Seventeen years ago, I discovered minimalism. It took only a simple sentence from my neighbor to forever change my view of material possessions. This is what she said:
“That’s why my daughter is a minimalist. She keeps telling me I don’t need to own all this stuff.”
The statement came at the most ordinary time: I was cleaning out my garage on a Saturday afternoon.
And yet, the statement also came at the most perfect time: When my heart (and mind) was ready to receive it.
I had just spent the beautiful Saturday morning pulling dirty, dusty items out from my garage into the driveway. And I had done it all at the expense of my 5-year-old son, who was asking me to play catch with him in the backyard.
That was the day I realized all the possessions I had collected weren’t just not making me happy, they were distracting me from the very thing that did.
At first, simplifying my life was about owning less and clearing physical space. But cleared physical space quickly gave way to clearer mental space. And over time, I began to see other areas of my life where minimalist principles could be applied. Every area of life where distraction has taken us from our deepest values and passions becomes an opportunity to simplify.
Believe it or not, this post today is the 2,000th article published on Becoming Minimalist. That is 2.5 articles/week for the last 17 years.
Over the years, I have written much about the life lessons I have learned through minimalism. But as I reflect on my journey for this milestone article, all of the lessons lead to one truth that is perhaps the most important:
Our lives are too valuable to waste chasing and accumulating material possessions.
In fact, this may be the single most important truth I have learned and desire to communicate on Becoming Minimalist. I hope you will hear it today in your heart.
You see, minimalism didn’t just give me a cleaner garage, it changed how I viewed the entire world—and how I viewed my potential and opportunity.
Simplicity didn’t just give me my life back, it paved the pathway to live a fuller, deeper, and more purposeful life. Carrying less means we can travel further in the pursuit of our greatest dreams and ambitions.
Minimalism allows us to dream bigger dreams for our life. When distractions are removed, intentionality is found, self-growth is experienced, and self-worth grows.
Reflecting back, here are a few of the lessons I’ve learned and try to communicate regularly on this site. Each of them help us discover greater potential and a self-worth greater than material possessions:
1. The world will try to hijack your passion. Don’t let it.
We are all born with passions and talents inside us. And deep-down, a desire to serve and love. But the world has learned how to hijack that passion and direct it toward things that benefit someone else’s bottom line.
Marketers are skilled at convincing us that our energy should be spent buying what they are selling. And society sells a picture of success that mainly focuses on external indicators.
But your greatest passion isn’t for things that will be discarded in a few years. Nobody says their greatest goal in life is to just own as much clutter as they can. We were designed and created for something more.
Simplifying helped me see that and minimalism forced me to ask why I had accumulated so much. It is true that unhealthy motivations exist inside us and marketers are masterful at exploiting them. Don’t let them.
2. Comparison is a thief of joy and self-worth. Overcome it.
So much of our consumption is fueled by comparison. We see someone else’s lifestyle, wardrobe, car, house, or vacation—and we begin to desire it for ourselves. Jealousy and envy come quick, especially when we aren’t living intentionally with the resources that we do have.
But trying to live someone else’s life will always keep you from becoming the best version of yourself. It will keep you from appreciating the unique good that you can bring into this world. And it will keep you focused on the things you don’t have rather than appreciating what you do have.
There’s only one person who can live your life—only one person with your story, your voice, your experience, your gifts, your passion, your abilities, and your influence.
When we fill our homes and calendars trying to keep up with others, we rob the world of the one thing we can offer it: our authentic contribution.
Minimalism gives us the space to stop comparing and start contributing. And when we do, we discover we have so much more to contribute than consumerism.
3. We live finite lives. Be deliberate with them.
Time, energy, money, attention—these are not infinite resources. We all have differing amounts of them, but each are finite and limited.
Minimalism lives and dies on this reality. If money and time were in infinite supply, it would make sense to accumulate as much as you can. But they are not infinite. Our lives are finite. So what we choose to pursue and accumulate with them is of utmost importance.
Unfortunately, many of us live lives as if there are no boundaries.
We spend money on things we don’t need. We spend hours organizing closets full of things we don’t use. We distract ourselves endlessly on social media and with television. We sacrifice time with our loved ones for the sake of accumulating wealth or power… and then we call it living.
Life is short. And if we’re not careful, we can waste it chasing things that never mattered. As Seneca wrote (and which became the basis for my book, Things That Matter), “We are not given a short life but we make it short, and we are not ill-supplied but wasteful of it… Life is long if you know how to use it.”
Simplicity taught me to see every resource as precious: my hours, my dollars, my energy, even my life. And the more we invest them in things that matter, the more fulfilled we become.
4. You are more than what you own. Believe it.
Culture has a way of convincing us to believe things we know aren’t true.
For example, none of us, deep-down, believe our value is tied to the things that we own. But subtly, starting in childhood, we begin to look up to those who have more. Magazine covers, movies, and television shows exalt those who live in bigger houses, have nicer clothes, own cooler toys, or earn the bigger paycheck.
All lives are created equal. But for some reason, those with more get put on a pedestal—even when they don’t deserve it.
But a person’s value is never tied to their possessions. In fact, sometimes it is those least worthy of our admiration who accumulate the most. And those who are most worthy of being looked up to as role models are looked over.
Minimalism helped me remember again, and see through clearer eyes, that our worth is not determined by the square footage of our home, the logo on our clothing, the gadgets on our shelf, or the car in our driveway.
You have value because of who you are—your heart, your soul, your ability to love, create, forgive, and make a difference. That’s the part of you that matters. And no purchase can change that.
5. Self-worth is built by doing things that give us self-worth. Not consumerism.
This last point, I should admit, is not necessarily something I learned by pursuing minimalism. Instead, it was learned during the creation of The Hope Effect (which was a result of minimalism).
You don’t become more confident by buying something new. You don’t develop a stronger sense of purpose by upgrading your home decor. You don’t develop greater self-esteem by consuming more and more.
Self-worth grows when we align our actions with our values. When we do things that grow our self-worth, we develop self-worth. Self-esteem is not something we think ourselves into having. It is developed through our actions and our decisions—when we help others, keep our promises, do hard things, learn new skills, and show up for people.
Ironically, the more time we spend caring for physical possessions, the less we are able to invest in the practices that actually build our self-esteem. It’s hard to find time to volunteer at the local non-profit, if we’re spending our days driving from store to store.
Here’s the truth: we don’t need more stuff to feel better about ourselves. We need more of ourselves—freed up and fully engaged in activities that grow our self-worth.
I’ve now written 2,000 articles on Becoming Minimalist. That’s tens of thousands of hours spent encouraging others to own less and live more intentionally.
But underneath every word has always been this simple truth: You matter.
Your life holds value. Not because of what you own, but because of who you are.
The world will try to tell you otherwise. It will measure your worth in net worth, productivity, or popularity. But those measurements fall short. They fade. And they fail to account for the selfless goodness your life brings to others.
Minimalism isn’t just about decluttering your stuff. It’s about clearing space and focus to see that your time, your attention, your values, and your story matter deeply.
So live with fewer distractions. Spend your limited resources on things that matter. And never forget:
Your life is too valuable to waste chasing material possessions.
Spend it on something greater.
Joshua,
Thank-you for this very truthful, greatly impactful article. Those of us in the movement love hearing your words while our larger society tries to discourage us. Thank-you for sharing your wisdom and commitment.
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
❤️
Thank you Joshua, for this wonderful and thoughtful article! I admire your ability to share your heart so wonderfully!!! I’m afraid I don’t have the words to express my gratitude, but wanted to share my heart!
You are very kind Renee. Thank you.
With respect to #2, having crosspaths with many people living in luxury, buying, buying,…………. I’ve taken a step back and tried to delve into their lives to find some kind of understanding of all this. To aide someone and lend some guidance there has to be some understanding of where their coming from and the why’s. I’ve been approached by several asking how I got this minimalist life and I told them there’s much to it but we need to start with a transparent conversation firsthand to understand each other. This article is a definite shelve it to share with these folks I cross paths with. Thank you Joshua.
There are times when I wish I could start my life over and be in my early 20’s. Sometime after that age I began to accumulate and it messed up my focus on what was important. I fell prey to every new gadget, new home decor styles and clothing. My awakening came after family members passed away and I was overwhelmed with disposing of their possessions. I knew my mindset was changing but I didn’t have a name for it. I’m grateful to Joshua every day for helping me along on my journey. Less really brings peace and contentment.
Fairly new with minimalism, about a year in process. I am grateful for this and the other articles I have read by you. Thank you! This spoke powerfully in my heart with comparison stealing my joy and self-worth. Didn’t grow up with much, and God has called our family to missions which also is a humbling yet beautiful thing. The way many live and my inner struggle is mentally hard to overcome the comparison trap, but it is possible and I shall press on being content exactly where I am at and all that I have to offer me being uniquely me. Thank you again!
Wow, this is a powerful essay. Thank you for your using your finite life to lifting up the lives of others, through your work around minimalism and building a meaningful life, and through Hope Effect. I keep reading because you actually live what you preach—a rare thing—and I learn from witnessing how you live and am inspired by it. Thank you for reminding me, and all your readers, of the value of our lives, and the potential that awaits once we move past consumerism and busyness. And that it’s something we need to recommit to every day, over and over, as you have by showing up to write and share day after day for 17years. You’ve changed many lives, including my own. Thank you!
Thank you for all those articles. I’ve loved beginning our minimalism journey and your articles have helped encourage me along the way.
God bless you in this new season as you and your wife approach being empty nesters.
Thank for those 2000 articles. This was a very powerful one. Given me lots to think about.
I am so thankful for the work you do and the inspiration you give. You were influential in my choice to become a Simplicity Coach eight years ago. The journey has been an interesting one.
I had a vacation home in San Luis Obispo for several years, and had the basic furniture, a few books, dishes, a pot and pan, and some toiletries. When we drove in, usually late at night, I was immediately taken to a place of calm. No excess stuff calling to be organized or cleaned, no weeds to pull, and no laundry to wash. Our 1100 square foot townhome that faced a creek and tall Redwood trees was the place we slept, and showered. We were outdoors most of the time living life. Hiking, exploring the central coast, grabbing coffee at our favorite places is how we spent our days. What made the difference was not having all the stuff. We since have sold our SLO place, and have continuously been letting go to reclaim the ease of living with less that we experienced. One thing I think of when I get rid of something is how blessed the person who gets it will be. Someone who really needs it and will use it.
Thanks again for the work you do!
The most powerful words I’ve read in years of following:
“But underneath every word has always been this simple truth: ——You matter.——
Your life holds value. Not because of what you own, but because of who you are.
The world will try to tell you otherwise.”
Thank you for helping me and so many others on their journey!
This is one of your finest efforts in writing. The message is clear
and well delivered. I find that your philosophy is influential for me when I go to purchase things. Thanks for your commitment to this cause.
Thank you, I needed this now. I would either delete or glance at your emails, but for some reason I stopped my busyness and read this one. I have an attic and basement full of stuff, that has weighed me down. Always on my project list. I don’t want to leave this for my son and I want to have this weight off of me. It’s time. Thank you
2000 articles feels burdensome. As a minimalist, one article about something i care about is satisfying and enough.
Thanks for the comment. What one article have you written that encompasses all the life lessons you have learned over 15 years? I’d be interested in reading that.
I think you are missing the point and I don’t appreciate you spreading your bad juju on this thread. Two thousand articles are quite an accomplishment. Kudos to Joshua! He has helped countless people over the years (myself included!) and God willing, will help countless more in the future.
Your comment that struck me most was: “We spend hours organizing closets full of things we don’t use.” Having just purged nearly half of my possessions in a move across states to be close to my new grandson, I don’t even remember what I left behind – that’s how important that stuff was. Now my time (and money) is consumed with scrolling/buying items to organize the things that I brought with me. sigh
So timely, reading this morning as I sit in my 900 Sq. Ft home after just finishing the move from a large home and releasing the attachment to all of the “things” the freedom of more time, brings a lightness and excitement to my life that I have not felt in a long time. My challenge is to break the habit of always being ” busy” and to learn to enjoy the quite space. Thank you! I will be going back and reading all of your writings.
I was a minimalist long before you started writing 😳. What a great thing to come across you (years ago now) and find a kindred spirit! You have been on the cutting edge of this movement I never even considered would BE a movement! I have enjoyed and been encouraged by all your posts, the clutter free class, and The Hope Effect. Well done, and thank you!
Why do I compare myself and is envying people who is minimalistic. If its so easy?
Thank you, Joshua! I believe that I have read all 2,000 articles. Congratulations to your beautiful family!
Whoa. Thank you!
Couldn’t agree more. Last September within an hour I received two separate phonecalls, one gave me a chronic illness, one ended my 30 plus career. A professional career I was used to spending alot and keeping up with others in terms of material items.
This week I start my new dream job totally different to what I did, low paid, low stress and low hours and I can’t wait.
What have I learnt, as things had to stretch on unemployment benefits:
You don’t need expensive clothes or toiletries, I have found that I need less products and supermarkets provide great stuff for alot less.
You don’t have to give to others, I’ve had to have difficult conversations with loved ones. I would spend and give to others cause I felt guilt about working all the time.
When you have less you appreciate what you have, less waste. I’ve found I need even less and sold stuff and feel happier.
I’m not saying its been easy, but I wouldn’t change a thing
Have a great day x