I’m just over the moon to share some big news with you today: I have a new book coming out next month! It’s called Lightly: How to Live a Simple, Serene, and Stress-free Life, and will be published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt on February 26.
If you ever feel like life is weighing you down—like the stuff in your home, the to-dos in your schedule, the worries in your heart are too much—this book is for you.
Over the last few years, our hyper-connected, image-obsessed culture has added new pressure to our lives. Social media has put us all in the spotlight, with the expectation to buy more, do more, know more, and show more than ever. In our quest to keep up, our closets become overstuffed, our calendars overbooked, and our spirits overwhelmed. Instead of happy, our lives feel heavy.
It doesn’t have to be that way. If we want, we can shake off many of those burdens and live more lightly. We can breeze through our days rather than drag through them. In this book, I show you how.
• the content
While The Joy of Less focused on the mechanics of decluttering, Lightly goes beyond that—way beyond—to give you a complete philosophy of life. Make “lightly” your mantra, one lovely little word to live by, and you’ll make beautiful choices in any situation—whether you’re tempted by an impulse purchase, trying to resist a chocolate donut, or struggling to say no to another obligation. Instead of cobbling together guidance from a variety of books, then struggling to recall it in those moments you need it most, all you have to remember is one word. It doesn’t get any easier than that.
This book helps you lighten every aspect of your life, including:
- Your Stuff: create a serene space with your favorite things
- Your Step: consume less and live in harmony with the earth
- Your Stress: be less busy and breeze through your days
- Your Spirit: clear emotional baggage from your mind and heart
• the format
Lightly is like a recipe book for minimalism. Have you ever been in the thick of a decluttering session and desperate for specific advice? (Exactly how do I choose which shoes to keep???) In Lightly, you don’t have to dig through an entire chapter for the details. Each category has a separate page, so whether you’re tackling plates, papers, shoes, sheets, handbags, heirlooms (or even a nagging guilt), you can quickly find the help you need.
In our busy lives, it’s hard to find a big block of time to read. I totally get that (I have a 7-year-old, after all!). That’s why I organized Lightly in short, stand-alone sections that can be read a few minutes at a time. Keep it by your sofa, bedside, or somewhere close at hand, and when you have a spare moment (your child is coloring, you’re waiting for water to boil), you can easily dip into it for a practical tip or some words of inspiration.
• the backstory
Lightly is a very special book to me for personal reasons. Two summers ago I had a serious health scare, which made me face the possibility of not seeing my daughter into adulthood. I had surgery to address it, but it made me wonder, as a mom and minimalist, what kind of all-encompassing advice I would leave her if I weren’t around to give it. I wanted to give her something succinct, powerful and memorable, one jewel of wisdom to hold on to as she makes her way through life. And so I wrote Lightly.
With that motivation, I truly poured my heart and soul into this book. In addition to practical advice, I’ve filled it with my favorite quotes and sources of inspiration, from Scandinavian design to Stoic philosophy to the Yoga Sutras. You might say it’s my magnum opus of minimalism. It holds all the knowledge I want to give to my daughter, and to you.
• the design
I envisioned Lightly in hardcover from the start, so it could be perused, referenced, and treasured for a lifetime. It’s not a one-time read, but something to come back to over months, years, or decades, to find guidance for any situation or season of life—whether you’re starting out, starting over, in the prime years of work and family life, or downsizing your empty nest. Maybe you’ll even give it to your own children someday.
Therefore, I wanted it to be beautiful in design as well as content. HMH created a lovely aqua + gold foil cover, and the interior features hand-lettered quotes and delicate drawings by Ryn Frank (check out her Instagram, you’ll love her work). This book is all sweetness and light—it’s meant to be a moment of serenity in your hectic day, a beacon of hope when life gets heavy.
• preorder
I don’t know how many hardcovers will be printed—but if you want to make sure you get a copy, you can preorder one now:
It’ll also be available as an ebook and audio book if that’s more your thing. :)
I’ll be sharing more details over the next few weeks, so be sure to sign up for my email list to stay up-to-date. (If you didn’t respond to the GDPR opt-in last May, and haven’t been receiving my emails, you’ll need to re-subscribe.) You can also follow me on Instagram, where I post on an almost-daily basis.
I can’t wait to get this book into the world and into your hands! It makes minimalism so much more doable and delightful. Just imagine: with one simple word you can cast off the weight, and glide through life more lightly and gracefully.
{Photo credit: Kathy Howard Portrait}
I’m really excited to read it!
Thank you, Linnea!
I’ve just ordered my copy. I’m very excited to read it. And I will be learning how to practice patience alongside my wait as amazon UK tell me it’s not released this side of the pond until March 14. I’m very glad you well now Francine.
Thanks so much, Jen–so sorry you have to wait a few extra weeks! But it’ll be just in time for spring, a great time for lightening up. :)
i just pre-ordered for myself, my sister and my niece. we found so much inspiration for your first book, can’t wait to receive this one. congratulations!
denise
Thank you *so much* for your support, Denise! I hope you will all love it!
I just pre-ordered, I would definitely like to live more lightly. I am still working on the decluttering but also want to work on the mental/emotional stuff.
Thank you, Eliza! I think you’ll love how using “lightly” as a mantra can do wonders for your mental well-being. Can’t wait for you to read it!
I like the idea of a page for each item. I always seem to get stuck on something (like mugs or silverware) and it would be nice to have a quick way to look up advice. Congratulations!
I’m the same way–I can never remember where I read something in a book and can’t be bothered to search through chapters. I pretty much wrote the minimalism book I wish existed. :)
I can’t wait to read this, especially because it’s advice you would give Plumblossom (I’ve been following your blog since she was born). I would like to raise my daughter with these values as well.
Thanks, CarolinTX. This book is definitely from the heart, and I hope you’ll enjoy sharing the advice and practices with your daughter. :)
This sounds wonderful!!!
Thank you, simpledreams!
Wondering about the color of the font inside the book. I have a super hard time reading any color other than black (the grey on this comment form is hard for me to see). I’d love to have the hardcover book but will get the Kindle edition otherwise. Can you please comment on this Francine? Thanks so much!
Hi Kim–I don’t have a hardcopy yet, so I’m not sure about the inside font. (I’ve only seen the digital pages, and it’s hard to tell for sure.) I will let you know as soon as I receive one!
This sounds like a lovely book – I’ll be excited to read it! So sorry to hear about your health scare – that sounds terrifying. Thank you for turning it into something light and beautiful – and wishing you continued good health!
I’m also still crossing my fingers that 100E will make a re-appearance! :-) DH and I are very much in a transition period (getting ready to most likely move for residency) – and more concrete examples are often the most helpful for me!
Thanks for the well wishes, CA! All things for a reason, right? Lightly takes the same approach to possessions as 100E (ie. curating rather than decluttering), without the focus on MY particular items–so in that sense, I think you’ll find it even more useful and applicable to your own situation. :)
How lovely! I love resting into simple mantras – go lightly is a beautiful one!
Thanks for your comment, Dana! Amazing how calming, how centering, how empowering a simple mantra can be. :)
YAY! I’m so excited to read another book by you! I’ve just ordered my kindle copy. Your first book, The Joy of Less, was one of the first books I read on simplifying my life; it was eye-opening to me and one of the most influential books on my lifestyle. I am sorry to hear that your health scare was so traumatic – but I’m so happy to hear that you came through it! Blessings to you, Francine, Thank you for blessing me and all the others you’ve influenced!
Thank you for your sweet words, Cindy! I am so touched that my writing has made a difference in your life.
Pre-ordered the e-book and it actually feels like the waiting for a gift as a child. 14. march seems like a lot wait but knowing you it is worth it!
I have been reading your blog since the very beginning and I enjoyed to read about the journey you made in life towards this form of simplicity. You inspired me to read Stoics and Buddhist philosophy and improve my life in many ways. A sincery thank you for being such an inspiration.
Thank you so much, Verdandi, hearing this made my day. :) It’s fascinating how much those ancient philosophers can teach us, isn’t it?
Ordered my copy! Can’t WAIT to dig in. You are such a wonderful writer, and one I place so far above the rest in terms of you not “selling” me something in way of getting your message across. Well done. (Applause)
Also – really enjoying the sneak peaks of your home. Keep it up ;)
E, thank you for the lovely words and the preorder! So happy you enjoy my writing. :)
So terribly excited to realise you have a new book coming out. Your book “The joy of less” has helped our family so much. I carry it with me to re-read often and enjoy it as much as I did the first time I read it. Thank you so much for a wonderful book, can’t wait to get this new one :-)
Thanks, Kimberly! I’m thrilled to hear that The Joy of Less has had a positive impact in your life.
How exciting! I just pre-ordered…my birthday was two days ago; happy birthday to me!
Thank you so much, Carolyn, and happy birthday! I’m honored that you’re gifting Lightly to yourself. :)
I can only echo what others have said…I’m so excited to receive a new book from you! I’ve been reading everything you write for close to ten years, and I still receive inspiration. All the best to you and your family, Francine!
Karen, thank you so much for staying with me over the years–I always love reading your comments!
My mother used to say step lightly, so you’ll step far. Personally I’ve been learning to take things more lightly since last summer when I had a cancer scare. I realized I could still let go of more stuff, mental and emotional baggage that is.
However, I also feel there’s a limit to how much light I can take; this comment box font is so faint I can barely see it. I need color and substance as well. And you look almost non-existent in your photo, which I find kind of scary. Sorry to say. But if you’re happy, I’m happy for you on your new book.
Thank you, Sara! I like your mother’s saying. And yes, the whole experience gave me a new appreciation (and happiness) for every day I open my eyes. :)
Just pre-ordered, so excited to read this. You were one of the most influential writers when I began my minimalist journey. Thank you for all you do, and I am sending gentle, good thoughts for your health.
Thank you so much, Diane, I really appreciate your preorder and kind words!
I commented to someone that I store my craft items in plastic shoeboxes. Many crafters have bins of stuff. If I have too much, I pass things on. I just gave away 3 bead organizers. Thanks for all you do.
Tina, I always enjoy your comments and hearing about your minimalist lifestyle!
Congrats on your new book. I pre-ordered the hard copy so I can pass it on to my daughters! I consider you a pioneer in the minimalism movement. I hope you are healthy and happy and will continue to inspire us for many many years to come.
Thank you for the preorder and sweet words, Nora! It means so much to me that you would share this with your daughters. :)
Francine, I’m glad that you took a not-so-pleasant experience as an opportunity to share something valuable to your daughter. And in a form of a book! It’s not only your daughter who can benefit from it but others as well.
You are my favorite minimalist author, Francine. Your genuineness is incomparable.
Thank you, choose simple, you are so kind! I like to think life was just telling me what I needed to write. :)
Francine, congratulations on this new book! It sounds wonderful, and I am asking our local library to order a copy of it (which means, I am the first library patron who gets to read it…). I often refer my organizing clients to Joy of Less, and have it listed on my website as one of my favorites on the topic. Thank you, too, for including the link to the photographer’s site–it looks like you had a lovely time at the photo session, and the portraits are SO beautiful!! You look gorgeous (and happy), and I hope you enjoyed some pampering. May this new book bring you much success but, more than that, may your desire be happily fulfilled, to create something that will be a standout “jewel” for your daughter. AND, I am happy to know your health scare is behind you…
Hi Stephanie–thank you so much for your lovely words and good wishes! I’m glad you liked the Joy of Less, and am thrilled to hear that Lightly will be in your local library (that always gives me warm fuzzies…) :)
Obviously I haven’t mastered the stepping lightly. Partly I’ve always been so so careful not to displease other people, but it’s just not the real me. Mostly I don’t intentionally aim to be unkind, but I’m often thoughtless could never be called diplomatic.
You look very pretty in the picture; what irks me – even though it’s none of my business – is that you look terribly thin. My baggage is showing here: at 45 I continue to get angry about the old adage that women should be thin, pleasant, light and always kind. But hey that’s just me. If I had a daughter, I would wish to leave her a more realistic vision of life. I hope you too get angry sometimes and have off days; perhaps it’s hard to believe, but I do get that blogging is about something different than the whole truth.
Ordered. Living lightly upon this earth, has been my mantra for many years.
Thank you, Peter! Wonderful mantra. :)
I got a Barnes and Noble gift card for Mothers Day. I bought “Lightly”. I miss you. I have been busy. I have simplified a local museum. My
adult daughter has been here for quite a while. Each week, we donate summer clothes to the local food pantry. Then every thing else we
don’t need or love goes to Goodwill. I do a lot of crafts. Everything I don’t think I will use this year has been given away. I still see people with way
too much stuff in their homes. When my son and his wife find a more permanent place to live, more cupboards will be empty. Thank you.
My husband wants to replace the old carpet in our condo with wood floors. So I said he would have to go through his stuff so we could move the furniture.
I own about 30 books. He has two bookcases full of books. My daughter has more stuff than both of us. Thousands of pens, pieces of make-up, and tiny toys are scattered around her bedroom. I was given some plastic containers and tried to get her to sort her stuff. She has uncluttered quite a bit. More needs to go. I have your books and Marie Kondo’s. My clothes take up two drawers and half a closet. My husband has 20 tee shirts. My daughter has clothes that don’t fit, or she hasn’t worn in a few years. Thanks for letting me write. I looked at your pictures on Instagram.
Hola Francin! Que pena que no esté en español para Kindle, me hubiese gustado leerlo. Te saludo desde Argentina.