The More of Less

The More of Less Plot Summary

Introduction

In a world that constantly bombards us with messages to buy more, achieve more, and own more, we find ourselves drowning in possessions that were supposed to make us happy. Yet many of us feel increasingly overwhelmed, stressed, and disconnected from what truly matters. Our homes are filled with items we rarely use, our schedules are packed with commitments we don't enjoy, and our minds are cluttered with the constant pressure to keep up with an ever-expanding definition of success. What if the path to greater freedom, fulfillment, and joy isn't about adding more to our lives, but about strategically removing what doesn't serve us? This counterintuitive approach challenges the conventional wisdom that equates more with better. By identifying what truly adds value to our lives and deliberately eliminating everything else, we create space for what matters most—meaningful relationships, personal growth, and the pursuit of our deepest passions. The principles and practices shared in these pages offer a roadmap to a lighter, more intentional way of living where less truly becomes more.

Chapter 1: Recognize the True Cost of Clutter

Physical clutter represents far more than just the items taking up space in our homes. It's a constant visual reminder of decisions unmade, potential unfulfilled, and resources misspent. The true cost of clutter extends beyond the financial investment of purchasing these items—it drains our most precious resources: time, energy, and mental focus. Troy Koubsky's journey into minimalism began with an unexpected catalyst: the color of his house. As he explained during a minimalism conference in Minneapolis, he had purchased a home with the understanding that a friend would move in to help with payments. When his friend's circumstances changed, Troy found himself taking on a second job to cover the mortgage. "Eventually," he shared, "the situation began to take a toll on me. I had more money but less time. And to make matters worse, I was not able to save any of the excess income. It was practically all going into the mortgage payment." Troy entered what he described as a season of despair. He began buying things compulsively to satisfy a craving for control. Garage sales and clearance sections became his escape. "I was out of control, totally numb to what I was doing to myself and my living space. Until I noticed the paint on my window trim beginning to chip." While searching online for paint colors to repair the window, Troy stumbled upon an image of a tiny house with chickens in the front yard. Intrigued, he discovered a community of people intentionally living with less. This accidental discovery transformed Troy's life. Over the next month, he removed 1,389 things from his home. By the end of summer, he had eliminated more than 3,000 items. "It has not always been easy to let go of stuff," Troy admitted, "but it is a process I want and I need." With tears in his eyes, he concluded, "I was really hurting for a long time. I needed simplicity. I needed to get out of debt. I needed to get rid of the stuff cluttering up my life. But mostly I needed hope—hope that life could be different, better. This process of becoming minimalist and living with less has given it to me." Minimalism isn't about giving up everything—it's about gaining what matters most. When we recognize the true cost of our possessions, we can make more intentional choices about what deserves space in our homes and lives. Start by identifying areas where clutter causes you stress or wastes your time. Notice how certain spaces make you feel when they're cluttered versus when they're clear. This awareness is the first step toward reclaiming your space, time, and attention. Remember that minimalism isn't about creating a stark, empty home—it's about creating a supportive environment that reflects your values and priorities. As Troy discovered, reducing physical possessions can lead to something far more valuable than the items themselves: hope for a different, better way of living.

Chapter 2: Start Small: One Room at a Time

The journey to minimalism doesn't require a dramatic overnight transformation of your entire home. In fact, attempting to tackle everything at once often leads to overwhelm and abandonment of the process altogether. The most sustainable approach begins with small, manageable steps that build momentum and confidence as you experience the benefits of living with less. When Margot Starbuck, a journalist with a sparkling personality and vibrant red hair, interviewed me for an article about consumption and holiday gift-giving, she had no idea how that conversation would transform her home and life. Just days after our forty-five-minute phone call, I received an unexpected email from her. "Joshua, I really enjoyed chatting last week. Since we spoke, I got rid of one thousand things (scary how easy it was!)." With the help of her teenage children, Margot had wandered through their Durham, North Carolina, home removing anything they no longer needed, resulting in numerous bags and boxes donated to local charities. Three months later, Margot emailed me again—this time directly from The Streets of Southpoint Mall in Durham. Having arrived early for a lunch appointment, she found herself wandering through familiar halls. But this time, with her new minimalist perspective, she saw the merchandise differently. Her message read: "Joshua, for maybe the first time ever, I walked through a mall not wanting anything. Instead, I experienced perfect satisfaction knowing I already have more than enough. It feels like a beautiful liberation." Margot's experience demonstrates how starting small can lead to profound shifts in perspective. She began by simply removing obvious excess from her home, which then transformed how she viewed consumption and desire. This "beautiful liberation" didn't happen through extreme measures but through manageable steps that built upon each other. To begin your own room-by-room approach, select a space that causes you stress or frustration—perhaps your bathroom counter, kitchen table, or nightstand. Set a timer for just 15 minutes and focus solely on that area. Sort items into three categories: keep (things you use and love), relocate (items that belong elsewhere), and remove (things to donate, sell, or discard). Handle each item physically, as this forces you to make a decision rather than postpone it. When deciding what to keep, ask yourself practical questions: When was the last time I used this? Does it serve a purpose in my current life? Does it bring me joy or make my daily routines easier? Be honest about what truly adds value versus what you're keeping out of habit, obligation, or vague "someday" scenarios. After experiencing the satisfaction of one decluttered space, move to another area when you're ready. Each small victory builds confidence and clarity about what you truly need and value. Like Margot, you may find that these small steps lead to profound shifts in how you view possessions, consumption, and what truly constitutes "enough" in your life.

Chapter 3: Create Your Personal Minimalism Strategy

Minimalism is not a one-size-fits-all lifestyle with rigid rules about how many items you should own or how your space should look. The most sustainable approach to minimalism is one that aligns with your unique values, circumstances, and goals. Creating a personalized strategy ensures that your minimalist journey enhances rather than restricts your life. Dave and Sheryl Balthrop discovered the power of personalized minimalism during a road trip down the beautiful coast of southern Oregon and California. As they drove their gray SUV from Eugene to Santa Barbara, the empty nesters listened to podcasts about minimalism that transformed their perspective. This busy couple—Dave a mentor to people with disabilities and Sheryl an attorney—had been feeling increasingly stretched thin despite their good careers and loving family. "We realized that we continually deferred the things most important to us: spending time with family, giving, growing in our faith, taking care of our health, and setting aside sufficient funds for savings and retirement," Sheryl explained. "We had sacrificed it all just to keep up our home and our appearance. We were surprised to realize we had spent more time picking out the right couches for our living room than caring for our own health." Inspired by what they learned, the Balthrops resolved to downsize their life. They sold and gave away a large percentage of their possessions and moved into a much smaller home right across the street from their old place. The result was transformative—they finally had the time and mental space to prioritize what mattered most: their family, faith, and wellbeing. But their story didn't end there. Unburdened from caring for unnecessary belongings, Dave and Sheryl discovered new passions emerging in their lives. Dave found a love for writing, while Sheryl recognized a concern for families in need that eventually led her to change her entire law practice from litigation to mediation. Both became more purposeful about creating a meaningful legacy for their children beyond material possessions. To create your own minimalism strategy, start by clarifying your "why"—the deeper reasons driving your desire for change. Are you seeking more time with loved ones? Financial freedom? Space for creativity? Environmental sustainability? Write these motivations down and keep them visible as a reminder when the process becomes challenging. Next, identify your non-negotiables—the items or activities that genuinely enhance your life. For the Balthrops, their minimalist home still needed to have space for family gatherings and entertaining, reflecting their value of hospitality. Your version of minimalism might include a robust book collection, specialized kitchen equipment, or sports gear that supports activities you love. Experiment with temporary changes before making permanent decisions. Try living with fewer clothes for a month, or create a "maybe" box for items you're unsure about. If you don't miss them after 30 days, you'll feel more confident letting them go. Remember that minimalism evolves as your life changes—what works in one season may need adjustment in another. The Balthrops' experience shows that minimalism isn't about deprivation but about alignment—creating space for what truly matters by removing what doesn't. Their personalized approach led not just to a cleaner home but to the discovery of new passions and purposes they hadn't even known they had.

Chapter 4: Overcome Emotional Attachments to Things

Perhaps the most challenging aspect of minimalism isn't deciding what's practical to keep, but navigating the complex emotions attached to our possessions. Items connected to our past, our loved ones, or our aspirations often hold power over us that far exceeds their practical value or usefulness in our current lives. Kim, my wife, faced this emotional challenge when we began decluttering our basement—one of the last steps in our minimizing process. The contents of boxes stored there told the stories of our lives: high school yearbooks, college textbooks, wedding gifts, and countless mementos from childhood. One particularly emotional moment came when we discovered a box of items Kim had collected from her grandmother Irene's apartment after she passed away. In many ways, Irene was a hero to Kim. My wife deeply respected her grandmother's zest for life, love for family, passion for prayer, and commitment to God. The thought of parting with these physical connections to her beloved grandmother brought up powerful feelings of loss and nostalgia. Rather than pushing these emotions aside or keeping everything out of guilt, we developed a strategy I call "only the best." This approach involves keeping only the highest quality and most meaningful items that represent a person or time period, then finding ways to incorporate them into daily life rather than keeping them boxed away. Kim selected three items from her grandmother's belongings: a candy dish, which now offers sweets to anyone who enters our living room, just as her grandmother used it; a butterfly brooch to pin on her jacket, just as Grandma wore it when visiting; and her grandmother's Bible, which now resides on our nightstand, exactly where her grandmother kept it. In keeping fewer of Grandma Irene's things, we actually brought greater value to her memory. More importantly, we honored the values that Irene possessed and that we desire to reflect. Because we sorted out the most important from the less important, her legacy lives on even stronger than before. When facing your own emotionally charged possessions, acknowledge the feelings that arise without judgment. Ask yourself what specifically about the item holds meaning—is it the object itself, or the memory or person it represents? Often, we can preserve the memory while releasing the physical item. Taking photographs of sentimental objects before donating them can ease the transition, providing a visual record without the physical clutter. For items connected to loved ones who have passed away, consider which ones truly capture their essence or would be meaningful to use in your daily life. A kitchen tool used by a grandmother who loved cooking might bring more joy in active use than stored in a box. For children's artwork or school papers, select representative pieces from different ages rather than keeping every creation. Remember that our memories and relationships exist within us, not within our possessions. By thoughtfully selecting which physical reminders to keep, we don't diminish the past—we honor it by creating space to live fully in the present, carrying forward the values and lessons of those we love rather than just their things.

Chapter 5: Build Sustainable Minimalist Habits

Achieving a clutter-free home is one thing; maintaining it is another challenge entirely. Without establishing new habits to replace old patterns of accumulation, the cycle of clutter will inevitably repeat itself. Building sustainable minimalist habits creates a foundation for long-term success and prevents the discouragement of watching hard-won progress slip away. Anthony and Amy Ongaro discovered this truth through a painful financial revelation. Sitting in their living room one evening, they were discussing their frustration about never having enough money for experiences they valued, like a family trip they'd been invited to join. Despite both having good jobs, they always seemed to be financially stretched. During this conversation, the doorbell rang—a delivery person dropping off yet another Amazon package. Anthony was excited to open the package containing a new cell phone case he'd ordered. But Amy had made a connection. "Maybe this is the reason we can't go on vacation," she said. When Anthony protested that the case only cost thirty-five dollars, Amy pointed out it wasn't just this purchase but the pattern of frequent small online purchases that was draining their resources. Curious, they pulled up their Amazon ordering history for the previous four years. The results shocked them—they had spent more than $10,000 over that period, nearly all on items under $40 each. Many were products they couldn't even remember buying. This revelation showed them how their habitual online shopping was preventing them from experiencing the things they truly valued. To break this cycle, the Ongaros needed to establish new habits that would support their desire for financial freedom and meaningful experiences. They began by implementing a "24-hour rule" for non-essential purchases, giving themselves time to consider whether an item was truly needed or just a momentary want. They also created a "value budget" that allocated money first to experiences and goals they cared about, leaving less available for impulse buys. Building sustainable minimalist habits requires identifying your specific clutter triggers and creating systems to address them. If mail tends to pile up on counters, establish a daily routine of immediately sorting and recycling junk mail. If your closet repeatedly becomes overcrowded, try a "one in, one out" rule where purchasing a new item means selecting something to donate. Regular maintenance rhythms prevent backsliding—schedule weekly quick decluttering sessions (15-30 minutes) to address areas that tend to accumulate items. Monthly reviews of specific categories like clothing or kitchen supplies help maintain intentionality about what you own. Seasonal deeper decluttering (perhaps aligned with changing wardrobes) provides opportunities to reassess whether your possessions still align with your needs and values. Technology can either support or undermine minimalist habits. Unsubscribe from retail emails that tempt unnecessary purchases. Remove shopping apps from your phone, or at least disable notifications. Use digital tools to reduce physical clutter—scan important documents rather than keeping paper copies, create digital photo albums instead of printed ones. The Ongaros found that their new habits not only preserved their minimalist gains but transformed their relationship with consumption. Rather than the short-lived dopamine rush of clicking "buy now," they experienced the deeper satisfaction of having resources available for what truly mattered to them—time with friends, athletic pursuits, and financial security. Remember that habit formation takes time and self-compassion. If you find yourself slipping into old patterns, view it as information rather than failure—what triggered the behavior? How might you adjust your environment or routines to support your minimalist intentions? With consistent practice, these new habits will become as automatic as the accumulation patterns they replace.

Chapter 6: Transform Relationships Through Intentional Living

Minimalism extends far beyond organizing physical possessions—it transforms how we approach our most precious resource: relationships. By applying the principles of intentionality and value-based decision making to our connections with others, we create space for deeper, more meaningful interactions that align with our core values. Annette Gartland, an Irish freelance journalist, embraced this relational dimension of minimalism through her nomadic lifestyle. She spends most of her time in Southeast Asia, traveling frequently to Australia, Indonesia, India, and Europe. "After losing a significant job contract in 2009," she explained, "I received some compensation and decided to go traveling. It was wonderful moving around with just a few bags. Each time I came home, I felt suffocated by all the stuff in my house and the cost of paying rent and bills and running a car." This realization prompted Annette to pare down her belongings to the minimum and become completely nomadic. It took her three months of almost constant work to empty her home of accumulated belongings. She gave away most things, selling only a few high-tech items, furniture, and clothing. "Being minimalist doesn't mean giving everything away," she clarified. "It means only having things that we really need. And clearing is a process; it definitely takes time." Annette's minimalist approach to possessions created space for what she truly valued: meaningful connections across cultures, time to develop her environmental news website Changing Times, and the freedom to pursue work that aligned with her deepest values. "I see friends whose time and money are eaten up dealing with huge houses and gardens and managing their expensive lifestyles," she observed, "and I am happy that I can focus on writing what I want to write. I also love being able to go wherever I like at the drop of a hat." To transform your own relationships through intentional living, start by clarifying your relational priorities. Which connections bring you energy, growth, and joy? Which drain you or pull you away from your values? This isn't about coldly evaluating relationships on a transactional basis, but about recognizing where your limited time and emotional energy are best invested. Practice quality over quantity in your social calendar. Rather than filling every evening with commitments or saying yes to every invitation, create space for deeper connections with fewer people. A thoughtful conversation over coffee might nurture a friendship more effectively than a crowded social event where you speak to dozens of people superficially. Technology can either enhance or diminish relational quality. Consider establishing tech-free zones or times in your home to facilitate undistracted conversation. Be intentional about social media use—does it genuinely connect you with others or create a false sense of connection while actually isolating you? Apply minimalist principles to family life by prioritizing experiences over things. Instead of expressing love through constant gift-giving, create traditions of shared activities. Reduce scheduled activities to allow for spontaneous connection and unstructured time together. Clear physical clutter from shared spaces to reduce visual stress and create environments conducive to relaxation and conversation. Like Annette, you may find that letting go of material excess creates unexpected opportunities for connection. With less time spent maintaining possessions and less money tied up in them, you gain flexibility to visit distant friends, host gatherings, volunteer alongside loved ones, or simply be present without distraction for the people who matter most to you. The ultimate goal of relationship minimalism isn't to have fewer connections but to nurture the ones that matter most with greater intention and presence. By clearing away relational clutter—obligations that don't align with your values, superficial connections that drain rather than fulfill, and material concerns that distract from human connection—you create space for relationships to flourish in depth and meaning.

Summary

The journey toward minimalism is not about deprivation—it's about liberation. Throughout these pages, we've explored how removing excess creates space for what truly matters: meaningful relationships, purposeful work, personal growth, and authentic joy. As Troy discovered when he removed thousands of items from his home, "I needed hope—hope that life could be different, better. This process of becoming minimalist and living with less has given it to me." Your path to minimalism is uniquely yours. Whether you begin by decluttering one drawer or reimagining your entire lifestyle like Annette, the transformation starts with a single intentional choice. Today, choose one small area to simplify—a physical space, a digital habit, or a commitment that no longer serves you. In that deliberate act of letting go, you'll take your first step toward the freedom that comes when you discover how much more life offers when you choose to live with less.

About Author

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Joshua Becker

Joshua Becker is the Wall Street Journal and USA Today best-selling author of The Minimalist Home, The More of Less, Clutterfree with Kids and Simplify. He is the Founder and Editor of Becoming Minimalist, a website dedicated to intentional living visited by over 2 million readers every month with a social media following of over 2 million. His blog was named by SUCCESS Magazine as one of the top ten personal development websites on the Internet and his writing has been featured in publications all around the world.He is also the co-creator of Simplify Media, the parent company of Simplify Magazine and Simple Money Magazine.Joshua and his young family were introduced to minimalism twelve years ago during a short conversation with their neighbor. Since then, Joshua’s story and writing have inspired millions around the world to find more life by owning fewer possessions. Today, based on his thoughtful and intentional approach to minimalism, he is one of the leading voices in the modern simplicity movement.He is also the Founder of The Hope Effect, a nonprofit organization changing how the world cares for orphans. Currently, he lives in Peoria, AZ with his wife and two teenage kids.His online course, Uncluttered, has helped over 45,000 people declutter their homes and live a more intentional life because of it.His app, Clutterfree, is the only app to create a personalized, room-by-room decluttering to-do list for an individual’s unique home.And his YouTube channel has over 100,000 subscribers.

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