Hey guys! Just wanted to let you know that my new book, Things That Matter, is finally here. I put my heart into it, and I can’t wait to share it with you. You can pick up a copy at https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/676394/things-that-matter-by-joshua-becker/

I used to buy fabric on sale for future sewing projects, thinking I was saving money.  But then, most of the time, I never made the item that I purchased it for - so, 'saving money' actually ended up causing me to waste money in the end...

I fell into this trap years ago, but thankfully I climbed out pretty quickly - - "Buying craft supplies and Using craft supplies are actually two separate hobbies".  I've often shared the tip to 'shop' your own stash if you need a shopping fix - you'll find things you forgot you had, and the browsing can spark your creativity - without spending any money.

Great topic!  I went through all my craft supplies and finally admitted that right now I am not: an embroiderer, not a candle maker, not a soap maker, not a ....  a lot of different crafters that I have been in the past and/or that I envision myself being in future. And this allowed me to let go of a LOT of supplies that were taking up space and not being used. For now, I sew and crochet and that is enough along with all my other responsibilities. Cheers

In my circle we call it the “ she who dies with the most yarn/fabric etc wins” syndrome

I do think having the right supplies is important. Artist quality pencils blend in a way cheap ones don’t. I have a limited budget so not buying a lot of things and just having a few really beautiful supplies has bought me more joy than when I bought a bunch of new cheaper things chasing new inspiration. I get so much more from mastering my favourite supplies!

Thank you for walking me through minimalism. It has helped me so much, especially right now as my husband Christopher has just been diagnosed with cancer. I would really appreciate prayer for healing for him. -Grace

Willy Nelson has had one guitar only. Wonderful music.

One of my best watercolor paintings I've ever done was with one color! It forced me to create contrast. I learned so much with limiting my options.

When I declutter my art supplies, I take them to the Boys & Girls Club. They seem to love getting them & that makes me happy. ❤️ ty!

I don’t believe this…..
I just stepped out of my craft room from decluttering. I now have to go back and start over. You are very right, I have way too much stuff. And I mean a LOT. 50 years of crafting and all it takes is working on something at midnight and not having that one thing …. It started a hoard.  This is going to be tough. You mentioned in a previous video, if it takes joy out of your life, get rid of it no matter how much you paid for it.  I’m doing it…starting again tomorrow! Thank you!

My female ancestors took whatever they could find, and they made amazing items.  Rag rugs, woven during the Great Depression, to sell.  Quilts from old clothes that are on my bed today.  Stunning handiwork.  They didn't need a lot of money, and they didn't have it.  They had skills, creativity, and a deep need to create.

I'm a professional artist and teach botanical illustration and painting to people of all ages. I had the temptation to buy the BIG colored pencil sets in the two brands I like (Faber Castell Polychromos and Prismacolor) but then I realized that with the sets I had I kept returning to the same few primary and secondary colors. So in my last class I challenged my students to work with a minimal palette of about a dozen colored pencils, and do a color chart showing the many different combinations they can make. You can get almost 200 different colors from a set of 14 pencils, not including variations of value and chroma! Right now I'm trying to decide whether to pass on the pastels and pastel pencils. I do work in several media but not pastel so much anymore.

“I have come to the conclusion that buying craft supplies & actually using them are two separate hobbies.”  — a wise Internet meme.

I just had a yard sale and sold off a bunch of my unfinished furniture that I refurbish& sell.  It was just too much stuff... I kept a few excellent pieces to refurbish& I'm excited because I don't have to weave through mounds of furniture to get to them.  Enjoying this Minimalist journey.  Thanks for all the tips!

I go by the ‘finish what’s on your plate’ philosophy. It’s based on the fact that if you haven’t finished what’s on your plate, you shouldn’t start loading it back up with seconds that you probably won’t eat.
Therefore I don’t need to buy a new set of pencils if I’m not using what I have. Or why don’t I do a drawing with graphite pencils instead of colour pencils. Then once I know they’d definitely get used I can go ahead and buy something new.

My boys are grown now, but while raising them I always used the phase, "let's donate these toys or clothes and bless someone else". Being a christian family it always was the right thing to say, which made donating a lot easier. And now my husband and I still use that phase since we are decluttering and down sizing since we are recently retired. You have been a wonderful mentor for my husband who is learning so much from you!! Thank you and God bless you for your wonderful ministry. Love, GAIL

I got into adult coloring.  I bought a few gel pens and an adult coloring book at the dollar store.  I was really enjoying it.  Then I bought more books, more pens, pencils eyc.  Then I decided I just wanted to use gel pens.  I bought two packs of around 200 pens each.  I really haven't colored since.  I think that having too much just halts us from even doing the activity.

Speaking of having less yarn is sacrilege to some people. It's almost like a right of passage to stash yarn, to get as much as you can find places to tuck it away. Under the bed, in the closet, in the kids' rooms, even in the bathroom. I have way too much than I will ever use. I think it's time to find new homes for all those pretty little skeins of yarns.

For years I kept telling myself “I need a planner” or “I need these special pens” to do my job even though I can organize my thoughts just as easily on a notebook, scratch paper or a computer. It’s clear to me after watching this video that I purchase those types of products just to help make work feel more exciting than it does 😂