Minimalism: 7 Reasons that Keep People From Getting Started 

Hey guys! Just wanted to let you know that my new book, Things That Matter, is finally here. I put my heart into it, and I can’t wait to share it with you. You can pick up a copy at www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/676394/things-that-matter-by-joshua-becker/

The less I have, the more peace I find.

I literally feel that this is the only channel in YT where you don’t see ads and no sponsored content where they make you feel as if it’s the only thing you need in your life. So glad I found this channel. Thanks a lot Joshua for everything you do. Rest assured it does not go un noticed 🙏🏻

I started my journey in 2017 when I realized I needed another wardrobe just for myself. That sounded nonsense! My wardrobe is quite big and I actually only used like 50 items or less. Why would I need a second wardrobe? I took everything out and started decluttering. I probably got rid of 40% of my clothes after 3 days. I slept on my couch for 2 nights because my bed was full of every piece of clothing I owned. But it was so rewarding. I have always loved organizing since I was a kid and now I realize I was trying to organize clutter. That’s why I had to do it over and over again. I kept decluttering during the following 4 years. I decluttered my kitchen, laundry, cosmetics and beauty products, my DVDs, photographs… My wardrobe today has 20% of the items I used to own. I feel free for buying something new without thinking if there’s room for it (even though I don’t really enjoy shopping as I once used to). I found new hobbies and activities that make me happier. I finally turned my home into my safety and relaxing place. It’s not a source of stress anymore. I can’t remember how I used to live that way until 2017. It just looks like a whole other life. Minimalism thought me not only to know what actually matters to me. I learned to say no, to feel good about stuff I like and dislike, to dress for myself and not to please people. Cleaning is so much easier and faster. It had never crossed my mind that life could be simpler. It started when I realized I needed more storage space. Instead I defied me to do otherwise. Now my wardrobe and my home are free, and so is my mind. So do it fast or do it slow, but do it. Give simple living a chance. You will benefit from it, it’s worth it.

Great concepts--- this is why people tend to sleep so well in hotels; the lack of clutter is luxurious!

The more I declutter the more i find my energy and creativity is returning. Can't thank you enough. When I start getting indecisive I watch another video for motivation and inspiration. I find I can think more clearly and my joy is returning. I took 100 books to my local charity chop the other day but I still have A LOT!

I started decluttering my home and the place I started was in my room like you said my room is meant for intimacy and rest and books don’t belong stacked up on my furniture just moving those out was freedom. I often scratch my head and wonder why they were even accumulating there. Lol it’s a lot I literally open the junk drawer and it is full of junk I could probably just pick out a few items and throw the rest in the garbage. Lol

I’ve been living minimalist for a couple of years now and it has made life so much better. I no longer have to look for anything. Things have nowhere to get lost. I do WAY, WAY, WAY less housework. This has been the most amazing thing. I used to do nothing on my off time but clean the house. Now I have TIME to do enjoyable activities. I read my Bible, take walks, do things with my now young adult sons. I first came to know minimalism from your book The More of Less. Thank you for introducing this to me. It has changed my life!

It is taking me longer than I thought to declutter and downsize. I realize that this is a process and listening to you and Minimal Mom have been my go to channels to keep me encouraged. Thanks for your sharing and information.

I’ve lived in mess my whole life. My family moved around about twice per year. I’m 44, and my current home is a mess too. My wife and children also live messy. But I felt incredible joy when I realized I can’t change them. I can only be responsible for me. I can begin to minimize. I can clean my own closet first and lead by example. And that’s exactly what I’m doing today as I listen to these videos! Thank you, Joshua, for the inspiration and practical tips.

" May our differing views and possessions never come between us as friends." Joshua Becker. I cannot thank Joshua enough for his kind words of wisdom and help along our journey.

I've been working on it for years, and you have been one of my biggest inspirations, Joshua. I love your videos. Sometimes I listen just because you make me feel peaceful.

I started my journey years ago. What happened? My mom passed away and I was forced to SEE. I embraced all my treasures now and can easily take care of the house. I moved my journey to the RV. Traveling with only what is needed makes my adventures more precious.

Joshua, I am from the Cayman Islands. I love listening to your wonderful advice. I have decluttered my entire home and even most of my indoor plants, keeping only the few that brought me real joy and easy to maintain. Thank you for directing me to a more peaceful and ‘less to do’ life. May God bless you and your family always🙏

I love living with less! As you say it gives you more time to do the things you love with those that matter in your life. I spend less time cleaning, do the dishes, dusting, less time do the washing, folding and ironing and it's wonderful. I don't have an empty house with white walls and no pictures but I do live with only what I need to be happy. Thank you Joshua for another great video.

🤔 One drawer, one closet .. yes I believe I can start there. Excellent talk :) Thank you! ✌🏽

I moved in with my father to take care of him and they were pack rats I feel so closed in in this house it's killing me slowly I've been gradually getting rid of things cleaning out a drawer at a time; every step I take makes me feel a little bit better

Thank you for another great vlog. There is nothing that is more attractive to me than minimalism. I love how my house is becoming more and more manageable and much more enjoyable. Thank you for this encouragement.

Since I became a minimalist it cut down on my housework, I could find things I needed, and I stopped falling over boxes, tables etc. and items that family members forgot to put away. MY back and knees are grateful to minimalism.

I am Five months in this journey and still going strong ...Love your videos so much . Joshua you are an inspiration to many . Thanks

I now clearly see how a cluttered space at home and/or work contributes heavily to a chaotic mind daily. Dealing headstrong with this issue definately helps mental health. Thanks for your concise videos, they are so helpful!

Apart from the time it takes to declutter, the biggest issue is finding somewhere for the things to go, especially during Covid. Our thrift shops operate with volunteer workers and already have more things than they can sell with the help and the clientele they have. I am moving along this path, but it is going very, very slowly. I find your advice very helpful (and Minimal Mom's). Thank you.

I needed this today! I’ve been struggling to get started!

I started with one drawer, I took the contents out and placed the items on a flat surface, Anything that was left after too weeks were donated or thrown out.

Thank you, Joshua, for being a huge motivator for me to be brave and pull the trigger and let this junk go! To point 7 - My husband and my dad are simple guys. Don't need much. Just a few things they really like. Hate clutter. My mom and I, however, keep everything. That's how I grew up - always keeping everything. I think that's how she grew up, too, as my Grandma had a massive basement full of things they never let go of. (Some of which has trickled into my house since her passing...which I've got to deal with now.) God has convicted me over the years, and sadly I just ignored it. Stifle that nudge. The clutter causes stupid fights between my husband and I. And I know it does between my parents. It stresses the heck out of me now. Then, if the kids open a drawer and pull things out, holy cow! It's a huge, miserable mess I have to clean up and re-organize. And a massive WASTE OF MY TIME and energy! and then I'm irritated with the kids that there's another mess I have to clean up. It is NOT worth it!!! I have better things to live for. I had a paradigm shift about all the stuff a few years ago - I don't need it! There's no reason for it all. The kids don't need the 25+ shirts when they wear the same 5, 80% of the time! I started getting rid of stuff a few years ago just here and there, which helped. But the last week, I have been doing a ruthless purge on my whole house. It's taking forever and is super stressful...but I am pausing things and doing this completely to be completely FREE! After I am done with this, I never want to spend an entire morning, day, or weekend decluttering my house. (Let alone two weeks straight.) It is a WASTE OF MY LIFE! I am just so done with it all! We just had our fourth baby and it's like the house has just exploded! I have got to get everything we don't NEED or absolutely LOVE out of this house. And I'm never looking back. Ever. I am not storing up treasures on this earth anymore. There is something much, much better to live for.

I’ve been Decluttering for two years now. I’d rather do it when it’s time to downsize right away. Yesterday, I was at a gathering of people who came for prayer after a funeral. The woman’s house had maybe 20 or 30 pictures of family on the mantle. I just kept thinking about how hard it would be to dust! And I thought that’s the reason she insists on having a cleaning woman during COVID. She is paying to have her clutter cleaned! The clutter actually made me nervous Covid started a half year after I began decluttering. So I had room in the drawers to put stuff. We got rid of our cleaning woman. I continue to make progress all the time. Some thing that really helps me is having a date set for a charity pick up. I wasn’t sure about a few things. But having the date set, I decided to let them go.

You know what I’ve realized , every single time that I get rid of something ( things that I didn’t like or use for a long time ) , I end up forgetting that I ever got them in the first place . It’s such a odd but great feeling at the same time . Sometimes I give them away and trust me I only remember that I had that item when the particular person that I’ve donated it to mentioned it in a conversation… I’m saying all of this to say that I’ll never *regret* becoming a *Minimalist 🤗

The mental gymnastics associated with me getting rid of my just-in-case stuff is where I struggle most. But over time and with grace, I let it go.

I’ve decluttered quite a bit and have the harder things still to do. This motivates me to keep going. I probably won’t miss the things anyway…

So glad I started minimalism this year and will continue to do so. I’ve found mental and physical freedom, time space and energy. I now have time to concentrate on goals/dreams that I wish to pursue. I’ve started to change my career goal and will be working with an amazing charity organisation helping the homeless. I also would like to write a children’s book dedicated to children from domestic violence situations to empower and build their inner confidence.

We’re planning to retire, downsize and move across country. Our grown kids do not want our “brown (solid mahogany) furniture.” We don’t want our stuff to be a burden to our kids. When my mother-in-law passed, 2,000 miles away, she had so much stuff my husband told nearby cousins to help themselves. She had some beautiful and valuable things. It was mixed in with junk. We didn’t have the time or money to deal with it. Whatever they didn’t want was hauled off. We’re going to get rid of stuff. If there’s something valuable we still want to use, they can sell to an antique store, I’ll leave a note under the item of its approximate value and where to sell it. E.g., don’t unload the family silver at a garage sale.

It's never said enough, but it's a simple conceot that helps a lot whenever I feel discouraged and overwhelmed: I didn't accumulate all this stuff in a weekend, so it's obvious it's not going to take just a weekend to get rid if it! Thank you 🙂

I started in 2017, didn’t know minimalism and found it around 2019. It was much easier to do it. I’m happy I did it. 💕👍🏻🕊

I love your thought process. I have embraced minimalism for a time now. I feel so free and so thankful ... my husband does not walk this road yet - I will not give up hope :)

The hours I have used looking for something Important under Useless Stuff, can't be counted or reclaimed. I Am going to do my best to use my time moving forward, to rid myself of excess Stuff and forgive myself for previous mistakes. Thank you Joshua, for another encouraging message.

Thanks. I need this. At the crossroads of downsizing into a new & smaller home, the timing and opportunity for me to embrace the concept of owning less could not be more ideal… May the Lord help me shake off my fear-of-lack, cull more deeply, & live joyfully within the space we have… my hubby, grown-kids, & grand-kids will thank you! ❤️

Thank you everything you say is true. I have started with my personal belongings first like shoes etc. Thank you again.

Joshua is sooo sincere! Thank you for your passion, patience, education & wisdom. Thank you for your calming demeanor. Listening & learning from you is simply a relaxing experience.

My biggest challenge is that I’m married to a hoarder who always keeps everything “just in case”. Love your videos. Thank you xx

This is an excellent video .When I really started, the emotions, the emotional roller-coaster, the exhaustion , the tears from even looking at my now - adult kids things , and poems they wrote to their mom. I did not part with my sentimental items .But when I thought we were done , Ohno. I found so much more to get rid of .We are almost done with our absoulute huge gigantic , over 2 year journey ....I'm so happy!! I feel so free and happy .....My daughter however brings more in cuz she's ocd with certain things she must buy in abundance. Thank you so much Josh .You are one of my first and biggest influences .

It totally is a process and I don’t declutter on a daily or weekly basis like I did in the beginning, but as I find items my fantasy self has held on to, I find it a new home to free up space in my home and mind. Thanks for each talk you give Joshua!

I have started de-cluttering, although I really don't think I can be completely minimalist. I keep buying things that I want or need, but have donated quite a few of my clothes and belongings that I don't use. That has been very freeing. I thought I might miss those things but I don't miss them at all. I still have a long way to go but have gotten off to a pretty good start.

You are a big Inspiration! We have been downsizing for about 4 years. Having kids keeps you on your toes. ;)

I’ve been minimizing my own belongings but my husband isn’t on board with this. Some things I just have leave alone for now but I’m making inroads! As you said, decluttering my own belongs will make a big impact. The other stuff I will slowing chip away at. Every so often he surprises me and decides to reduce certain belongings.

Thank you for your videos. Always enjoy the messages and they remind me to declutter the rest of the evening. The sight of a box ready to go to a thrift store for donation is a great way to start the weekend in my opinion.

I not ready to throw stuff out but I’m being very careful about not buying stuff that isn’t food and household consumables

Too much stuff always makes me sick physically and more importantly mentally. Getting rid of the excess things has made my life so much better and happier.

Over the past months you have helped me live a more meaningful and stress free way in my home and life on a whole, just by owning less. When I started decluttering, people let it seems wasteful and look at me crazy.Eventhough, I was in fact donating most of what goodwill would accept. But what they wouldn't understand is that I have no time to sell, the feeling I got from parting ways with unwanted and meaningless stuff, was a high I could live with for the rest of my life. Thank you

I started mininalism 3 years ago combined with Konmary organisation. My husband downsized as well but there was still clutter in his drawers and I just asked him to keep his mess iniside. And a few months ago a miracle hapened: after watching how I managed my stuff for several years he decided to downsize more and now we even have some drawers empty :)) Oh,after writing this I just heard that you named this as reason 4 in your video. Yes,it's true we can becone minimalists even if the family members don't want to follow that path :))

I like how you explain things calmly and slowly which make it clearer for non-native English speaker like us. Thank you.

I have had one rule only: if a thing hasn't been used for 1 1/2 year it's out. I put it out for everybody to see. The first person who needs it, gets it for free. One year: 1 item, last year 4 items. I have been doing it for 20 years and I have everything I need, but no unnecessary things. Easier, calmer and easier to clean.

I started 6 years ago by getting a divorce I'm doing really well downsized my property to 2 bedrooms streamlined all my inventory just got to evict my son now who came to stay with me in March after he lost his job due to the Kung Flu 😷 then I plan to start the "Swedish death clean" I'm 59 so it's about time. keep spreading the word Josh you are making a lot of people's lives a lot bet. God be with you.

It's emotional attachment to stuff. I get it; it's security, it's your life you haul around with you. Someday, it all has to go. Don't let it weigh you down in the meantime.

Off subject but you are my public speaking goals ☺️

Well Joshua after watching all your videos it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me! I absolutely lov living with less...

Why I like your approach is because it's simple and non confrontative to others or to my long owned belongings I'm now choosing to declutter. I truly appreciate the encouragement.

You always give me consistent and clear messages about why we should live our life instead of wasting our life pursuing something superficial and glittery. You are the friction I have when considering buying something nonessential. :)

All great ideas and so true - I've been on this journey (and it IS a journey) for over a year, started with just simplifying my kitchen/living room area by clearing counters and getting rid of redundant dishes and utensils. It's contagious! Two strategies I use that really help: 1. Keep a donatable 'donate' box always ready for stuff in my laundry room, and 2. Putting things I'm unsure about in a "quarantine" area (in my case, a shelf in my basement), to be reconsidered at a later time. I nearly always am able to donate these items after a few months in quarantine. Just take the 15 minutes Joshua suggested and GO! It's (some of) the PEACE you've been looking for! /Sue

Why I got into minimalism without knowing the word, it was because I was fed up with all clutter and stuff I never used. Pretty simple.

I can relate to "I don't have the time" the most.

Certainly this process has been a great deal longer and more ... oh, challenging... than expected, BUT it it SO worth it!

I've never had much stuff. I still get rid of at least 15 things every day. Some of my neighbors are still shopping every day. Tina

I love the no ad interference from your messages! Thank you Joshua!

We hope to be moving house in the next couple of months which has spurred us on to reduce the items we own. We get a really good feeling each time a black sack goes into the bin or recycling or a bag to the thrift store. We still have a long way to go. Thank you for the comment that if you don't want to part with something today don't stress it may be tomorrow or another time. That really takes the pressure off. Moving house was the catalyst to get me/ us started. Bless you.

I think I always had it in me to declutter unwanted things in my home but the idea of minimalism has taken me to another level. The idea of intentional living is very satisfying.Thanks Joshua for these videos, it keeps me going !!! Love all the way from India.

I have been;minimizing over the past year and a half. I have a large home in which only my husband and I live. Our children have grown up and moved out. We have two amazing grandsons whom we babysit for two or more days a week. So we have toys in many places though we try to keep them in two places, so toys are the toughest items to get a grip on. My husband and I minimized the toys at least twice in the last year and a half. The only places I still have to minimize are the closet in my daughter’s old bedroom that has become the dump all closet, and the storage room. I minimized the storage room once, but must continue to do so to get rid of more “stuff”. I am proud of what I have accomplished so far. I know I will get to that closet soon, and I will once again go through the storage room some day soon too. Toys will always be in our home for the foreseeable future. But as long as they all have a place, and are in their place at the end of the day, I am happy. My 37 year old son said he was at out home with one of his friends recently, so he showed his friend around the house. His friend said he couldn’t get over how clean the house was. I was happy to hear of his impression of the house. Only because I minimize and got rid of what we didn’t need, am I able to keep a large house straightened and clean without much effort. I am a senior citizen and it is in my and my husband’s interest to get rid of the clutter. Our children didn’t want our “stuff”, so I gave it to the resale shop. Now we can walk anywhere in our house without worrying about tripping and falling over “stuff”. We can find things more easily too. What I say to those afraid to minimize is, just do it. Anything you get rid of that you regret and really want, you can generally rebuy. So you’re not risking much to minimize.

I know you already know this but I wanted to share my personal journey, we are still in the process of downsizing but taking many of your tips : watching less movies and spending the time tackling different rooms and areas of the house. We currently live in a 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 2 floor home with a large garage... we are selling our house in September and moving into my mom’s 350 sqft bachelor basement suite. We have wanted to downsize for years, our future plan is to build a tiny home on a lot of secluded land, but we couldn’t afford to own a house while making our dream happen. After the sudden passing of my papa (grandfather) we decided to make the absolute best of a difficult situation, my mom could use family around, we all could. As well as it will benefit us all financially, mentally, etc. Finding minimalism has made this process Enjoyable. ! We had to downsize anyways but in changing our outlook on life and belongings/possessions our outlook on life has changed. It all just makes sense, we are getting rid of much more things than I had originally thought we would have and it has been ssoooo easy !!!! My husband and 4year old son are more onboard then I ever thought they would be, my husband has been the one to turn off the tv early most nights. I must admit there have been some nights we’re we turn it off and sit there and play crib instead of tackling a room but that’s part of our journey too. We used to enjoying playing crib together when we first got together but the crib board had been lost in our junk drawer for years. ! Happy to be getting back to our roots, starting new family traditions and I can not wait to see where this journey takes us. I guess what I really mean to say at the end of all this is “THANK YOUU” 💜💜💜

Thank you Joshua for your encouragement and wonderful messages on your vlogs which have supported my own decluttering/ minimalism journey. Best wishes

Imagine my surprise when looking over the "Notes" section of the book "How Stella Learned to Talk" by Christina Hunger (the story of the world's first talking dog) there was a name I recognized - yours! It is indeed a small world, and you are affecting people's lives all over!

Our family has basically sold everything and moved to a new country with only suitcases multiple times. It is the most freeing act in the world. But then we came back to the States and settled down. Over the course of about ten years, we found ourselves up to our eyeballs in stuff. This time, being in our 50's, the journey to simplify has proven more difficult for us to get on the same page. Patience is a virtue, right? Slow and steady will get us there because my husband and I both want it. It is well worth the reward of peace.

What a comprehensive video. I trust you know how helpful your videos are. You have the ability to relate to all kinds of people and your presentation is always sincere.

Another fantastic message. Keep us on track Joshua 🙏🏻 Love the new shirt 😉

I have decluttered many clothes. I now have a small beautiful rug in my walk in closet. I see the floor.

👏💚love the last words. Great video

Next summer I'll be moving into the master bedroom in a three-bedroom house I've lived in for forty years. My youngest son and his wife are going to take over the house to help me financially, and that will force me to declutter and minimize so I can get everything into one room..! So, Joshua is my go-to guy to show me how to get this done..!

Lately I enjoy the joy of living of owning less. It keeps my house organize even in my busy weekdays. And I have no worries whenever friends and relatives come to my home. Because my home is always organize.

“Start small & start easy” sounds like a great suggestion! Ty!

Joshua, we always enjoy your videos. I don't think the journey ever ends to clean up your life. In my mind's eye, I feel it is so unsurmountable. Sometimes I feel it would be so much easier to have one person help me for a a few hours. I will start with my Master bedroom. I think sharing the results, the before and after would be motivating if I am doing it by myself. Then a reward that I am doing a great job!

Thank you for the motivation. It makes so much sense.

Thanks for the motivation and encouragement!

Very true about starting and not continuing. You have to work at it!

Forever thankful to this thoughts. 💜💜💜

I am binge watching your videos! 😃

My husband and I have accumulated for 50 years. Working hard on decluttering.

I am really loving this channel. It motivates me to live with less.

I started 2 mos ago & got rid of furniture & have filled up my livingrm with "stuff" I havent used in years. I have taken donation carloads & going to sell brand new things I bought over covid. As an example ...I bought a $200 bread machine; that I didnt use once! Now I am on ketovore & soon carnivore diet ... what will I do with a brand new bread machine?!? Lol ... there's more; I am the perfect case of one who is the perfect candidate for minimalism! I am living in one room, bathroom & kitchen in my condo ... as a test ground & I really dont use all that stuff in my livingroom at all ... closets of unused clothes -- amazingly embarassing ... and I thought I was the down to earth "type" !!!! lol

I love this RU-vid channel!! You're an amazing inspiration, thank you!!!

Your always right on J Thanks for the great tips yet again 🙏🤗😉

Slowly doing it but made great steps! Thank you!

It's true that there is no time limit to this journey.. 🙏 for this motivation...

You always come up with the best minimalism advice. Thank you very much Mr. Becker !!! 💯🏆👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿🍀🐞🌞💫🎉

I found ur vdos and started minimizing my stuff and it is so so satisfying 😌

Another great video Joshua - these short videos keep me going. You are a wise man 👍

Hey Josh. Am from Ireland and still live here. I look forward to your videos every week!

Thanks a lot for all your tips, advices. I love the way you explain/clear things in our minds which encourages us to declutter our home💖 Thank you dear 🙏

When starting this journey my son said "Mom where are all the plates?" My sister said "What is going on it looks as if you are moving ?"

Love it! So glad I took the first step a couple of years ago!

I need to start working on this!

Good evening , i live in south of France (" omelette du fromage " 😄 like meka said ) , i'm minimalist in order to be on retirement as soon as possible , i'm single without family , here is a testimonial to start this year right off : in december 2022 , i will be 40 years old and have closed the reimbursement of my appartment purchased in january 2014 , thanks to my savings on transport-food-accomodation , 12 years money back years , it is in the same residence where i lived child , back to the future lol Next year , i will invest in real estates to get more money for my retirement and protect from inflation which is 4% in my country , i wish you the best for your fire in french i tell you " bonne soiree" 👍

I think dealing with too many possessions is stressful. I like the idea of owning less and of simplicity.