Archives for February 2025

Embrace the Journey: Bible Journaling through Numbers

Filed Under: Bible Journaling // February 18, 2025

This post is all about Bible journaling through Numbers.

The book of Numbers follows the Israelites as they wander through the wilderness because of their unfaithfulness and lack of trust in God. During these 40 years, the first generation of Israelites dies off and a new generation rises up to take their place.

Related post: Numbers – A Brief Introduction

Here Is my Bible journaling journey through Numbers as I follow the Israelites and learn from them. Throughout this journey, I learned how the time in the wilderness was not wasted. Rather, God used it to shape the Israelites into a people who trusted in Him alone.

Often, when we think we are in our “wilderness” we are exactly where we need to be to learn to rely on God and His goodness more fully.

Bible Journaling through Numbers – Setting the Camp

For the book of Numbers, I wanted a color scheme that matched the theme of the book – wandering through the wilderness. To achieve this, I used Crayola’s Colors of the World Colored Pencils and Colors of the world markers. I also wanted a way to keep the 12 tribes straight as I followed their individual journey’s throughout the book of numbers, so I assigned each one a separate color and used it while Bible journaling.

I love using Crayola colored pencils in my Bible journal because they come in so many different colors, are inexpensive, last a long time, and do not have bleed through.

My favorite pens to use for taking tiny notes are the Micron Fine-tip pens. I also love that they come in various sized so I can do different lettering if I decide to.

I’ve also recently found that Mr. Pen had a fine-tip pen similar to the micron pens. Although I have not tried them yet, they have great reviews on amazon.

Most of my Bible journaling through Numbers includes highlighting a word or phrase in the text and them drawing a box around the corresponding notes. I use some arrows for connecting ideas or if the boxes get a little crazy.

This section of notes contains many small boxes that fit together for the overall theme, so I connected the thoughts with arrows.

I also highlighted the individual tribes using the colors I had assigned to them in the beginning of Numbers.

The beginning of the Wilderness wanderings

Although I am not very artistic, sometimes I feel that a verse or chapter needs an illustration to go along with it. I like to search for the image I want on my phone and then trace the picture into my Bible journal.

Once again, I am just using crayola colored pencils and micron fine tip pens.

Often, if there is an overarching theme in a chapter, I will write it at the top of the page. And when a verse or statement sticks out to me, I like to write it in contrasting fonts so that it is easy to see when I am flipping through my Bible.

Bible journaling through Numbers: The complaints of the people

Although I love my Journaling Bible with 2-inch margin, sometime I find myself needing more room for notes. In this case, I knew I would be taking a lot of extra notes so I cut a sheet of regular printer paper down to size and used these fine tip glue pens to apply a small line of glue along one side of the paper. I then inserted the paper into the crease of my Bible, ran my finger along the Bible page to make sure there was not excess glue, and closed my Bible for a few minutes. When I opened my Bible, I had a full-size page added to it!

When I don’t need to add full sheets of paper, but still need room for extra notes, I love incorporating scrapbook paper into my Bible journal. Here I used some tree scrapbook paper I had on hand, although these pine forrest die-cuts would make the perfect addition to any Bible.

Sometimes I will add sticky notes to my Bible page. These are especially helpful when I am journaling outside of my house because I can keep a few with me in my pencil pouch. They make for easy, no-fuss additions to my Bible journal. Some of my favorite sticky notes are from Mr. Pen.

Because I am not the most artistic person, I love utilizing stencils while Bible journaling through Numbers. Here, I just used the numbers on the stencil, but I love using the letters and shapes as well.

Creating a visual of the text

There are many times that the Bible will repeat a word or phrase to emphasize its importance. When I notice this, I like to highlight the multiple times that it occurs. Here, I circled each time the word staff occurred so it was easy to take notice.

To add extra notes here, I found a picture of water flowing through the rock and printed it out. If you don’t have a printer (we no longer do), paper die-cuts or scrapbook paper are the perfect option for adding more interest to your Numbers Bible Journaling.

Once again, I needed a full sheet of paper for adding extra notes. I love this section and how it points to Jesus. If you’d like to learn more, check out my Bible study through the book of Numbers!

There was so much about Balam in these chapters that I wanted to specifically highlight and take notes on that stood out from my other Bible study notes. To do this, I used the brown Micron pen. I often use different colors of micron pens when I want to draw attention to certain details in my Bible.

The coming messiah

Who knew there was a prophecy of the coming messiah in Numbers! One of the reasons I love Bible journaling is because it encourages me to go deeper in the word and spend time on sections I may be tempted to gloss over.

Sometimes I underestimate how many notes I need to take. In this case I just made a “barn doors” style opening because I needed to add more notes than I originally thought. Here is a similar scrapbook paper to what I used.

Not all of my notes as extensive. Here, I wanted to add a quote that I loved, So I wrote it in larger letters on cute scrapbook paper. To add it in my Bible, I simply used craft tape along the edge of the scrapbook paper and then attached the other half of the tape to my Bible.

Numbers 30 had a lot of different sections within it, so I used my fine-tip pens to bracket them off while Bible Journaling to make it easier to see next time I read through the book.

Here you can see what the color coding of the tribes looks like throughout the book of Numbers. Although most of my notes are in the neutral tones, the tribes are highlighted and stand out.

Bible journaling through Numbers: The stages of the Israelites

Once again, the text can be broken up in a few different sections. So I bracketed off the different stages the Israelites lived through and made notes accordingly. I used the Crayola colors of the world markers to highlight the different stages.

Once again, I use different size micron pens to make my easy lettering stand out. I love that this is a quick way to take notes that draws attention to the overall theme of the section.

Here is a sneak peak at my journey of Bible journaling through Deuteronomy! I use a new color scheme inspired by scrapbook paper!

This post is part of the series titled “Embrace the Journey,” where I share my adventures of Bible journaling. If you would like to see more of my Bible to find ideas and inspiration for your Bible journal, consider checking out Genesis, Exodus, or Leviticus.

This post was all about my journey of Bible journaling through Numbers.

Feeling stuck? 20 ways to Add joy to your life

Filed Under: Christian living // February 11, 2025

It can be easy to fall into the slump of life. But we were created to find joy, purpose, and meaning everyday. If you find yourself wandering aimlessly through your days, here is a list of ways to help you add joy to your life.

Here are the 20 best ways to add joy to your life today.

What is joy?

Have you ever met someone who seemed truly happy and content, no matter what life threw at them? From the outside, it may have looked like they had the perfect life – that everything they had came easy to them. But when you got to know them more, you found that their life was riddled with trials and heartache. You wondered how in the world they could have such a positive outlook when their life was so difficult.

Most likely, that person had a profound sense of joy found in Christ.

Joy, unlike happiness, is not a fleeting emotion but is a deep and lasting choice rooted in Christ. Galatians 5:22 tells us that joy is one of the fruits of the spirit. This means that it is not dependent on life circumstances but on the promise of God. This is how we are able to choose joy even when life makes it difficult.

How choosing joy transformed my life

Happiness is an emotion that occurs when something good happens – when you get a new dress or a babysitter so you can finally go on a date. Joy is a choice that you make despite how your life seems to be going at the moment.

I am a stay-at-home mom, and although I truly love the gift of watching my children grow up, some days it gets monotonous. A few months ago, during a cold winter storm, my toddler and I were stuck inside for 2 weeks because of sub-freezing weather. We both started to get cabin fever. It was not a fun situation.

I started to notice that I was becoming discontent with life. Not only that, but I was starting to see the blessing of my toddler (and pregnancy) as a burden. I became ungrateful for the things I had prayed for a few short years ago.

Thankfully, through my daily Bible study, God reminded me that joy in Him is a choice and it was up to me to cultivate it. I sat down and came up with a list of ways to add joy back into my life and implemented it immediately.

20 Ways you can add joy to your life

Here are 20 ways you can add joy back to your life no matter what season you find yourself in:

Spend time with God
Practice gratitude
Make a list of the things that bring you joy
Embrace tiny moments
Live in the now
Journal
Serve others
Find a community
Learn to let go
Spend time in nature
Get lost in a book
Prioritize a healthy diet
Make time for movement
Put down the phone
Find time for self-care
Be conscious of your time
Create purposeful daily rituals
Slow down
Invest in relationships
Rest in God’s Sovereignty

Add joy by Spending time with God

As a fruit of the Spirit, true joy cannot be cultivated apart from God. John 15:11 tells us that our joy may be complete when it is found in God. Because of this simple truth, the quickest way to add joy to your life is to spend time with God.

Getting away from the distractions of this world is crucial to cultivating joy in Christ. Dedicate a portion of your day to quiet time. This is a time for Bible reading, prayer, and worship. It is okay if you don’t have hours and hours each day to read the Bible. Just make spending time with God a priority and you’ll be surprised at how much time you find you have.

Some easy ways to make quiet time a habit include: creating a morning routine, listening to scripture, Bible journaling, and guided devotionals.

If you are able to wake up 15 minutes earlier, you can carve out some time for reading the Bible while you sip on your coffee. You can listen to scripture on your way to work or dropping the kids off at school. Bible journaling can occur anytime you want a creative outlet while studying God’s word. And devotionals are a great way to dig deeper in scripture with topics or timeframes that work for you.

Related post: 31 Of The Best Scriptures On Joy

No matter how you choose to spend more time with God, you will find that a deepened relationship with your creator lends to increased joy in your life.

Add joy by Practicing gratitude

One reason we lack joy is because we focus on all of the problems in our life instead of the blessings God has given us. One way to combat this is by practicing gratitude. Gratitude shifts our focus from the challenges we face or the things we lack to what God has done and provided for us.

In scripture, we are commanded to rejoice always, pray continuously, and give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). All circumstances means that our gratitude is not dependent on life going the way we planned. Instead, gratitude is a choice that we make. It is the active choice of being content and thankful for the season of life God has placed us in.

Some practical ways to practice gratitude include: gratitude journaling, prayer, and daily thankfulness lists. Lately, I’ve been incorporating writing down one or two things each morning that I am grateful for. This takes less than 5 minutes, but it helps set the tone of thankfulness for my day.

Make a list of the things that bring you joy

Similar to practicing gratitude, making a list of things that bring you joy can help shift your focus onto what is good. Philippians 4:8 tells us to focus on whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. By making a list of all the things that bring you joy, you will be focusing on these things. But even more so, you can use this list when you need to add joy to your life.

This list can be very practical when you include 10-20 things that you enjoy, then refer back to that list regularly. You can use it to choose a couple things to plan into your week. Or simply reference it when you are feeling down. Simply choose one or two items off the list and do them.

Add joy by Embracing tiny moments

There are so many tiny moments everyday that we miss and don’t celebrate because they seem too small to notice. These tiny moments can add up to bring us true happiness when we take a second to enjoy them. If you find yourself feeling stuck with the mundane in life, take time to embrace these moments.

Some of these moments can include: listening to your child’s laughter, smelling flowers in nature, smiling at a stranger, and enjoying a sunrise on your way to work. You can also create intentional joy-filled moments through small traditions and rituals that you take delight in doing.

enjoy life — Feeling stuck? Try one of these ways today!

Add joy by Living in the now

Living in the now is similar to embracing tiny moments, but it takes it a step further. To living in the now is to learn to find enjoyment in the ordinary: a quiet cup of coffee, the sound of your children playing, a warm hug, or the smell of fresh rain.

Not every day will be the most exciting day of you life. In fact, most days will be quite ordinary. But just because there is a rhythm to your life doesn’t mean that your life is boring. Rather, embrace that rhythm by marking God’s faithfulness in every moment.

Practical ways to live in the now include finding enjoyment in the ordinary everyday things that you do, such as making dinner or changing a diaper. This is possible when you remember that these things stem from the blessings God has given you.

Add joy by Journaling

Journaling is a great way to remember old joys and find new ones. Psalm 143:5 says “I remember the days of long ago. I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done.” Journaling is one way to record the faithfulness of God and remember all the ways He has blessed you. You can then go back and read the words you have written anytime you need a reminder of what He has done.

Add joy by Serving others

One thing that steals joy is constantly being focused inward on yourself. Instead, shift your focus outward by serving others. We all know that “it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35), yet we often don’t live that out.

However, when we stop to think of the life of Jesus – the very one we are called to imitate – we see how he served others selflessly. He healed the sick and fed the poor. He also spent time with lepers and the outcasts of society.

Some small, simple ways you can serve others include practicing hospitality by checking in on a friend, helping a neighbor, and having people over. You can also offer to cook someone a meal when they are sick, lost a loved one, or postpartum. And often, just spending time with others is an act of service in a world where most people feel forgotten.

Add joy by Finding a community

There are so many benefits to finding a good community. One is that community encourages us and spurs us on to do great things (Hebrews 10:24-25). Another benefit of community is that you have someone to pick you up when you fall or catch you when you falter (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). If you are looking to add more joy to your life, consider the community you have around you. Are you interacting with like-minded people daily or weekly? Or do you let a month go by without a meaningful conversation?

There are many ways to cultivate community, and they become even more crucial in seasons of transition or isolation. Some of these ways include: getting involved in church or Bible study, finding a group of people in a similar season, and inviting friends or acquaintances over for meals.

Add joy by Learning to let go

Sometime the thing that steals your enjoyment of life is not found in the present, but rather in the past. If you are holding on to something that is making you bitter or resentful, it’s time to let it go. Colossians 3:8 tells us to let go of anger, rage, malice, slander and filthy language. If you are experiencing any of these things in your life – even if the reason may be justified – it is hurting you.

Some practical ways to let go of these emotions include reading your Bible to understand God’s heart, prayer, journaling, talking to the offending person, and biblical counseling. Sometimes, when you get down to the heart of the issue, you will find that you weren’t holding on to anything important anyway.

Add joy by Spending time in nature

Nature is one of God’s many gifts to us, yet many of us go days, weeks, and even months without enjoying it. There have been so many studies that show a correlation between getting outside and breathing in fresh air to overall sense of contentment and fulfillment in life. As Christians, we have the added benefit of finding joy in nature as a reflection of God’s goodness. Psalm 19:1 says “the heavens declare the glory of God, the sky proclaims the work of His hands.” Getting outside in nature can refresh your soul while at the same time foster awe of the creator. This leads to more joy-filled moments in your life.

Some simple ways to incorporate more outdoor time include: nature walks, gardening, picknics, and watching the sunrise or sunset. You don’t have to go on an all-day hike to enjoy the nature (although I would encourage it every once-in-a-while). Simply make it a goal to get outside in the fresh air at least 15 minutes a day.

Get lost in a book

Do you remember the awe and amazement you had as a child when you got lost in a good book? Maybe you were able to finish it in a day or two and felt that sense of joy and pride – not only in the story, but your ability to read so much.

For some reason, as we become adults, we lose the ability to allow ourselves to get lost in a book. Yes, we may have 1000 things pulling at our attention. And we may know that staying up all night reading will make the next day more difficult. But I encourage you to let all of the sensible excuses fly out the window. Pick up a book that you know you’ll enjoy, and get lost in it. Allow yourself to find the same joyous pride you did as a child when you finish it it a day.

Prioritize a healthy diet

Eating junk can make you feel like… well, junk. Prioritizing a healthy and well rounded diet can help add joy to your life as you fill your body with the nutrients it desires. There has been a lot of research that links vitamins and mineral deficiencies with mood disorders, so if you are feeling blue most of the time, it might be worth looking into.

adding joy — Which one of these speaks to you?

Make time for movement

Movement is another thing that most people know we need to prioritize, yet it is easier said than done. If you are not already regularly exercising, don’t be afraid to start small. You don’t have to go out and buy the best gym membership you can find. Rather, find some quick and easy workouts on youtube that you will love doing. Or add movement into the time that you’re planning on getting out in nature. Remember, a little movement is better than none when it comes to finding more joy in your everyday life.

Put down the phone

Did you know that the average American spends over 4 hours on their phone everyday? That’s crazy! How much time do you spend browsing streaming services and scrolling through social medias? Does this time leave you feeling more refreshed, or more tired? Take a hard look at your phone usage and contemplate how much of it is adding value to your life. Be honest with yourself. Then see if you need to limit certain apps or the amount of time you spend on your phone. You may find that you have more time to do the things you love when you put your phone down for a bit.

Find time for Self-care

Sometimes (especially if you are a mother), you sacrifice the things you love so that you can get everything checked off your list. Maybe you love taking baths, but you don’t allow yourself to because you have too many dishes to wash and floors to scrub. Maybe your hobby is painting, but you always seem to find an excuse for why you don’t have time.

No matter what it is that brings you joy, make time for it!

This week I woke up early to go to Starbucks and read my Bible. In order to make sure I would be able to do something that brought me joy, I had to wake up 1.5 hours earlier than normal. But it was worth it! It has filled me with so much joy throughout the week because it is something that I enjoy doing. The silly thing is: that was the first time I had done that in the 2 years since my son was born. I don’t know why it took me so long. My husband was always telling me I could, but I finally decided that I needed to make time for things that brought me joy.

Be conscious of your time

If you are constantly feeling stuck or overwhelmed in your day, perhaps it would be helpful to do a time audit. Simply print out a daily calendar for the week with time stamps every 30 minutes. On one side, make a note of what you would like to be doing during certain times. So write down you work schedule, meal times, appointments. Jot down anything that you think you will do during the week. Then, as the days of the week progress, fill out in what you are actually spending your time on.

Although this may seem tedious, doing so will help you see where your time is going and will give you indicators of things that steal your joy verses the things that you enjoy doing and need to incorporate more into your day.

Create purposeful daily rituals

If you already have a pretty good idea of where your time is going, you may be able to add in some daily rituals to help you incorporate more joy into your life. These rituals can help you find enjoyment throughout the day because they are specifically curated toward your personality and desires.

Some practical ways to create purposeful daily rituals include: enjoying a cup of coffee while watching the sunrise, having an afternoon tea break, taking an evening walk, or talking with your spouse before bed.

Slow down

Joy is often found in less, not more. Less clutter, less business, and less mental overwhelm. If you find your life whirling by you, take time to slow down. This looks different for everyone, but at it’s core, slowing down means living a more intentional life. It means saying “no” to the things that don’t matter, and “yes” to the things that do.

Part of slowing down is decluttering and finding the freedom that comes from owning less. But decluttering is not just a physical solution, it can also occur mentally and spiritually as well. In fact, minimalism and slow living align with a Christ-centered life as your focus shifts from needing to have more to resting content in Christ.

Jesus tells His followers to not store up treasures on earth where they will ultimately be destroyed, but to instead store up eternal treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21). Where is your treasure found?

Some practical tips for slowing down include” simplifying your routines, choosing rest over busyness, and letting go of comparison.

Invest in relationships

Prioritizing deep, Christ-centered relationships can lead to renewed joy in so many ways. Not only were we meant to be in community with others, but we are called to have intimate and lasting relationships with others. These relationships include with our spouse, our parents, our siblings, and our friends. They lead to laughter, good memories together, joy-filled moments, a shoulder to cry on, and someone to reach out to in times of need. James 5:16 tells us to confess our sins to one another and pray for each other so that we may be healed. Prioritizing these deep, Christ-centered relationships gives you someone you can count on for anything.

The most practical way to invest in relationships is to simply spend intentional time together. Whether it be through date nights with your spouse, weekly phone calls with your family, or brunch with your friends. Find ways to be intentional with those you value.

rest in God’s sovereignty

Worry and the need to be in control can steal joy; trusting in God restores it. In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus tells us to not be anxious about anything. He gives the example of the birds of the air being fed without storing away in barns and the flowers of the field being clothed without toil or spinning. If that is how God feeds and clothes the birds and flowers, won’t He do so much more for you? Surrender your anxieties to God and let His peace wash over you.

Ways to cultivate trust in God’s plan include: scripture meditation, speaking God’s truth over your fears, and keeping a prayer journal.

Conclusion

If you are looking for ways to add more joy to your life, remember: true joy is found in Christ alone. It is not found in life circumstances. Because of that simple truth, you can experience joy no matter what life throws at you.

Pick one or two areas to focus on this week and see how they can add joy to your life.

13 of the Best Minimalist Books to Help You Begin Your Journey

Filed Under: Minimalism // February 4, 2025

This post is all about the best minimalist books to help you begin your journey toward a simpler life.

Minimalism is a trending topic as more and more people become aware of the over consumption culture rampant today. If you are one of the many who find yourself discontent with your current consumerism and wishing to add more intentionality back into your life, this list of the best minimalist books will help give you a place to start.

Whether you need help changing your mindset towards clutter and consumerism, a practical guide for decluttering, or help living waste-free, there is a book for you.

Minimalist books to Change your mindset

1. The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Yourself And Your Family From a Lifetime of Clutter

In The Gentle Art Of Swedish Death Cleaning, Margareta Magnusson explains that the Swedish undertake a “death cleaning” of sorts, often all throughout their lives. This concept shows that life is more important than things, and minimalism can help put both in order. Through her humor and wit, Magnusson helps readers navigate which things can easily be let go of and which possessions may need more contemplation. This is the perfect book for anyone who is looking for inspiration to let go so their children don’t have to, while enjoying every moment of the life they have left.

Perfect for: Anyone seeking inspiration to declutter while embracing the beauty of life

2. Hello, Habits: A minimalists Guide To A Better Life

If you are tired of the relentless cycle of buying more things and then decluttering them a few months later, consider making minimalism a habit with Fumio Sasaki. In his book, Sasaki explores the habits easily formed by everyone, such as waking up in the morning, exercise, a weekly phone call with loved ones, and the food you regularly eat. Expounding from this idea that life is made up of habits, Sasaki explains how anyone can acquire new habits and get rid of less desirable ones. This step-by-step guide to success is perfect for anyone looking to change their mindset about the habits that make up their lives.

Perfect for: Anyone who is tired of the consumerism and decluttering cycle

3. The Year of Less: How I Stopped Shopping, Gave Away My Belongings, and Discovered Life is Worth More Than Anything You Can Buy in a Store

Imagine a year of only buying consumable goods – groceries, a few toiletries, and gas for your car. How would this change impact your wallet? How would this change impact your environment? These are some of the questions that Cait Flanders found herself asking in her late 20’s. Being sick of the endless consumerism wheel and having nearly $30,000 in debt, she knew she needed to make a drastic change.

If you find yourself in a similar situation, have been thinking about doing a no-buy year, or just want a new perspective on consumerism, Flanders relatable memoir will be an inspiration to you. Not only was she able to live for a year without adding to the consumerism cycle, but she also discovered how to stop shopping when bored. She decluttered her apartment, getting rid of over 70% of her possessions, and she learned how to fix things when they broke.

Perfect for: Anyone who needs inspiration to quit shopping and be content with what they have

4. Christian Minimalism: Simple Steps for Abundant Living

Society likes to preach a gospel that life and purpose is centered around accumulation wealth and possessions here on earth. This should be the driving factor in your life because it promotes power and prestige. However, as Christians, we hear the message that Jesus spoke of selling everything your have to give to the poor so you can follow Him wholeheartedly.

If you find yourself struggling to reconcile your consumeristic habits and desires with the message Jesus taught, Christian Minimalism will help you navigate those intricacies. Becca Ehrlich takes you along with her as she explores how to live a purpose driven life in the grace of God. Although this is not a book that gives practical steps for decluttering your home, Ehrlich teaches how to simplify in other areas of your life by removing spiritual clutter.

Perfect for: Anyone who wants to align how they live with their Christian beliefs

best books on minimalism — These books can help you understand how simplifying can change your life.

5. Decluttering At The Speed Of Life: Winning Your Never-ending Battle With Stuff

Known mainly for her energetic personality on her YouTube channel, Dana White brings you years of experience helping others declutter their homes. In her book, White explores different emotional challenges that may arise for anyone trying to declutter, and helps you work through them. This helps to not only complete your decluttering process, but also reach the minimalist level you desire quickly and efficiently. If you want to begin decluttering step-by-step, but get hung up by feelings of overwhelm anytime you try, this book is for you.

Perfect for: Anyone who struggles with decision making during the decluttering process

Minimalist books to help you declutter room by room

6. The More Of Less: Finding The Life You Want Under Everything You Own

Joshua Becker is considered one of the early pioneers of American minimalism, even staring in his own Netflix documentary “Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things.” Although he has written many helpful decluttering and minimalist books, The More Of Less stands out in my mind because of it’s emphasis on helping you see the joy of owning less, rather than more.

Becker points out that the American dream has become synonymous with owning as much as you can. He himself was on this hamster wheel of earning more money so he could buy more things until one day when he was cleaning out his garage. Feeling defeated at moving things around instead of playing ball with his son, he was taken aback when a neighbor commented that he didn’t have to own everything he did. That simple interaction was the start of his minimalist journey, and he now dedicates his life to helping others find freedom through the simplicity of minimalism.

Perfect for: Anyone who wants to embrace minimalism as a lifestyle, not a project

7. Goodbye, Things: The New Japanese Minimalism

Another classic of the minimalist books, Goodbye, Things is a practical step-by-step guide to help you declutter your whole home. As an extreme Minimalist, Fumio Sasaki lives in a tiny Tokyo apartment with only the bare minimum. (His closet consists of only three shirts, four pairs of pants, four socks). Although this lifestyle is not for everyone (or even most minimalists), Sasaki provides great insight to help your decluttering journey. If you are looking for minimalist inspiration to help your say goodbye to absolutely everything you don’t need, give Goodbye, Things a try today.

Perfect for: Anyone who needs help detaching from their possessions

8. Minimalista: Your Step-by-Step Guide to a Better Home, Wardrobe, and Life

If you are looking for a beautifully designed, coffee-table type book that also provides minimalist inspiration, look no further! Minimalista is the perfect book to demonstrate through pictures, the simplicity and aesthetic of minimalism. In her book, Gill promises to help you find and elevate your personal style by getting rid of excess belongings. She does this in a unique and visually appealing way, helping you find new motivation in each and every room.

Perfect for: Anyone who wants an aesthetic guide toward minimalism

Minimalist books for Parents

9. Clutter-free with Kids: Change your thinking. Discover new habits. Free your home

Anyone with kids knows that things pile up quickly. Whether it be sentimental nursery decor, too-small clothes, or an endless array of toys, there is always a mess to be organized. Joshua Becker was no stranger to the cluttered chaos that his kids brought into his home, but through his own minimalism journey, he discovered his kid’s delight over owning less stuff. Here, Becker outlines the 10 most common clutter problems for parents – and gives you the tools you need to solve them in your home.

Perfect for: Any parent struggling with the chaos kids bring

best minimalist books — These 13 minimalist books will be sure to inspire you.

Minimalist books to help you declutter by category

10. The Life Changing Magic of Tidying up

Do you know the things you own that spark joy when you hold them? These are the things that are worth keeping because they add value to your life and fill you with pleasure. So often, we hold on to things “just because,” even though we don’t enjoy having them around.

This is the entire concept of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying up. Learning what sparks joy in your ilfe and letting everything else go. This revolutionary book will walk you through your entire home, category-by-category, helping you declutter and love the space you’re in.

Perfect for: Anyone who wants to embrace the joy of their belongings

Minimalist books to help you declutter your closet

11. Project 333: The Minimalist Fashion Challenge That Proves Less Really is So Much More

If you’ve looked into minimalism at all, chances are, you’ve come across the concept presented in Project 333. Here, Courtney Carver starts you on a minimalist journey in your wardrobe, giving you tangible rules to follow so you don’t become overwhelmed. These rules are simple: you have 3 months to live with only 33 articles of clothing in your wardrobe. If this sounds impossible to you, consider embracing this challenge and reading through Carver’s insightful book.

Perfect for: Anyone who wants to start their minimalist journey in their closet

Minimalist books to help free you from Technology

12. Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focus Life in a Noisy World

Minimalism is not just about owning less stuff. It is also about simplifying every aspect of you life so that you can live intentionally with more purpose and value. If you are tired of letting your technology dictate how you live, Cal Newport shows how you can take back your life. Here, Newport explains that technology is neither good nor bad, and it can be used to support your goals and values if you have the right tools. Pulling inspiration from tech giants in Silicon Valley to Amish Farmers in Pensilvania, he shows that everyone can take steps to become free from the pull of modern tech.

Perfect for: Anyone who is tired of letting technology dictate their life

Minimalist books for taking it a step further

13. Zero Waste Home: The Ultimate Guide to Simplifying Your Life by Reducing Your Waste

How much garbage do you produce each year? If you find yourself disgusted at the thought of taking out yet another bag of garbage to the dump, consider gaining wisdom from Zero Waste Home. Author Bea Johnson shares how she, her husband, and her two sons are able to produce a mere one quart of annual garbage. This zero waste life has had more of an impact that she originally thought, including gaining more family time and reducing their spending by 40%. Here, Johnson share her best advise, tips, and secrets to help you live a more purposeful and less waste-filled life.

Perfect for: Anyone who wants to take minimalism to the next level by living consciously

Which minimalist books will you pick up first?

There are so many amazing options out there when it comes to giving you inspiration for decluttering.

As you begin your journey toward a simpler, more intentional life, the wisdom found in these minimalist books can guide and inspire you every step of the way. Whether you’re tackling a cluttered closet, reevaluating your habits, or seeking to align your faith and lifestyle, there’s a book here that can help you meet your needs.

Ready to take the first step? Start with one book that resonates most with your current goals. Then, share your progress in the comments below—I’d love to hear about your journey and favorite takeaways! Let’s embrace simplicity together!

This post was all about the best minimalist books to help you begin your journey toward a decluttered and waste-free home.