BOOK SUMMARY 353
L’art de la Simplicité:
How to Live More with
Less
Summary written by: Jane Bushby
"Throwing things away requires effort.
Getting rid of things is not difficult in itself, but judging what is useful
and what is not can be."
- L’art de la Simplicité, page 10
With L’art de la Simplicité, Dominique
Loreau has penned a wonderfully comprehensive yet simply written book on how to
attain the art of living a simple life. As a working mother of two children who
sometimes feels life is a rollercoaster (huge fun but rarely slowing down), the
concept of a simple life offers some attraction. I was looking forward to
reading this book to find out how I might adopt at least some aspects of
leading a simple life. This is a book to which I am sure I will return and I
was reassured by the simple fact that decluttering and living a simple life is
a choice and requires some careful consideration.
Dominique also outlines that while creating lists is a
method for decluttering, the challenge is in remaining disciplined about
ticking off the to do items and ensuring we remain firm to our principles of
living a simpler life. The book is split into sections focusing on materialism
and minimalism in terms of objects and possessions, a review of your body and
how you can look after it better, and an exploration of your own thinking and
mental models. Together these three aspects can help anyone achieve a simpler
life. What is important is making the choice and following through to achieve
the goals of that choice.
The Golden Egg
We do not possess things—we are possessed by them
"Each of us is free to have whatever we like, but
what matters above all is our attitude to things, our knowledge of our own
limits, needs and expectations: what we like to read, what films we enjoy, the
places that make us profoundly happy."- L’art de la Simplicité, page 14
The takeaway for me here is that hanging onto items for
sentimental reasons is not useful if the item doesn’t continue to give us
pleasure. Rather, pleasure can be taken in recognizing something no longer
holds real value for us, and that giving it away may enable someone else to
benefit from valuing it.
Dominique provides a set of questions to help you think
about what you can do to achieve a simpler, easier life and these really help
with then identifying where and how we can declutter our existing way of
living:
·
What makes my life complicated?
·
Is it worth it?
·
When am I happiest?
·
Is having more important than being?
·
How far am I prepared to divest?
Gem #1
There is time for everything, today
"Each new day is the only thing we truly possess.
Today is our whole life. Not yesterday, not tomorrow… Do not fall into the trap
of thinking you must do whatever you want straightaway, before it’s too late.
Whatever you do now will prepare you for the things you will do in future.
Everything you do is cumulative."- L’art de la Simplicité, page 55
Dominique emphasizes the importance of taking breaks and
being idle, as this alone can help reenergize us. This is also about learning
to live mindfully; having a simpler life reduces the number of things demanding
our care and attention. The reader is also asked to consider how to accomplish
our tasks with good grace and without question. An example here is recognizing
that housework is necessary but that it can help you create a living space
which is clean and bright and well-ordered which will in turn help make your
mind clearer and decisions seem easier to make. Therefore, approach housework
as a moment of real pleasure in that creating an ordered environment helps us
order our inner selves too.
Everyone should have space in their day for the
following:
·
Walk for half an hour every day;
·
Take a short sleep, even 15 minutes at your
desk;
·
Look at old photos as these can help you
rediscover yourself;
·
Devote 15 minutes a day to a project that is
important to you;
·
Do one thing at a time;
·
Learn to say no gracefully and firmly;
·
Live life at a slower pace, working less;
·
Avoid routine;
·
Own little;
·
Schedule housework;
·
Buy all shopping in one session, once a week;
·
Keep your desktop free of paperwork, except
for immediate ongoing tasks;
·
Answer emails and letters quickly, never
leave a task half done.
Gem #2
Make looking after yourself a priority
"Don’t neglect your body – your own life, and the
lives of others, depend on it… The body should not burden the mind and spirit.
It should be made ready to support and reflect intellectual activity and the
things of the spirit."- L’art de la Simplicité, page 90
Dominique notes that beauty is about being yourself and
that it’s a combination of self-assurance, pride, presence, allure and
vivacity. The lesson here is on looking after yourself and noting that what we
eat and drink can impact how tired or energetic we feel with the emphasis being
on feeling good in our own skin. Dominique highlights how important regular
exercise is in both looking after our body and our mental health and reducing
the levels of stress and anxiety we might be feeling.
Asides from these important aspects, the other part of
looking after ourselves is about how we reflect our own sense of style with our
clothes. Dominque defines style as combining simplicity, beauty and elegance.
Our clothes express who we are and what we want to be, dressing well in
well-fitting clothes provides us with a sense of peace and we should only keep
the clothes we truly love.
I loved reading this book. It is almost a guide for how
women today can create a sense of order and peace both for themselves and those
they love and others they interact with. Dominique provides many things to
think about and has some wonderful lists ranging from housework tips through to
willpower and image and attitude. If you, like me, are looking to reduce the
sense of being on a rollercoaster and want to look at how to make it a long country
drive then this is a book worth the read.
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