Improving Your Wellbeing Through Simple Living! ‘The Year of Simple Living’ Ebook Review!
Please note: In response to my request to review Stephanie’s new ebook, she sent me a copy of ‘The Year of Simply Living’ for free. Despite this, all views are my own and my truth. I also do not earn any commission. If you are interested in checking out Stephanie’s brand new ebook, make sure to go check out it out over on her blog!
Hello There!
If you have been reading my tweets or seeing the photos on my Instagram, you would have known that I am taking some LARGE steps to ensure that I look after myself and fight back against the stress that easily builds up. If you are looking for ways to directly handle, or even completely avoid, the build-up of stress, then make sure to check out a recent post of mine: Top 5 Ways to Fight Back Against Stress!
As part of my move to prioritise self-care this February (and no not just because it is the month of looooovveeee), I volunteered to receive, read and review Stephanie’s brand new ebook! Stephanie is based over on Scale it Simple, which needs to be a go-to place if you are interested in improving your wellbeing!
Without further ado, here is my review!
‘The Year of Simple Living‘ is an ebook that introduces a new concept to growing into a simplified life once a month, for 12 months. In my opinion, I think it can be adapted to any period of time – and the freedom of it leaves it up to you! Obviously I haven’t read one chapter over the course of a year, however, I have made my way through the chapters and stopping, learning and reflecting on what I have read.
Right from the beginning, Stephanie separates the concept of simple living from minimalism or just ticking off ‘to-dos’. Whilst minimalism can play a part and does in sections of this ebook, it is not the main concern and those who are unmotivated by the large, white and clean spaces that are shown across social media should be assured that this is not what this is concentrated on. The idea of having a smaller living space is actually put forward as a recommendation for taking steps to a simpler life.
The benefits of having a simple life are set out right at the beginning, allowing you to have them to build goals, and just reflect upon during the chapters. My two favourites are having less stress and saving more money!
The ebook’s chapters span from gratitude to budgeting, and include lists and even a budget spreadsheet to make sure you don’t feel abandoned after reading the chapter! Throughout, Stephanie also allows the reader time to return to the thoughts and actions of previous chapters, to make sure you haven’t gotten stuck in your old habits.
The tone of the ebook is informative, however, Stephanie’s personality still comes through with, for example, the low-key funny comments made throughout!
The design is, of course, very simplistic, following the white, black with some other colours, like green, colour scheme. This ensures that I can concentrate on the actual content, and not be distracted, however at times I did feel like there were long stretches of just black text which potentially could have been split up. Apart from also not liking the header font, as I am naturally not a fan of curly fonts, I really liked the fact that the design of the book itself portrayed the message Stephanie was trying to get through – ‘Less is truly more’!
To conclude, and summarise ‘The Year of Simple Living‘:
- The ebook itself is ‘simple’ and clean, allowing me to concentrate on the content – however I did feel there could have been more graphics or colours at certain points.
- The language is reader-friendly and easy to follow.
- The lists and challenges incorporated into the different months kept me involved and aided the monthly goal.
- It can be adapted for any period of time, not just 12 months.
- The ebook does not leave you ‘hanging’, and provides a sense of all-around support – even to the point of what to do when your housemate doesn’t want to join in!
I would like to thank Stephanie for sending a copy over to me, and I highly recommend you go check out her website and see if her content is something you would be interested in purchasing!
I had a lovely (and motivating!) time reading the ebook, and I now have so many ideas of how I am going to simplify my life – so make sure to look out for a future blog post!
Make sure to go connect with Stephanie on her social media, links below, and feel free to leave any comments (or message me on my social media) on your thoughts of living a simple life!
Twitter: @stephjparrell
Instagram: @stephaniejparrell
Pinterest: Scale it Simple
Till next time my friends!
-Millie 🙂
21 Comments
Madi Dearson @madidearson.com
This sounds really interesting. I am a big believer in simple living, we made a huge change in our lives about 4 years ago, in order to simplify and distress our life. We left the city, moved to a small community and a smaller house, and got a lot out of it. I love that you are on a quest to better self-care and distressing, It’s such an important thing.
msb.life
thank you for reading and leaving a comment! the idea of simple living is so fascinating and I am glad that it has had such a positive impact on your life! also thank you, and I agree, I am trying to slow down a bit as last year was so fast paced and ended with quite a bit of negativity! feeling quite awesome right now though so hurray!:)
StephJ
Yay! I am so happy you enjoyed the book. Thank you so much for your honest feedback and for sharing your review with your readers. <3
msb.life
No worries and thank you for allowing me to learn more about simple living – it is something that I am definitely excited about!
writingthebluesaway
Great and honest review! I’ve never heard of simple living before so I’m intrigued to learn more and look forward to your post!
msb.life
Thank you! 🙂 I think it is such an interesting and exciting topic that always makes me feel so motivated for life!
aisasami
This sounds like an excellent book! When will be available for buyers? I have been trying to live simply but would love more tips!
msb.life
i recommend checking out Stephanie’s blog link and it should be on there for you! And thank you for reading!!:)
msb.life
thank you!! i am starting to look more into it, and I started off with a declutter of my wardrobe and it just makes me feel so much better!
bookmarksandink
You’ve inspired me to clear out my wardrobe too!!
emahwriter
I feel as if Living a simple life is something that I don’t have a choice but to do. If my life gets too complicated, it doesn’t take something too significancant teetering on the top to crash me into a nervous breakdown. Seems like a very useful book to me.
msb.life
thank you for reading and yes I completely get what you mean! hope everything is going okay with simple living for you now though 🙂
emahwriter
Yes it is. I just have to condition myself to see that way of living as the best way. Taking one day at a time.
msb.life
yes I love that saying of taking one day at a time!! thank you for reading 🙂
emahwriter
You’re very welcome.
Come And Read With Me
I’m happy you’ve you enjoyed the book. Sounded good!
msb.life
thank you!:)
Lavrax
Simplicity is definitely the biggest trick to a decluttered mind and then becoming happier and having a clearer head! I’ve unknowingly started doing this for a few years and I can definitely say it helps. I feel like this is definitely a book I would enjoy! lovely review xx
msb.life
thank you! as I have become more aware and started doing a bit more about it in my life (like clearing out my wardrobe last week) I can definitely feel a difference – especially in my stress levels!
Brandi Parsons
I am especially interested in what to do when your partner doesn’t want to participate! I am decluttering and organizing my basement AGAIN and getting frustrated with the amount of random stuff my SO constantly brings home. But, also staring right at me is a world of crafting supplies that I have accumulated over time too.
msb.life
Haha yes I thought that aspect of the ebook was very interesting and quite useful as my SO isn’t the most organised person either! thank you for taking the time to read my post and leave a comment 🙂