# I Was Not a Minimalist, Until I Was

Source: https://www.theminimalists.com/expert/
Published: 2012-08-13
Updated: 2024-06-12
Author: Joshua Fields Millburn

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I am not an expert—I just play one on the Internet. Or rather, I wasn’t an expert on anything, until I was.

You see, at 18 I didn’t know how to be a leader. But then I took an entry-level sales job, spent a decade working my way up the corporate ladder, and eventually led a group of 100 people in sixteen locations. Over time, I slowly became an “expert” at [inspiring](https://zenhabits.net/inspired/) and leading people.

At 22 I didn’t know how to run a successful business. But then, with no formal education, I learned. In the course of time, I opened fourteen profitable retail stores for a large corporation, managed a $52 million operating budget, and eventually oversaw the operations for 150 retail stores (which I realize now, as a minimalist, is a bit ironic in retrospect). Over time, I slowly became an “expert” on business.

At 25 I didn’t know how to get in shape or lose the excess weight that plagued me. But then I changed my [diet](https://theminimalists.com/diet), began a simple exercise [routine](https://theminimalists.com/18min), and lost 80 pounds. And now people regularly rely on me for diet and exercise advice. Over time, I slowly became an “expert” on health.

At 27 I didn’t know how to live a meaningful life. But then I confronted my discontent, spent two years [paying off](https://theminimalists.com/freedom) immense personal [debt](https://theminimalists.com/debt), and started looking for happiness in life’s more important areas: health, relationships, growth, and contribution—not material possessions. Over time, I slowly became an “expert” on intentional living.

At 28 I didn’t know how to be a minimalist. My three-bedroom home was filled with trinkets to prove it. But then I started questioning my stuff, removing one by one the unnecessary things from my life, eventually jettisoning 90% of my material possessions, replacing them with worthwhile experiences. Over time, I slowly became an “expert” on [minimalism](https://theminimalists.com/minimalism).

At 29 I didn’t know what a blog was. (Seriously!) But then I needed an outlet to share my experiences with other people. So I asked my best friend, Ryan, if he’d be willing to [build a website](https://theminimalists.com/blog) and share his experiences—and *my* experiences—with the world. He said yes, so we created *The Minimalists*, started publishing essays (which we later realized were called “blog posts”), and grew our readership to millions of people in 190 countries. Over time, we slowly became “experts” on blogging.

Approaching age 30 I didn’t think it was possible to leave my corporate job to pursue my dream of writing [fiction](https://theminimalists.com/are). But then I discovered it was. I had already simplified my life, paid off my debt, changed my spending habits, and radically reduced my cost of living. So I sold my house, paid off my car, [eliminated](https://theminimalists.com/want) nearly all my bills, and moved into a tiny $500-per-month [minimalist apartment](https://theminimalists.com/apartment/). And then I [quit](https://theminimalists.com/quit). Now people frequently ask me how they, too, can [stop living the lie and start living their dream](https://inoveryourhead.net/stop-living-the-lie-start-living-the-life/). Over time, I slowly became an “expert” on leaving the corporate world in the pursuit of dreams.

At 30 I wasn’t a published author. I had a stack of rejection letters from agents and publishers to prove it. But now, I have published four bestselling [books](https://theminimalists.com/books) on my own and cofounded my a publishing company, [Asymmetrical Press](https://theminimalists.com/asym/), where we help writers and other creative types circumvent the old guard. Over time, I slowly became an “expert” in the publishing world.

Last year I didn’t think I could be a teacher since I don’t have a college degree. But then I learned I could use my training experience from the corporate world, combined with my love and passion and obsession with writing, to add value to people’s lives. Thus, I started an online writing class. When the class quickly filled up, I was shocked; so I offered an [upgraded online version for everyone](https://theminimalists.com/class). Most important, my students—ranging from teenagers to Ph.D.’s—have found tremendous value, have grown as writers, and have given me the opportunity to contribute to their successes. Over time, I slowly became an “expert” on writing and teaching.

I didn’t tell you any of this to brag or boast or inform you of how great I am. I am far from great. There won’t be a life-size bronze statue of Joshua Fields Millburn occupying the streets of Dayton, Ohio, anytime soon. I am flawed and tattered and perfectly [imperfect](https://theminimalists.com/perfectionist)—just like you.

I wasn’t able to do any of the above because I was smarter or better or funnier or more toothsome than the next guy. Instead, there were two commonalities among all these paths to expertise: time and action.

None of it happened overnight; it took time. And it wasn’t easy; it took consistent action—incremental actions that morphed into habits over time. Now, when I look in life’s rearview mirror, everything is different. Over time, I slowly became an “expert.” And so can you.

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