Melissa Cotton is the creator of this series of posts, published monthly, entitled Harvesting Simplicity and in July of 2025 she will be moderating a book club exploring Things That Matter by Joshua Becker. (click here to join her!)
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by all of the stuff in your home? The world we live in is constantly pushing us to accumulate more possessions with promises that the latest thing will make our lives better and easier. The reality is that the more possessions we own, the more complicated and challenging our lives become.
Twelve years ago, I experienced the profound loss of my mom, an event that left me deeply grieving. Compounding my sorrow was the overwhelming responsibility of sorting through her home, which contained a lifetime of accumulated possessions. Every cabinet, drawer, closet, and flat surface was packed to the brim. In the midst of this, I began to reflect on my own home and was struck by how much my family of three had accumulated. It was during this time that I encountered Joshua Becker’s The More of Less, a book that reshaped my perspective on material belongings. Through its pages, I came to understand a simple yet powerful truth: possessions are not the key to happiness, and we do not need to hold on to the excess that society tells us is essential for a life filled with happiness and joy. (1)
Joshua Becker defines minimalism as, “the intentional promotion of the things we most value by removing anything that distracts us from them.” In his book Things That Matter Joshua says, “It isn’t primarily about decluttering or organizing; it’s about creating freedom. Because when we own fewer possessions, we liberate precious energy, time, and focus that we can direct toward more meaningful pursuits.” (2)
Take a moment to reflect on the following simple yet complex questions:
● What is most important to me?
● How do I want to spend my time?
● What can I eliminate from my life?
Embracing minimalism is not about depriving yourself, but rather focusing on what truly adds value to your life. I encourage you to begin to notice excess possessions that might be cluttering up valuable space in your home. In my next blog, I will offer practical tips for decluttering your kitchen, helping you let go of items that no longer serve a purpose and allowing you to create a more functional and intentional space.
Sources
Sources:
1 Becker, J. (2017). The more of less: Finding the life you want under everything you own. WaterBrook.
2 Becker, J. (2019). Things that matter: Overcoming distractions to pursue a more meaningful life. WaterBrook.
Melissa is a first grade teacher with a double major in Elementary Education and Early Childhood. She also has a Master’s Degree in Education Administration. After reading T. Colin Campbell’s book, The China Study, she stopped eating the Standard American Diet (SAD) and has been eating a nutrient-rich, plant-based diet. In December 2023, she earned Dr Joel Fuhrman’s Nutritarian Coaching Certificate. Melissa is an active member of the National Health Association (NHA).
Melissa is also the writer/creator of our 2024 blog series Exploring GBOMBS. Her love for teaching and learning will support others on their journey for optimal health and wellness.
Discover practical steps you can take today to live a life focused on things that matter. Disruptions are the enemies of a life well lived—both the new distractions of our generation and timeless ones that have existed for centuries. But that can change today.
Things That Matter is a book about living well. It’s about overcoming the chatter of a world focused on all the wrong things. It’s about rethinking the common assumptions of today to find satisfaction and fulfillment tomorrow.
How do we get to the end of our lives with minimal regrets? We set aside lesser pursuits to seek lasting meaning. And we discover the joy of doing it every day. In Things That Matter, Joshua Becker uses practical exercises, questions, insights from a nationwide survey, and success stories to give you the motivation you need to
• identify the pursuits that matter most to you
• align your dreams with your daily priorities
• recognize how money and possessions keep you from happiness
• become aware of how others’ opinions of you influence your choices
• embrace what you’re truly passionate about instead of planning that next escape
• figure out what to do with all those emails, notifications, and pings
• let go of past mistakes and debilitating habits
Be well
Stop.Breathe.Focus.Move.Flow.
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