Top 5 Books That Inspired My Minimalist Journey

When just getting started with minimalism, it can be helpful to look towards other people for examples and ideas. Here are the top 5 books that inspired our minimalist family when we were just beginning our journey.
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Joshua Becker, minimalism, minimalist, becoming minimalist, simple living, decluttering motivation, minimalist living, decluttering and organizing, how to get rid of stuff, clutter

[@thewidesight]

1.Karen Kingston: Clear your Clutter with Feng Shui (00:43) 2.Dave Bruno: The 100 Thing Challenge (02:06) 3.Randy Alcorn: Money, Possessions and Eternity (02:57) 4.Jeff Shinabarger: More or Less (03:41) 5.Greg McKeown: Essentialism (04:18)

[@mossyoakmom8880]

Thank you for writing down the book names and authors!

[@thewidesight]

@@mossyoakmom8880 You are welcome!

[@lawrencegreywolf1397]

Likewise.

[@tgayer1]

I love your disclaimer about Randy Alcorn’s book! 😂💕

[@tesshiva]

Fumio Sasaki’s Goodbye, Things continues to be my touchstone for letting go of stuff, but I’m going to check out Randy Alcorn’s book, so thanks for that!

[@ren8240]

Karen Kingston's Clear your clutter with feng shui was also my first book many many years ago. Next was Bea Johnson's Zero waste home, which even though I had no desire to be quite so extreme, it really opened my eyes to how little we actually need & the idea that living with minimal possessions can give you options like renting out your home & travelling with the entirety of your wardrobe in a carry on suitcase is something I found both fascinating & appealing. However, things really started to click for me once I read The More of Less. 😊

[@darelyndavid8554]

I loved your book and Essentialism. My gateway book into minimalism was Jennifer Scott's Lessons from Madame Chic. Shortly after I discovered her book was when I found your work in 2015! Thank you for continuing to inspire to this day.

[@carlh-thehermitwithwi-fi679]

I have read a number of books (Essentialism, Atomic Habits, Be More With Less, Swedish Art of Death Cleaning, The Minimalists, etc) This lets me work with others on their "clutter" The one book that stands up for me that taught me about the power of minimalism, in ALL aspects of MY life is different. That book is "Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand.

[@simply.clutterfree]

I think my top five would be mostly your books! ❤️📚

[@essentialsimplicity]

I’ve read 2 of the 3, and Essentialism is one I’ve kept (kindle version) and recommend to others. Just saved the other 3 on my ‘to read’ list. Thanks for the recommendations!

[@tinaavantis6900]

And about how to actually GET there I found Dana K White «Decluttering at the speed of life» to be the absolute best book. The Audible version is very funny too. Highly recommended.

[@motherblank]

Essentialism is a great book. My favorite has to be Goodbye Things by Fumio Sasaki - especially the audio version. The narration and the stories are excellent. I’ll be adding some of your suggestions to my reading list!

[@riteoncourse]

Yes! I loved Goodbye, Things too. It was the book that changed me on many levels. Glad to know someone else enjoyed it too❤.

[@faylinameir]

Both of Saski’s books are wonderful.

[@smokypoo]

Loved that audiobook too😊

[@simini1837]

Totally agree and Hello habits is also great!!

[@TylerG7777]

Yes! I’ve listened to this audiobook 3 times over the past few years. I love it.

[@tinalemna7998]

Karen Kingston was one of my early favorites too along with Elaine St James.

[@KLCKLC-jd9jz]

Oh yes, I forgot -- I read Elaine St. James even before Karen Kingston!

[@lotta1743]

I love Goodbye Things by Fumio Sasaki. Essentialism also was a great read.

[@danabrown2391]

Of those books, the only one I've read and had a big impact on me is Randy Alcorn's book. I read it two or three times before decluttering it, along with your First Mminimalist book and Francine Jay's 'The Joy Of Less'. The one thing I remember to this day from Randy's book is on money and eternity; You can't take it with you,, but you can send it ahead'. (by what you share with those lest fortunate'.)

[@smokypoo]

I remember that a Feng Shui teacher said, you want to feng shui your place? Well clear your clutter and clean your house! The rest comes after!"😂 Really liked essentialism book👍.

[@catherinevalentine2986]

My first minimalism book was Miss. Minimalist by Francine Jay. I LOVED getting a woman's perspective and felt so inspired

[@susan5661]

Thanks for sharing your book recommendations. I always like to learn and continue my journey

[@jillians5792]

Thanks for these! I found the early books I was drawn to were mostly about the practicalities of things, logistics, organising and then as my journey evolved I read more on the wider philosophies of minimalism and the impact on life, and delved more into personal accounts and stories.

[@shehnazahmad5213]

Hi Joshua Im muslim. I appreciate the fact. That, you openly said it is faith inclusive in the 3rd book I guess. However, I will choose to read so we open mind to learn. Reading we learning as general knowledge. The same as Non muslim reading Quraan does not make them Muslims. Thank you.

[@simini1837]

My number one Goodbye Things by Fumio Sasaki. It's great!!

[@TylerG7777]

One of my favorites!

[@Desiree_Rose]

Money, Possessions and Eternity is the best. Randy Alcorns book, Managing God's Money is basically the short version. You'll miss s lot of depth, but if you can't handle a long book it's a great place to start! A must read for every Christian in my opinion. Totally changed .y mind on a LOT.

[@Wee_Morag]

For me was reading "Discardia: More Life, Less Stuff" by Dinah Sanders. A superb starting point and what led me to other books like yours.

[@susannegiesen2114]

Thank you for your recommandations😊 And you are one of the few persons pronouncing "Feng shui" the right way👍😉

[@thefruitofherhome]

I can’t wait to check these out! Thanks for sharing! ❤

[@cathyf6156]

Thanks for sharing! All of these books sound interesting and I can't wait to check them out.

[@sanneorskov]

The book that inspired me was Fumio Sasaki, Goodbye, Things

[@annlink8265]

Glad I stumbled on this video. Once I finish my two other books in progress, I will be sure to look into these titles. Thank you!

[@barbaramerrithew2756]

I haven't read any of these books but I am intrigued by the last two on your list...having said that, your latest book was truly a life changer for me on so many levels.

[@KLCKLC-jd9jz]

Yes, my first book on minimalism was also Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui, many years ago. I think I've read it three times. Many other minimalist books I've read, enjoyed and given away, but I still have Karen Kingston's book on my bookshelf. She has a free monthly email newsletter that I subscribe to.

[@AlexShiro]

It’s a top little book, much good out of it. I reread it here too lol 😂

[@VickyHafler]

Although this book is not about minimalism. It’s about the space between ourselves and our limits. I highly recommend. Richard A. Swenson Margin : Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial, and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives Thank you for your suggestions.

[@joidavis5210]

I plan to check some of these out, thanks!

[@ethyleneethylene5]

Greg Mckeown-- I love it. I bought 2018…so good book. I love to read over and over again. Thanks for sharing!

[@minimalistsmanaged]

Yay book recommendations 🥰 Thanks for sharing! ❤

[@ChristysChannelYall]

Your disclaimer has made me want to read Randy Alcorn’s book. I’ve read and enjoyed The More of Less, Minimalist Home, and halfway done with Things That Matter. Great books, thank you ❤

[@simini1837]

I can also really recommend the 1992 book Your money or life by Vicky Robin

[@TylerG7777]

Absolutely! That book is what started me on the journey to minimalism, becoming debt free, and working towards financial independence. Classic and timeless!

[@capturedbyannamarie]

Randy Alcorn’s book I read recently, it is incredible. I also like goodbye things by Fumio, and another Christian one I like is Biblical Minimalism by Cheryl smith.

[@aileenoneill5619]

Am reading Cheryl Smith's book at the moment, really thought provoking

[@sweetlampe]

Very good. Thanks for the Recommendations.😀

[@Robirda]

This was a helpful video. I will look for these at my local library. Thank you Joshua, for making all your great content.

[@LorreneRomanic]

Essentialism is one of my favorite books! I've also listened to the 100 Thing Challenge. I'm adding the others to my list of books to check out! Right now, I'm listening to Goodbye, Things by Fumio Sasaki (for the 3rd or 4th time) :) I also love the Joshua Becker books 😊

[@ThingsAbove333]

Money, Pocessions and Eternity is so good!

[@ferrisd7566]

I'm reading Essentialism currently.

[@nromaine1]

Thank you for recommending Alcorn’s book! It’s wonderful!

[@alexg.9881]

For me it was also Karen Kingstens Book, the first one I read about decluttering/minimalism... 😊

[@AlexShiro]

Such an underrated book. I hope she gets some more recognition for her early insights and writing.

[@helenburns2186]

Things That Matter by Joshua Becker was a life changer for me. Listened to it twice. Will probably do so every January for an annual recharge/reset.

[@JoshuaBecker]

Wow, that means a lot to me. Thank you for sharing it.

[@kennethbailey9853]

Thank You. You have inspired me !!!

[@carlamendoncapeixoto]

Joshua boa noite.. Amo seu livro, aprendi muito com ele, "Casa Minimalista" . Obrigada por compartilhar suas leituras e nos indicar suas experiências com elas. Um grande abraço Joshua aqui do Brasil!

[@anniinthewoods8287]

Fumio Sasaki, Goodbye Things, is my favourite

[@riteoncourse]

Mine too!

[@elizabethcallihan9971]

Thank you

[@mariaruiz8444]

Thank you so much I will love the book from Randy Alcorn. God Bless you Joshua Becke.

[@cynthiapittard4086]

Will try to read each one

[@justadudeintheworldman.120]

There have been many but one that comes to mind was a recommendation by Tim Ferris on his podcast years back. Less is More: An Anthology of Ancient & Modern Voices Raised in Praise of Simplicity by Goldian Vandenbroeck. It takes wisdom from ancient cultures and combines it with modern times in a push to live more simply.

[@kakylong2]

Joshua, Of course, everyone needs to read your books. That's a given. 😊 We we're talking tonight that we're hoping to get back on our decluttering road here soon. A lot has been going on in all areas of our lives. Great video. 😊

[@gsthompson4592]

Thanks for sharing... Glenda

[@rfoley402]

Hi Josh, you have probably answered this a hundred times but where did you get that wall hanging? I have learned a lot from your website, channel, and books. Thank you!

[@alecmcalister2280]

Hey @Joshuabecker Really like your series, I got a question. I have been decluttering and minimalizing for a while. Some departments haven't been a problem, but when it come to tools i have a much harder time. As a mechanic these are pretty important to me, i have built and fixed everything in my life. I have largely defined myself by how useful I can be by having these tools. But, I am trying very hard to change which country I live in and what I do for money. That said keeping a pickup truck full of tools seems like a good idea for a contingency plan. Basically i feel at this point i could almost get rid of everything with the exception of what i need to get on the motorcycle and go.....but quite scared of the big what if....

[@alanbirkner1958]

I've never had many things. I followed "miss minimalist", and read her book. Tina, Al's wife

[@JuliaK-H]

One of my favourite books on my journey to minimalism - "Things that matter" by Joshua Becker! 🌻

[@JoshuaBecker]

Nice!

[@anaalves3658]

Thank you for putting together this list and for letting the atheist, like me know that some books are not likely to be something that they will enjoy. It saves us time and money 😊.

[@jillians5792]

To all referenced in the comments so far, I would add Everything That Remains by The Minimalists, The Year of Less by Cait Flanders, Stuffocation by James Wallman, Stuff: Compulsive Hoarding and the Meaning of Things by Gail Steketee and Randy O. Frost, and Poems from Decluttering My Life by Jillian Shields!

[@summerbaby4600]

Marie Kondo, on her Japanese KZbin channel こんまりちゃんねる　was recommending your book, “The Minimalist Home”😊

[@JoshuaBecker]

Oh really, that’s wonderful!

[@BlushnBlue]

I read the first book. Would like to read the everything Christian book next....lol.

[@deericcio3379]

I got into minimalism from the Catholic saints like St Francis and St Therese and Mother Teresa , I read books on them , then I really enjoyed Goodbye Things a lot ,

[@BethGrantDeRoos]

Bought Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui June 2, 2003 And Essentialism in 2020. Like both books! Bought both Affluenza: The All-Consuming Epidemic by John De Graaf and The Overspent American: Why We Want What We Don't Need by Juliet B. Schor in February 2003. Both help explain why people buy things they don't need, want etc. Also recommend Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World by Cal Newport

[@AlexShiro]

Affluenza was great, got a lot out of it

[@giennefarcais6834]

I did like Essentialism. I think my first book I ever read on the subject was "Organizing from the Inside Out" by Julie Morgenstern, then Throw Out 50 Things by Gail Blanke - more of a list and worksheet type of book - really useful when you declutter, and one that cuts through a lot of the fluff on the subject - Unf*ck Your Habitat - kind of a tough love approach to it all. I did enjoy your books as well!

[@sandradisclafani6725]

❤👍

[@lmixtro]

Brasil , agosto/2023 🇧🇷

[@lmixtro]

Francine Jay. Menos é mais.

[@user-zm7sy3eb8n]

Goodby things

[@deanodog3667]

5 books ..sounds like clutter!!

[@cherylwilsenach3082]

Joshua, how on earth can you, as a former pastor , recommend Fung Shui? It is so not in line with Christian beliefs.

[@JoshuaBecker]

Because I found the book super helpful early in my minimalist journey.

[@cherylwilsenach3082]

@@JoshuaBecker Thank you for your reply/ I have been watching your chanel for a long time..I understand your reasoning, but am concerned that people will become too entrenched in the Fung Shui thinking.

[@DaisyMountain]

I’m with Joshua! I’m Christian and have no problem with other religions/ beliefs that build up God’s kingdom. Clear your Clutter with Feng Shui is filled with principles that the Holy Spirit confirms are True.

[@AlexShiro]

He does state that he doesn’t buy those principles, sometimes reading such things is good to sharpen our discernment and judgement. It was useful to me without strong beliefs myself at the time and I just left the FS in the book.