Lighten Up: Love What You Have, Have What You Need, Be Happier with Less

by Peter Walsh

Peter Walsh, bestselling author and popular regular guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show, is back with a book that moves beyond clearing clutter to help listeners create a less-is-more life that is completely fulfilling.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Personal Finance, Audiobook, Finance, Psychology, Money

304 pages, Hardcover

First published December 21, 2010

About the author

Born and raised in Australia, Peter moved to Los Angeles in 1994 to launch a corporation to help organizations improve employee’s job satisfaction and effectiveness. He considers himself to be part-contractor, part-therapist in his approach to helping individuals attain their goals.

When not wading through clutter and large-scale disorganization, Peter divides his time between his work in Los Angeles and visiting Australia as frequently as possible. Peter’s passions include mid-century architecture and design, home renovation and transforming chaos into order.

Reviews

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Less is really more*

Sure, we all know (at least on some level) that money can't buy happiness. But, the costly truth that many people don't realize is that "we tend to spend money on very little that has lasting value and that can truly add to the quality of our live over the long term." In fact, the true cost of the purchases that once promised a better life comes in the form of the emotional, physical, and financial clutter that gradually smothers--and devastates--lives.

In his timely book _Lighten Up_, Peter's mission is to "show you how to make space for what really matters by facing those fears and ditching denial once and for all." This book helps you get real about your financial habits, and offers a step-by-step way to work towards the vision you have for your life. Highly readable and usable, this book offers plenty of profound insights that are likely to change your relationship with money:

*"It's better to collect money, space, time, and energy than any single item." (p. 205)
*"Once you move away from falsely thinking that more stuff creates more of what you want, you can appreciate the value of less. When you acquire less stuff you will actually get more of want you really want--more money, greater security, peace of mind, more time, more energy, and deeper relationships." (p. 212)
*"We frequently acquire things we think we need for survival, but there are very few things we actually need in order to survive." (p. 137)
*"Break the association between spending and happiness, between love and receiving more, and between the acquisition of stuff and self-fulfillment." (p. 226)

One of my favorite parts of the book is the pause-before-purchase questions Peter suggests asking yourself before checking out (p. 241):
---Will this item move me closer or farther away from the vision I have for the life I want?
---Is this a want or a need?
---Will I value this item next year as much as I do today?
---Can I afford it? Can my family afford it?
---What will I not buy in order to buy this item?
---What will this item replace?
---What will I get rid of to make space for this item?
---What do I expect this item to do for me today, tomorrow, and in the future?

Can you imagine how much consumer debt could be prevented if credit card purchases required answers to those questions??

If you want to lighten your load and discover how living with less can truly be more, I'd highly recommend purchasing (or borrowing from the library if you really take the mission of this book seriously) this book.

[Ericka Clou · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a combination of home organizing advice and financial advice which I love. I did Konmari in 2015 and it led me to organize my financial situation (and to Dave Ramsey books to do so). So I've thought for a while that these two issues are definitely tied together. Peter Walsh is very experienced in helping clients organize their lives and you can tell from the insights he provides in this book.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was not what I expected, hence the lack of stars, although that is my problem and not necessarily the fault of the book. Most of the book deals with consumerism and learning to spend less and be happier and avoid debt. This is not my problem, so much of the book just didn't apply to my life. There were a few things in it that I found helpful, like the monthly maintenance plan at the end and the idea that each square foot in your home is worth a certain amount of $$. I'd like to check out some of Walsh's other books in my eternal quest to get our house organized. Just be aware that this isn't really a nuts-and-bolts organizing book as it is a self-help/lifestyle book.

[Tanya · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was totally on target for 2010-2011 when so many Americans are in debt and feeling hopeless because they don't know how to dig themselves out of it. I've read several of his books and this one is a favorite in terms of he way he helps peope step by step reassess their priorities and take action to remove the clutter.

p 49: ""This is about about 'getting organized' in the traditional sense--mentally or physically...I want you to move way beyond 'getting organized.' I want you to step back from the 'getting organized' idea ad replace it with something exceedingly more basic to your financial health: planning for the full, happy life you want to live. This is about making room for the vision you have for yourself. This is about going far beyond the physical and material possessions and addressing those underlying assumptions and mind-sets that infiltrate not just your house but also your psyche. We're about to take serious inventory of you and where you're at now, and begin to map that reality against your vision so you develop a real, practical plan."
(And he includes addresses that we must include our kids so they are educated about money and the "costs" of clutter---too often self-help books on this topic only address an individual, when really a household must include all members.)

p 184: "Clutter-no matter if it's in your home, your head, or your heart--is anything that gets between you and the life you want to be living. It's no different when we talk of financial health-clutter is anything that impedes you from achieving the life you want. Dealing with any clutter, however, never starts with 'the stuff.' To make real progress and to achieve permanent, long-term chane you have to start with the vision for the life you want. A simple, reasonable, considered, achievable vision that is the expression of what you want for your life. It's as simple and profound as that."

p 186; "Everything in your home is there with your permission--it's there because you are there.

P 240: Keep coming back to the vision that the whole family has for your home, your finances and your shared life together. Clearing out the clutter in your home-physical, emotional or financial won't be a one time (or one-week) event. [Talk] yourself [and family members] through each and every purchase..does this thing fulfill a specific purpose that moves me closer to my (and my family's vision? Will it be as important to me next year as I think it will be today? Is my 'need' to have this thing really just an excuse to make me feel better? Am I letting my emotions dictate this purchase? Does this thing satisfy a true need or a disguised want. (All of these questions actually seem relevant to me dealing with overeating as well!)

P 271: "When you pay attention to what matters in life, you'll find that those things don't cost very much monetarily. They require time, effort, and energy but often can't be bought. I'm talking about relationships, independence, health, career, self-reliance, and family. These are among the things that bring you joy and fill your life with meaning, laughter, and personal satisfaction. The more you do spend, though, and clutter your life with debt and cramped quarters, the less time and energy you will have to devote to these important things." [The most important question to ask yourself] today and every day is this: Where do I derive happiness? [Simplify, strip away to the essence and you'll find more room for what you truly value & cherish.]

[K.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Clutter--no matter if it's in your home, your head, or your heart--is anything that gets between you and the life you want to be living."~Peter Walsh, "Lighten Up", p. 184. This quote sort of sums up the book for me. It isn’t the traditional “how to get organized” guide. “…it’s planning for the full happy life you want to live.” (italics author’s). In Chapter one you define the life that you really do want to live; you define your vision for your life. We get clear about what we want, people. Otherwise, he says, don’t bother reading the book at all; it won’t help you to have a road map to nowhere. Peter asks you to “take a personal audit” about what really makes you happy. Take stock to figure out where we have been/are/going. You must undergo the uncomfortable (for some of us) process of focusing on yourself. Identify the source(s) of tension in your life and then make a plan to address it (them). This book differs from his others (the titles of which he mentions often in this book) because the focus is on financial clutter and he includes plenty of checklists and worksheets to help support you in your efforts to change, as well as to get the family on board.
Peter maintains that if you take just 10 minutes twice (or even once) a day to organize/declutter one small area of your house (kitchen counter, bathroom counter, dresser, junk drawer) that it will really add up to big changes in your life. Ultimately, Peter wants us to create space in our lives for what really matters by clearing out what really doesn’t. I liked this book well enough. Where Peace and Plenty by Susan Ban Breathnach (Book 58: http://raisingmaine.mainetoday.com//b... )provided emotional support for women facing a dramatic downturn in their finances, Lighten Up provides tools and direction for redesigning your cluttered-by-financial-woes life. Both are of value.

[Jay French · Rating 2 out of 5]

You know how ticking travel clocks are supposed to help calm puppies by reminding them of their mother's heartbeat? That how I feel about self-help books like "Lighten Up", they are a calming reminder of where I've been. And sometimes there are a few useful ideas to learn as well. This was similar to the corpus of books on being happier by appreciating what you have (including great opportunities!) that are on the market, which I would call the "happy collection" since most of these books have a form of "happy" in their titles. Walsh approaches happiness with a big dollop of clutter-busting, but he's known for that already - similar stories are in his other books. One nugget I picked up was the mental trick of finding the cost of your clutter by using the square foot value of your house. I listened to this on audio with John Lee's calming Irish-tinged narration. I'd consider this an OK on Goodreads scale.

[Gregory · Rating 2 out of 5]

The chapter on doing a home inventory was of value. The author gave good insights on letting go of "stuff" including the things that have been passed down from family members which we find sentimental value in.

Time to get rid of Auntie's bread twist collection :-)

[Jennifer Stringer · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 - 4 stars This book attempts to get at the heart of clutter which is more psychological than physical. It was written during the height of the last recession when many people were forced to scale back their lifestyles and that is a theme that is carried throughout the book with many recession testimonials. There are several evaluations and questionnaires to try to figure out where your hang-ups are. I did the first one, and I think it's true that I am both avoiding the current situation and living in the future (in my mind). I didn't do the other evaluations regarding money, etc, because I had already done similar things recently while trying to organize finances with an advisor. They are probably helpful if you haven't taken stock in a while. It goes on quite a bit about cost vs value, and opportunity costs when you must constantly spend time taking care of stuff, you are missing out in other areas. So, not exactly a how-to book, but motivational in a different way.

[Ivan Zhovnych · Rating 3 out of 5]

In general, well-written. Lots of good ideas and advises. The downside of the book is that it's a bit cluttered)) I like when it is straight to the point.

[Gisela · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Good:
* His focus on getting you to have a vision for the kind of house, room or life you want
* Good advice on getting started and keeping up momentum
* Good advice on the importance of getting your partner and family on-board and suggesting ways you might do that
* Excellent emphasis on the connection between clutter and financial issues

The Bad:
* Not really anything bad to report but I have a vague feeling that the kind of person who would most benefit from Peter Walsh's advice is unlikely to (1) read this book (or finish it) (2) actually do something with Walsh's excellent advice.

The Ugly:
* Nothing ugly to report here

[Cindy (BKind2Books) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this book, but just couldn't get into it. The title is very misleading- I thought it was about organizing but it focused mostly on financial matters. I really don't need financial advice from an organization expert. I also don't expect my financial planner to organize my closets. The author should stick to his area of expertise. I did like the suggestion to pick a theme each month and work on a specific area or project.

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13914794

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was so excited about this book, I've really enjoyed Peter Walsh on TV and thought this book would have helpful advice. I think the title is a bit misleading...it's more of a financial guide than an organizational guide. I kept reading because I thought there would be some great tips. Unfortunately I was wrong.

[Alina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good, motivating and helpful. A bit wordy at times. The best one of his I read so far.

[Lachlan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book, but didn't. I even pushed through the fairly consistent feel-good encouraging prose till the end in the hope I was being hasty in my early judgement.

I stumbled across it while searching for books on a completely different topic, and, having recognised the author from somewhere, I decided to take it home. It ambitiously tries to cover a large amount of territory which, when done well, can result in a really interesting book. Clutter, the book says, comes in many forms, including psychological, financial and accumulated things. The premise is that the then recent recession before the book was published (2011) has skittled many American families and focuses on their spiralling out-of-control debt. This is the launching pad from where the author draws connections between the physical state of people's homes and their debt situations. This is all fine. I struggled, however, with the writing style and how the action plans were put together. It seemed unfocused and full of motherhood statements. Given the book covers three sections of action plans and strategies, I was ready to give up after the first.

I'm positive the author is a respected expert in decluttering. When it comes to finance, however, I'm not sure I'd take cues from him. The key message could be summarised as: cut expenses, clear clutter and be happy.

It wasn't all bad though. Two redeeming feature was when:
a) he tackled the attitude of entitlement, both in children and adults, and
b) he suggested talking with your children about the family budget and where all the money comes from.

Worth reading? Probably not. Go for one of his better known titles in the area of decluttering.

[Bree · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t realise this book was mostly aimed at those who have accumulated a lot of debt (or found themselves in financial hardship after an economic crash) who also have cluttered homes, but I found this book valuable nonetheless. My only debt is my mortgage, & my home is pretty minimal & organised, so I wasn’t the target audience, but I would highly recommend this if you, or someone you know, is overwhelmed or doing it tough. As Peter says- he rarely sees a cluttered home that doesn’t also have debt or cluttered finances.

There’s lots of good tips here about assessing the situation, pondering your values & goals (& what brings you happiness), considering your attitudes to spending or debt, where are the tensions in your life, how to communicate with loved ones, what’s your vision for your life, etc. It’s not about depriving yourself- it’s about freeing up space in your home & your finances to breathe & live in a way that will make you more fulfilled & happy (or at least not stressed & overwhelmed).

It’s not judgy. It contains a lot of helpful truths. Definitely worth a read.

[James Pritchert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my book that takes a serious look at clutter of which I have my fair share. The book certainly sets a standard that I will not ever be able to follow. On the other hand there are lots of great ideas for me to start working on immediately. Already, I am viewing my precious piles of junk in an entirely new light. The author certainly knows how to motivate and get one on the move to lightening up one's load of personal clutter. I like the constant theme of taking baby steps or eating the elephant one bite at a time. I can see how chunking my clutter issue into manageable pieces will clear a pathway to this otherwise impossible task. The funny thing is, I see everyone I know in much the same situation and no one is immune from the problem. With the aid of this book, I can get a start on things and slowly work my way out of this mess.

[Marley · Rating 2 out of 5]

This goes on my "didn't finish" shelf. Years ago, the author had a television show where he helped people organize their things and I thought he was fantastic, but I just couldn't get into this book at all and slipped from "reading" to "skimming" almost immediately. For starters, this book is more about budgeting than organizing, but I was mainly put off by every paragraph being a pep-talk about why I should want to follow his advice, rather than actual helpful advice.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the perfect book to read at the start of the year. This book stimulated me to not only have a massive clean out but also to make a couple of permanent changes to reduce stress on a daily basis. The key message was that people and relationships matter more than tangible items (stuff).
The book includes quiz type questions which highlight the key messages for you.

[Romany · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is incredibly reassuring for those who worry about stuff, clutter, and lack of money. My only criticism is that it seemed to cover so much. With no clear focus, it seemed to drag. However, the author (as always) manages to incorporate the psychology of mess into solution-focused strategies to become more organized.

[B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lighten Up by Peter Walsh is ok. I suppose I am not the target audience - people who have a tough time parting with clutter. I did not finish it as it was not too helpful for me. However, anyone with a clutter issue might find it useful.

I enjoyed Peter Walsh's hosting gig on television many years ago. I guess he helped me so much then that I no longer need his help.

[Meagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I realized quickly in my reading of this book, that Peter Walsh has some countercultural views about money and possessions. I am familiar with his work through another book that guides folks through reducing physical clutter, holding fast to the idea that everything we own should bring beauty or function to our lives. Further, our possessions should be displayed and honored, not shoved in a box.

This book connects to those themes, but focuses on financial fitness. Through his experiences helping folks reduce the clutter in their lives, he realized for many clients, there was an overlap physical and financial clutter. This book aims to help folks put their financial house in order.

Originally written after the Great Recession of 2008, the concepts remain relevant, as many people struggle in the economic devastation of the Coronavirus pandemic. Walsh offers simple exercises throughout the chapters for the reader to counduct personal values exercises that later inform household and/or business financial audits as a jumping off point for getting back on track financially.

While I don’t struggle with every topic in the book, on the whole, I found it super helpful, motivating me
more to be mindful about purchases, spending, and my finances overall.

I was taken with an excerpt early in the book. After I shared it with my spouse, he immediately said of the author (whose picture is on the cover of the book) and his positive, counterculture ideas, “That guy looks like he should be a guest on Oprah, but he’s actually a radical.” Having read the whole book, I can confirm this is true. I am better for reading it and I would recommend it.

[Bright · Rating 1 out of 5]

I like the idea of this book, the subtitle drew me in to check out the audio book. But from the get-go a list of everything that is negative and the supposed reason you have too much stuff is given in vivid colors. I won’t detail it here, but I felt the weight of that type of negative thinking and opted not to finish the book even though I would like to hear his ideas.

[Hazel Bright · Rating 1 out of 5]

A good example of why I no longer generally bother with British writers. "What is the vision you have for the life you want?" is still a uselessly banal and general question, even if the one who asks it asks with a British accent.

[Lynsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just got bored with it.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think he had some good points worth thinking about. Still too much filler to be a five star book. But I'm glad I read it.

[Kristen-Marie Freeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this one as an Audiobook and the reader was very pleasant to listen to.

[Kristen-Marie Freeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite takeaways from Peter Walsh:

"You only have the space you have."

"When everything is important, nothing is."

[Leah]

audiobook

[Major Doug · Rating 1 out of 5]

Listened to this book: BLUF = Just Say No. He is very stoic. Recommend going to the last disc 1st & forget the rest.

[Sarah "Kat" · Rating 2 out of 5]

Skimmed was more on financial goals.