How I Became a Minimalist

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Facebook: /becomingminimalist
Twitter: @joshua_becker
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[lucyhenley]

My trigger event was a nasty comment a “friend” made to her child about my home interior, she didn’t mean to be nasty I am sure, but she is much richer and her stuff a lot nicer, I realised I could never keep up and actually deep down I didn’t really want all the tat I was buying at thrift shops to attempt to do so. It’s been many years and is ongoing because I have growing kids who do not share my minimalist approach but it’s profoundly life changing and enhancing.

[Joyfulkatz]

So true! Your videos are minimalist too. Short, clear, clean and quality! Thank you Joshua!

[dsbennett]

After I retired, we moved from a large house to one half the size. We've been here TWO MONTHS, and our house still has cardboard boxes all over. We still do not have livingroom furniture because the living room is stuffed with boxes and an elliptical I have no idea where that will go. The only place to sit is at the kitchen table and in my office. Boxes are everywhere, and my wife struggles every day "letting go" of stuff. We have ten large boxes of framed photos large and small, but we don't want to put them on the walls. For once, both of us agree our walls look very nice with nothing on them. Today, my wife gathered all the gift wrap, ribbons, and bows and tossed it in a box to give away. She's determined to just give gift cards from now on. Eliminates a whole closet of stuff by doing that. It's happening, and I'm feeling freedom is just around the corner. By the way, my daughter recommended this channel after I told her about her mom agonizing over every little thang.

[marileejoan]

This spoke to me; "chasing and accumulating material possessions". Now when I travel, I resist the urge to buy a trinket to remind me of the beautiful moment. Instead, I just allow my eyes to capture the moment and find that there is much space within my memory for all I need to reflect!

[onefishtoo]

my "trigger" moment was when a long time friend called me to come visit me and asked if he could stay in my extra bedroom, well I had turned my extra room into a craft room which was packed to the gills with never touched projects for yrs, at that moment I realized that I had wasted that room to store "STUFF" instead of enjoying a friends company. I started to do a complete declutter of my whole home which will take me a few months to complete and Im sure will continue forever because I never want to feel like that again. Thanx Josh.

[heyitsajiid]

I started my journey 2 weeks ago, starting with clothes and kitchen items.
I can't wait to have a peaceful home with less chores in sight.
Thanks a lot for helping us.😉

[Jake]

Becker really is one of the most important voices in the minimalist movement today. Great video!

[leyah]

Wow! You have a youtube channel! But you know what? You are the reason why I became a minimalist for almost 2 years now! As ive searched for the word "decluttering" i came across your blog becomingminimalist.com and it is an eye opener for me to be a minimalist! I've read everything in your blog! So I would like to personally thank you Mr. Becker!

[ginerbaby]

My trigger point was watching your video. Your talks have changed my life. I cannot thank you enough!

[mauraronda]

I started about a year ago. It’s been the best thing for my life style. It’s not just being intentionally Minimalist. It’s about simplifying my surroundings for peace and calm. At this point I. My life it brings me pure joy to look at a neat comfortable serene home! Thank you Joshua for this journey!

[이구름-ob]

My parents passed away 3years ago.
I can't clean my parent's house.
There's lots of memories in. But today I have to decide what I can do.
Thank you so much.

[hollyc.]

I think for me, minimalism came about when the clutter got to be too much and it was making me crazy with all the toys and stuff everywhere. I have been going through every room and the garage and doing a "donate, trash, or keep" system and have already cleared out 2 closets, my kids closet (that had my clothes in it!), my kids dressers, my desk and printer cabinet, the garage of large items (doing the small items here in the next week or so), my office supply cabinet, laundry room, pantry, fridge, stuff ontop of the fridge, etc. Feels SO good to clean up my house, give new life to things i've donated and put down at the curb to help others, etc. I tried selling some items but there comes a point where I just want it gone, so that's what I did.

[Jennifer-]

This is exactly what happened to me three weeks ago! I could have taken my boys to the park after seven hours of bagging STUFF I sat down and cried! I have lived in my home for 15 yrs so this will be a journey but I'm done with stuff. Oh if I could go back 15 yrs!!!!

[TriniDeBone]

This is the best explanation of why choose to be a minimalist.
My relatives are dumbfounded on why I've chosen this path.
It'll take me a while to get there fully but I'm on the journey.
I just de-cluttered most of my bedroom and I'll be moving to another room this weekend.
It's a journey that's worth the taking!

[janebaker]

I like how your videos are short and to the point

[taniahunnisett]

Here I am with my husband in the garage sorting through mountains of stuff accumulated over 35 years. We've been at it for over 4 hours and its been an exhausting process. My husband has already taken a full car load to Goodwill and I wanted to pop on youtube for a break & some inspiration and found your video. I showed my husband how you started in your garage and we both laughed. I've decided that no longer will the garage be the spot we put stuff in to sort out later. We need to make a decision right away. Keep or go. If it's keep, it has to serve a purpose and we have to know where it is if we do use it. Enough is enough. Time to breathe AND park the car in the garage. Lol😂

[delicacyasmr]

Thankyou for posting on YouTube! I’m still on my minimalism journey and I’m almost there. I just want to see a clean light also love listening to this video, it sounds really motivating

[ScandishHome]

Your book was the first book I read about minimalism years ago! Your book helped us to start and achieve a new lifestyle for us! A huge thank you for inspiring us! You are simply amazing! So happy you are making videos! 😊

[mariaatef]

every time i listen to this story i feel motivating to go on my minimalist journey, thank u

[TheWigleFamily]

It will take me a long time to get there, but I'm working on it! My trigger was a few months ago when I realized that most of my temper tantrums were related to not being able to find things I needed amidst the piles of clutter. It was my fault, but my family paid the price.