The Joy of Less, A Minimalist Living Guide: How to Declutter, Organize, and Simplify Your Life
by Francine Jay
30 popular highlights from this book
Key Insights & Memorable Quotes
Below are the most popular and impactful highlights and quotes from The Joy of Less, A Minimalist Living Guide: How to Declutter, Organize, and Simplify Your Life:
“Ask each item, "What are you and what do you do?" "How did you come into my life?" "Did I buy you, or were you given to me?" "How often do I use you?" "Would I replace you if you were lost or broken, or would I be relieved to be rid of you?" "Did I ever want you in the first place?" Be honest with your answers–you won't hurt your stuff's feelings”
“If a certain item is really that special, display it proudly in the house; it’s not proving anything to anyone stashed away in the basement.”
“Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” It’s”
“Since my house burnt down, I now own a better view Of the rising moon.”
“Is it really worth the environmental consequences to send a mango, or a mini skirt, on a three-thousand-mile journey?”
“finding ways to “enjoy without owning” is one of the keys to having a minimalist home. Case”
“Remember, space is of equal value to things (or greater, depending on your perspective.)”
“In our quest to become minimalists, we want to reduce the amount of things in our homes that require our care and attention. Fortunately, we have ample opportunity to do so—simply by shifting some of our pleasures and activities into the public realm. In fact, such action produces a pretty wonderful side effect. For when we hang out in parks, museums, movie houses, and coffee shops—instead of trying to create similar experiences in our own homes—we become significantly more socially active and civically engaged. By breaking down the walls of stuff around us, we’re able to get out into the world and enjoy fresher, more direct, and more rewarding experiences.”
“Happiness is wanting what we have.”
“your stuff is not a record of your life—you are.”
“Family room surfaces shouldn’t be reserved for a lifeless parade of ceramic figurines—quite the opposite. They’re meant for four-year-olds to color, teenagers to play games with their friends, and adults to enjoy a cup of coffee.”
“Kita hanya perlu berhenti sebentar dan bertanya 'Kenapa' sebelum membeli sesuatu.”
“You’re under no obligation to provide a home to every stray object that crosses your path. When one tries to sneak or charm its way in, remember that you have the power to deny entrance.”
“you are not what you own.”
“As we examine our things with a critical eye, we may be surprised how much of it commemorates our past, represents our hopes for the future, or belongs to our imaginary selves. Unfortunately, devoting too much of our space, time and energy to these things keeps us from living in the present.”
“When your wants are satisfied by the things you already have, there’s no need to acquire any more. But”
“In order to be a good gatekeeper, you have to think of your house as sacred space, not storage space. You’re”
“And by all means, leave those little lotions, shampoos, and conditioners in the hotels where they belong. Unless you honestly plan to use them, don’t let these miniatures (cute as they may be) clutter up your cabinets and drawers.”
“In our quest to become minimalists, we want to reduce the amount of things in our homes that require our care and attention.”
“finding ways to “enjoy without owning” is one of the keys to having a minimalist home.”
“We are not what we own; we are what we do, what we think and who we love.”
“Remember, the things with which we choose to surround ourselves tell our story. Let’s hope it’s not “I choose to live in the past,” or “I can’t finish the projects I start.” Instead, let’s aim for something like, “I live lightly and gracefully, with only the objects I find functional or beautiful.”
“The problem: we put more value on our stuff than on our space”
“surfaces are not for storage. Rather, surfaces are for activity, and should be kept clear at all other times.”
“Remember: you are not what you own. Storing all those books doesn’t make you any smarter; it just makes your life more cluttered.”
“He who knows he has enough is rich.”
“Decluttering is infinitely easier when you think of it as deciding what to keep, rather than deciding what to throw away.”
“Anything you use often, and which truly adds value to your life, is a welcome part of a minimalist household”
“We must realize that we don’t live in a vacuum; the consequences of our actions ripple throughout the world. Would you still run the water while you brush your teeth, if it meant someone else would suffer from thirst? Would you still drive a gas guzzler, if you knew a world oil shortage would bring poverty and chaos? Would you still build an oversized house, if you witnessed first-hand the effects of deforestation? If we understood how our lifestyles impact other people, perhaps we would live a little more lightly. Our choices as consumers have an environmental toll. Every item we buy, from food to books to televisions to cars, uses up some of the earth’s bounty. Not only does its production and distribution require energy and natural resources; its disposal is also cause for concern. Do we really want our grandchildren to live among giant landfills? The less we need to get by, the better off everyone (and our planet) will be. Therefore, we should reduce our consumption as much as possible, and favor products and packaging made from minimal, biodegradable, or recyclable materials.”
“Generally speaking, our stuff can be divided into three categories: useful stuff, beautiful stuff, and emotional stuff.”
