The Year of Less

In her late twenties Cait Flanders found herself stuck in the consumerism cycle that grips so many of us: Earn more buy more want more rinse repeat. Even after she worked her way out of nearly 30000 dollar of consumer debt her old habits took hold again. When she realized that nothing she was doing or buying was making her happy-only keeping her from meeting her goals-she decided to set herself a challenge: She would not shop for an entire year.The Year of Less documents Cait’s life for twelve months during which she bought only consumables: Groceries toiletries gas for her car. Along the way she challenged herself to consume less of many other things besides shopping. She decluttered her apartment and got rid of 70 percent of her belongings; Learned how to fix things rather than throw them away; Researched the zero waste movement and completed a television ban. At every stage she learned that the less she consumed the more fulfilled she felt.The challenge became a lifeline when in the course of the year Cait found herself in situations that turned her life upside down. In the face of hardship she realized why she had always turned to shopping alcohol and food-and what it had cost her. Unable to reach for any of her usual vices she changed habits she’d spent years perfecting and discovered what truly mattered to her.Blending Cait’s compelling story with inspiring insight and practical guidance the Year of Less will leave you questioning what you’re holding on to in your own life-and quite possibly lead you to find your own path of less.“If you’ve ever felt there must be more to life than consumerism and its vicious cycle you’ll find inspiration to break free in the Year of Less. Cait’s highly readable and personal story is encouraging challenging and unbelievably helpful.”- Joshua Becker author of the More of Less“Cait Flanders is a brave woman. As I read I cried. But my heart also brimmed with joy. For anyone who doesn’t think they can Cait’s story shows that it doesn’t matter where you start only where you go from there.”- Gail Vaz-Oxlade host of Til Debt Do Us Part and author of Debt-Free Forever“Cait’s audacious goal-a yearlong shopping ban-has sparked a deeply personal book full of lessons for all of us on finding more fulfilment and meaning in our lives (without all the stuff!). A game-changing read for anyone searching for simplicity in our consumer-focused world.”- Rachel Jonat author of the Joy of Doing Nothing“The Year of Less is beautiful vulnerable and real. Cait’s words inspired me to be braver in my writing and life and I’m sure it will inspire you too.”- Tammy Strobel author of Everyday Adventures Journal and You Can Buy Happiness (and It’s Cheap)“Minimizing belongings in my life cleared space for so much goodness to fill the space stuff once did. Cait’s the Year of Less is inspiring a powerful example of how transformative downsizing possessions can be and how you can take it to the next level.”- Katie Dalebout author of Let It Out“Cait comforted herself with alcohol binge eating and compulsive shopping then finally said ‘Enough is enough.’ This isn’t another book about how to live with less but instead a heart-breaking and then a heart-warming story that shows us if we are willing to let go of the things we think we need we can have a life we really want.”- Courtney Carver author of Soulful Simplicity“Creating meaningful change in your life takes significant time and effort and in this book Cait shares a deeply intimate view into just how substantial that change can be. If you’re looking for inspiration and practical examples of how to take steps toward a better future for yourself and the people you love the Year of Less will give you that and so much more.”- Anthony Ongaro“This book is such a gift. A gift for anyone who’s ever wanted to change but has been afraid-afraid to fail afraid of what we might discover about ourselves