The Year of Less: How I Stopped Shopping, Gave Away My Belongings, and Discovered Life is Worth More Than Anything You Can Buy in a Store

Cait Flanders

Jan 2018 · Hay House, Inc

About this ebook

In her late twenties, Cait Flanders found herself stuck in the consumerism cycle that grips so many of us: earn more, buy more, want more, rinse, repeat. Even after she worked her way out of nearly $30,000 of consumer debt, her old habits took hold again. When she realized that nothing she was doing or buying was making her happy—only keeping her from meeting her goals—she decided to set herself a challenge: she would not shop for an entire year.

The Year of Less documents Cait’s life for twelve months during which she bought only consumables: groceries, toiletries, gas for her car. Along the way, she challenged herself to consume less of many other things besides shopping. She decluttered her apartment and got rid of 70 percent of her belongings; learned how to fix things rather than throw them away; researched the zero waste movement; and completed a television ban. At every stage, she learned that the less she consumed, the more fulfilled she felt.

The challenge became a lifeline when, in the course of the year, Cait found herself in situations that turned her life upside down. In the face of hardship, she realized why she had always turned to shopping, alcohol, and food—and what it had cost her. Unable to reach for any of her usual vices, she changed habits she’d spent years perfecting and discovered what truly mattered to her.

Blending Cait’s compelling story with inspiring insight and practical guidance, The Year of Less will leave you questioning what you’re holding on to in your own life—and, quite possibly, lead you to find your own path of less.

Ratings and reviews

This book appealed as I am interested in how to live with a simpler life through removing items that I don't need and reducing consumption. I had wrongly assumed that the author's motivations were similar to mine: driven by a desire to be more sustainable and do her bit to limit climate change. In fact, the driver was to achieve therapeutic outcomes after the author had previously lived a life of excess consumption and addiction, including a period of alcoholism. In describing the financial, lifestyle and emotional impacts of living with less, the author reflects upon her previous behaviours, and the importance of relationships and family that give her stability in her life. It's around here that I started to lose interest as the author described the impact of her parents' unexpected divorce and then descended into naval-gazing that didn't seem relevant or interesting. Had I read Caitlin's blog before buying this book I think my expectations would have been more aligned.

In parts rather boring with it's blow by blow account of what money was spent on and what was gotten rid of. Interesting and makes you think about your own attitude towards stuff and indiscriminate purchases. Lost me when she wrote about getting free accommodation in return for reviews - I find this so pretentious and offensive.

So much more than a story of buying less. It is an examination of why we do what we do. Engaging writing and honestly told.

About the author

Cait Flanders is a former binge consumer turned mindful consumer of everything. Through personal stories, she writes about what happens when money, minimalism, and mindfulness cross paths. Cait’s story has been shared on Oprah.com, Forbes, Yahoo!, The Guardian, The Globe and Mail, CBC News, and more. She inspires people to consume less and live more, on her blog caitflanders.com. Cait lives in Squamish, BC, Canada, with her three loves: the mountains, the forest, and the ocean. Website: www.caitflanders.com