Thursday, June 2, 2016

Enter the Paradox: The More of Less



Did you love Marie Kondo’s book, The Life-changing Magic of Tidying Up? Do you have a certain fascination with the tiny house movement? Are you seeking to simplify your life and surroundings? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you need to get your hands on a copy of Joshua Becker’s little tome, The More of Less.

I can’t rave enough about this book! Our youngest child just graduated from university and will be moving in a few weeks to the neighboring state to start his career. As true empty-nesters, we will be reclaiming spaces in our house that have been dedicated to kids, and repurposing them. This is most definitely our time to declutter, down-size the “stuff” and take stock of what is actually necessary.

Becker sums up the goal of his book by saying, “This book is about living with less so that you can get more out of your days. It’s been about having a smaller material lifestyle so that you can experience a bigger life, full of passion and purpose. Own less to live more. That’s paradoxical.” (p. 212) Who wouldn’t want to get on board with that?

Full of practical tips and stories of real people, The More of Lessis not only inspiring but will help you make the plan and take the steps to getting out from under the stuff that prevents you from getting the most out of your days. Much thanks goes out to Blogging For Books for the free copy I received in exchange for this honest review.

From the Publisher . . .

Don’t Settle for More

Most of us know we own too much stuff. We feel the weight and burden of our clutter, and we tire of cleaning and managing and organizing.

While excess consumption leads to bigger houses, faster cars, fancier technology, and cluttered homes, it never brings happiness. Rather, it results in a desire for more. It redirects our greatest passions to things that can never fulfill. And it distracts us from the very life we wish we were living.

Live a better life with less.

In The More of Less, Joshua Becker, helps you….

• recognize the life-giving benefits of owning less
• realize how all the stuff you own is keeping you from pursuing your dreams
• craft a personal, practical approach to decluttering your home and life
• experience the joys of generosity
• learn why the best part of minimalism isn’t a clean house, it’s a full life

The beauty of minimalism isn’t in what it takes away. It’s in what it gives.

Make Room in Your Life for What You Really Want

“Maybe you don’t need to own all this stuff.” After a casual conversation with his neighbor on Memorial Day 2008, Joshua Becker realized he needed a change. He was spending far too much time organizing possessions, cleaning up messes, and looking for more to buy.

So Joshua and his wife decided to remove the nonessential possessions from their home and life. Eventually, they sold, donated, or discarded over 60 percent of what they owned. In exchange, they found a life of more freedom, more contentment, more generosity, and more opportunity to pursue the things that mattered most.

The More of Less delivers an empowering plan for living more by owning less. With practical suggestions and encouragement to personalize your own minimalist style, Joshua Becker shows you why minimizing possessions is the best way to maximize life.

Are you ready for less cleaning, less anxiety, and less stress in your life? Simplicity isn’t as complicated as you think.

About the Author . . .

JOSHUA BECKER is the founder and editor of Becoming Minimalist, a website that inspires millions around the world to own fewer possessions and find greater fulfillment in life. As one of the leading voices in the modern simplicity movement, Joshua speaks both nationwide and internationally. He has contributed to articles in Time magazine, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Christianity Today. He is a frequent guest on HuffPost Live and has appeared on numerous television programs, including the CBS Evening News. He and his young family live in Peoria, Arizona.