“YOLO” (you only live once) could have been the subtitle of Joshua Becker’s 2022 book “Things That Matter.” Except, if it were, it wouldn’t be a call to live wildly. On the contrary, it would mean, “You only live once—so make sure you don’t waste it. Make sure you live mindfully, meaningfully, and morally.”
The book takes the principles of minimalism for which Becker is known and applies them more broadly and philosophically. This isn’t just another book about owning less stuff; it’s a book that helps us understand why owning less stuff is important. Becker demonstrates that by getting rid of excess stuff—and a host of other distractions that he examines in the book—we become free to live a truly meaningful and impactful life, a life with fewer regrets at the end of it.
The actual subtitle of the book encapsulates this theme: “Overcoming Distraction to Pursue a More Meaningful Life.” Becker takes readers on a journey of self-examination aimed at cutting the dead weight in life that hinders people from reaching their truest potential. The book explores eight different types of distractions that frequently afflict modern people: fear, past mistakes, happiness (in a shallow sense), money, possessions, fame, human respect, recreation, and technology.
A surprised reader might wonder, “If I strip the pursuit of all these things from my life, what’s left?” The answer is: A streamlined life that’s genuinely aligned with your values, passions, and purpose—a life lived with a higher cause in mind. For readers interested in identifying their purpose in life, Becker includes a helpful quiz at the back of the book. Spoiler: The quiz suggests that your life’s purpose lies at the intersection of your abilities, interests, and others’ needs.
Early in the book, Becker explains how “Things That Matter” aims to help readers achieve not just happiness, but meaningful living:
“The theme of this book isn’t a ‘how to be happy’ message, though I believe living a life aligned with your values and passions is the quickest way to happiness in both the short term and the long term. This book is about so much more than how you feel; it’s about how you live the one life you have and how to keep it focused on the things that matter. … There may be no greater pursuit for yourself and others than choosing to live a meaningful life focused on the things that matter.”
In an interview with The Epoch Times, Becker explained that the idea for the book had been simmering for years. “I started writing about minimalism 18 years ago after noticing how much of a distraction my possessions had become in my life,” he said. “But it didn’t take long to realize there are other distractions in this world that keep us from meaning. Things like the pursuit of money, praise, and selfishness.”
The final spark of inspiration for the book came when he was asked in a workshop, “If you were to die today, what is the one project you would be most disappointed you never completed?” Becker immediately knew the answer to that question was writing “Things That Matter.”
Using scientific studies, personal anecdotes, and common-sense observations, Becker argues convincingly throughout the book that true happiness and meaning shouldn’t be sought after in stuff, stardom, cents, or sex. Instead, his emphasis is on servant-mindedness, generosity, and focusing on what you have to offer to others and the world in general. He argues that we shouldn’t think of our work as mere drudgery to get through so we can enjoy slivers of free time—instead, we should see it as a meaningful contribution to society. We shouldn’t obsess over accumulating more piles of wealth—instead, we should aim to be more generous. We shouldn’t fritter away our time on social media—instead, we should go out there and enact positive change.
“The best, most direct pathway to lasting happiness and fulfillment is to look not only at your own interests but also at the interests of others,” Becker writes. He draws inspiration from psychologist Viktor Frankl. In fact, the book’s philosophy in a nutshell is contained in these words from Frankl’s book “Man’s Search for Meaning,” quoted by Becker: “Happiness … cannot be pursued; it must ensue, and it only does so as the unintended side-effect of one’s personal dedication to a cause greater than oneself.”
When asked where people should start in their attempts to declutter their life and find meaning, Becker told The Epoch Times that there are a few questions he recommends people ask themselves. The first is the one that led him to write the book: “If you were to die today, what is the one thing you would be most disappointed you never completed?”
He added: “Don’t overthink it. Your gut answer is the honest one. Now, ask yourself, how much of your life are you dedicating to that important goal? And how much is being wasted elsewhere?”
Becker also advises asking yourself how you spent your time and money last week. “Our calendars and checkbooks reveal quite a bit about our behavior,” Becker commented. “And if they are being wasted on things that do not matter, it would be good to recalibrate by noticing where they are going and planning a better route forward for them.”
Frequently in the book, Becker draws the reader’s thoughts toward the end of life and what it will feel like to look back on the way we’ve lived. Will we be filled with regrets and a sense of wasted time, or will we rest knowing that we lived with purpose and passion, unshackled from time-wasting distractions? The aim of the book is to help us achieve the latter.
“Things That Matter” is an easy, quick read, but still a substantial one. It makes readers think about—you guessed it—things that matter and how to cut free of the stuff that doesn’t. Becker is known for helping people declutter their closets; here, he’s helping them declutter their lives. It’s a service for which we should be deeply grateful.
