Customer Reviews

The Simple Living Guide: A Sourcebook for Less Stressful, More Joyful Living

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is really the best book if you are trying to simplify your life. I have read many others, and although they all have good points, this book gets to the heart of the matter. There are also many examples of how to make your life more simple and enjoy it more.

If you are looking to join the simple living movement, start with this book first. Then, if you are hooked get some others, they will just help you with what you have already learned. I wish everyone would read this book, we may just have a better world if they did. It is nice to have the focus off of consumer spending and keeping up with the latest trends, and putting the focus back on the simple pleasures in life.

Janet Luhrs brings her experience as the editor of Simple Living: The Journal of Voluntary Simplicity to the Simple Living Guide. Over 400 pages, this compendium of ideas for "less stressful, more joyful living" is heavy on the many philosophical ideas that fall under the simple living umbrella. In 14 topical chapters ranging from Money to Virtues Luhrs balances her occasionally redundant reflections with sidebars highlighting case studies, offering tips, and providing the nuts & bolts how-to's. Some of these are tremendously helpful and/or interesting. For example, in the chapter on Simple Pleasures and Romance, there is an article by Kirk S. Nevin about his family's decision to live without electricity or plumbing; and the chapter on Inner Simplicity includes a very practical article on dealing with insomnia.

Other sidebars are less helpful, more a mish-mash of 12-step generalisms, such as Luhrs' list of the 28 secrets to happiness, including "get organized," "be humble" and "learn from the past, plan for the future, and live in the present".

My two primary criticisms are that most of the ideas in this book are available elsewhere (see The Tightwad Gazette or Your Money or Your Life) and that some ideas aren't included. There is almost nothing here about permaculture, for example, and very little attempt at introducing serious or radical sustainability.

This book is a great primer for people who may have never encountered simple living philosophies before; however, those steeped in an already-intentional lifestyle will find little here that is new.

This is by far the best and most comprehensive guide I've read on the subject of simple living. If you're looking for something more in a deeply religious, Zen or philosophical vein, you should go elsewhere. But what I appreciated most about Luhrs' approach was her constant reminder that BALANCE is the key for most of us. She avoids the preachy tone many authors fall into on this subject, and tends to stay on the practical plane. The resources listed at the end of each chapter are worth the price of the book alone, where I found many titles I didn't know about. So if you want to go deeper, go lighter, or in another direction, you'll certainly find something in the resource guides. Very nicely written, too.

Yes, you will find lots of money saving ideas here, but this book and the lifestyle it promotes, will appeal mainly to miserly types. You needn't beat yourself up for every penny you spend, nor should you reduce your entire life to a mad hunt for additional money saving ideas. If you spend as much time planning a sensible investment approach, you will enjoy life more and come out ahead in the end. And you just might become rich--and guilt free!

Simply put, this book, along with The Complete Tightwad Gazette, have changed my life radically. The best part of this book is the constant reassurance that each journey is different from others and that it is up to me to figure out what is best for my life. So many other "simple" books made me feel that if I didn't do it exactly their way, I was a failure at simple living. I especially enjoyed reading about others and their journeys; this made the whole subject more real for me.

We dream of a good life, one that is not cluttered by mounting stress, by deadlines, by worries about money. We dream of a more fulfilling way to live. Unfortunately simple living is an art that one probably never truly achieves, but I think journey is far more important than the goal itself. "The Simple Living Guide" is a guide to beginning your own journey to a simpler and more fulfilling life. While the book can be read as a whole, cover to cover, it seems to read best when broken down into its individual chapters. The reader is invited to begin their process of simplification where and when they are ready leaving other area for later. I began my journey three years ago dealing with the clutter that I, and so many other Americans, gather around ourselves for no other reason than it is expected to have more than we need. Cleaning and exorcising my home of useless kitchen appliances, clothes I could no longer wear, and knick knacks pretending to be works of art was a painful process but one made easier by Ms. Luhrs book. Cleaning out my home led me to simplify my budget, and then to simplify my leisure activities, and most recently to simplify my career.

Ms. Luhrs presents us with the fact that simplifying is a process. One cannot just simplify one area of life and call it good. Every time you change and improve one area it radiates and effects every other area of your life. For example once you start simplifying your budget to save money it leads you to question how you spend your time, where you live, your quality of life, even the birthday gifts you give.

The entire book is written in a warm, personal manner, often if feels as if one is having a conversation with the author rather than reading text. The advice presented is not only practical advice but philosophic or spiritual advice as well. Inner simplicity means thinking some thoughts that are occasionally rather deep. The fact that there is philosophy presented in this book is not a detraction from the book but a distinct positive. There are books about saving money and managing time out there but Ms. Luhrs asks us to pause a moment and ask just what we want from more money or more time. Life changes are always easier when you have an idea of where you are going and why you are making the journey in the first place

"The Simple Living Guide" invites you to take your time, to think about your life and to grow while you simplify. What could be more simple?

This should be the gift you get for everyone including yourself.
It really did change my life, my attitude, and way of living. It is great to pick up every once in a while and read again. ... She approaches all aspects of life with a fresh perspective that has helped me get through the rougher parts of life and helped me to enjoy the wonderful times more. Thanks to Janet Luhrs for writing such a great book!

This is one great book chock full of so many helpful tips on how to make your life more simple and the rationale for doing so. The author touches on everything from meditation to housing and work to physical health and travel. Scattered throughout are examples of people who are following their own path to simplicity. There are tips on saving on travel that I've never seen elsewhere. The author has also included tons of references so you know where to go to do more reading. A great book you'll probaby refer to time and time again!

I received this book two days ago and I cannot put it down. It has so many good ideas and new perspectives. This book is not just about "living simply," a phrase which may carry negative or lukewarm connotations for some readers. It is a book about living well and living fully, whatever that means to each individual reader. Luhrs presents her ideas, gives examples from her own life or from the lives of others, and then leaves the rest up to the reader. Her philosophy does not come across as heavy-handed.

I have skipped around to many of the different chapters, and have appreciated them all. Of particular note are the chapters on money, inner simplicity, cooking and nutrition, and health and exercise. Her ideas about "I don't have time for (fill in the blank)" are so useful. So often we go through life on "automatic pilot," to use Luhrs' phrase. The question is often not "do I have time" but really "do I want to." Luhrs encourages and challenges her readers to actually make choices in life, not just make excuses.

This book is a gem. I will be using and adapting Luhrs' ideas in my own life. If you are at all searching in your life, do consider reading this book.

When I picked up this book, I thought it would be a book about reorganizing my closet and simplifying my financial life. You know-- a few tips here and there. It is, and it isn't.

It elevates the concept of living a simple and modest life almost to a religious fervor then dives into chapter after chapter of examples, inspirational anecdotes, and how-to information. It made me reevaluate why I had a cell phone and pager (and other financial decisions I had made).

Although I never quit my job and went to live in a cave, I did take control of my situation and made some smart decisions, which prepared me for the technology downturn. Some of my ex-coworkers weren't so lucky.

Luhrs has created an inspirational handbook on how to simplifying your life from the ground up, albeit with a philosophical bent.