8 Simplicity Books to Help You Slow Down and Live with Less Clutter
Some of these simplicity books helped me to simplify my own life and others offer continued inspiration. If living more simply and peacefully is a lifestyle change for you, these simplicity books will support your tiny steps and shifts.
Whenever it’s time for a change, it helps to surround yourself with the messages and support you need. It can be a challenge to find the inspiration you need in a life you are ready to change. Whenever I make a big change, I turn to books, blogs and other stories that make me think, “If they can do it, so can I.”
8 Simplicity Books to Help You Slow Down, and Live with Less Clutter
The synopsis for each book comes from StoryGraph (the app I use to track my reading). Use these books to inspire simplicity, slowing down and living with less clutter.
1. Soulful Simplicity by Courtney Carver
Soulful Simplicity is the first book I wrote.
We are often on a quest for more–we give in to pressure every day to work more, own more, and do more. For Carver, this constant striving had to come to a stop when she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Stress was like gasoline on the fire of symptoms, and it became clear that she needed to root out the physical and psychological clutter that were the source of her debt and discontent.
In this book, she shows us how to pursue practical minimalism so we can create more with less–more space, more time, and even more love. Carver invites us to look at the big picture, discover what’s most important to us, and reclaim lightness and ease by getting rid of all the excess things. All purchase options.
2. Sabbath by Wayne Muller
This isn’t the first time I’ve recommended this book and it won’t be the last. This book shows us how to find rest, renewal and delight in our busy lives. I’ve quoted it in my books and it always encourages me to take a deep breath and slow down.
Millennia ago, the tradition of Sabbath created an oasis of sacred time within a life of unceasing labor. In today’s world, with its relentless emphasis on success and productivity, we have lost the necessary rhythm of life, the balance between work and rest. Constantly striving, we feel exhausted and deprived in the midst of great abundance. We long for time with friends and family, we long for a moment to ourselves.
Now, in a book that can heal our harried lives, Wayne Muller shows us how to foster a time for effortless, nourishing rest—a healing refuge for our souls.. Amazon | Bookshop.org
3. Goodbye Things by Fumio Sasaki
This book has been on my list for awhile. This could be the year!
In Goodbye, Things Sasaki modestly shares his personal minimalist experience, offering specific tips on the minimizing process and revealing how the new minimalist movement can not only transform your space but truly enrich your life. The benefits of a minimalist life can be realized by anyone, and Sasaki’s humble vision of true happiness will open your eyes to minimalism’s potential. Amazon | Libro.fm | Bookshop.org
4. The Power of Less by Leo Babauta
This book had a big impact on my early simplicity days. It helped me create a plan to quit my job. It also inspired me to do less every day and focus on what my priorities were.
With the countless distractions that come from every corner of a modern life, it’s amazing that were ever able to accomplish anything. The Power of Less demonstrates how to streamline your life by identifying the essential and eliminating the unnecessary freeing you from everyday clutter and allowing you to focus on accomplishing the goals that can change your life for the better. Amazon | Libro.fm | Bookshop.org
5. The Year of Less by Cait Flanders
If you are considering a shopping ban or a no-buy year, start here.
The Year of Less documents Cait’s life for twelve months during which she bought only consumables: groceries, toiletries, gas for her car. Along the way, she challenged herself to consume less of many other things besides shopping. She decluttered her apartment and got rid of 70 percent of her belongings; learned how to fix things rather than throw them away; researched the zero waste movement; and completed a television ban. At every stage, she learned that the less she consumed, the more fulfilled she felt. Amazon | Libro.fm | Bookshop.org
6. Outer Order, Inner Calm by Gretchen Rubin
Gretchen Rubin knows firsthand that creating order can make our lives happier, healthier, more productive, and more creative. But for most of us, a rigid, one-size-fits-all solution doesn’t work. When we tailor our approach to suit our own particular challenges and habits, wecan find inner calm.With a sense of fun, and a clear idea of what’s realistic for most people, Rubin suggests dozens of manageable tips and tricks for creating a more serene, orderly environment. Amazon | Libro.fm | Bookshop.org
7. How To Do Nothing by Jenny Odel
In a world where addictive technology is designed to buy and sell our attention, and our value is determined by our 24/7 data productivity, it can seem impossible to escape. But in this inspiring field guide to dropping out of the attention economy, artist and critic Jenny Odell shows us how we can still win back our lives.
Amazon | Libro.fm | Bookshop.org
8.Gentle, Rest More, Stress Less and Live the Life You Actually Want by Courtney Carver (currently 50% off)
Gentle is the last book I wrote! It was published last year and it’s such a joy to be able to share this with you.
Written by minimalism expert and celebrated author Courtney Carver, Gentle is the “don’t do it all” self-help book you need to live with less stress and more ease, less overwhelm and more joy by uncovering the Gentle You. Grounded in self-compassion and a fierce commitment to less, becoming the Gentle You isn’t about taking the easy road. It’s a practice of real self-care that, over time, will soothe your nervous system and strengthen your relationships. Organized into three parts–Rest, Less, and Rise–30 challenges and simple practices will help readers radically and (yes) gently shift their pace, headspace, and heart. All purchase options.
How I read books.
I read books I can hold in my hand, read some books on Kindle and listen to audiobooks from Libby or Libro.fm. I listen to audiobooks with Libro.fm instead of Audible for a few reasons.
For starters, you get a couple of free audiobooks when you sign up with Libro.fm. Next, you can choose a local bookstore to support with each order. And, Libro.fm allows you to download your books, unlike Audible where you have to listen to them on the platform. Because you can download your audiobooks, you can share them with friends. When friends share their audiobooks with me, I listen with an app called Book Player. I’m sure there are other options!
For more good book recommendations, read 10 Books That Feel Like a Cozy Cup of Tea After Too Much Screen Time and 8 Uplifting Books to Read If You are Overwhelmed By The News.
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