Scan barcode
tchlove's review
informative
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
So relatable! As a Black woman currently on a journey to live with less - I related to almost everything mentioned is this book. I feel inspired to let go and embrace this newfound freedom.
barjeanne22's review
3.0
A nice read overall, though I often wished it had gone deeper rather than being more surface level on a range of topics. Maybe I'm just a more advanced minimalist than I thought... I feel like I've already taken on a lot of this introspection. Maybe I'm just a nerd, but I wanted more info on how our overconsumption trends are influenced by our hyper marketing culture and capitalism (rather than pinning all the blame and reaction responsibility on ourselves) and how the legacies of slavery and discrimination tangibly show up in Black consumerism today. There would be a sentence or two bringing these up and then it would move on.
The main section that got me thinking was asking what areas of my life I tend to overbuy in and why I may still have trouble letting go of those things even after decluttering. It prompted some interesting reflection for me.
I rolled my eyes a bit at reading "deals that would be criminal to pass up" over and over - is that more of a universal feeling than I think it is, especially in the Black community? I don't have that compulsion myself, but she talked about it as if most of us think that way. When she referenced four attachment motivations, she breezed right by number 2, stimulation. I don't think it actually plays a minor role in many people's overconsumption (Christine included as she's described things here) I would have been interested in exploring why the act of shopping sometimes is just chasing a feeling rather than a useful, mindful exercise. Are we doing out of stress, anxiety, problem avoidance?
Lastly, the layout of the book bugged me a bit and felt cluttered. Multiple kinds of gray boxes, callouts, quotes, and I couldn't really tell the difference between them. I was frustrated when the narrative was separated mid-sentence by a new page of culture call out when I wished they'd just allowed a bit more space in the layout to keep sections together, since this wasn't a long book.
The main section that got me thinking was asking what areas of my life I tend to overbuy in and why I may still have trouble letting go of those things even after decluttering. It prompted some interesting reflection for me.
I rolled my eyes a bit at reading "deals that would be criminal to pass up" over and over - is that more of a universal feeling than I think it is, especially in the Black community? I don't have that compulsion myself, but she talked about it as if most of us think that way. When she referenced four attachment motivations, she breezed right by number 2, stimulation. I don't think it actually plays a minor role in many people's overconsumption (Christine included as she's described things here) I would have been interested in exploring why the act of shopping sometimes is just chasing a feeling rather than a useful, mindful exercise. Are we doing out of stress, anxiety, problem avoidance?
Lastly, the layout of the book bugged me a bit and felt cluttered. Multiple kinds of gray boxes, callouts, quotes, and I couldn't really tell the difference between them. I was frustrated when the narrative was separated mid-sentence by a new page of culture call out when I wished they'd just allowed a bit more space in the layout to keep sections together, since this wasn't a long book.
moneytree's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0
“I will let go of what no longer serves me.”
My goodness, what a read! I’ve read a few books about clutter and getting organized and I’ve often indulged in thoughts about minimalism, all while adding to the heap of things I love but do not need or will not need in the future.
And then I read this book… the perspective from a Black person was exactly what I needed. My favorite parts were the “ For the Culture” sections which give historical insights on events that environments that may have influenced the need to hoard items of perceived value.
I have slowly gone through JUST my clothes and was able to donate four bags of clothes that I barely even wear and Everyday, I move with intention. I’m so thankful for Christine. Read this book, read it again and forgive yourself and others through the process. A beautiful, sensitive and thought provoking read.
My goodness, what a read! I’ve read a few books about clutter and getting organized and I’ve often indulged in thoughts about minimalism, all while adding to the heap of things I love but do not need or will not need in the future.
And then I read this book… the perspective from a Black person was exactly what I needed. My favorite parts were the “ For the Culture” sections which give historical insights on events that environments that may have influenced the need to hoard items of perceived value.
I have slowly gone through JUST my clothes and was able to donate four bags of clothes that I barely even wear and Everyday, I move with intention. I’m so thankful for Christine. Read this book, read it again and forgive yourself and others through the process. A beautiful, sensitive and thought provoking read.
tofupup's review
3.0
Though I am not the target audience for this book, I found a lot of it very helpful. I liked the emphasis on understanding why we own so much stuff, and on forgiving yourself.
beniceorleaf's review
Not going to rate since this book is very clearly not meant for me and I don't want to skew results for anyone who would find benefit in it.
It is much more a how to guide than I realized. I didn't find it particularly insightful or drive a ton of understanding that I lacked before, but I realized pretty quickly that wasn't the intention. (I'm not part of the African diaspora, and I was raised outside the conspicuous consumption and endless consumerism of American culture). I was trying to understand more of the cultural background since I do often work with first gen college students around finances. I found those insights few and far between.
It is much more a how to guide than I realized. I didn't find it particularly insightful or drive a ton of understanding that I lacked before, but I realized pretty quickly that wasn't the intention. (I'm not part of the African diaspora, and I was raised outside the conspicuous consumption and endless consumerism of American culture). I was trying to understand more of the cultural background since I do often work with first gen college students around finances. I found those insights few and far between.
brieezy's review
5.0
A great short read! A lot of ideas and values I’m already aware of or practicing, but it was great to revisit & explore.