Early life and education
Becker was born December 11, 1974 in Aberdeen, South Dakota as one of twins. With a sister born about a year later, the three were close in age and had a great influence on each other. His grandfather Harold Salem, a well-known pastor in Aberdeen, instilled a strong work ethic into the children. The family moved frequently. Becker attended junior high and high school in Wahpeton, North Dakota between 1987 and 1992. He finished high school at Burke High School in Omaha, Nebraska, and stayed there to attend the University of Nebraska Omaha, where he would meet his future wife. Becker attended graduate school at Bethel College and Seminary and completed a master's degree in theology.Career
Becker began his career as a pastor in Vermont. In 2008, after a frustrating weekend of cleaning out the garage, Becker realized he was spending more time caring for his possessions than with his family. After this breakthrough, Becker became a writer and pioneer of the minimalism movement with his website Becoming Minimalist, which has garnered a following over a million readers a month and over a million fans on Facebook. He cited that “the practical benefits of owning less are more money, more time, more calm, more freedom.” Becker has since downsized 75% of his possessions and written 5 books and a course detailing his experiences and methods of living a minimalist lifestyle. Becker moved from Vermont with his wife and two children to Arizona, where they have remained since. He shared his family's experience as minimalists in the 2013 film ''Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things'', by American filmmakers Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, known professionally as The Minimalists. He also played the role of his pastor grandfather Harold Salem in the film ''Heart of a Shepherd''. Inspired by his wife Kim Becker's own experience being adopted, in 2015 Becker and his wife founded The Hope Effect, a non-profit organization for orphan care.Publications
*''Clutterfree with Kids: Change your thinking. Discover new habits. Free your home'' (2014, Becoming Minimalist) *''Simplify: 7 Guiding Principles to Help Anyone Declutter Their Home & Life'' (2014, Digital) *''The More of Less: Finding the Life You Want Under Everything You Own'' (2016, WaterBrook) ** Polish Translation: ''Im mniej, tym więcej.'' (2017, Znak) ** Chinese Translation: ''极简：在你拥有的一切之下，发现你想要的生活.'' (2016, 天津人民出版社 Tianjin People's) ** Spanish Translation: ''Más con menos.'' (2017, Unilit) ** German Translation: ''Weniger macht reich: Entdecken Sie die einfachste Art, glücklich zu leben.'' (2017, Gerth Medien) *''The Minimalist Home: A Room-by-Room Guide to a Decluttered, Refocused Life'' (2018, WaterBrook) *''Things That Matter: Overcoming Distraction to Pursue a More Meaningful Life'' (2022, WaterBrook)References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Becker, Joshua 1974 births Living people People from Aberdeen, South Dakota People from Peoria, Arizona University of Nebraska Omaha alumni Writers from Omaha, Nebraska Bethel University (Minnesota) alumni Simple living advocates American Christian clergy American philanthropists