Live more, need less
“If you’re just driving around without a destination in mind, you’ll never get there.” – Joshua Fields Millburn
Live more, need less
The more I focus on living, the less it seems I need.
What does it mean to focus on living? It’s a shift from caring about possessions and status and goals and beautiful things … to caring about actual life. Life includes: taking long walks, creating things, having conversations with friends, snuggling with my wife, playing with my kids, eating simple food, going outside and getting active.
That’s living. Not shopping, or watching TV, or eating loads of greasy and sweet food not for sustenance but pleasure, or being on the Internet, or ordering things online, or trying to get popular. Those things aren’t living – they’re consumerist pastimes that tend to get us caught up in overconsumption and mindlessness.
When I focus on living, all those other fake needs become less important. Why do I need television when I can go outside and explore, or get active, or take a walk with a friend? Why do I need to shop when I already have everything I need – I can spend time with someone or create, and I need very little to do that.
These things I do now — they require almost nothing. I can live, and need little.
And needing little but getting lots of satisfaction … that’s immensely rewarding. It’s an economy of resources that I’ve never experienced before.
These days, I need nothing but my loved ones, a text editor, a way to post what I create, a good book, simple plant-based food, a few clothes for warmth, and the outdoors.
Words by Leo Babauta
01 – Journal
Read entries from the archive of the Minimalism Life® community journal
The concept of silence: More than the absence of noise (by Nate Grant)
The true value: The true value of a thing is in its purpose (by Viktoria Zhulego)
Don’t upgrade: We don’t need Product X to live a good life (by The Minimalists)
Share your story
Do you have an interesting story you would like to share on minimalism.com? We want to read about it. You have the opportunity write about your experience of how minimalism has impacted your life and get your words published in our community journal.
02 – Minimal art
From our curated gallery
03 – Minimal design
Explore our list of curated design resources
Ealt: your life companion (tool/software)
SearchSystem (blog)
Stem player (tool/hardware)
04 – Minimal lifestyle
Explore our list of curated lifestyle resources for simple living
05 – Shop
Discover our hand-picked minimalist products in the Minimalism Life® shop
06 – Brands anchored by simplicity and sustainability
Minimalism can be about frugality and owning less, but it can also be about supporting ethical brands with sustainability at their core. Here’s several that you might be interested learning more about:
CLAE: Minimalist footwear from LA
Wahts: Minimal monochromatic menswear
Escuyer: Accessories designed in Brussels
Meller: Minimal shades
Dalgado: Timeless accessories made to last
JAK: Portuguese leather sneakers
Oliver Cabell: Minimalist Italian footwear and accessories
Steele & Borough: Vegan, lightweight and water repellant bags
Nordic Knots: Rugs inspired by the beauty of the Nordic light
CDLP: Luxury essentials
The Resort Co: Eco-conscious and artisan vacation wear
Floyd: Unique and distinctive travel cases
ASKET: ending fast fashion by making covetable everyday essentials
Mismo: Bags and accessories from natural materials
Stiksen: Premium caps from Sweden
Discover more minimal brands on minimalism.com
Loved this read thank you... 'Trying to get popular' - well said