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Less Stuff: Simple Zero-Waste Steps to a Joyful and Clutter-Free Life
Clutter impacts on our productivity, stresses us out and keeps us stuck. Why do we let our stuff stand in the way of the lives we dream about?
Decluttering is great for our mental wellbeing, and when done right, it can be good for the planet too. When we rehome, repurpose or recycle the things we no longer need, we free up existing resources for others and reclaim our homes with less guilt.
Less Stuff is a guide for people who find it difficult to declutter and who don’t want to see things go to waste. Step by step, you’ll explore finding your ‘enough’, learn how to let go of your old possessions without sending them to landfill, and eventually break the cycle of stuff. The end result is a planet with less strain, a home with more peace and a life with more meaning.
253 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2019
73 people are currently reading
718 people want to read
About the author
Lindsay Miles
7 books19 followersLindsay Miles is an educator, speaker, author and passionate zero waste/plastic-free living advocate helping others live more meaningful lives with less waste and less stuff. She has been sharing ideas, tips, tricks and strategies on her website Treading My Own Path since 2013. Her first book, Less Stuff, was published in 2019 and her second, The Less Waste No Fuss Kitchen was published in June. Originally from the UK, Lindsay now lives in Perth, Western Australia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
October 4, 2019
I'm by no means well-versed in minimalism, zero waste, or anything of the sort, but as a frequent self help audiobook listener, this is definitely one of my favorites. While some familiar ideas were stated, I certainly learned a lot by listening. The author doesn't come across as judge-y which can't be said for all self help books, and she provides relatable, real-life examples and actionable suggestions. I'll definitely be referring to this one again!
April 26, 2019
Lindsay has wrote an excellent book that really tackles WHY we find it so difficult to let go of our stuff. She offers practical advice on how to let go of guilt, and how to move forward with less stuff. A must read for anyone wanting to simplify their belongings and lessen their impact on the planet.
February 10, 2020
I listened to the e-audio book narrated by Rachael Tidd. I am a big fan of Lindsay's blog, "Treading my own path", which I've been reading since 2017.
"Less Stuff" is great for those starting out with decluttering, and it fills the gap left by books like "Spark Joy" (Marie Kondo), which do not address what to do with the stuff you have decided to let go. Lindsay has provided lots of resources for recycling and donating items you don't want. The introductory chapters are helpful at preparing mentally for decluttering, by aligning the process with your values.
Lindsay points out that decluttering is a process that can take time (I started on Marie Kondo's method and am still simplifying three years later) and letting go of things responsibly requires more time, but Lindsay believes that if you give it enough time and effort, you should be able to find a good home for something that is still useful, rather than simply throwing it in the bin or donating it to your local op-shop.
The book inspired me to do another round of decluttering (I already have a lot less stuff than I did three years ago), and the zero-waste philosophy has taught me to be more mindful about what I do with the things I no longer want or need (it's not helpful to give things to people who already have heaps of clutter).
The sentiments in "Less Stuff" that really struck a chord with me were:
- how well read you are has absolutely nothing to do with how many books you own; and
- reconsider every purchase and buy second-hand whenever possible because there is already so much stuff in the world.
Lindsay explains how she overcame her internal resistance by realising that keeping stuff she doesn't use actually means it is going to waste. That is insightful, but I would have liked to hear some more specifics about what she did with the things she decided to let go - most likely we could all relate to her personal story about particular items or types of things she found tricky to let go or work out what to do with, and a bit of this nitty gritty would have made the book more interesting.
"Less Stuff" is great for those starting out with decluttering, and it fills the gap left by books like "Spark Joy" (Marie Kondo), which do not address what to do with the stuff you have decided to let go. Lindsay has provided lots of resources for recycling and donating items you don't want. The introductory chapters are helpful at preparing mentally for decluttering, by aligning the process with your values.
Lindsay points out that decluttering is a process that can take time (I started on Marie Kondo's method and am still simplifying three years later) and letting go of things responsibly requires more time, but Lindsay believes that if you give it enough time and effort, you should be able to find a good home for something that is still useful, rather than simply throwing it in the bin or donating it to your local op-shop.
The book inspired me to do another round of decluttering (I already have a lot less stuff than I did three years ago), and the zero-waste philosophy has taught me to be more mindful about what I do with the things I no longer want or need (it's not helpful to give things to people who already have heaps of clutter).
The sentiments in "Less Stuff" that really struck a chord with me were:
- how well read you are has absolutely nothing to do with how many books you own; and
- reconsider every purchase and buy second-hand whenever possible because there is already so much stuff in the world.
Lindsay explains how she overcame her internal resistance by realising that keeping stuff she doesn't use actually means it is going to waste. That is insightful, but I would have liked to hear some more specifics about what she did with the things she decided to let go - most likely we could all relate to her personal story about particular items or types of things she found tricky to let go or work out what to do with, and a bit of this nitty gritty would have made the book more interesting.
March 24, 2020
A practical book on delcluttering and perfect timing as my sons are moving out in two weeks. I've only gone through one kitchen cupboard and 4 drawers so far and I've been able to give them a 12 person cutlery set, a dining set, wine glasses, mugs, cooking utensils and knives. Imagine what I can give them once I've gone through all the cupboards! And I will have less stuff with nothing going to landfill!
December 24, 2020
Fairly standard in the process of decluttering. There was a stronger-emphasis on zero-waste principles. (Which is why the design format was strange to me. There were a lot of blank spaces and virtually empty pages - random illustrations only. A good 50 pages could have been removed.)
I liked some of the quotes, though!
"We don't need belongings to show other people who we are. We are who we are regardless of what we own, and we must have the confidence to acknowledge that we are enough just as we are, without all of these accessories." p 64
I liked some of the quotes, though!
"We don't need belongings to show other people who we are. We are who we are regardless of what we own, and we must have the confidence to acknowledge that we are enough just as we are, without all of these accessories." p 64
June 16, 2019
Lindsay has created an easy to read manual for all those wanting to simplify their lives and surround themselves with less stuff. Attractive presentation and well organised, this book immediately motivated me to clear out my bedside draw and sign up to my local buy nothing Facebook page in order to give away some of the stuff we no longer need. This guide book through decluttering is useful for those just starting out on their journey, and also for those who have begun but would like to know the next step. A recommended read!
July 12, 2020
I’ve long read Lindsay’s blog, and many others. It’s physically delightful in paper stock and in design; no showing photographs that’d date. Admittedly I read this in support rather than feeling I needed to follow the advice; having, like the author, been on the journey a long while! Nonetheless the times I read it at my friends house, not mine, I was itching to be home and check if there was lingering clutter in some lesser used spaces!!
May 8, 2024
This book walks you through exactly how to declutter and minimize in an environmentally conscious way. The first half of the book is good for people, especially environmental people, just starting out decluttering. The author embodies this, and it is so refreshing and relatable to have her share her challenges with being messy and having too much stuff. She is very engaging, relatable, and her book is straightforward. There are worksheets and clear steps to guide you room by room. If you're more advanced in decluttering, the first half of the book might be old hat for you, a repetition of what you have learned from other authors, etc. However, the second half of the book can be new, beneficial information for more experienced declutterers. It provides detailed information on how to discard items responsibly and environmentally. I thought I knew many of those options but this book provided far more than I had thought of, like community gardens for example. She also provided a wealth of information on how to sell items online that had me jotting down notes. This is a great read for eco-friendly folks who want to declutter and minimize.
February 11, 2022
Lots of good tips and tricks for getting rid of clutter and unused items with as little waste as possible. I read this book from cover to cover, but I think it might be best for skimming, taking what you need from it. It’s definitely not one-size-fits-all, and several sections weren’t particularly useful for me personally. Still, I took away some new ideas and some inspiration!
June 15, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. It inspired me to think about how society is and how to improve the way I live by decluttering things we have in our homes that we think we need because society says so. Now in my home I only have things that I love and are useful. It also ensures things we no longer need go to the right place instead of just landfill. Thanks for writing an amazing book!
October 19, 2020
A well written and practical book. There is no need to read it all at once as it is clearly set out in chapters relating to different areas of the home.
The book covers the reasons why we keep clutter and gives practical and easy step-by-step guides to de-cluttering.
The book covers the reasons why we keep clutter and gives practical and easy step-by-step guides to de-cluttering.
March 5, 2021
A really down to earth guide for the every day man, woman and child leading busy lives. So many simple tips on how to simplify your life and ease the pressures on our precious planet Earth. This isn’t militant “eco-warrior” stuff, this is plain & simple, common sense
May 22, 2025
Nice approach and covered different basics than a lot of decluttering books. The decluttering process was relatively similar to many others but the actual getting rid of systems she talked through were more indepth than most. Her focus was trying to not waste items and making sure items got to the best location after leaving her own life. She included the clause that it is okay if you don't have energy to think through the destination of each object and trash or donate everything, yet also spent a good amount of time providing resources and ideas to conscientiously dispose of your past possessions. Also listening the venacular of the UK and Australia made repetitive decluttering concepts seem new.
August 2, 2025
hey it’s cute and provides structured examples and reasoning ! I don’t actually know why I wanted to read it, but hey!
April 11, 2020
Gleaned a few more tidbits of information about how to declutter that I hadn’t learned yet from other minimalism/zero waste books!
December 21, 2025
Good ideas, and advice on how to approach organizing and decluttering. I felt it was geared to the novice organizer. I didn’t find anything new here.
April 11, 2025
This book would be very helpful to someone that has a hard time organizing and getting rid of stuff. Listened on audiobook
July 2, 2019
Good general ideas, but felt a little non-specific. Pretty layout, but even that gave it a vague kind of feel. Other reviewers have mentioned “manual” and “psychology” but I found it to be neither.
September 20, 2020
This is a beginner’s guide to minimalism/low waste. It’s not intended for those of us who already know a bit about these areas.
The resources section was most helpful for me, though it was geared mainly toward Australia, the author’s home country.
The resources section was most helpful for me, though it was geared mainly toward Australia, the author’s home country.
February 17, 2020
While many of the tips in this book will be familiar to frequent decluttering book readers, its focus on disposing of unwanted items through various routes BEFORE turning to the recycling or trash bin makes the book unusual. The resources for alternate disposal routes are particularly useful for people who are new to zero-waste practices or who don’t realize there are alternatives to donating to charity shops or trashing/recycling items. The author also helpfully focuses on keeping new stuff from coming into your home once you’ve decluttered, and introduces the use of a high- vs low-impact / high- vs low-effort matrix to assist in decluttering planning. For example, if it’s easy for you to sort through your kitchen stuff and that will free up a lot of space and make the kitchen easier to use every day, start there. If it’ll be difficult to go through all the boxes in your basement and cleaning that area won’t have much effect on your day-to-day life, save that tidying project for later in your process.
July 20, 2019
For decluttering beginners, this is perfect. A good place to start, easy to read. Author is open with her struggle, which is refreshing. A variation on Marie Kondo's 'how to', she's a bit more relaxed (flexible) in how you go about things. And she's honest that it takes time. There are a few cliches in the writing 'the journey is just as important as the destination', but it's fine for a beginner. She touches on the clutter tendencies in everyone, and has some interesting resources - nice to see some Australian sites.
August 12, 2019
Good book! Different take on both zero waste and decluttering. I read alot of books on these topics and still found some new ideas in this book.
November 25, 2019
The book is inspirational encouranging people to take stock of what they have and have not. Worth a read
February 3, 2020
Love the zero waste approach to decluttering, and very practical approach
February 29, 2024
I LOVE STUFF. Trinkets! Baubles! Doodads, even! My room is an archive of past and present hobbies and hyperfixations. Problem is I don't have a whole lot of space. The clutter is overwhelming and honestly, my online shopping has become less cute and more concerning since 2020. At the same time, I hate contributing to the floating ocean garbage piles.
This book has put to words my experience, emotions, and predicament for the last 4 years. It's an excellent guide for decluttering realistically and conscientiously. The author provides actionable advice; going room by room, you can take what you need and leave what you don't.
She is gentle but firm in her assessments. When she said, "we can't organize our way to less stuff.. more storage is not the answer to too much stuff, less stuff is the answer to too much stuff" I was gagged. Or when she asked, "what are you holding on to it for? are you projecting thoughts of how you'd like yourself or your life to be (your fantasy self) onto your clothing?" shes so right Im never going to be a size xs again!! and if my weight changes, I can buy more clothes so why keep the crop top from a decade ago???
My two most important takeaways:
1. You can admire beauty without having to possess it. Mindblowing, I know. That one's a work in progress but so far it's a mantra that's kept me from ordering anything from Flower Knows Cosmetics.
2. Reframe your idea of "waste". It is more wasteful to keep things you don't need than to let them be used to their full potential. Acknowledge poor buying choices, forgive yourself, and do better next time. Keeping things out of guilt just leaves you with a physical reminder of that guilt.
Lastly, I recommend the audiobook. Its like a nice, calm Australian lady holding your hand.
This book has put to words my experience, emotions, and predicament for the last 4 years. It's an excellent guide for decluttering realistically and conscientiously. The author provides actionable advice; going room by room, you can take what you need and leave what you don't.
She is gentle but firm in her assessments. When she said, "we can't organize our way to less stuff.. more storage is not the answer to too much stuff, less stuff is the answer to too much stuff" I was gagged. Or when she asked, "what are you holding on to it for? are you projecting thoughts of how you'd like yourself or your life to be (your fantasy self) onto your clothing?" shes so right Im never going to be a size xs again!! and if my weight changes, I can buy more clothes so why keep the crop top from a decade ago???
My two most important takeaways:
1. You can admire beauty without having to possess it. Mindblowing, I know. That one's a work in progress but so far it's a mantra that's kept me from ordering anything from Flower Knows Cosmetics.
2. Reframe your idea of "waste". It is more wasteful to keep things you don't need than to let them be used to their full potential. Acknowledge poor buying choices, forgive yourself, and do better next time. Keeping things out of guilt just leaves you with a physical reminder of that guilt.
Lastly, I recommend the audiobook. Its like a nice, calm Australian lady holding your hand.
October 19, 2020
Want to declutter your home or living space but don’t know how to do it responsibly? I highly recommend reading Lindsay's beautifully designed, down to earth book. When I first heard that Lindsay was publishing a book I immediately asked my local library to purchase copies for their collection because I knew it would be a valuable resource (based on all the helpful advice I had read on her blog) and I wanted fellow Brisbane residents to have easy access to it (especially those with tight budgets). Thankfully my suggestion was accepted and I was the first person in the queue for when it was released. Lindsay has packed the pages with practical, realistic advice and guides you through the decluttering processes in a non-judgemental way, giving you motivation when you need it the most. There are tips for sorting your possessions, redistributing unwanted items and keeping clutter at bay (including a nifty section about reducing the amount of advertising material you encounter in your day-to-day life). After reading the book, it’s clear that storage solutions won’t solve our problems and that as a society we buy way too much stuff. Surplus ‘stuff’ kept in storage is a wasted resource and we should be passing on or lending under-utilised/unwanted possessions to divert them from landfill and give them new life. I found it very useful to also learn about organisations outside of Australia (mostly in the UK and US) that are helping to reduce waste and boost the sharing economy.
February 11, 2021
As someone who’s read tons online about zero-waste solutions and avidly from all things related to minimizing.
This book truly pulled it all together.
📖
I first tried to become zero-waste about 3 years ago and it has been a really drawn out process...
I've been searching for a place where zero-waste and minimalism meet,
Ultimately, wasting less is the goal for both.
I never quite attached that to thought.
This book helped so so much with the why they make sense together.
Along with how to explain this to others the connections and reasoning behind reducing waste.
With zero-waste I went to gung-ho at first and my partner wasn't ready for my hair to smell of ACV and the whole safety razor endeavour. Bit by bit we are reducing our impact 😪
___
I thoroughly enjoyed the simple yet beautiful layout of the book and very much devoured the insight.
Each step felt as though the author was right there with you on your struggles, she offers solutions that not only make sense but are easy to put into action.
Having an author see at your level is not a common theme with these “all-knowing self-help gurus” I've seen around.
I know it's unlikely for this meagre review to be read however.... Thank you for helping me put words to describe where and how zero-waste together and thank you for the fantastic practical advice.
I will definitely be looking back on this book frequently and recommending it to others 🤩
This book truly pulled it all together.
📖
I first tried to become zero-waste about 3 years ago and it has been a really drawn out process...
I've been searching for a place where zero-waste and minimalism meet,
Ultimately, wasting less is the goal for both.
I never quite attached that to thought.
This book helped so so much with the why they make sense together.
Along with how to explain this to others the connections and reasoning behind reducing waste.
With zero-waste I went to gung-ho at first and my partner wasn't ready for my hair to smell of ACV and the whole safety razor endeavour. Bit by bit we are reducing our impact 😪
___
I thoroughly enjoyed the simple yet beautiful layout of the book and very much devoured the insight.
Each step felt as though the author was right there with you on your struggles, she offers solutions that not only make sense but are easy to put into action.
Having an author see at your level is not a common theme with these “all-knowing self-help gurus” I've seen around.
I know it's unlikely for this meagre review to be read however.... Thank you for helping me put words to describe where and how zero-waste together and thank you for the fantastic practical advice.
I will definitely be looking back on this book frequently and recommending it to others 🤩
January 13, 2022
It is more wasteful to keep something you do not use than it is to give it away.
What??? [I am a hoarder; not a really bad one, but I do like to have all the books, stationery supplies, sewing stuff etc. One day I will get around to...]
I read this in audiobook which is not the right format for it, really. It would be better to have a link to click on. She is Australian but does give International options.
The idea is: once you have Marie Kondo’d your house what the heck do you do with everything? Throwing it all in the trash feels both wasteful and is so bad for the environment. We’ve had a charity/ give away bag in the hall for many years, but what are your other options? Especially at a time when charity stores are overwhelmed with not enough staff and too many people dumping all their trash onto them.
If you really believe in reusing things, should you repair the hand bag or shoes you dislike and THEN sell it or give it away? If you keep all your glass jars or empty toilet paper rolls, there will be someone out there who wants them; it might take a bit of effort from you, though.
Lots to think about. And the author is on Instagram if you wanted to follow her
[https://www.instagram.com/treadingmyo...
3 stars
What??? [I am a hoarder; not a really bad one, but I do like to have all the books, stationery supplies, sewing stuff etc. One day I will get around to...]
I read this in audiobook which is not the right format for it, really. It would be better to have a link to click on. She is Australian but does give International options.
The idea is: once you have Marie Kondo’d your house what the heck do you do with everything? Throwing it all in the trash feels both wasteful and is so bad for the environment. We’ve had a charity/ give away bag in the hall for many years, but what are your other options? Especially at a time when charity stores are overwhelmed with not enough staff and too many people dumping all their trash onto them.
If you really believe in reusing things, should you repair the hand bag or shoes you dislike and THEN sell it or give it away? If you keep all your glass jars or empty toilet paper rolls, there will be someone out there who wants them; it might take a bit of effort from you, though.
Lots to think about. And the author is on Instagram if you wanted to follow her
[https://www.instagram.com/treadingmyo...
3 stars
June 7, 2025
I just finished reading Less Stuff by Lindsay Miles, and I highly recommend it to anyone who feels overwhelmed by clutter or wants to live more intentionally. This book shifted the way I think about waste—not just in the traditional “trash” sense, but in how we waste space, energy, and opportunity by holding onto things we don’t use.
One idea that really stuck with me was the notion that even if something isn’t in the trash, it can still be wasted if it’s sitting untouched in our homes while someone else out there could be using it. It helped me realize that clutter isn’t just a physical burden—it’s a missed opportunity for someone else, and often an emotional weight for us.
Lindsay also reframes guilt around letting go of items. Just because something was cheap or easy to get doesn’t mean we have to keep it forever “just in case.” If we’re not using it, we can release it (by donating, selling, or responsibly discarding), knowing that if we truly need it again, it’ll be just as easy to replace.
Less Stuff isn’t about rigid minimalism—it’s about freedom, sustainability, and living in a way that feels lighter, both physically and mentally. A great read for anyone looking to simplify their space and rethink their relationship with things.
One idea that really stuck with me was the notion that even if something isn’t in the trash, it can still be wasted if it’s sitting untouched in our homes while someone else out there could be using it. It helped me realize that clutter isn’t just a physical burden—it’s a missed opportunity for someone else, and often an emotional weight for us.
Lindsay also reframes guilt around letting go of items. Just because something was cheap or easy to get doesn’t mean we have to keep it forever “just in case.” If we’re not using it, we can release it (by donating, selling, or responsibly discarding), knowing that if we truly need it again, it’ll be just as easy to replace.
Less Stuff isn’t about rigid minimalism—it’s about freedom, sustainability, and living in a way that feels lighter, both physically and mentally. A great read for anyone looking to simplify their space and rethink their relationship with things.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews