The Joy Of Less, A Minimalist Living Guide: How To Declutter, Organize, And Simplify Your Life (2010) - Plot & Excerpts
The first part of "The Joy of Less" is brilliant and inspiring. Jay outlines a process for working through one's clutter, a room or a drawer at a time, and winnowing out the unnecessary, unused, and/or un-beautiful. I read "Joy of Less" during a traumatic moving experience and it helped me create a huge pile for curbside pickup, 30 boxes for charitable donation pickup, and about 20 boxes of book donations. I have been successful (mostly) in keeping almost everything off my kitchen and bathroom counters and table; it does improve one's energy level and clear one's mind. I have no doubt that clutter bogs down one's creativity and spirits.Jay is especially on target when she writes about guilt associated with keeping "stuff." Who can possibly benefit if the declutterer keeps an old lace tablecloth that does not fit his or her style only because it belonged to great-grandma? This leads to guilt and resentment. Why not give it to another relative who does want it or donate it so that someone who will love it? People do not need stuff around to remind them of good times. The memories will still be there without the stuff. Jay recommends a carefully curated treasure box of limited size--a great idea. Children can help curate their own boxes rather than cram attics and (heaven forbid) external storage facilities with years and years of every school essay and piece of art. Jay takes her enthusiasm a bit to far when she attempts to generalize her own decluttering efforts to territory that is sacred to others. Maybe Jay doesn't want art on her walls or beauty in her yard, preferring to get her fixes at art galleries and botanic gardens, but one size does not fit all here. Her suggestion that 25 neighbors could share one lawnmower could conceivably lead to more strife than the peace gained by not having the clutter of a lawnmower in one's garage. The suggestion that one round up unwanted and clutter-inducing mini-bottles shampoos and lotions and put them in a gift box for a friend could result in one fewer friend--but maybe that is the point. If this is not a desired result, take a big black magic marker and expunge all references to giving one's weeded crap to friends as unsolicited gifts. Better to let someone who really wants it purchase it at the Goodwill store. Always searching for used, rather than new, items is also a dubious practice and can eat up a tremendous amount of time. Shopping for a dress to attend a special event in the thrift and consignment shops and raiding friends' closets before checking out the shops seems to me a waste of time. Maybe Jay can get along without duplicates in the kitchen (e.g. of measuring cups, pans, measuring spoons), but most cooks will need a better supply than that. And her idea that wine is just fine in an ordinary tumbler rather than a wineglass insults the wine (and the guest). Rules about checking e-mail only twice a day and restricting "hobbies" to twice a week may work for Jay, but everyone works and plays differently. Jay's scheme for avoiding clutter buildup, however, is brilliant. Before leaving a room, put away stray stuff (especially in the kitchen and especially dirty dishes). Once the wedding guest has purchased new clothing, he or she should find something to discard. In my experience, this is always possible. And her concept of "limits" means that you don't purchase clothing that will not fit in your closet or drawer (unless you remove something), or dishes that will not fit in your cupboard. An easy read for our book club and perfect timing for spring cleaning. As I read, I occasionally "patted myself on the back" or justified my reasoning because her words rang true with me. I can see there are still areas in which I can improve, minimizing my stuff and saying no when life gets hectic. But overall, I feel that I do find joy in less. I love the fact that she mentions near the end that we should be looking for ways to free up some time so that we can truly enjoy our surroundings and our life and our family. In today's society, busy is best. I disagree. And I appreciated the author's honesty in reminding me of my priorities. Having less allows for greater appreciation and more joy in the journey.
What do You think about The Joy Of Less, A Minimalist Living Guide: How To Declutter, Organize, And Simplify Your Life (2010)?
Great overall concept although repetitive at times when going through each room.
—Taylornicole432
I found the author's tone very off-putting. No new ideas.
—Bourne
A lot of good ideas for becoming a minimalist.
—gdorvelewis
