The Minimalist Way: Minimalism Strategies to Declutter Your Life and Make Room for Joy Paperback – March 12, 2019

What a beautiful book! Not only is this book physically stunning, but the care and thought put into the writing jumps off the page in a way that is simply beautiful. Erica's writing is at once concise and full of heart.This is a book on how to discover and live in alignment with yourself. As someone who had already deeply embraced minimalism as a way of life, this book helped me discover a new and deeper understanding of what it means to live intentionally. I had struggled, before reading this book, to identify my real values. I knew what things I thought were important or worthwhile, but what did I truly value? I wasn't sure until I read the chapter on values. The way this chapter is written helped me finally tease out my own values from those of the world around me. For the first time I was able to identify MY values and with that I could see a part of ME that I had never really been able to see before. What a gift!One of the great things about the structure of this book is how each chapter of the book is grounded in the values section. I have read many discussions of intentional living where values are discussed in the introduction but are then left there in the beginning. In each new section this book returns to values and helps the reader to figure out how living by values might look different for each area of life. Aligning your life with your values feels different in the home than it does on your calendar, which is completely different from aligning your relationships with your values. Erica guides the reader through a thought process that never dictates a "one size fits all" solution, but instead highlights strategies for finding what feels right for the individual.This book is immensely helpful and stands out among other books on minimalism. It has earned a long term spot on my very minimal bookshelf and I see myself returning to it regularly in years to come.

This is a great read! It all feels so doable - Erica gives great examples of how to actually live a minimalistic life. She does it in a way that you can customize to your life and style - it doesn't feel black and white or so overwhelming.While I definitely have a couple large garbage bags in my trunk ready to go donate after reading this, the physical minimalist information was just a small part of this book. Her discussion about the emotional toll of "stuff" or friendships or money woes or our favorite distractions was very eye opening and so much deeper than other "minimalist" works.This is a quick read, with some work book qualities that I would recommend to anyone who wants a little more control and direction in their life.I'm feeling renewed and hopeful.

Lots of tips and ways to apply to your life. A good read. Changes your point of view on life and what minimalism is defined as.

great book to help you analyze your organization habits and your personality

What I really appreciated from the very start of the book is the approach to the topic. I was fully expecting the author to tell me to get rid of all my belongings! Instead, she offers great insights, useful tools, and a great attitude (no 'holier-than-thou' or 'what's-wrong-with-you-if-you-can't-do-this' vibes at all). Very inspirational in that this really seems do-able, starting off small, and first changing the mindset. Provides great tools to get you started on this path, and mentions what stumbling blocks people can face. I started this book with great skepticism ('no way am I throwing out my Stuff'), to really rethinking goals in life and how too much crap can really be a drain on your life. This is a nice, easy read that doesn't get your defenses up or stress out the inner hoarder too much.

Picture a cozy café in the city — and you live in a 900-plus sq ft loft right above it. So many things I had to declutter from my life. Old books collecting dust. Curtains and bedding and other hand-me-downs I’d kept in my old basement for far too long. Old books. A claptrap of old printed manuscript chapters with red markings. An old printer that doesn’t work. Old books. DVDs with the wrong movie in them. Like, four DVD and Blu-Ray players that I never use. (I stream now.) Clothes that don’t fit. (I’ve lost over sixty pounds in the last year!) Wrist watches I don’t wear. A closet full of old shoes and other crap. Handbags. A paper shredder I’ve never used. Oh and — old books!I had my work cut out. What to do?Erica Layne is a big Instagram influencer. Her mission? To help people embrace minimalism. It’s not just getting rid of your old junk though. It’s a complete lifestyle change. You learn how to prepare the right meals. You also learn the difference between productivity and hamster-wheel like work. She also teaches you how to write on a journal, keep your life goals in a timely fashion. She also shares the virtues of waking up early. (I wake up at 5 am each morning so — check!) Listen to affirmation videos. Read inspirational or empowering books and daily devotionals. Drink lots of water. Avoid excess alcohol and junk food. And other things that help improve your mood and — in turn — your overall performance.THE MINIMALIST WAY is a great tool for beginners. The problem? I’m not a beginner. I do all the things I listed in the third paragraph. I am disciplined and organized to a fault. I am future-focused even if things are going as scheduled. My problem has literally to do with excess stuff that I have in random places (at my close peeps’ basements, for instance) because I can’t bear to part from them. (My books! My BOOKS!) I’m not a hoarder or anything — far from it — but you know how it is. When Layne talks about minimalism, she means MINIMALISM. As in the bare minimum. That’s the biggest challenge for me, but I’m willing to try it. Downsides? Like I said, this is more for beginners, and she talks about parting from gadgets and stuff. Um, no. Love my Alexa. Love my phone and tablets and the gazillion cables and dongles that go with them. I’m a working progress — what can I say? Three out of five Oat Milk and Salted Caramel lattes! (Eep, don’t get me started on my pantry full of unused coffee supplies!)

O livro traz uma abordagem bem ampla do minimalismo. Não foca somente em destralhe de ambientes. Além do básico fala também sobre escolher amizades, trabalhos, tempo livre, etc. Gostei muito.

Really insightful! A really inspiring read!! Loved every page!From work to relationships it’s all there!I am now a minimalist, not just an aspiring one!

Das beste Buch über Minimalismus, das ich je gelesen habe!Es geht nicht rein ums Wegwerfen. Es geht darum, die eigenen Werte und das eigene Warum zu finden und dann Platz zu schaffen für das, was einem wichtig ist.Mit vielen tollen Tipps.

I found this book well written and with a flow. Most of the suggestions look practical and useful. I am already on my way towards a minimalist life and I am sure this book would help a great deal. Thank you Erica Layne...

Like the book, help me get started on this journey. Lots of good idea and the message is clearly explain as do it for yourself and maybe inspire people to do the same if you set the exemple. Inspire me to clean out some of my closets and rooms in my house to better enjoy family time. I do recommend this book.