A Simpler Life

A Guide to Greater Serenity, Ease and Clarity

The School of Life, Alain de Botton

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Hardback

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English

Affirm Press
01 February 2022

Popular philosophy; Material culture; Psychology; Psychology: emotions; Popular psychology

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: our relationships, social lives, work routines and our approaches to possessions and media. 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. It suggests that once we truly know who we are and what we want, we will be able to live with far less than we currently believe we need. 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.

By: The School of Life
Edited by: Alain de Botton
Imprint: Affirm Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 180mm, Width: 125mm,
Weight: 300g
ISBN: 9781912891689
ISBN 10: 1912891689
Pages: 192
Publication Date: 01 February 2022
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

The School of Life is a global organisation helping people lead more fulfilled lives. Through our range of books, gifts and stationery we aim to prompt more thoughtful natures and help everyone to find fulfilment. The School of Life Press brings together the thinking and ideas of the School of Life creative team under the direction of series editor, Alain de Botton. Their books share a coherent, curated message that speaks with one voice: calm, reassuring and sane.

Reviews for A Simpler Life: A Guide to Greater Serenity, Ease and Clarity

***What Readers are saying: *** A perfect meditation on a simpler life. I absolutely love this book. The perfect manifesto for streamlining the clutter exist in most of our lives. I highly recommend. - NetGalley review An interesting and thoughtful book that breaks down different aspects of life and how to simplify [it]. - NetGalley review If you feel overwhelmed, then you will find solace with this book. - NetGalley review Readers searching for recommendations for simplifying their lives will find food for thought in this [book]. - NetGalley review I enjoyed this well written book about improving the quality of life and creating a more peaceful existence by simplifying some areas ... The book in itself is simply laid out, with short, concise chapters and lends itself well to the reduction of our carbon footprint and re-focusing in a stressful world. - NetGalley review This book is my favourite to date. Every chapter made me stop and pause. Thank you, The School of Life, for your work. It's inspirational. - NetGalley review A well written and thoughtful book. Short chapters that can be read and understood with ideas that you are able to put into practice. - NetGalley review An enjoyable read that prompts self-exploration and personal growth. - NetGalley review Packed full of information, this book is written in easy to read, straightforward language that gets to the point quickly without waffle. - NetGalley review What an excellent book on both the absurdness of modernity as well as the value of living with intention and simplicity. Give this a read and you surely won't be disappointed that you did. - NetGalley review As we come out of a global pandemic and are pulled back into a busy life [with] work [and] family commitments, this book is great to dip in and out of to remind us of how to slow down, what is important and isn't. - NetGalley review A superb and timely overview on how to lead a simple life. I particularly enjoyed dipping in and out of this guide. As someone whose word for 2022 is 'simplify', I found the advice and philosophy on these pages fascinating and useful in trying to resist the onward march of consumerism and the 'must haves' in our modern world. Recommend for anyone wanting to switch off and reconfigure what's important in their life. - NetGalley review