It’s Not That Possessions Won’t Make You Happy, They Keep Us from Things that Do

Money can't buy happiness, and possessions aren't the key to content. Most of us would agree. But the problem goes beyond the possessions themselves.

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Recent videos:

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Most popular videos:

7 Daily Habits for a Clutter-Free Home: Declutter for Good

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You can read more tips in my book, The Minimalist Home.

Read hundreds of articles on decluttering and owning less on the Becoming Minimalist blog.

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[brianhall]

Mr. Becker your content of today's message is so true you speak from the heart when my three siblings my mother and father passed away all in 11 and my wife leaving me for old boyfriend a 20-year marriage was destroyed which felt like a death to me then my closest friend passed away so I can testify that material objects cannot show you love or bring you happiness my house is a house does not feel like a home when you have no one to share it with the words from my dad 2 months before he passed he told me the best things in life is what life already offers you for free so I've been slowly downsizing so I wish everyone happiness out there and remember what's really important is family and friends and your furry little animals thank you mr. Becker have a peaceful day looking forward to your next video

[tinai]

Excess makes us have to manage more and brings EXCESS STRESS

[rachellemccann]

You are so correct. I use to buy stuff because "I could afford it". I feel so free not buying things. I only buy what I absolutely need, and there has to be a space for it already. I also try to donate something if I buy something. I feel more free, and I have more money saved.

[kch]

As a mama, I heard somewhere that we tend to by our toys to tell our kids we love them and buy ourself things as self love but... instead we should just give them LOVE. Tell them they are loved instead of a new, give them attention instead of giving them something to manage. Care for yourself instead of taking care of things

[dlarsen]

As a parent of 2 young kids minimalism has been a game changer! Not only do I spend less time picking up toys and tidying, but I find myself less irritable and distracted by the never ending to do list. Thank you so much for your wisdom ❤️

[oldtymer]

I wish I could have shown this to my wife 17 years ago, she made us spend about $300 a month on storage and even with a 10X40 unit our house was still jammed packed with boxes and boxes of crap. When she passed away most of that stuff got donated or thrown away. Now I live quite comfortably in a one bedroom apart and am always trying to figure out how to get rid of more stuff. Sometimes this involves buying new stuff that can do the job of two or three things that I'm replacing.

Less stuff equals more happiness.

[depe]

True, but just getting rid of stuff won’t magically bring meaning, we have to make a schedule of things we want to do.. A lot more work after minimizing is figuring what to pursue next

[BrightPolarStar]

Every time you talk about your neighbor's minimalist daughter, I wonder if she knows she was the catalyst for your minimalist journey. Just imagine being the one who made Joshua Becker a minimalist!

[thespartanphysique]

"Everything we own, requires a bit of ourselves" This is eye opening...Thank you. I am on my way of freedom!!

[patwarburtonr]

As we crawl out of a weary season let your light shine in our broken places. There is power in the name of Jesus. 🙏

[MrJBest]

The most important things in your life are not things. I’m realizing that more and more the older I get.

[CaseyBurnsInvesting]

If you don’t control your money and your time somebody else will.

[krisztiberec]

This simple and short explanation of the importance of minimalism could not be expressed more clearly. Personally it makes me taking a deep breath and move forward for a much simpler environment around us, I have been kind of stuck lately... It was so touching, I am very grateful Joshua! Thanks a lot! (Krisztina from Hungary)

[carmarasmussen]

Thanks for this, I really needed to hear this today. Been feeling sorry for myself after seeing friends and family with new houses, boats, hot tubs, trailers, new vehicles, etc. I needed to be reminded to be grateful for what I do have and that I don't need all the things to make me happy. Remember when "He who has the most toys wins" was a saying? Yeah, time to move past that mentality. Again, thank you for bringing me back to center today. 😊

[tikoy]

I wish I would have learned this 40 years ago.

[asmrelaxology]

Just recently I was thinking, "Do you own possessions or do they own you?" Which pretty much shows that excessiveness in things causes unhappiness and depression. I've seen people that have a lot of things and they have some type of mental health issue ( not everyone grant you) but the thing is many of us are seeking some sort of high off of "things" ...we get a dopamine rush from the buying and then it drops and depressed feelings return. I've been working on declutter and am shocked that I have some things in excess and it's overwhelming. With a clear head and some heavy thinking, we find out the real truth. I've been doing some other things in my life lately that has helped me see that most possessions are unnecessary. There are other things in life we need to be doing to fill the gap and bring long, satisfying joy. If we do that through giving and gratitude it all becomes clearer. I think I'm heading in the right direction. ☑️

[lizziemcdougall]

Thank you for another thought-provoking video. I realize after watching this video that I need to consider every new purchase as a potential distraction from time with my family. I want to truly prioritize that, and taking care of my possessions interferes with the time available for this family time. Great video as always.

[clairebuckland]

Everything has an energy, so material possessions I believe, as an energy source will drain our own. Since finding your channel and starting my new journey, I am finding that I have more energy, for the important things in life, such as family, health and giving.
This video was perfect timing for me, as I was moving back into organising, instead of minimising. Many thanks for posting and steering me back on track. 👍🏻

[romaineknepp]

Thank you for sharing this. You are a very wise soul. :)

[TheApeman]

I am slowly, and I mean slowly getting things under control with my possessions. I was already doing this before happening on your channel. This is good encouragement to keep going. The more I pare things down to what really matters, the more I appreciate those things that really matter. I can pay more attention to them and enjoy!