30 Areas of Life Where Subtracting Can Add More

The path to a more satisfying life isn’t always found in adding more. Often the path can be found in subtracting the things that no longer serve us.---

Recent videos:

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Most popular videos:

3 Things to Buy to be Happier, According to Science

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You can read more tips in my newest book, Things That Matter: Overcoming Distraction to Pursue a More Meaningful Life:

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

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[JustReadTheBible]

Turning off the news & unsubscribing from news commentaries frees up a TON of mental space. It’s not easy but is indescribably freeing. Brilliant tips. Thank you 🙏🏻

[zerocarbdoc]

Cutting sugar gives you more life, share the message with everyone! Life changing advice, thank you.

[maxbraun]

First time, I comment like this, because I'm always looking for those comments ;-)
#1 clothes 1:32
#2 furniture 1:47
#3 decorations 2:04
#4 cookware 2:22
#5 bedding and linens 2:42
#6 beauty / hygiene products 3:03
#7 papper clutter 3:19
#8 unused apps 3:31
#9 email subscriptions 3:48
#10 to-do-list 3:58
#11 social media 4:13
#12 streaming services 4:28
#13 news consumptions 4:42
#14 impulse buying 5:07
#15 mindless snacking 5:20
#16 over-checking email 5:43
#17 dining out 5:59
#18 sugar 6:13
#19 toxic relationships 6:44
#20 goals 7:02
#21 commitments 7:19
#22 house size 7:36
#23 hobbies 7:45
#24 kid's activities 8:00
#25 your words 8:27
#26 debts 8:39
#27 habits 8:51
#28 negative self talk 9:03
#29 worry 9:20
#30 comparisons 9:42

[zerocarbdoc]

I like the creating a luxurious space by removing things. Thank You

[Steve-Duh-Rino]

You always offer good advice. Thanks for the grounded philosophy

[judysbakeryandtestkitchen]

I let go of someone I thought with my friend. I realize she really wasn’t being very nice to me. My life is much better without her.

[nataliamurray]

I have always been underweight and health focussed, but quitting sugar in 2023 was the best decision ever. After the first month of withdrawals, I cannot believe the improvements in clarity, attention and mood. And it leads to less snacking! Now to work on reducing worrying and comparisons. Great goals!

[LTNZ]

Mark Twain said: I’ve had a lot of worries in my life, most of which never happened.

[karenneiman]

I turned off my fb and other notifications and
have so much more peace. Now I check in maybe once a week. Wish I had done it sooner!

[Karen-peoc]

Cutting out judgment of others is what I am focusing on. I notice a judgment and wonder why or where it is coming from. It has become a way of getting to know myself better and also to realize that I am not the person I want to be sometimes. It is hard! But I always feel better when I at least question it. Thank you for the reminder that letting things go can be positive.

[marthaC]

Great list!! Thanks. One that I would add is cooking & freezing meals. I have only 6 meals that I cook in large amounts, and then freeze in smaller portions. This is enough for 6 days, plus on the 7th day I eat a sandwich and/or soup. I always have enough frozen meals to last about 1 month. I only cook my favorites, so I enjoy everything. This plan simplifies buying groceries.

[christyclark]

Not buying processed snacks (protein bars, etc.) has reduced my mindless snacking significantly.

[katieee]

Thank you Joshua! Great advice.
I stopped social media during Covid and I don’t miss it anymore.
I’m focus on getting out debt, taking online courses, and minimalism. Still working on minimalism. 😂

[extrememinimalism]

I can attest to cutting out social media, caffeine, sugar and relationships and despite owning two televisions still, I never use them. The decluttering of physical or digital items is super easy in comparison. I am on the more extreme side but even my little kitchen has empty spaces. As does the under stair storage, the shelf in the bathroom and the 2 bookcases I basically don't really need at this point but are too bulky/what if, to sell. Me and my toddler live in a 1 bedroom flat which has views of the sea and has a patch of green on the outside. Our neighbours are decent and we share a small garden out front and back. The shape and layout of the home is awkward, probably the most annoying part of it all, but its size is otherwise perfect and cheap as its a council house, that I won't ever want to leave and thanks to minimalism/transforming furniture, I don't ever have too, even as my son turns into a teenager or an adult.

[natashyas]

I forgot how important down time is. We as a family feel so much more rejuvenated when we spend the weekend doing the bare minimum, jumping in the trampoline, going to church, reading books, and RESTING!

[janethunt]

A friend once said, "The less said the better, " regarding sharing something I was going through with others. I've noticed that it is the wise thing to do pretty often.

[vlutinks]

What you carry with you... I've learned that 'purse clutter' weighed me down. I have a beautiful box near the door. It holds of the 'what ifs' I may need when leaving the house. I contemplate this as I am about to walk out the door. Most days, I only need what I can fit in my pocket. It has been so freeing. I have a Chico reusable bag that has made my shopping mindful and minimal. It clips to my keychain, beltloop or waterbottle:)

[KathyBGood]

speaking less, listening more - that's a good goal for me! Compare, despair is something I need to remind myself of. I cut back on news channels. I have the verse from Luke where Jesus says do not worry. thanks & I'll have a listen again to this.

[goodenoughgirl]

All of this has been such a must for me. For my mental health. Coming from an abusive and controlling background, decision making is a difficult thing. Didn’t take much at all to throw me into decision fatigue multiple times a day most every day. Knocking out so many of these “extra” things really did help me be able to save my very weak decision making muscles for things that matter way more than things like what to wear, what to cook/eat and so on. Same goes for saving energy with more simple chores, to do lists and activities.

Although as a single older person, getting out more is still a must. You can’t let yourself just waste away alone all the time. You don’t want to wind up feeling like life is more or less solitary confinement. It’s all fine and dandy to stay home a lot when you have any kind of decent companionship, but that’s really an entirely diff animal when it comes to living alone.

[raccooneyes]

i just decluttered my clothes. i've been holding onto 12 pairs of jeans that i'll probably never fit into again, just in case i lose weight. that was 7 yrs ago lol