When you’re making a significant lifestyle change or changing the habits of a lifetime, you need all the support you can get, right? Check these best minimalism books.
What makes it easier to stay organized and in control? Well, streamlining your life.
Luckily there are all sorts of ways you can get support, useful tips, and the latest thinking.
Whether you like to listen to a Podcast, join a Facebook group, read a blog, or read a book, there are lots of people out there ready to help.
Books can be a handy, tangible resource to keep by you. You can also highlight, underline, or add notes to a book, which is not so easy on a blog!
If you prefer some hardcopy or Kindle help, here are some suggestions for some of the most popular and best minimalism books to help you on your way.
Interested In slowing down? Start With These 7 Books.
1. Goodbye, Things: The New Japanese Minimalism by Fumio Sasaki
Hasn’t the minimalism trend already turned around by Marie Kondo?
Well, Sasaki has his own approach, and he gives humble and honest guidance throughout the book. He provides insights on minimalism through his own life and mind.
This is one of the preeminent books on minimalism. If you are serious about adopting the minimalist lifestyle, then I suggest you check it out.
2. Minimalism for Families: Practical Minimalist Living Strategies to Simplify Your Home and Life by Zoë Kim
Minimalism for one person is a struggle, so you can imagine how tough it would be for a whole family. But anyhow so much minimalism is written by single men who live on the road.
This book is directed specifically for people with families.
The book includes an introduction to minimalism, how to handle family resistance, and practical, room-by-room advice.
If you have a family, but still want to commit to a more minimalist lifestyle, then check this out. Also a great gift for family and friends.
3. Essential Zen Habits: Mastering the Art of Change by Leo Babauta
Written by the author of the Zen Habits blog (zenhabits.net), this book helps you to eliminate distraction, so you can focus on what’s essential in your life.
Essential Zen Habits gives a 6-week program for changing a habit.
Babauta outlines the principles behind his philosophy as well as practical suggestions to help you streamline your life. All in a very brief form of “just do this” guidance, no fluff.
4. The Joy of Less, A Minimalist Living Guide: How to Declutter, Organize, and Simplify Your Life by Francine Jay
The Joy of Less comes from the creator of the missminimalist.com website.
The book takes you through a process step by step and room by room. You get to a place where your house and life are decluttered and organized.
Not only does Francine give you logical steps to minimalize, but she also gets you into the mental state to do it and keep it up.
Try the “one in, one out” rule.
5. Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown
Greg McKeown’s inspiring book Essentialism will help you develop a more disciplined approach to evaluating what is essential in your life. That way, you can focus on achieving your goals without distraction.
The book is divided into 4 parts: Essential, Exploration, Elimination, and Execution. Each is broken into short chapters. This book shows how to focus on the essential aspects of life and how to accomplish that.
You get many “ah-ha” moments when going through the book. Also a great gift for family and friends.
6. Zero Waste Home: The Ultimate Guide to Simplifying Your Life by Reducing Your Waste by Bea Johnson
Adopting a minimalist approach to life makes you very aware of the enormous amount of waste the average person generates. To clarify, just from buying more and more stuff.
Zero Waste Home is your guide to being more eco-conscious. Above all, it shows how one family reduced their household garbage to only one quart a year.
It is practical, step-by-step guide that gives you tools and tips to diminish your footprint and simplify your life.
Read it with an open mind and don’t try to do everything at once.
7. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo
And of course, you can’t talk about minimalist books without mentioning the Queen of decluttering.
Marie Kondo suggests you use a simple formula for assessing all your possessions and asking if it serves a purpose or brings you joy.
If it doesn’t meet that a straightforward criterion, it’s out, with no guilt and no obligation.
Are you ready for minimalism?
Do you know if you are ready for minimalism? If you are still wondering, check out this post that shares 4 ways you’ll see when you are ready for a simpler life.
Theminimalistninja.com has also a nice list of books on minimalism and simplicity for you to enjoy. Hmm, hard to pick one favorite.