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Moving house would have to be one of the best ways to come to terms with the amount of unnecessary ‘stuff’ that can accumulate in life.

I have recently experienced this transition and three weeks on, I’m still scratching my head in awe of the number of things I have unearthed during the process. Things I had forgotten about. Things I held on to ‘just in case’. Things that have travelled with me in previous moves because I didn’t know what to do with them then, and still don’t. I’m generally proficient with being ‘organised and tidy’ but somehow, the clutter always seems to have a sneaky little way of reappearing.

There has been no shortage of books about decluttering in recent times (hello, Marie Kondo). You don’t have to look far to find resources espousing the virtues of letting go of the ‘stuff’ you no longer want or need. It’s a popular topic but the process isn’t easy. There are obstacles and barriers to face. Brooke McAlary devoted the second chapter of her book Slow to decluttering and the associated difficulties that may be encountered.

I’m totally on board with the ‘why’ of decluttering. I love the concept. I’ve attempted to declutter various spaces in my home a number of times over the years, however, each time, I have always been unsure of the best way to discard the things I no longer want to keep. When I read the sub-title of ‘Less Stuff’ by Lindsay Miles (Simple zero-waste steps to a joyful and clutter-free life) my curiosity was piqued.

Lindsay is a writer, speaker and waste-free living advocate with a passion for ethical and sustainable living. Her blog, Treading my Own Path is a treasure trove of information, supporting and inspiring people to ‘live better with less waste’. She has even delivered a TED Talk on the topic. Her newly released book, “Less Stuff is a guide for people who find it difficult to declutter and who don’t want to see things go to waste.”

Explaining how to ‘let go responsibly’, Lindsay provides options, step-by-step action plans, practical advice and issues to consider. It is a thorough, yet straightforward manual for dealing with clutter efficiently and making good decisions (for you, for others and for the environment).

I really connected with this book and I am definitely inspired to become more conscious of my buying habits and the way I handle future decluttering projects. A simple, informative and motivational read.

Buy your copy of Less Stuff here.

(Or if your really want less stuff, Lindsay is an advocate for borrowing over buying. “If libraries are your thing, please support your local library and borrow my book.”)

Book Review: Less Stuff - Simple zero waste steps for a joyful and clutter-free life
Less Stuff – Simple zero waste steps to a joyful and clutter-free life
Tracie Hartley

Books, interiors and photography are like oxygen to Tracie Hartley. As a creative, she has curated an aesthetic entirely her own (follow her @traceharts). Obsessed with all things ‘slowing down’ and ‘simplifying’, we're grateful to have Tracie on our team. Tracie lives on the Mid North Coast of NSW with her husband, two young kids and border collie.

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