Saturday, May 23, 2015

May Book of the Month: Blessed by Less by Susan V. Vogt

One of my resolutions this year was to read at least one good book each month and blog about it.
This month I chose a thin one on the topic of simplifying one's life!

The book is Blessed by Less by Susan V. Vogt, published by Loyola Press in 2013.

 
 
 
It's a tiny tome that recounts the author's attempts to de-clutter her life by giving up physical and emotional "things" that were weighing her down spiritually. 
 
It began one Lent.  She decided to give away one item for each of the 40 days of Lent.  As she cleaned out closets, found long-forgotten stuff under beds, and made some difficult choices about what to keep and what to toss, she found that she was inspired to continue the discipline beyond Lent.  So for an entire year, she gave away something each day.  The exercise was sometimes difficult, but overall, it freed up time, space and energy -- and she especially enjoyed the occasions when she knew her items went to a "good home" -- to someone who truly appreciated something she no longer needed.
 
The book was inspiring. 
 
As some of you know, I hope someday to retire to a tiny house by a babbling brook. 
 
 
 
My Pinterest  Tiny Houses page keeps growing!  But in order to make that move from a split-foyer full of 60+ years of accumulated "stuff,"  I'll need to do some serious simplifying!
 
The book offers practical advice, with separate end-of-chapter suggestions for those in the first half of life and those in the last half of life.  I clearly fall into the second category, and the old phrase, "You can't take it with you!" certainly rings true.  We're attending yet another funeral today -- one of Jerry's coffee buddies from church.
 
Although I thought the "emotional baggage" sections were a little fuzzy, this little book was a treasure trove  -- common sense advice and a plan of action!  It's an easy read, written in a conversational style.  I would highly recommend it to any Baby Boomer.  But younger readers who seek to SIMPLIFY may also find it helpful.
 
Wishing you all a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend.  Please take a moment to pause and remember the reason for the holiday. 
 
TTFN
LeAnn
 
 


7 comments:

  1. Sounds like a great book! I read a similar book "the joy of less" a few years ago. It's about de-cluttering, organizing and simplifying your life. I've cleared out a lot, but I still feel I have tons of stuff...
    That tiny house is adorable :)

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    1. Those of us who sew will keep accumulating scraps, I'm afraid! We still have a LONG way to go, but I'm inspired to keep at it.

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  2. i love your book review here... I will add it to my list of summer reading books! always enjoy pinterest!!! as artist I have tons of inspiration use to keep it piles... but now with pinterest it is so easy to keep the real storage more clean :)... well to the some extend!

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    1. I agree, Lana -- Pinterest is a much neater way to keep PILES of photo inspiration! I find it a little addictive, though.

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  3. Hmmm...not sure if a comment I tried to leave just disappeared or not... Anyway, long story short, this sounds like a book my mom needs and would enjoy!

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    1. Your comment came through okay! Yes, I think it is especially helpful for those of us in the "second half of life."

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  4. We've been downsizing our stuff for awhile now but I can't convince hubby we can ever live in a tiny house. He seems to think we need one and the cats need their own since a tiny house isn't conducive to litterboxes. Whatever! :) It does feel good to clear the clutter and get rid of extra stuff though!

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