent you from living your fullest life.

2. Remember popularity and accuracy are not the same. Don’t think you’re on the right road just because it’s a well-beaten path. Our desire should be to discover and hold the right opinions, not just the prevailing ones.

3. Count the benefits. Discover, remember, and focus on the benefits of your belief structure. Be able to quickly articulate to yourself and others why you hold the position that you do by embracing the positives. In the case of minimalism, whenever I explain my countercultural decision to others, I always highlight the benefits of owning less. It helps makes a stronger case for the lifestyle in both my mind and theirs.

4. Find strength in community. Unpopular is not the same as alone. From politics to religion to world views, there is no shortage of opinions available in our world. And almost certainly, while unpopular, there are others who believe the same as you. Find them. And discover greater resolve because of it.

5. Understand the counterarguments. Thinking critically and asking questions go hand in hand. Know your opinion, but work hard to understand the case and arguments against it. If you are right, you have nothing to fear. If you are wrong, you have everything to gain.

6. Hold opinions humbly. When discussing opinions of any kind, exercise humility with others and with yourself. Rare is the person who knows everything. We live our lives with certain assumptions and biases based on experiences. Sometimes these experiences lead us to truth, but other times they lead us away from it. Find the proper balance of humility and fierce resolve in all of your opinions.

7. Present your case boldly. I think owning less is a better way to live. Because of this opinion, I feel a responsibility to tell others and present the case for it whenever possible. After all, inviting others to a better way of life is an act of love. We must see it as such and stand firm in the face of opposition. This obligation remains true whether we are speaking of minimalism or countless other unpopular opinions.

Your life is valuable. It is the greatest asset you own. And it holds potential for great things. Don’t let it slip into mediocrity by choosing to live based on popular opinion.