Blessed by Less: Clearing Your Life of Clutter by Living Lightly

by Susan V. Vogt

Susan Vogt knew she had far more stuff in her closets than she needed. So, for Lent one year, Susan took she gave away one thing a day for forty days. But what happened during that penitential period surprised her; she became so addicted to identifying unnecessary things in her life that she continued the practice for a full year. Then she began letting go of other baggage—some physical, some emotional—and found that, far from feeling poorer, she felt freer and more fulfilled than ever before. A spiritual place had opened that allowed Susan to unclutter her mind and deepen her faith.

Blessed by Less offers encouragement and inspiration for all who are burdened down by “things” in their homes and hearts but don’t quite know how to begin the process of letting go. Susan includes tips for beginners and challenges for those who’ve been simplifying for years. Rather than making readers feel guilty for all the stuff they’ve accumulated, Susan gently nudges them to see all that they have to gain—physically, emotionally, and most of all spiritually—by living lightly.

Practical from start to finish, Blessed by Less shows how one woman’s journey into a simpler, less cluttered life can also be our journey and how taking a spiritual perspective on the matter can lead to abundant blessings we would have otherwise missed.

137 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 15, 2013

Reviews

[Janet Rosfeld · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Catholic Marie Kondo. Just what I needed in a pandemic to kick start me in de-cluttering. Full of good, practical ideas and encouragement for letting go of possessions and emotional baggage.

[Nichola · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this would be a how to, but was really more of a reflective book. It has a very light touch of religion that I did not find overpowering, with easy prompts for starting your own thinking. And I skipped the bible verse sections. There was a a self reflective tone that was pleasing as the author holds herself up as an example of how to think about and yet also how to understand you can make mistakes.

[Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fine little book about living with less and how to get there which is something I'm trying to do. It's published by the Loyola Press, A Jesuit Ministry in Chicago, but is useful for anyone of any or no religion who wants to simplify their life.

[Sarah Guyette · Rating 2 out of 5]

meh. lots of good beginnings about why more is too much and less is better, but she barely scratched the surface. the spiritual aspects especially were lacking. it felt overly self help-y with actual tips about how to carry fewer items in your purse etc.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good food for thought.

[Nancy Jurss · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although the idea of simplifying one's life is intriguing, I found many of her suggestions and motivations more suited to someone in her situation and not everyone in general.