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A Simpler Life: A guide to greater serenity, ease, and clarity
This book explores ideas around minimalism, simplicity and how to live comfortably with less.
The modern world can be a complicated, frenzied, and noisy place, filled with too many options, products, ideas and opinions. That explains why what many of us long for is simplicity: a life that can be more pared down, peaceful, and focused on the essentials.
But finding simplicity is not always easy; it isn’t just a case of emptying out our closets or trimming back commitments in our diaries. True simplicity requires that we understand the roots of our distractions – and develop a canny respect for the stubborn reasons why things can grow complex and overwhelming.
This book is a guide to the simpler lives we crave and deserve. It considers how we might achieve simplicity across a range of areas. Along the way, we learn about Zen Buddhism, modernist architecture, monasteries, psychoanalysis, and why we probably don’t need more than three good friends or a few treasured belongings.
It isn’t enough that our lives should look simple; they need to be simple from the inside. This book takes a psychological approach, guiding us towards less contorted hearts and minds. We have for too long been drowning in excess and clutter from a confusion about our aspirations; A Simpler Life helps us tune out the static and focus on what properly matters to us.
The modern world can be a complicated, frenzied, and noisy place, filled with too many options, products, ideas and opinions. That explains why what many of us long for is simplicity: a life that can be more pared down, peaceful, and focused on the essentials.
But finding simplicity is not always easy; it isn’t just a case of emptying out our closets or trimming back commitments in our diaries. True simplicity requires that we understand the roots of our distractions – and develop a canny respect for the stubborn reasons why things can grow complex and overwhelming.
This book is a guide to the simpler lives we crave and deserve. It considers how we might achieve simplicity across a range of areas. Along the way, we learn about Zen Buddhism, modernist architecture, monasteries, psychoanalysis, and why we probably don’t need more than three good friends or a few treasured belongings.
It isn’t enough that our lives should look simple; they need to be simple from the inside. This book takes a psychological approach, guiding us towards less contorted hearts and minds. We have for too long been drowning in excess and clutter from a confusion about our aspirations; A Simpler Life helps us tune out the static and focus on what properly matters to us.
163 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 6, 2022
280 people are currently reading
2450 people want to read
About the author
The School of Life
172 books3,049 followersThe School of Life is a global organisation helping people lead more fulfilled lives.
We believe that the journey to finding fulfilment begins with self-knowledge. It is only when we have a sense of who we really are that we can make reliable decisions, particularly around love and work.
Sadly, tools and techniques for developing self-knowledge and finding fulfilment are hard to find – they’re not taught in schools, in universities, or in workplaces. Too many of us go through life without ever really understanding what’s going on in the recesses of our minds.
That’s why we created The School of Life; a resource for helping us understand ourselves, for improving our relationships, our careers and our social lives - as well as for helping us find calm and get more out of our leisure hours. We do this through films, workshops, books and gifts - as well as through a warm and supportive community.
We believe that the journey to finding fulfilment begins with self-knowledge. It is only when we have a sense of who we really are that we can make reliable decisions, particularly around love and work.
Sadly, tools and techniques for developing self-knowledge and finding fulfilment are hard to find – they’re not taught in schools, in universities, or in workplaces. Too many of us go through life without ever really understanding what’s going on in the recesses of our minds.
That’s why we created The School of Life; a resource for helping us understand ourselves, for improving our relationships, our careers and our social lives - as well as for helping us find calm and get more out of our leisure hours. We do this through films, workshops, books and gifts - as well as through a warm and supportive community.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 177 reviews
December 13, 2021
"Ten Foot Square Hut" is universally acclaimed to be one of the great masterpieces of Japanese literature. It is also an autobiography of a man who spent fifteen years of his life inhabiting a space that was just 3 metres square. Kamo no Chomei was born in an opulent family and initially led a life of grandeur. Bequeathed a large estate by his grandmother, Chomei lacked for nothing. However indiscriminate friendships and ill advised monetary dealings led him to financial ruin. His fall from grace and means was so steep that he was forced to construct a hut with his own bare hands and forage for food on a daily basis. His 'abode' was an isolated land's end near the hills of Toyama. Rotting leaves nestled on the roof while moss sprouted out the floor. He lay down every night on a pile of bracken and the hut was bereft of even a single piece of furniture. However it was in such abject poverty that Chomei found wealth. It was sitting in such sparse and harsh environs that he composed his mesmerising work. When he says "I love my little hut, my simple dwelling", the reader can almost visualise a man clad in tattered rags yet wearing a contended disposition; a man living in utter darkness yet exuding a beatific aura.
"A Simpler Life" an upcoming work from the house "The School of Life" is a primer on how to lead an uncomplicated life. The School of Life is a global organisation that has as its objective the furtherance of efforts expended in leading fulfilled lives. Lest the reader be misguided, "A Simpler Life" does not advocate abdication of all material riches and retreating to the confines of a meagre dwelling a la Chomei. It does however encourage its readers to embrace a concept known as "voluntary poverty". Even though the term reads novel, it's practice has stood the test of time and temptation. The Roman statesman Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus (519-430 BC) was disgusted by a devious and materialistic world. Substituting palatial mansions for a plough, Cincinnatus retired to a life of idyllic farming. Even when Rome was threatened by external aggression, Cincinnatus briefly returned to his erstwhile world, staved off the threat before fleeing back to his isolated farm. A more contemporaneous example is that of the late Canadian artist Agnes Martin. In spite of churning out art that commanded millions by way of consideration, she preferred to lead a reclusive life in a tiny self-constructed mud brick-house in New Mexico.
“A Simpler Life” advocates the removal of avoidable complications from life so as to make it eminently livable. For example when two individuals are engaged in courtship, the tendency is to snuffle the real interests at the altar of “accommodation”. Only when they get married do the oblivious couple realise the danger of incompatibility. A degree of simple honesty would go a great deal in arresting an undesirable future situation. Express your aversion to museums when goaded to visit one, but do so in a manner that is frank and respectful. Set your expectations right and correct. Similarly contrasting philosophies representing a generation gap characterise relationship between parents and their children. It pays for both to speak out their minds, agreeing to disagree and reach a middle ground. Non-interference and at times even separate existence might work wonders in furthering good relations and repairing those that are slowly but surely and steadily going downhill.
While these are dollops of wisdom that have been preached and practiced for a long time, the appeal of the book lies in the simplicity (no pun intended) with which they are conveyed and real life examples that serve as eye-openers. The book also appeals to its readers to abhor pretentiousness and to stop leading lives for the singular purpose of obtaining approval and accord of others. Thus there is a stampeded to read the book that is on everyone’s bookshelves after winning a prestigious prize and a mad rush to get immersed in a movie that is the rage of its day. Even if the book does not make a jot of sense and the movie is more powerful than an anesthetic in inducing sleep, there is great hesitancy to admit the fact because doing so would make the person an “Other”, an exception from an “acceptable” norm.
I can personally relate to the example dealing with books. Influenced a great deal by a cryptic podcast, I armed myself with ‘Infinite Jest’, Ulysses’, ‘A Confederacy of Dunces’ and ‘A Suitable Boy’. After infinite attempts at giving the quartet a read, I finally realised the futility of my endeavours and gave up the seductive allure of being one of those ‘choice’ people who had chewed, swallowed and digested these supposed masterpieces.
Interestingly the book also warns against traveling just for the sake of it. Just to satiate bucket lists and jump on the tourist bandwagon we seem to have made travel an absolute necessity and a chore. Instead, one would do well to absorb the sage advice imparted by the French philosopher and mathematician Blaise Pascal. “The sole cause of man’s unhappiness is that he cannot stay quietly in his room.” However this does not mean locking oneself up in the confines of a room until eternity like the unfortunate character in Charlotte Perkins Gillman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper”. All that the book requires is bouts of contemplation instead of aimless wandering.
Finally the book concludes with a plea to reconsider the phrase “retire early”. One must not aim to confine this term purely in connection with professional responsibilities. There must be a conscious effort to retire from perusing unnecessary wants, accumulating untold material possessions, and attending unwanted parties and congregations.
“A Simple Life” – a primer to selfless living
(A Simpler Life by The School Of Life is published by The School Of Life and will be available for sale from the 31st May, 2022)
Thank You Net Galley for the Advance Reviewer Copy
"A Simpler Life" an upcoming work from the house "The School of Life" is a primer on how to lead an uncomplicated life. The School of Life is a global organisation that has as its objective the furtherance of efforts expended in leading fulfilled lives. Lest the reader be misguided, "A Simpler Life" does not advocate abdication of all material riches and retreating to the confines of a meagre dwelling a la Chomei. It does however encourage its readers to embrace a concept known as "voluntary poverty". Even though the term reads novel, it's practice has stood the test of time and temptation. The Roman statesman Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus (519-430 BC) was disgusted by a devious and materialistic world. Substituting palatial mansions for a plough, Cincinnatus retired to a life of idyllic farming. Even when Rome was threatened by external aggression, Cincinnatus briefly returned to his erstwhile world, staved off the threat before fleeing back to his isolated farm. A more contemporaneous example is that of the late Canadian artist Agnes Martin. In spite of churning out art that commanded millions by way of consideration, she preferred to lead a reclusive life in a tiny self-constructed mud brick-house in New Mexico.
“A Simpler Life” advocates the removal of avoidable complications from life so as to make it eminently livable. For example when two individuals are engaged in courtship, the tendency is to snuffle the real interests at the altar of “accommodation”. Only when they get married do the oblivious couple realise the danger of incompatibility. A degree of simple honesty would go a great deal in arresting an undesirable future situation. Express your aversion to museums when goaded to visit one, but do so in a manner that is frank and respectful. Set your expectations right and correct. Similarly contrasting philosophies representing a generation gap characterise relationship between parents and their children. It pays for both to speak out their minds, agreeing to disagree and reach a middle ground. Non-interference and at times even separate existence might work wonders in furthering good relations and repairing those that are slowly but surely and steadily going downhill.
While these are dollops of wisdom that have been preached and practiced for a long time, the appeal of the book lies in the simplicity (no pun intended) with which they are conveyed and real life examples that serve as eye-openers. The book also appeals to its readers to abhor pretentiousness and to stop leading lives for the singular purpose of obtaining approval and accord of others. Thus there is a stampeded to read the book that is on everyone’s bookshelves after winning a prestigious prize and a mad rush to get immersed in a movie that is the rage of its day. Even if the book does not make a jot of sense and the movie is more powerful than an anesthetic in inducing sleep, there is great hesitancy to admit the fact because doing so would make the person an “Other”, an exception from an “acceptable” norm.
I can personally relate to the example dealing with books. Influenced a great deal by a cryptic podcast, I armed myself with ‘Infinite Jest’, Ulysses’, ‘A Confederacy of Dunces’ and ‘A Suitable Boy’. After infinite attempts at giving the quartet a read, I finally realised the futility of my endeavours and gave up the seductive allure of being one of those ‘choice’ people who had chewed, swallowed and digested these supposed masterpieces.
Interestingly the book also warns against traveling just for the sake of it. Just to satiate bucket lists and jump on the tourist bandwagon we seem to have made travel an absolute necessity and a chore. Instead, one would do well to absorb the sage advice imparted by the French philosopher and mathematician Blaise Pascal. “The sole cause of man’s unhappiness is that he cannot stay quietly in his room.” However this does not mean locking oneself up in the confines of a room until eternity like the unfortunate character in Charlotte Perkins Gillman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper”. All that the book requires is bouts of contemplation instead of aimless wandering.
Finally the book concludes with a plea to reconsider the phrase “retire early”. One must not aim to confine this term purely in connection with professional responsibilities. There must be a conscious effort to retire from perusing unnecessary wants, accumulating untold material possessions, and attending unwanted parties and congregations.
“A Simple Life” – a primer to selfless living
(A Simpler Life by The School Of Life is published by The School Of Life and will be available for sale from the 31st May, 2022)
Thank You Net Galley for the Advance Reviewer Copy
May 20, 2022
This slim volume from educational company The School of Life presents itself as a guide to simplicity in all areas of life. While some interesting ideas are covered, the feeling of reading it is akin to listening to a bunch of people at an upper-middle class dinner party all sharing their opinions on the theme—inconsistent, under-sourced, and not particularly practical. Given how saturated the market is right now with books on simplicity as an antidote for modern life, it's hard to recommend this survey that is both broad and shallow.
Some of the core ideas certainly may resonate. For example, the authors keep coming back to the question of relevance and purpose as a central tool for decision-making around what to keep in one's life and what to eliminate, which is an important and often overlooked tool. But as a guide, it would be nice to include exercises or writing prompts to assist the reader in applying this principle, or even just a broader range of examples.
The collectively authored format means that the book’s voice, insofar as it has one, is very generic and corporate. The School of Life is a European company employing a team "thinkers" to make Youtube videos, write books, and teach courses on a mix of self-development topics and the classic subjects of Western Civ. Their aim of teaching skills that are de-emphasized in the modern workplace isn't problematic on its own, but the lack of a clear point-of-view is a little frustrating. And if you're not paying close attention, you might miss things like a subtle plug for the company itself in a section on reducing your reading volume that offers a single example of a purpose for reading, "learn to be content"—conveniently, achievable through reading about a list of subjects that the School of Life features!
It's too bad, because I actually could see this being an interesting book if the scope were narrowed and the sections expanded upon to go deeper and serve more potential readers. The reading section, for example, explains how our desire to read as much as possible, to know as much as possible, is an artifact of Enlightenment thinking—a direct contrast to an earlier perspective that emphasized getting to know a single text (e.g. the Bible, the Iliad) very well. I would’ve enjoyed learning more about different theories on the function of reading, or perhaps walking through an exercise to identify my own purpose and how to filter my "to read" list accordingly. Instead, the ideas are briefly dropped, and then we're on to the next section.
The topics around simplifying workload and information consumption contain the most useful information. Though sources are absent, and there are no personal stories to make the ideas more compelling, the authors do a decent job of explaining how we get caught up in reputation and expectations, how we crowd our schedules without time to think, and how chasing the next dream pulls us out of immersion in and gratitude for our actual lives.
Other topics are only tenuously tied to simplicity. The first section on relationships, for example, was an extremely rocky start that hardly seems useful. There's an almost vendetta throughout against having a social life, and any systemic issues are completely ignored. The take is individualist and "apolitical" in that way that is in fact very political. The overall tone reminded me of that annoying guy in a social group who proudly declares himself to be an "independent thinker" and then pontificates on his own opinions while expecting everyone else to cite their sources and defend their arguments with impeccable logic. Any spiritual side to simplicity or reference to mindfulness is conspicuously absent.
The target audience is clearly middle- or upper-middle class, and some of the sections around money and material possessions were downright cringeworthy. Don't worry, being poor isn't scary and ugly! This is the overall message, obviously not directed towards anyone who has ever actually experienced poverty. Advice like "go live in a hut, you'll be perfectly fine" completely ignores actual experiences of houselessness, violence, and absent healthcare.
Certainly, some of our anxieties can stem from inaccurate fears of the future that are rooted in ignorance of our actual privilege, but for a general audience this tone rankles. Maybe a considerably wealthy person who’d never encountered the idea of living more simply would be inspired by this book, but I still would recommend an alternative and avoid the neoliberal / corporate perspective baked into this “authorless” volume.
(ARC provided by NetGalley.)
Some of the core ideas certainly may resonate. For example, the authors keep coming back to the question of relevance and purpose as a central tool for decision-making around what to keep in one's life and what to eliminate, which is an important and often overlooked tool. But as a guide, it would be nice to include exercises or writing prompts to assist the reader in applying this principle, or even just a broader range of examples.
The collectively authored format means that the book’s voice, insofar as it has one, is very generic and corporate. The School of Life is a European company employing a team "thinkers" to make Youtube videos, write books, and teach courses on a mix of self-development topics and the classic subjects of Western Civ. Their aim of teaching skills that are de-emphasized in the modern workplace isn't problematic on its own, but the lack of a clear point-of-view is a little frustrating. And if you're not paying close attention, you might miss things like a subtle plug for the company itself in a section on reducing your reading volume that offers a single example of a purpose for reading, "learn to be content"—conveniently, achievable through reading about a list of subjects that the School of Life features!
It's too bad, because I actually could see this being an interesting book if the scope were narrowed and the sections expanded upon to go deeper and serve more potential readers. The reading section, for example, explains how our desire to read as much as possible, to know as much as possible, is an artifact of Enlightenment thinking—a direct contrast to an earlier perspective that emphasized getting to know a single text (e.g. the Bible, the Iliad) very well. I would’ve enjoyed learning more about different theories on the function of reading, or perhaps walking through an exercise to identify my own purpose and how to filter my "to read" list accordingly. Instead, the ideas are briefly dropped, and then we're on to the next section.
The topics around simplifying workload and information consumption contain the most useful information. Though sources are absent, and there are no personal stories to make the ideas more compelling, the authors do a decent job of explaining how we get caught up in reputation and expectations, how we crowd our schedules without time to think, and how chasing the next dream pulls us out of immersion in and gratitude for our actual lives.
Other topics are only tenuously tied to simplicity. The first section on relationships, for example, was an extremely rocky start that hardly seems useful. There's an almost vendetta throughout against having a social life, and any systemic issues are completely ignored. The take is individualist and "apolitical" in that way that is in fact very political. The overall tone reminded me of that annoying guy in a social group who proudly declares himself to be an "independent thinker" and then pontificates on his own opinions while expecting everyone else to cite their sources and defend their arguments with impeccable logic. Any spiritual side to simplicity or reference to mindfulness is conspicuously absent.
The target audience is clearly middle- or upper-middle class, and some of the sections around money and material possessions were downright cringeworthy. Don't worry, being poor isn't scary and ugly! This is the overall message, obviously not directed towards anyone who has ever actually experienced poverty. Advice like "go live in a hut, you'll be perfectly fine" completely ignores actual experiences of houselessness, violence, and absent healthcare.
Certainly, some of our anxieties can stem from inaccurate fears of the future that are rooted in ignorance of our actual privilege, but for a general audience this tone rankles. Maybe a considerably wealthy person who’d never encountered the idea of living more simply would be inspired by this book, but I still would recommend an alternative and avoid the neoliberal / corporate perspective baked into this “authorless” volume.
(ARC provided by NetGalley.)
January 17, 2022
A quick read. I am not a fan. I've read some books on minimalism, and this is not among the best. This book more explains how to act and look like a minimalist, and not how to actually become one. It's pedantic and condescending. The writing is dull. There are some okay messages to take away and some good pictures of art and buildings. I really wish I liked it more!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC to read. Opinions are my honest thoughts.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC to read. Opinions are my honest thoughts.
May 29, 2023
Didn’t realize this was a book for rich privileged people who already have everything at their fingertips and want to “play poor” (no there’s LITERALLY a chapter on ‘practicing poverty…’). Weird take on minamlism and gentrification.
October 11, 2023
This was a lovely ‘simple’ book. Really loved how the chapters were divided and I liked that it didn’t just preach minimalism but rather delved into the psychology of simplicity.
I did take a while to finish this one though because I wasn’t very keen on the history aspect of it.
Would highly recommend this to anyone looking to pause, slow down and live a meaningful life.
I did take a while to finish this one though because I wasn’t very keen on the history aspect of it.
Would highly recommend this to anyone looking to pause, slow down and live a meaningful life.
October 8, 2024
This actually had a few helpful tidbits 3.5
January 6, 2024
really enjoyed this book! especially after i read Digital Minimalism (and carried out the 30 days declutter), i was looking towards living a more analog life & finding ways to appreciate & slow down my day to day life. and this was a good book for that!
the book covers quite a few aspects of life, and i really enjoyed how simple & straightforward it is, just a lot of reminders on how we can work towards a simpler & more fulfilling life :)
simpler relationships (& friendships), simpler families, how to enjoy quieter days, how to embrace good materialism, how to go to bed earlier, how to care less about news & how to travel less.
i actually find myself thinking about the book during random times in the day, and some advice really stuck with me and has changed the way i view life.
here are some of my fav quotes:
(family) The exact reasons why we can’t get on with our parents will be specific; the fact that we can’t is extremely, and cathartically, general.
(family) Simplicity in our familial relationships must spring from a recognition of the inherent complexity of what we’re trying to do – which is to get on well with someone who has unavoidably damaged us and whose outlook on life can never reasonably align with our own.
(self) When we are too hard on ourselves, and doubt our worth or right to exist, it is because we haven’t fully observed and remembered how hard it is, through no particular fault of our own, to be us.
(quieter days) In our slow days we have the time, and the patience, to notice what at first seem like small sources of pleasure. As we appreciate them, we are able to realise how important and moving they really are – and how much we missed out on when, in our busier time, we tried to do everything.
(materialism) Truly ‘good’ materialism leads us to want fewer things and to choose them with care, while bad materialism results in us filling our homes with needless stuff that we have no room for in our hearts. We become more sparing and selective in adding possessions when we are properly attuned to the contributions that material things can make to our lives.
(travel) Another thing we can do in our own rooms is to return to journeys we have already taken. The idea of revisiting a journey in memory sounds a little strange – or simply sad. This is an enormous pity. We are careless curators of our own pasts; we push the important scenes from our memories to the back of the cupboard of our minds and don’t particularly expect to see them again.
(travel) If only we could apply a travelling mindset to our own rooms and immediate neighbourhoods, we might find that these places become no less interesting than foreign lands.
(travel) A walk is the smallest sort of journey we can ever undertake.
the book covers quite a few aspects of life, and i really enjoyed how simple & straightforward it is, just a lot of reminders on how we can work towards a simpler & more fulfilling life :)
simpler relationships (& friendships), simpler families, how to enjoy quieter days, how to embrace good materialism, how to go to bed earlier, how to care less about news & how to travel less.
i actually find myself thinking about the book during random times in the day, and some advice really stuck with me and has changed the way i view life.
here are some of my fav quotes:
(family) The exact reasons why we can’t get on with our parents will be specific; the fact that we can’t is extremely, and cathartically, general.
(family) Simplicity in our familial relationships must spring from a recognition of the inherent complexity of what we’re trying to do – which is to get on well with someone who has unavoidably damaged us and whose outlook on life can never reasonably align with our own.
(self) When we are too hard on ourselves, and doubt our worth or right to exist, it is because we haven’t fully observed and remembered how hard it is, through no particular fault of our own, to be us.
(quieter days) In our slow days we have the time, and the patience, to notice what at first seem like small sources of pleasure. As we appreciate them, we are able to realise how important and moving they really are – and how much we missed out on when, in our busier time, we tried to do everything.
(materialism) Truly ‘good’ materialism leads us to want fewer things and to choose them with care, while bad materialism results in us filling our homes with needless stuff that we have no room for in our hearts. We become more sparing and selective in adding possessions when we are properly attuned to the contributions that material things can make to our lives.
(travel) Another thing we can do in our own rooms is to return to journeys we have already taken. The idea of revisiting a journey in memory sounds a little strange – or simply sad. This is an enormous pity. We are careless curators of our own pasts; we push the important scenes from our memories to the back of the cupboard of our minds and don’t particularly expect to see them again.
(travel) If only we could apply a travelling mindset to our own rooms and immediate neighbourhoods, we might find that these places become no less interesting than foreign lands.
(travel) A walk is the smallest sort of journey we can ever undertake.
December 16, 2021
This book is hard to rate because for the person who is entirely new to the subject, it will offer some interesting food for thought and point one in the direction of useful resources. However, if you’ve been giving the topic some thought and have read works like Kamo no Chōmei’s “The Ten Foot Square Hut,” you’re likely to find it a disappointing regurgitation of the thoughts of others mixed with banal truisms. So, I wouldn’t recommend it for someone who’s begun simplifying their lives, but for someone who needs an entry point that isn’t as intimidating as hardcore works such as that of Chōmei it might be of use.
My biggest problem with this book was that it seemed to suggest that because simplifying means more simplicity that all readers would be converging toward the same life. In other words, that there isn’t space for a diversity of approaches to simplicity. In one of the great ironies of the book, it advocates for reading less and having at most a dozen books on one’s shelf. The irony isn’t the suggestion of fewer books, but that in a world in which no one had more than a dozen books on their shelves, this book would not exist on any of them. And the kinds of books this book suggests are essentially self-help titles. [To be fair, I almost never read self-help books because they mostly (and certainly in this case) leave me feeling like I would having come from a fortuneteller – i.e. feeling lighter in the wallet, but no wiser in the mind.]
This isn’t a bad book, but I think most readers can do better.
My biggest problem with this book was that it seemed to suggest that because simplifying means more simplicity that all readers would be converging toward the same life. In other words, that there isn’t space for a diversity of approaches to simplicity. In one of the great ironies of the book, it advocates for reading less and having at most a dozen books on one’s shelf. The irony isn’t the suggestion of fewer books, but that in a world in which no one had more than a dozen books on their shelves, this book would not exist on any of them. And the kinds of books this book suggests are essentially self-help titles. [To be fair, I almost never read self-help books because they mostly (and certainly in this case) leave me feeling like I would having come from a fortuneteller – i.e. feeling lighter in the wallet, but no wiser in the mind.]
This isn’t a bad book, but I think most readers can do better.
December 11, 2021
I received a copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review, with thanks to the publisher and to Netgalley.
I was initially interested in this book because minimalism and simplicity are concepts that fascinate me. Following watching The Minimalists documentary a few years ago, it's a choice that has always appealed to me. It's easy to be overwhelmed by complexity in our society. Everyone wants everything all the time and it's taxing. Relationships, family, living, possessions. It all takes a toll one way or another. I suspected that this book would be a really good starting point for those willing to make small changes in their lives to make a huge difference to their sense of self and mental wellbeing and I suppose in some ways it did meet that criteria.
That being said, I feel like as a whole, it largely fell flat.
This book reads as if it was written for the self-serving, the elite, those of us with the kind of money to put ourselves in what this book deems as "voluntary poverty". I personally found this term a bit gross. It romanticises the notion of living with nothing when for the vast majority in poverty, this is not a choice. This book is for the rich and the bored and I struggle to have my mind changed on that fact. It reads more like a history lesson than a guiding book and frankly, it's very cliche. It has nothing of substance. It recommends that the reader should read less because we only read a lot to know everything, an absolutely nonsense notion if you ask me. Overall, I just don't think this book achieved anything that it wanted too and I don't think I gained any insight from it other than being mildly annoyed.
If you're interested in quality content on how to simplify your life in ways, check out the likes of The Minimalists and Matt D'Alleva on Youtube.
I was initially interested in this book because minimalism and simplicity are concepts that fascinate me. Following watching The Minimalists documentary a few years ago, it's a choice that has always appealed to me. It's easy to be overwhelmed by complexity in our society. Everyone wants everything all the time and it's taxing. Relationships, family, living, possessions. It all takes a toll one way or another. I suspected that this book would be a really good starting point for those willing to make small changes in their lives to make a huge difference to their sense of self and mental wellbeing and I suppose in some ways it did meet that criteria.
That being said, I feel like as a whole, it largely fell flat.
This book reads as if it was written for the self-serving, the elite, those of us with the kind of money to put ourselves in what this book deems as "voluntary poverty". I personally found this term a bit gross. It romanticises the notion of living with nothing when for the vast majority in poverty, this is not a choice. This book is for the rich and the bored and I struggle to have my mind changed on that fact. It reads more like a history lesson than a guiding book and frankly, it's very cliche. It has nothing of substance. It recommends that the reader should read less because we only read a lot to know everything, an absolutely nonsense notion if you ask me. Overall, I just don't think this book achieved anything that it wanted too and I don't think I gained any insight from it other than being mildly annoyed.
If you're interested in quality content on how to simplify your life in ways, check out the likes of The Minimalists and Matt D'Alleva on Youtube.
December 9, 2022
I really liked a lot of this book but it’s also just so blatantly written from a very particular point of view that’s quite privileged and that started to really annoy me. When it got to the part on willfully choosing poverty for a more peaceful life I was about to throw hands. Just a very bad take that really didn’t sit well with me, even though I generally get the point they were trying to make. Just seemed exceedingly dismissive of the real stress and hardship of poverty.
Otherwise though there were some quite good points in the book I’d like to stew on. They just have to be kinda filtered out.
Otherwise though there were some quite good points in the book I’d like to stew on. They just have to be kinda filtered out.
May 21, 2022
As modern life gets increasingly more complex, we crave what the people just a few generations ago still wanted to get rid of: simplicity.
This book dispells a few myths about "needing" complexity and shows an alternate path.
This book dispells a few myths about "needing" complexity and shows an alternate path.
February 4, 2024
Глава How to be a modern monk як приклад красивого, але доступного житла наводить la Cité Radieuse, де квартири коштують пів мільйона євро.
Багато ідей тут красиві і помічні, я за них вдячна, але ось такі відірвані від життя моменти і притягнуті за вуха приклади затуляють гарні враження.
Багато ідей тут красиві і помічні, я за них вдячна, але ось такі відірвані від життя моменти і притягнуті за вуха приклади затуляють гарні враження.
October 5, 2022
If your life is very busy, this is the book for you.
February 2, 2024
dnf - was hoping for some studies or notes to back up claims and there were none. just a boring and redundant opinion piece
May 2, 2024
An incredibly insightful look as to why a simple life is not bad, boring or a failure, but instead is a full, rich and thoughtful life full of independent thoughts, financial freedom, happy relationships and an appreciation of the little things. Genuinely brilliant.
January 2, 2025
This book really grew on me. Started off a bit of a slog but really enjoyed the second half, breaking down ‘simplicity’ into how we can implement it into our every day lives. Definitely learnt some interesting things!
Read
January 3, 20235 stars, hands down
this is me thanking the universe for Alain de Botton and everyone who’s helping create School of Life 🙏🏼✨
this is me thanking the universe for Alain de Botton and everyone who’s helping create School of Life 🙏🏼✨
September 22, 2023
A marvellous book that talks about what is of actual importance in life, this book is a truly gentle reminder to pause, slow down and actually smell the metaphorical coffee.
A must-read. Especially in today’s day and age where hustle culture reigns supreme.
A must-read. Especially in today’s day and age where hustle culture reigns supreme.
June 19, 2022
There are a million books on downsizing and leading a simpler life (which in itself is ironic). They are often terrible (eg overwrought, self-promoting rubbish is how I would describe one self-help best seller of the last five years), or are statements of the obvious. This short, simple book is different in that it does an excellent job of defining the problems to be solved; describing the negative effects of those problems; and, proposing (often surprising) ideas for solving said problems. I particularly enjoyed the non-intuitive nature of some of the solutions, eg reading less, and travelling less. Whether you agree with the solutions or not, they certainly gave me food for thought.
I listened to the audiobook version on Audible. Sadly, the sweet, almost child-like narration of the beautiful, talented, young British actress is spoiled by her use of the Ross Kemp method (he’s a UK actor and TV presenter). Ie single sentences being turned into three sentences so that Every. Second. Or third. Word. Can be. Emphasised. Argh… Whatever happened to actors breathing so they can say a whole sentence in one go?
I listened to the audiobook version on Audible. Sadly, the sweet, almost child-like narration of the beautiful, talented, young British actress is spoiled by her use of the Ross Kemp method (he’s a UK actor and TV presenter). Ie single sentences being turned into three sentences so that Every. Second. Or third. Word. Can be. Emphasised. Argh… Whatever happened to actors breathing so they can say a whole sentence in one go?
December 16, 2024
I picked this up shortly after moving because I was feeling a little lost and thought it might help me find some clarity or direction. Unfortunately, it didn’t leave much of an impression on me, I honestly have zero memories of this book.
From what I recall, it had some interesting ideas here and there, but nothing really stuck with me or felt groundbreaking. Maybe it just wasn’t the right book for me at the time, or perhaps the advice felt too general to really resonate. If you’re in the mood for something reflective and light, it might work for you, but don’t expect anything too life changing.
From what I recall, it had some interesting ideas here and there, but nothing really stuck with me or felt groundbreaking. Maybe it just wasn’t the right book for me at the time, or perhaps the advice felt too general to really resonate. If you’re in the mood for something reflective and light, it might work for you, but don’t expect anything too life changing.
December 28, 2022
This book feels like it was written with an imagined audience of upper middle class busybodies who have never reflected on anything, ever. Maybe at Boris Johnson's dinner table it would make for mindblowing insights, but for most people, being told that "taking a fall from grace" by retiring early, retiring from your pretentious party social life, and embracing poverty(!!) is not relevant or helpful.
Some nice ideas, bizarrely put together.
Some nice ideas, bizarrely put together.
June 11, 2022
This book was probably meant for a very niched audience: not the people who expect the printed form of a housewife Youtube channel on decluttering but rather the loyal readers of 'The School of Life'. Having gotten that out of the way and noticing that most of the reviews are of advanced reading copies it is maybe worth adding that i actively sought this book. It is not my first one from the think tank (?) and I am rather curious about minimalism. I am a maximalist at heart.
The structure of the book stays true to the title and covers rather briefly various areas of life: physical surroundings, social life(relations), work, art but essentially lifestyle and life philosophy. While none of the chapters addresses whether one should keep a slightly rusty strainer that you could still get som really good use out of it does question the why to many things. Another good perspective this book brings into light is how many aspects of our lives are gravely affected by social pressure. 'A Simpler Life' champions the view that its readers should dare to rid themselves of the thought 'what would people say/ what would people think'. Most of the references and pieces of advice seem somewhat tailored to people of a certain socio-economic status and educational background.
One of the parts that rubbed me the wrong way was the sub-chapter on 'How to live in a hut'. Only one of the examples given was a person who did not have the option of returning to a mansion that was fully equipped with the latest fashions of the era. All examples, however, have been/ were rich during their lifetimes, even if temporarily. The privilege that comes with that and that all of them were men of what is now the developed world does not seem to be acknowledged. Not to mention that moving to a cottage for the summer versus being condemned to live in a cottage that you cannot afford to maintain/repair are two very different experiences of very similar homes. One can seem like a refreshing vacation from city life while the other can seem like pointlessly threading water trying to make ends meet with very limited access to resources and services. Not to mention that even having been rich at one point in your life provides you with a network, know how and general social skills that can lead to your work being published. This rant against this privileged perspective ends here though the book provided more substantial material for a prolonged rant.
Akin to most books that The School of Life has given out, this one is also a philosophical one that aims to encourage its reader to pursue good living. As this book outlines it, the requirements are authenticity and questioning most aspects of our life. I believe that this can lead to quite complex questions and answers when you get down to a sincere introspection, but at the end of the day what remains is the sincerity of who you really are. And this can be the key to simple living: enjoying what you already have but also the contemplation of whether you need it/ them, etc. This whole ordeal with having asimple life might start out in a complex manner but that is only because of all the unnecessary fluff in our lives.
The structure of the book stays true to the title and covers rather briefly various areas of life: physical surroundings, social life(relations), work, art but essentially lifestyle and life philosophy. While none of the chapters addresses whether one should keep a slightly rusty strainer that you could still get som really good use out of it does question the why to many things. Another good perspective this book brings into light is how many aspects of our lives are gravely affected by social pressure. 'A Simpler Life' champions the view that its readers should dare to rid themselves of the thought 'what would people say/ what would people think'. Most of the references and pieces of advice seem somewhat tailored to people of a certain socio-economic status and educational background.
One of the parts that rubbed me the wrong way was the sub-chapter on 'How to live in a hut'. Only one of the examples given was a person who did not have the option of returning to a mansion that was fully equipped with the latest fashions of the era. All examples, however, have been/ were rich during their lifetimes, even if temporarily. The privilege that comes with that and that all of them were men of what is now the developed world does not seem to be acknowledged. Not to mention that moving to a cottage for the summer versus being condemned to live in a cottage that you cannot afford to maintain/repair are two very different experiences of very similar homes. One can seem like a refreshing vacation from city life while the other can seem like pointlessly threading water trying to make ends meet with very limited access to resources and services. Not to mention that even having been rich at one point in your life provides you with a network, know how and general social skills that can lead to your work being published. This rant against this privileged perspective ends here though the book provided more substantial material for a prolonged rant.
Akin to most books that The School of Life has given out, this one is also a philosophical one that aims to encourage its reader to pursue good living. As this book outlines it, the requirements are authenticity and questioning most aspects of our life. I believe that this can lead to quite complex questions and answers when you get down to a sincere introspection, but at the end of the day what remains is the sincerity of who you really are. And this can be the key to simple living: enjoying what you already have but also the contemplation of whether you need it/ them, etc. This whole ordeal with having asimple life might start out in a complex manner but that is only because of all the unnecessary fluff in our lives.
January 18, 2022
This book is all about simplifying your life but it is not just about decluttering. In fact, this is barely mentioned. Instead, it goes much deeper than that, into more nuanced areas of life such as how to be yourself rather than what society tells you to be, dealing with frustrations in your relationships, the cult of ‘busyness’, and a look at the human tendency to want what we don’t have. All this, and much more, is presented in a way that consistently stays true to the theme of moving from unnecessary complexity in our lives towards effortless simplicity.
Packed full of information, this book is written in easy to read, straightforward language that gets to the point quickly without waffle. It contains plenty of colour photos that serve to effectively illustrate the author’s narrative. I felt the book could have been improved by including actionable instructions or journal prompts at the end of each chapter but this is just personal preference and did not take away from my enjoyment of the book.
This is a self help book that encourages us to ask ourselves why we do or feel certain things; to look within to find out what we really want and to question how we feel about different aspects of our lives. I recommend this book to anyone interested in a deeper look at simplification but particularly if you are feeling a little overwhelmed and lost and want some down to earth guidance on how to live a simpler life.
My thanks to The School of Life and Netgalley for an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review. All opinions in this review are my own.
Packed full of information, this book is written in easy to read, straightforward language that gets to the point quickly without waffle. It contains plenty of colour photos that serve to effectively illustrate the author’s narrative. I felt the book could have been improved by including actionable instructions or journal prompts at the end of each chapter but this is just personal preference and did not take away from my enjoyment of the book.
This is a self help book that encourages us to ask ourselves why we do or feel certain things; to look within to find out what we really want and to question how we feel about different aspects of our lives. I recommend this book to anyone interested in a deeper look at simplification but particularly if you are feeling a little overwhelmed and lost and want some down to earth guidance on how to live a simpler life.
My thanks to The School of Life and Netgalley for an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review. All opinions in this review are my own.
October 17, 2022
The School of Life books will always be thought-provoking, including this one. This book taught us about what a simple life truly is and what fundamental mindset that we should have to live a simple life.
Life is basically simple, it is our ego which sometimes makes our lives complicated and this book tries to untangle our mind as a way to really look on what truly matters.
Definitely the kind of book that every adult needs to navigate their lives into a meaningful one. This book was able to make me see the unthinkable and to realize the meaning behind simple things in life.
I always adore how well-and-beautifully written TSOL books are and this one was definitely a satisfying one. Full of art references and rich in history, this book will not only teach us about life, but also make us travel through the past and see how our greatest artist created their arts upon simplicity.
Read this if: You want to live a simple life.
⭐️ 4.8/5.0
Life is basically simple, it is our ego which sometimes makes our lives complicated and this book tries to untangle our mind as a way to really look on what truly matters.
Definitely the kind of book that every adult needs to navigate their lives into a meaningful one. This book was able to make me see the unthinkable and to realize the meaning behind simple things in life.
I always adore how well-and-beautifully written TSOL books are and this one was definitely a satisfying one. Full of art references and rich in history, this book will not only teach us about life, but also make us travel through the past and see how our greatest artist created their arts upon simplicity.
Read this if: You want to live a simple life.
⭐️ 4.8/5.0
February 18, 2024
A simple read, picked up at the Houston Museum of Fine Arts, which has a way of convincing me to buy attractive books that I may not need if I’m to live a simpler life. On the other hand, the premise of this book in a nutshell is to get clear on what you want and how you want to live your life. So if you want a million books on living simply so be it.
My favorite advice, which I’d not really seen in a similar book, was to declutter relationships and hence your life by being straightforward. Easier said than done, but a provocative thought. Speak your truth, not rudely, of course, and life becomes simpler.
Lots of real nuggets in this short book, but the author or collective of authors is still a little weird. Is it a cult??
My favorite advice, which I’d not really seen in a similar book, was to declutter relationships and hence your life by being straightforward. Easier said than done, but a provocative thought. Speak your truth, not rudely, of course, and life becomes simpler.
Lots of real nuggets in this short book, but the author or collective of authors is still a little weird. Is it a cult??
May 5, 2025
This was a fantastic read. It offered several valuable lessons, but the biggest takeaway for me was the importance of questioning everything—pausing to reflect on what we’re doing and why we’re doing it. Are our actions truly necessary, or are we just following the crowd?
For example, do frequent trips or reading countless books genuinely serve our deeper goals, or are they just distractions? Before anything else, we should take time to define what we truly want in life and pursue it with intention, all while embracing a minimalist approach.
For example, do frequent trips or reading countless books genuinely serve our deeper goals, or are they just distractions? Before anything else, we should take time to define what we truly want in life and pursue it with intention, all while embracing a minimalist approach.
June 2, 2022
Five Stars
A Simpler Life is a Manifesto and Celebration of Life lived Simpler
Modern life is too busy, too attention-grabbing - too many products and services aimed at oversaturated markets.
Instead of appreciating the finer things in life; simple food, walks in nature (for free) - humanity is on an urge to spend helicopter money on brand, new junk.
A Simpler Life is a book that resonates with some of the population and annoys the remainder.
Good enough reason to read.
A Simpler Life is a Manifesto and Celebration of Life lived Simpler
Modern life is too busy, too attention-grabbing - too many products and services aimed at oversaturated markets.
Instead of appreciating the finer things in life; simple food, walks in nature (for free) - humanity is on an urge to spend helicopter money on brand, new junk.
A Simpler Life is a book that resonates with some of the population and annoys the remainder.
Good enough reason to read.
September 1, 2025
Some compelling reflections paired with some awful ones. The throughline of thinking about the purpose of what we do and have is of course great. But the direction the thinking goes too often runs off the rails (though not always).
Overall, this book strikes me as an overly individualist—and at times nearly antisocial—take on the question of simplicity. I recommend Jerome Segal’s “Graceful Simplicity” for a more sophisticated treatment that is much more attuned to the economic and social conditions (and collective actions) that might make a simple and dignified life available for all.
Overall, this book strikes me as an overly individualist—and at times nearly antisocial—take on the question of simplicity. I recommend Jerome Segal’s “Graceful Simplicity” for a more sophisticated treatment that is much more attuned to the economic and social conditions (and collective actions) that might make a simple and dignified life available for all.
September 12, 2022
i ended up liking this book more than i had anticipated but i’d say 4.5 for this one. i don’t share some of the point of views discussed (and it occurred to me some of the arguments are written in a form of leading questions haha) but i still thoroughly enjoy this book. we should discuss about this topic more often. i’ve read another book similar to this topic, but this book serves what that other book couldn’t: explain about simplicity in a simple way, without sounding too cynical/judgmental for anyone who still lives in a more complex side of life. not quite an easy topic but surprisingly an easy read, with a lot of self reflection triggered 😂
March 16, 2023
Nice intro to minimalism from The School of Life. Sometimes a bit pompous through the lens of white, upper middle classes (for example, it’s easy to say money isn’t everything if you’re wealthy but in the modern world money is significant to things like healthcare and safety, which have a drastic impact on quality of life).
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