Joshua Becker's Blog, page 6

10 Minutes to a Clutter-Free Morning

“The first hour is the rudder of the day.” – Henry Ward Beecher

Let’s face it. Mornings can be tough. In many homes, they are famous for containing too much to do and too little time.

But mornings set the mood for the rest of our day. They have the potential to energize us or drain us. They have the opportunity to lift our spirits or drag us down. They can start us on the right foot or the wrong foot.

Given the fact that mornings are so important, it’s wise to spend a few minutes each night preparing your house for tomorrow’s sunrise. After all, a clutter-free house in the morning means less stress, less anxiety, and less time getting prepared for the day. And that benefits everyone in the home!

Contrary to popular misconception, you don’t need to spend hours each night cleaning the house to accomplish a clutter-free morning. Instead, simply stay ahead of the clutter by tackling these seven decluttering projects before you go to bed each night.

1. Return shoes/coats to closets. In the winter, add gloves, hats, and scarves to the routine.

2. Recycle junk mail and newspapers. A new day brings new mail and new news. Keep your table or counter space clutter-free in the morning by removing today’s.

3. Put away articles of clothing. Some go in the laundry. Some go back in the closet. But none should be left on the floor. It helps to have a minimalist wardrobe.

4. Store media out of sight. Put back all remote controls and video game controllers that were used during the day. The first time you walk into that room tomorrow, you’ll be glad you did.

5. Process coins and receipts. If someone emptied their pockets onto a dresser or counter (keys, receipts, or coins), it’ll take you only 60 seconds to put those items where they actually belong.

6. Clear all bathroom surfaces. The first place you’ll go in the morning is the bathroom. It’s also a surprisingly easy room to keep clutter free. Invest the few minutes every night to make it happen.

7. Clean-up homework. Get your kids into the habit of putting away their schoolwork each night before bed rather than scrambling around each morning to find it.

8. Put kitchen items away. Granted, I’m assuming you’ve done some cleaning up already after dinner. And if you have, it’ll only take you a few meetings to tidy up anything that got left out.

9. Put back toys. Realistically, life doesn’t allow a clean toy room every evening. But if you have a toy room apart from your living room, spend 60 seconds returning toys to the room where they belong. Or better yet, get your kids into the practice of doing it themselves.

10. File paperwork. Stay on top of paper and office clutter by handling it the day it arrives.

If you are not in the habit of doing these things, it’ll definitely take longer than 10 minutes the first time. But once you get a handle on each area, the entire project will take you less than 10 minutes—and your morning you will thank you!

The post 10 Minutes to a Clutter-Free Morning appeared first on Becoming Minimalist.

Inspiring Simplicity. Weekend Reads.

Living with less creates space for more: more time, more peace, and more joy.

At the heart of minimalism is the realization that excess possessions distract us from meaning and happiness. Minimalism, then, is about freeing ourselves from the weight of unnecessary possessions and experiencing the opportunity that comes from living lightly.

Every other week, I gather articles that inspire and motivate us to lead simpler lives. The goal is to equip everyone with the courage to let go and the determination to live with less. 

So I encourage you to find a quiet moment this weekend with a hot cup of coffee or tea to enjoy these articles and reflect on their message.

Understanding ‘Underconsumption Core’: How a New Trend is Challenging Consumer Culture | The Conversation by Omar H. Fares and Seung Hwan (Mark) Lee. Instead of showcasing large hauls of clothing, makeup or over-flowing fridge shelves, social media users are posting videos showing thrift store purchases, modest wardrobes and practical, well-used everyday items.

Why It’s Time to Undream the American Dream | No Sidebar by Karen Trefzger. Once you start to undream the American Dream, you can discover what matters most to you. 

How To Embrace Minimalism When Traveling | Forbes by Ramsey Qubein. Minimalism in travel is not about sleeping in tents, reciting chants or seeking a Zen atmosphere from morning to night. It is about lightening the load, both physically and emotionally, to place the main focus back on the destinations visited and the people with whom you share those experiences.

“Underconsumption Core” is Everywhere: Here’s How I’ve Been Keeping a Minimalist Wardrobe for Years | The EveryGirl by Tinsley Crisp. I slowly learned that having “more” was actually hindering me. I was struggling to get dressed every day because my creativity was enfolded in a mass of decision fatigue from all of the—for lack of a better word—junk I had collected over the years.

Minimalism vs Essentialism – These Practices Loved by Experts Will Make Your Life Streamlined and Meaningful | Homes and Gardens by Ciéra Cree. You don’t have to be a minimalist (or an essentialist) overnight, or ever, if it doesn’t make you happy. But if you wish to know the answer to ‘can decluttering change your life?’, reflecting on both of these practices is a great place to start.

Recently Released Inspiring Videos

You Don’t Need to Spend A Lot of Money on Vacation to Make Great Memories | YouTube by Joshua Becker. Vacations can get really expensive really quickly, but it’s possible to have an awesome vacation for less money. Here are some ideas to keep in mind when planning an affordable family vacation that doesn’t break the bank.

10 Easy Rules to Own Less Stuff | YouTube by Joshua Becker. When decluttering, it can be hard to figure out what stays and what goes. Here are my 10 fool-proof rules for decluttering and owning less.

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

Stuff

Editor’s Note: This is a guest post from Meagan Pilo.

Terrible confession of a mother: Sometimes I inwardly cringe when my kids are invited to a birthday party.

Not because I don’t want them socially included, or the fact they will be juiced up on empty carbs and Red Dye 40 from those scarlet-colored cupcakes. Not even because they will go to some indoor play place or trampoline park where a thousand other kids are sliding in tubes and bouncing on tarps with the same degree of unwashed hands and runny noses.

No, it’s because of the loot bags.

When I was growing up, loot bags were a bag of chips and maybe a small candy bar. Nowadays, they are filled with tiny plastic toys and trinkets and novelty items purchased cheaply at the local Dollar Store. Things that my kids adore and discard with equal velocity. Or they break—instantly. My trash bins are once again filled with plastic, forever in a landfill, just to satisfy a child’s whim for maybe a half hour.

Don’t get me wrong. I love the idea of a loot bag. It is fun and engaging and a nice way for the host to thank the juvenile guests for attending their party. I rejoice when I see something useful. One birthday party the girls received nominal gift cards to Indigo (hooray reading!) and another time some hair clips they could actually use.

But more often than not it’s junky stuff that is purchased just because it’s the expected social etiquette of ending a birthday party. Etiquette that creates more clutter. Which stresses me more than a tax audit or missing a flight.

You see, I grew up in a household of clutter.

Long before there were words like minimalism and mindfulness, decades before e-commerce and online shopping and Amazon and Costco and infinite social media scrolling seduced us to buy things we don’t need, I was extremely aware and hypersensitive to “stuff.”  Even as a young child I would look around my house and question “What is this? Why do we have it? How does this add value to our lives?”

When another strange knick-knack appeared on a shelf (a shelf I was responsible for cleaning and dusting), I would escape to the river valley near my house and recalibrate my mind watching the water flow over the stones. Nature was perfect, soothing.

I’m not suggesting that everything in my childhood home was junk, or inelegant. In fact, this was the baffling part: my parents actually had good taste—selectively. There were several attractive paintings, fine-boned Rosenthal porcelain, a solid oak dining table, silk curtains.

But scattered amongst these tasteful furnishings and accessories were a collection of scary plastic troll dolls, baskets of artificial plants and flowers (to this day I refuse to have anything but real foliage in my house), enough mismatched table lamps to light an airport runway, endless couch pillows—and things we just accumulated over the years: broken toys, inkless pens, unused cookware, paperwork and receipts, clothes and shoes long outgrown, a life-sized stuffed Smurf. Trinkets and doilies…for some reason my mother had a need to cover every surface—every counter, table top, mantle, corner—with “stuff,” some of it nice and useful but most of it was a combination of rummage sale items and impulse purchases at a local discount store.

Eventually, the tasteful things in our house were so suffocated by this other “stuff” you couldn’t see or appreciate the quality of the things we had that, in Marie Kondo’s words, “sparked joy.” At least for me.

As a teenager, one of my first part-time jobs was working at my father’s condominium sales center showing the model suites to potential buyers. I became enthralled with the beauty and simplicity of the understated, but well-appointed, rooms. Furniture with clean lines, artwork as a focal point, counters devoid of unnecessary appliances and utensils, the mental clarity of having free and unclaimed space. The beds were crisply made with two accent pillows (not twelve), the kitchens were stocked with white dishes that met the minimal of culinary needs.

It was lovely and fresh; I would stroll through each room and an immediate sense of calm flooded my brain. And I was hooked.

This is not to say our personal and domestic space needs to be show-room perfect and sterile, for items that hold character and sentimentality are what make a house a home; but I discovered an aesthetic way of living that aligned with my value system.

Less was more. Less stuff meant less cleaning, shopping, spending, keeping track of where the stuff is, moving stuff, sorting stuff, filing, organizing, and worrying about stuff. When I wasn’t constantly distracted by stuff, I had energy to focus on other, more important issues—like being able to explore nature, my writing, new recipes to cook my family, calling a friend, attending a yoga class.

I became extremely discerning about what items I “allowed” into my home, and cultivated a way to keep my consumer boundaries in check. I tried to shop only when I needed something. I tried to resist trends. I went off social media so I wasn’t sucked up in the comparison culture (which can severely impact mental health even for grown adults).

I say “tried” because, let’s face it—it’s hard. We are bombarded, literally everywhere, by companies and products enticing us to consume. Promises of happiness and fulfillment through fast food chains on every corner, clothing, shoes, toys, games, media, cars—most of it grossly excessive and beyond what we actually need (and can often afford).

As I stand in the long line at H&M buying new socks for my son, I slowly weave past ten bins of stuff that tempt my purchasing power. My mind becomes untethered as I eyeball a pair of cheap gold hoop earrings… wouldn’t they look nice with a black dress? I quickly remind myself I already have several pairs of hoop earrings (and about twelve black dresses) that I never wear. I now silently repeat the mantra I don’t need this whenever I go shopping.

As a mother, instilling this type of will power and values has become increasingly difficult. My children are growing up in a culture and society which has taken consumption and consumerism to disturbing levels which is next to impossible to censor.

We are constantly assaulted (yes, I use this word deliberately) with ads and media outlets which tell us what to value and acquire. And it all leads to buying “stuff.” Wants have replaced needs. We have become a scrolling, disposable community of people that is constantly consuming, comparing, replacing—never satisfied by what we have.

Collections

My eight-year-old daughter loves stuffies, and she has gone through her phases and brands. When she was six it was Squishmallows, at seven it was the sparkly collection of “TYs”, now she is regularly scrolling through YouTube and obsessed with some cat-like animals called Mee Meows—which she doesn’t just covet, she worships.

Her appetite is insatiable; at her last birthday party she barely finished tearing open one gift before moving on to the next. I watched this behavior with a mixture of fascination and moral concern, like observing how fast a herd of lions can devour a zebra carcass. There was little acknowledgment and appreciation for what she had just received—she was already on to the next “stuff.”  I could almost see the rush of dopamine in her face.

Recently, she started to complain her bedroom is too small. True, at just around a hundred and twenty square feet it’s not a sprawling space but certainly seemed to have met the building requirements of our 1950s bungalow back in the day.

I gently suggested that perhaps she had too many “things” in her room and that was why it seemed small. She flat out denied this, so we did a count. I told her she likely owned upwards of eighty stuff animals and she looked at me with total shock and disbelief. “No way,” she said, “more like thirty.”

We counted and her smugness started to change to amusement as we approached seventy-five. Final count: eighty-eight. She let it sink in for a moment and then immediately defended her number. “Mom,” she said, “All my friends have more.”  

Sigh. How to explain to an eight-year-old, who is living in a privileged neighborhood surrounded by privileged kids and is taught through every social, economic and media channel she comes in contact with, that owning stuff is a measurement of self-worth? That acquiring more, of how much you consume, defines your character, your popularity?

Imagine if billboards and pop-up ads and YouTubers preached the benefits of owning less, of valuing our morals and virtues instead? What if even one of the 300+ channels they are exposed to on basic television educated our kids about how minimalism is good not only for the pocket book, but also for their mind, body and soul? Not to mention the environment.

I always tell my kids (especially after loot bag parties) that everything they buy took something from the earth and it goes back into the earth. In between it made someone a bit richer. Sometimes I think I am getting through—other times I catch myself sounding like a pioneer. My daughter, who has a deep affinity for the environment, is starting to understand. But then the next day, I am once again battling the screens, the ads, the temptations. Someone at school got some new stuff.

Navigating this new world is challenging. On one hand, I have to admit, I kind of get it. I had stuff as a kid, but nowhere near the magnitude that kids have today. I had a few stuffed animals, a barbie doll or two, an Easy Bake oven. But what I loved more than anything was my ten-speed bicycle which was my ticket to freedom and exploration in my northern Canadian neighborhood when I was twelve.

The problem now is the amount of choice and products that are marketed towards consumers—especially kids. A recent trip to Toys R Us to grab a gift for yet another birthday party almost left me so stressed and overstimulated I nearly drove straight to a yoga meditation session. The sheer volume of stuff in the store, row upon row of every kind of toy imaginable, literally made me dizzy, not knowing where to focus my attention.

I watched the attitudes and behaviors of some of the children in the store, flitting from one shiny object to another like moths, demanding they had to have it. And I felt genuinely sad. For the kids, for us, for society, for the earth. I hope in decades to come we can look back and see the senselessness in it all.

My daughter’s ninth birthday is fast approaching. I am starting to think about loot bags. But something surprising happens: as we discuss her party, she looks out our back window at the trees and the place where I regularly feed our resident chipmunk a handful of cashews (wrong, I know). She turns to me and says, “Mom, maybe this year we give everyone a small potted flower.”

I have gotten through. For today at least. Don’t give up.

***

Meagan Pilo is a Toronto-based mother, educator, writer, minimalist advocate who loves nature, green tea and her family.

The post Stuff appeared first on Becoming Minimalist.

The Power of Saying ‘No’ to Embrace What Matters

The more you say “no” to things that don’t matter, the easier it is to say “yes” to things that do.

Imagine for a moment your life as a garden. Every plant represents something in your life: a commitment, a possession, a relationship, an obligation, a hobby, or an activity.

Over time, the garden adds more and more plants as we add more and more things. Many of these obligations and activities get bigger and bigger over time, taking up more and more space. Without careful pruning, the garden becomes fuller and fuller.

Of course, as with any garden over time, it will consist of more than just plants and flowers. Weeds will inevitably begin to grow.

Sometimes these weeds are blown into our life, sometimes they are of our own making, and other times they are simply distractions that steal more and more of our garden’s real estate. Either way, they don’t usually align with our values and deepest heart desires.

Although I don’t keep a garden here in Phoenix (other than a rosemary plant in my front yard), gardening is an activity I’ve always loved. My grandfather’s garden was famous in his small town. I loved helping my dad (who grew up on a farm) tend to our backyard garden when I was growing up. And I maintained a small garden at each of my homes before moving here to the desert.

And one thing I’ve learned: to grow the best vegetables (or to admire the most beautiful flowers) you must be diligent in removing the weeds and providing space for the plants and flowers to flourish.

The same is true of our lives, by learning to say “no” and by pruning our lives intentionally, we make room for the things in life that bring both beauty and fruit.

There are lots of reasons why people have a hard time saying no.

If that is you, it might be helpful to remember that saying ‘no’ might be the most productive thing you do. Weeding a garden and pruning plants is not wrong or selfish, it is required for fruitfulness.

Likewise, considered correctly, saying ‘no’ isn’t about attracting confrontation, letting people down, or limiting your potential at work or in life. Saying ‘no’ is about living your most intentional life focused on what matters.

Saying ‘no’ allows us to protect our time, energy, and resources. And it frees us to function at our best in the world. When we stop filling our days with unnecessary commitments and distractions, we begin to see clearly the things that bring us joy and fulfillment and have the space to let them flourish.

Consider the act of minimizing your possessions. Every item you choose to remove from your home and life creates space and peace. Each ‘no’ to an unnecessary possession is a ‘yes’ to simplicity and focus. And every purchase we reject is more money that can be spent elsewhere.

Reflect on your daily routine. How many activities do you engage in out of habit or obligation rather than genuine desire or thoughtfulness? How many hours are wasted each day on devices or purposeless entertainment? Every weed we pull and every hour we take back, opens up the possibility of saying ‘yes’ to something more meaningful and life-giving.

Think about your work and career. Are there things we must do at work that are not entirely enjoyable? Certainly. But is saying ‘yes’ to everything for the purpose of getting ahead or making more money working for you in the short-term and the long-term? Or do the words of Warren Buffett cause you to stop and reevaluate, “The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say ‘no’ to almost everything.”

Minimalism is essentially about intention. It’s about removing distractions that keep us from our values. It’s the deliberate choice to focus on our values, our limitations, and those pursuits worth the one life we have to live. This philosophy can transform not only our physical spaces but also our schedules, habits, and well-being.

With fewer distractions, we gain clarity and focus. We become more present in our daily lives and more engaged in our relationships. We find time for personal growth, creativity, and rest. Our stress levels decrease and our sense of fulfillment increases.

When the weeds are removed, space for beauty and fruit is found.

If you’ve spent any time gardening, you know that removing weeds can be hard work. But it’s always worth it in the end.

The post The Power of Saying ‘No’ to Embrace What Matters appeared first on Becoming Minimalist.

Unlock a Richer Life by Embracing Your Limits

Sixteen years ago, we made a decision to remove the unneeded physical possessions from our lives.

At the time, this decision stemmed from two emerging realities: first, the financial strain of sustaining our lifestyle, and second, the growing realization of how much time and energy our possessions consumed.

Although I would not have been able to articulate it as well at the time (I was just tired of cleaning and organizing), deep down we understood that our resources were finite and we couldn’t afford to waste them endlessly chasing material things.

As I can see now, the decision to let go is entirely life-giving.

Soon after that decision, it became even more clear to us that we are finite creatures on this earth. We receive only one life to live, with a limited number of days, and only a finite set of resources to accomplish our purpose.

Think about it. Almost all the resources we consume during our journey here on earth are limited: money, time, energy, attention, physical space, relationships, mental capacity, our bodies, talents, and even natural resources.

This reality of our limitations is actually an incredibly important truth. And it’s one we should intentionally choose to focus on each day. Because when we do, it changes our actions, our motivations, and our pursuits. It changes us and how we live. By embracing our limits, we unlock a richer life.

On the other hand, when we lose sight of this fact, we are more likely to squander our resources. For example:

When we lose focus on the limits of our money, we sink deeper and deeper into debt.When we lose focus on the limits of our time, we let it slip away day by day, year by year.When we lose focus on the limits of our energy, we spend it on foolish pursuits.When we lose focus on the limits of our mental capacity, we fill our minds with trivial facts.When we lose focus on the limits of physical space, we fill it with unnecessary things.When we lose focus on the limits of relationships, we miss opportunities right in front of us.

But when we live in light of our finiteness, we are more motivated to choose to trade up. We become more thankful for the resources at our disposal. We seek to intentionally develop our gifts and invest them in worthwhile pursuits. We work to remove the distractions and the clutter holding us back. We simplify life to focus on the most important. We begin each day focusing on its potential and make every day count. And we reorient our lives for lasting impact.

In that way, living in light of our limitations means we end up valuing the time we spend with loved ones, the energy we put into our passions, and the space we create for rest and productivity. By doing so, we not only enrich our own lives but also leave a lasting impact on the world around us.

Our one life is too valuable to waste chasing the wrong version of more. Instead, let’s pursue better—better use of our resources, better relationships, better versions of ourselves, and a better world.

Because the world needs the best version of ourselves, and we have only one life to give. So let’s live it well.

The post Unlock a Richer Life by Embracing Your Limits appeared first on Becoming Minimalist.

Jealousy Comes from Counting Others’ Blessings Instead of Your Own

“It is not the man who has too little, but the man who craves more, that is poor.” —Seneca

From the time we are young, it seems we have a tendency to compare ourselves to others. Even as kids, we compare our grades, our speed, our clothes, our toys, even the size of the house owned by our parents.

As we grow older, the comparisons might shift but the habit remains the same. We start comparing careers, talents, homes, vacations, even the successes of our children. In fact, according to some studies, 10 percent of our thoughts involve comparisons of some kind.

It has been argued by some psychologists that comparison can have some positive effects on us. And I suppose that is true to some extent.

But there is also a dangerous side. Constant comparison of ourselves to others feeds into a cycle of envy, discontent, and dissatisfaction.

In fact, the very root of envy is found when we look at what other people have. Whenever we compare our money, our possessions, or ourselves to others, we plant the seeds of envy in our hearts.

Comparison is the fertile ground within which jealousy and envy can grow.

In fact, jealousy and envy could not even exist if we weren’t looking at what other people have. If we spent 0% of our thoughts looking at the things of others, there would be no root for envy to grow upon.

If we just loved people for being people, rather than comparing our fortunes to theirs, jealousy would lack the oxygen to survive.

Without comparison, jealousy cannot exist. Envy and jealousy come from counting others’ blessings instead of our own.

Equally so, the opposite is also true. The more we focus on the good in our own lives, the less room we leave for jealousy to grow.

And there is always good in our lives. There is always something to be grateful for. Some days those blessings may be harder to find and recognize, but they are always there to be counted.

Gratitude shifts our focus from what we lack to what we have. It spurs thankfulness and contentment rather than jealousy and envy. And this shift in perspective is both life-changing and life-giving.

Consider the story of two friends attending a dinner party. One friend spends the entire evening focused on the host’s obviously new kitchen appliances, the expensive cars parked out on the street, the big-screen television in the living room, even the carefully curated family photos on the wall. He quietly compares these details to his own home. The other friend, however, focuses fully on the people at the party, the conversations, the laughter, and the reason for the celebration. By the end of the evening, who will leave feeling grateful and who will leave feeling envious?

And what if the pattern continues day and after day, year after year? Who will live a contented life? And whose will increase in jealousy, envy, and bitterness?

You see, jealousy and envy only exist when we focus on what others have

Of course, in a culture that constantly bombards us with images of others’ successes and possessions, it can be difficult to maintain this perspective (especially in a society that tends to lift up the individual over the whole).

Additionally, social media, advertisements, and even casual conversations can bring about feelings of inadequacy and envy. But we always have the power to change our focus. By intentionally choosing to count our own blessings, we can discipline ourselves to cultivate a sense of gratitude and contentment.

Here’s a simple exercise to help all of us shift our focus and reduce jealousy in our lives:

Before closing out of this article, set a timer for just two minutes. Then, close your eyes and answer this question: “What are three things in my life that I am truly grateful for?” Let your mind wander through the various aspects of your life—faith, relationships, health, experiences, even small joys and significant milestones.

When the timer goes off, write down those three things on a sheet of paper or as a note in your phone. Then, keep that list somewhere close to you all day today. Every time you think of something else you are grateful for, add it to your list. Make it your goal today to intentionally think about all the good things in your life. If, at any point, you catch yourself wishing you had something you don’t, go back to your list and force yourself to add to it at least one more item.

Then, at the end of the day, close your list. And start a brand new one tomorrow.

The post Jealousy Comes from Counting Others’ Blessings Instead of Your Own appeared first on Becoming Minimalist.

Inspiring Simplicity. Weekend Reads.

Minimalism is a lifestyle choice with countless benefits.

For one thing, choosing to live a minimalist life isn’t just about decluttering your space, it’s about redirecting your time, money, and energy toward things that truly matter. 

Unfortunately, the path to simplicity is against the current of culture. For that reason, it’s important for all of us to surround ourselves with messages and stories that remind us of the benefits of owning less.

With that in mind, I’ve curated a collection of articles that I believe will inspire and encourage you on your journey to a simpler, more intentional life. Settle down in a quiet moment this weekend with your favorite beverage and enjoy these articles picked to inspire you.

Modern Luddites: On Being a Digital Minimalist Family in a Tech-Saturated World | After Babel by Katherine Johnson Martinko. There are limited hours in a day, and every hour spent scrolling on social media or watching YouTube videos takes time away from what I see as more valuable activities, even if it is just sitting alone with one’s thoughts.

Cultivate a Minimalist Mindset with 12 Daily Habits | No Sidebar. Minimalism is not about having less but about making room for more of what truly matters in your life.

My Journey From Minimalism to Clutter | Joycelynn Harrell by Joycelynn Harrell. I’m ready for a re-do.

Axios Vibes: Gen Z, Millennials’ Spending Habits Fuel Dependence on ‘Bank of Mom and Dad’ | Axios by Margaret Talev and Courtenay Brown. Splurging on vacations and dining out is taking a toll on young adults, with a notable share turning to aging parents to bail them out.

A Minimalist Lifestyle for Financial Freedom | Budget Life List. I don’t have less to be less, I have less to live more.

Recently Released Inspiring Videos

The 10 Biggest Decluttering Lies | YouTube by Joshua Becker. Let’s address and dismantle the 10 biggest decluttering lies that might be holding you back, so you can move forward with confidence and clarity.

7 New Laws of Success | YouTube by Joshua Becker. We all want to be successful, and yet, how we define success varies from person to person. So how can we be successful? Today I want to share with you my 7 laws of success, which have enriched my life greatly.

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

Decluttering Your Home? Here are 3 Helpful Questions to Ask in Each Room

Create a home that restores your energy, not one that drains it.

There is a wonderful calm and peace that comes from organizing our belongings. It feels good to know where things are stored and how to easily access them.

But let’s be honest, organizing is always, only a temporary fix. We sort, organize, label, and find storage solutions today, only to find ourselves repeating the same process tomorrow.

The problem isn’t that we’re not good at organizing. The problem is that we just own too much stuff.

However, when we take the permanent step of removing the possessions we don’t need from our homes, we experience lasting benefits. De-owning is always better than reorganizing.

In this way, minimalism isn’t just about owning less; it’s about creating a life with more meaning and purpose by removing the unnecessary physical possessions that drain our energy.

But how do we make this shift in our own homes? There are lots of different ways to make progress decluttering. But one important step is to prepare ourselves with helpful questions that result in faster decisions.

To that end, here are three simple decluttering questions you can ask in every room in your home. I hope you find them helpful:

Living Room

1. Does this decoration highlight what is important to our family?

2. Does this piece of furniture serve a purpose, or is it only taking up space?

3. Are there any outdated electronics or pieces of equipment that we no longer use?

Bedroom

1. Is this an item that I truly enjoy having in my bedroom, or is it just there out of habit?

2. What items in this space are keeping me from experiencing better rest?

3. Realistically, how many bedding sets do I really need to keep?

Clothing

1. If I were shopping right this second, would I buy this?

2. Have I worn this in the last year?

3. Does this piece of clothing make me feel good about myself, or does it carry negative emotions or memories?

Bathroom

1. Is this item still within its expiration date and necessary?

2. Do I have a different version of this toiletry/self-care item that I prefer to use?

3. Do I own more towels than I use between laundry cycles? If so, which ones are my favorites?

Kitchen

1. Do I have another item that serves the same purpose as this one?

2. When was the last time I used this?

3. Would my kitchen by more enjoyable to use if I owned less?

Pantry

1. Is this item expired?

2. Do I know when I would ever even use this ingredient again?

3. Is there someone else in my community who could make good use of this product today?

Toy Room

1. Can I even remember the last time my child played with this?

2. Is it broken or missing pieces?

3. If I was picking out a new toy at the store, would I choose this again?

Home Office / Paper

1. Do I need multiples of this item or is just one enough?

2. Does this item inspire or enable me to do my best work?

3. Am I required by law to keep this legal/financial document?

4. Can I access this document online if I need it in the future?

Sentimental Items

1. If I was curating a museum for my family, would this item go on display?

2. Could I capture the memory of this item with a photograph instead?

3. Do any of my children want to care for this when I’m gone?

Basement / Attic / Storage Area

1. What is the largest item I can remove from this space first?

2. Do I have a specific plan to use this item in the future or am I just keeping it because I have the space?

3. Am I just passing the burden of decluttering this item onto my children/family member?

Pet Supplies

1. Does my pet still play with this?

2. Is this still within its expiration date?

3. Do I use this regularly for my pet or is there something else that accomplishes its purpose?

Vehicle

1. Is this an emergency item that I need to keep?

2. If my car was brand new would I put this in it?

By asking these simple, yet powerful questions, you can begin creating a home that restores your energy and brings peace to your life. And the change will be permanent.

Happy decluttering everybody. You’ll love owning less!

The post Decluttering Your Home? Here are 3 Helpful Questions to Ask in Each Room appeared first on Becoming Minimalist.

Leaving a Legacy Bigger Than Material Possessions

“You can’t take it with you when you go.”

“You’ll never see a U-Haul behind a hearse.”

“No one is going to stand up at your funeral and say, ‘She had a really expensive couch and great shoes.'”

“He who dies with the most toys, still dies.”

These are all phrases we’ve heard. When we do, rather than arguing with the sentiment, we nod our head in agreement because we know they are true.

And then we go on gathering toys and shoes, furniture and wealth.

We agree in our hearts that there are more worthy pursuits for our one life than material possessions. But all too often, we head right back into accumulating them.

No doubt, one of the reasons for this is the culture we’re swimming in. Both society as a collective and people as individuals measure success by external markings: the size of our home, the price of our car, the quality and quantity of our belongings. And it is a natural desire to be seen as successful and worthy.

Add to that the fact we are constantly bombarded with messages that equate more stuff with more happiness. And then mix in our own unhealthy, internal motivations and you’ve got a recipe that results in us often living life focused on all the wrong things.  

Even though, deep down, we know the truth: At the end of the day, our stuff doesn’t mean a thing.

When our time here on earth comes to an end, the stuff we worked so hard to accumulate will be left behind. People will be cleaning out our belongings, going through our things, and deciding what to do with all of our stuff. And I’ve heard all the stories. Sometimes this is done with care (even though the mental and emotional weight is enormous), other times a lifetime’s worth of possessions gets thrown in a dumpster, quickly rushed through, or put up for sale in less than a week.

The countless hours we spent earning money to buy those items, the energy we invested in maintaining them, and the space they occupied in our lives will no longer matter. In the end, what will remain is the impact we made on the lives of others—either in the difference we made or the memories we created.

Regardless of your age, think about your own life for a moment. What are your most cherished memories? Are they tied to the things you own, or are they connected to the people you love, those who impacted you, and the experiences you’ve shared?

The laughter around your dinner table means more than the food on top of it.

The love felt in your home means more than the square footage.

The places you’ve driven in your car mean more than the price tag or features.

The conversations shared over a cup of coffee mean more than the brand of that coffee.

And the memories made in your living room mean more than the brand of your furniture.

But despite our full understanding of this reality, we continue to accumulate more and more stuff. The average American home contains over 300,000 items, the average American home has tripled in size in the last 50 years, and still 18% of us rent offsite storage.

Our priorities are misaligned. We are drowning in our possessions, and it’s taking a toll on our well-being and opportunity for legacy.

Possessions require cleaning, maintenance, organization, and space. They clutter our homes and our minds, creating a burden that weighs us down.

Minimalism offers a way out of this cycle of accumulation. By intentionally choosing to own less, we free up time, energy, and resources to focus on what truly matters.

Even better, when we let go of our excess possessions, we make room for the things that bring us real joy and a lasting legacy. We have more time to spend with family and friends, more energy to pursue our passions, more focus available to grow personally and spiritually, and more resources to invest in both memories and impact.

What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind? Instead of a house full of belongings, you can leave a lifetime of stories, lessons, impact, and love.

This is a pursuit available to all of us. May we never sacrifice it for a cheap substitute.

The post Leaving a Legacy Bigger Than Material Possessions appeared first on Becoming Minimalist.

How Minimalism Can Make You a Millionaire in Less Than 20 Years

Last week, Experian asked a question on X: How can adopting a minimalist lifestyle contribute to achieving financial freedom and long-term wealth growth?

Many financial advisors and experts chimed in with answers:

A minimalist lifestyle helps you enjoy the present–without all the clutter–and save money for the future. —Beverly HerzogThere’s a clear correlation between intentional living and financial stability. By focusing on your personal values and what makes you happy, you can prioritize your spending, hold yourself accountable to your goals, and simplify your life. —Chloé MooreAdopting a minimalist lifestyle means less things to buy and more money for financial freedom. Spend less money on things that don’t mean as much in the grand scheme of things. —The San Diego Financial Literacy Center

All of which are wonderfully true.

I was alerted to the conversation when Experian graciously linked to my article on What Is Minimalism? to explain the lifestyle.

When I saw the chat, I thought it would be helpful to take a deeper, more specific dive into the question: How can minimalism contribute to achieving financial freedom and long-term wealth growth?

Because the answer might be even more exciting than you think. In fact, the specific answer of how minimalism can contribute to long-term wealth might even shock you.

But more than anything, I hope it inspires many to embrace a lifestyle of intentionally owning less. The life-giving benefits of owning less are significant and all-encompassing. But the long-term financial benefits are almost unbelievable.

According to my calculations (based on US averages), you can end with over $400,000 after just ten years of practicing minimalism. And if you live a minimalist life for 20 years? You can end up with $1.2 million.

Here’s how I get there:

By becoming a minimalist, according to my calculations, you can save $28,634/year.

Almost certainly, the actual specifics of your financial situation will be different than the numbers I am using here. But wherever possible, I chose to use US averages for my calculations.

Let’s look at some areas where minimalism leads to financial savings:

1. Reduced Spending on Non-Essentials

The average American spends $1,497 per month on non-essential items. This study, which I cite often, is from 2018—so it’s safe to say the number has increased since then.

To arrive at this number, a variety of categories were labeled nonessential, and I should point out that food/drink accounts for the top four expenditures: 1. Restaurants; 2. Drinks, 3. Delivery, 4. Eating Out for Lunch.

Does becoming minimalist mean that you never eat out or get drinks with your friends? Certainly not. But intentionality in our physical possessions does bring intentionality in other areas of life. So let’s keep the designation of this list and save on non-essential purchases.

You can save $18,000 a year by removing nonessential purchases.

2. Savings on Housing

Minimalism provides opportunity to downsize your living space. There are certainly lots of factors to consider in making a move other than the amount of stuff you own, but (from experience) I can attest that embracing minimalism resulted in our family of four downsizing to a smaller home—a move we have never regretted.

And the cost of housing, whether rent or mortgage, constitutes a significant portion of our spending.

Using us as just one example, we downsized the square footage of our home by 25% three years after discovering minimalism. The move cut our mortgage in half (although we also moved to a state with a lower cost of living).

But nationwide, as of June 2024, the national average monthly mortgage payment was $2,390. All things being equal, saving 25% each month by downsizing results in $21,520/annual savings. That seems like too high of a number to plug into our equation. So let’s compare rent rather than mortgage.

The average rent difference between two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments in the US is $407 per month or $4,884 per year, as reported by Apartments.com. Let’s use that number.

You can save $4,884 a year by moving into a smaller home.

3. Lower Utility Bills

Smaller living spaces tend to use less energy, leading to lower utility bills.

According to Home Guide, the average monthly residential utility bill is $550. By minimizing your space, you might reduce this cost by 25%, saving you around $1,650 a year.

4. Reduced Maintenance and Repair Costs

The more items you own, the more things break and need repair. And the larger the home, the more expensive upgrades become. A minimalist lifestyle allows you to save on these unexpected expenses by owning fewer things.

Homeowners in the USA spend, on average, $6,000 on repairs and maintenance each year.

A conservative estimate might be a 10% saving on maintenance and repair costs, which averages to $600 a year.

5. Reduced Home/Renters Insurance

The average homeowner’s insurance cost (July 2024) in the US is $2,230 per year. Continuing with the cost savings of living in a smaller home, let’s assume you can save 20% of that amount each year. That is $450/year.

6. Savings on Clothing

The average American household spends $1,500 on apparel each year.

With a minimalist approach, you can cut this in half by only replacing worn-out clothing rather than expanding your wardrobe, saving around $750 per year.

7. Food Waste

Planning meals, shopping with a list, and avoiding impulse buys at the grocery store aren’t necessarily considered part of a minimalist lifestyle, but all of those healthy habits accompanied our decision to own less. Intentionality in our shopping habits elsewhere naturally spilled over to the grocery store as well.

According to some estimates, the average American family of four wastes about $1,600 worth of food each year. By adopting mindful shopping and eating habits, you could significantly cut down this waste and save money.

Becoming more intentional with your meals and grocery shopping, you could likely cut that down by 25% saving $400 per year.

8. Gifts

Minimalism doesn’t mean you stop celebrating special occasions or giving gifts. But minimalists usually embrace a more thoughtful approach around gift-giving seasons.

The average American family spends over $2000/year on gifts. By agreeing with friends and family to limit gift-giving to necessary items or experiences, let’s assume you can save $500 per year.

9. Debt Repayment

The average credit card user pays $1,657 in credit card interest every year. Spending less money on things we don’t need is the first step to overcome credit card debt.

By adopting minimalism and using the newfound savings to pay down debt, you’ll save that expense.

Let’s not assume you’ll get out of credit card the first year you embrace minimalism, so I’ll plug in a $1,400/year savings.

Total Potential Savings

Adding these up, the potential annual savings of becoming a minimalist could be around $28,634.

Again, this number might be more or less depending on your personal circumstances, but it gives you an idea of how minimalism can have a positive impact on your financial situation.

*There are other categories of items that I could include in this list but did not: luxury goods, home goods, home decor, car payments, toys, hobbies, etc.

But the Math doesn’t end there.

Your Savings Reinvested

If you were to invest that $28,634 ($2404/monthly) into a fund that moves with the market ($VOO) and earn an average 7% rate of return, after ten years, you’d have $395,592.54 saved.

And if you lived a minimalist life for twenty years and invested every dollar saved, you’d have $1,173,782.94 in savings.

General assumptions and comments about how minimalism can change your financial future are helpful and true. But the specific numbers are even more convincing!

The post How Minimalism Can Make You a Millionaire in Less Than 20 Years appeared first on Becoming Minimalist.