Lighter Living

My Thoughts

Lighter Living stands out in the crowded field of decluttering and minimalism books by offering both practical strategies and emotional insight. Lisa Shultz understands that our relationship with stuff is rarely just about the stuff—it's about our fears, our memories, our sense of identity, and our hopes for who we might become. This compassionate understanding makes the book both more realistic and more helpful than many one-size-fits-all approaches.

What I appreciated most is Shultz's balanced approach. She's not advocating for extreme minimalism or suggesting that everyone needs to own only 100 things. Instead, she encourages readers to identify what "lighter living" means for them personally. The goal is not perfection but rather creating space—physical, mental, and emotional—for what truly matters.

The book is well-structured, moving from mindset work through practical strategies for different areas of life. Shultz addresses not just physical clutter but also digital overwhelm, schedule overcommitment, and emotional baggage. Each section includes concrete action steps that feel achievable rather than overwhelming.

I particularly valued her discussion of why we hold onto things—fear of waste, fear of losing memories, fear of not having enough, the "sunk cost" of money spent. By addressing these underlying emotions, Shultz helps readers understand their own resistance to decluttering, which is the first step toward overcoming it.

The writing is warm and encouraging without being preachy. Shultz shares her own struggles and setbacks, which makes her feel like a supportive friend rather than a guru. She acknowledges that lighter living is a process, not a destination, and that imperfection is normal and expected.

If I have one criticism, it's that some of the advice feels familiar if you've read other books in this genre. While Shultz's compassionate approach is distinctive, some of the practical strategies (like the KonMari method's "does it spark joy?" or the one-in-one-out rule) are well-trodden territory. However, she integrates these ideas into her own framework effectively.

Why You'll Love It

• Compassionate Approach: Understands the emotional side of clutter
• Balanced Perspective: Not extreme minimalism, just intentional living
• Practical Strategies: Concrete steps for different areas of life
• Addresses Root Causes: Explores why we hold onto things
• Encouraging Tone: Supportive rather than judgmental
• Beyond Physical Stuff: Covers digital clutter, schedule, emotions
• Realistic Expectations: Acknowledges setbacks and imperfection
• Accessible: Easy to read and implement

Perfect For

Anyone feeling overwhelmed by physical or mental clutter, readers who have struggled with traditional decluttering methods, those seeking a more balanced approach to minimalism, and people interested in the emotional and psychological aspects of simplifying. Great for readers who found Marie Kondo too extreme or who want to understand the "why" behind their clutter habits.

Final Verdict

Lighter Living is an excellent, compassionate guide to simplifying your life that goes beyond surface-level organizing advice to address the emotional roots of clutter. Shultz's balanced approach, practical strategies, and warm tone make this a valuable resource for anyone seeking to create more space—physical and mental—in their lives. While some advice is familiar, the overall framework and compassionate perspective make it worth reading even if you've explored minimalism before.