The Joy of Less by Francine Jay

The Joy of Less: A Minimalist’s Guide to Declutter, Organize, and Simplify is not just an awesome guide to simplifying your home (who doesn’t need that?!), it is also a good introduction to why our consumer culture is unsustainable. In chapters like “The Greater Good” and “Live Simply”, Jay reminds us that everything we bring into our home has a story – the materials it is made of, the people who made it, the distance it traveled to get to us, and where it will go after us (the landfill, a recycling plant, a neighbor…).

Although I am not a minimalist, I totally recommend this book for decluttering. It is better than The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up in that it gives lots of practical advice along with a philosophical approach that is more globally aware. I also love that she works through the house room-by-room and gives you detailed advice for how to keep things organized.

Saying goodbye to half or two-thirds of your stuff may be intimidating, but saying goodbye to the Amazon “Buy Now” button is an easier first step. Stop the flow into your house first and then read this book!

– Hannah