Joshua Becker's Blog, page 83

Device Advice

Technology changes fast. And new advancements are announced with great fanfare. The promise of changing how we interact with the world is just as standard on new technological devices as a power-on button. This promise sounds good to us. And so we buy and buy these devices in incredible numbers. Meanwhile, our old devices sit around because we’re not sure what to do with them. Is ever-growing device clutter inevitable?

Experts in the tech world make a distinction between technical obsolescence and functional obsolescence.

Technical obsolescence occurs as soon as your device is surpassed in its features by another device of its type—for example, the maker of your smartphone comes out with a newer model ten months after you bought yours.

Functional obsolescence, on the other hand, occurs only when your device no longer works like it’s supposed to. That happens, for example, when the software it runs ceases to work properly and is no longer supported by the manufacturer.

A lot of us are tempted to buy something new soon after reaching the point of technical obsolescence. If we find out that the cool new gadget we bought last month has been replaced on the market by an even cooler one, then we want that one!

I would argue that we should wait until we get closer to functional obsolescence with our devices. So what if we don’t have the newest thing? Who’s really going to care?

Now, I am not against the development or use of technology. In fact, I’m pleased to say that minimalism is more possible today than ever because of technology. In my phone, I carry movies, books, music, maps, a calendar, plane tickets, and an address book (just to name a few)—all things I don’t have to maintain in bulkier formats. Technology is one reason minimalism continues to grow; it has never been easier to own less.

But I fear that these days many assume new technology automatically makes things better and only adds convenience. This is not true.

In fact, when we don’t consume technology in a mindful way, it often adds clutter to our lives. It quickly drains our energy, our time, our room, and our bank accounts. Who among us hasn’t wasted an entire afternoon trying to get a computer to accomplish one seemingly simple thing?

When deciding whether to buy or to hang on to devices and gadgets—both in the present and the future—the filter we need to employ is the simple question “What problem does it solve?”

Technology should make our lives easier by solving problems both at home and at work quickly and more efficiently. But if our technology is not solving a specific problem for us, it is only adding to them.

Eliminating the clutter caused by holding on to old devices (and cords and batteries) that we are no longer using is often just a matter of taking the time to dispose of them properly. Most areas have electronics donation and recycling centers.

But what about our future purchases?

Buying a new phone just because the upgrade has become available is foolish if it doesn’t improve your life. The same could be said of cameras, home entertainment equipment, and computers. You don’t need a bigger-screen television if you can see fine with the one you currently have. Rarely do people regret waiting as long as possible to upgrade their technology. You don’t need to line up to purchase a new product just because the corporation that manufactures it says you need it.

What you need to do instead is count the full opportunity cost of your purchases. What else could you do with the money you won’t spend if you pass up a tech purchase? Pay down your debt? Enjoy a weekend vacation? Replace that worn-out mattress you’ve been using longer than your last phone?

Start asking if new technology is really improving your life or taking you away from what matters.

Hanging on to technology for a while isn’t the end of a dream. It’s the beginning of making greater progress toward what you want out of life.

“Device Advice” is an excerpt from The More of Less.

Inspiring Simplicity. Weekend Reads.

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

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

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

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

The Death of Clothing | Bloomberg by Lindsey Rupp, Chloe Whiteaker, Matt Townsend and Kim Bhasin. Apparel is being displaced by travel, eating out, and activities—what’s routinely lumped together as experiences.

Seven Things I’d Do Differently If I Got A Minimalist Do-Over | Tiny Ambitions by Brittany Bruce. Now that I’m five years in, I’ve had the chance to reflect. And if I became a minimalist today, there are a few things I would do differently.

Want to Save More Money? Try These Three Financial Fasts | The Washington Post* by Michelle Singletary. I would like to propose three types of financial fasts to help you on your journey to financial freedom: a food fast, a clothing fast, and the 21-day financial fast.

Meet The Woman Who Got Married Without Buying Anything New | CBC Radio with Alexa Carson. Carson’s “Buy Nothing Year” also became the year that she got married and had her first baby.

I’m Starting a “No-Shopping-for-Clothes” Year and It’s Healing My Soul | Apartment Therapy by Shifrah Combiths. “I felt like I was following a chain-linked sisterhood of women who had extricated themselves from the hamster wheel of shopping and I wanted in on it.”

*Editor’s note: The Washington Post limits the number of free Post articles nonsubscribers can read to 10 per month.

Surrendering the Golden Fortress

I’ve often asked myself why we buy more than we need. I mean, when you really think about it, what would cause us to buy unnecessary things in the first place?

I think there are a number of reasons this is the case—some internally motived and some externally motivated. But one reason we should never overlook is our felt need for security.

Ask yourself, Am I buying too much stuff because deep down I think it will insulate me from the harms of a chancy world? And if so, what is that costing me?

In our society, too many of us believe security can be adequately found in the personal ownership of possessions. Of course there is a grain of truth in that belief. Certainly, food and water, clothing and shelter are essential for survival. But the list of possessions we truly need for life is quite short, and most of us already have these things.

The reality is, we have too quickly confused needs with wants and security with comfort. As a result, many of us collect large stockpiles of possessions in the name of security when we are actually accumulating comfort (or desired pleasure). We work long hours to purchase these things. And we construct bigger and bigger houses to store them.

We dream of a future that includes larger paychecks and sizable savings accounts. We plot and plan to acquire them because we think lasting security can be found there. If that costs us in other areas of life, such as our family and friendships, then that’s the way it goes. The cause of security seems so important that we can’t give up our pursuit of more.

One day I received an email that was gut wrenching to me. A woman wrote:

I’m a working mom of three young boys. I ran across your website while researching ways in which people have made a one-income household work for a family of five.

My husband and I have worked our tails off over the last fifteen years to advance in our careers. In doing so, we have accumulated a lot of material possessions. We didn’t start out materialistic, really. Over the years, though, we have engorged our lifestyle, including a large home and even a modest lake retreat.

Two weeks ago we overheard my eight-year-old son tell a friend, “Mommy and Daddy aren’t home a lot. We don’t see them very much.”

My husband and I stopped dead in our tracks. Our hearts broke. Is all of our stuff really worth it? Of course not.

We are trying to figure out the “how.” We are looking over our budget, trying to find a renter for our log cabin by the lake, and working to have my husband quit his job to be a stay-at-home dad. I am wondering if you have any pointers to help us along this path.

This woman and her husband felt that they needed to work. They felt that they needed more money and more things. They believed that their family wouldn’t be safe and secure and well provided for without the fruits of many long days on the job.

Until they realized that they were providing something very different from what their family really needed.

12 People—Just Like You—Who Have Used Minimalism To Pay Off Debt

It’s really quite unbelievable to me all the benefits of owning less: more time, more focus, more energy, less stress, less comparison (just to name a few).

There are also overwhelming financial benefits to minimalism. Owning less is a lifestyle that costs less than the constant pursuit of more. For some, this may mean the opportunity to save for the first time. For others, it may result in the opportunity to retire early, travel more, or work less.

For others, it may represent opportunity to get out of debt. Recently, on Twitter, I asked for examples of people who have used minimalism to get out of debt. And I wanted to share some of the stories here—in 280 characters or less.

Not gotten out of debt, but my husband and I paid off 14K in debt in one year on $10/hr salaries.

— Carly Skye Ingalls (@csingalls) January 29, 2018

My wife and I shedded 6 figure debt and now are on our way to financial independence with our two young kids. Only debt left is a mortgage that we are well ahead on.

— Dan Nice (@Dannice240) January 28, 2018

2 young kids, one income, both of us paid off multiple degrees and student loans. One credit card, one car, used clothes for kids, all my clothes are the ones I wear often. And we rent in one of the silliest markets in the world #Vancouver where we are can’t buy a home.

— Matty Michaud (@michaudsensei) January 28, 2018

In 15 yrs of marriage (a pastor & stay@home mom w/ 4 kids) we committed to having one car & no credit purchases, & a preference for used kids clothes shared with church families. Now at 40, we’re debt free, own our house & use capsule wardrobes.

— Clint Archer (@ClintArcher) January 28, 2018

Wife and I were able to pay off about $70,000 in student loans, credit cards, and a car loan. Having less let us focus on what we needed to do.

— Dan Chappell (@minimaldad87) January 28, 2018

Yes! The process of shifting to minimalism helped hush the noise of extraneous nonsense. Once I simplified and had all my favorite things before me I realized how much room I had for progressive action. I no longer felt scared to confront that debt number.

— Morgan (@MORDDGAN) January 26, 2018

I got out of £20,000 debt and saved enough to travel the world full time. Changed my career from events and stress to adventure and writing!

— betternotstop (@betternotstop) January 28, 2018

Sold a rental property we were going to keep for 30 years. While it was a good investment, it took away from my peace / time with family. Paid down 6 figures of debt when we sold it for a simpler life.

— Danny Peavey (@the_peavey) January 27, 2018

I paid off 75K, the rest of my mortgage, about 8 years ago because of a minimalist spending lifestyle. I believe I found minimalism when I became a world traveler for 1.5 years and realized I could be extremely happy with just a backpack of stuff. I can now be a stay at home mom!

— MacPackerGirl (@MacPackerGirl) January 27, 2018

Started with 250k+ Of student loan debt and in 4.5 years are down to 138k, I can get more concrete numbers. Found minimalism when searching for ideas how to tackle such a large amount.

— Lindsay A (@lindsayhaizman) January 26, 2018

Because of minimalism I paid off all of my consumer debt in 9 months and saved an emergency fund. Now I’m focusing on paying off the rest of my student loan within the next year.

— KB (@Kbatykefer) January 27, 2018

Minimalism allowed me to focus after a divorce. It allowed me to rebound after a bankruptcy & save money. After raising my daughter I sold my house, quit my job, bought a tiny house & moved to the PNW. I couldn’t have done any of that without the focus mininimalism afforded me.

— Fine Dining on Discourse (@DiningDiscourse) January 27, 2018

More than anything, if you are struggling to pay off debt, I wanted you to find encouragement, inspiration, and motivation in these stories. You can do it. Owning less can help. Just like it has for so many others.

If you want more inspiration and practical help, here is additional reading on the topic of owning less and removing debt:

8 Characteristics of People Who Are Successful At Removing Debt
Sell Your Crap. Pay Your Debt. Do What You Love.
The Latte Factor: 8 Ways We Often Overspend
A Helpful Guide to Overcoming Consumerism
A Simple Guide to Start Saving Money

Inspiring Simplicity. Weekend Reads.

F ill 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.

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.

I Was Getting Buried in Clutter. Here’s How I Finally Got Free. | The Washington Post* by Valerie Peterson. It might help to look at why we accumulate so much in the first place.

Decluttering Burst: Let Go of 100 Things in Less Than an Hour | Motherly by Courtney Carver. Set your timer for 60 minutes and get rid of 100 things. Here’s how to do it.

A Simple Phrase to Help You Stop Buying Stuff You Don’t Need | Dr. Allison Answers by Dr. Allison Niebes-Davis. I wish I could say that when I started practicing minimalism, I stopped wanting things. What has changed however is my ability to resist the pull to things.

The Pitfalls of Minimalism | Medium by Sílvia Bastos. Minimalism is for you—you just need to make it your own.

Keep Your Head Up: How Smartphone Addiction Kills Manners and Moods | The New York Times* by Adam Popescu. The problem of looking at our devices nonstop is both social and physiological.

*Editor’s note: The Washington Post and The New York Times limit the number of free articles nonsubscribers can read in one month.

Embracing and Enjoying Each Season of Life

This past weekend was 78 degrees and sunny in Phoenix (apologies to friends and family and readers living elsewhere during the winter months). It was also a holiday weekend with schools closed on Monday.

But more important to me, this past Saturday, I drove my 15-year old son to his first official job. He spent 11 hours this weekend reffing games for a local outdoor soccer tournament (holiday weekend, remember).

To me, it looked like a pretty fun experience. Officiating a 4-on-4 soccer match for 7-year old girls isn’t necessarily the pinnacle of stress. But I’m sure he was nervous, nevertheless.

In fact, I know he was nervous. Or at least he was nervous enough to ask me to stick around for his first game.

So I sat down in a chair next to some parents. It was fun watching my son ref. But I had just as much fun observing parents watch their young daughters learn the game of soccer.

Most of the time, they sat quietly in their chairs or they called out instructions, “Go get the ball.” “Kick it the other way.” “Run harder.” You can probably picture it.

Of course, not all parents sat. Some stood. And still others were off pushing a stroller… entertaining a younger sibling…  or throwing the football with an older brother. Lots of young parents, as far as the eye could see, supporting and enjoying their kids.

Watching their faces, I vividly recalled a life that once was.

You see, it wasn’t all that long ago, I was one of those parents. My son was younger, learning soccer, and we were the proud parents watching him learn the game for the first time. My daughter also, was once one of the 7-year old girls jumbled up on the field, trying to kick a black and white soccer ball into the net.

But not this weekend. Those days are no more.

This weekend was about watching my son work hard on a job and earn his first paycheck.

Over the years, I’ve spent countless hours, weekends, and evenings sitting in a chair watching my son play soccer. I can remember, at times, being out of town or having to miss a game because of work. I can remember being distracted at some games answering emails or texts. And I can remember, on at least more than one occasion, not really wanting to spend another Saturday afternoon on a soccer field.

But all those reasons to not fully embrace that season of life seem foolish to me now. I don’t have any idea what could have been so important that I thought I needed to be answering emails or texts on my phone. Honestly, I don’t remember any of the emails that I answered or the texts that I sent.

This past Saturday, I wish I could have it all back. I wish I had put the phone away. I wish I had cancelled the work assignment or the speaking engagement. I wish I hadn’t wanted to be somewhere else.

I wish I could go back, just one more time, and watch a little boy learn to play a game he loves so much. I wish I hadn’t missed a single moment of embracing and enjoying fully that season of my life.

I suppose that’s how it is with life. When we’re in a season—whether it be single, newlyweds, young parents, raising teenagers, empty-nesters, retired, or anywhere in-between—the beauty of the season too often escapes us. The burdens and the stresses distract us. And we too easily miss the beauty of the forest because we’re distracted by the trees.

Later that evening, I drove my son back home. We talked about work and officiating and handling coaches and parents. We talked about money—giving, saving, and spending. We talked about sports. And we talked about driving (he gets his permit next month).

Somewhere along the way, he became a young man.

I did my best to resist any distraction that would have taken me away from that car ride. There were important lessons about life he was learning that day and I wanted to be a part of them.

The season of life with my son may have changed. But my opportunity to embrace and enjoy this one has not.

What Do You Need Right Now?

Recently, a mentor was asking me some questions about life:

What is going well for you?
What areas seem to be a struggle for you?
What is something you have learned lately?

Eventually, he asked me a question I wasn’t expecting:

What do you need right now?

The question caught me entirely off guard. But almost immediately, I was surprised by both its simplicity and its depth.

Before going any further, I’d like you to answer the question for yourself: What do you need right now?

Go ahead, take your time, I didn’t have a quick answer either, I’ll wait… What do you need right now?

As I considered the question and weighed my response, I was struck by the blessed reality that this was not an easy question for me to answer.

I assume, if my most basic needs were not being met, this would be an easier question to answer: I need food, I need shelter, I need a warmer jacket, I need money for my overdue rent, I need a cure for my illness… The fact that none of these statements immediately surfaced in my mind is a reality that I did not want to overlook in that moment.

Equally so, my mind did not race to a vacuum in my relationships. I did not immediately declare: I need a spouse, a loving dad, an engaged father for my children, or my child to begin making wiser decisions with the direction of his life. Again, I will count my blessings in this regard.

Through this question, I was confronted with the important reality that when it comes to the most essential needs of safety and belonging, I have what I need. Matters of faith and spirituality did not arise either as I feel content that my needs are being met in that arena as well.

What then, do I need right now?

As I continued to contemplate an answer, I was struck by a second realization. When asked, what do I need in life right now? There was little thought of physical possessions. Needing another physical thing in my life couldn’t have been further from my mind.

I was not drawn to answer: I need a nicer car, a bigger television, a newer phone, or that new style of shirt with holes where shoulders are supposed to be. Literally nothing of a physical sort came to my mind.

My answer centered on far more important goals and ideals which I hope to accomplish with my life. I need help keeping balance. I need help being a more loving husband and father. I need a healthier and more consistent habit of meditation and solitude and prayer in my life. These are the things I need right now.

That is why I wanted you to answer the question for yourself. (It’s also why I patiently waited—if you remember). Because how we answer that question is important. Equally important, it is essential to evaluate how we are living in response to it.

My guess is that most of us, when asked “What do you need right now?” would not answer with anything that comes from a department store or retail website. We have far more significant needs in our lives. Far more important pursuits that we wish to accomplish.

An important follow-up question to the original one, might be, “How much time and energy are you putting into seeing those needs met?” vs. “How much time and energy are you wasting pursuing things you don’t actually need and don’t actually matter?”

One of the greatest benefits of owning less I have discovered is that my most limited resources have been freed up in significant ways. When I waste less time and money shopping or caring for physical possessions, I discover more time and money and energy to pursue those things I actually need to live a heathy, fulfilled, and accomplished life.

I don’t know what comes into your mind when you ask yourself the question, “What do I need right now?”

If the answer centers on shelter or warmth, I hope you find it soon. If the answer centers on love and relationships, again, I hope you find it.

But if those most basic needs have already been met in your life, and what you need right now centers more on pursuits of significance, I hope and pray you will find the strength and the will to direct your resources toward it. Reject the foolish pursuit of physical possessions—that is not what you need most in your life right now.

You need something bigger, more important, and more significant. May you find freedom in your life to pursue it.

Inspiring Simplicity. Weekend Reads.

There’s more to life than buying stuff.

There are many wonderful people pursuing and promoting simplicity. Fortunately, some of them are gifted in communication and choose to encourage and inspire us with their words. I enjoy reading their unique perspective. I’m sure you will too.

So fix yourself a nice warm cup of coffee or tea on this beautiful weekend. Find a quiet moment. And enjoy some encouraging words about finding more simplicity in your life today.

My Year of No Shopping | The New York Times by Ann Patchett. If you stop thinking about what you might want, it’s a whole lot easier to see what other people don’t have. There’s a reason that just about every religion regards material belongings as an impediment to peace.

10 Things You Should Throw Away Before 2018 | Refinery 29 by Venus Wong. The best way to usher in fresh and better things in the new year is to make room by purging your home of all the unwanted mess that’s been taking up space in the past 12 months.

Lessons I’ve Learned From Being On A Budget and Fighting Consumerism | AntiConsumption. After living on a budget now for almost two years, I can honestly say that I like it.  It has taught me a lot and my family is much happier now.

6 Tips to Keep Your Resolution to Declutter | Webinar by Joshua Becker. On January 2nd, I hosted a live, 60-minute webinar conversation on how to keep your resolution to declutter. If you’d like some practical steps on sticking to your resolution to own less, you’ll enjoy the conversation.

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Uncluttered. If you’re looking for help trying to keep your resolution to declutter, our 12-week course will help you own less, live more, and discover the life you want. But registrations ends this Sunday, January 7.

 

Get Uncluttered in 2018

“I have significantly less stress in my life and more self-control. Most importantly, I’m becoming more like the mom and wife I want to be.” — Caryn Seney

Uncluttered

Uncluttered is a 12-week online course designed intentionally to help you own less, live more, and discover the life you’ve always wanted.

We offer the course only three times each year. And today, we are launching the January Edition.

If you want 2018 to be the year you declutter your home, own less, and get ahead financially, registration is only open for the next 9 days—ending January 7.

The program includes videos, interviews, live webinars, live Q&A’s, helpful articles, weekly challenges, accountability, and a super-engaged community.

If you are drawn to the idea of owning less, but need some extra help getting there, this course is perfect for you. Uncluttered will provide just the extra motivation you need to declutter your home and start living a better life. By the end, you will have decluttered every major living area in your home and begun changing your spending habits.

Every Monday, you will receive a video from me, an exclusive interview with one of the brightest minds in the simplicity movement, and/or written content prepared exclusively for the course. You will receive a weekly challenge to complete. And opportunities to engage with the community in a private Facebook group and with me during live webinars and live question and answer opportunities each month.

The course offers everything a book or blog post cannot: community, accountability, and opportunity to ask questions.

The Uncluttered plan will help you celebrate your progress as it provides helpful answers on where to start and how to stay motivated.

To find more information about the content and the subjects covered, click here.

The Results

Over 15,000 people have gone through the course. Here are just a few of the responses:

The term life-changing gets thrown around a lot, but this course really is. I went into it with a lot of shame and anxiety. Joshua gently guided us in a way that made lasting change seem possible. My home is much improved, but my mindset is also clearer. —Kathryn Wagner, Los Angeles, CA

The power of this shared experience is hard to explain to people, it is so overwhelmingly positive. It not only provides the incentive to keep going, but reminds you there are good people out there. You find yourself rooting for complete strangers. Together, there is a momentum that drives you through the course. It was completely unexpected and so overwhelmingly helpful. —Tanya S, Webster, NY

I am a better mother, a better wife, a better housekeeper, a better budgeter, a better teacher, a better neighbor and a better friend. I’m still a work in progress, but it feels good to be where I am at. —Pam L.

My credit card statement came today. $1,000.00 under my typical monthly balance! Thank you Uncluttered community. I’ve been at this for years; however, it’s clear I truly needed this group to get to that next level. —Cheyanne Morris, St. Paul, MN

The Details

We offer the course three times each year.

The New Year’s Edition begins on Tuesday, January 9. Registration is open now, ending on Sunday, January 07—so don’t wait if you want to join us.

The cost is $89. But you can find a 25% off discount code in the back of The More of Less: Finding the Life You Want Under Everything You Own. The book is not required—but the course is based on it. And it’s cheaper to buy the book and use the discount code than it is to pay full price—the option is yours.

I am personally involved in every aspect of the course. Helping people live more by owning less is what I am passionate about. I created the videos and the content. I host the webinars. I answer questions in the Facebook group. And I host live video chats over the course of the 12 weeks. My goal is to help and cheer you along. I have come to understand how essential community, accountability, and ongoing encouragement is for people. And I work hard to craft that culture for the Uncluttered Course. 

Participants receive lifetime access. And they can take it as many times as they want (or need) for free. I know life can be busy and the unexpected can happen at any time. But we’re here to help you succeed. And if taking the course more than once is required, it’s our pleasure to have you join us as many times as you want.

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Uncluttered is a 12-week online program with videos, interviews, webinars, articles, weekly challenges, accountability, and community. It is strategically packaged for one purpose: To help you unclutter your home, own less stuff, and find space to live the life you want.

Visit My Becoming Minimalist to register.

Make 2018 the year you rediscover the home and life you’ve always wanted.

Becoming Minimalist’s Top Posts of 2017

A special thanks to each of you for making 2017 such an enjoyable year at Becoming Minimalist. This website continues to reach people beyond my wildest dreams as we grow every year in new and unbelievable ways. As before, this growth has occurred entirely from the support of readers like you—thank you for helping to spread the inspiration.

Thank you for sharing this website. But even more, thank you for sharing the life-giving message of owning less.

Here are some numeric representations of our growth:

Becoming Minimalist reaches 1.1M unique visitors/month.
Our Facebook group grew from 560,000 to 855,000 followers.
Twitter followers increased from 44,000 to 56,000.
120,000 people currently receive Becoming Minimalist posts via email. Sign-up here to do the same.
In December, our book  Simplify  was again named a Wall Street Journal Bestseller—almost 8 years after it was first released.

But some of our most significant successes this past year are not found in the numbers above:

The Hope Effect, our non-profit continued to change how the world cares for orphans completing construction on its first family-based home in Honduras and opening our first International office in Mexico. To date, we have raised over $400,000 for family-based orphan care around the world.
I launched a magazine called Simplify Magazine. It is a quarterly, digital publication designed to help families focus on the things that matter most. Each issue centers on one specific topic and gathers experts to dive deep into it. The magazine is ad-free, entirely reader-supported, and currently offering a Buy One, Gift One Lifetime subscription for only $20.
Our 12-week course,  Uncluttered  is designed to help people own less, live more, and find the life they’ve always wanted. Over the past two years, over 15,000 people have used the program to create a new life. The next edition of Uncluttered begins on January 9 if you would like to join us.

In case you missed any, here are the top posts on Becoming Minimalist from 2017.

Most Popular Posts from 2017 (as determined by readers):

7 Pieces of Financial Advice That Forever Changed My Life. I sat down recently and reflected a bit on the good men and women who have spoken wisdom into my life. Here are a few of the most significant conversations I’ve ever had about money.

Here’s to All of You Trying to Make the Most of a Bad Situation. If you’re going through a difficult time, I wrote this to encourage you.

“Does It Spark Joy?” Is the Wrong Decluttering Question. I can’t help but bristle at the phrasing because the question “Does it spark joy?” may actually rob tidying up of its fullest potential in our lives.

33 Articles of Clothing = 25,176 Different Outfits. You’ll love a simplified wardrobe. And probably be surprised at the number of options inside it. 

Seven 5-Minute Decluttering Projects You Can Accomplish Today. You’ll love owning less. Here are some simple tasks to get you on your way.

My Personal Favorite Posts from the past year:

The Joy of Living Within Your Means. From the outside, a life built on credit may appear the life we desire—with its bright lights, bold colors, and the flashy impressions we are able to make. But I’ll choose something different.

If You Are Looking for Reasons to Be Happy, You’ll Probably Find Them. There is always something to be grateful for in life.

All The Things I Want to Say About Money But Never Do. When we haphazardly spend money on foolish things, we have less remaining for more important pursuits.

What I Learned About Minimalism in Poland. Freedom is a gift. But our freedom is only as valuable as what we choose to pursue with it.

Most Popular Guest Posts in 2017:

Why Kids Need Minimalism by Denaye Barahona. By choosing minimalism, I am trading chaos for calm. I am my children’s first teacher. I am my children’s biggest role model. It all starts with me.

8 Characteristics of People Who Are Successful At Getting Out Of Debt by Lama Farran. Why are some people successful at paying off debt while others struggle? Here are 8 reasons.

A Guide to Let Go of Your Perfectly Good Things by Zoë Kim. The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it.

Most Popular Outgoing Links from the past year:

How to Declutter the Toys by Denaye Barahona. Play with purpose.

Take a Look at the Outfit This DC Woman Has Worn Every Day This Year by Hayley Garrison Phillips. While the idea of dressing in uniform isn’t new, the practice has undergone a renaissance of sorts in recent years.

6 Minimalist Morning Routines That Will Calm The Chaos In Your Life by Michele Lian. Mornings are the perfect time to head into life with a fresh start: A new chance to change directions. A new opportunity to think differently than you did yesterday. A new day to be healthier.

The Maintenance Of Everyday Things by Nition. Everything has its extra tasks. Unplug your charger , install the latest updates, turn the taps off carefully… the only real solution being to own less things.

Whether you have been reading Becoming Minimalist for one week, one month, one year or longer, thank you. This blog owes its success to the support of its readers. Thank you for reading. And thank you for sharing these posts with others.

We look forward to an exciting 2018. I will be completing another book (scheduled for release in January 2019)—this one is a room-by-room guide to creating a minimalist home.

Also, as I mentioned, Uncluttered will be launched three times this year. The first edition of 2018 begins on January 9th. You can sign-up now to receive an email notification when we open registration on December 29th.

No doubt, in the coming year, Becoming Minimalist will continue to evolve and be redefined. But it will always stay true to its core message that there is more joy to be found in owning less than can be found in pursuing more.

We will continue to invite as many as possible to discover this truth in their lives. And I hope you will join us.