The Book Club | A Year of Less
- Carly Morton
- Jul 8, 2018
- 2 min read
If you've been reading this blog for any length of time, you probably already know that I'm a self-proclaimed minimalist. Although, real minimalists may claim that you need to buy Kindle or audio books rather than the real-deal. I buy real books.
Books 'spark joy'. Books get to stay.
In saying this, the fact that I bought Cait Flanders' book "The year of Less" is rather ironic considering that it is contributing to 'more' rather than 'less'.
What is it about?
It is essentially a memior about how Cait have up alcohol, restored her relationship with food, got rid of half her belongings and saved half of her money. She recounts the struggles she faced in deciding to change her life. The biggest one of these was people's perceptions of her and the challenge she set for herself.
The quote on the front of the book states beautifully "how I stopped shopping, gave away half of my belongings, and discovered that life is worth more than anything you can buy in a store."
What I like about it
I like that each chapter covers a month in her 'year of less'. Each month has it's own victories and challenges.
I like how Cait seems like a regular girl living a regular life. This makes her more relateable. We become inspired by the things that she has accomplished and know that they are totally within our power to achieve also.
However, this is not something I dislike about the book, but rather something I wasn't expecting. I didn't realise that the entire book would be a recount of her personal experience.
I was kind of hoping there would be more tips and tricks that people in any situation could use to also begin their own 'year of less'. Currently, I am not an alcoholic, so I have no need to be sober for a year. Nor do I binge eat junk food on the regular, so it's not a necessity for me to reevaluate portion control and my relationship with food.
These things may be completely applicable to you however...in which case, buy this book!
Some Great Quotes
Admittedly, as I was reading, I was not on the hunt for great quotes...It's just not that kind of book. I did, however, really like her "Rules for the Yearlong Shopping Ban" which covered items she was and wasn't allowed to buy as well as an approved shopping list.
I also like this quote from the back cover:
"There were books I thought smart Cat should read, clothes I thought professional Cait would wear, projects I thought creative Cait could tackle...I would do it all one day, and become a better person one day. This time, one day never came."
Carly xx
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