The Year of Less by Cait Flanders could be a Game Changer …

It’s no secret—we live in a consumerism-driven society. We work, we buy, and eventually we die. Why? After reading The Year of Less by Cait Flanders, I realized what makes us so consumed with the idea of “wanting all the things” … What’s more, I honestly feel this indoctrination of mankind as we know it could very well be why we’re all so incredibly sad. It’s a cycle, one that is explained by Cait Flanders through self-observation and comparisons. Luckily, there are ways to break the cycle. 🙂

The full title of the book is 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, which is pretty self-explanatory, and one of the reasons I picked up the book. Not only did it speak to my budget-wise side, but I’ve reached an age where I’m starting to look to the future. How will I survive when I reach my golden years? You know?

Not to mention, as we near tax season in South Africa, I’ve been looking into my finances and let’s just say there’s a lot of spending happening for reasons I can’t truly explain … So, here’s my book review (and why you should buy it).

The Year of Less by Cait Flanders

When it comes to self-help books, I typically look the other way. I have my bad habits and vices like everyone else, yes, but they’re pretty mellow in comparison to most. No, I’m not judging anyone for their bad habits and vices. I just mean, it could have been worse (by modern society’s standards). But I do have them. I drink way too much coffee, for example. I buy way too many books. I like shoes. And maybe I spend a bit too much on takeout.

The thing is: Until I started looking at my finances, I didn’t realize how much I was spending on frivolity. I also didn’t realize how none of it was bringing me any joy until I read this book.

A Journey Into Addiction

Addiction is many things, but we tend to focus on the stereotypes—the shopaholic with high heels and bags of clothing, the drunkard in the back of the bar, the pill popping drug addict living on the wrong side of town.

What we don’t realize is these are just stereotypes. The soccer mom who looks like she’s got her shit together? She may be dulling her senses with some over-the-counter pain meds. The granny who usually gets so many deliveries? Late-night shopper, most probably. That straight-A student may be getting blackout drunk every weekend just to forget.

Cait Flanders uses her own experiences to exemplify how bad buying-behaviors could very well be an addiction. What’s more, she’s absolutely right! Do I not buy things to fill some kind of void, to feel happy (if only for a short while)? Speaking from personal experience, and after having a look at all my stuff, it’s clear as day that I need to Marie Kondo the hell out of my house.

Do I really, truly need all those evening dresses when I only go to the theater once a year? Let’s not even get started with all of my books, which—I regret to say—is a situation that may have gotten out of hand.

Everything is Fixable and the Cycle can be Broken

What I actually liked about this book is the message: everything is fixable. Your finances can be saved if you’re determined enough. When you realize true happiness isn’t something you can buy, you can make the changes that are necessary to get yourself out of debt. Is it easy? No. Breaking habits aren’t easy. Can you do it? Well, it’ll take time, but eventually, yes.

While I don’t think I can make quite as many drastic changes as Cait Flanders did to save more, spend less, and be happier as a result, I do think there is much room for improvement in my own life. After all, I used to be a less-is-more kinda gal, anyway. So, for me, this won’t be too hard to implement (I think … hope).

Those book buying binges, thanks to Bookstagram and Booktok? Yeah, they need to end. 🙁 My love of all things shiny gotta go, too. I mean, do I really need 30 pairs of shoes when I only like wearing 3 pairs? My Tupperware cupboard can do with a spring clean …

IN CONCLUSION

I don’t like preachy books, in general, so The Year of Less was perfect for me to open my mind and come to terms with my own issues. It helped to give me ideas on how to fix my current situation, even if it’s not by any means a “situation”. All in all, this is an insightful read that will definitely inspire you to make positive changes. Whether implementing these changes will make me (or you) happier, though, is something only time will determine.

About Cait Flanders

Cait Flanders is the author of Wall Street Journal bestseller, The Year of Less. Described by Vogue as “a fascinating look into a living experiment that we can all learn from,” it has been translated into 8 languages, and went on to become one of the most sold nonfiction books on Amazon in July 2018, and one of Powell’s Staff Top Fives that same year. Her story has been shared in The New York Times, The Guardian, The Globe and Mail, Oprah.com, Forbes, and more. Cait always has an adventure in the calendar, and believes in leaving every place better than she found it. She is from Victoria, BC, Canada.