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The Joy of Minimalism: A Beginner's Guide to Happiness with Less
The popular YouTuber reveals how clearing her space cleared her mind—and how you can open up room for more true happiness in your life.
It’s natural to love stuff! More than that, it’s natural to love your stuff. That notebook from eighth grade, your Disney VHS, tangles of costume jewelry. They all have sentimental value…and they all take up space. Zoey Arielle Poulsen’s The Joy of Minimalism is a friendly guide to embarking on a life of simplicity by a former compulsive shopper who found a new way to live. By embracing minimalism, you’ll be saying goodbye to stress and everything that you never needed anyway. Discover a greater focus and true freedom—and a genuine sense of gratitude for everything and everyone around you.
Minimalism is more than a movement or fad—it’s a practice that will bring you closer to your true self. The Joy of Minimalism teaches you to live better with less. You’ll learn how
It’s natural to love stuff! More than that, it’s natural to love your stuff. That notebook from eighth grade, your Disney VHS, tangles of costume jewelry. They all have sentimental value…and they all take up space. Zoey Arielle Poulsen’s The Joy of Minimalism is a friendly guide to embarking on a life of simplicity by a former compulsive shopper who found a new way to live. By embracing minimalism, you’ll be saying goodbye to stress and everything that you never needed anyway. Discover a greater focus and true freedom—and a genuine sense of gratitude for everything and everyone around you.
Minimalism is more than a movement or fad—it’s a practice that will bring you closer to your true self. The Joy of Minimalism teaches you to live better with less. You’ll learn how
101 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 22, 2022
30 people are currently reading
160 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
August 24, 2022
Plays heavily on the "spark joy" concept of keeping the things that bring you joy while removing those that don't. I always have a hard time with this concept as there are many things in my home that do not bring me joy, yet I must keep them to have a functioning household that also considers budgetary constraints and sustainable consumerism.
While I rather liked the list at the end of places to start your decluttering, I couldn't help but wonder why you would have some of these things laying around in the first place -- a broken Christmas ornament, an earring with a missing mate, old boarding passes. My practical nature has me deciding fairly quickly the fate of broken, damaged, or old and unnecessary things; if it can't be fixed or is no longer needed, off it goes. My frugal side gives me trouble with still useful items as I might use them someday or in a different way. Still, I try to be mindful of such persistent thoughts and ask myself whether that thing is really worth holding onto.
The author does not seem as extreme as some minimalists and is more focused on getting rid of the things you don't use and making more thoughtful purchases in the future. Solid advice for all of us.
While I rather liked the list at the end of places to start your decluttering, I couldn't help but wonder why you would have some of these things laying around in the first place -- a broken Christmas ornament, an earring with a missing mate, old boarding passes. My practical nature has me deciding fairly quickly the fate of broken, damaged, or old and unnecessary things; if it can't be fixed or is no longer needed, off it goes. My frugal side gives me trouble with still useful items as I might use them someday or in a different way. Still, I try to be mindful of such persistent thoughts and ask myself whether that thing is really worth holding onto.
The author does not seem as extreme as some minimalists and is more focused on getting rid of the things you don't use and making more thoughtful purchases in the future. Solid advice for all of us.
July 30, 2020
I feel bad that my library spent money on this. $14.95 list for about 70 pp of unoriginal text, as it's mostly just a wannabe workbook. Maybe effective for gals just a bit younger than her (25)? She even advises getting rid of the extra buttons that come with new shirts... but if you're buying quality pieces instead of fast fashion it's fairly likely you'll need them! It took me 20 min. to read. She also copies whole phrases I've seen elsewhere, including 'spark joy,' without attribution.
July 17, 2018
This was a super quick read and I found myself skimming through most of it. If you are going to read a book about decluttering and minimalism, I would skip this one and read The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.
February 5, 2018
I'm sure Zooey is a nice girl, but this book didn't need to be published, much less in a nicely bound glossy paperback. It's 138 pages, and there are 71 (!!) pages that are placeholders, blank writing pages, or illustrations. This is in addition to the repetitive "advice" making up the rest of the book.
May 20, 2022
Practical ideas for de-cluttering and getting out of your own way are described in this book. I really liked the list of 50 things to get rid of which ended up with #50 "limiting beliefs." Wonderful! Have to rid ourselves of those!
February 26, 2019
Marie Kondo lite.
November 1, 2019
Ironically, a book that says virtually nothing for page after page after page, and sometime gets bizarrely off course. (What does learning a new language have to do with minimalism? Beats me too.) The author's tone was deeply grating, and I should have sensed the warning signs in the introduction when the author mentions the negativity generated on social media - there's no real insight into why people keep stuff (besides "they haven't taken a trip to Europe"), let alone how to make people turn the corner to make it happen. There's nothing really new here, to the point that everything here is completely recycled. Some of the advice is ridiculous, like the idea that living with people that aren't minimalist will eventually turn other people minimalist through osmosis. Yeah, no.
The book really gets out of its league when the author begins to become a "be your most authentic self" tone, going beyond getting rid of clutter. The idea that people should be gotten rid of as though they were possessions was kind of unsettling. Sounds nice, but that's not how friendships or family works.
The book really gets out of its league when the author begins to become a "be your most authentic self" tone, going beyond getting rid of clutter. The idea that people should be gotten rid of as though they were possessions was kind of unsettling. Sounds nice, but that's not how friendships or family works.
September 20, 2019
Eh... not sure this is long enough to be considered a book. More like a long article. Very basic tips. Good start for someone who is clueless on where to begin. Not for someone that has basic common sense.
October 23, 2019
A very quick read about pairing down items in your life and making your life more simplistic. Nothing earth-shattering but good information. For a 90 minute audiobook I think it’s worth listening to once.
May 27, 2020
As many reviews have said already, it is a quite blatant rip off of Marie Kondo. Using even the same words like "what sparks joy". However, as a quick audio book for cleaning, this was still enjoyable. I should probably get Marie Kondos book now.
May 25, 2021
Por favor, no pierdas tu tiempo. En un lenguaje anodino no logra explicar nada nuevo u original. Si te interesa el minimalismo mejor léete "Minimalistamente" de Adriana Coines o por supuesto el archifamoso libro "La Magia del Orden" de Marie Kondo.
February 17, 2018
Half the book is lined pages for you to write in, and the other half is nothing original. Skip the book, maybe watch her online videos instead.
May 2, 2019
Very superficial. May help get started on road to minimalism.
December 10, 2019
A very transparent Marie Kondo rip-off.
July 10, 2018
I didn’t buy The Joy of Minimalism to help me become a minimalist. I enjoy and cherish my many possessions (stationery, yarn, books, etc). I bought The Joy of Minimalism mostly because I wanted to learn more about minimalism. However, I kept an open mind and thought perhaps I’d glean tips on how to downsize a bit or otherwise benefit from a more minimalist approach.
I enjoyed The Joy of Minimalism. I thought it was fun that Poulsen included her own journey to minimalism. I found Poulsen’s casual approach to presenting the tenets of minimalism to be practical. Her advice, although somewhat repetitive, seems to be solid for those who are curious about trying to adopt a minimalist lifestyle.
I enjoyed The Joy of Minimalism. I thought it was fun that Poulsen included her own journey to minimalism. I found Poulsen’s casual approach to presenting the tenets of minimalism to be practical. Her advice, although somewhat repetitive, seems to be solid for those who are curious about trying to adopt a minimalist lifestyle.
April 26, 2018
The subtitle "A Beginner's Guide..." was a big clue to the simplicity of the book. That is both good and bad. It is very short without much detail for those who like that. But becoming a minimalist is a complex and often challenging process, which was a bit glossed over. I love the topic so I got the book but unless you truly are very much a beginner, there are better books on the topic.
November 27, 2020
My feelings toward minimalism is complicated. While I do not like clutter, I do find getting rid of things that don't spark joy or duplicates seems to elitist. If you have two pairs of black pants and you get rid of one, it would be my luck I would get a hole in the pair I kept, the next time I wore them. Getting rid of duplicates or things you don't use daily, but may use again, implies you have unlimited funds to go purchase another when the one you have gets worn out. Sometimes working class and poor people hang on to things that could be useful in the future because they won't have to spend their money to buy another if a time comes when they need it. Your funds are literally in your possessions and the things that you own. Also now that we are living in a pandemic world, it reminds me of you get rid of something, it may not be available or on the shelves the next time you need it.
July 28, 2019
Whoa...I'm not sure what all the low star ratings are about for this book. I loved it. I thought it was simple and encouraging. I've read and watched a lot of other content on minimalism lately and maybe if this is the only thing someone has explored on minimalism they don't find it comprehensive enough. I don't know. I found it very motivating (even though at times repetitive to emphasize a point). Also, I listened to the audiobook version of this book so maybe that had an impact in how much I enjoyed it (i.e. the slight repetitiveness didn't bother me when listening but helped me focus on what she was saying). Either way it's a short book so I would say if you're interested in this topic, give it a try!
September 1, 2021
(Okay, 1.5 stars) If this was the first book written about minimalism or paring down your life to things that "spark joy" (a phrase she blatantly borrows from Marie Kondo), I'd say fine. A nice little inspiring book to help you simplify your life. But after a long line of books and shows espousing these same virtues, it's just plain unnecessary. Unless its workbook format gives newcomers a jumpstart to follow along with her exercises.
May 1, 2019
It's a rehash of Marie Kondo's book but with an emphasis on how to spend less money on clothes and more on eat/pray/love kind of travels and other "necessities." No acknowledgment of her ridiculous privilege. No mentions of environmental issues, yet eye-roll-able mentions of the author being "a victim of fast fashion." Checked out on Hoopla. Not recommended.
March 16, 2022
Very simple and quick book that seems to summarize what minimalism is without any support or real plan. She mentions spark joy enough times I think Marie Kondo should probably file copyright infringement. The book is extremely superficial and reeks of privilege because this presumably young person shed everything they owned and moved to Italy. How lovely but completely unrealistic for the masses.
December 7, 2019
Basically, a rehash of what other minimalist books will suggest. Also, much of the advice doesn't take into account how people other than the writer may feel about certain items or situations, even though she speaks about this being a personal journey.
May 26, 2019
No dice nada nuevo, pero está bien para empezar en tema.
March 24, 2022
Rather disappointing. Not specific enough on how to parts. Much of it sounds like it was the same as The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondi.
March 27, 2022
Audiobook: I’ve read so many of these books it’s hard to find ones that I learn anything new. This would be a great book for someone who is first looking into life as a minimalist.
July 27, 2022
It was as if Poulsen chewed up the summary of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. Then, spat out everything in a repetitive and redundant fluff.
January 3, 2025
This is not the end-all and be-all of minimalism, but it is a great place to start.
Minimalism meets Sparks Joy. A delightful book with a good sense of humor. It is more of a guide than a "how-to" list, which I appreciate. Rather than detailing exactly what someone needs to do, say, keep, or get rid of (or whose lifestyle they should emulate), it focuses on the point of minimalism: Freeing your life from physical and emotional clutter. The key is not to get rid of everything you own, but to understand the reason behind why you have what you have. Some things you have because they are necessary or useful, but do you really need three closets worth of clothing? Or to buy something just because it is on sale? If something is not needed or useful or brings you some fashion of enjoyment, do you need it in your life? Some people might expect the answer to always be "no," but the answer is not always as clear-cut as that, and that is what I like about this book.
Having a checklist that tells you what to own, what to do, and what to be to fill a certain box will not last. It might vary from person to person how long it will last, but on the whole, it will not be something that stands the test of time. Actually understanding your life and the purpose of the things in your life will last and help lead you to an actual lifestyle. As the author says repeatedly, no one can tell you what minimalism should look like in your life. It is something only you can figure out for yourself, and it may take some trial and error to figure it out. Maybe you won't cut back far enough, or maybe you'll realize you've cut back too far and need to add things back in. Whatever it looks like, it should aid in bringing you joy and contentment to your life, not stress and anxiety.
I wish you luck in your self-discovery!
Minimalism meets Sparks Joy. A delightful book with a good sense of humor. It is more of a guide than a "how-to" list, which I appreciate. Rather than detailing exactly what someone needs to do, say, keep, or get rid of (or whose lifestyle they should emulate), it focuses on the point of minimalism: Freeing your life from physical and emotional clutter. The key is not to get rid of everything you own, but to understand the reason behind why you have what you have. Some things you have because they are necessary or useful, but do you really need three closets worth of clothing? Or to buy something just because it is on sale? If something is not needed or useful or brings you some fashion of enjoyment, do you need it in your life? Some people might expect the answer to always be "no," but the answer is not always as clear-cut as that, and that is what I like about this book.
Having a checklist that tells you what to own, what to do, and what to be to fill a certain box will not last. It might vary from person to person how long it will last, but on the whole, it will not be something that stands the test of time. Actually understanding your life and the purpose of the things in your life will last and help lead you to an actual lifestyle. As the author says repeatedly, no one can tell you what minimalism should look like in your life. It is something only you can figure out for yourself, and it may take some trial and error to figure it out. Maybe you won't cut back far enough, or maybe you'll realize you've cut back too far and need to add things back in. Whatever it looks like, it should aid in bringing you joy and contentment to your life, not stress and anxiety.
I wish you luck in your self-discovery!
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May 13, 2023A simple introduction to the ideas and principles of Minimalism. Perhaps a bit too simple (and distinctly anecdotal) for someone looking for a more in depth discussion, but super motivating in the audio book form for easy listening and multitasking. Especially since books like this often have me awkwardly vacilating between reading and attempted implementation.
I appreciated the author's sincerity, enthusiasm and personal anecdotes.
Additional note which perhaps is more a commentary on Minimalism in general rather than this particular book since this isn't the first book in which I've found this to be true, but I find there to be a degrading tone Minimalists use in reference to other people and their stuff as though they are seen as a disease or a sinner. I find this elitist attitude very off putting.
I appreciated the author's sincerity, enthusiasm and personal anecdotes.
Additional note which perhaps is more a commentary on Minimalism in general rather than this particular book since this isn't the first book in which I've found this to be true, but I find there to be a degrading tone Minimalists use in reference to other people and their stuff as though they are seen as a disease or a sinner. I find this elitist attitude very off putting.
May 26, 2019
The writing is informal and feels fairly amateur. It is seasoned with what will become dated expressions and frequented with many run-on sentences. The ideas are good, though with very little originality. The methods are not always well explained and often seem highly influenced by Marie Kondo's techniques (not that that's a bad thing). I liked the exercises, which required me to be a little honest and introspective. However, half of the pages in the book are blank lined pages for the exercises, bringing its 140 page count down to 75 pages of text (ironic for a book on simplification and minimizing). I did like it, but it's not a great work.
August 7, 2019
The Joy of Minimalism didn't give me any new information. I identify as a minimalist, I subscribe to two minimalist blogs and watch youtube videos about the lifestyle. This book is posed as an introduction to a beginner trying to develop a minimalist lifestyle. I liked the way the book was organized. I think it can be a good resource for people getting into minimalism or a good book to remind practicing minimalists of the habits to keep clutter out of their lives.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews