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The Joy of Less #1
The Joy of less: Discovering Your Inner Minimalist
Simplify your life and discover the Joys that come from minimalist living.
What if you could live on purpose and reduce or eliminate most of the stress and worry that you experience on a daily basis?
Overwhelmed and exhausted, we tend to hit the ground running every morning without much thought to what exactly we are doing or why we’re doing it. Phone calls, texts, e-mails, Kids sports and yoga classes. It’s all a blur of activity and deadlines. Are these activities meaningful to you? Are they contributing to your joy and serenity or is the mindless rushing about simply a way of not thinking about what’s really important?
˃˃˃ The ability to simplify life is the ability to declutter your soul and live with emotional simplicity.Simple organized living is a wonderful concept but it takes more than throwing a bunch of unwanted stuff in a box and making a dump run. It requires a paradigm shift and a commitment to doing things in a different way. An attitude shift towards the things you have and the things you want. Before you simplify your space, you need to be able to be emotionally and spiritually ready to not only handle the decluttering projects you are going to tackle but to permanently change your habits and attitudes towards your material possessions as well as your relationships.
˃˃˃ This is Book one of the two part “Joy of less” series,In it, Cary David Richards details how he and his wife Jeannie were forced by circumstances to downsize and simplify. How over time they came to understand that minimalism has some very tangible and important long term benefits.
From reduced stress to being able to think with clarity and vision, Cary and Jeannie's minimalist journey will illuminate the joy and explain the challenges of a life lived with Less and an existence filled with freedom and happiness.
˃˃˃ Block some time out of your busy scheduleLet Cary David explain how to painlessly and effectively de-clutter you from the inside out and prepare you for the minimalist path.
Scroll up to the top and click the “buy it now” button, simple organized living is just around the corner.- GenresNonfictionSelf Help
94 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 20, 2015
209 people are currently reading
424 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
August 11, 2016
Nothing new or earth shattering here. Basically it emphasizes one should slow down, put themselves first, and prioritize to avoid procrastination. If only. Definitely easier said than done.
February 14, 2015
An inspiring book
This is a book with a great message, told in an inspiring voice. Richards gets to the heart of living simply, both inside and out.
This is a book with a great message, told in an inspiring voice. Richards gets to the heart of living simply, both inside and out.
March 24, 2015
Good, but reminds me of the old Wendy's commercial. Not much meat here.
December 31, 2022
A very good book.
February 7, 2017
A lot of this little ebook revolves around our attitudes and the rampant consumerism in this day and age. How we all want instant gratification regardless of the longterm. Basically, he rehashes the tried and true rules for simple living: are your things serving you or are you serving your things? Is having this particular thing going to make your life easier or better? Do you really need 500 objects that do the exact same thing?
At the end of the ebook you get a link to the second part of this book, which comes as a downloadable PDF. I'm not entirely sure why the author set these books up like this, since they're both free?
At the end of the ebook you get a link to the second part of this book, which comes as a downloadable PDF. I'm not entirely sure why the author set these books up like this, since they're both free?
October 24, 2021
Captivating read, just what I needed to read!
I read this book in two sittings, after my 4 kids were in bed. It was too hard for me to put down! I also do not think I have hilighted that much in a long time. This book brings so much emotional awareness and wisdom to the process of decluttering. While I don't feel I believe the same in terms of spirituality, this book is truly dynamite (explosive content in a small package!) You won't regret reading it!
Additionally, let me just praise this authors writing; The organization of his thoughts and ability to break down his theories was outstanding!
I read this book in two sittings, after my 4 kids were in bed. It was too hard for me to put down! I also do not think I have hilighted that much in a long time. This book brings so much emotional awareness and wisdom to the process of decluttering. While I don't feel I believe the same in terms of spirituality, this book is truly dynamite (explosive content in a small package!) You won't regret reading it!
Additionally, let me just praise this authors writing; The organization of his thoughts and ability to break down his theories was outstanding!
August 20, 2017
Clear, straight to the point, direct. Richards uses his own experience to offer insight to the madness of collecting and hoarding. His strong perspective is convincing and enlightening. This is an encouraging read, easy and quick enough to read when you need a reminder to stop collecting and live more for the experience, less for the graveyard of stuff along the way.
August 13, 2020
Minimal
I echo others in saying this was not what I expected. So what did I expect? Practical advice. I that this is so short, it might have been better to have bullet lists with short descriptive paragraphs in between. I'd have to agree it is a lot of fluff and very little real content you can utilize.
I echo others in saying this was not what I expected. So what did I expect? Practical advice. I that this is so short, it might have been better to have bullet lists with short descriptive paragraphs in between. I'd have to agree it is a lot of fluff and very little real content you can utilize.
February 2, 2017
Not my favorite
I was disappointed I this book for many reasons. the content did not compare favorably with the other books on minimalism I have read. Also, numerous spelling, grammar and syntax mistakes were a distraction to the reader.
I was disappointed I this book for many reasons. the content did not compare favorably with the other books on minimalism I have read. Also, numerous spelling, grammar and syntax mistakes were a distraction to the reader.
May 15, 2022
Very profound practical book to peace of mind
Thank you that was a very pleasant read for my soul. I feel calmer as I have been putting your words unto practice. My best sentence is for me to stop being busy for busy sake. I had to mull on that one.
Thank you that was a very pleasant read for my soul. I feel calmer as I have been putting your words unto practice. My best sentence is for me to stop being busy for busy sake. I had to mull on that one.
March 21, 2024
There are typos and grammatical errors that I struggle to get past, which is why I am unable to rate this a 3. However, I am not hating this book series. I find the suggestions to be reminders of some concepts I’d like to reiterate to myself, and I enjoy the directed focus.
August 22, 2018
Great information to get started with minimalism
Very great information to get started on a path with less stuff and a better life. Easy read full of great info.
Very great information to get started on a path with less stuff and a better life. Easy read full of great info.
September 3, 2018
So-so read
There's not too much new to learn from this book. The typos and grammatical errors were rampant and annoying. It wasn't worth the time invested.
There's not too much new to learn from this book. The typos and grammatical errors were rampant and annoying. It wasn't worth the time invested.
January 20, 2019
A couple of good ideas, but the rampant misspelling and grammatical errors made it difficult to take this book seriously.
August 14, 2019
Interesting but
It was ok expected much more not enough to get you motivated wish it had a how to start on this journey
It was ok expected much more not enough to get you motivated wish it had a how to start on this journey
November 25, 2019
I really enjoyed this book.
April 7, 2022
Meh.
This book seemed to be more of a sales pitch for other resources than a motivational read. I would have preferred more original context than so many citations.
This book seemed to be more of a sales pitch for other resources than a motivational read. I would have preferred more original context than so many citations.
May 1, 2020
Easy and fast read. General but helpful information on decluttering your life not just your house.
October 21, 2021
This books claims a second part as a follow-through after reading this one, but would it really be necessary?
No.
The Joy of Less has everything you would need to start living on less, and understanding the importance of not attaching yourself to too many things. Honestly, it’s the perfect stand-alone book. No need to read the second entry. At least I know I didn’t.
What’s interesting about this book title and decluttering your life is the focus on YOU. The target of this book is on fixing yourself, your thinking, and your emotional attachment to objects. It makes sense really. If you fix yourself you can move on to fixing other things that are more external to that which is inside the mess of our cluttered minds.
This mess first starts with “thoughts” and those thoughts move on to create emotions. This is not branded by the book but I’ve been following CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) and the process is much the same. The greatness of this is that it’s used to treat patients with anxiety and depression, therefore reputable as a means to change and backed by research. This is a more basic approach of course, one that I don’t think the author really had in mind but makes much sense.
Simply let go. It almost dives into Buddhism in that calm way of relaxation you would expect. In the book a passage reads, “you must find a way to feel your emotions fully, acknowledge them and then let them go.” You are basically the middle man between thoughts and the created emotions. You must let both go just as simply as they arrived in the first place.
You may ask how this helps in decluttering your life or home. Well, think about it. You should always start with the self in any endeavor. Some people have it the wrong way in thinking that they will find happiness though someone else. There again people are thinking externally and that the external will improve their life.
No. Not really.
Let’s all start within.
And by no means am I saying this book will be the change of you life, I’m simply just stating my thoughts here.
This book will, however, show you simple steps in confronting your fears, working on your thoughts and learning to let go. If that sounds like something you will enjoy then go ahead and pick this one up.
I recommend this book
No.
The Joy of Less has everything you would need to start living on less, and understanding the importance of not attaching yourself to too many things. Honestly, it’s the perfect stand-alone book. No need to read the second entry. At least I know I didn’t.
What’s interesting about this book title and decluttering your life is the focus on YOU. The target of this book is on fixing yourself, your thinking, and your emotional attachment to objects. It makes sense really. If you fix yourself you can move on to fixing other things that are more external to that which is inside the mess of our cluttered minds.
This mess first starts with “thoughts” and those thoughts move on to create emotions. This is not branded by the book but I’ve been following CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) and the process is much the same. The greatness of this is that it’s used to treat patients with anxiety and depression, therefore reputable as a means to change and backed by research. This is a more basic approach of course, one that I don’t think the author really had in mind but makes much sense.
Simply let go. It almost dives into Buddhism in that calm way of relaxation you would expect. In the book a passage reads, “you must find a way to feel your emotions fully, acknowledge them and then let them go.” You are basically the middle man between thoughts and the created emotions. You must let both go just as simply as they arrived in the first place.
You may ask how this helps in decluttering your life or home. Well, think about it. You should always start with the self in any endeavor. Some people have it the wrong way in thinking that they will find happiness though someone else. There again people are thinking externally and that the external will improve their life.
No. Not really.
Let’s all start within.
And by no means am I saying this book will be the change of you life, I’m simply just stating my thoughts here.
This book will, however, show you simple steps in confronting your fears, working on your thoughts and learning to let go. If that sounds like something you will enjoy then go ahead and pick this one up.
I recommend this book
April 21, 2024
The title really explains itself is a book about finding a way to live more with less.
This is the first book I started and actually finished on Kindle/e-book so congratulations to the author for writing a book interesting enough for me to not give up on it.
It is a short one (only 75 pages) and as many self-help books type some chapters are more relevant to me personally than others but still interesting, I especially liked that it felt as if he was speaking to me and not at me so it was like a lecture with a good talker.
The thing that made this not go to the top star-wise is that it is a short book but there's a book number two I would have liked more if I didn't have the purchase another book on the same topic from the same author and there also was a few things along the way but not big enough to mention.
This is the first book I started and actually finished on Kindle/e-book so congratulations to the author for writing a book interesting enough for me to not give up on it.
It is a short one (only 75 pages) and as many self-help books type some chapters are more relevant to me personally than others but still interesting, I especially liked that it felt as if he was speaking to me and not at me so it was like a lecture with a good talker.
The thing that made this not go to the top star-wise is that it is a short book but there's a book number two I would have liked more if I didn't have the purchase another book on the same topic from the same author and there also was a few things along the way but not big enough to mention.
August 31, 2015
3.5 stars~
"If you can identify those things that truly speak to you, the things that when held in your mind you can feel the truth of them in your gut..."
"You should be a conduit through which emotions travel - fully felt, briefly acknowledged and then sent on their way - not a net that catches, solidifies and justifies them."
"We may think we've found [happiness] in the acquisition of some goal or material pleasure, but ultimately we come to realise that we've been trying to build a palace on a foundation of smoke."
"One must find serenity and simplicity in his own heart first, irrespective of any worldly success or failure."
"If you can identify those things that truly speak to you, the things that when held in your mind you can feel the truth of them in your gut..."
"You should be a conduit through which emotions travel - fully felt, briefly acknowledged and then sent on their way - not a net that catches, solidifies and justifies them."
"We may think we've found [happiness] in the acquisition of some goal or material pleasure, but ultimately we come to realise that we've been trying to build a palace on a foundation of smoke."
"One must find serenity and simplicity in his own heart first, irrespective of any worldly success or failure."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2015
Exactly what the title says
I enjoyed this book primarily because of the positive outlook it provides. With that being said I've read novels similar to this where the concepts are explained with such incredible depth, where as this novel was a quick light read. I'm not saying it was bad, because I did enjoy it but it's just a quick easy read about how to make your life clutter free.
I enjoyed this book primarily because of the positive outlook it provides. With that being said I've read novels similar to this where the concepts are explained with such incredible depth, where as this novel was a quick light read. I'm not saying it was bad, because I did enjoy it but it's just a quick easy read about how to make your life clutter free.
October 8, 2015
I learned a lot. A lot. I accepted a lot too. Of why i am not embracing minimalism and how it was dampening my environment before. It got me thinking to change my stand. I am now trying to be a minimalist because of this book. I understand more now and acting upon more and more. Thank you for opening my eyes. Thank you for making me realize what a better place it could be if i practice such steps. It can make my life easier and happier. Thank you for directing me yo a brighter world.
December 29, 2015
I HAD A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN A FEW YEARS AGO I WAS
FORCED INTO DOWNSIZING. I COULDN'T AFFORD TO LIVE I
THE APARTMENT I WAS IN SO I HAD TO GET RID OF ALOT OF STUFF NOW IN A 1 BEDROOM AND HAPPY ABOUT A SMALLER SPACE I AM SO GLAD NOW THAT I LIVE MORE
SIMPLY. EVERYTHING I OWN I USE THERE IS NO MORE
BUYING WHAT I DON'T NEED OR REALLY WANT. THANK YOU FOR THIS GREAT BOOK WHICH I WILL READ OVER AGAIN.
FORCED INTO DOWNSIZING. I COULDN'T AFFORD TO LIVE I
THE APARTMENT I WAS IN SO I HAD TO GET RID OF ALOT OF STUFF NOW IN A 1 BEDROOM AND HAPPY ABOUT A SMALLER SPACE I AM SO GLAD NOW THAT I LIVE MORE
SIMPLY. EVERYTHING I OWN I USE THERE IS NO MORE
BUYING WHAT I DON'T NEED OR REALLY WANT. THANK YOU FOR THIS GREAT BOOK WHICH I WILL READ OVER AGAIN.
January 4, 2016
"become very conscious of what you are purchasing. Do you really need it? Is it truly going to be useful or contribute to your life some meaningful way? Will it contribute to the simplicity of your daily life or will it actually increase stress and complexity? “
This short common sense book has great quotable lines. Great reminders and a lot of interesting points.
This short common sense book has great quotable lines. Great reminders and a lot of interesting points.
May 20, 2015
The message is good, but the typos and poor proofreading got in the way of its delivery. I think I need to stop reading vanity published, oh excuse me, self published books. Seriously, there is a difference between the word decent and the word descent.
March 12, 2016
The beginning of de-cluttering your life begins inside. Inside your mind that is. No matter how much junk you get rid of, if you don't start changing your mind and habits you will continue to be stressed. Interesting.
June 9, 2016
There was nothing too this book! If you have read anything, ANYTHING about simplicity, you will find nothing new in this book. It was incredibly short, and I felt like my kindle was skipping pages because it seemed that there must be a reason for there being so little content. More like a 1.5
October 31, 2015
Very good.
Very challenging in simplifying your entire life. He does a great job of talking about all the areas and it is more than just throwing away stuff.
Very challenging in simplifying your entire life. He does a great job of talking about all the areas and it is more than just throwing away stuff.
November 17, 2015
I like that this book focuses more on de cluttering within yourself instead of just the material items purging. Definitely worth the short read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews