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

by Cait Flanders

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781401953522
Publisher:	Hay House Inc.
Publication date:	01/16/2018
Sold by:	Penguin Random House Publisher Services
Format:	eBook
Pages:	280
Sales rank:	91,159
File size:	5 MB

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

Table of Contents

Introduction xi

1 July: Taking Inventory 1

2 August Changing Daily Habits 19

3 September: Breaking Up with Retail Therapy 35

4 October: Growing Up and Apart 51

5 November: Blacking Out and Coming To 67

6 December: Crafting New Traditions 79

7 January: Rewriting the Rules 91

8 February: Letting Go of the Future 107

9 March: Lightening Up 121

10 April: Planning My Exit 135

11 May: Finding Myself in Unusual Places 147

12 June: Packing Up and Moving On 157

Epilogue 167

Your Guide to Less 171

Resources 181

Community 183

Reading Group Guide 184

Acknowledgments 186

About the Author 189

Editorial Reviews

"If you’ve ever felt there must be more to life than consumerism and its vicious cycle, you’ll find inspiration to break free in The Year of Less. Cait’s highly readable and personal story is encouraging, challenging, and unbelievably helpful."
— Joshua Becker, author of The More of Less

"Cait Flanders is a brave woman. As I read, I cried. But my heart also brimmed with joy. For anyone who doesn’t think they can, Cait’s story shows that it doesn’t matter where you start, only where you go from there."
— Gail Vaz-Oxlade, host of Til Debt Do Us Part and author of Debt-Free Forever

"Cait’s audacious goal—a yearlong shopping ban—has sparked a deeply personal book full of lessons for all of us on finding more fulfillment and meaning in our lives (without all the stuff!). A game-changing read for anyone searching for simplicity in our consumer-focused world."
— Rachel Jonat, author of The Joy of Doing Nothing

"The Year of Less is beautiful, vulnerable, and real. Cait’s words inspired me to be braver in my writing and life, and I’m sure it will inspire you too."
— Tammy Strobel, author of Everyday Adventures Journal and You Can Buy Happiness (and It’s Cheap)

"Minimizing belongings in my life cleared space for so much goodness to fill the space stuff once did. Cait’s The Year of Less is inspiring . . . a powerful example of how transformative downsizing possessions can be, and how you can take it to the next level."
— Katie Dalebout, author of Let It Out

"Cait comforted herself with alcohol, binge eating, and compulsive shopping, then finally said, ‘Enough is enough.’ This isn’t another book about how to live with less, but instead a heartbreaking and then a heartwarming story that shows us if we are willing to let go of the things we think we need, we can have a life we really want."
— Courtney Carver, author of Soulful Simplicity

"Creating meaningful change in your life takes significant time and effort, and in this book Cait shares a deeply intimate view into just how substantial that change can be. If you’re looking for inspiration and practical examples of how to take steps toward a better future for yourself and the people you love, The Year of Less will give you that and so much more."
— Anthony Ongaro, founder of breakthetwitch.com

"This book is such a gift. A gift for anyone who’s ever wanted to change but has been afraid—afraid to fail, afraid of what we might discover about ourselves as we strip back the layers, and afraid of what will happen if we don’t. Cait writes beautifully and honestly about the work of creating a life with less, and gives you permission to step off the ever-revolving carousel of compulsive and mindless consumption and into the goodness that lies on the other side."
— Brooke McAlary, host of The Slow Home Podcast author of Destination Simple

"An inspiring story of how one woman overcame the obstacles of addiction—to shopping, alcohol, and food—to create a purpose-driven life. You will walk away ready to change your life and with an understanding of why embracing less will set you free."
— Elizabeth Willard Thames, author of Meet the Frugalwoods

From the Publisher