Today I have some exciting news to share with you: my second book has been published!
It’s called The Joy of Less, A Minimalist Living Guide: How to Declutter, Organize, and Simplify Your Life.
Here’s a look at the front and back covers:
As most of you know, I started this blog after I moved to the UK—a relocation that involved selling most of my possessions, and starting my minimalist life anew.
Before that, however, I was in the same position as many of you: I had too much stuff, and wanted to pare down. My things weighed on me like hundreds of little anchors, draining me of my time, my money, and my energy.
So one day I made a decision: I stopped buying things, and started to declutter. And to my delight, what I’d expected to be a rather onerous task was absolutely exhilarating! I decluttered in the morning, in the evening, on the weekends, and in my dreams. When I wasn’t actually decluttering, I was planning what I could declutter next.
The entire process was an amazing time in my life: with each passing day, I felt a little bit lighter, a little more serene, a little more free. The less stuff I was burdened with, the more possibilities life seemed to hold.
I began to sing the praises of minimalist living to anyone who would listen, and was surprised at the positive response I received. I discovered that a great many people wanted to declutter their homes and simplify their lives—but for the most part, just didn’t know where to start.
That’s why I wrote The Joy of Less. The book is part philosophy, part pep talk, part practical advice—basically, everything you need to know to purge the clutter from your life.
Part One is all about inspiration. The quotes, stories, and exercises in this section help you develop a minimalist mindset—making it much easier to let your excess stuff go, and keep new stuff from coming in the door.
Part Two outlines the STREAMLINE method: ten sure-fire techniques to rid your house of clutter, and keep it that way. These steps are my “secret weapon” for achieving, and maintaining, a minimalist home—and I’m so thrilled to finally share them!
Part Three shows you how to give each room in your house a minimalist makeover. Each chapter tackles a different room: living room, bedroom, home office, kitchen/dining room, bathroom, and storage spaces (garage, attic, and basement). There’s also a whole chapter on creating a minimalist wardrobe, and another one dealing with gifts, heirlooms, and sentimental items.
Part Four takes this minimalist philosophy beyond the house. In this section, you’ll learn how to declutter your schedule, and reclaim your time as you did your space. You’ll also discover the far-reaching benefits of living lightly and gracefully on the Earth, and see how saving space in your closets can help save the planet.
Want a sneak peek? Click here to read the Table of Contents and the Introduction (or see the Contents below).
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I assure you that the book is not a collection of blog posts, but rather a comprehensive manual for minimalist living. The vast majority of material has not appeared on the blog, and will provide you with plenty of new reading on the subject!
I’d be so honored, and grateful, if any of you decide to purchase the book. If you’d like to do so, it’s available on Amazon.com:
The Joy of Less, A Minimalist Living Guide: How to Declutter, Organize, and Simplify Your Life
For those of you downsizing your book collections (or outside the US), it’s also available on Kindle:
You don’t need to own a Kindle reader; simply download the free software to your PC, Mac, iPhone, iPod Touch, Blackberry, etc.
Thank you so much for letting me share this with you today. I love to write, but I’m somewhat shy when it comes to selling and promoting my work.
However, I’m very excited about the book, as it sums up all of my thoughts, ideas, and experiences with minimalist living. Furthermore, I feel like you’re all my family—and thought that some of you might be upset if I didn’t tell you about it. :-)
I really appreciate your support of my blog, and hope you’ll read my book!
This book has finally solved my organizational dilemna. For twenty years (no exaggeration), I had bought at least twelve books on organzation, implementing many of their ideas, purging some items and containerizing like item… etc. But it was a constant struggle, and I never felt ahead of the game.
One of my favorite concepts is that, in the future, I should make certain that those who give me gifts should be told to only give me items that can be “experienced”, like theatre tickets, or gifts to be consumed (restuarants, cooking oils, handcreams) . . . Therefore, no more uwelcome “stuff” coming in the door !!
This book is different. It helped me change my thinking. . . my mindset. . . and finally I have been able to purge all those items that I wanted to let go of, but I never could bring myself to do just that. Its only been three weeks since I bought it and I read it in two evenings, and then I implemented the precepts! I have been set free from “stuff” ! Yay!! Thank you, Miss Jay. You have written a classic that I will be sharing with friends for years to come!!
We take a stack of books to give away every time we go to the library. We very seldom buy a book and the only magazines that come in are free. My next category to go through are DVD’s. I will keep only my favorites and part with the rest. My favorites will go in a case. This should free up one more shelf.
I am cleaning out a dear relative’s closet and drawers now. Removing everything that doesn’t fit. So far, 4 big garbage bags full of tops and slacks. The next task is pairing a big drawerful of mismatched socks. The drawers will close easily now and I have a big stack of wire hangers to be recycled.
I have read both your books and really enjoyed them. I seldom bought anything new before and now I can count on one hand the number of times in a year I buy anything at all. My husband just went through a big stack of his papers and recycled most of them. They had been there for 3 years and I didn’t even have to ask.
This week I have 2 big bags for Goodwill. I also have a stack of books and magazines for the library. I will have more to give away soon. There is so much I haven’t used in a long time. My son gave me a big stack of art supplies to take to the library, too.
Is there a difference in content between the white covered book with single bloom in a glass and the white book with yellow binding and orange and yellow dandelion fluffs floating away?
I am considering purchasing my own copy and want to make an informed decision.
Your book is an inspiration to this clutter bug!
Hi Sheila!
The white cover with a single bloom is my original, self-published book from 2010. The one with the yellow binding and dandelion fluffs is the new Chronicle Books edition, published in 2016.
The difference: the yellow 2016 edition has professional design, updated and more streamlined text, and a brand new chapter on getting family (partner/spouse/children) on board the decluttering bandwagon.
Hello, I am so glad I bought your Book! Last year I got cured from Hep C. MY life had piled up from work and fatigue. What a mess I found myself in. I had already started cleaning out things: material, commitment,etc., So when I got your book I was thrilled!!! I am tiered of too much stuff! Oh, I live in an RV! LU YU much miss minimalist mattie f
I have not read the book, but I am curious as to the answer of my question…. If I am decluttering my life and I choose to donate the items, where is the best place to donate them? Goodwill is over stocked, salavtion army is over stocked; where is there a place that will actually have use of the items I am getting rid of?
Thank you, Thank you, a million times Thank you!
I have just finished reading your wonderful book and it was like a breathe of fresh air! I have recommended it to my sister and I would recommend it to anyone looking for peace in their own home.
I have read many books on minimalism, and I can honestly say that yours is by far THE best one I have ever read!