A Simpler Life

A Guide to Greater Serenity, Ease and Clarity

De: The School of Life

Narrado por: Rachel Lanning

This book explores ideas around minimalism, simplicity, and how to live comfortably with less.

The modern world can be a complicated, frenzied, and noisy place, filled with too many options, products, ideas and opinions. That explains why what many of us long for is simplicity: a life that can be more pared down, peaceful, and focused on the essentials.

But finding simplicity is not always easy; it isn’t just a case of emptying out our closets or trimming back commitments in our diaries. True simplicity requires that we understand the roots of our distractions – and develop a canny respect for the stubborn reasons why things can grow complex and overwhelming.

This book is a guide to the simpler lives we crave and deserve. It considers how we might achieve simplicity across a range of areas. Along the way, we learn about Zen Buddhism, modernist architecture, monasteries, psychoanalysis, and why we probably don’t need more than three good friends or a few treasured belongings.

It isn’t enough that our lives should look simple; they need to be simple from the inside. This book takes a psychological approach, guiding us towards less contorted hearts and minds. We have for too long been drowning in excess and clutter from a confusion about our aspirations. A Simpler Life helps us tune out the static and focus on what properly matters to us.

©2022 The School of Life (P)2022 The School of Life

The book I needed to read

A book that confirms what I’d always thought might be true but couldn’t quite believe was ok to live.
I can now give up the complicated stressful life of running multiple homes and attending parties I felt obliged to show my face at.
It’s thrilling … let’s see if a simple life really is as good as it sounds. Thrilling to start implementing the ideas.

What do we really need?

An welcome examination of what is truly most important in our lives. Do we really need a lot of money or an abundance of a variety of experiences?

An inspiring meditation

This book provided beautiful reminders of why so many of us seek simplicity, and also why we struggle to attain it. The discussion of the the lives and work of various artists and prominent figures was especially inspiring. A lovely listen!

Wonderful Insight

Wish to give the cult of busy the heave ho? This book shows the way to a realistic, calm, independent life. Be brave and shut out the noise. Live a richer human life. Click, “Buy.”

Good advice, not too long

Every school of life book I’ve read is great, this one especially as it has practical implementations of ways to change your mindset and and step off the hamster wheel.

Bite-size practical tips for a better life

Simplicity might be uncomplicated but that doesn't make it easy. In this book, you're bound to find a dozen or so ideas to simplify your life so you can achieve greater clarity on what matters to you most and feel at peace when working toward it.
As someone who battles clutter in all aspects of life -- in my head, heart and home -- I found several useful tidbits in this book, especially the section on living like a monk. The idea of focusing on a few things that last and minimizing the need to think too much about what I wear or what I do is appealing. It's not about deprivation, it's about making space for the things that really matter -- like freeing up time and energy to solve bigger problems with greater impact.
I enjoyed the narration and listened to the whole book in the car while running errands over the course of a day. It's one I'll listen to again.

Great guidelines

A book to listen through a few times to adjust your life for the better!