Moving On: Creating Your House of Belonging with Simple Abundance

by Sarah Ban Breathnach

Building on the success of Sarah’s previous books, Moving On expresses a new-age inclusiveness that allows people of all faiths and belief systems to enjoy her positive outlook on life.Inspired by her own life experiences and requested by avid Ban Breathnach readers eager for another volume, Sarah helps readers to understand themselves and to use those insights to create a home that truly suits their spirits and their lives."We do not know how to move on," Sarah observes. "We have learned to let go, but not move on." This keen insight differentiates this book from other self-help books dealing with life changes.Sarah helps readers cope with what she calls, "the myriad demands of uprooting one’s life," and teaches them to not only move, but to finally create what she calls, "your own house of belonging."Like the other books in Sarah’s acclaimed Simple Abundance series, Moving On is what Sarah calls "part meditation, how-to-manual, and memoir."

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Inspirational, Spirituality, Memoir

284 pages, Hardcover

First published March 21, 2006

About the author

In addition to SIMPLE ABUNDANCE, Sarah Ban Breathnach is the author of THE SIMPLE ABUNDANCE JOURNAL OF GRATITUDE, SOMETHING MORE, and MRS. SHARP'S TRADITIONS. She currently resides in California. Please visit her website at www.simpleabundance.com.

Reviews

[Helynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title to Sarah Ban Breathnach's 2006 Moving On is, in many ways, a very personal essay about her own experiences in moving on with her personal life in the 10 years since she published her popular Simple Abundance. Since then, she has gone through a divorce, several moves, including to a New York City apartment, and across the Atlantic to England, and remarried. A part of this narrative explains how she and her new husband came to purchase, renovate and live in their current (and ideal) home in the English countryside--a charming cottage called Newton's Chapel (where Sir Isaac Newton really did have his personal church services back in the 17th century). Breathnach describes this latest book as "Part meditation, how-to manual and memoir. . . Moving On is for anyone who has ever wanted to reinvent her life and the space where she lives it . . .creating one's own House of Belonging" (xiii). She reiterates her devotion to her original Simple Abundance principles of gratitude, simplicity, order, harmony, beauty, and joy, but with a caveat: "As we slowly move through the rooms of your home, we'll soothe your heart before redecorating, renovating and restoring the place where you live. First the grace, then the fabric swatches . .. my prayer [is:] you won't want to trade places with any other woman because your own home will be so beautiful, comfortable, tidy, and serene (xix)." She recommends a temporary readjustment in her favorite concept of the daily gratitude journal; that is, that readers give thanks each day for five things that are already perfect with the house one is living in at the moment. "I believe that all women are inherently mystical, that being able to recognize the essence of what is sacred is part of what it means to be feminine" (32). Her subsequent advice about creating the House of Belonging includes philosophies on and tips for attacking clutter, creating organized (and scented) linen closets, inviting bedrooms, cozy kitchens, all while avoiding the trap of perfectionism. Although I was not quite as entranced with this book as I was with Breathnach's earlier Simple Abundance and Romancing the Ordinary, I did find a lot of her reliable charm and inspiration in this volume. It's been a while since I read this book in depth, and I feel it's really worthy of a reread.

[Deirdre K · Rating 1 out of 5]

Normally, if I really dislike a book, I just don't review it. I try reminding myself of all the work and risk that go into any book, and why beat someone up for being the wrong author for you? And yet I'm still posting this unreasonably harsh review, because the book has gotten under my skin. I wish SBB all the best, but I definitely won't be reading anything else she writes.

Obviously, based on the other high reviews, she does have plenty of readers who are just right for her, several of whom find the very things that annoyed me most (the author referring to me, the reader, directly as "sweetie" and even "toots") as being strengths.

I liked Simple Abundance, mainly because I read it along with two great friends at the same time, in small doses. It was a pretty book, and I liked the main ideas of simplicity, gratitude, joy, etc. However, even in that stronger book, I was annoyed at her way of assuming that you long for the same things she does (a dressing table decorated with old petticoats in this new book), and for saying the same thing in 20 different ways.

I was moved by her description of Lavery's Sunbathers (though it makes me sad that it was sold at auction last year) and of her apartment's comfort during the aftermath of 9-11. A straight narrative/memoir would have worked better---for me at least. Her comparison of herself to the author of Mrs Miniver irked me, as Jan Struther wrote a work of fiction---SBB may have too, but it wasn't originally advertised as such.

She does quote several of my favorite authors, even Isak Dinesen, but since at least 50% of the book is made up of other people's words, perhaps that was inevitable. Forgive me this harsh review---I was thinking Brene Brown meets Peter Walsh, authenticity directed at decluttering or something. Her description of her collections and favorites, whether for the bedroom or "yummy kitchen" left me wanting completely clear spaces, so I'm grateful for that.

[John Bails · Rating 4 out of 5]

With the exception of her new book, I have read most of her writing's. With Simple Abundance, I was expecting something else. At first, I could not get interested in it. I started a second time and found that I was more receptive. The more I read, the more I wanted my two daughters to read it and thought it would be good for a couple of other women friends. As I come across, her books now at book sales, I buy them to give to others. I like her style of writing. I like her use of quotes-primarily from women. From her bibliography I have found any number of books to be on the look-out for.

[April Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another inspiring book from Sarah Ban Breachnach, Moving On explores creating both a physical and spiritual house of belonging. An encouraging and enjoyable read, this book will change your view of clutter once and for all, as well as convincing you that no matter where you call home, you can make it your very own place of shelter, serenity and peace.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a reread. It didn't resonate with me as much the second time around although I did still enjoy it.

[Erin · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thinking I saw the subtitle and thought - "Oh she wrote a book on decluttering". It is not that. It is more of a disjointed memoir and it is less practical than the original Simple Abundance.
I loved the idea of her Simple Abundance book, but ultimately it was too wordy and this book even more so. (Full disclaimer, I really only flipped through this book.)

I definitely don't share this author's interests or her idea of simplicity.

The only book I have really enjoyed by this author was her book on Victorian Traditions.
I guess I'll give up on her now.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the writing style style of this book. As to the content, I cannot disagree but I have already made my “House of Belonging.” It looks very much like Sarah describes in her writings and yes, it is a place of calm, security and sanity. It is a place to dream and grow and share with friends and family. We all need a need our own space; even when we live with other people! We can even have more than one space if we work it out. Let Sarah be your guide.

[Shauna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just no love love for this book. I haven’t read her other books, but in this one she was too old fashion, used out-dated terminology & examples, and quoted way too much poetry for the likes of me. I felt she was wordy and a bit too expressive. Few books get one star, so this one earned two because it was palatable.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good thoughts on creating your own "House of Belonging" wherever you may be at but a lot of the text seemed to be quite repetitive from her other books. Tons of quotes and references to other authors. All in all, did leave me thinking about creating my space that makes me joyful and serene.

[Ruth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed her descriptions but I think I just don’t get this book. I kept reading to try to figure out what her point was. She also seems to take issue with the Feminine Mystique, while clearly enjoying being a working woman.

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately for Ban Breathnach, the book's happy ending didn't last. She really wanted to believe in 'happy ever after', like so many of us, and like so many of us, it left her open to opportunists.

[Doni · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't speak to me.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it!

[Belynda Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love her books.

[Joanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I could not finish this book was not written for me.

[Olivia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really great ideas but had to start skimming after two-thirds.

[Lia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Seemed to be right up my alley, but it wasn't, really. Overall it was ok, if meandering.

I do like her poetic sense of spirituality. The "prayers" were nice, once I realized they weren't addressed specifically to the Abrahamic god, and often had feminine pronouns. Take them as poetry, if you wish.

There may be wisdom in her claim that the state of your house reflects the state of your soul/emotional health. Frankly, I've always wondered what is wrong with women who keep spotless houses. They have nothing better to do than clean? LOL

The biggest strength of the book was when the author called you "sweetie" and the like, and said compassionate, sympathetic things directly to you. That was powerful. Those and the personal anecdotes from her life. I loved seeing illustrated, yet again, her tale of love showing up the moment you stop desperately seeking it, and start enjoying life.

But as for writing... even within a chapter, the topic kind of jumped around so much, and lacked flow and coherence, that it was hard to get through it.

And the seeming disdain for feminism chafed a bit. Also, I don't cook. The kitchen is my husband's domain, not mine. I love the rest of homemaking, but I don't want to glorify the 50's, like she seems to do. Or assume that only women are homemakers, nor that all women need it for fulfillment.

[Sallee · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Part meditation, how-to-manual, and memoir, *Moving On* is for anyone who has ever wanted to reinvent her life and the space where she lives it."

Reading this as I began a 21-day Clutter-Clearing workshop, I found that sorting a cabinet, drawer, or shelf enabled me to see who I'd become, who I was becoming, without worrying that who I had been was making it's way out the door, to be sold, gifted, or scrapped, without being concerned that I was being scrapped in the process. Going thru this process with Sarah's poetic writing in my mind helped me stay focused, helped me see the beauty of being grateful for what I have, and able to walk away from that which doesn't serve me any longer.

As is the case with all her writing, I'm astonished by the wealth of material she has read and sorted into her philosophy. And so very grateful that she's done so.

[Granny Swithins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Re-reading. There's a few quotes that I want to pull, but this time around I felt like I was waiting for the author to really dive in, yet most of it remained on the surface. There's moments when it approaches deep, but then it pulls back and we're left obsessing about kidney-shaped dressing tables. I guess I wanted a bit more of the emotional and psychological aspects of finding and creating a home.

Having read Peace and Plenty since my first reading of Moving On, and knowing what happened next in her life, there was also a poignancy to her descriptions of wedded bliss and domestic contentment, like watching a car crash in slow motion. Heartbreaking.

[Tuba · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gave me a "you are not the only one who is going through a rough time in life" feeling by not giving a snobby "I know it all" attitude from the author. She is using personal experiences in her examples about "how to move on" with our lives and how she achieved to do so in a sincere and motherly way other than being a methodic psycholog...

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

After falling in love with her first book, I was a bit put off by this book. A bit too "spiritual" for me. And I couldn't figure out my own "house of belonging", as she guided me through the book. After about the second reading it suddenly "clicked" for me. When I figured out where I wanted to be, the stress left. I reread passages frequently.

[Dottie · Rating 2 out of 5]

A couple of reminders worth encountering but still not as impressive as some of hers I've read and return to over time. My recommendation remains to go with her Simple Abundance and do a pick and choose from the contents thereof.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Carl Jung was the first to bring my attention to houses as metaphor for self. This book reminded me of that and serendipitously coincides with my own present goal of bringing my house and my life to order.

[Therese Gilardi · Rating 4 out of 5]

now "simple abundance" makes more sense .... an interesting read, though i'd formed an opinion on the subject matter before cracking open the book after coming across an article on the author's current predicament.

[Donna D'Angelo Struck · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a big fan of this (Simple Abundance) series of books and always find helpful information in them. I like the way Breathnach talks to the reader, as if she's having a conversation with them/us. Good read for any women in (gulp) middle age.

[Tammy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I expected the entire book to be like the last chapter, about truly creating a house that felt like a home... too much wierdness, like about buildings being alive. Just couldn't get into it.

[Debbi · Rating 3 out of 5]

okay book with some good ideas and encouragement, if you can get past the "embrace your goddess" type mumbo jumbo.

[YorkshireSue · Rating 5 out of 5]

heartwarming principles which make sense and tweak your mind frame.

[Courtney Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grat book to pick up at any time. Light reading, great insight