Joshua Becker's Blog, page 24

The Power of Embracing a Simpler Life: A New Perspective

People often wonder, “How can you resist the temptation to desire the things that everyone else seems to want?”

And honestly, it’s not a struggle I encounter as often anymore.

But when I do, I take a moment to reflect on the benefits I’ve gained since choosing to live with fewer possessions:

A home with less clutter.A life with reduced stress.More quality time with loved ones.Opportunity for greater generosity in my spending.An example for my kids on setting priorities.Increased energy to pursue my passions.A heart filled with contentment.A soul brimming with gratitude.Freedom.And an expanded horizon to chase more meaningful endeavors.

As these realizations set in, the temptation starts to dissipate.

In its place, a thought-provoking question arises:

Why would I want what others have when they seem to yearn for the simplicity and fulfillment I’ve already discovered?

Living a minimalist lifestyle has not only decluttered my physical space but has also brought clarity to my mind and opportunity for greater purpose to my life. It has allowed me to concentrate on the things that genuinely matter while intentionally discarding distractions and unnecessary burdens.

Minimalism helps us recognize our true priorities. But it doesn’t end there.

It encourages us to live a life where our resources are centered around those values, enabling us to craft a life with less envy and need to conform.

It’s time to embrace the power of simplicity and embark on a journey that allows all of us to lead more meaningful and fulfilling lives.

The question is not whether we should want what everyone else has, but rather, why wouldn’t we choose the path that leads to lasting happiness and inner peace?

Inspiring Simplicity. Weekend Reads.

Fill your life with stories to tell, not stuff to show.

The simplicity/minimalism movement is a beautiful community. And I enjoy any opportunity to promote writing that encourages people to live more by owning less.

I invite you to 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.

Experts are Recommending ‘Swedish Death Cleaning’ – and They Say It’s Your Duty to Your Children | Daily Mail by Emily Joshu. Anyone who has lost a family member knows the emotional toll of going through their old stuff, and experts say this type of cleaning could even ease that burden.

Seven Mistakes to Avoid When Decluttering Your Home | The Town Line by Christina Giaquinto. The spring cleaning season is always such a great time to refresh your home and everyday lifestyle.

Minimalism and Simplicity (The Magical Combination) | The Minimalist Vegan by Michael Ofei. Minimalism and simple living represent a mindset. A way of thinking that can be transformational.

10 Tips to Identify Your Minimalist Essentials | No Sidebar by Barefoot Minimalists. Think of your belongings as tools that help you navigate the world with comfort and ease and allow you to engage in activities that bring you joy.

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The Uncluttered Course | Becoming Minimalist by Joshua Becker. Are you feeling overwhelmed by clutter and struggling to let go of possessions that no longer serve you? The Uncluttered Course is back and ready to guide you towards a simplified, clutter-free life. With step-by-step guidance, weekly challenges, and a supportive community, this course will give you the tools you need to achieve your decluttering goals. If you want to declutter and just need some extra help to get you there, sign up for the Uncluttered Course today.

Recently Released Inspiring Videos

Why You Don’t Need to Run with the Cool Kids | YouTube by Joshua Becker. If you don’t fit in, then you are probably doing the right thing.

I Don’t Want Friends Impressed by Fancy Things | YouTube by Joshua Becker. The people we spend time with affect us in significant ways. They shape our worldview, our self-esteem, our attitude, and our pursuits. And they influence how we spend our money, our time, and our energy.

Other Resources

1440. Are you tired of biased news? Try 1440. It’s a daily digest of all the most important info in culture, science, sports, politics, business, and everything in between—presented without bias. It’s the fastest way to an informed and impartial point-of-view. I’ve been reading it for months and love it.

Clear Your Mind, Own Less, and Live More with Uncluttered: The Ultimate Decluttering Course

Are you tired of feeling overwhelmed by the clutter in your home? Do you crave more clarity and rest in your life, but don’t know where to start? I understand. And I have a solution.

I’ve been offering the Uncluttered Course for over six years now, and it has helped over 75,000 people from all over the world finally break through and declutter their homes.

I designed the course specifically for people who want to own less and live more, and just need some extra help to get there.

I offer the course three times a year, and registration for the May edition is now open. If you’re feeling stuck in your clutter and need some guidance and support to move forward, Uncluttered is for you.

I know that decluttering can be a daunting task, especially if you’ve been putting it off for a while or are new to the process.

But trust me, removing unneeded possessions from your home can promote calm, peace, and control in your life. It fosters flexibility, freedom, and financial stability—in a time when each are desperately needed. You’ll love owning less!

That’s why I want to help you get uncluttered, once and for all.

The Uncluttered Course is a 12-week online program that will guide you through the process of owning less, living more, and discovering the life you’ve always wanted.

I’ll be there every step of the way, offering weekly challenges, live webinars, motivation, inspiration, conversations, a loving 24/7 community, and opportunities to ask me specific questions every week.

The course is built on seven decluttering principles that have proven to be effective:

Identify the purpose of a room and get rid of anything that doesn’t serve that purpose.Distinguish between decluttering and organizing.Start with the easier spaces and move on to harder ones.Choose one of three options for every object: remove it, relocate it, leave it.Focus on the gains, not the subtractions.You are not alone.Count the “clutter cost.”

Through these principles, I will help you think about possessions in a way that feels freeing, decide what to keep and what to remove, move away from shopping as a hobby, and develop clutter-free habits for your unique home.

You will determine what is “enough” in any area of life and learn how to live forever free from the weight and burden of clutter.

But more than that, you will be part of a supportive community of like-minded people who are all moving toward the same goal. You’ll be able to share your struggles and successes, ask for advice, and offer encouragement to others who are on the same journey. Many life-long friendships have been built during the 12 week course.

Registration for the May edition of Uncluttered is open now, until Sunday, May 14th.

The cost is $99 (USD) for lifetime access to the course—so you can take it at your own pace and pause, re-start, or return to it any time you’d like.

And because life happens, every participant has lifetime access to the course materials so you can take it again for free if you want or need. More than anything else, I want everyone to be successful in this journey.

I want to help you declutter your home and discover the life you’ve always wanted. So if you’re ready to bring about new peace and calm in your home, join me for Uncluttered. Let’s clear the clutter, focus on what matters most in our lives, and enjoy a renewed sense of clarity together.

Controlling Your Attention: The Most Important Skill of the 21st Century and How to Do It

“In this information-rich, time-poor society, attention has become our most important resource.” —Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

Bruce Less is credited with once saying, “The successful warrior is the average man, with laser-like focus.”

I tend to think he is right and maybe now more than ever. Especially as our attention spans, all around the world, shrink.

In a world where distractions abound, both big and small, the greatest skill we can personally hone is the control of our attention. In fact, the ability to keep focus amid ever-increasing distractions may just be the greatest determining factor of success in the 21st Century.

Our attention is the driving force that shapes our lives. It is what creates wisdom from our past experiences and helps us make the most out of the skills we’ve developed, the education we’ve experienced, and the talents we’ve accumulated.

It is our attention that puts these assets to work, allowing us to make the most of our potential.

Only with focused attention do we make the most out of these strengths. Ultimately, it’s where we direct our attention that shapes the direction of our path and how effectively we reach our goals and what we accomplish with the one life that we have to live.

This is why controlling your attention is so important.

Here’s How to Do It:

1. Simplify Your Environment.

Simplicity is the stepping stone to clarity. A cluttered environment, whether physical or digital, results in a cluttered mind.

By minimizing the unnecessary, we remove visual noise and make room for focused attention.

This doesn’t just mean owning fewer possessions, but also decluttering our online spaces.

2. Practice Mindfulness.

Mindfulness is the art of being fully present. It’s a skill that trains your brain to focus on the here and now, preventing it from being hijacked by past regrets or future anxieties.

Simple mindfulness exercises can be a great starting point. So can religious rituals like prayer, meditation, and spiritual reading.

3. Notice When Distractions Are Getting Your Attention.

Awareness is key in controlling attention. Work hard to notice when your attention drifts.

Are there specific triggers that lead your mind astray? Maybe a particular time of day or a specific task that causes your mind to wander? Or maybe it’s a specific app or website that grabs your attention? Begin to notice them in your day and week.

Identifying these can help us regain control when our focus begins to waver. It is certainly an important step.

4. Understand Both Big and Small Distractions.

Distractions, both big and small, can impact our focus. Small distractions are often immediate—a phone notification, a game, Tik-Tok videos—things that interrupt us briefly, but frequently.

On the other hand, there are larger distractions in life that can also keep us from meaning—things like an excessive pursuit of wealth or constant worry about others’ opinions. These distractions, often more subtle than a buzzing phone, can divert our attention over a longer period.

Recognizing and tackling both types is essential for controlling our attention.

5. Prioritize Time.

It is important that we start each day by setting our intention and remembering our priorities.

By organizing our time according to what we value most and our goals, we can better direct our attention. What activities today truly deserve your focus? What aligns with your purpose? Asking these questions can guide us to invest our attention wisely.

Of course, prioritizing time can only happen if we’ve set clear goals.

6. Set Clear Goals.

Clear goals channel our attention.

They act as a compass, guiding our attention and focus toward what truly matters. Of course, we all get to decide for ourselves what that’s going to be. But the important step is to do it. That’s why I included an entire chapter on Finding Your Purpose in Things That Matter.

Also, it’s helpful to remember that breaking down larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks can help us overcome overwhelm and maintain focus.

7. Take Regular Breaks.

Rest is different than distraction—especially when we are intentional about it.

Rest is not the enemy of productivity, it is a requirement for it. Regular breaks give your attention the time it needs to recharge and refocus.

Controlling your attention, just like any skill requires practice, patience, and pursuit.

But the rewards are immense. A more intentional, fulfilling life awaits those who can harness the power of their attention.

Minimalism is not just about owning less. It’s about making room for more—more focus, more joy, more purpose. By controlling our attention, we make room for the moments, the people, and the passions that matter most.

Controlling your attention may be the greatest skill of the 21st Century. And that’s good news. Because anyone can do it.

10 Financial Decisions You’ll Regret 10 Years From Now

Nobody can fully predict the future. Anything can happen, of course.

But that shouldn’t stop us from making wise decisions today that, generally speaking, lead to the best outcomes—both personally and as a society.

Because when it comes to the decisions we make with our money, our choices today create the reality of our tomorrow. They are the building blocks that shape our future.

With that in mind, here are 10 financial decisions you’ll probably regret in 10 years. They may seem minor or inconsequential today, but over time, they can divert you from your path of living a focused, intentional life.

10 Financial Decisions You’ll Regret 10 Years From Now

1. Spending too much money on a car.

A car serves a purpose—it gets you from point A to point B. Spending a significant chunk of your income (or first paycheck) on a really expensive car might make you feel good in the short term, but it depreciates quickly, and the money could have been better spent elsewhere.

Remember, the best way to get ahead financially is to not spend like you already are.

2. Not saving for retirement.

It’s easy to think that retirement is a long way off, especially when you’re in your 20s or 30s. Additionally, the amount of disposable income available to put away might seem insignificant when you’re just starting out.

But the power of compound interest is astounding, and starting early is key. Ten years from now, you’ll wish you had started today. Those small amounts add up. Even more, it gets you in the habit early.

3. Spoiling your kids with whatever they want you to buy them.

It’s natural to want to give our children the world. But indulging their every wish can lead to a sense of entitlement and certainly won’t teach them the value of money. Plus, giving into one request doesn’t stop the next request. Just the opposite, it encourages more and more.

Instead, consider instilling in them the joy of intentional living, minimalism, delayed gratification, and spending wisely. It’s good for kids to hear “no” once in awhile. Just be sure to explain the reason behind your “no” as best you can.

4. Not having an emergency fund.

Life is unpredictable. You might lose your job, have unexpected medical expenses, or need urgent home repairs. An emergency fund can be a lifesaver in these situations, providing you with peace of mind and financial security.

Starting one will require discipline—which is also amazingly helpful to learn.

5. Not learning how to budget.

Budgeting isn’t restrictive; it’s freeing (or sexy). A budget gives you control over your finances and helps ensure you’re spending your money on what truly matters to you. Without a budget, it’s easy to lose track of your spending and end up living paycheck to paycheck.

Here’s the approach I recommend: A Spending Plan that Actually Works

6. Not investing in the stock market.

The stock market can seem intimidating, but it’s one of the most effective ways to grow your wealth over time. And historically, the market trends upwards over long periods—especially ten years.

Investing early not only capitalizes on this growth potential, but it also provides invaluable lessons about market dynamics and financial management. These insights will serve you throughout your life, helping you make informed decisions and foster financial resilience.

The smartest first step is almost always to invest in a fund that just moves with the market, like VOO. And apps like Robinhood make it easy.

7. Buying too much house.

There are so many positive benefits of living in a smaller home—many that go beyond the financial stress of overspending on a house.

That being said, a house is likely the largest purchase you’ll ever make. And while it’s tempting to buy your dream home, stretching your budget too thin can lead to financial stress and even worse. Instead, by only the home you need.

8. Carrying a credit card balance.

While credit cards can be convenient and useful, they can also lead to excessive debt if not used responsibly. Paying off your balance each month is important to avoid high interest charges. That is the only way I’ve ever used them and have never regretted that approach.

On the other hand, living off credit cards and only paying the minimum due every month can lead to a debt spiral that’s hard to escape—and I know lots of people who have regretted getting caught in that spiral.

9. Not paying your taxes.

Taxes can be complex and, for some, burdensome. It may be tempting to delay or ignore them, particularly if you’re facing financial difficulties. However, unpaid taxes can lead to penalties, interest charges, and even legal action from the IRS. The stress and financial burden this creates can linger for years, often far outweighing the initial tax bill. It’s important to seek help and address tax issues promptly to avoid these long-term consequences.

10. Not investing in your health.

It’s easy to prioritize immediate financial goals over long-term health. But neglecting regular check-ups or a healthy lifestyle can lead to expensive medical bills down the road. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Exercise, eat healthy, get the rest your body needs, and avoid unhealthy addictions. Your future self (and your future finances) will thank you for it.

Again, nobody can predict the future, but the choices we make today undoubtedly shape our tomorrows. Remember, every dollar you earn is a resource—a tool for building the life you truly want. Use them wisely.

As always, the journey towards financial responsibility and minimalism isn’t about deprivation—it’s about focusing on what’s truly important. We’re not just cutting back. We’re making room—room for more freedom, passion, and life.

Both today, and ten years from now.

4 Reasons You’re Not Taking Action (And What to Do About It)

Editor’s Note: This is a guest post from David Nurse.

Knowing and doing, while they go hand in hand, are far from identical.

Enrolling in decluttering courses and becoming a “simple-living sponge” is not the same as rolling up your sleeves and ruthlessly de-owning possessions.

So, the question becomes: How do you bridge the gap? How do you take your “know-how” and transform it into action?

By revealing your roadblocks.

The way we take action is by first realizing that we’re not, and then going deeper to figure out why.

Sure, we could chalk up inaction to too little time or inadequate resources, but often, if we take a deep, candid look, the root of our inaction lies not on some external factor, but rather, within ourselves.

Truth is, only 8 percent of people live out their dreams in life. 8 percent. That’s 92% who do not.

And the only one stopping you from doing so is… well, you.

After seeing the life-altering ripples of overcoming my own action obstacles—going from living on my parents’ recliner after a blindsiding job loss to being named one of the top 50 motivational speakers worldwide—I felt called to help others do the same.

Regardless of your role in life, you’re called to take action. To live your life, not just to ponder living it. That dream you have, be it living in a clutter-free home, switching careers, writing a book, is yours for a reason. Now is the time to make it happen.

In my new book, Do It, I discuss nine reasons (or Action Archetypes) people don’t take action and how to overcome these personal roadblocks.

Here’s a look at four of those reasons we don’t take action (and what to do about it):

1. The Allodoxaphobic

Allodoxaphobia is the fear of other’s opinions. Studies support that the irrational fear of being ridiculed by others begins in childhood. Being laughed at for bringing an unpopular toy to class in grade school, being teased for driving your parents’ beaten down station wagon in high school, being scoffed at for suggesting a new theory in a college class. All of these experiences are future triggers for allodoxaphobia, affecting whether or not you take action today.

Think about how much better your world would be if you didn’t concern yourself with what others think. Will they laugh at me if I speak up? What if this IG post doesn’t get any likes? What will my friend think if I donate this coffee mug that she bought me?

Tool for overcoming allodoxaphobia: Create a personal mantra.

Your personal mantra is a funnel of clarity for who you are so that you control the narrative of your life, not the opinions’ of others. Consider your strongest qualities, descriptive words you like, and type of people you like to be around. Then use this to build your mantra.

My mantra is: “I create an environment of exuberant encouragement.” I keep this mantra on the lock screen of my phone because I want to enter every room with this mantra plastered on my brain. A personal mantra allows you to choose your inner narrative, shaping the way you view yourself, and drowning out other’s drivel that blocks you from taking action.

2. The Perfectionist

Perfectionism, which also often stems from childhood events, has been amplified by our culture. Society’s pressure to project an inauthentic version of yourself, your goals, and your life, has created unrealistic expectations. Take Instagram for example. I bet if you went on there right now, you’d be hard-pressed to find a post where someone exposes all the failures, mishaps, and heartbreaks behind a recent success.

You log on and scroll through a barrage of polished images that may leave you feeling dissatisfied and inadequate. If your goal is a minimalist lifestyle, you may even be tempted to give up completely because now you think minimalism equals a perfectly curated home. Anything less than perfect is deemed unacceptable, which leaves you paralyzed.

Tool to overcome the perfectionist: The 90% Rule.

Consider the most challenging thing on your schedule for today or this week. What if you viewed that “challenge thing” as a challenge you had already conquered? Do you think you would have more peace and confidence about it? I would imagine so. Because you have already accomplished it.

Often, the pressure we place on ourselves leads us to trying too hard and missing our goal. Write on a piece of paper: “I’ve Already Won the Game.” Place this paper on your bedstand or bonus points for taping it to the ceiling directly above your bed (first thing your eyes will see every morning when you wake up!).

You have already won the game. Take a deep breath in; you no longer have to press 100% of the time. How freeing is that? Now you can freely take action.

3. The Distracted

Studies show that we spend around 47% of every waking hour “mind wandering” aka distracted. Distraction has become such a natural experience that we don’t notice how it prevents us from taking action. Sure, the culprit of your overly distracted life could be external. You could blame the 3.04 million apps on your phone, the 667,865 restaurants in your area, the 532 channels you are able to watch, not to mention the 64 different streaming services.

But if we’re honest, the reason for our distraction is often internal. We seek out distractions to stay mentally busy, so we can avoid facing up to the big questions—like whether we’re living genuinely meaningful lives.

Tool for overcoming the distracted: The Distraction Advantage.

Distractions are all around us if we want them to be. But so are ample opportunities to take advantage of what others have deemed to be distractions. Take a piece of paper; list your distractions on the left side and list the most important people you want to spend time with/things you want to accomplish on the right side. Now draw a line, or what I call a bridge, between them to link them together.

Here’s an example:

Distraction: I have three young kids, how can I ever find time to declutter?

Goal: To declutter one room of my house per month.

Distraction Advantage: Set up a room you want to declutter with a donate, trash, and keep box. Then play hide and seek with your kids for twenty minutes a day. While they hide, take an extra long time to find them, and use those minutes to sort through a drawer or cupboard, discarding items as you play.

By bridging your distractions with your goals, you take action.

4. The Burned

Being burned by a past event leaves you living in “what-if” mode. Your last attempt at decluttering your home, you completely backslid and succumbed to meaningless purchases. Why even try to go minimalist again? You put years into a start-up, only to see it go bankrupt. Why even try to build another business again?

The root of the what-ifs is fear. But I’m here to propose a question that should grip you with even more fear: “What if you don’t?” What if you don’t take the chance of going all in on your passion? You live in regret.

Tool to overcome feeling burned: The reverse alter ego.

Creating a reverse alter ego name can help you realize that the person you were in the past is not who you are today. Adopting an alter ego is a form of self distancing, which gives us space to reframe a situation. Kobe Bryant’s on-court alter ego was The Black Mamba; Beyonce’s stage alter ego is Sasha Fierce. Mine is Little Davy.

It makes me laugh when I say it out loud and reminds me that’s who I was when I was younger, not today. I even use Little Davy for mistakes I made a few years ago, or when I think about the times I was burned in my life. Little Davy can have those past traumas and setbacks, but not David. Not me. Not here, not now. I am a different person now and can take action regardless of my past.

By uncovering the reason you don’t take action and learning the tools to move past them, you go from knowing to doing, giving yourself permission to truly live. For a deeper dive into these four Action Archetypes (and the other five) check out Do It: The Life-Changing Power of Taking Action.

Happiness is what we all seek, fulfillment is the key to happiness, and taking action is the vehicle that will get you there.

Why not do what fulfills you? Take action—your life and the lives of those around you will only be better for it.

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David Nurse is a best-selling author, a Top 50 motivational speaker (as named by Real Leaders), and podcast host of the David Nurse Show. He has worked with more than 150 NBA players, coaches, CEOs, and Hollywood actors, helping them transform their mindset to succeed at the highest level. His third book, Do It: The Life-Changing Power of Taking Action, releases May 2nd.

Meet Celeste, a Free Tool to Help You Own Less

I’m excited to introduce you to Celeste, your personal, virtual decluttering assistant—available to help you declutter and minimize 24/7.

Celeste is a brand-new tool created specifically for Becoming Minimalist. And free for you to use.

Celeste has been trained in the benefits of owning less and the Becoming Minimalist methods that have made this website so helpful and life-changing for so many people.

She can help in many ways.

For example, she can:

create a specific decluttering plan for your homebreak large decluttering projects into smaller taskshelp you think through difficult items to declutteroffer suggestions on what to keep and what to removeprovide quick decluttering projects that you haven’t considered

It is my hope that she will help you (and everyone else) own less, live more, and make the most of the one life you have to live!

Use Celeste to help you declutter right here, right now at https://www.becomingminimalist.com/celeste/

Give it a try. I think you’ll be impressed. And then share the tool with a friend or on social media.

*This is my first introduction of Celeste to the entire Becoming Minimalist Community. And I’d love your feedback and comments. I’ll be watching the comments closely to see how she was able to help, what creative uses you have discovered, and your ideas for improvement.

Celeste was created by Vincent Nguyen of Growth Ninja. If you would like a similar tool for your company, contact him directly.

Inspiring Simplicity. Weekend Reads.

For the last nine years, I have been compiling and publishing curated articles that inspire simplicity. At first, it was an exercise in communicating to Becoming Minimalist readers the most popular articles I sent out on Twitter.

But over the years, it has become more than that. It has become a place where people (every other week) come for a dose of inspiration. And it has become a place to promote and encourage writers around the world who are publishing content about minimalism, simplicity, and intentional living.

I think you will enjoy this collection of articles hand-selected for you this weekend. Grab some coffee, tea, or lemonade and be inspired to live a simpler life today.

I’m a Gen Z’er Who’s Not on Social Media: I’m Happier and Healthier For It | New York Post by Asia Grace. A 2020 study conducted by Facebook, the parent company of Instagram, found that the social medium knowingly exacerbates negative body image, low self-esteem, anxiety, depression and, in extreme cases, suicidal thoughts in at least 32% of its young female users.

Are We Returning to an Era of Delayed Gratification? I Hope So | The Guardian by Viv Groskop. In my view, when we can have everything we want exactly when we want it, it doesn’t bring us joy.

Simple Living Explained | A Quaint Life by Roxanna Shadd. When you begin practicing being present in life and no longer succumb to the consumption mentality. You begin craving deeper more meaningful experiences.

10 Benefits of Living In a Smaller Home | No Sidebar by Amy Slenker-Smith. We realized a large home would never give us the life we were looking for.

Deciding What You Want and Saying No to the Rest | Simple Intentional by Sarah. Decide what kind of life you want. And then say no to everything that isn’t that.

Recently Released Inspiring Videos

15 Clutter Busting Routines For Any Family | YouTube by Joshua Becker. For years, we’ve worked hard to remove any clutter that begins to accumulate in our home. Along the way, we’ve picked up some helpful clutter busting routines for those who are just getting started with minimalist living.

21 Life Changing Minimalist Experiments to Try in Your Home | YouTube by Joshua Becker. “We need much less than we think we need.” —Maya Angelou

Other Resources

1440. 1440 is a free daily newsletter that both Kim and I have been enjoying. If you are looking for unbiased, summarized news headlines, they do a great job of curating important and interesting news headlines—presented with just the facts and no political bias. It’s like a breath of fresh air! I thought you might like it too.

19 Simple Ways to Make Time for Quiet in Your Busy Day

Perhaps the most underrated sound in the world today is silence.

In fact, quietness seems to be growing increasingly rare.

Rather than sit in silence, we turn on a streaming service, scroll social media, play a video game, or listen to music through a wireless speaker.

And while there may be some benefit to each of the items on that list, the importance of stillness and silence is often overlooked.

But research tells a different story.

Studies tell us that silence “restores the nervous system, helps sustain energy, and conditions our minds to be more adaptive and responsive.”

More than that, it provides opportunity to connect with our soul, evaluate direction and motives, and paves the way for a more intentional life.

But how can we find it in a world that is growing increasingly busy?

Let me offer 19 ideas.

19 Ways to Make Time for Quiet in Your Day

1. Wake up 15 minutes earlier than usual.

2. Turn off the radio when driving.

3. Take a silent walk during your lunch break.

4. Turn off the noise and practice mindful eating without distractions.

5. Replace some TV or streaming time with silent reflection.

6. Incorporate quiet time into your (and your child’s) bedtime routine.

7. Use your time in the shower for focused reflection.

8. Turn off the music while walking, running, or exercising.

9. Use household chores as opportunities for mindfulness and silence.

10. Spend time out in nature.

11. Intentionally sit quiet every time you close your computer.

12. Schedule a 15-minute dedicated period of silence in your calendar.

13. Dedicate a quiet space at home for silence.

14. Attend a religious/spiritual service that provides opportunity for meditation.

15. Take advantage of unexpected downtime.

16. Cancel one recurring commitment and replace it with solitude.

17. Turn off the podcast.

18. Drink your morning cup of coffee in silence.

19. Communicate with others about the importance of silence in your life and ask for their support.

I realize not every item on this list applies to your unique life. And there are certainly seasons of life when finding quiet time is easier than others.

But often, those seasons of life when silence and quiet reflection is the hardest to find is when it is most needed. Hopefully this list will spark some new ideas for all of us.

Celebrating One Year of Things That Matter

One year ago, we released Things That Matter: Overcoming Distraction to Pursue a More Meaningful Life.

Thank you for making it such a wonderful success.

Over the last year, the book debuted at #1 on the Wall Street Journal Bestseller List, has been translated into 9 languages, received over 1,000 reviews on Amazon, and has sold over 50,000 copies!

As a matter of fact, just last week, it was still #1 in Happiness and #2 in Self-Help on Amazon.

Immediately following the release of Things That Matter, my family and I visited 12 cities on a Midwest Summer Book Tour where I got to meet many of you.

Since then, I have been able to speak on the topics covered in the book frequently in a large variety in contexts. In fact, I spoke on the topic of overcoming distraction last weekend here in Phoenix and will be speaking at Journey Church just outside Omaha, NE on Sunday May 07. If you live nearby, come say hello. :)

As always, you can find my speaking schedule here, or invite me to your next event.

The Becoming Minimalist Community makes all of this possible. So I wanted to take this opportunity to both celebrate the one-year anniversary of the book and thank you for making it (and this blog) such a wonderful success.

I get to do what I do only because of your love and support.

Things That Matter is an important book and I am proud of it.

It takes the principles of minimalism I am known for and paints a bigger picture of how distractions can keep us from meaning, purpose, and satisfaction. It calls to our attention other distractions than physical possessions that keep us from fulfillment in life. Distractions such as money, accolades, technology, leisure, even fear and regret.

Anyone who is looking to live a more focused and intentional life will benefit from it.

I receive emails every week from people who have read the book and want me to know how it helped them. Here are just a few messages that people have given me permission to share:

“I absolutely loved the book! It resonated with me and continued to spur my love for quality moments and times with family over material possessions. I am a homeschooling mom of four and I am requiring this book for my children to read in high school.” —Katie Washburn

“The book didn’t just have me think about how I want to be better… it actually helped me do that with self-reflecting questions. It is, by far, one of the best books out there. In fact, I’ve read it twice and still don’t think I’m done applying it to my life.” —Jodie Hermes

If you’ve read Things That Matter, what type of impact did it have on your life? It would be so much fun to read a collection of stories in the comment section of this one-year anniversary post.

And if you haven’t read the book yet, consider this your helpful reminder. It’s available everywhere books are sold including: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Walmart, and Independent bookstores all over the world.

I appreciate all of you for helping to spread the word. Let’s all live focused on things that matter.