BEST BOOKS ON SIMPLIFYING LIFE AND LIVING INTENTIONALLY
If you’re looking for tips on how to declutter and simplify life try these best books on simplifying life and living intentionally for some new ideas and a fresh perspective.
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BOOKS TO HELP YOU SIMPLIFY LIFE AND LIVE INTENTIONALLY
On this site, I try to share as much information as possible about simplifying life and tips for simple living. If you’re looking to simplify life, slow down, learn about a more minimalist lifestyle, try decluttering your home and/or live a more intentional life in general, then I’d like to share these additional resources with you.
They’ll give you a different perspective, deep-dive into specific subjects or perhaps inspire you with a fresh approach. I have either read the books or have them on my reading list but they’re all popular books on simplifying life and making more space for what matters.
As always, if you have any suggestions or recommendations for books that aren’t on this list, please drop me an email at [email protected].
I’ll keep adding to this list if I come across any new books which I think might be helpful to you so check back if you need something to add to your reading list!
DON’T BOOKS JUST ADD CLUTTER?
Just a little word on books and clutter… Whilst books can add clutter, I think there’s more to it. If you don’t read the books, have never read them or don’t think you’ll ever get around to reading them, then they probably are just adding clutter to your home and life. If, however, you refer to them often and enjoy having them near you as old friends full of inspiration and wisdom, then maybe you’d like to keep and add them to your library. They have value, purpose and meaning.
If you prefer, many books are available on Kindle or as audiobooks so you don’t need to purchase a physical copy. You could even road-test the book as an audiobook to see whether it appeals enough to buy the actual book. I have a subscription to Audible and listen to many books whilst on the go doing other things!
Some people love picking up a book, turning the pages and reading in the traditional sense. Others prefer a digital or audio format. You might even prefer to borrow the book from the library to see what it’s like.
These book suggestions are there to enhance your life and learning, so feel free to use them in whatever way works for you!
A LITTLE REMINDER ABOUT SIMPLIFYING LIFE
Before we look at the some of the books on this list, I wanted to gently remind you that simplifying life doesn’t follow a textbook or specific format. There isn’t a cookie cutter or recipe that you have to follow and simplicity means different things to different people. That’s why I think it’s important to get as wide a perspective as possible about what simplifying life and living intentionally means in practical, real life.
The one guiding principle of a simpler life is a shift in mindset. That means a way of thinking that encourages you to focus on how less can lead to more – less stuff and clutter and more freedom, time and space for a fuller, more rewarding life.
Intentionality requires you to make decisions based on this principle as part of your everyday life. That’s really just a fluffy way of saying that you know what you want and what’s important to you in life and you cut out the clutter that gets in the way!
I’ve included some additional resources at the end of this article if you’d like to simplify your own life and some ideas on how you can get started when you’re ready.
BOOKS ON SIMPLIFYING LIFE AND LIVING INTENTIONALLY
Here are some books to help you simplify life and live intentionally. Happy reading and learning about simple and intentional living!
The More of Less by Joshua Becker
This book helps you recognise the life-giving benefits of owning less, realise how all the stuff you own is keeping you from pursuing your dreams, craft a personal, practical approach to decluttering your home and life, experience the joys of generosity and learn why the best part of minimalism isn’t a clean house, it’s a full life.
Joshua’s website, becomingminimalist.com, was the biggest influence in the first years when I began to simplify my life. His articles inspired and encouraged me to try and eventually embrace a Minimalist lifestyle for myself.
The Year of Less by Cait Flanders
In her late twenties, Cait Flanders found herself stuck in the consumerism cycle that grips so many of us: earn more, buy more, want more, rinse, repeat. When she realised that nothing she was doing or buying was making her happy, she decided to set herself a challenge: she would not shop for an entire year.
Clutterfree with Kids by Joshua Becker
Children add joy, purpose, and meaning to our lives. They provide optimism, hope, and love. They bring smiles, laughter, and energy into our homes. They also add clutter. As parents, balancing life and managing clutter may appear impossible but this book offers a new perspective.
Essentialism, The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown
Essentialism is not a time management strategy for if you’re feeling stretched too thin, overworked, busy but not productive or constantly in motion but not getting anywhere. Essentialism is, instead, a systematic discipline you apply every time you are faced with a decision. By forcing us to apply a more selective criteria for what is essential, the pursuit of less allows us to regain control of our choices so we can make the highest possible contribution towards the things that really matter.
A thought-provoking book that applies to the workplace and in your home and personal life. One of my favourites for sure!
Chasing Slow by Erin Loechner
So you spend your life narrowing this divide and you call this your race, your journey, your path. You live your days tightening your boot straps, wiping the sweat from your brow, chasing undiscovered happiness just around the bend. Higher! Faster! Better! Stronger! In this book, the author turns away from fast and fame and frenzy. Follow along as she blazes the trail toward a new-fashioned lifestyle – one that will refresh your perspective, renew your priorities and shift your focus to the journey that matters most.
The Joy of Less by Francine Jay
Francine Jay pioneered the simple living movement. Rather than the “crash diet” approach found in other tidying up books, Francine shares simple steps to cultivate a minimalist mindset and form new habits, paving the way to lasting success.
Minimalism: Live a Meaningful Life by Joshua Fields Milburn & Ryan Nicodemus
Minimalism is the thing that gets us past the things so we can make room for life’s most important things—which actually aren’t things at all: health, relationships, passion, growth, and contribution.
A Life Less Throwaway by Tara Button
Now more than ever, we live in a society where we covet new and shiny things. Not only has consumption risen dramatically over the last 60 years, but we are damaging the environment at the same time. That is why buying quality and why Tara Button’s Buy Me Once brand has such popular appeal.
Goodbye, things by Fumio Sasaki
Fumio Sasaki is a writer in his thirties who lives in a tiny studio in Tokyo with three shirts, four pairs of trousers, four pairs of socks and not much else. In this essay, the author explores the philosophy and cultural history of minimalism from Zen Buddhism to Steve Jobs. Offering a set of simple rules – be a borrower; find your uniform; keep photos of the things you love – he shows how we can all lead happier and more meaningful lives.
N.B. I share this book, not because the lifestyle is similar to my own, but because simplifying our lives means different things to different people!
Simply Tuesday by Emily P. Freeman
If you’ve grown weary of ‘do more’ and ‘dream bigger’, small-moment living is just what you need. Real-life happens in the small moments we find on the most ordinary day of the week. Tuesday holds secrets we can’t see in a hurry – secrets not just for our schedules but our souls. This book will show you how to embrace today’s work, find contentment in the now, replace competition with connection and learn to breathe in a breathless world.
When Less Becomes More by Emily Ley
Less rush, less noise, less chasing. More of what matters most. Are you working towards a meaningful life only to find yourself running on empty? This book provides radical concepts that will help you trade life’s junk food, like pursuing stuff, allowing distractions and living in a frenzy, for real nourishment, like building a community, cherishing moments and embracing rest.
OTHER SUGGESTIONS FOR BOOKS ON SIMPLIFYING LIFE
If you have any suggestions to add to this list or you’d like to share your own recommendations for books on simplifying life and intentional living, please drop a note in the comments or email me. I’d love to hear from you! Please email me at [email protected].
LISTEN ON AUDIBLE
I love listening to audio books that are motivating, uplifting and encouraging. The added bonus is that I can be listening and learning whilst getting on with something else such as walking the dog, cooking dinner or waiting for my kids in the car! I have an Audible subscription which I use to buy and download my audio books. Click here to learn more about Audible and try it out for yourself.
RESOURCES FOR SIMPLIFYING LIFE AND LIVING INTENTIONALLY
Here are some articles and resources to help you explore what simplicity could mean for you:
- The Minimalist Mindset: How to think like a Minimalist
- How to get started with Minimalism: 7 easy ways to try
- 20 ways to simplify your life
- What does it mean to simplify your life?
- Simplify Your Life: my online course to help you define your priorities, understand how less can be more and practical ways you can get started right now!
- Declutter Starter Kit: a free workbook to help declutter your home with simple tips and easy projects. Pop your details in the box below to receive your copy…
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