Customer Reviews

The Joy of Less, a Minimalist Living Guide

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

 

 

I find Francine Jay's "The Joy of Less" to be an indispensable tool for anyone thinking of seriously downsizing the stuff in their lives. It provides articulate discussion of various definitions of what has traditionally become known as stuff, rationalizes reasons for getting rid of it, and offers plans for removing unwanted possessions. The process of acquiring a simpler lifestyle that is less encumbered is not an easy one. As Jay points out, it starts with developing a mindset that recognizes the need for significant change. Her acrostic `STREAMLINE' offers a number of practical criteria for making it happen. For example, one thing goes out for everything that comes in. Also, we must be ready to identify the real function of what we own. An inventory of this score will eliminate the articles that gather dust and have mere sentimental value. To really get down to the nitty-gritties of chucking out, Jay takes her readers through a room-by-room survey of what a workable plan might look like. In the end, the rewards for clearing the proverbial stable are immense: the freeing up of space, money and time. As one who has recently, with the help and direction of my wife, downsized in preparation for a move into a smaller living space, all of what Jay says here makes sense. There are numerous ways to get rid of things that threaten to choke off our very existences, and Jay's book is a good place to start.

This is a great book if you've just tapped into what minimalism is. Francine does an amazing job explaining why this isn't a 'fad', but rather an ideology that is an important factor in achieving harmony and figuring out who we are and what we want to become. In her book, Francine covers all the basics: seeing stuff for what it is, the benefits of removing unnecessary clutter from our lives (both physical and emotional), and the steps to take in order to make it happen. As an author, Francine is incredibly accessible (at [...]) and makes the idea of minimalism appealing and beneficial to undertake.

Well I started to read this book just before Christmas and I could not put it down. The book spoke to me! I started using the philosophy before I even finished the book! My family thinks I am crazy, but I truly feel that the book makes sense. The book is very clear and well written and most of all motivating! I would recommend it to anyone. In fact, I have a wait list of friends who want to read it too....

I purchased this book a couple of weeks ago and I am very disappointed...
Well, I can't say I am a maximalist, but it is always nice to pare down your stuff: see what you have, what you don't use...
The book is fun and very well written. Authors discuss the things that we use on daily bases and don't think of...
Author tells as something like "My husband and I don't have a TV. Think how often you watch it... "
I have a TV, I don't watch it too often, but I am not going to throw it away, even if there is a lot of ads which are asking us to buy this and that.
Author is screaming out loud that you should have LESS AND LESS AND LESS stuff however suggests to use YOUR BASEMENT to store all the stuff you use rarely.
First of all, I don't know how most of your basements look like, but mine is clean and tidy: it is my office and an extra living room/gum. Secondly, I am surprised, how limited the book audience is. There is not a single word of what to do when you live in apartments, don't have a basement and might not even have garage. I truly don't believe that clutter is a 'house owners' priority.
Also, I didn't like the fact that the book tells you to throw out all your extra 4 staplers (whatever extra items), when you only use one. Yes, it makes clutter, but clutter when it doesn't belong to the certain place. But I spent money and time buying them. If my stapler breaks down (and don't tell me that I shouldn't have any 'if' here), why would I have to go to the store, spend my money AGAIN and waste my priceless time? Maybe that's just me (one plate is extreme for me), but I would prefer to have all I have but in order, rather than giving them away. And I don't get why the second black sweater makes the clutter, if you already have one?
The thing that 'killed' me is the 'motivation' to declutter your skin, nail and hair care items. Don't straight or curl your hair and don't even color it when it becomes grey.
I am horrified of this advice. I am from Europe (where all women look faultlessly) and came to Canada a couple of years ago. Don't ask me how surprised I was when I saw an older lady with long grey hair. I now understand where all those things come from. Nobody withdraw the rule of carefully looking after yourself! And how does this apply to a minimalist life style?

Overall... The book is a madness obsession of having less stuff,'more money'. Author tries to tell us that we don't need much (our floor, a blouse and a pair of pants, a plastic container, a plate, a cup and a spoon would be enough). This opinion has all rights to exist.
My opinion: don't waste your time to read, get up and sort your things, nobody knows better then you what you need and where.

I found this book very helpfully, bringing up many things I had not thought on my own. Also it was very inspiring and pushed me to be able to let go of so many things and feel better. Iv'e suggested it to many people and I have my brother and friend fighting over who is to get it next.

I got more out of the philosophy than the room by room. There's a decided slant toward female readers, and a mildly annoying tendency to over-anthropomorphize 'stuff' (in the way it "creeps, hides, multiplies" etc), but otherwise, decent.

The Joy of Less is an awesome read, great motivator to get you to not only get moving but also the motivation to re-think your stuff.
Decluttering is one thing, but when I read to make a list of every single item in your home, from the package of toothpicks, list of items in your junk drawer, etc., it really puts into prospective what does and doesn't matters, and get you to move it on out.
Well worth the read and an awesome Christmas gift for everyone on your shopping list.
Highly recommend!