7 Books That Will Change Your Life
The first time I realized the power of written words was in Journalism school.
I was a sophomore in college with plans to be a renowned sports reporter for a big-time newspaper some day.
“A newspaper,” my professor began, “doesn’t tell you what to think, but it does tell you what to think about.”
Truth. And I’d say the same goes for books.
What we read becomes what’s “on the top of our minds”—what we think about. Thoughts lead to actions and our actions shape our lives.
If we desire to live a simple, minimalist lifestyle, then filling our minds with thoughts that support this goal is essential.
In my minimalism journey, books have left me inspired, directed, and motivated—and they continue to.
While I don’t own many hard copies of books anymore, there are several I keep to serve as references. I return to these favorites frequently; they rekindle my motivation to declutter, live simply, and focus on what matters.
Books have changed my life, no question.
And they have the power to change yours, too.
Here are 7 books that will change your life:
1. Pivot and Go: The 29-Day Blueprint to Redefine and Achieve your Success by David Nurse
Nurse’s book will change your life by propelling you to live your life to the max—every day. This book is the most motivating book I’ve read and the enthusiasm and energy woven throughout the pages are contagious. His book provides a 29-day blueprint to get you from where you are to where you want to be (useful for creating new habits—decluttering anyone?). His writing style is highly entertaining and you’ll find yourself laughing aloud as you read his personal stories. This book allows you to make mindset pivots, get out of any ruts you’re stuck in, and truly gives you the power to change your life.
My reference for when: I feel like I’m in survival mode instead of thriving. Anytime I need a mental “pick-me-up” or simply need motivation.
Quotes from this book that I love:
“Life is an adventure; enjoy it. Don’t spend the next five years of your life missing the entire point, chasing some physical treasure chest you think will bring you happiness. It won’t, I can promise you… The joy is in the journey.”
“True success isn’t tied to anything the world has to offer. It’s knowing that we are living the life we were created to live. It’s living each day with purpose, a sense of comfort that we know we are currently in this exact spot in life for a much bigger reason. Success isn’t about…having any fleeting worldly possessions. It is ultimately loving your everyday life.”
2. Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World by Cal Newport
This book will change your life by finally giving you the tools to put technology in its place (meaning you control it–completely; it doesn’t control you). Newport, a professor of computer science at Georgetown University, makes a compelling case that willpower, tips and minor behavior changes aren’t strong enough to overcome the addictive design and cultural pressures that come with new technologies. He argues we need to believe that less can be more in our relationship with digital tools and need aggressive action to break free from technological overload. Newport proposes “the digital declutter,” which starts with 30-days away from optional online activities. He then shows readers how to rediscover the pleasures of the offline world and reconnect with their inner selves.
My reference for when: My relationship with my phone needs reset (If I’m checking social media multiple times a day, checking texts when loved ones are talking to me, or compulsively consulting Google for random information).
Quotes from this book that I love:
“Simply put, humans are not wired to be constantly wired.”
“Digital Minimalism: A philosophy of technology use in which you focus your online time on a small number of carefully selected and optimized activities that strongly support things you value, and then happily miss out on everything else.”
3. The More of Less: Finding the Life You Want Under Everything You Own by Joshua Becker
Becker’s book will change your life by making minimalism seem so rational that you’ll feel compelled to experiment with living with less. The first time I read this book, I felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders and I’d been given a vision for a better life. The stories and statistics woven throughout this book will leave you feeling hopeful (that freedom can be found in a life with less stuff) and motivated (that you can make this change). If you’re interested in minimalism, this book is the best place to start. It will help you build your “why” behind pursuing a minimalist lifestyle (e.g., less stress, more freedom, more time and energy, a better example for our kids) and will give you some great tips for diving into decluttering.
My reference for when: Our home starts to feel out of balance and it’s time to intensify the decluttering. This book quickly motivates me to take action.
Quotes from this book that I love:
“We were never meant to live life accumulating stuff. We were meant to live simply enjoying the experiences of life, the people of life, and the journey of life—not the things of life.”
“Own less stuff. Enjoy more freedom. It really is that simple.”
4. Less: Minimalism, for Real by Rose Lounsbury
This book will change your life by providing a realistic guide to reduce your excess stuff—and reclaim your life. If Becker’s book is the “why” of minimalism, Lounsbury’s is the “how.” Lounsbury’s LESS Method will facilitate decluttering anything. Her writing style is creative, fun, and will leave you laughing out loud. This book truly guides readers to reconsider the role possessions play in their lives, transform their home into an oasis full of only what they need and love, and find the freedom that comes from living a life with less.
My reference for when: I need specifics on how to declutter something (sentimental items, anyone?).
Quotes from this book that I love:
“You always have enough time to do exactly what you want to do. If you really want to run a marathon, you’ll make the time to train. If you really want to eat healthier, you’ll make the time to meal plan. And if you really want to minimize your stuff, you’ll make the time to address each closet, drawer, and cubby, one small step at a time. And it will get done.”
“Vacation is not just a break from our daily routines; it is often a break from the overwhelming stress of our stuff.”
5. The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World by John Mark Comer
Comer’s book will change your life by opening your eyes to the toxicity of hurry: it hurts not only your relationships, but also your very soul. He outlines four practices for unhurrying your life, including specific steps for simplifying and slowing your life to create space for what matters. His writing style is highly creative (fellow writers, you’ll marvel at his “way with words”) and content is full of research-based statements (meaning you’ll learn a lot). This book is written primarily for a Christian audience as Comer connects the principles of simple, unhurried living with the lifestyle of Jesus.
My reference for when: I feel the need to slow down or when I need to refocus on what matters most.
Quotes from this book that I love:
“The goal isn’t just to declutter your closet or garage but to declutter your life. To clear away the myriad of distractions that ratchet up our anxiety, feed us an endless stream of mind -numbing drivel, and anesthetize us to what really matters.”
“Most of us simply have too much stuff to enjoy life at a healthy, unhurried pace.”
6. Simplicity Parenting: Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier, and More Secure Kids by Kim John Payne and Lisa M. Ross
This book will change your life by providing a blueprint to simplify life for your children and your family as a whole. Payne makes a research-based case that today’s “busier, faster society is waging an undeclared war on childhood.” Too much stuff, too many choices, and too little downtime can cause children to be anxious and have behavioral problems. Payne shows how to reduce a child’s amount of toys, books and clutter—as well as the lights, sounds, and general sensory overload (this book is the best one I’ve read for helping parents declutter toys). He teaches parents how to establish family routines, introduce intervals of calm and connection in their child’s day, and increase peace in their home. This book absolutely has the power to transform your home environment and relationship with your children.
My reference for when: I feel the need for more peace and connection in our home environment.
Quotes from this book that I love:
“Relationships are formed in pauses.”
“Children need time to become themselves—through play and social interaction. If you overwhelm a child with stuff—with choices and pseudochoices—before they are ready, they will only know one emotional gesture: More!”
7. Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown
This book will change your life by challenging your assumption that you have to do it all. Enter, the way of the Essentialist. McKeown writes that an Essentialist has learned to discern what truly matters in life, says yes to these things, and no to everything else. The book teaches how to apply a more selective criteria for what is essential and how to regain control of our own choices by pursing less. This book will leave you feeling empowered and will guide you to make your greatest contribution to the world by focusing on what matters most.
My reference for when: I feel overwhelmed by my to-do list and feel like I need to do it all.
Quotes from this book that I love:
“If it isn’t a clear yes, then it’s a clear no.”
“We overvalue nonessentials like a nicer car or house, or even intangibles like the number of our followers on Twitter or the way we look in our Facebook photos. As a result, we neglect activities that are truly essential, like spending time with our loved ones, or nurturing our spirit, or taking care of our health.”
If you’re looking for life-changing books to inspire simplicity and help you live life more intentionally, then these are must reads!
The Domino effect of the written word is strong: whatever you fill your mind with affects what you think about, which affects how you act. And ultimately, these actions compose your life.
Let’s fill our minds with powerful words and live our lives to the fullest.