Secrets of Simplicity: Learn to Live Better with Less

by Mary Carlomagno

Bulging in-boxes, out-of-control stress, and even climate change serve as reminders that when it comes to being happy and healthy, less is more. In this interactive journal, organization expert Mary Carlomagno leads readers on a journey toward release and discovery. Guided by the principle that the way you spend your time and money should reflect your true priorities, Secrets of Simplicity shows how to make practical changes to unburden your closets and calendars and make room for what's really important. Readers can record their successes, as they de-clutter their homes and in the process, their minds.


About the Author

MARY CARLOMAGNO is the founder and owner of Order, a company that specializes in clutter control. Her philosophy has been featured in Woman's Day, Redbook, and The Washington Post. She lives in New Jersey.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Personal Development, Inspirational, Reference, Philosophy, Health

144 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2008

About the author

Mary Carlomagno is a bestselling author, organizer, speaker and spokesperson specializing in helping individuals and groups embrace simplicity in everyday life. She is one of the nation’s leading experts on organizing and a frequent contributor on national television, radio and print.

Reviews

[Charmi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just love this book! It is straight-foward, thoughtful and insightful. To some, these ideas and suggestions might be obvious, but not for me. I always feel overloaded, overwhelmed and exhausted and don't know how to help myself. This book is helping me to let go, simplify and focus.

[LG · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm on a self-help kick. If you look over my recent reading, it feels like I'm reading lots of self-help books. While I agreed with the message of the book, something just didn't work for me.
The book is divided into 7 sections: Release, Simplify, Treasure, Focus Invest, Discover and Thrive.

Each section has personal stories from the author, questions to help you explore these ideas, quotes from very illustrious historical thinkers, specifics on tackling the chapters main ideas, and what I'm going to call a top 10 list.

While breaking it out like that should have totally appealed to me, it didn't. Instead it feels forced and superficial never exploring anything too deeply.

[Heather the Banjo Queen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked that this organizing book not only looks at the stuff around us, it looks at the stuff within us. The reason we have clutter is more about our spiritual selves than it is about our physical selves. I liked the exercises she included that really got me thinking about what is important in my life and why. Happily, I have discovered a lot of what was included in this book already on my own, however, I like how she discusses how to actually use those discoveries and create lasting change. I am toying around with the idea of purchasing the book for myself.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the back of the book:
"By picking up this journal, you've taken the first step toward transforming your life into one of ease and serenity. Guided by organization expert Mary Carlomagno's thoughtful advice, you'll learn to release unwanted clutter and take control of your time and money. The simple, practical steps she offers will help you achieve a newfound clarity and peace of mind, freeing you up to focus on your priorities and fulfill your true passions. Ample space is provided for you to record your many discoveries and successes as you embark on this journey to a more satisfying life."

This book was a quick read and very thought provoking. I could have spent a lot more time on it by filling out the questions that are included in each chapter. There are 7 chapters titled: 1. Release, 2. Simplify, 3. Treasure, 4. Focus, 5. Invest, 6. Discover, 7. Thrive, and at the end of each chapter there is a conclusion which recaps the points of the chapter and was very helpful.

This book contained so many great quotes. There were quotes at the beginning of each chapter and interspersed throughout along with different stories which provided examples. Some quotes that I particularly liked:

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." -Lao-Tzu

"He who must travel happily must travel light." -Antoine De Saint-Exupery

"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer." -Henry David Thoreau

"As long as you derive inner help and comfort from anything, you should keep it." -Mahatma Ghandhi

"A man travels the world over in search of what he needs and returns home to find it..." -George Moore

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the joy of meeting Mary Carlomagno, with the idea I would garner great info on organizing my life...at home, in my classroom, and with my (Alzheimer's ailing) mom's life. Surprise! It is truly about organizing me "inside."

Reading this in bits and pieces till now, I have addressed several areas within myself that needing emptying out, and the rest is falling into place. One day at a time....moment by moment. Amen. I am now reading from "cover-to-cover" to embrace her message.

Meeting Mary is a spiritual experience.

ADDING...7/19/12:

I have been "using" Secrets of Simplicity to guide my "detachment" or re-organization of my personal space this summer break!! "Clearing out"--closets/drawers/garage/paperwork...and boy oh boy, does it feel good...everything is lighter! I am working to embrace new habits--and make them life long, to benefit my body, mind and spirit.

Additionally, I am a caregiver, with our dear "Nurse Rita," for my mom who has Alzheimer's, and I have used what I am learning to help get her home better organized, as well--along with all the paperwork--medical, and insurances, and Mama's day-to-day banking and bills.

Mary's wisdom shared in SOS ;-) is such a balm. It was such a blessing to meet her this spring, via Pat Woodward, to encourage my new practices. I am grateful and keep Mary on my "Gratitude List" daily!

Although I finished the "reading" of this book, which I highly recommend, it is in a sense a "Bible" which I will refer to often, for support, guidance and encouragement.

[Nux · Rating 2 out of 5]

Full of pretty illustrations and quotes from big men... oh! And lists that you have to do and fill up to help you contemplate things! which is exactly why this book isn't really working for me. Too 'high level', I guess. Feels like I am being nagged at by an auntie who wags her finger at me and telling me I'm doing things the wrong way and I should sit down, be a nice girl, make those lists, meditate and do yoga while I listen to her quoting sayings from Buddha and other enlightened masters of past. There are some good ideas and thought provoking things in this book; unfortunately for me I have to concentrate really hard to find these gems, shifting through all the fillers and pretty & sweet drawings and quotes.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think the flavour of this book suits me very nicely. I enjoyed the quotes which allowed me to reflect and think deeply for a few minutes.
The layout and the engaging simplicity of the wording does compel me to do the worksheets. I haven't actually done them, albeit only in my mind. Maybe putting it to paper will do wonders.

I gained new knowledge about references such as Thoreau's Walden pond which I have not heard before this. I also like Carlomagno's ideas about clearing clutter.

[Grant Jackson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short book. Tough read.

This book isn't very long but I had a hard time reading it. There are lots of quotes, lots of blank lines to write notes on (pointless in a Kindle book), and no real continuity to any thoughts. Exercises are suggested but I don't really understand why I should do them or what results I should expect. For a book about simplicity, I found it quite busy.

[Aubrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author reminds the reader what is really important in life, and how to go after your dreams with perseverance, goals, and fun thoughtful exercises. Lots of great, inspirational quotes on every page as well! Changed my attitude on the everyday, so it gets five stars.

[Georgie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some people are comforted by their clutter. Other people think it represents an "issue" that needs to be fixed so those people can be tidy and organized because in their mind, it means I'm a better person than you.
There's a tendency today toward making all people the same. Whatever happened to celebrating the differences, celebrating the uniqueness and individuality of oneself and each other. Which means you don't have to like the way others do something or they way they live. Stop trying to change people into being robotic beings of perfection based on another person's ideal.

This is probably a foreign concept to people who are addicted with the clutter of being on social media, because there is so much conformity these days, in hopes of being in a tribe and being accepted. I've noticed that some people seem terrified of not being accepted, therefore they're not being authentic and are trying to be something they're not. I hope they can realize that being true to oneself is one way to clear the clutter of judgement, which is an infestation of the mind that is a cause of so much emotional dissatisfaction, not to mention the pharmaceutical industry trying to anesthetize human feelings, like sadness and worry.

[Cat Rayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book, “Secrets of Simplicity” by Mary Carlomango has been in my possession for many years. The composition of the book is calming and it’s colorful art and tabs to address its points gives it a unique feel.

While it was published before the current Minimalist focus, it presents common sense practices peppered with western philosophies of the Hindu and Buddhists. Many helpful quotes and subtle directives.

Enjoyed the ‘find your own Walden Pond’ under the Simplify tab quite good, and the sweet reminder in the Treasure section to note ‘it’s not what you discard, it is what you keep’ may help with removal of items retained because of sentiment or guilt.

It is inspiring to live with less, reminding you will grow and have much more (intangible needs) if you do.

[Rebecca Noran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-organized workbook on creating the life you want by eliminating what you don’t need to make space for possibilities, weaving in stories, quotes, and traditions — philosophy, literature, legends, spirituality.

I picked it up and read through cover to cover 10 years after I originally read it — 2010 and 2020. It felt good to see how much I accomplished that I wanted to change, and how the themes of who I am and what I want in life hold true—with even more clarity now, and more ability to let go.

[Laurie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got some good bits of information from this book, although I have to admit that even having read the entire book, I'm not completely sure of what the goal of the writer was. It seemed to be a little all over the place from stopping your shopaholic tendencies to cleaning out your junk drawer and settling down for some mediation then deciding what your life dream is to reconciling your finances. I think the author could have done well to narrow her focus and not try to tackle so many subjects with one small book.

[Wrapped Up in Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is easy to read in small chunks, which worked for me because I could reflect on each section. What I didn't like about this book are the large amount of exercises that we are to complete as we go through the book. I was going to give the book 3 starts because I personally didn't feel like doing the exercises, but I thought the book deserved a higher rating considering how much I highlighted sections of it. In particular, I like the Eastern philosophy gems of knowledge that we expertly sprinkled throughout, as well as proverbs and wise quotes. I had a lot of "aha!" moments as I read the quotes and such. I made mental notes to further explore some of the religious and philosophy texts that were cited in this book. Recommended if you are interested in leading a more minimalist or simple life.

[Terryls · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful questions and simple exercises. Nothing earth shatteringly new, but a useful reminder of basic principles for a calm, happy life.

[Molly · Rating 2 out of 5]

More like a series of journal prompts. Loved the quotes. Just not what I expected.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written as a workbook. I liked it.

[Angie Page-Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Change starts with subtle shifts in thinking, and tiny steps each day and the Author laid out how you can achieve the life you want.

The book is filled with wonderful quotes and beautiful illustrations. I would give this to a friend as a gift.

[Glenda Lynne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book on Kindle, and there were so many errors, that I sometimes completely got lost. Paragraphs would end mid sentence only to pick up on another page or more later after reading something completely different. Such a shame. I plan to ask Amazon for a refund.

As to the content, I think there was a lot there for someone who is just starting out on this path. I was hoping for something new and found very little I had not seen before. That is not the author's fault. I should have believed other reviewers who said the same thing that I discovered on my own.

[Gloria · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is really a workbook that makes you think about what is really important. It interweaves philisophy from the Christian, Buddhist and Hindu traditions. It is a bit "simplistic" but I think would be quite useful for someone starting on a voluntary simplicity journey or project. Author was featured on Oprah.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like books that include worksheets and walk you through all the steps. The book is broken into sections such as release (getting over certain ideas), simplify (how things can be stressing you out), treasure (as in clutter vs. treasure), focus (what's important), and other areas that make you go 'oh yeah' in a thoughtful tone of voice.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written in workbook form, this is a good choice for visual learners. It may be too new-age touchy-feely for some readers but really the title should give an idea of what's in store for readers. I appreciated the fill-in the blanks and solve your own issues style. I could skip areas where I didn't need to create change and spend time on the areas I felt the need to make changes.

[Chris Webber · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape." ~Unknown.

This is a simple, back to basics for creating simplicity in your life. It has a questionnaire to help you identify the things in your life causing complexity and then gives you some common sense paths for reducing overall clutter, creating simplicity in your life.

[Gillian]

this is a beautifully illustrated book, the flow of logic makes so much sense
I've just finished this book and it is a keeper. I'm considering buying for my collection. It not only inspires, but gives you helpful exercises to work through. I savored the last 2 chapters.

[Jodi Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding tool for organizing from the inside out. Full of philosphical material that helps you dig deep enough to uncover the clutter. Loved it. Shared it. And can't wait to use it over and over again.

[Clifford · Rating 2 out of 5]

A few good insights and thought-provoking questions to ask yourself. But I think a more serious and thorough approach to the subject would be more helpful, and it seemed to me the author was primarily addressing women; something more balanced would have been appreciated.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing earth-shattering new thoughtwise, but the presentation, the calm voice, the approach, all very appealing and thoughtful and helpful - like a good friend reminding you to do stuff you know you should do but keep forgetting or neglecting...worthwhile.

[Carreen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book to get you moving on simplifying and focusing your life. I liked the "workbook" parts that made you put it on paper and I can refer back to it, mark off my progress and update my goals/accomplishments/priorities.

[Kristaclicks · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not really someone who will plow through a workbook. I liked what the author had to say, but it seems like to really get everything out of the book, you should be doing the self-reflection exercises after reading her prompts.

[Crystal]

I can't actually say I read this book cover to cover, but I skimmed through it. There were some good ideas about simplifying, but to be honest, I thought it was a bit too simple. :)