When Less Becomes More by Emily Ley

When Less Becomes More

by Emily Ley

Women today are more fatigued, burned out, and overwhelmed than ever. You may feel like your life is frantic––that you're running on empty. In When Less Becomes More, you'll learn how to live a life of more in a world that often overwhelms to the point of burnout. 

Smartphones constantly ping and alert and demand your attention. And social media can eat up hours of your days with mindless scrolling and tapping while leaving you feeling empty and lonely. Add to that family commitments, work that is accessible around the clock, and overscheduling, and you have a life that can feel out of control.

In When Less Becomes More, Emily Ley, author of the bestselling Grace, Not Perfection and Growing Boldly, takes you on a journey out of that empty place and shows you how to fill your wells with the nourishment that only true connection can provide. She also presents some radical concepts that push against the tethers of modern life, with the promise that more of the good stuff comes when we say yes to less of what keeps us empty:

  • Less Noise, More Calm

  • Less Fake, More Real

  • Less Rush, More Rhythm

  • Less Liking, More Loving

  • Less Distraction, More Connection

  • Less Chasing, More Cherishing

  • Less Stuff, More Treasures

Getting to more might require some outside-the-box changes, some unraveling of the patterns you have adopted, and some reworking of the day to day. Build a life based on your core values instead of slipping into a life dictated by society or what's "normal." Because you weren't made for normal. You were made for more––for a life of fullness, dreaming, and lasting joy.

Reviewed by Joséphine on

4 of 5 stars

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Actual rating: 3.5 stars

Initial thoughts: If you're new to minimalism or the slow movement, When Less Becomes More is bound to inspire you with some small actionable steps you can take to declutter various areas of your life — physically, mentally and emotionally. Although, since this reads more like a memoir, it's mostly based on anecdotes.

Even though it's published by Thomas Nelson, a publisher that focuses on Christian content, religious aspects were only vaguely referenced. Whether you consider this good or bad depends on what you're looking for. I was a little surprised because I expected more integration between the author's Christian beliefs and how they tie in with her exploration of minimalism.

Either way, When Less Becomes More is a quick and encouraging read that reminds women that not everything on our to-do lists are emergencies, so we shouldn't let them rule our lives. The suggestions on how to be present and live life more meaningfully are bound to be helpful to anyone who feels overwhelmed and frazzled in our hyperconnected world today.

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  • 16 January, 2020: Reviewed