The Simple Living Handbook: Discover the Joy of a De-Cluttered Life

By Lorilee Lippincott

Where did all this stuff come from? I don’t have time for a life. I need to get away! Ever feel this way? Society is quick to fill our minds and homes with all the latest gadgets, tools, obligations, and entertainment, but what happens when it all doesn’t fit? The Simple Living Handbook is a how-to memoir about creating a life that has space for what really matters to you.

Lippincott’s road to simplicity started in the fall of 2010 when she was on the verge of a breakdown. Her life was basically “normal”—husband, two kids, comfortable home, three home businesses—but she felt like she was running a rat race. She was desperate for more time and space to focus on family, health, and her own interests. So she and her husband decided to cut back on clutter—drastically. Now the family of four lives in a one-bedroom apartment with only the possessions they actually need and use; they stick to a simple diet of only whole foods “that God would recognize”; and they have managed to become productive without feeling busy. They’ve never been happier or healthier.

Through personal stories, advice, and tips, Lippincott teaches how to make the hard decisions necessary to simplify your home and your schedule. Beyond that, she addresses the hidden emotional hoarding that threatens to keep our souls running in circles. Through her inspiring story, readers will learn to take a step back, reassess priorities, and commit to making space for those people and things that really matter.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Skyhorse
• Release date: Apr 1, 2013
• ISBN: 9781626362055

Lorilee Lippincott

Lorilee Lippincott is the author of The Simple Living Handbook. She and her husband homeschool their son and daughter, ages six and nine. She recently moved from Canada to China, in order to teach English and study Mandarin.

Book preview

ADVANCE PRAISE FOR THE SIMPLE LIVING HANDBOOK

"Lorilee lays the ground work for decreasing the tendency to run around without any meaning and to really start living our one beautiful life in this world with purpose and intention. In a world filled with noise, many of us are in dire need of coherence and silence in the mess. Whether it’s simplifying your home or taking care of the self, The Simple Living Handbook will help you find that much needed clarity." —Nina, Castles in the Air, http://castlesintheair.org/blog/

"From the moment I sat down to read … I was hooked. Literally, from page one I was already imagining what my home and life could look like if I took control of the ‘stuff.’ I was so inspired to hop up and start going through closets and yet I was glued to my seat wanting to read more. I was torn! While ‘total minimalism’ isn’t for everyone, I think anyone can learn a lot about themselves from The Simple Living Handbook. I appreciated the positive approach that came with each step in simplifying. The book was clear and concise, direct but not judgmental, and I appreciated the focus on changing yourself first then leading by example. If you are looking for a great guide to simplifying your life or need a jump start to help clear out the clutter then The Simple Living Handbook is for you!" —Jessy Carlson

Lorilee is full of wisdom, but this isn’t a lofty manifesto that leaves you wondering where to actually start. Instead, she offers tons of practical tips and ideas for actually simplifying … your stuff, your day-to-day life and yourself! —Mandi, Life Your Way.net, http://life.yourway.net

… a must-have for anyone who wants to finally take control of all the ‘stuff ’ in their homes and in their lives. Lorilee’s book is inspiring, informational and instructional without being preachy . . . and her writing style is friendly and fun. I have already used this book to declutter parts of my home and I’m so excited to keep going with it! —Maggie, Midwest Sewing Girl, www.midwesternsewinggirl.blogspot.com

The Simple Living

Handbook

The Simple Living

Handbook

Discover the Joy of a

De-cluttered Life

Lorilee Lippincott

Copyright © 2013 by Lorilee Lippincott

All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without the express written consent of the publisher, except in the case of brief excerpts in critical reviews or articles. All inquiries should be addressed to Skyhorse Publishing, 307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018.

Skyhorse Publishing books may be purchased in bulk at special discounts for sales promotion, corporate gifts, fund-raising, or educational purposes. Special editions can also be created to specifications. For details, contact the Special Sales Department, Skyhorse Publishing, 307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018 or [e-mail].

Skyhorse® and Skyhorse Publishing® are registered trademarks of Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.®, a Delaware corporation.

Visit our website at www.skyhorsepublishing.com.

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Lippincott, Lorilee.

The simple living handbook : discover the joy of a de-cluttered life / Lorilee Lippincott.

pages cm

ISBN 978-1-62087-629-9 (alk. paper)

1. Storage in the home—Handbooks, manuals, etc. 2. Orderliness—Handbooks, manuals, etc. 3. Life Skills—Handbooks, manuals, etc. I. Title.

TX309.L555 2013

648'.8—dc23

2012045074

Printed in China

This book is dedicated to

my amazing husband, who has believed in me and taught me so much. He has been the support that has helped me try new things I can’t imagine my life without him. Thanks, baby!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

When I pick up a book, I usually find myself skimming over the acknowledgment section to get to the real content. They usually say things like I could have never written the book without … or These people made this book possible, etc. Now, after writing my own book I understand the truth in these statements. You are holding a book in your hands that would have never been finished without the help and kindness of many people.

Specifically, I want to thank my husband and my kids for their patience as I put so many hours into getting this project done. Also, I had great help editing from several friends (together they all created a totally new, easy-to-read book for you): Kari Halweg, AK Ross, Amy Tanner, and Kendra Carlson (and last minute help from Shelly Pitford and Darrylin Lippincott). I also had invaluable encouragement from Jessy Carlson and Brenda Eitel.

I want to thank all the new friends I have made through blogging and on Twitter that have reviewed my book and encouraged my process.

Finally, I am so thankful for you reading this book. I would love to hear from you when you are done and get to know you more on the website or social media. Enjoy!

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to The Simple Living Handbook. This book is about stepping out of the crazy rat race and expectations our society creates. In this book I want to share with you our personal experiences, as well as what we have learned. I wanted to create a book that offers some step-by-step help, as well as some ideas to guide your way.

Let’s get something straight right away: This isn’t a book to improve your bank statement or retirement plan, fix your house, or perfect your kids. This also isn’t a book about being lazy, irresponsible with money, or not planning for the future. There are books out there for that and, frankly, most of them complicate life even more. I absolutely believe that within these pages there are secrets for success, but to start, we need to define what success really is. There are enough people out there who tell you that success is the money you have, the toys you have, the house you have, the résumé you have; but when it all comes down to it, maybe none of that really matters. Beyond that, these might not be areas that really matter to you. Maybe it is someone else’s life you’ve been living and someone else’s success you’ve been chasing.

This book will help clear out the craziness and clutter in your life and make room for simplicity. I believe that both of us, you and me, have the space in our lives—emotional and physical—to do what we really want to do and what we believe God wants us to do. We can’t, however, come close to fitting in all the other expectations that load us down. There isn’t room for it all. This is where the need for simple starts. I want a life that is full, challenging, and constantly growing; but I want my life—one that includes what I value as well as God’s plan for me—not someone else’s.

Am I the right person to write this book? Maybe, maybe not. I am sure there are others who have a better handle on life than me, but in these pages, I have written my journey and perspective because I know there are others out there struggling like me. I hope that it can help you. I also need this book to remind me. Heaven knows, I have a hard time remembering what I have learned.

I am a perfectionist. I can relate to the rest of you