These books to help simplify your life area are ideal to get off the consumerist mindset belt, and slow down , to enjoy what’s important. Minimalism is not about living in a white box with no TV. But it is about deciding how you wish to spend your time (walks with your dog by the beach or in the forest, cooking homemade meals with ingredients from the farmers’ market and reading good books). Also see join the zero waste revolution and blogs to inspire a simpler life.
For recipes, see foods to avoid near pets. For beauty/cleaning recipes, avoid essential oils for pregnancy/nursing and near pets/children. For gardening tips, see make your garden safe for pets to avoid toxic plants (also avoid cocoa/pine/rubber mulch and fresh compost near pets). Use humane safe slug/snail deterrents and no-dig garden methods. Some trees (including yew and oak) are toxic to equines (including these 9 poisonous plants).
Elegant Simplicity is a beautifully written book on the art of living well, by ecological writer and former Jain monk Satish Kumar. All of his books are lovely (check out Spiritual Compass). He asks us to consume less and live more, for inner peace and ecological integrity. This is the guide for anyone who wants to get off the treadmill of consumption.
Less is More is a book about finding joy in a simpler life. Discover the art of finding more through having less:
- More time
- More calm
- More energy
- More money
- More you
This book is filled with practical tips and ideas, to guide you towards a simpler way of life. Learn how to:
- Reduce your clutter
- Reduce your stress levels
- Master your schedule
- Make time for what matters
- Enrich your everyday
- Put quality before quantity
From time to time, we all get lost in the flurry of a busy life. But we can always uncover a path back to our authentic self. This book offers wisdom on focus, a slower pace and the simple power of ‘less’.
Lightly is a beautiful book by an American minimalist (who used to live in London). This goes beyond ‘decluttering’ to look at ways to let go of unwanted thoughts and actions. Whether you want to overhaul your home or just gain an hour or two, learn to lighten whatever is weighing you down.
Minimal: How to Simplify Your Life and Live Sustainably is a beautiful book on how we can all take small actions, while facing the climate crisis. Olivia shares insights on how to simplify every area. From reducing waste and eating seasonally to making your own beauty and cleaning products. Let go of stress, and discover better ways to look after the Earth we share.
Zen: The Art of Simple Living is a beautiful little hardback book with gorgeous brush illustrations, by a Japanese Zen monk (and landscape gardener). Just open a page to find one of 100 snack-size ways to clear your thinking, and worry less about what you can’t control.
Less Stuff takes you through each room of your house to gradually donate, recycle or sell items you don’t need (includes charts on what you can and can’t recycle). It also focuses on the why (living simply is better for the planet). Learn the philosophy behind minimalism and simple living.
Goodbye, Things is by Fumio Sasaki, a writer who lives in a tiny Tokyo studio with 3 shirts, 4 pairs of trousers, 4 pairs of socks and not much else. Yet a few years ago, he owned a lot of stuff that was weighing him down, so decided to get rid of it. You may not go this far, but it’s a good book on the philosophy behind simple living.
The Minimalist Vegan is a nice little book by a professional writer and his wife (a vegan chef). This is a why-to book on living with less stuff, to respect the planet and all creatures. Their hope is that by the end, you can architect your life in a way that brings purpose and joy to each day.
Down to Earth: A Guide to Simple Living is a guide to gently encourage you to grow tomatoes, bake bread, make your own soap and preserve fruit, to slow down and live more sustainably.
Simply Sustainable: Low-Waste Living has tips on reducing dependence on disposable goods, with simple lifestyle swaps for a low-waste home. Lily Cameron shows how to gradually transition away from plastic, and includes photos of plastic-free homes to inspire.
Don’t underestimate the value of doing nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can’t hear, and not bothering. Winnie the Pooh
Minimal: How to Simplify Your Life and Live Sustainably is a beautiful book on how we can all take small actions, while facing the climate crisis. Olivia shares insights on how to simplify every area.
For recipes, see foods to avoid near pets. For beauty/cleaning recipes, avoid essential oils for pregnancy/nursing and near pets/children. For gardening tips, see make your garden safe for pets to avoid toxic plants (also avoid cocoa/pine/rubber mulch and fresh compost near pets). Use humane safe slug/snail deterrents and no-dig garden methods. Some trees (including yew and oak) are toxic to equines (including these 9 poisonous plants).
In this book, you’ll learn how to:
- Reduce waste
- Eat seasonally
- Make your own beauty products
- Make your own cleaning products
- Let go of stress
- Look after the Earth we share
About the Author
Madeleine Olivia is one of England’s most popular lifestyle bloggers. She writes recipes, and blogs and posts on everything from simple living to ethical fashion. She has also recently launched her own organic fashion company.
Elegant Simplicity: The Art of Living Well is a beautifully written book on the art of living well, by ecological writer and former Jain monk Satish Kumar. All of his books are lovely (check out Spiritual Compass). He asks us to consume less and live more, for inner peace and ecological integrity. This is the guide for anyone who wants to get off the treadmill of consumption.
If you believe that ‘going green’ means buying lots of new gadgets, this is the opposite. This is more a book on the spiritual reasons to go green. It’s a lovely read, beautifully written yet simple to absorb. Satish ran away from the monastery as a young man and toured the world as a ‘peace pilgrim’ with Gandhi’s successor, to spread the message of peace and simple living. He eventually settled in Devon after marriage to edit Resurgence magazine. He was also involved in setting up Schumacher College and a small school.
Satish’s son Mukti Mitchell is continuing the carry the baton. After sailing around the British Isles on his self-built solar-powered boat, today he is one of the world’s experts on how to reduce your carbon footprint, and runs the world’s best free carbon calculator (go through these tips, then watch your energy company phone up to find out why your bills are so low!)
