A Woman's Guide to a Simpler Life

By Andrea Van Steenhouse

Book Overview

Considering job, housework, and child care, women work roughly fifteen hours more each week than men.A Woman's Guide to a Simpler Lifeis a thoughtful and eloquently written primer that shows women how to set limits and clear their minds and closets to create space for what is truly valuable: work, home, family,??friendships, and traditions. Dr. Van Steenhouse identifies three key obstacles to simplification: the fear of appearing selfish, the tug of internal resistance, and the trap of perfectionism. Pointing out the perils of modern living, she shows us that we don't have to be slaves to technology; we can pull the plug sometimes to give ourselves space. With sensible, soulful advice and real-life anecdotes,A Woman's Guide to a Simpler Lifehelps women minimize intrusions upon their spirits that take up time and energy without providing a sense of renewal and enrichment. It encourages women to listen to their hearts, absolve themselves of guilt and unrealistic expectations, have the courage to say no, and pare away nonessentials to live a saner, more fulfilling life. Dr. Van Steenhouse's invaluable lesson: A simpler life is one in which the knowledge of what matters dictates all that surrounds us, giving us the courage to let go of what our hearts know does not belong.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0609801457
• ISBN13: 9780609801451
• Release Date: August 1997
• Publisher: Three Rivers Press
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.04 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.5" x 0.5" x 5.0"

Customer Reviews

Lovely, insightful and inspiring--best of "simplicity" books

Beautiful writing and thoughtful ideas distinguish this simplicity title from others. Yes, this book contains many useful tips and real-life anecdotes, but it's most excellent for its perspective on all the dimensions of a woman's life -- whether, and how, to simplify our inner life, work, home life, even our "ornamental" life (clothes and closets, watch out). Relationships, rituals and holidays, even our pleasures ... all are discussed in the kind of intimate, caring tone that you treasure in your closest friends but rarely find in print. Several other women and I have now all read this book, and the one thing we find ourselves saying about it, time after time, is, "I can DO that." This title is a spiritual guide to knowing oneself better. It encouraged us to think about what we value in our overstressed lives, and how we can nurture what we value and prune away what has become less important. This book is far more than a collection of little anecdotes or one-liners, or of stand-alone tips that might-or-might-not apply to me and where I am in my life. Like being at a slumber party with a group of wonderful, caring friends, "A Woman's Guide to a Simpler Life" is insightful, thought-provoking, funny, and on-target. Hands down, this is the best work currently available on how women can actually DO the process of simplifying their lives. I loved it and am already re-reading it, and my two sisters will be getting it for Christmas. Soul-satisfying