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Lightly: How to Live a Simple, Serene, and Stress-free Life
Do you ever feel like life is weighing you down? Like the stuff in your home, the to-dos in your schedule, the worries in your heart are too much? Make "lightly" your mantra, one lovely little word to live by, and transform your life.
There's no shortage of decluttering books on the market, but Lightly is different. It goes beyond decluttering - far beyond - to uplift your thoughts, your actions, every moment and aspect of your life. Learn how to
Lightly is like a recipe book for minimalism, designed so you can dip into it anytime for advice and inspiration. Whether you want to clear out a closet, free up some time, or get rid of a nagging guilt, you can turn to the relevant page for the help you need. Hand-drawn quotes and illustrations make for a beautiful book to keep by your sofa or bedside.
What's more, Lightly is a complete philosophy of life. When you're tempted by an impulse purchase, trying to resist a chocolate donut, or struggling to say no to another obligation, all you have to remember is one word - "lightly" - to boost your resolve and make beautiful choices. It doesn't get any easier than that.
With this book, Francine Jay makes minimalism more doable and delightful than ever. In just minutes a day you can cast off the weight, and glide through life more lightly and gracefully.
There's no shortage of decluttering books on the market, but Lightly is different. It goes beyond decluttering - far beyond - to uplift your thoughts, your actions, every moment and aspect of your life. Learn how to
Lightly is like a recipe book for minimalism, designed so you can dip into it anytime for advice and inspiration. Whether you want to clear out a closet, free up some time, or get rid of a nagging guilt, you can turn to the relevant page for the help you need. Hand-drawn quotes and illustrations make for a beautiful book to keep by your sofa or bedside.
What's more, Lightly is a complete philosophy of life. When you're tempted by an impulse purchase, trying to resist a chocolate donut, or struggling to say no to another obligation, all you have to remember is one word - "lightly" - to boost your resolve and make beautiful choices. It doesn't get any easier than that.
With this book, Francine Jay makes minimalism more doable and delightful than ever. In just minutes a day you can cast off the weight, and glide through life more lightly and gracefully.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published February 26, 2019
383 people are currently reading
2042 people want to read
About the author
Francine Jay
14 books220 followersFrancine Jay pioneered the minimalist living movement with her blog, MissMinimalist.com, and her book, The Joy of Less, A Minimalist Living Guide: How to Declutter, Organize, and Simplify Your Life. In 2009, she and her husband sold their house, and all their possessions, and moved overseas with one suitcase each. After three years as a world-traveling digital nomad, she’s now applying her minimalist philosophy to her new life as a homeowner and mother.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 211 reviews
April 12, 2019
In the off-brand style of Marie Kondo comes "Lightly." There's no real organization to this book as the author explains early on. She imagines the book as something you throw in your (one! You only need one!) purse and pick up occasionally. But the book isn't really laid out like that and to be frank, its really not that interesting enough that I'd ever think about taking it with me.
The author seems insistent on her readers taking up as little of space as possible even going as far to suggest "lightly" talking, choosing more of a limited lifestyle of listening rather than contributing and adding to the weight of the world. There's some wisdom in this, of course, but she really pressed the issue of being able to wisp away at a moments notice. What happened to being loud? Proud? Taking up space? We aren't all waifs who want to quietly be dusted and look nice in our six items of clothing we're allowed (yes, six is the magic number for clothing articles apparently.) Some of us want to live our best lives and that doesn't include quietly meditating in the corner.
And really this isn't even what bothered me about this book. I understand some people want tiny homes and limited possessions. That's great! In the words of Amy Poehler, "Good for you, not for me!" What really ticked me off was the fact that the author seemed so out of touch with reality. She suggests not buying face wash, but instead using honey. Honey! Not as a face mask or once in awhile at-home spa day, but an honest to god realistic way to wash your face every night. And additionally, you should really be using the same soap to wash your hair as you do your clothes. And if we're being honest here, you don't need home decor because all it does it take up space. You don't need to own a car, you could bike, walk, ride share or otherwise bend time and space if you really wanted to save the planet but you don't, so you take up too much space.
This book is extreme frugalness meets delusional. There's nothing wrong with wanting to save money or the planet or whatever. What's wrong is setting these things up as if they're truly realistic. We can all take steps to minimize our impact, but we don't need to sacrifice ourselves and happiness just for the sake of everyone else. So yes, clean out your closet. Eat more vegetables and bit less meat and maybe let's think twice about supporting Old Navy. But let's also just live the best way we can, in a way that makes us happy, while minimizing damage to everything around us the best we know how. If that means we still own a car or we have EIGHT pairs of shoes instead of three the world will be okay!
And let's all collectively put this book in our "Out" box.
I know I am.
The author seems insistent on her readers taking up as little of space as possible even going as far to suggest "lightly" talking, choosing more of a limited lifestyle of listening rather than contributing and adding to the weight of the world. There's some wisdom in this, of course, but she really pressed the issue of being able to wisp away at a moments notice. What happened to being loud? Proud? Taking up space? We aren't all waifs who want to quietly be dusted and look nice in our six items of clothing we're allowed (yes, six is the magic number for clothing articles apparently.) Some of us want to live our best lives and that doesn't include quietly meditating in the corner.
And really this isn't even what bothered me about this book. I understand some people want tiny homes and limited possessions. That's great! In the words of Amy Poehler, "Good for you, not for me!" What really ticked me off was the fact that the author seemed so out of touch with reality. She suggests not buying face wash, but instead using honey. Honey! Not as a face mask or once in awhile at-home spa day, but an honest to god realistic way to wash your face every night. And additionally, you should really be using the same soap to wash your hair as you do your clothes. And if we're being honest here, you don't need home decor because all it does it take up space. You don't need to own a car, you could bike, walk, ride share or otherwise bend time and space if you really wanted to save the planet but you don't, so you take up too much space.
This book is extreme frugalness meets delusional. There's nothing wrong with wanting to save money or the planet or whatever. What's wrong is setting these things up as if they're truly realistic. We can all take steps to minimize our impact, but we don't need to sacrifice ourselves and happiness just for the sake of everyone else. So yes, clean out your closet. Eat more vegetables and bit less meat and maybe let's think twice about supporting Old Navy. But let's also just live the best way we can, in a way that makes us happy, while minimizing damage to everything around us the best we know how. If that means we still own a car or we have EIGHT pairs of shoes instead of three the world will be okay!
And let's all collectively put this book in our "Out" box.
I know I am.
March 10, 2019
At this point, writing a completely unique book about minimalism, decluttering, and living lightly seems like an impossible task.
Yes, Lightly is some what referential, but that is to be expected. What is unexpected is the philosophical depth of this book. Francine Jay manages to use religious and philosophical texts to demonstrate that living lightly is a practical, spiritual, and intellectual pursuit.
Jay is not preachy or judgemental. The book is deep, but also "light" and accessible.
I have read so many books of this genre, and Lightly is a must-read.
Yes, Lightly is some what referential, but that is to be expected. What is unexpected is the philosophical depth of this book. Francine Jay manages to use religious and philosophical texts to demonstrate that living lightly is a practical, spiritual, and intellectual pursuit.
Jay is not preachy or judgemental. The book is deep, but also "light" and accessible.
I have read so many books of this genre, and Lightly is a must-read.
March 22, 2019
I’d never qualify as a minimalist — I like things like shoes and purses too much — but I love reading about minimalism and find Francine Jay’s work very inspiring. Although I still like my “things,” reading books about minimalism has made me think more about buying with intention and not just buying for the sake of buying.
February 6, 2020
I decided to live a simple, serene, and stress-free life by lightly skimming this book instead of reading the whole thing. This manual to minimalist living is derivative, presumptive, and annoying, and I only made it to the end because I wanted to write a fully informed negative review about it.
The first half of this book shares the same kind of decluttering advice that I have already read elsewhere, and none of it is a sufficient improvement on the author's other writings to justify its publication. Also, the author presumes an upper middle-class female readership, constantly referring to "you" while assuming that you work a white-collar job that requires dressy professional attire, have at least one child, can feasibly live more lightly on the earth by biking everywhere you can instead of driving, and have a functional and locally based family that you can borrow things from. People who fit this description may love this book, but the author makes no effort to acknowledge or include people who have different life situations or come from different socioeconomic backgrounds and regions.
She also neglects to bridge the gender gap. Granted, this book's cover is designed to appeal to a female audience, but enough men read books about decluttering that she should have made a greater effort to include them. She very rarely directs any suggestions to men, and assumes that the "you" she is speaking to wears dresses, has large collections of shoes and handbags, and mothers children.
Also, speaking of mothers! In the section on meditation, she acknowledges that developing a meditative practice can be challenging because "99% of our lives is spent surrounded by children, coworkers, ringing phones, and myriad other demands." Really? Some people reading this are seventeen. Some are seventy. Some miss spending that much time around their children, because their kids are growing up and moving on. Even though she mentions a professional context, she communicates the expectation that all of her readers are busy with both work and child-rearing. I got very tired of her reassuring the reader that she understands their situation while assuming what it is.
The second half of this book espouses ideas for how to live lightly in other areas of life and save the planet. Some of this is good advice which is easily applied. However, she gushes about how this will transform your life without understanding that some people are too busy trying to survive to organize their entire lives around eco-friendly practices. Also, as I previously mentioned, not everyone lives in a geographic area where it is remotely feasible for them to limit driving time. She makes her suggestions with a positive spin, not in a judgmental way, but many of her recommendations are delusional for anyone living with a strapped budget, major time demands, chronic illness, or other life situations that don't factor into her privileged view.
Also, she presumes that "living lightly" is a spiritual path, telling her readers that they can attain happiness, peace, and sacred communion through following her advice. No, thanks. This book isn't just about how to prune out your closets, reclaim time, or limit your carbon footprint. It's about the author's worldview, and even though her imagined readership of middle-class working mothers might find her idea of living lightly appealing, she presents her lifestyle preferences as the answer to the world's problems and the panacea for our souls. I am not impressed.
Her attempts to connect her beliefs with major religions also rubbed me the wrong way, because she highlights the elements that support her views without making any effort to understand these belief systems on their own terms. For example, even though she adequately summarizes Jesus's teachings against materialism, the Adam and Eve story is not, in fact, about how the desire for possessions represents a break with paradise.
Another element that grated on me was the constant message that happiness comes from giving up attachments to things, ideas, and practices, and floating through life in a way that accepts everything and commits to nothing. Yes, attachments do bring grief, but that doesn't mean that they are never worthwhile. You cannot escape pain without giving up the opportunity to experience love and joy. If you could be passive and shrug your shoulders if your house burned down, that might make it easier for you to move on, but being that unattached to your surroundings means that you aren't deriving deep joy from them, either. Similarly, even though it is important for people to be flexible and not build their whole identities out of their ideological commitments, the idea that you should float from idea to idea in a paradise of open-mindedness means that you also don't love, aren't grounded in, and can't derive deep joy from what you believe to be true, good, and worth fighting for.
I know that I am overthinking this book, but I found it presumptive, offensive, and misguided at every turn. It's a good thing that I live lightly by borrowing books from the library, because it would have been a disastrous waste for me to have spent even a dollar on this tripe.
The first half of this book shares the same kind of decluttering advice that I have already read elsewhere, and none of it is a sufficient improvement on the author's other writings to justify its publication. Also, the author presumes an upper middle-class female readership, constantly referring to "you" while assuming that you work a white-collar job that requires dressy professional attire, have at least one child, can feasibly live more lightly on the earth by biking everywhere you can instead of driving, and have a functional and locally based family that you can borrow things from. People who fit this description may love this book, but the author makes no effort to acknowledge or include people who have different life situations or come from different socioeconomic backgrounds and regions.
She also neglects to bridge the gender gap. Granted, this book's cover is designed to appeal to a female audience, but enough men read books about decluttering that she should have made a greater effort to include them. She very rarely directs any suggestions to men, and assumes that the "you" she is speaking to wears dresses, has large collections of shoes and handbags, and mothers children.
Also, speaking of mothers! In the section on meditation, she acknowledges that developing a meditative practice can be challenging because "99% of our lives is spent surrounded by children, coworkers, ringing phones, and myriad other demands." Really? Some people reading this are seventeen. Some are seventy. Some miss spending that much time around their children, because their kids are growing up and moving on. Even though she mentions a professional context, she communicates the expectation that all of her readers are busy with both work and child-rearing. I got very tired of her reassuring the reader that she understands their situation while assuming what it is.
The second half of this book espouses ideas for how to live lightly in other areas of life and save the planet. Some of this is good advice which is easily applied. However, she gushes about how this will transform your life without understanding that some people are too busy trying to survive to organize their entire lives around eco-friendly practices. Also, as I previously mentioned, not everyone lives in a geographic area where it is remotely feasible for them to limit driving time. She makes her suggestions with a positive spin, not in a judgmental way, but many of her recommendations are delusional for anyone living with a strapped budget, major time demands, chronic illness, or other life situations that don't factor into her privileged view.
Also, she presumes that "living lightly" is a spiritual path, telling her readers that they can attain happiness, peace, and sacred communion through following her advice. No, thanks. This book isn't just about how to prune out your closets, reclaim time, or limit your carbon footprint. It's about the author's worldview, and even though her imagined readership of middle-class working mothers might find her idea of living lightly appealing, she presents her lifestyle preferences as the answer to the world's problems and the panacea for our souls. I am not impressed.
Her attempts to connect her beliefs with major religions also rubbed me the wrong way, because she highlights the elements that support her views without making any effort to understand these belief systems on their own terms. For example, even though she adequately summarizes Jesus's teachings against materialism, the Adam and Eve story is not, in fact, about how the desire for possessions represents a break with paradise.
Another element that grated on me was the constant message that happiness comes from giving up attachments to things, ideas, and practices, and floating through life in a way that accepts everything and commits to nothing. Yes, attachments do bring grief, but that doesn't mean that they are never worthwhile. You cannot escape pain without giving up the opportunity to experience love and joy. If you could be passive and shrug your shoulders if your house burned down, that might make it easier for you to move on, but being that unattached to your surroundings means that you aren't deriving deep joy from them, either. Similarly, even though it is important for people to be flexible and not build their whole identities out of their ideological commitments, the idea that you should float from idea to idea in a paradise of open-mindedness means that you also don't love, aren't grounded in, and can't derive deep joy from what you believe to be true, good, and worth fighting for.
I know that I am overthinking this book, but I found it presumptive, offensive, and misguided at every turn. It's a good thing that I live lightly by borrowing books from the library, because it would have been a disastrous waste for me to have spent even a dollar on this tripe.
January 19, 2020
I can't. This had promise, but it turns out to be a book on simplifying your life (great goal!) aimed at the kind of woman who buys $75 vagina-scented candles from Goop.
The author presumes a female reader (suggestion to weed out your closet: keep only dresses!) and an affluent one. Also, she assumes that the reader has living family in the same city with whom one might be on good enough terms to share various items on occasion. This kind of blindness kept giving me pause--I often found myself thinking things like "but what if your closest family is in another state?" or "what if you don't have a child whose friends' parents you might rely on for XYZ?" or "what if your siblings are just assholes you don't want to deal with?" What if you have to work three different jobs that require three different kinds of attire? What if your parents are dead? Or in jail? Or ill and you support them?
Blindness to privilege throughout; i couldn't relate. Also, the audiobook reader sounds like she's reading a book to kids at Sunday school.
The author presumes a female reader (suggestion to weed out your closet: keep only dresses!) and an affluent one. Also, she assumes that the reader has living family in the same city with whom one might be on good enough terms to share various items on occasion. This kind of blindness kept giving me pause--I often found myself thinking things like "but what if your closest family is in another state?" or "what if you don't have a child whose friends' parents you might rely on for XYZ?" or "what if your siblings are just assholes you don't want to deal with?" What if you have to work three different jobs that require three different kinds of attire? What if your parents are dead? Or in jail? Or ill and you support them?
Blindness to privilege throughout; i couldn't relate. Also, the audiobook reader sounds like she's reading a book to kids at Sunday school.
February 28, 2019
Stunning and So Good
Practical, philosophical, and practically perfect. This is, perhaps, one of the most important books I have read. A manual full of information so you can choose your own path.
Practical, philosophical, and practically perfect. This is, perhaps, one of the most important books I have read. A manual full of information so you can choose your own path.
March 31, 2019
If you like self help books make this one your next read.
Applicable, modern and fitting to almost every age and life stage, it makes a great gift as well.
I don't want to give too much away, just read it yourself.
Highly recommended!
Applicable, modern and fitting to almost every age and life stage, it makes a great gift as well.
I don't want to give too much away, just read it yourself.
Highly recommended!
March 29, 2019
A beautifully written, tiny book on living simply. Inspiring and calming and just as wonderful as her first book, The Joy of Less, and her blog.
April 14, 2019
A great quick read. This was the first book I’ve read surrounding minimalism. I found it to be a great intro to the concepts. I will likely revisit it and check out her other book, the Joy if Less.
April 17, 2019
Loved this book. Lightly will be a new mantra for me when life feels heavy. One of my favorite quick reads.
June 25, 2019
A simple but beautiful need for when you need to be reminded of what truly matters.
July 16, 2019
I thought this book is excellent. It is not just about home, although that is important. It's about inside and all around you. I really appreciated and enjoyed reading and I will pick it up AMD read relevant chapters as time goes on.
June 2, 2024
Keep only those items that make your life easier or happier.
Eliminate anything that doesn't fit you or flatter you.
The best way to deal with sentimental things is to never let them settle in.
These objects are nice but not necessary to remember the special people, places and times of your life. Its the memories, not the mementos, that are magical.
Baking soda deodorizes, polishes and removes stains. add water to make a gently abrasive scouring powder that cleans pots, sinks, tubs and counter tops. To neutralize odors, add it to your laundry, sprinkle it on your carpet before vacuuming, or open a container of it in your refrigerator.
White vinegar and water cleans windows, stove tops, tubs, toilet bowls and tiles.
Look for durability, style and versatility.
Unscheduled time is essential to your mental health and well being. Life should be measured in moments, not minutes.
Live your light. Focus all of your energy on living it. Does this activity help me live my light.
To live lightly, we need to slow down and savor life. no multitasking.
Walking grounds you, clears your mind, expands your view, changes your perspective, lifts your mood, and connects you to nature.
Compliment people, leave friendly notes in public, buy coffee for the next person in line.......
Rather than cling to the stuff of your past, celebrate this opportunity to let go and live the rest of your life with a new sense of lightness.
Eliminate anything that doesn't fit you or flatter you.
The best way to deal with sentimental things is to never let them settle in.
These objects are nice but not necessary to remember the special people, places and times of your life. Its the memories, not the mementos, that are magical.
Baking soda deodorizes, polishes and removes stains. add water to make a gently abrasive scouring powder that cleans pots, sinks, tubs and counter tops. To neutralize odors, add it to your laundry, sprinkle it on your carpet before vacuuming, or open a container of it in your refrigerator.
White vinegar and water cleans windows, stove tops, tubs, toilet bowls and tiles.
Look for durability, style and versatility.
Unscheduled time is essential to your mental health and well being. Life should be measured in moments, not minutes.
Live your light. Focus all of your energy on living it. Does this activity help me live my light.
To live lightly, we need to slow down and savor life. no multitasking.
Walking grounds you, clears your mind, expands your view, changes your perspective, lifts your mood, and connects you to nature.
Compliment people, leave friendly notes in public, buy coffee for the next person in line.......
Rather than cling to the stuff of your past, celebrate this opportunity to let go and live the rest of your life with a new sense of lightness.
January 3, 2020
Setelah sekian lama gak baca buku motivasi, saya memilih baca buku ini di akhir tahun.
Sebenarnya sih buku self-help itu kebanyakan mudah ditulis tapi sulit banget diterapkan. Pada dasarnya saya sih suka banget bebenah, menyortir utk yg disimpan maupun yg dibuang. Yg SULIT adalah kalau yg sudah dibuang eh eh eh masih disortir lagi oleh pihak lain yg mengidap HOARDER. 🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️ Ini sama aja ngajak gelut kan?
Mungkin yang bagus cuma saran utk gak ngikutin drama di medsos. Ini beneran banget sih, selain menguras energi dan waktu, emosi juga jadi labil.
Oya, saran utk buku-buku yg ditulis di buku ini, saya sptnya kurang setuju jg ya. Masalahnya buku kan saya beli utk koleksi. Pengecualian kalau bukunya ternyata saya gak suka, gpp lah disumbangkan pd yg mau baca. Yg penting beramal dgn ikhlas, bukan dipaksa, apalagi diperas hehehe... 😂😂😂
Sebenarnya sih buku self-help itu kebanyakan mudah ditulis tapi sulit banget diterapkan. Pada dasarnya saya sih suka banget bebenah, menyortir utk yg disimpan maupun yg dibuang. Yg SULIT adalah kalau yg sudah dibuang eh eh eh masih disortir lagi oleh pihak lain yg mengidap HOARDER. 🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️ Ini sama aja ngajak gelut kan?
Mungkin yang bagus cuma saran utk gak ngikutin drama di medsos. Ini beneran banget sih, selain menguras energi dan waktu, emosi juga jadi labil.
Oya, saran utk buku-buku yg ditulis di buku ini, saya sptnya kurang setuju jg ya. Masalahnya buku kan saya beli utk koleksi. Pengecualian kalau bukunya ternyata saya gak suka, gpp lah disumbangkan pd yg mau baca. Yg penting beramal dgn ikhlas, bukan dipaksa, apalagi diperas hehehe... 😂😂😂
July 19, 2024
I really wanted to love this book! It’s beautiful and I loved the title and topic. Unfortunately, the version of minimalism presented in this books seemed a bit unrealistic - especially for families. Yes, we actually need an office and office supplies. No, it would not be practical for us to walk everywhere and carpool to leave less of an impact on the environment. There were also lots of new-age ideas sprinkled throughout the book which I did not care for.
Did I come away with some new ideas and motivation to lighten up my stuff? Yes. So in that regard the book was a success, but I’m pretty sure any other minimalism book on the market would have done the same for me.
I really wish the author had spent less time talking about getting rid of stuff and MORE time talking about living in a way that can lighten up the stress in our life…. Which is what the title seemed to imply.
Did I come away with some new ideas and motivation to lighten up my stuff? Yes. So in that regard the book was a success, but I’m pretty sure any other minimalism book on the market would have done the same for me.
I really wish the author had spent less time talking about getting rid of stuff and MORE time talking about living in a way that can lighten up the stress in our life…. Which is what the title seemed to imply.
February 29, 2020
Good book with several good advice about minimalism and calm life. Some of them works for me and I am surely trying out them. Some doesn't work for me and that's okay. I only take what I accept and agree with. Writing is good and I liked the structure of the book.
March 16, 2020
Tren hidup minimalis akhir-akhir ini sedang populer. Bagaimana buku-buku pengembangan diri yang membahas tentang hidup minimalis banyak bermunculan. Mungkin salah satu pelopornya adalah Marie Kondo dengan teknik KonMari-nya. Namun, Francine Jay pun tak kalah populer dari Kondo dalam mempopulerkan hidup minimalis. Bahkan Francine Jay terkenal dengan sebutan Miss Minimalist. Tidak heran karena memang Francine menerpakan gaya hidup minimalis secara terstruktur dan menyeluruh. Saya sendiri baru kali ini membaca buku tentang gaya hidup minimalis yang ternyata menarik untuk dipelajari. Dan buku Seni Membuat Hidup Jadi Lebih Ringan adalah pilihan yang tepat untuk memulainya. Di sini Francine tidak hanya sekadar memilih dan memilah barang-barang mana saja yang harus dibuang atau dipertahankan. Francine pun menunjukkan bagaimana cara hidup lebih ringan bukan hanya dari sisi materi, tapi juga jiwa dan hati.
Terbagi menjadi empat bagian yang terdiri dari; Meringankan Isi Rumah, Meringankan Langkah, Meringankan Kadar Stres, dan Meringankan Jiwa. Setiap bagian memiliki penjelasan yang ringkas, singkat, dan padat. Pada bagian pertama Francine memberikan teknik dan cara dalam meringankan benda-benda yang menumpuk di rumah. Biasanya kita membeli banyak barang bukan hanya karena sekadar butuh, tapi juga ada alasan lainnya. Seperti harganya diskon, pemberian, hanya karena lucu, dan lain-lain. Konsep hidup sederhana menekankan kita untuk menyimpan barang sesedikit mungkin dengan fungsi yang jelas. Contohnya seperti ketimbang kita membeli alat pemotong rumput yang hanya digunakan sesekali, lebih baik kita meminjamnta dari tetangga. Selain hemat tempat, kita pun bisa menjalin hubungan yang baik dengan tetangga. Selain itu ketimbang kita menyimpan beberapa gaun pesta yang hanya dipakai untuk acara-acara tertentu, alangkah lebih bijak jika kita menyewa saja. Selain lemari pakaian menjadi lebih lapang, pilihan gaun pesta pun lebih variatif.
Di dalam buku ini Francine Jay memberikan penjelasan yang lengkap dan rinci akan hidup minimalis. Hampir semua barang yang kita miliki di rumah dibahas dengan saran dan tips untuk menyimpan atau melepasnya. Barang-barang seperti pakaian, sepatu, piring, gelas, panci, peralatan masak, buku, dan masih banyak lagi. Francine memberikan tips dan solusi dalam memilih dan memilah barang-barang tersebut untuk meringankan isi rumah. Cara-cara seperti kumpulkan dan kelompokan. Dengan cara ini kita bisa melihat jenis-jenis barang mana saja yang menumpuk dan jarang dipergunakan. Setelah dikelompokkan kita bisa langsung mengurasinya. Saat proses ini berlangsung kita akan terkejut dengan jumlah barang yang kita lepas ternyata melebihi barang yang kita butuhkan.
Cara kedua dalam meringankan isi rumah adalah dengan cara menyiapkan dua kotak berlabel "kotak barang keluar" dan "kotak barang ditunda". Kotak barang keluar dikhususkan untuk barang-barang yang sudah pasti akan kita lepaskan, entah itu dibuang, dijual, atau disumbangkan sesuai kondisinya. Sedangkan kotak barang ditunda diperuntukkan untuk barang-barang yang masih kita ragukan antara butuh dan tidak. Dengan menyimpannya di kotak barang ditunda, kita masih bisa mengambil barang tersebut jika memang masih diperlukan. Namun, jika sudah beberapa waktu kita tidak memerlukan atau mengingatnya lagi barang-barang tersebut sudah siap kita lepaskan. Selain membahas soal meringankan isi rumah, buku ini membahas pula tentang cara hidup ringan. Seperti mengurangi pemanasan global, mengurangi belanja, sadar akan setiap momen, kurangi kesibukan, dan masih banyak lagi.
Secara keseluruhan Seni Membuat Hidup Jadi Lebih Ringan adalah panduan yang praktis dan menyenangkan dalam memperkenalkan gaya hidup minimalis. Francine Jay menggunakan bahasa dan pendekatan yang mudah diikuti dan dipahami. Walaupun mungkin teorinya akan sulit dilakukan pada awalnya, tapi jika sudah terbiasa saya yakin kita pun bisa menerapkan gaya hidup yang minimalis. Selain itu Francine menyelipkan berbagai falsafah hidup dari berbagai tokoh dan ajaran yang semuanya memiliki makna akan hidup minimalis. Buku ini terbilang lengkap dan komplit dalam menguraikan berbagai aspek kehidupan untuk hidup minimalis. Layout bukunya dikemas dengan cantik dan menarik. Kekurangannya terletak pada penjelasan yang terasa repetitif di beberapa bagian. Selebihnya buku ini adalah buku yang menyenangkan untuk dibaca. Kita tak perlu membaca dari awal sampai akhir. Francine sudah menegaskan kita bisa membaca dari bab mana saja yang menurut kita penting dan cocok untuk kehidupan kita.
Terbagi menjadi empat bagian yang terdiri dari; Meringankan Isi Rumah, Meringankan Langkah, Meringankan Kadar Stres, dan Meringankan Jiwa. Setiap bagian memiliki penjelasan yang ringkas, singkat, dan padat. Pada bagian pertama Francine memberikan teknik dan cara dalam meringankan benda-benda yang menumpuk di rumah. Biasanya kita membeli banyak barang bukan hanya karena sekadar butuh, tapi juga ada alasan lainnya. Seperti harganya diskon, pemberian, hanya karena lucu, dan lain-lain. Konsep hidup sederhana menekankan kita untuk menyimpan barang sesedikit mungkin dengan fungsi yang jelas. Contohnya seperti ketimbang kita membeli alat pemotong rumput yang hanya digunakan sesekali, lebih baik kita meminjamnta dari tetangga. Selain hemat tempat, kita pun bisa menjalin hubungan yang baik dengan tetangga. Selain itu ketimbang kita menyimpan beberapa gaun pesta yang hanya dipakai untuk acara-acara tertentu, alangkah lebih bijak jika kita menyewa saja. Selain lemari pakaian menjadi lebih lapang, pilihan gaun pesta pun lebih variatif.
Di dalam buku ini Francine Jay memberikan penjelasan yang lengkap dan rinci akan hidup minimalis. Hampir semua barang yang kita miliki di rumah dibahas dengan saran dan tips untuk menyimpan atau melepasnya. Barang-barang seperti pakaian, sepatu, piring, gelas, panci, peralatan masak, buku, dan masih banyak lagi. Francine memberikan tips dan solusi dalam memilih dan memilah barang-barang tersebut untuk meringankan isi rumah. Cara-cara seperti kumpulkan dan kelompokan. Dengan cara ini kita bisa melihat jenis-jenis barang mana saja yang menumpuk dan jarang dipergunakan. Setelah dikelompokkan kita bisa langsung mengurasinya. Saat proses ini berlangsung kita akan terkejut dengan jumlah barang yang kita lepas ternyata melebihi barang yang kita butuhkan.
Cara kedua dalam meringankan isi rumah adalah dengan cara menyiapkan dua kotak berlabel "kotak barang keluar" dan "kotak barang ditunda". Kotak barang keluar dikhususkan untuk barang-barang yang sudah pasti akan kita lepaskan, entah itu dibuang, dijual, atau disumbangkan sesuai kondisinya. Sedangkan kotak barang ditunda diperuntukkan untuk barang-barang yang masih kita ragukan antara butuh dan tidak. Dengan menyimpannya di kotak barang ditunda, kita masih bisa mengambil barang tersebut jika memang masih diperlukan. Namun, jika sudah beberapa waktu kita tidak memerlukan atau mengingatnya lagi barang-barang tersebut sudah siap kita lepaskan. Selain membahas soal meringankan isi rumah, buku ini membahas pula tentang cara hidup ringan. Seperti mengurangi pemanasan global, mengurangi belanja, sadar akan setiap momen, kurangi kesibukan, dan masih banyak lagi.
Secara keseluruhan Seni Membuat Hidup Jadi Lebih Ringan adalah panduan yang praktis dan menyenangkan dalam memperkenalkan gaya hidup minimalis. Francine Jay menggunakan bahasa dan pendekatan yang mudah diikuti dan dipahami. Walaupun mungkin teorinya akan sulit dilakukan pada awalnya, tapi jika sudah terbiasa saya yakin kita pun bisa menerapkan gaya hidup yang minimalis. Selain itu Francine menyelipkan berbagai falsafah hidup dari berbagai tokoh dan ajaran yang semuanya memiliki makna akan hidup minimalis. Buku ini terbilang lengkap dan komplit dalam menguraikan berbagai aspek kehidupan untuk hidup minimalis. Layout bukunya dikemas dengan cantik dan menarik. Kekurangannya terletak pada penjelasan yang terasa repetitif di beberapa bagian. Selebihnya buku ini adalah buku yang menyenangkan untuk dibaca. Kita tak perlu membaca dari awal sampai akhir. Francine sudah menegaskan kita bisa membaca dari bab mana saja yang menurut kita penting dan cocok untuk kehidupan kita.
March 30, 2023
Sometimes I read a book and just wonder how it got published. This book was pretty, no doubt. But.... Nope - that's it. Just pretty.
June 8, 2019
Fun if you find the concept useful. One-sided too though. For example the concept of “only buy things you truly need”, capsule wardrobe, etc totally ignores for a whole lot of people shopping is basically short-term self rewards. While saving up money to go on a vacation is great and going to museums in your own city is always fun, someone who only has one day to socialize will still need rewards for motivation. And some find that in shopping.
And the idea of a minimalist house is also too “will make only one group happy.” For me a house only feel like a home if it looks like there’s life there. A cat toy on the floor, a cardigan forgotten in the kitchen, some pictures on the walls... The book doesn’t talk against this anyway. I’m just trying to say let’s not see this as something for everyone. (Looking at you those who are planning on pushing these on your younger relatives!)
And the idea of a minimalist house is also too “will make only one group happy.” For me a house only feel like a home if it looks like there’s life there. A cat toy on the floor, a cardigan forgotten in the kitchen, some pictures on the walls... The book doesn’t talk against this anyway. I’m just trying to say let’s not see this as something for everyone. (Looking at you those who are planning on pushing these on your younger relatives!)
January 11, 2020
This was a nice read to begin a year, a decade - and there were some thoughts and ideas that were intriguing, if not entirely practical. I know that I have tried - for some time - to pare down my possessions, and those that have been left behind by loved ones. That, of course, is the hard task: to strike a balance between sentimentality and practicality.
The author discusses ways to lighten your life and you can define that your way: is it your stuff getting in the way? or your lifestyle? your stress level? even your spirit? There are suggestions for ways to lighten all of these, from the basic and practical to the, um, a bit new age-y and woo-woo. Did I think I'm going to run out and start all of this? No. But I might glean a few gems among the stuff I've heard before, the stuff I've tried and failed (or succeeded) at, and the woo-woo stuff. It's good enough for a new year type of book.
Some ideas / quotes / thoughts to remember:
Start with stuff that's easy for you and work your way up to bigger challenges.
Remove stuff from an area / drawer / space - then decide what to keep, rather than what to toss.
Keep only those items that make your life easier or happier. When starting a project, start with the stuff you don't use or don't like. Get rid of them. Move on to multiples - save only favorites or reasonable amount or cut in half - whatever makes sense. Be selective.
Maintain order - once each possession has its own spot, always return it there. Then be aware of what enters your home (gifts, freebies, etc.). Practice restraint - shop only when you need something; avoid advertising; delay purchases.
Put together a repair kit with sewing needles, spare buttons, eyeglass screws, & other parts needed to fix things.
For office tools/supplies, get rid of multiples. Choose your favorite to keep - you don't need backups for things that are inexpensive & easy to replace. Keep a small stash of pens, paper clips & other items - you don't need a bunch. For the office, the goal is to be as paperless as possible.
For hobbies: if possible, try to limit each activity to a single container. Complete half-done projects before starting new ones.
Curate the number of activities, projects & commitments in which you're involved; the community endeavors and volunteer activities; and your time and how you allocate it.
Think about what / who are your safety nets - those who give us the confidence to take risks, reach higher, make that flying leap of faith without the fear of falling.
Sophrosyne: Ancient Greek virtue of taking joy in a temperate way of life. 3 main facets - mindfulness: knowing when you've had enough; self control: controlling your desires instead of letting them control you; and harmony: being happy with enough. (So it's not being sad because you can't eat a donut - it's eating healthy because it makes you feel great.). It is like being a finely tuned instrument with all your thoughts, values, and actions aligned.
Give others the benefit of the doubt. Act with kindness and choose compassion over confrontation. Keep things in perspective. Don't go looking for drama.
Practice the same non-attachment with your inner clutter, your negative emotions bringing you down.
To live lightly is to live mindfully - to be fully aware in the present moment.
Nothing is permanent. The tides of changes are beyond our control, so instead of blocking the flow, we go with it.
Living lightly... it's about finding your wings and learning to fly.
The author discusses ways to lighten your life and you can define that your way: is it your stuff getting in the way? or your lifestyle? your stress level? even your spirit? There are suggestions for ways to lighten all of these, from the basic and practical to the, um, a bit new age-y and woo-woo. Did I think I'm going to run out and start all of this? No. But I might glean a few gems among the stuff I've heard before, the stuff I've tried and failed (or succeeded) at, and the woo-woo stuff. It's good enough for a new year type of book.
Some ideas / quotes / thoughts to remember:
Start with stuff that's easy for you and work your way up to bigger challenges.
Remove stuff from an area / drawer / space - then decide what to keep, rather than what to toss.
Keep only those items that make your life easier or happier. When starting a project, start with the stuff you don't use or don't like. Get rid of them. Move on to multiples - save only favorites or reasonable amount or cut in half - whatever makes sense. Be selective.
Maintain order - once each possession has its own spot, always return it there. Then be aware of what enters your home (gifts, freebies, etc.). Practice restraint - shop only when you need something; avoid advertising; delay purchases.
Put together a repair kit with sewing needles, spare buttons, eyeglass screws, & other parts needed to fix things.
For office tools/supplies, get rid of multiples. Choose your favorite to keep - you don't need backups for things that are inexpensive & easy to replace. Keep a small stash of pens, paper clips & other items - you don't need a bunch. For the office, the goal is to be as paperless as possible.
For hobbies: if possible, try to limit each activity to a single container. Complete half-done projects before starting new ones.
Curate the number of activities, projects & commitments in which you're involved; the community endeavors and volunteer activities; and your time and how you allocate it.
Think about what / who are your safety nets - those who give us the confidence to take risks, reach higher, make that flying leap of faith without the fear of falling.
Sophrosyne: Ancient Greek virtue of taking joy in a temperate way of life. 3 main facets - mindfulness: knowing when you've had enough; self control: controlling your desires instead of letting them control you; and harmony: being happy with enough. (So it's not being sad because you can't eat a donut - it's eating healthy because it makes you feel great.). It is like being a finely tuned instrument with all your thoughts, values, and actions aligned.
Give others the benefit of the doubt. Act with kindness and choose compassion over confrontation. Keep things in perspective. Don't go looking for drama.
Practice the same non-attachment with your inner clutter, your negative emotions bringing you down.
To live lightly is to live mindfully - to be fully aware in the present moment.
Nothing is permanent. The tides of changes are beyond our control, so instead of blocking the flow, we go with it.
Living lightly... it's about finding your wings and learning to fly.
January 18, 2020
The more we have on the plate, the heavier it is. Whether its stuff, commitments, relationships, work projects--it can sometimes be too much and be draining. It seems hard, at first, to get rid of things, to declutter relationships and learning how to say "no". But once you've got the knack for it, living lightly simply becomes a way of life.
Think first to one's house: how many linens or towels do you have? More than enough for you, a backup, and some for your guests? How many cups and dishes and utensils do you have? Enough to host a 100 person event, or enough for you and your family plus a little? And books, let's not even get started on that. But even with commitments--having too much means that you're spread thin and can't give your fullest. Same with work projects. So if we pare down what we have going on in our lives, argues Jay, we can live lightly, feel better, and have a positive impact on our earth and on others.
And there's reason to it! Jay has impeccable logic, though I might be biased here (I'm a fan of hers and like-minded works!). And the effects of what she preaches and practices have certainly made a difference in my own life. Less stuff = fewer things to look at = fewer things my brain must process = less stress!
I think, of course, the one critique that might be had with this book and other like-minded works is the fact that impoverished folks simply can't afford to get rid of their stuff on account of the "just in case" mindset--which makes total sense! So, in that case, I think it's definitely important to remember that Francine Jay is definitely talking to an audience that can afford getting rid of things on the off chance they may have to buy them again. But even so, so many of the things she discusses really aren't things anyone generally needs (think fancy kitchen appliances, for instance. How many times have we actually made cake pops)?
Overall, I greatly enjoyed this book. It's well designed, and continues to offer fresh and interesting perspectives. Not only that, but it's relaxing even to read!
Review cross-listed here!
Think first to one's house: how many linens or towels do you have? More than enough for you, a backup, and some for your guests? How many cups and dishes and utensils do you have? Enough to host a 100 person event, or enough for you and your family plus a little? And books, let's not even get started on that. But even with commitments--having too much means that you're spread thin and can't give your fullest. Same with work projects. So if we pare down what we have going on in our lives, argues Jay, we can live lightly, feel better, and have a positive impact on our earth and on others.
And there's reason to it! Jay has impeccable logic, though I might be biased here (I'm a fan of hers and like-minded works!). And the effects of what she preaches and practices have certainly made a difference in my own life. Less stuff = fewer things to look at = fewer things my brain must process = less stress!
I think, of course, the one critique that might be had with this book and other like-minded works is the fact that impoverished folks simply can't afford to get rid of their stuff on account of the "just in case" mindset--which makes total sense! So, in that case, I think it's definitely important to remember that Francine Jay is definitely talking to an audience that can afford getting rid of things on the off chance they may have to buy them again. But even so, so many of the things she discusses really aren't things anyone generally needs (think fancy kitchen appliances, for instance. How many times have we actually made cake pops)?
Overall, I greatly enjoyed this book. It's well designed, and continues to offer fresh and interesting perspectives. Not only that, but it's relaxing even to read!
Review cross-listed here!
February 19, 2020
Saya selalu suka buku Francine Jay. Saya suka pendekatan hidup minimalisnya yang erat dengan berbagai hal lain, tidak hanya aspek finansial, tetapi juga lingkungan. Buku ini menjelaskan bagaimana caranya hingga tataran teknis untuk bisa hidup ringan. Tidak hanya barang, tetapi juga dari pekerjaan, dan kehidupan di dunia maya. Ada juga pendekatan filsafat, senang rasanya saya menemukan nama-nama filsuf yang saya 'kenal' berkat kuliah filsafat (kuliah 1 bulan setiap Sabtu di Komunitas Salihara). Buku yang juga ringan untuk dibaca (sayang, harganya tidak ringan hehehe). Hal yang paling saya suka adalah penutup bab yang menceritakan sedikit lebih dalam mengenai istilah yang erat kaitannya dengan hidup yang ringan. Tidak lupa ada juga kutipan-kutipan yang menyenangkan untuk dibaca. Saya suka buku ini, sama seperti buku sebelumnya, semoga akan membacanya lagi nanti.
February 6, 2021
This is my own fault for not reading the synopsis before starting this book, but I thought it would be more about minimalism and not so much about mindfulness. I picked this up because I really enjoyed Francine Jay's The Joy of Less: A Minimalist Guide to Declutter, Organize, and Simplify and assumed this one would be similar. There is a section about stuff, but it's only small.
It's also very much aimed at women of a certain age and mothers, but that's fine because I just applied all the kid advice to my dog.
There were some useful tips but I zoned out for most of the audiobook. Just wasn't entirely my thing.
It's also very much aimed at women of a certain age and mothers, but that's fine because I just applied all the kid advice to my dog.
There were some useful tips but I zoned out for most of the audiobook. Just wasn't entirely my thing.
July 6, 2020
I think this book is hit or miss with lots of people but I think one should just take what they want from it, and leave the rest behind.
Whether tomorrow I still feel like I want to be mindful or not, today I cleared out my closet and organized my life a little. Not gonna lie, I feel pretty good. So thank you to this book haha!
Whether tomorrow I still feel like I want to be mindful or not, today I cleared out my closet and organized my life a little. Not gonna lie, I feel pretty good. So thank you to this book haha!
June 15, 2019
I mostly just read this because the design is gorgeous
July 11, 2019
Encapsulates much of my own philosophy on life, so she's basically preaching to the converted here, but I found it uplifting and inspiring anyway.
December 23, 2019
This book was beautifully written with practices I have not run across before such as: aparigraha. Much of what she writes about I already do, or try to do, yet her approach was gentle and written lightly!
February 14, 2023
This is a very quick read, fun and to the point. you can go directly to the section that interests you or read the whole thing.
June 15, 2019
Nothing new, but I do enjoy a good minimalist read. I especially like Jay's thoughts on intangible ways to live lightly in areas such as schedules, emotions, reactions, stillness, thoughts, commitments, etc.
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