Choosing Simplicity: Real People Finding Peace And Fulfillment In A Complex World

by Linda Breen Pierce

This ground breaking work goes beyond the books that tell you how to simplify your life. This book reveals what has happened in the lives of real people who have done it. Based on the author's three-year study of over 200 people from 40 states and eight countries, Choosing Simplicity is a delightful and rich blend of real-life profiles and guidelines on simplicity. Interwoven throughout the stories are the author's insights and guidance for those who want to explore simplicity and those who have already embarked on this journey. The book also includes a 16-page Resource Guide with reviews of 42 books on simplicity, information on related web sites, organizations, simplicity study circles, workshops, newsletters and magazines.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Green, Memoir, Sociology

348 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Rene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome and inspiring! This book is personal to me on so many levels. If I could verbalize my life right now, it would look very similar to this book. I just never knew it could be written in such a meaningful way. Choosing simplicity is more than just becoming conscious about consumerism. Choosing simplicity often brings us a more heightened spirituality, brings us closer to nature, gives us more insight into how our spending affects the environment, helps us appreciate a quieter life with less anxiety and helps us to live more deliberately. Very well written with tons of insight.

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nice little book of folks and their tales on the road to voluntary simplicity...and in a few cases, not so voluntary. Parts of it were interesting, parts of it dragged, and I wasn't crazy about the writing style, but it is encouraging enough to make you feel that you CAN have a more simple lifestyle if you set your mind to it.

[Carrie LeAnne · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me FOREVER to finish this book. I found it quite repetitive, dragging on at times and I didn't particularly care for the writing style. However, there were numerous passages I highlighted, so I did get something from the book. I think the most interesting thing was how many different ways there are to embrace simplicity in one's life - the term meaning something different to each person. The key, perhaps, is to answer that question in your own life and then embrace it fully.

[Chuck · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh. The sections where the author adds her own thoughts are patronizing and repetitive. The book is certainly dated, as it’s from right around the beginning of the Internet. I often found myself thinking how different these stories would be in the current world, especially now with social media.

[Marjorie Elwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

The results from the Pierce Simplicity Study are explored through stories of different people and how they simplified their lives, grouped thematically. Their experiences span the gamut: from people who are financially independent, to people who live on a bare minimum, to people who still hold jobs. I found some inspiration in the book.

[Stella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting stories, but a bit repetitive.

[Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although the book is starting to feel a little dated, there were many good stories in this book. Linda compiles the stories from dozens of responses to her survey together in logical categories that make this book easy to read a section at a time. There is pretty much a story in this book that nearly everyone could identify with. There are also a few stories that most people would say don't apply to their own lives, but it is still fascinating to hear about the lives of others. It is probably not as inspirational as some of the other more popular books on simplicity, but this is still a good read if taken one story or section at a time.

[Mikayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book tells the stories of different people throughout the U.S. who have chosen to live "simply." This means something different to all of those who were surveyed, but a common thread is that they eschew unnecessary material possessions in favor of financial stability, in some cases even attaining financial independence.

The book repeats many of the same points over and over again, sometimes even reusing the exact same phrasing in different parts. That being said, what I really enjoyed were the stories of people's lives. There were a couple different people whose way of life really resonated with me, and got me daydreaming. I've always known that I don't care so much about a career in the typical sense, but now I have validation that there are many others out there who feel the same.

There is also a quite substantial book list at the end, and I sure do love book lists!

***
"I can't believe we drove around all day, and there's not a single job in this town. There is nothing, nada, zip!"
"Yeah! Unless you wanna work forty hours a week."
- Harry and Lloyd in Dumb & Dumber

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Choosing Simplicity: Real People Finding Peace and Fulfillment in a Complex World by Linda Breen Pierce is filled with stories of real people who have chosen to well, live simply. I found the stories inspiring and enlightening. I was nodding along in agreement with the things I do now and the wishes and dreams I have for the future. I enjoyed reading the variety of perspectives and appreciate that the author emphasized that there's no exact formula for this type of life style.

This book affirmed many of the choices I've made about the of life I choose to lead and I am hopeful that I will learn to escape the habit of working so often. My only criticism is that there is some repetitive material and the author plugs the book "Your Money or Your Life," way too many times. However, looking past that this book gives you lots to think about and good resources are included.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me a long time, but fittingly I finished this book on the day I made a big (and simplicity-aligned) career decision official. The book has a great premise but is just too long. The anecdotes and chapter themes don't vary enough, so there's a sense of reading the same material over and over. The author also has some kind of obsession with the book "Your Money or Your Life," which must have been mentioned 50 times.

[Jess Gill · Rating 3 out of 5]

filled with stories of ways in which people simplified their lives. i did like reading about simplicity from a variety of perspectives, and appreciated that the author took ample time to emphasize that there's no exact formula for this type of life style, but felt parts of the book seemed redundant (i.e. needed to be simplified!). there also seemed to be far too many instances of plugging several books - it felt almost as if they were being advertised through the text.

[Gerald Thomson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very inspiring book, giving many examples of what living on purpose looks like. The subjects of this book look at time, work, money, relationships and leisure, in a very unconventional way. Though the book leans very much toward the environmentalist and new age way of thinking, the end result is that the readers can find motivation to think outside the norm when choosing how to live their lives.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a quick read. The author conducted a study of people who have made counter-cultural decisions regarding time and money, drew some conclusions, and shared their stories. I liked the variety of issues she touched on, allowing very different types of people to "simplify" in their own ways without passing judgement. For this reason, the book is full of ideas for thinking differently about relationships, spending, work, schooling, urban/rural living, food, vacation, retirement, etc.

[January · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read several books on simplicity but this one is my favorite by far. It was refreshing to get so many different ways to practice simplicity instead of just the author's. Many of the ideas presented here, I'm already doing. And one idea I've already started enacting is simplifying my menu. By routinizing my diet, I hope to take the stress out of meal prep, watching my meat intake, and counting my calories. This is worth a reread as I travel down the road to simplification.

[Roxanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't think I can really be trivial about it at the moment. Extremely resonant. Validating, in a kind of Is that what you call what I've been thinking?!? way.

Ironic: I got this in the $1 pile at Barnes & Noble. In Ithaca? Also resonant in that Holy crap, I'm cheap and this was a good book way.

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

While written in 2000, the current economic crisis makes this a perfect time to read or re-read this book. It does an excellent job of explaining voluntary simplicity and how its definition will vary from person to person. In short interviews, many types of enthusiasts describe their motivations and their lifestyles. Gives one lots to think about. Good resources included.

[Desiree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book about those who have actually made the change to living the "Simple Life" (no, not like the Paris Hilton TV show). Gives great ideas and tells stories of people and how they were able to restructure their lives so that they weren't frantically running from work to activities, etc.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually, this turns out to be one of the best simple living books I've read so far. Although it's a little dated, it includes details about the lives of many folks living simply and the life decisions they've made to simplify. Nicely done.

[Millie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I found the tone friendly and educational, and the study had a good amount of research to draw on. It was very inspiring to read about so many different lifestyles in one book, and I think it's a book that more people should read.

[HadiDee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the stories of people's lives but as for the rest this was a slow and ponderous read. What struck me is that the stories were not so much of people choosing simplicity but giving themselves permission to think about what they really wanted and needed from their lives... and choosing it.

[Stephen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good concept/message but poorly written. Really disjointed structure in the majority of the book where you have accounts of different people's lives and the perspective keeps shifting for no good reason.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Multiple stories of real people downsizing, or rightsizing. Lots of great ideas for all stages of life from a young person just starting out, to an older retired person. A tiny bit dated in some areas, but very helpful to obtain some great ideas to live simply.

[Amy Buringrud · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm hard to please when it comes to Voluntary Simplicity. I guess I wanted to read something new on the topic, but didn't find it here.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really affirmed many of the choices I've made about the kind of life I lead.

[Lisa]

Life

[Caryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Filled with lots of stories of people who are choosing simplicity in the modern world. This is a different way to view life and what we do.

[Katrina Dreamer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit formulaic, but it was enlightening to read how people had simplified their lives.

[Jen (bookscoffeedogs) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked to hear other peoples takes on what living simply means to them, because of course it is different for all of us, very motivational...can't wait to live in Carmel like the author! hahahaha

[Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, real-life examples of those who are simplifying. The author serves as a guide who helps the reader determine how simplicity could be applied in his/her life.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable exploration of the lives of real people living simply. It is interested to hear why they made the choice to live a simple life and the varied lifestyles they lead.