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The Year of Less: How I Stopped Shopping, Gave Away My Belongings, and Discovered Life Is Worth More Than Anything You Can Buy in a Store
Written by Cait Flanders
Narrated by Cait Flanders
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Start ListeningEditor's Note
Cut consumerism and clutter…
So you’ve decluttered with the help of “The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up,” but how do you stop yourself from buying too much stuff in the first place? Flanders’ memoir offers guidance on how to become a more thoughtful consumer so you can lighten your ecological footprint.
Description
In her late twenties, Cait Flanders found herself stuck in the consumerism cycle that grips so many of us: earn more, buy more, want more, rinse, repeat. Even after she worked her way out of nearly $30,000 of consumer debt, her old habits took hold again. When she realized that nothing she was doing or buying was making her happy—only keeping her from meeting her goals—she decided to set herself a challenge: she would not shop for an entire year.
The Year of Less documents Cait's life for twelve months during which she bought only consumables: groceries, toiletries, gas for her car. Along the way, she challenged herself to consume less of many other things besides shopping. She decluttered her apartment and got rid of 70 percent of her belongings; learned how to fix things rather than throw them away; researched the zero waste movement; and completed a television ban. At every stage, she learned that the less she consumed, the more fulfilled she felt.
Blending Cait's compelling story with inspiring insight and practical guidance, The Year of Less will leave you questioning what you're holding on to in your own life—and, quite possibly, lead you to find your own path of less.
Book Actions
Start ListeningBook Information
The Year of Less: How I Stopped Shopping, Gave Away My Belongings, and Discovered Life Is Worth More Than Anything You Can Buy in a Store
Written by Cait Flanders
Narrated by Cait Flanders
Editor's Note
Cut consumerism and clutter…
So you’ve decluttered with the help of “The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up,” but how do you stop yourself from buying too much stuff in the first place? Flanders’ memoir offers guidance on how to become a more thoughtful consumer so you can lighten your ecological footprint.
Description
In her late twenties, Cait Flanders found herself stuck in the consumerism cycle that grips so many of us: earn more, buy more, want more, rinse, repeat. Even after she worked her way out of nearly $30,000 of consumer debt, her old habits took hold again. When she realized that nothing she was doing or buying was making her happy—only keeping her from meeting her goals—she decided to set herself a challenge: she would not shop for an entire year.
The Year of Less documents Cait's life for twelve months during which she bought only consumables: groceries, toiletries, gas for her car. Along the way, she challenged herself to consume less of many other things besides shopping. She decluttered her apartment and got rid of 70 percent of her belongings; learned how to fix things rather than throw them away; researched the zero waste movement; and completed a television ban. At every stage, she learned that the less she consumed, the more fulfilled she felt.
Blending Cait's compelling story with inspiring insight and practical guidance, The Year of Less will leave you questioning what you're holding on to in your own life—and, quite possibly, lead you to find your own path of less.
About the author
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Reviews
I really liked this book because I could relate to a lot of it. Changing your overall mindset can really help change certain habits, and that’s what Flanders was doing over this year. She had already stopped drinking, but still wanted to stop spending so much and re-prioritize her life. She decluttered her house and stopped being such a consumer. I really liked her somewhat-casual memoir tone. A lot of reviews I read complained that it wasn’t really about minimalism, but I disagree. It really follows her journey and change in mindset, and shows that it’s important to take stock of things you have, reassess what you really need, and change your life accordingly, in a way that makes you happy.
An interesting listen, while I don't think I could tackle of of what she did I feel motivated to be more mindful about things.
A bit slower than i usually prefer, but very informative.
Inspiring book that is all about questioning your values and figuring out what’s most important to you.
I love her honest about drinking problem. I also very inspired by this book. Planing to start shopping ban this week
Exactly what I needed to hear. Definitely some moments that made me think “OMGYES!” More of a memoir than an instructional.
This is definitely a good read/listen while you are decluttering years-worth of stuff. Nice to hear a personal recount from someone of a similar age.
Her voice is easy to listen to : )
This is definitely a good read/listen while you are decluttering years-worth of stuff. Nice to hear a personal recount from someone of a similar age.
Her voice is easy to listen to : )
Such an awesome book, the writer tells in perfect words and stories about her life including some relatable moments!
An inspiring book. Full with details on obstacles throughout the journey and how to achieve the goal.
I spent my birthday listening to this audio book. I could've asked for a better gift for myself. Thank you!
I really love the book and the narrator. This is super inspiring and very open storytelling to motivate people to get out of their consumerist habits. Kudos to the author!
This is a great book! I always stopped reading a book about decluttering because they're too focus on how to. But in this book, the writer also share about the reasons behind every steps that she made, and I feel so related. Now I'm going to do my own shopping banned challenge too!
Amazing and honest. I can’t wait to start my own journey.
I loved it, it is what I was doing when I found it.
Omg this was amazing! I honestly believe I was meant to listen to this book - I went into it with very different expectations and was pleasantly surprised to finish it with more than I had anticipated. I also have a oddly similar life path to the author. Eerily similar. Amazing listen.
There is something satisfying about listening to the book by its author. It sounds so authentic.
Thank you
Thank you
Amazing journey. Thankyou for sharing. Insightful and inspiring. Must listen.
I like it. Sounds like a podcast and a bit repetitive but good inspirational book
Its not what I expected, I stopped after two hours of hope that it'll get better, but still there's no instructions or stuff so I guess I'll just save the 3 hours left to read something else !
Nothing revolutionary in terms of content, narration was quite monotonous. Overall, wouldn’t recommend.
Not what I was expecting - but so much better
Read by the author. Loved this memoir. Made me want to start throwing things out. She started a blog documenting her desperate attempts to be free of alcohol abuse/addiction, shopping addiction, and deal with root causes. Her road to inner healing is inspiring.
I applaud this young woman who broke out of the consumerism cycle of that has an insidious hold on most of society in first-world countries, and increasingly in those touched by that culture.Her life is real - not just a one-year experiment or project to write a book, but something that she has put into practice long-term. Because of that, I recommend her insights into that first year's journey. I understand her website at caitflanders.com is soon being shut down as she takes the next steps in her exciting life.The Year of Less is not a how-to book, but an inspirational memoir.
This books talks about the struggle, the process of finding ways to deal in a healthy way with everything that makes you react out of impulse, and honestly I saw myself in that book. I devoured this book, not to find answers but to finally realize, I've improved so much. I love how she talks about guilt and shame, and how those are the emotions behind every impulse. Yet, I love how she came into the conclusion that all of this was a product of the self- hatred within her. I loved it. There are no other words.
Well thought out, informative story and narration by the author. I didn't realize buying less was just what I was searching for until this book. She does a great job of sharing her background story, bringing us to present day and watching her grow throughout the whole experience.
I'm inspired to ask, what do I really want in my life and as I listened to the audio book I started to mentally see all the stuff in my drawers and boxes that I have accumulated and have not used in years...
I hope share my journey of change and courage and mindfulness one day soon
I hope share my journey of change and courage and mindfulness one day soon
Not what I was expecting. This is the tale of a young woman's journey through a difficult time in her life, a symptom of which was mindless consumerism. She does a good job of explaining her process, but this is not a book about decluttering or minimalism per se. There are some great finance tips if you are living a similar experience, but this is not the book for anyone looking to get motivated to downsize.
This is a very raw, eye opening book. Especially being read by the author it makes it even more personal and achievable. I love that she’s open about her struggles and triumphs and gives you a clear cut way of achieving what she set out to do herself. Excellent book!
This is one of my new favorite non-fiction reads! (And I don’t normally choose non-fiction!) Cait decided to put a shopping ban in place for one year. There were certain rules in place like she was able to buy groceries/replace items she used up, but she wasn’t allowed to impulse buy clothes, candles, etc. She sorted through her belongings and got rid of things she didn’t use or love. It inspired me to want to do an early “spring cleaning” soon!