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“Life is simple but we insist on making it complicated.” – Confucius
Do you have a deep desire within to lead a calm, peaceful and simple life?
We as humans have been programmed to believe that the more you have, and the more you pursue, the happier and fulfilled you become. But the truth is that fulfillment comes from within and not from what you possess. Therefore, in order to simplify your life, feel happier and fulfilled, you need to go within, connect with yourself, reflect on your life and start to consciously let go of everything (people, possessions, attachments, commitments, wants etc.) that is complicating your life.
If you are unsure where to start, this article is a collection of 19 books that will help you in achieving just that.
24 Books to Help Simplify Your Life in More Ways Than One
1. The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle
In order to simplify your life, you need to first simplify your mind and this book by Eckhart Tolle will teach you exactly how to do that.
This book teaches you how to become free from the clutches of your conditioned mind through the practice of being fully present in the now.
The powerful techniques in this book will help you bring more awareness into your life that will help you identify and discard unconscious beliefs, behaviors and thinking patterns so you can start to understand, simplify and transform your life.
Favorite quotes from the book
“Realize deeply that the present moment is all you have. Make the NOW the primary focus of your life.”
“It is not uncommon for people to spend their whole life waiting to start living.”
“If you get the inside right, the outside will fall into place. Primary reality is within; secondary reality without.”
2. Zen: The Art of Simple Living by Shunmyō Masuno
Based on centuries worth of wisdom of Zen Buddhism, renowned Zen Buddhist priest Shunmyo Masuno writes about the application of zen in today’s modern life through clear, practical, and easily adopted lessons — one each day for 100 days.
Through these simple daily tasks, you are making small changes that build upon each other and help you be more mindful of what you do, how you think, how you interact with others, and how you become more present in the now.
In doing these simple activities, you’re slowly opening yourself up to a renewed sense of calm and mindfulness.
Favorite quotes from the book
“Keep your desires and anger in check, and strive to understand the nature of things.”
“Do not cling to your belief in what is and always should be. Practice nonattachment”
“Those who do not pay attention to their foot- steps cannot know themselves, and cannot know where their life is going.”
3. The Joy of Missing Out: Live More by Doing Less by Tonya Dalton
The society we live in glorifies the word busy. And it’s no wonder many of us are busy being busy just to fit in. This book will help shatter the illusion of busyness and guide you toward leading a stress-free and abundant life by doing less and still being more productive by focusing on things that really matter.
Hailed as one of the Top 10 Business Books of the Year by Fortune magazine this book contains practical tips and insights to help you reduce stress and simplify your life by choosing what is best for you and saying no to things that don’t matter.
It helps you get in touch with yourself and live life on your own terms instead of constantly trying to fit in.
Favorite quotes from the book
“Productivity is not about doing more, it’s doing what’s most important.”
“We need to stop trying to get more done and instead reset our focus on our own priorities. When we do that, our ideal lives can become our real, everyday lives.”
“We have to begin finding the joy in missing out on that extra noise in our lives and instead find happiness in a life centered on what’s truly important to us.”
4. Walden by Henry David Thoreau
Possibly one of the first and pioneering pieces of literature about simple living and self sufficiency, Walden by famed writer Henry David Thoreau documents his experiences living at his small house in Walden Pond in Concord, MA.
This book gives a very deep insight into his daily living down to the smallest of details, and paints a clear picture of Thoreau’s views and beliefs on simple living that’s closer to nature, as well as how much he detests conformist practices like paying taxes, Western religion, and industrialization.
If you are looking to journey into what it’s like to let go of mainstream life and leading a more natural way of living, then this classic piece of literature is definitely worth a read.
Favorite quotes from the book
“Every morning was a cheerful invitation to make my life of equal simplicity, and I may say innocence, with Nature herself.”
“If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.”
“For my greatest skill has been to want but little.”
“I had three chairs in my house; one for solitude, two for friendship, three for society.”
“A lake is a landscape’s most beautiful and expressive feature. It is Earth’s eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature.”
5. Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
Going all the way back to the height of the Roman Empire around 160AD with Emperor Marcus Aurelius, Meditations is a series of his personal writings consisting of private notes to himself and ideas on Stoic philosophy.
This book containing his “notes” are mostly written in the form of quotations that vary in length — from a simple sentence to long paragraphs. It would seem that Marcus Aurelius wrote these to himself as his own source of guidance and self-improvement during his reign.
It’s an insightful read for those looking to know more about what went on the mind of one of the most popular figures of the Roman Empire.
Favorite quotes from the book
“You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”
“Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them.”
“When you arise in the morning think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love …”
“Never let the future disturb you. You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present.”
“Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself in your way of thinking.”
6. Calm by Michael Acton Smith
There’s a chance you’ve already encountered the popular iPhone app by the same name that aims to help you relax, meditate, and even achieve better sleep. This book provides a visually exciting and interactive guide to modern meditation through simple tricks and actionable habits that can help you in achieving calm every single day.
Calm shows that it doesn’t need years of practice nor it requires a huge lifestyle shift for you to achieve mindfulness because you can easily integrate it to your daily tasks.
Looking more like a well crafted journal than a typical book, Calm provides life-balancing strategies in eight aspects of life: Nature, Work, Creativity, Children, Travel, Relationships, Food, and Sleep.
7. The Abundance of Less: Lessons in Simple Living from Rural Japan Paperback by Andy Couturier
Inspired by how rural Japanese residents have been living their lives, author Andy Couturier writes about ten profiles of seemingly ordinary — yet very exceptional — men and women who have been living outside mainstream and urban Japan.
These individuals live by traditional Eastern spiritual wisdom and culture and continue on to describe the various profound personal transformations they went through as they left the stress, busyness, and dependence on technology of modern living.
Now living as farmers, philosophers, and artists, these people rely on themselves for happiness and sustenance and through this book, they’re able to invite readers to enter their world of living with more meaning.
Favorite quotes from the book
“If I’m busy, I might overlook something magnificent and splendid like a rare mushroom in the forest … and who knows when I might see such an amazing thing again?”
“Doing nothing all day—it’s difficult at first. Being busy is a habit, and a hard one to break.”
“What were the things that really challenged me, made me wake up to my way of thinking that presupposed an industrialized system? In five words. Gentle. Small. Humble. Slow. Simple.”
“If you start to accumulate things, you can’t travel, so I lived without. I figured I could live a whole life without anything,”
“If you have time, a lot of things are enjoyable. Making this type of woodblock, or collecting the wood for the fire, or even cleaning things – it’s all enjoyable and satisfying if you give yourself time.”
8. Living the Simple Life: A Guide to Scaling Down and Enjoying More by Elaine St. James
Author Elaine St. James wrote this book following the success of her other bestselling books such as “Simplify Your Life” and “Inner Simplicity, Living the Simple Life.” She essentially combines both sides of her known liberating philosophy into a moving synergy of thought-provoking methods on how to lead a life of well-being and inner peace through simplicity.
This book teaches you how more is definitely not better, and how downsizing and simplifying your life can help you in more ways than just giving you more space at home.
If you are looking for a jumpstart on decluttering, this classic by Elaine St. James is a definite must read.
9. The Cozy Life by Pia Edberg
https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/50235925-the-cozy-life-rediscover-the-joy-of-the-simple-things-through-the-danis
From Japanese zen, we’re diving into the Danish cultural concept of Hygge with this book by Pia Edberg.
Ever wondered why Denmark is considered as one of the happiest countries in the world? The answer lies in this book, which aims to inspire readers to slow down and enjoy life’s cozy moments.
In a world where everyone is rushing from one thing to the next and are constantly bombarded with information overload, people feel more disconnected with themselves and their loved ones with each day that passes. The Cozy Life with Hygge offers practical examples and tips on how to embrace the little things and on how to take simplicity and minimalism to the next level.
Favorite quotes from the book
“You will never be free until you have no need to impress anyone.”
Studies have shown that plants help us improve concentration, memory, and productivity. They also have a calming effect on the soul.”
“Hygge was never meant to be translated—it was meant to be felt.”
“Remember, you can’t make everyone like you. If you pretend to be someone else, you will attract the wrong people. If you choose to be yourself, you’ll attract the right people and they will be your people.”
“Can you remember who you were before the world told you who to be?”
10. The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz
We limit ourselves. We hold ourselves back. We listen to what we’ve been taught about what we can and can’t do, and who we can and can’t be. These conditioned thought patterns are called “limiting beliefs”, and they do not serve us.
In this book, Don Miguel Ruiz passes down ancient Toltec wisdom to help you break free of these harmful thought patterns and live with freedom. Ruiz’s teachings are precise and simple. As the title implies, there are only four main lessons, known as the “four agreements”– likewise, they are a set of messages that anybody can easily internalize and integrate into their everyday lives for maximum personal freedom.
Favorite quotes from the book
“Whatever happens around you, don’t take it personally. Nothing other people do is because of you. It is because of themselves.”
“I will no longer allow anyone to manipulate my mind and control my life in the name of love.”
“There is a huge amount of freedom that comes to you when you take nothing personally.”
11. The Joy of Less: A Minimalist Guide to Declutter, Organize, and Simplify by Francine Jay
If you’re on a serious mission to declutter, then let expert Francine Jay guide you through the process and make it even more of an enjoyable and meaningful activity. In this book, she offers step by step guidance and instructions on how you can fully embrace minimalist living.
From providing inspirational pep talk to walking you through ten easy steps on how to rid your house of clutter, as well as giving you tips on how to get your family on board, this book is a lighthearted read that offers effective methods and thorough results.
If that’s not enough, Francine Jay also has some other books that can further guide you in the process of simplifying your life.
Favorite quotes from the book
“We are not what we own; we are what we do, what we think and who we love.”
“The problem: we put more value on our stuff than on our space”
“Decluttering is infinitely easier when you think of it as deciding what to keep, rather than deciding what to throw away.”
“Finding ways to “enjoy without owning” is one of the keys to having a minimalist home.”
“In order to be a good gatekeeper, you have to think of your house as sacred space, not storage space.”
12. The More of Less by Joshua Becker
In this book, author Joshua Becker teaches readers on how you can take control of your possessions and not let them own you. The More of Less shows readers the life-giving benefits of having less — because at the heart of it all, the beauty of minimalism doesn’t lie on what it takes away from you, but on what it gives you, which is a more meaningful and fuller life.
Having excess material possessions only creates a desire for more, but doesn’t really fully satisfy your being nor does it give you real happiness. This book shows you a personal and practical approach on decluttering and how letting go of the stuff you own can push you to live your best life and pursue your dreams.
Favorite quotes from the book
“You don’t need more space. You need less stuff.”
“Once we let go of the things that don’t matter, we are free to pursue all the things that really do matter.”
“Maybe the life you’ve always wanted is buried under everything you own!”
“Purposefully owning less begins to take us out of the unwinnable game of comparison.”
“Often it is those who live quietly, modestly, and contentedly with a simple life who are the happiest.”
“Success and excess are not the same.”
“There is more joy to be found in owning less than can ever be found in pursuing more.”
13. The Year of Less by Cait Flanders
Author Cait Flanders found herself stuck in the cycle of consumerism in her late 20s that put her in such deep debt that reached as high as $30,000, which even after she was able to clear, took hold of her again because she never fully let go of her old habits: earn more, buy more, want more, rinse, and repeat.
After realizing this, she challenged herself to not shop for an entire year. This book documents her life during those 12 months in which she bought only the essentials: groceries, toiletries, and gas for her car.
On top of that, she also decluttered her apartment and learned the ways of fixing and recycling instead of purchasing things brand new. With a compelling story matched with practical guidance, The Year of Less will leave you questioning what you’re holding on to and why it’s worthwhile to find your own path of less.
Favorite quotes from the book
“One lesson I’ve learned countless times over the years is that whenever you let go of something negative in your life, you make room for something positive.”
“More was never the answer. The answer, it turned out, was always less.”
“Remember that all you’re committing to is slowing down and asking yourself what you really want, rather than acting on impulse. That’s it. That’s what being a “mindful” consumer is all about.”
“Even doing something as simple as choosing not to finish a book I didn’t like gave me more time to read books I loved.”
“putting less energy into the friendships with people who didn’t understand me gave me more energy to put into the friendships with people who did.”
14. Soulful Simplicity: How Living With Less Can Lead to So Much More by Courtney Carver
In line with constantly wanting for more, this book by Courtney Carver shows you the power of simplicity and the positive effect it can have on your health, relationships, and on relieving stress both in your personal and professional life.
Courtney used to live a high-pressure life until she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). This forced her to get to the root of her physical and psychological clutter that has long been her source of debt and discontent and was causing her constant stress, which then triggers the symptoms of MS.
Through practical minimalism, she invites us to look at the bigger picture and see what’s truly most important to us and to our lives.
Favorite quotes from the book
“I finally figured it out. Instead of working so hard to make ends meet, work on having fewer ends.”
“When we focus more on fitting it all in instead of making time for what counts, we lose sight of how to create a meaningful life.”
“Simplicity is about more than making space in your home. It’s also about creating more time in your life and more love in your heart. What I learned is that you can actually be more with less.”
“Let the people in your life find their own way, just as you are finding yours. If you want others to see the joy in less, live joyfully with less.”
“If you have to step outside of yourself, away from your values and soul to get your needs met, then you’re not really going to get your needs met.”
15. Slow: Simple Living for a Frantic World by Brooke McAlary
Ever feel like you’re in a constant rush day in and day out? In this book, author Brooke McAlary will show you the way to find happiness and calm through slow living.
May it be taking a walk in a park, laughing with your family, or a small moment of personal gratitude, these simple acts of slow and simple living can help you find inner peace, joy, and mindfulness amidst living such a fast-paced life.
This book aims to replace messiness with mindfulness and will give you clear cut tips and guidance on forming your own slow life.
Favorite quotes from the book
“Create a life full of things that matter to you, and watch as the world revels beauty and humanity and connection.”
“It’s OK to say no. It’s OK to be different. And it’s OK to let go of caring about the Joneses. Just don’t replace them with a new set.”
“You are allowed to make changes to the way you’re living. You’re allowed to look after yourself. You’re allowed to decide what is important to you. And you’re allowed to create a life with those things at the center.”
“Always pay attention to what we’re doing and why we’re doing it.”
“Balance is finding the correct weight for every area of life and understanding that the correctness of that weight will change over time. Balance is fluid and flexible. Balance is alive and aware. Balance is intention.”
16. The Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nath Han
It’s only when you become mindful (conscious or self aware) that you can start to bring meaningful changes in your life.
This book by Zen master Thich Nath Han comes with various practical exercises and anecdotes that will guide you on the practice of mindfulness and how you can implement it to bring more simplicity, meaning and happiness into your life.
Favorite quotes from the book
“The real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth. Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we don’t even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black, curious eyes of a child— our own two eyes. All is a miracle.”
“Breath is the bridge which connects life to consciousness, which unites your body to your thoughts. Whenever your mind becomes scattered, use your breath as the means to take hold of your mind again.”
“To think in terms of either pessimism or optimism oversimplifies the truth. The problem is to see reality as it is.”
“Each time we find ourselves dispersed and find it difficult to gain control of ourselves by different means, the method of watching the breath should always be used.”
“Don’t do any task in order to get it over with. Resolve to do each job in a relaxed way, with all your attention. Enjoy and be one with your work.”
17. Simply Living Well: A Guide to Creating a Natural, Low-Waste Home by Julia Watkins
This book by Julia Watkins is a wonderful guide to living simply and sustainably while also helping the environment.
You will find this book loaded with easy to understand tips, tricks and practical guides to making your own eco-friendly products (cleaners, home/beauty products etc.), healthy recipes, DIY projects, sustainable alternatives and a lot more.
Definitely a great reference for anyone wanting to venture into the natural, minimalist or zero-waste lifestyle.
Favorite quotes from the book
“I draw inspiration and energy from trying to make my little part of the world a better, healthier, more beautiful, and more sustainable place.”
“This book celebrates simplifying, slowing down, working with your hands, making more, buying less, valuing quality over quantity, living frugally, self-sufficiently, and harmoniously with the natural world.”
18. Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown
If you have ever felt confused, overwhelmed and lost in a deluge of never ending work, day in a day out, then this is the book for you.
One of the easiest ways to simplify your life is by developing clarity. When you have a clarity of purpose, you can remove your focus from everything trivial that is hogging up your time and focus it on things that really matter. That is exactly what Essentialism is all about.
This book teaches you to figure out and focus only on what is absolutely essential, thereby eliminating everything else that is not as important.
Essentialism, in a nutshell, presents a whole new way of doing things — not doing less, but doing better in pretty much every aspect of your life.
Favorite quotes from the book
“Remember that if you don’t prioritize your life someone else will.”
“There should be no shame in admitting to a mistake; after all, we really are only admitting that we are now wiser than we once were.”
“Sometimes what you don’t do is just as important as what you do.”
“We can either make our choices deliberately or allow other people’s agendas to control our lives.”
“The pursuit of success can be a catalyst for failure. Put another way, success can distract us from focusing on the essential things that produce success in the first place.”
“only once you give yourself permission to stop trying to do it all, to stop saying yes to everyone, can you make your highest contribution towards the things that really matter.”
“Working hard is important. But more effort does not necessarily yield more results. “Less but better” does.”
“Take a deep breath. Get present in the moment and ask yourself what is important this very second.”
19. How to Be Idle by Tom Hodgkinson
If you are tired of the capitalist system that encourages you to work more and makes you feel guilty for taking time to relax then this is exactly the book you should be reading to give yourself an entirely different perspective on things.
It’s okay to take time to relax and be idle. In-fact, it’s not only okay, it’s very beneficial to your mental and physical health. Plus it can even help boost your
creativity, bring clarity and enhance your thinking. That’s exactly what Hodgkinson’s book will teach you.
Hodgkinson will inspire you to embrace the forgotten art of idling by engaging in relaxing activities like sleeping late, going to music festivals, conversing, meditating etc. that enrich your life as opposed to working long hours and drinking more coffee just to stay awake. Even though the book has a light-hearted theme, there are plenty of deep insights you can gleam from it.
Definitely worth a read for anyone looking to simplify their life.
Favorite quotes from the book
“If you want health, wealth and happiness, the first step is to throw away your alarm clocks!”
“Joyful chaos, working in tune with the seasons, telling the time by the sun, variety, change, self-direction; all this was replaced with a brutal, standardized work culture, the effects of which we are still suffering from today.”
“Our dreams take us into other worlds, alternative realities that help us make sense of day-to-day realities.”
“We need to be responsible for ourselves; we must create our own republics. Today we hand over our responsibility to the boss, to the company, to government, and then blame them when everything goes wrong.”
“It is precisely to prevent us from thinking too much that society pressurizes us all to get out of bed.”
20. Abode: Thoughtful Living with Less by Serena Mitnik-Miller
Minimalism isn’t only about throwing away half your belongings and learning how to work around only owning two dinner plates. In Abode, Serena Mitnik-Miller defines precisely how to “live with less” and actually love your life while doing so.
A minimalist home can either appear peaceful and tranquil, or barren and devoid. Mitnik-Miller teaches you how to live in a peaceful state of mind while practicing minimalism, by amplifying the benefits of natural light, carefully selecting handcrafted furniture, and more. This way, you’ll be able to live minimally without constantly craving to go out and buy more stuff.
21. Real Life Organizing: Clean and Clutter-Free in 15 Minutes a Day by Cassandra Aarssen
These days, most of our homes have piles of useless junk accumulating in drawers, on shelves, under beds, and in closets. Yet, when we look through those “junk drawers”, we don’t even know where to begin– what can we throw away? What if we need it later?
This clutter causes anxiety anytime we need to retrieve something from that drawer or closet, but can’t find it because it’s covered with stuff. That’s where decluttering comes in to help, and specifically, Cassandra Aarssen’s precise guide to working through your clutter, 15 minutes at a time.
If you’ve ever looked at those “home inspiration” Pinterest boards and felt a tinge of envy, this book’s for you. Aarssen’s book will strategically instruct you how to clear away the noise, mess, and clutter in all spaces of your home, and instead, craft your everyday life to run like a well-oiled machine.
22. Stop Overthinking: The Complete guide to declutter your mind, ease anxiety, and turn off your intensive thoughts by Sebastien O’Brien
Did you know that you can (and should) declutter your mind, too?
It’s true– just like your home, your brain can get jam-packed with other people’s opinions, societal roles and expectations, do’s and don’ts, to do lists, needs, desires, resentments, grudges… And the list goes on.
In this book, Sebastien O’Brien teaches you how to clear out all of that negativity, and instead, live life anxiety-free. If you find yourself dragging self-doubt and indecision behind you like heavy chains on a daily basis, O’Brien offers specific action steps in this book to help you break those chains and live more simply.
23. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Mari Kondo
This book by Mari Kondo highlights the “magic” of decluttering your material belongings – and what it can ultimately do in helping you lead a simpler and happier life.
The book advocates the KonMari Method in which a category-by-category system is followed to tidy up your home instead of tidying up by location.
The author’s techniques will allow you to graciously and gratefully let go of things that you no longer love so you can create the most positive and joyous space imaginable at your home. The book also helps you understand the relationship you have with your possessions and how they impact your life.
Favorite quotes from the book
“It’s a very strange phenomenon, but when we reduce what we own and essentially “detox” our house, it has a detox effect on our bodies as well.”
“Life truly begins after you have put your house in order.”
“Clutter has only two possible causes: too much effort is required to put things away or it is unclear where things belong.”
“The question of what you want to own is actually the question of how you want to live your life.”
“Keep only those things that speak to your heart. Then take the plunge and discard all the rest. By doing this, you can reset your life and embark on a new lifestyle.”
“The best criterion for choosing what to keep and what to discard is whether keeping it will make you happy, whether it will bring you joy.”
24. The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F by Mark Manson
This honest title by Mark Manson guides readers away from a scramble of positivity– i.e., a constant effort to be positive to a point where it actually feels stressful– and towards a more laid-back state of acceptance.
It isn’t passive acceptance, however, that Manson advises. Rather, in this book, he shows us that acceptance can actually be a source of empowerment, that building resilience to difficult moments in life (rather than trying to find the silver lining in everything) can help us feel stronger in the face of hardship.
Also Read: 57 Quotes On Finding Joy in the Simple Things
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