We’re all going on a summer holiday
No more working for a week or two
Fun and laughter on our summer holiday
No more worries for me or you
For a week or two…
Summer is upon us. Whether you’re going away or doing a staycation, why not use your time off to read some books and learn more about Decluttering and Minimalism?
In the article below, I want to introduce you to some of my favourite books on Minimalism and decluttering.
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organising – Marie Kondo
No list on decluttering books would be complete without one of Marie Kondo’s books.
Bestselling guide to decluttering and organising your home and life. The book introduces the KonMari Method, a minimalist approach focused on keeping only items that “spark joy.”
In this method,, she explains the importance of tidying by category and not by location, discarding before organising and asking whether something sparks joy before keeping it.
In this book, Marie Kondo emphasises that tidying isn’t just about a clean home—it’s about creating a space that supports your ideal lifestyle. She says that decluttering is a path to clarity, mindfulness, and joy.
The premise of the book is surprisingly simple: a tidy space = a tidy mind = living in the present. (Book Review: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up)
Walden; or, Life in the Woods – Henry David Thoreau
Have you ever thought that simple living and Minimalism are a modern phenomenon? I did! Until I stumbled across Henry David Thoreau, a 19th-century American who lived a simple life in a cabin in the woods. A philosophical memoir and a reflection on simple living in natural surroundings. First published in 1854, it is based on Thoreau’s two-year experiment in self-sufficiency and solitude at Walden Pond near Concord, Massachusetts.
Thoreau builds a small cabin in the woods and lives there from 1845 to 1847, aiming to live simply, deliberately, and independently from society. The book is structured as a series of essays and reflections rather than a straightforward narrative.
Goodbye, Things: The New Japanese Minimalism – Fumio Sasaki
“If it’s not a “hell, yes!” it’s a “no.” Fumio Sasaki, Goodbye, Things: The New Japanese Minimalism
In this book, Japanese Fumio Sasaki shares his personal journey from a cluttered, consumer-driven lifestyle to one of intentional Minimalism. Rather than coming from a background of wealth or organisation, Sasaki was an ordinary man overwhelmed by possessions, anxiety, and comparison. His transformation into a minimalist brought him greater clarity, freedom, and happiness — themes he explores throughout the book.
He says, amongst other things, that Minimalism is for Everyone, less is More, Stuff brings emotional burden, and that comparison is the thief of joy.
He offers specific tips on how to achieve a more minimalist home. He mentions four things:
- Start with things you know you don’t need.
- Take photos of sentimental items before discarding them.
- Don’t organise; reduce instead.
- Own only what you genuinely use and love.
Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less – Greg McKeown.
McKeown’s book is a self-help and productivity book that promotes the idea of focusing only on what truly matters and eliminating everything else. The central message is: “Less, but better.”
Essentialism is about doing less but doing it better, focusing on what really matters and eliminating everything that doesn’t.
McKeown asks some essential questions and tries to find answers. He covers things like:
Have you ever found yourself stretched too thin?
Do you simultaneously feel overworked and underutilised?
Are you often busy but not productive?
Do you feel like other people’s agendas are constantly hijacking your time?
His book does not claim to explain a new time management strategy or productivity technique; rather, it aims to discern what is necessary.
“Remember that if you don’t prioritise your life, someone else will.”― Greg McKeown, Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less.
Zero Waste Home: The Ultimate Guide to Simplifying Your Life by Reducing Your Waste – Bea Johnson
This book is a practical and inspiring guide that outlines how individuals and families can drastically reduce their household waste, often to nearly nothing. The book is based on the author’s personal journey toward a zero-waste lifestyle with her family. Here she develops the 5 Rs Framework:
- Refuse what you do not need (e.g., junk mail, freebies).
- Reduce what you do use (simplify belongings).
- Reuse by using reusable items instead of disposables.
- Recycle what you cannot refuse, reduce, or reuse.
- Rot (compost) the rest.
Zero Waste Home encourages readers to live more intentionally and sustainably. Johnson’s lifestyle may seem extreme to some, but she presents it in an accessible, non-judgmental way, focusing on progress over perfection.
Everything That Remains: A Memoir by The Minimalists – Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus
This book is a reflective and personal account of the authors’ journey from material success to a more meaningful life through the practice of Minimalism.
The book is part memoir, part philosophical exploration, and part practical guide. It primarily follows Joshua Fields Millburn’s transformation after a series of personal crises — the death of his mother, a divorce, and burnout from a high-paying corporate job — led him to question the value of the consumer-driven life he was living. With the help of his best friend Ryan Nicodemus, he begins to explore Minimalism to eliminate excess and focus on what truly matters.
Themes in this book include, amongst others, letting go of material possessions, intentional living and Personal Growth:
Minimalism isn’t about deprivation; it’s about making room for the things that truly matter. “Everything That Remains” is a reminder that a rich life doesn’t require a rich lifestyle. (Everything That Remains: A Memoir by The Minimalists – Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus)
Conclusion:
The above recommendation is by no means comprehensive. There are many more books on decluttering and Minimalism, but the above list should provide a good starting point. Happy Reading and happy Holidays!