The Joy of Less: A Minimalist Guide to Declutter, Organize, and Simplify
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The Joy of Less: A Minimalist Guide to Declutter, Organize, and Simplify Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Francine Jay (Author), Teri Schnaubelt (Narrator), Brilliance Audio (Publisher)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 2,424 ratings
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"An inspiring read for anyone wanting to downsize, finally park the car in the garage, or just clear out a few closets." (Rachel Jonat, TheMinimalistMom.com)

Having less stuff is the key to happiness: Do you ever feel overwhelmed, instead of overjoyed, by all your possessions? Do you secretly wish a gale force wind would blow the clutter from your home? If so, it's time to simplify your life! The Joy of Less is a fun, lighthearted guide to minimalist living:

  • Part one provides an inspirational pep talk on the joys and rewards of paring down.
  • Part two presents the Streamline method: 10 easy steps to rid your house of clutter.
  • Part three goes room by room, outlining specific ways to tackle each one.
  • Part four helps you get your family on board and live more lightly and gracefully on the Earth.

Ready to sweep away the clutter? Just listen to this book, and you'll be on your way to a simpler, more streamlined, and more serene life.

Francine has helped hundreds of thousands of people declutter their homes and simplify their lives with her best-selling book, The Joy of Less.

Her advice has been featured widely in the media, including on CNN, BBC, Today, and in The New York Times, USA Today, The Chicago Tribune, The Guardian, The Financial Times, Forbes, The Huffington Post, Le Parisien, ELLE Espana, House Beautiful, Woman's World, Dr. Oz, The Good Life, and others.

The Joy of Less, a beautiful minimalism book, makes an ideal gift for any loved one on a mission to simplify their life.

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  1. Listening Length
    5 hours and 59 minutes
  2. Author
    Francine Jay
  3. Narrator
    Teri Schnaubelt
  4. Audible release date
    April 26, 2016
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Brilliance Audio
  7. ASIN
    B01DTEHVVE
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 5 hours and 59 minutes
Author Francine Jay
Narrator Teri Schnaubelt
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date April 26, 2016
Publisher Brilliance Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B01DTEHVVE
Best Sellers Rank #14,504 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#222 in Business Motivation & Self-Improvement (Audible Books & Originals)
#340 in Motivational Management & Leadership
#425 in Business Motivation & Self-Improvement (Books)

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
2,424 global ratings
You won't be disappointed
5 Stars
You won't be disappointed
Amazing book! Couldn't put it down, fast and easy read. Gives some helpful advice and helped me declutter my drawers and closets. I have recommended this book to many.
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Top reviews from the United States

ejw2010
5.0 out of 5 stars A Kick in the Butt
Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2011
Verified Purchase
This book is what it is. It's not fantastic literature, it's not a scientific inquiry into the psychology of possession, it's not verbatim compliance requiring instructions on how to live like a buddhist monk. Some reviewers seemed a little confused, so I thought I'd clarify. It's a series of clear and helpful guidelines, with convincing reasoning, to help people get rid of their excess STUFF.

The first part covers the "philosophy" of "minimalist living". What it did for me was indicate that simply because I love my dearly departed grandfather, and respect my still living grandmother, does not mean that I have to keep their collection of wine bottles on the off chance that, for the first time in the 10 years since I acquired them, I might ferment up a batch of home made wine. This is obvious to anybody who reads it, but the point is it was not obvious to me until I read the first section in the book. The other "kick in the butt" for me was my horrible "just in case" collections. Because a time could come when I may never be able to buy a regular sized bottle of shampoo, I had to hoard the hotel samples from business trips. Again, written down this is obvious - to everybody but me until now. I also don't have to keep thinks I bought just because I spent money on them, and don't have to keep things I was given out of respect for the givers, and don't have to keep... Really, anything. The "philosophy" section in a way gave me permission to purge, dump, donate, sell all that which does not totally delight me. Purging STUFF from my house does not mean I have less love for the giver, less money in the bank, fewer memories of my past, or fewer opportunities in the future. Thank god. It just means I'll have less STUFF.

The second part is a room by room set of guidelines using 10 "steps" (more like ideas) to eliminate clutter, hopefully permanently. She uses the acronym STREAMLINE, which is cute and apt, but I find it hard to remember them all. Though I do like the itemized and very clear guidelines, I'm finding that the inertia alone from the epiphany of the first part is keeping me going on this spring purging. While not all the suggestions will work for everybody, I find the suggestions like to ditch the highschool/college yearbooks fantastic. The problem I've had is that for all my STUFF, the only voices in my life (and head), have said "oh, you have to keep THAT, you can't get rid of THAT, of course not!". This book is a gleaming beacon of light in that dark chorus of packrats (it's easy to require hoarding when it's not your own space that's filling). Purge. Dump. Eliminate. It's ok.

The environmental section was all old news to me (live simply that others may simply live? yup), the schedule section was interesting (eliminating clutter in the To Do list is not so that one can accomplish MORE, it's to create completely free time, in which one may just BE - that's very zen, and helpful to me).

I would like to warn people - the battle to eliminate stuff is not an instant win, even with such clear directions. The weekend after purchasing and reading (cover to cover) this book, I dove in, hauling away three packed carloads of things to donation, recycle, and sell. Arrived back at the house to find very little visible change. I think once we donate the increasingly empty furniture that used to house the STUFF, it will feel a little better, but that Sunday night was rough. Perusing the philosophy section of the book helped recover the positive momentum though, and the purging continues. For us, this is not a sprint but a distance race, and this book is helping tremendously.
132 people found this helpful
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Molly
5.0 out of 5 stars Helped me improve the quality of my life!
Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2014
Verified Purchase
I use to really struggle with keeping my house remotely clean. I tried FLY Lady and various apps and making a cleaning schedule but nothing helped. Then one day I was browsing a used bookstore and stumbled upon The Joy of Less by Francine Jay and it was exactly what I needed.

It's about minimalism, but not rigid "100 items" minimalism. It's about having *enough*. What's enough for one person will look different than what's enough for another. Like a gourmet chef's "enough" in the kitchen will look different than the "enough" of a single guy who eats take-out all week. I have a lending library, so my "enough" looks different than someone who relies on an e-reader. The point is to have your needs and wants met but not to excess. Every book I own deserves its spot on my shelf, and I do cull my collection regularly because books do still sneak in. (That is the nature of books, haha)

It's also about the value of space. If your table is full of clutter then you first have to clear it off before starting a project. That could deter you from getting started in the first place. But if your table is clear, if you have that *space*, you could start a project on a whim. Doesn't that sound like a more enjoyable way to live? Plus space just plain feels better. Clutter clogs the air flow but when the space is clear it's easier to breathe and there's less weighing on your mind. It's more relaxing. Spas aren't cluttered for a reason ;)

The book also helps you reframe your relationship to your stuff. It makes you be honest about why you're hosting this stuff. Is your stuff serving you or are you serving it? Is your stuff worth the time and hassle of its upkeep, of maintaining it, of putting it away? Does it deserve the space it occupies? Where did it even come from? The book helps you deal with gifts and freebies and sentimental items and back-up items (if your coffee machine breaks are you really going to get and use your old one from the garage or go buy a new one?). It helps you evaluate every item.

The book has practical suggestions on how to downsize too. For example, take items out of "their spot" when you're evaluating them. Like items in a junk drawer, they might trick you into thinking that they belong in that drawer because that's where they always are. But if you dump the drawer out to go through the contents, suddenly you realize that you don't need or want those seventeen ink pens that you never use. Empty your closet to go through your wardrobe, take books off the shelf, empty your pantry.

Also in the book is how to keep the clutter from building up again. Be a gatekeeper, don't let new things in without an interview. Try the "one in, one out" rule. Don't accept freebies at conferences (yay... an advertising magnet, thaaanks....).

The last chapters walk you through decluttering room by room. Do you really want all those expired cosmetics in your bathroom? What's that stuff in the back of your closet?

The author wrote the book before she became a mother (she has one child last I heard - she has a blog, that's how I know), so her advice on kids' clutter is... well she wrote it before becoming a mom ;) One piece of advice is to ask for experiences vs things for their gifts. For example, my daughter is receiving ballet classes for her birthday. Her physical gift will be ballet shoes. That's from my parents. I'm giving her new pajamas (the girl loves pajamas, and she has a lot of sleepovers). The craft at her party will be an art project to decorate her new bedroom. It'll be made with love and will remind her of her friends AND it's useful (because being beautiful IS a use). I get my kids involved in downsizing their possessions regularly too, but I never force it. I gently guide them and every decision about their stuff is theirs to make. We make it fun and they feel good about donating their things for other kids.

I have a friend who said she's impressed by how little stuff we have. We haven't always been this way! Our walls use to be lined in furniture and clutter. Our closets were packed with clothes we never wore. The playroom was insane!!! We still have more than I'd like to have (that happens when you have three kids), but our house feels way better and is so much easier to maintain now. It's a constant effort though. Stuff still sneaks in, and if a clutter pile forms it can get out of hand (clutter attracts clutter. It does).

Anyway, this book helped us improve our quality of life. We're sacrificing much less time to fussing with our stuff now that we have less stuff. And I don't miss the stuff! I now see stuff as a burden to an extent. We use to stop at a thrift store weekly and buy random crap. Now it's been months since we've been to one, and even then we went with a purpose!

OH! And now that we have less stuff I no longer fail at housekeeping. I didn't need FLY Lady, I didn't need a cleaning schedule. I needed less stuff. That's it. Now it's easy and enjoyable to maintain my home. I just put a little bit away and suddenly my home is peaceful and serene.

BTW, this book has earned a permanent spot on my shelf. I re-read it sometimes when our clutter starts sneaking back in. I loan it to others. It very much deserves the space which it occupies!
166 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Josée Forgues
5.0 out of 5 stars putting a lot of this into action right now!!!
Reviewed in Canada on October 2, 2022
Verified Purchase
Great detailed book on how to do this on a daily basis and how to become conscious of our consumption. I’ve already shipped loads of stuff to goodwill and sold many items just while reading the book.
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Amrita
5.0 out of 5 stars A fresh outlook on minimalism!
Reviewed in India on August 2, 2022
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The media could not be loaded.
 A great read. All minimalism book that i have read seems similar but this one emphasizes on being content with less.

The book was received in great condition. Page quality was great as well.
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Amrita
5.0 out of 5 stars A fresh outlook on minimalism!
Reviewed in India on August 2, 2022
A great read. All minimalism book that i have read seems similar but this one emphasizes on being content with less.

The book was received in great condition. Page quality was great as well.
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Leseratte aus Schweden
5.0 out of 5 stars Gesammelte Informationen
Reviewed in Germany on July 30, 2021
Verified Purchase
Die Autorin gibt in ihrem Buch einen guten Überblick über Minimalismus in unterschiedlichen Bereichen, warum es gut ist, minimalistischer zu leben und wie wir dahin kommen können. Besonders gut gefällt mir, dass die Autorin Vorschläge macht, wie man unterschiedliche Räume etc entrümpeln kann ohne jedoch darauf zu bestehen, dass es nur den einen richtige Weg gibt. Sie schreibt, dass Minimalismus für jeden anders aussieht.
Ein sehr gutes Buch für den Einstieg, aber auch eine schöne Lektüre für alle, die sich bereits auf dem minimalistischen Weg befinden.
2 people found this helpful
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Bagpuss
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent and life-changing book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 14, 2018
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When I saw the reviews saying that this book is 'life changing' I did not believe it for one minute - how can a book that helps you clean out your drawers be life changing?!!! But I was wrong - it really can change your life. This book has a no-nonsense approach and gets down to the nitty-gritty from the start. It explains exactly how to declutter your home, room by room... and really gets you questioning why you are hanging on to objects that really don't mean that much to you any more. As if that wasn't enough, the book goes far wider and deeper, questioning our habits as consumers, making us look about why we buy so much 'stuff' - but it's not just our personal clutter that is the problem - it looks at the effect that buying and disposing of all this stuff is having on our world and questions how others can manage to live with so much less stuff than we do. A truly thought-provoking, life-changing and excellent read - extremely well written and thought out.
23 people found this helpful
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Charlotte D.
5.0 out of 5 stars A lire pour transformer son logement en un espace de vie agréable et clair
Reviewed in France on July 11, 2017
Verified Purchase
Ce livre (en anglais) en lui-même est très beau, la qualité m'a surprise.
Le contenu donne envie de s'y mettre immédiatement ! D'ailleurs, je n'avais pas fini de le parcourir que j'avais déjà sorti des bacs pour trier mes tiroirs, mes placards, la pièce entière ! Les conseils sont faciles à suivre et clairs, l'auteure parle de toutes les pièces de la maison et de tout style de famille.
Un conseil à retenir, c'est d'y revenir et d'y remettre à plusieurs semaines ou mois d'intervalles, pour épurer de mieux en mieux son intérieur et arriver à un espace de vie spacieux, confortable, joli et pourtant fonctionnel et qui convient à toute la famille.
Ce livre motive, apprend à se détacher de ses objets et de les voir pour ce qu'ils sont vraiment, et non pour ce qu'on y projette. Et ça marche ! J'ai déjà fait deux "séances" de tri et je respire mieux dans mon petit logement.

Une remarque, toutefois: si les techniques et l'état d'esprit que l'auteure veut nous apprendre sont applicables par tous, on sent nettement que l'auteure est une américaine de la classe moyenne à supérieure. Quand elle parle des causes qui font qu'on accumule des tonnes de choses inutiles et/ou encombrantes, elle appuie surtout sur le fait qu'on achète ou qu'on s'endette pour acheter ce qui va nous permettre de rivaliser avec ses voisins ou son entourage, ou même les célébrités. Je n'ai pas l'impression qu'il y ait une telle pression sur les consommateurs en France, mais peut-être que je me trompe. J'aurais aimé qu'elle parle plus du fait qu'on hésite à se débarrasser de quelque chose pour la seule raison qu'on l'a payé un jour et que s'en débarrasser reviendrait à jeter l'argent qu'on a dépensé pour l'acheter. Et ce même si aujourd'hui il n'a plus ou peu de valeur et/ou qu'il soit difficile de le revendre. Personnellement c'est la raison n°1 pour laquelle certains des mes proches gardent des choses qui s'entassent dans la cave et dans les placards…
3 people found this helpful
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