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L'art de la Simplicité: How to Live More with Less
To simplify your life is to enrich it. Discover the magic of simplicity in this international bestseller.
Biographical Notes
Dominique Loreau is a French essayist who has lived in Japan since the 1970s. After fully adopting the Japanese way of life, she now offers seminars for those who want to simplify their lives. L'art de la Simplicite was published in France in 2005 by Laffont and is an international bestseller.
Biographical Notes
Dominique Loreau is a French essayist who has lived in Japan since the 1970s. After fully adopting the Japanese way of life, she now offers seminars for those who want to simplify their lives. L'art de la Simplicite was published in France in 2005 by Laffont and is an international bestseller.
254 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
683 people are currently reading
5740 people want to read
About the author
Dominique Loreau
71 books159 followersDominique Loreau est une essayiste française qui vit depuis la fin des années 1970 au Japon, où elle propose des séminaires destinés à ceux qui veulent simplifier leur vie. Elle s'est fait connaître grâce à son ouvrage L'Art de la simplicité, paru en 2005.
« Je ne suis pas du tout écrivain », déclare-t-elle. Lorsqu'elle a commencé à rédiger son livre à partir de ses notes personnelles, certains passages s'adressaient spécifiquement aux femmes, d'autres aux hommes, puis elle s'est dit: « Flûte ! Le monde est toujours au masculin, moi je le mets au féminin. C'est une petite plaisanterie ».
L'idée de son livre est née en voyant les citadins japonais « vivre dans tant d'encombrement et de choses, et d'être toujours stressés et fatigués, à chercher leurs affaires, à vivre dans des intérieurs qui sont vraiment pleins à craquer. On ne sait pas où s'asseoir. Et je me dis: "A quoi ça sert tout ça?". »
—from Wikipedia
« Je ne suis pas du tout écrivain », déclare-t-elle. Lorsqu'elle a commencé à rédiger son livre à partir de ses notes personnelles, certains passages s'adressaient spécifiquement aux femmes, d'autres aux hommes, puis elle s'est dit: « Flûte ! Le monde est toujours au masculin, moi je le mets au féminin. C'est une petite plaisanterie ».
L'idée de son livre est née en voyant les citadins japonais « vivre dans tant d'encombrement et de choses, et d'être toujours stressés et fatigués, à chercher leurs affaires, à vivre dans des intérieurs qui sont vraiment pleins à craquer. On ne sait pas où s'asseoir. Et je me dis: "A quoi ça sert tout ça?". »
—from Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 719 reviews
March 26, 2017
I said it as I was reading it & now that I have finished, I can confirm it is true... L’art de la Simplicité: How to Live More with Less is my Wuthering Heights of simplicity books. Some of you know how I feel about Wuthering Heights. (If you don't, read on...)
I like reading simplicity books. They're kind of soothing fluff for me, light, inspiring, etc.... But, this is not the case here. Supposedly this is a melding of her French sensibilities with her love of Japanese zen/simplicity, but it's as if she just put a bunch of trite commentary copied from various works into one place. Target audience? Not sure unless it is the rich & flaky. You're supposed to achieve a zen-like existence in mind/body/spirit, but doing so also necessitates Italian leather, pashmina, cashmere. For your personal meditation time, you definitely need thick cushions covered in only 100% wool or 100% silk. Eat & drink sparingly, yet other times, you are encouraged to drink champagne (buying a crate of it no less). Of course, the eating sparingly will fit in well with her overuse of the word "slim" in the book. Because, even though appearances shouldn't matter I guess, she seems strangely fixated on women (no mention of men) needing to remain slim no matter what. And if you're going to use the word slim so many times within one section of the book, at least be industrious enough to use a thesaurus & vary the vocabulary a little bit. Please. Lots of the "advice" is conflicting too. So you read about doing one thing on one page, but within another page or two, you are being given seemingly opposite advice. Even though this is a small format book, it took me awhile to slog through the 200+ pages -- very few of which have any real or practical advice on how to achieve any of the things she espouses; I guess you're supposed to intuit that information? But, given what I guess to be the target audience, I'm not sure there will be a lot of intuiting going on. Sheesh. Skip this one unless you're looking for some cynical laughs. What an utterly ridiculous book.
I like reading simplicity books. They're kind of soothing fluff for me, light, inspiring, etc.... But, this is not the case here. Supposedly this is a melding of her French sensibilities with her love of Japanese zen/simplicity, but it's as if she just put a bunch of trite commentary copied from various works into one place. Target audience? Not sure unless it is the rich & flaky. You're supposed to achieve a zen-like existence in mind/body/spirit, but doing so also necessitates Italian leather, pashmina, cashmere. For your personal meditation time, you definitely need thick cushions covered in only 100% wool or 100% silk. Eat & drink sparingly, yet other times, you are encouraged to drink champagne (buying a crate of it no less). Of course, the eating sparingly will fit in well with her overuse of the word "slim" in the book. Because, even though appearances shouldn't matter I guess, she seems strangely fixated on women (no mention of men) needing to remain slim no matter what. And if you're going to use the word slim so many times within one section of the book, at least be industrious enough to use a thesaurus & vary the vocabulary a little bit. Please. Lots of the "advice" is conflicting too. So you read about doing one thing on one page, but within another page or two, you are being given seemingly opposite advice. Even though this is a small format book, it took me awhile to slog through the 200+ pages -- very few of which have any real or practical advice on how to achieve any of the things she espouses; I guess you're supposed to intuit that information? But, given what I guess to be the target audience, I'm not sure there will be a lot of intuiting going on. Sheesh. Skip this one unless you're looking for some cynical laughs. What an utterly ridiculous book.
June 28, 2012
Probably the most annoying book I've read in a long time. Patronising, full of stereotypes and advice that's not exacly good or healthy. The only thing I liked were the recipes for homemade beauty treatments - hence the 2-star rating.
June 10, 2018
‘L’art de la Simplicitie’ (2005) by Dominique Loreau is a book which came to me as highly recommended, which is sadly why it turned out to be all the more disappointing than anticipated.
The subtitle and basic premise to Loreau’s book is essentially – ‘how to live more with less’ – which is of course a laudable and admirable one. We all know that a life of excess and the accumulation of multiple possessions and material wealth is not the road to happiness. The idea of simplifying life and reducing the number and the burden of unwanted, unneeded, unnoticed, unmissed possessions – it’s is easy to see why this is worthwhile, decluttering your home as well as your life and your mind and this all makes sense. So seemingly with a shared outlook, I embarked on Loreau’s book with interest.
Unfortunately however, the huge paradox and contradiction of a book title the art of simplicity – that consists overwhelmingly of repetition and lack of focus or clear direction, so many unnecessary words and phrases and passages, even chapters, which makes it feel like we are being told the same thing over and over and over and over again…. ‘L’art de la Simplicitie’ would certainly have benefitted from applying its own principles and having some significant editing by a ruthless editor; the book would have been far more effective by being, at the very most, half its published length. Because amongst all the repetition, there is much that is good and sensible - however this is mostly lost, swamped and overwhelmed by the rest of the text, which is a great pity.
Loreau provides us with a mish-mash of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, a smattering of ideas from western thinkers and philosophers and the whole is sadly much less than the sum of its parts. ‘L’art de la Simplicitie’ apart from being repetitive, unfocused and ultimately directionless, is also patronising, racially and culturally stereotyping and relies on huge generalisations. Loreau gives us also style and fashion advice, but strangely only for women (don’t the same principles apply to men?) as well as some questionable medical and mental health advice. Loreau also contradicts herself on several points throughout the book – an example being a section telling us about how we should sanctify and ritualise our daily routines, whilst at the same time changing routines and trying something new??
Ultimately then, ‘L’art de la Simplicitie’ is sadly just another average self-help book – but I can’t help thinking that there must be better and more effective such books out there to be read? This clearly isn’t one of them.
When it comes down to it, maybe Loreau’s book could really just have been a list…?
Eat less, eat better, sleep well, meditate, exercise, reduce possessions, relax, tidy your house, wear simple stylish clothes, think positively, enjoy solitude, use visualisation, have goals, aim for your goals etc etc etc
The subtitle and basic premise to Loreau’s book is essentially – ‘how to live more with less’ – which is of course a laudable and admirable one. We all know that a life of excess and the accumulation of multiple possessions and material wealth is not the road to happiness. The idea of simplifying life and reducing the number and the burden of unwanted, unneeded, unnoticed, unmissed possessions – it’s is easy to see why this is worthwhile, decluttering your home as well as your life and your mind and this all makes sense. So seemingly with a shared outlook, I embarked on Loreau’s book with interest.
Unfortunately however, the huge paradox and contradiction of a book title the art of simplicity – that consists overwhelmingly of repetition and lack of focus or clear direction, so many unnecessary words and phrases and passages, even chapters, which makes it feel like we are being told the same thing over and over and over and over again…. ‘L’art de la Simplicitie’ would certainly have benefitted from applying its own principles and having some significant editing by a ruthless editor; the book would have been far more effective by being, at the very most, half its published length. Because amongst all the repetition, there is much that is good and sensible - however this is mostly lost, swamped and overwhelmed by the rest of the text, which is a great pity.
Loreau provides us with a mish-mash of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, a smattering of ideas from western thinkers and philosophers and the whole is sadly much less than the sum of its parts. ‘L’art de la Simplicitie’ apart from being repetitive, unfocused and ultimately directionless, is also patronising, racially and culturally stereotyping and relies on huge generalisations. Loreau gives us also style and fashion advice, but strangely only for women (don’t the same principles apply to men?) as well as some questionable medical and mental health advice. Loreau also contradicts herself on several points throughout the book – an example being a section telling us about how we should sanctify and ritualise our daily routines, whilst at the same time changing routines and trying something new??
Ultimately then, ‘L’art de la Simplicitie’ is sadly just another average self-help book – but I can’t help thinking that there must be better and more effective such books out there to be read? This clearly isn’t one of them.
When it comes down to it, maybe Loreau’s book could really just have been a list…?
Eat less, eat better, sleep well, meditate, exercise, reduce possessions, relax, tidy your house, wear simple stylish clothes, think positively, enjoy solitude, use visualisation, have goals, aim for your goals etc etc etc
June 4, 2018
This book is utter rubbish. I thought about leaving it on the train I'd been reading it on, but then I realised someone else might pick it up and actually mistake it's patronising trite as 'words of wisdom' so I took it home to burn.
December 2, 2016
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I'd like to start out by saying there were a few things in this book that I agreed with generally. With that being said, I disagree with this book as a whole.
I understand that the author is writing this from the perspective of someone who has lived in both French and Japanese culture, but most of this book felt like patriarchal propaganda to me. The book is geared toward women, which gave me the following impression: women are simple creatures and should therefore live simply. Men need not follow the same guidelines.
Loreau writes about the importance of striving for beauty and perfection. In general, trying to be the best version of yourself is a good goal to have, granted you are doing it for the right reasons. Loreau touched on how this goal can bring self-fulfillment, but she propagated the idea that this is also for others' benefit. For example, she talks about how nobody likes hearing people complain about their problems.
There is a little truth to that, but life is not all rainbows and sunshine. Expressing emotion is what makes us human, and I don't agree with hiding negative emotions simply to spare someone else from an uncomfortable situation.
Loreau gives unhealthy and contradictory advice in this book. It makes me cringe for someone to advocate eating only when you're hungry. On some days, I can reach early evening without feeling hungry, but my body still needs nutrients throughout the day to perform basic involuntary functions.
In terms of fitness, we're given the suggestion that we should keep our goal weight in mind, but the author later says that the number on a scale does not matter. However, the author reminds us that nobody likes seeing people who are out of shape physically either. I was half expecting her to write that women should not be TOO in shape.
As for organization, there was a lot of overlap between the sections, and some of the language is extremely repetitive. At times, this felt like a stream of consciousness piece rather than a self-help book; Loreau does not always move from sentence to sentence logically. Many details could have been removed, and the book would have had the same impact. It's hard for me to fathom someone writing a book about simplicity when they clearly don't understand the value of communicating concisely.
tl;dr
This book was not for me because I value self-love and self-acceptance. Striving to be better is a healthy goal, but we must determine for ourselves what the best version of us is like as opposed to mindlessly following the advice of someone who, if she saw us in everyday life, would likely pass judgment on us before knowing us.
I'd like to start out by saying there were a few things in this book that I agreed with generally. With that being said, I disagree with this book as a whole.
I understand that the author is writing this from the perspective of someone who has lived in both French and Japanese culture, but most of this book felt like patriarchal propaganda to me. The book is geared toward women, which gave me the following impression: women are simple creatures and should therefore live simply. Men need not follow the same guidelines.
Loreau writes about the importance of striving for beauty and perfection. In general, trying to be the best version of yourself is a good goal to have, granted you are doing it for the right reasons. Loreau touched on how this goal can bring self-fulfillment, but she propagated the idea that this is also for others' benefit. For example, she talks about how nobody likes hearing people complain about their problems.
There is a little truth to that, but life is not all rainbows and sunshine. Expressing emotion is what makes us human, and I don't agree with hiding negative emotions simply to spare someone else from an uncomfortable situation.
Loreau gives unhealthy and contradictory advice in this book. It makes me cringe for someone to advocate eating only when you're hungry. On some days, I can reach early evening without feeling hungry, but my body still needs nutrients throughout the day to perform basic involuntary functions.
In terms of fitness, we're given the suggestion that we should keep our goal weight in mind, but the author later says that the number on a scale does not matter. However, the author reminds us that nobody likes seeing people who are out of shape physically either. I was half expecting her to write that women should not be TOO in shape.
As for organization, there was a lot of overlap between the sections, and some of the language is extremely repetitive. At times, this felt like a stream of consciousness piece rather than a self-help book; Loreau does not always move from sentence to sentence logically. Many details could have been removed, and the book would have had the same impact. It's hard for me to fathom someone writing a book about simplicity when they clearly don't understand the value of communicating concisely.
tl;dr
This book was not for me because I value self-love and self-acceptance. Striving to be better is a healthy goal, but we must determine for ourselves what the best version of us is like as opposed to mindlessly following the advice of someone who, if she saw us in everyday life, would likely pass judgment on us before knowing us.
August 17, 2017
I love the idea of the book. I find culture of consumption revolting and unfortunately I am part of it, but I'm determined to do and buy fewer and fewer unneeded things.
That said, this book is exactly what it advocates against owning: useless horrible crap of a book.
Narrative is absolutely random, there is no structure between chapters, between paragraphs, not even between sentences. Author contradicts herself all the time, and I don't mean small story details, she can't even get right what she wants from the world around her. She advocates simplicity and modesty explaining how Japanese live in super small space, supports living like monks. And then a page later she says to have the most expensive, comfortable, cozy, best furniture there is. And telling us that minimalism is expensive and we have to deal with it. She says we consume too much and then tells you have to have fridge and all bowls full with food to attract Chi.
I just couldn't keep reading.
That said, this book is exactly what it advocates against owning: useless horrible crap of a book.
Narrative is absolutely random, there is no structure between chapters, between paragraphs, not even between sentences. Author contradicts herself all the time, and I don't mean small story details, she can't even get right what she wants from the world around her. She advocates simplicity and modesty explaining how Japanese live in super small space, supports living like monks. And then a page later she says to have the most expensive, comfortable, cozy, best furniture there is. And telling us that minimalism is expensive and we have to deal with it. She says we consume too much and then tells you have to have fridge and all bowls full with food to attract Chi.
I just couldn't keep reading.
June 18, 2018
يستمد الكتاب عنوانه من الفصل الأول والذي تدعو فيه الكاتبة للعيش حياة
بسيطة من ناحية الملبس والأكل ..الخ والتخلص من ثقل الماديات وتكديس
الأشياء التي لا فائدة منها
تراوحت مشاعري أثناء القراءة بين الملل والسخط وسؤال ظل يقفز أمامي
بين الصفحة والثانية .. أما آن الأوان للتوقف عن قراءة كتب التنمية
ثم جاءت تلك الصفحات والتي تختص بعالم المرأة من نصائح للعناية بالبشرة
والجسم وطرق فقدان الوزن .. بتلك الصفحات توجد الكثير من النصائح
المفيدة صحيا ونفسيا قبل أن تكون جماليا وإن كان تطبيقها يحتاج لحياة ثانية
بعض النصائح كانت غريبة لتناقضها
ولوجود النصيحة وعكسها وجدت الكتاب غير مترابط بطرح الأفكار ومختلف
عن فكرة الكتاب الرئيسية بالنهاية الكتاب يتراوح بين الجيد والسيئ وبين
صفحات شدتني وأخرى قتلتني من الملل من كثرة التكرار والإعادة
وإن كنت من كارهي كتب التنمية + من الجنس الغير لطيف لا تفكر بقراءة الكتاب
بسيطة من ناحية الملبس والأكل ..الخ والتخلص من ثقل الماديات وتكديس
الأشياء التي لا فائدة منها
تراوحت مشاعري أثناء القراءة بين الملل والسخط وسؤال ظل يقفز أمامي
بين الصفحة والثانية .. أما آن الأوان للتوقف عن قراءة كتب التنمية
ثم جاءت تلك الصفحات والتي تختص بعالم المرأة من نصائح للعناية بالبشرة
والجسم وطرق فقدان الوزن .. بتلك الصفحات توجد الكثير من النصائح
المفيدة صحيا ونفسيا قبل أن تكون جماليا وإن كان تطبيقها يحتاج لحياة ثانية
بعض النصائح كانت غريبة لتناقضها
ولوجود النصيحة وعكسها وجدت الكتاب غير مترابط بطرح الأفكار ومختلف
عن فكرة الكتاب الرئيسية بالنهاية الكتاب يتراوح بين الجيد والسيئ وبين
صفحات شدتني وأخرى قتلتني من الملل من كثرة التكرار والإعادة
وإن كنت من كارهي كتب التنمية + من الجنس الغير لطيف لا تفكر بقراءة الكتاب
September 17, 2009
الكاتبة فرنسية ..سكنت اليابان مدة طويلة
ظهر في كتابها تأثرها الكبير بالثقافة اليابانية
أسلوب الكتاب سلس مباشر
أحيانا أشعر بشيء من التكرار
لكن الأفكار التي تعرضها الكاتبة جيدة
وإن كانت تستشهد كثيرا بحديقة زن والمذهب البوذي..الذي تأثرت بطريقته
خطابها في الكتاب موجه للنساء وبما يوافق اهتمامات النساء
اهتمت بشكل كبير بالبساطة فيما حولك ..وجسمك وذهنك
كلامها فيه شيء كبير من المنطقية ..خصوصا البساطة فيما حولك..وكثيرا من أفكارها ناسبتني..وقرأته بحماس
ماعدا الباب الأخير الذي يتحدث عن الروحانيات والذهن ..استغرقت فيه وقتا طويلا وشعرت بشيء من الملل لتاثرها الشديد بالبوذية
.. لم أشعر بالندم على شراءه
ظهر في كتابها تأثرها الكبير بالثقافة اليابانية
أسلوب الكتاب سلس مباشر
أحيانا أشعر بشيء من التكرار
لكن الأفكار التي تعرضها الكاتبة جيدة
وإن كانت تستشهد كثيرا بحديقة زن والمذهب البوذي..الذي تأثرت بطريقته
خطابها في الكتاب موجه للنساء وبما يوافق اهتمامات النساء
اهتمت بشكل كبير بالبساطة فيما حولك ..وجسمك وذهنك
كلامها فيه شيء كبير من المنطقية ..خصوصا البساطة فيما حولك..وكثيرا من أفكارها ناسبتني..وقرأته بحماس
ماعدا الباب الأخير الذي يتحدث عن الروحانيات والذهن ..استغرقت فيه وقتا طويلا وشعرت بشيء من الملل لتاثرها الشديد بالبوذية
.. لم أشعر بالندم على شراءه
February 7, 2017
3.5 stars
If you can get past the author's incessant references to expensive high-quality leather armchairs, pashmina shawls, and cashmere throws this is a wonderful book on living life with a minimalist philosophy.
Unlike Marie Kondo style books, this is not a how-to book on folding shirts or organizing closets. This is a book on what a minimalist life philosophy looks like in practice. How do you organize your life to live in a mindful, ascetic, simple and minimalist way. It's in the way you dress, treat yourself, style your house, engage with your friends and loved ones, work, think, and immerse yourself in the wider world.
There are some great quotes sprinkled throughout this book. I certainly highlighted lots of things, however, sometimes this veered from deep, insightful truths about life to frivolous pieces of advice. From basic information on handbags (it should look like Jackie Kennedy's), house decor (see the above on leather armchairs and cashmere), and your body routine (lots of oils, baths and dry brushing), to more esoteric discussions on meditation, zen, and engaging with people in a respectful and mindful fashion. It's almost as if this book wanted to both be a self-help book on minimalism, while also being a philosophy book at the same time and decided to split the difference.
I did have a few quibbles. This seems to be a book written exclusively for women, although men could read it, I'm not sure how much they'd get out of the advice. This also seems to be advice that only wealthy people could put into practice. There are a fair number of classist assumptions here. Not only in Loreau's emphasis on waiting and spending more money on quality things (a fine thing to do if you can), but on her discussions of work (don't do it if you don't have to), children (not really mentioned at all, nor are pets), time-management, relationships and more. Basically, if you are a wealthy, single woman, you can probably put this all into practice. If you have children, a partner, pets, or generally live a messier life (as most of us do) good luck with some of this ;)
Having said all that - I really loved some of what she had to say, and how she framed minimalism as a life philosophy that isn't just about things, but also about how you approach the world. Part I, chapter 2: In Praise of Minimalism, and Part III:Mind, were both the sections I would suggest if you'd like to read more on that. I also really appreciated her discussion of making time for yourself - after all, if you're not taking care of yourself, how will you take care of others? That's something many women ignore in favour of taking care of others - and being reminded of that is only a good thing. But, putting some of her self-care into practice may take more time than people are able (not willing, but able) to spend.
Overall - I liked this book. There are some great life gems sprinkled throughout. Just take some of her other advice with a grain of salt ;)
"Do not abandon your dreams, or close your mind to mystery. To be happy, live simply."
If you can get past the author's incessant references to expensive high-quality leather armchairs, pashmina shawls, and cashmere throws this is a wonderful book on living life with a minimalist philosophy.
Unlike Marie Kondo style books, this is not a how-to book on folding shirts or organizing closets. This is a book on what a minimalist life philosophy looks like in practice. How do you organize your life to live in a mindful, ascetic, simple and minimalist way. It's in the way you dress, treat yourself, style your house, engage with your friends and loved ones, work, think, and immerse yourself in the wider world.
There are some great quotes sprinkled throughout this book. I certainly highlighted lots of things, however, sometimes this veered from deep, insightful truths about life to frivolous pieces of advice. From basic information on handbags (it should look like Jackie Kennedy's), house decor (see the above on leather armchairs and cashmere), and your body routine (lots of oils, baths and dry brushing), to more esoteric discussions on meditation, zen, and engaging with people in a respectful and mindful fashion. It's almost as if this book wanted to both be a self-help book on minimalism, while also being a philosophy book at the same time and decided to split the difference.
I did have a few quibbles. This seems to be a book written exclusively for women, although men could read it, I'm not sure how much they'd get out of the advice. This also seems to be advice that only wealthy people could put into practice. There are a fair number of classist assumptions here. Not only in Loreau's emphasis on waiting and spending more money on quality things (a fine thing to do if you can), but on her discussions of work (don't do it if you don't have to), children (not really mentioned at all, nor are pets), time-management, relationships and more. Basically, if you are a wealthy, single woman, you can probably put this all into practice. If you have children, a partner, pets, or generally live a messier life (as most of us do) good luck with some of this ;)
Having said all that - I really loved some of what she had to say, and how she framed minimalism as a life philosophy that isn't just about things, but also about how you approach the world. Part I, chapter 2: In Praise of Minimalism, and Part III:Mind, were both the sections I would suggest if you'd like to read more on that. I also really appreciated her discussion of making time for yourself - after all, if you're not taking care of yourself, how will you take care of others? That's something many women ignore in favour of taking care of others - and being reminded of that is only a good thing. But, putting some of her self-care into practice may take more time than people are able (not willing, but able) to spend.
Overall - I liked this book. There are some great life gems sprinkled throughout. Just take some of her other advice with a grain of salt ;)
"Do not abandon your dreams, or close your mind to mystery. To be happy, live simply."
December 7, 2016
This was DNF - I got bored and annoyed about 30 pages in, did some skimming to find more ridiculousness, and gave up.
Such as - unattractive clothes make us gain weight? the Japanese are all perfect and own nothing? don't anything someone would want to steal?
Also, incredibly basic tips like use a dishcloth, clean your house, etc.
Plus, really harmful female stereotypes - someone with chipped nail polish is depressed and has low self esteem; being fat is simply a lack of willpower; "eating little is my golden rule".
This book is a nightmare.
**I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.**
Such as - unattractive clothes make us gain weight? the Japanese are all perfect and own nothing? don't anything someone would want to steal?
Also, incredibly basic tips like use a dishcloth, clean your house, etc.
Plus, really harmful female stereotypes - someone with chipped nail polish is depressed and has low self esteem; being fat is simply a lack of willpower; "eating little is my golden rule".
This book is a nightmare.
**I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.**
March 2, 2020
أظن فيديوهات قليلة مدتها 10د تغني عن إضاعة الوقت مع أفكار هذا الكتاب المكررة ... المكررة ... المكررة
اقتراحات للمشاهدة
-how to be minimalist؟
-minimalist home organization
-50 ideas to have healthy skin and body.. or 50 ways to look younger ..
- junk food vs healthy food
الكتاب ليس سيئا حتى نكون منصفين ، لكنه ليس جيدا أبدا وفيه كثيــــــــر من الحشو والتكرار والكلام الهلامي
اقتراحات للمشاهدة
-how to be minimalist؟
-minimalist home organization
-50 ideas to have healthy skin and body.. or 50 ways to look younger ..
- junk food vs healthy food
الكتاب ليس سيئا حتى نكون منصفين ، لكنه ليس جيدا أبدا وفيه كثيــــــــر من الحشو والتكرار والكلام الهلامي
January 15, 2023
So it took me over 2 years to finish this one. Life and other books got in the way, but I did it after all.
Overall, it's a nice book, explaining how to make your life easier, how simplicity is the road to take. That doesn't mean you need to believe everything you read. Sometimes it's a little too much, but ok over all.
I would say moderation is the key. Too much of anything can be bad (feelings, food and so on).
P.S. I really like the cover for the Romanian edition.
Overall, it's a nice book, explaining how to make your life easier, how simplicity is the road to take. That doesn't mean you need to believe everything you read. Sometimes it's a little too much, but ok over all.
I would say moderation is the key. Too much of anything can be bad (feelings, food and so on).
P.S. I really like the cover for the Romanian edition.
October 6, 2020
بعد بضع صفحات اكتشفت أن الكتاب موجه للإناث، ولكن الحقيقة أنه مفيد جداً لمن يعيش منفردا أو يحاول أن يرتب فوضى حياته أيا كان جنسه.
August 4, 2020
O carte care te resetează și îți oferă informație valoroasă despre curățenia căminului în care trăiești, a corpului, a gândurilor și a sufletului. Are numeroase sfaturi pe care aș vrea să le aplic și cu siguranță o să revin la ea periodic.
📚 "Îmbogățiți-vă mai degraba corpul cu senzații, inima cu impulsuri, spiritul cu principii, nu viața cu obiecte."
📚 "Frumusetea cere o bază solidă: o piele frumoasă, un păr sănătos, muşchi tonifiați și energie. Vitaminele la cutie nu sunt eficiente. Dacă vreți să fiți sănătoase, trebuie să aveți o dietă echilibrată, să faceți exerciții fizice și să dormiți suficient. Combinați o alimentație sănătoasă cu băi dese, masaje corporale și puțină mişcare, şi veți fi într-o formă de zile mari."
📚 "A-i judeca pe ceilalti cere destulă energie și vă pune într-o situaţie în care n-ar trebui să vă aflați. Critica este înainte de toate un obicei. Învățați să nu spuneți niciodată nimic rău despre nimeni, orice ați crede în realitate. Acest nou obicei va deveni repede a doua dumneavoastră natură. Criticile vă pot aduce o uşurare de moment, însă există şi alte subiecte de conversație. Rămâneți loial față de cei absenti. Apărați-i."
📚 "Îmbogățiți-vă mai degraba corpul cu senzații, inima cu impulsuri, spiritul cu principii, nu viața cu obiecte."
📚 "Frumusetea cere o bază solidă: o piele frumoasă, un păr sănătos, muşchi tonifiați și energie. Vitaminele la cutie nu sunt eficiente. Dacă vreți să fiți sănătoase, trebuie să aveți o dietă echilibrată, să faceți exerciții fizice și să dormiți suficient. Combinați o alimentație sănătoasă cu băi dese, masaje corporale și puțină mişcare, şi veți fi într-o formă de zile mari."
📚 "A-i judeca pe ceilalti cere destulă energie și vă pune într-o situaţie în care n-ar trebui să vă aflați. Critica este înainte de toate un obicei. Învățați să nu spuneți niciodată nimic rău despre nimeni, orice ați crede în realitate. Acest nou obicei va deveni repede a doua dumneavoastră natură. Criticile vă pot aduce o uşurare de moment, însă există şi alte subiecte de conversație. Rămâneți loial față de cei absenti. Apărați-i."
Read
September 26, 2022“Vienkāršības mākslu” lasīju pirms 10 gadiem - tolaik vēl par “meinstrīmu” nebija kļuvis minimālisms, apzinātība un atgriešanās pie dabas. Patiesībā daudzas lietas, ko šobrīd uztveru un arī praktizēju savā ikdienā, tālajā 2010.ajā bija absolūts jaunums.
Šī grāmata bija viena no tām, kas manus uzskatus un domāšanu ietekmējusi visspēcīgāk - iespējams, tāpēc, ka atnāca īstajā vietā un laikā.
Būtu interesanti izlasīt vēlreiz ar šodienas acīm! Tagad, 2022.gadā Zvaigzne ABC šo darbu izdevusi atkārtoti.
Šī grāmata bija viena no tām, kas manus uzskatus un domāšanu ietekmējusi visspēcīgāk - iespējams, tāpēc, ka atnāca īstajā vietā un laikā.
Būtu interesanti izlasīt vēlreiz ar šodienas acīm! Tagad, 2022.gadā Zvaigzne ABC šo darbu izdevusi atkārtoti.
December 7, 2024
الكتاب رسالة موجهة لكل أنثى للإهتمام بنفسها وبصحتها وبنفسيتها، وبيقدم نصائح عديدة بسيطة وخطوات لجعل حياتها أبسط وأحلى ❤
August 20, 2016
كتاب جميل جدًا، شكرًا لمن أوصاني به
قرأت فقراته بشكل يوميّ قبل النوم، وأعطيتها الوقت الذي يليق بها تأملًا وإعادة
الكتاب عبارة عن تلخيص للتبسيط وروح البساطة في كل شيء، أعجبني محتواه بشكل كبير، واحتفظت بصفحات كاملة منه
خضتُ تجارب بتبسيط ما حولي مع الفصل الأول "المادية والاكتفاء بالقليل" وتخلّصت من ملكية أشياء كثير لي :)
الفصل الأفضل برأيي هو الأخير "الذهن"
أنصح به لترتيب أفكارك وحياتك .. بشدة
:)
مراجعتي للكتاب لجريدة عنب بلدي:
يعتبر كتاب فن البساطة للكاتبة الفرنسية دومينك لورو من الكتب المهمة في موضوعه، ولعلّ أهميته تكمن في كونه تلخيصًا لتجربة عاشتها المؤلفة سنوات عديدة فدوّنت عنها، ما يجعل الأفكار الواردة فيه بعيدة عن التنظير وقابلة للتطبيق بشكل كبير.
يقع الكتاب في قرابة 250 صفحة من القطع المتوسط وهو من ترجمة ونشر دار العبيكان عام 2009، ويقسم إلى ثلاثة أجزاء رئيسية تتناول كلًا من: المحيط المادي للإنسان، الجسم، والذهن بشكل مفصّل.
والكتاب عبارة عن تجميع لملاحظات حول تجربة مدتها عشرة أعوام قضتها دومينك في اليابان، البلد الذي أسرها ببساطته وفنونه وإرثه الثقافي، وكان ملهمًا لها لتغيير نمط حياتها بشكل كامل، بل والكتابة عنه للتأثير بالناس.
تقول دومينيك في تعريفها لطريقة التفكير اليابانية:
“طريقة التفكير اليابانية تعني تقبّل الحياة كما هي، دون السعي لمعرفة تفسير كل شيء وتحليله، تفحصه ونقده، باختصار العيش على طريق زن”.
تعطي الكاتبة في الجزء الأول من “فن البساطة” نصائح حول تبسيط البيئة المحيطة بنا لتكون بأقل قدر من التعقيد، تنظيم المنزل وأهمية المساحات الفارغة فيه، التخلص من التكديس والتراكم في الخزائن والمطبخ، نصائح للإضاءة والنباتات والتنظيف والتنظيم سواء للمنزل أو المكتب أو الحقائب، وتصل لذكر تفاصيل حتى كأس الشاي مثلًا!
في الجزء الثاني من الكتاب تتناول دومينيك الاهتمام بالجسد، ومفهومي الجمال الداخلي والخارجي، وكيفية العناية بالجسد بطرق صحية وبسيطة بدءًا من اختيار الطعام الطبيعي وممارسة الرياضة، والتوقف عن إنفاق المزيد على مستحضرات التجميل مع البدائل المنزلية لكل ذلك.
بشكل مشابه تطرح الكاتبة في آخر جزء من الكتاب كيفية التخلص من الضغوطات النفسية والفكرية، وتجاوز المشكلات والسلبية بالتفكير وتحسين المزاج وتفادي القلق بأنواعه، بحيث يمتلك الإنسان السيطرة على ذهنه لا العكس.
تركز الكاتبة على فكرة التغيرات البطيئة في حياة الإنسان، وهو ما جرّبتْهُ بتحولها للعيش ببساطة “فالتحول البطيء هو ما يثمر”.
قرأت فقراته بشكل يوميّ قبل النوم، وأعطيتها الوقت الذي يليق بها تأملًا وإعادة
الكتاب عبارة عن تلخيص للتبسيط وروح البساطة في كل شيء، أعجبني محتواه بشكل كبير، واحتفظت بصفحات كاملة منه
خضتُ تجارب بتبسيط ما حولي مع الفصل الأول "المادية والاكتفاء بالقليل" وتخلّصت من ملكية أشياء كثير لي :)
الفصل الأفضل برأيي هو الأخير "الذهن"
أنصح به لترتيب أفكارك وحياتك .. بشدة
:)
مراجعتي للكتاب لجريدة عنب بلدي:
يعتبر كتاب فن البساطة للكاتبة الفرنسية دومينك لورو من الكتب المهمة في موضوعه، ولعلّ أهميته تكمن في كونه تلخيصًا لتجربة عاشتها المؤلفة سنوات عديدة فدوّنت عنها، ما يجعل الأفكار الواردة فيه بعيدة عن التنظير وقابلة للتطبيق بشكل كبير.
يقع الكتاب في قرابة 250 صفحة من القطع المتوسط وهو من ترجمة ونشر دار العبيكان عام 2009، ويقسم إلى ثلاثة أجزاء رئيسية تتناول كلًا من: المحيط المادي للإنسان، الجسم، والذهن بشكل مفصّل.
والكتاب عبارة عن تجميع لملاحظات حول تجربة مدتها عشرة أعوام قضتها دومينك في اليابان، البلد الذي أسرها ببساطته وفنونه وإرثه الثقافي، وكان ملهمًا لها لتغيير نمط حياتها بشكل كامل، بل والكتابة عنه للتأثير بالناس.
تقول دومينيك في تعريفها لطريقة التفكير اليابانية:
“طريقة التفكير اليابانية تعني تقبّل الحياة كما هي، دون السعي لمعرفة تفسير كل شيء وتحليله، تفحصه ونقده، باختصار العيش على طريق زن”.
تعطي الكاتبة في الجزء الأول من “فن البساطة” نصائح حول تبسيط البيئة المحيطة بنا لتكون بأقل قدر من التعقيد، تنظيم المنزل وأهمية المساحات الفارغة فيه، التخلص من التكديس والتراكم في الخزائن والمطبخ، نصائح للإضاءة والنباتات والتنظيف والتنظيم سواء للمنزل أو المكتب أو الحقائب، وتصل لذكر تفاصيل حتى كأس الشاي مثلًا!
في الجزء الثاني من الكتاب تتناول دومينيك الاهتمام بالجسد، ومفهومي الجمال الداخلي والخارجي، وكيفية العناية بالجسد بطرق صحية وبسيطة بدءًا من اختيار الطعام الطبيعي وممارسة الرياضة، والتوقف عن إنفاق المزيد على مستحضرات التجميل مع البدائل المنزلية لكل ذلك.
بشكل مشابه تطرح الكاتبة في آخر جزء من الكتاب كيفية التخلص من الضغوطات النفسية والفكرية، وتجاوز المشكلات والسلبية بالتفكير وتحسين المزاج وتفادي القلق بأنواعه، بحيث يمتلك الإنسان السيطرة على ذهنه لا العكس.
تركز الكاتبة على فكرة التغيرات البطيئة في حياة الإنسان، وهو ما جرّبتْهُ بتحولها للعيش ببساطة “فالتحول البطيء هو ما يثمر”.
September 28, 2017
It started out with a BANG...then fizzled. The first third of the book was absolutely enthralling and I fully thought it was 5 star worthy but then it became a bit rambling and redundant towards the end. Still lots of great lifestyle ideas and practical suggestions that I won't forget. Worth a read.
January 2, 2021
A tad philosophical at times but overall a calming read. Advices in different segment of life were given and I caution readers to write and compartmentalise the points and your to-do lost to avoid feeling overwhelm. There are some points where I disagree with the writer’s point of view as it can appear pretentious and disconnect with reality, but it didn’t lessen the overall wholesome sharings.
March 19, 2012
هل هناك علاقة طردية بين كثرة الكماليات في حياتنا و خواء الروح ..؟!
بالتالي الشعور بالحزن و الكآبة من غير سبب واضح..؟
فن البساطة اجابني على هذا السؤال ، لمحبي البساطة سيروق لكم هذا الكتاب.
بالتالي الشعور بالحزن و الكآبة من غير سبب واضح..؟
فن البساطة اجابني على هذا السؤال ، لمحبي البساطة سيروق لكم هذا الكتاب.
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June 23, 2014Vă spune ceva arta simplităţii? Ca atâtea alte metode de a alege un stil de viaţă – de care sunt pline cărţile de self help în ziua de azi –, şi aceasta e una posibilă. În ce mă priveşte, mi se pare cea mai bună. Într-o lume a hiperconsumului, opţiunea pentru simplitate – sau pentru „dietetică”, cum ne îndemna altădată Alex. Leo Şerban – este esenţială. Să înlături surplusul, să te fixezi pe elementele bazice, esenţiale echivalează şi cu un soi de purificare – fizică şi spirituală –, ca să nu mai vorbesc de confortul asigurat.
Arta simplităţii e o carte scrisă de Dominique Loreau şi apărută la Editura Baroque Books & Arts. Stabilită de peste douăzeci de ani în Japonia, autoarea a adoptat şi adaptat principiile de viaţă japoneze, adică o filozofie de viaţă orientală, în care simplitatea înseamnă, mai presus de toate, rafinament şi disciplină de viaţă; cu alte cuvinte, o combinaţie aparte a eticii cu estetica. Dictonul de bază este „Less is more” şi el e aplicat în toate domeniile care ţin de stilul de viaţă, de la corp şi vestimentaţie pînă la locuinţă şi ambient: „Purifică-ţi sufletul, goleşte-ţi şifonierul, renunţă la cumpărăturile compulsive, mănâncă frugal, îngrijeşte-ţi corpul şi numai atunci îţi vei bucura şi spiritul” – ni se spune pe coperta a patra a cărţii.
Dacă vorbim de arta simplității, să începem cu locuinţa. Dominique Loreau ne sfătuieşte să ne amenajăm spaţiul în care locuim – indiferent de dimensiunile lui – ţinând cont de criteriul practic, al funcţionalităţii, al confortului, dar şi de o estetică minimalistă: cât mai puţine obiecte, acestea funcţionale şi de bună calitate (lemn, textile, plută). (continuarea cronicii: http://www.bookaholic.ro/simplify-sim...)
Arta simplităţii e o carte scrisă de Dominique Loreau şi apărută la Editura Baroque Books & Arts. Stabilită de peste douăzeci de ani în Japonia, autoarea a adoptat şi adaptat principiile de viaţă japoneze, adică o filozofie de viaţă orientală, în care simplitatea înseamnă, mai presus de toate, rafinament şi disciplină de viaţă; cu alte cuvinte, o combinaţie aparte a eticii cu estetica. Dictonul de bază este „Less is more” şi el e aplicat în toate domeniile care ţin de stilul de viaţă, de la corp şi vestimentaţie pînă la locuinţă şi ambient: „Purifică-ţi sufletul, goleşte-ţi şifonierul, renunţă la cumpărăturile compulsive, mănâncă frugal, îngrijeşte-ţi corpul şi numai atunci îţi vei bucura şi spiritul” – ni se spune pe coperta a patra a cărţii.
Dacă vorbim de arta simplității, să începem cu locuinţa. Dominique Loreau ne sfătuieşte să ne amenajăm spaţiul în care locuim – indiferent de dimensiunile lui – ţinând cont de criteriul practic, al funcţionalităţii, al confortului, dar şi de o estetică minimalistă: cât mai puţine obiecte, acestea funcţionale şi de bună calitate (lemn, textile, plută). (continuarea cronicii: http://www.bookaholic.ro/simplify-sim...)
November 17, 2016
"Simplicity means possessing little, clearing the way for the bare necessities, the quintessence of things. Simplicity is beautiful because it brings hidden joys."
This beautiful, soulful book expresses what many of us desire, but often can't achieve -- a life of simplicity and beauty. While I have always valued experiences over things, I still seem to have accumulated a lot of things along the way. The older I seem to get, the more valuable the act of paring down seems to be.
This book is inspiring on so many levels. While I was expecting a "rid yourself of the clutter" type of book, it's so much more. French-born Dominique Loreau has lived for the past 40 years in Japan, where she has adapted many Asian influences on the art of simplicity.
There are some ideas that I just couldn't agree with (e.g., the idea that a person can possess too many books or that it's not good to read too much) and other things that just seemed weird (e.g., enjoying a snack of pomegranate seeds while watching a movie at home) or very specifically Japanese (e.g., making a facial scrub of azuki beans -- yeah, I've got a lot of those hanging around my house). However, most of the concepts presented in L'Art de la Simpicite (why the non-translated French title?) I found to be insightful and aspirational.
The book is divided into three sections -- home, body, and mind -- and by far, the most thoughtful section is the last. The ideas behind "Polish Yourself Like a Pebble" really resonated with me. It's not simplicity for the sake of it, but rather as a gateway to living more aware and more fully, while integrating your home, body, and soul until the whole shines.
Thanks to Good Reads and St. Martin's/Griffin. for allowing me to read this advanced copy.
August 3, 2014
مترجم من الفرنسية للعربية، كتبته سيدة فرنسية عاشت في اليابان لمدة تربو على 10 سنوات، تعلمت فيها غثاء الحياة المادية و روعة حياة البساطة
تنادي الكاتبة بالتخلص من عادة الاستهلاك و الشراء النهم و التكديس - كررت الكاتبة هذه الكلمة كثيرا في سطورها-
من عيوبه أن الكاتبة قد حولت العديد من صفحاته إلى نصائح تجميلية للمرأة و المنزل فسببت نوعا من التشتت في الهدف المحدد من الكتاب
ممتع في بدايته واستفدت منه جيدا ، خاصة أنني قمت بحملة على مقتنياتي بعدما انتهيت من قراءته
ماذا ستستفيد ياقارئ الكتاب
أن تجعل حياتك أكثر ببساطة بالاستمتاع بكل شيء حولك و أن لا تسمح لشيء أو إنسان بأن يتحلّق حولك إلا إذا كان يمتعك و إذا كان النظر إليه يمتعك
كذلك يعلمك أن لا تشتري إلا ماستسفيد منه و تشتريه مرة أخرى حين يعطب و أن تتخلص من كل ما لاتستخدمه أو تعاني في استخدامه
كذلك ينادي الكتاب بالبساطة في تأثيث المنزل و جعل الحياة المنزلية أكثر"عملية" و فائدة
كتاب خفيف و لا يحتاج للكثير من التأمل و التركيز
July 23, 2023
" Le confort est un art."
C'est la phrase qui m'a poussé à bien réfléchir qu'est-ce qui il manque pour qu'on puisse vivre en confort ? Qu'il ce qu'il le faut pour vivre en paix avec nous même et dans notre environnement sain et stable ?
La Réponse : Il faut de la simplicité ! Tout simplement !!
Comment ça ? Et concernant quel côté exactement ??
La Réponse : Dans tous les coins de notre vie quotidienne, il faut de la simplicité, il nous manque beaucoup de simplicité franchement.
L'écrivaine était parfaitement consciente de tout ce qui manque, et de tout ce qu'il faut faire et où le faire !
Depuis la façon de voir les choses, notre vision à notre existence et notre émotions interne jusqu'à notre environnement externe, l'art d'être simple et efficace dans tous les aspects de vie, prendre la simplicité comme un principe indispensable à notre univers, dans nos maisons, dans nos chambres à coucher.
L'art de simplifier les choses commence par l'art de créer un environnement sain et stable et confortable en prendre en considération que nos besoins et se débarrasser de tous ce qui n'est plus nécessaire, L'art de rangement toute chose a une place et chacune doit être à sa place.
Être dans un environnement propre et bien rangé où toutes les choses et objets sont à leurs places. Un environnement lumineux et rayonnant pousse sans doute toute personne à vivre en confort et créer son propre bonheur.
Le livre a donné beaucoup et beaucoup des idées simples à appliquer à notre vie quotidienne et a donné aussi la bonne manière d'adopter l'art de simplicité comme un style de vie magnifique et joyeux sans trop de complexité sans d'exagération.
Très bon livre.
C'est la phrase qui m'a poussé à bien réfléchir qu'est-ce qui il manque pour qu'on puisse vivre en confort ? Qu'il ce qu'il le faut pour vivre en paix avec nous même et dans notre environnement sain et stable ?
La Réponse : Il faut de la simplicité ! Tout simplement !!
Comment ça ? Et concernant quel côté exactement ??
La Réponse : Dans tous les coins de notre vie quotidienne, il faut de la simplicité, il nous manque beaucoup de simplicité franchement.
L'écrivaine était parfaitement consciente de tout ce qui manque, et de tout ce qu'il faut faire et où le faire !
Depuis la façon de voir les choses, notre vision à notre existence et notre émotions interne jusqu'à notre environnement externe, l'art d'être simple et efficace dans tous les aspects de vie, prendre la simplicité comme un principe indispensable à notre univers, dans nos maisons, dans nos chambres à coucher.
L'art de simplifier les choses commence par l'art de créer un environnement sain et stable et confortable en prendre en considération que nos besoins et se débarrasser de tous ce qui n'est plus nécessaire, L'art de rangement toute chose a une place et chacune doit être à sa place.
Être dans un environnement propre et bien rangé où toutes les choses et objets sont à leurs places. Un environnement lumineux et rayonnant pousse sans doute toute personne à vivre en confort et créer son propre bonheur.
Le livre a donné beaucoup et beaucoup des idées simples à appliquer à notre vie quotidienne et a donné aussi la bonne manière d'adopter l'art de simplicité comme un style de vie magnifique et joyeux sans trop de complexité sans d'exagération.
Très bon livre.
April 13, 2025
O carte interesantă cu multe idei și recomandări valoroase care bineînțeles ca orice carte, este necesar să fie trecută prin propriile filtre și lentile. Pe alocuri pare că autoarea se contrazice în idei însă per ansamblu este o carte care îndeamnă la căutarea și utilizarea a ceea ce este esențial pentru fiecare dintre noi.
September 19, 2024
Η Dominique Loreau έχει κάνει αυτό που για μένα αποτελεί όνειρο ζωής! Να συνδυάσει την Ανατολή και τη Δύση, να "παντρέψει" αυτές τις δύο τόσο διαφορετικές κουλτούρες, ζώντας με το να μην αρνείται την Δυτική καταγωγή της, αλλά ενσωματώνοντας σε αυτήν όλα τα θετικά στοιχεία της Ανατολικής κουλτούρας. Στοιχεία τα οποία σου επιτρέπουν να βρίσκεσαι σε αρμονία, όχι μόνο με το περιβάλλον γύρω σου, αλλά με τον κόσμο τον ίδιο. Να βρίσκεσαι σε ισορροπία με τον ίδιο σου τον εαυτό, να βιώνεις την εσωτερική γαλήνη σε κάθε τι διάσταση, και κυρίως, ν' αρκείσαι στα λίγα γιατί τα πολλά δεν είναι ικανά να φέρουν την πληρότητα και την απόλυτη ικανοποίηση στη ζωή σου, παρά μονάχα άγχος και ατέρμονη εσωτερική αγωνία.
Το "Η τέχνη της απλότητας" είναι ένα βιβλίο που ο κάθε ένας από εμάς οφείλει να διαβάσει. Το οφείλει στο κομμάτι εκείνο του εαυτού του που χάθηκε στην πορεία της προσωπικής του διαδρομής, κάπου ανάμεσα στο άγχος, στα κοινωνικά "πρέπει", στην ανάγκη που επιβάλλει το σύστημα γύρω μας ν' αποδείξουμε πως είμαστε καλύτεροι, πως μπορούμε περισσότερα, της ηλίθιας φιλοσοφίας που έχει ριζώσει μέσα μας και που επιτάσσει πως ακόμα και το πολύ ποτέ δεν είναι αρκετό. Όντας άνθρωπος που αγαπώ πολύ την Ιαπωνία και το λαό της, αλλά και όλα όσα πρεσβεύουν, καθώς και τον φιλοσοφημένο και αφαιρετικό τρόπο ζωής τους -που δεν ξέρω αν θα μπορούσα να υιοθετήσω, αλλά που τον ζηλεύω-, το βιβλίο αυτό αποδείχτηκε ένα εξαιρετικό ανάγνωσμα που όχι μόνο με χαλάρωσε, αλλά με έβαλε σε διαδικασία ενδοσκόπησης, περισυλλογής, αλλά και αναθεώρησης όλων εκείνων των μικρών δαιμονίων που κορυφώνουν μέσα μας κάθε μέρα το στρες και το άγχος, ενώ η ευτυχία βρίσκεται στα μικρά, στα απλά.
Το "Η τέχνη της απλότητας" είναι ένα βιβλίο που ο κάθε ένας από εμάς οφείλει να διαβάσει. Το οφείλει στο κομμάτι εκείνο του εαυτού του που χάθηκε στην πορεία της προσωπικής του διαδρομής, κάπου ανάμεσα στο άγχος, στα κοινωνικά "πρέπει", στην ανάγκη που επιβάλλει το σύστημα γύρω μας ν' αποδείξουμε πως είμαστε καλύτεροι, πως μπορούμε περισσότερα, της ηλίθιας φιλοσοφίας που έχει ριζώσει μέσα μας και που επιτάσσει πως ακόμα και το πολύ ποτέ δεν είναι αρκετό. Όντας άνθρωπος που αγαπώ πολύ την Ιαπωνία και το λαό της, αλλά και όλα όσα πρεσβεύουν, καθώς και τον φιλοσοφημένο και αφαιρετικό τρόπο ζωής τους -που δεν ξέρω αν θα μπορούσα να υιοθετήσω, αλλά που τον ζηλεύω-, το βιβλίο αυτό αποδείχτηκε ένα εξαιρετικό ανάγνωσμα που όχι μόνο με χαλάρωσε, αλλά με έβαλε σε διαδικασία ενδοσκόπησης, περισυλλογής, αλλά και αναθεώρησης όλων εκείνων των μικρών δαιμονίων που κορυφώνουν μέσα μας κάθε μέρα το στρες και το άγχος, ενώ η ευτυχία βρίσκεται στα μικρά, στα απλά.
February 18, 2017
This is something you read with glee because there's someone more pretentious than you and you can have a giggle about them. This lady has no self-awareness. To be a minimalist you have to obsess over every single item you own. Each one has to be perfect or your life is worthless. And remember some items are bad and some are necessary and the only way to tell them apart is to ask this lady who uses water dowsing as scientific backing (also believes in homeopathy, acupuncture and anything newagey). Dimmable lights are a must (actually in the book!), rugs are a no-no. Basically, your house needs to be empty save for the few items she happens to enjoy. List of things achieved by people with nothing in their houses:
...
Everything else was invented by people who's workshop looked like a rat's nest. Yes, if you do nothing all day other than lounge around and listen to opera on your feng-shui compliant gramophone then you can probably live like a nun in a cell like this lady self-proclaims she does.
...
Everything else was invented by people who's workshop looked like a rat's nest. Yes, if you do nothing all day other than lounge around and listen to opera on your feng-shui compliant gramophone then you can probably live like a nun in a cell like this lady self-proclaims she does.
September 3, 2022
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يبدو أن قناعات المرء وميوله واهتماماته تستمد قوتها من البيئة المحيطة به حقاً، في كتاب فن البساطة تتحدث الكاتبة البلجيكية دومينيك لوروا عن " تأثرها " بالمحيط الياباني الذي كانت تعيش فيه ويظهر هذا التأثير من خلال أفكارها المعروضة في الكتاب والتي جاء بعضًا منها متأثرًا حقيقةً ببوذية الزِن في اليابان.
في الكتاب تدعُ لوروا قرائها إلى التبسط في كل شيء، واعتناق مبدأ ومذهب التخلي ومن خلال هذه الدعوة تعرج بنا إلى العديد من النصائح التنموية الذاتية، لم تكن قراءة الكتاب بالمعقدة أو الصعبة ولم أجد كذلك مبرر يدعُ للتوقف عن قراءته فحتى الأفكار المرتبطة مباشرة ببوذية الزِن تكاد لا تُذكر.
بالمجمل كانت قراءة الكتاب خفيفة ولطيفة في آن واحد.
ماذا بعد القراءة ؟
مرّن عقلك على أن يكون صانع قراراته، وعلى أن يستفيد مما بين يديه حتى وإن كان ظاهره بلا فائدة.
#أبجدية_فرح 3/5 📚🌷
#candleflame23bookreviews
#فن_البساطة #دومنيك_لورو
#كتاب_في_يد_قارئ
#غرد_بإقتباس
#مراجعة_كتاب
يبدو أن قناعات المرء وميوله واهتماماته تستمد قوتها من البيئة المحيطة به حقاً، في كتاب فن البساطة تتحدث الكاتبة البلجيكية دومينيك لوروا عن " تأثرها " بالمحيط الياباني الذي كانت تعيش فيه ويظهر هذا التأثير من خلال أفكارها المعروضة في الكتاب والتي جاء بعضًا منها متأثرًا حقيقةً ببوذية الزِن في اليابان.
في الكتاب تدعُ لوروا قرائها إلى التبسط في كل شيء، واعتناق مبدأ ومذهب التخلي ومن خلال هذه الدعوة تعرج بنا إلى العديد من النصائح التنموية الذاتية، لم تكن قراءة الكتاب بالمعقدة أو الصعبة ولم أجد كذلك مبرر يدعُ للتوقف عن قراءته فحتى الأفكار المرتبطة مباشرة ببوذية الزِن تكاد لا تُذكر.
بالمجمل كانت قراءة الكتاب خفيفة ولطيفة في آن واحد.
ماذا بعد القراءة ؟
مرّن عقلك على أن يكون صانع قراراته، وعلى أن يستفيد مما بين يديه حتى وإن كان ظاهره بلا فائدة.
#أبجدية_فرح 3/5 📚🌷
#candleflame23bookreviews
#فن_البساطة #دومنيك_لورو
#كتاب_في_يد_قارئ
#غرد_بإقتباس
#مراجعة_كتاب
June 7, 2022
Dominique Loreau, originară din Belgia, s-a stabilit în Japonia acum mulți ani și aici a avut ocazia să cunoască în detaliu cultura lor și să o îmbrățișeze. A scris multe cărți pe tema simplității, bunului gust și minimalismului și cum să le aplicăm în viața de zi cu zi.
"Arta simplității" este împărțită în trei părți: 1 - materialism și minimalism, 2 - corpul și 3 - mintea și este dedicată "tuturor celor care-și doresc să trăiască mai simplu, și deci mai bine din punct de vedere material, fizic, psihologic, spiritual, cu scopul de a-i ajuta să exploreze imensul potențial pe care îl posedă."
O recomand dacă vrei să îți simplifici viața și să te gândești de ce faci anumite lucruri. Nu trebuie să fii de acord cu absolut tot ce scrie autoarea dar e bine să înțelegi principiile din spatele ideilor expuse și să le aplici cum se potrivesc mai bine în viața ta.
"Arta simplității" este împărțită în trei părți: 1 - materialism și minimalism, 2 - corpul și 3 - mintea și este dedicată "tuturor celor care-și doresc să trăiască mai simplu, și deci mai bine din punct de vedere material, fizic, psihologic, spiritual, cu scopul de a-i ajuta să exploreze imensul potențial pe care îl posedă."
O recomand dacă vrei să îți simplifici viața și să te gândești de ce faci anumite lucruri. Nu trebuie să fii de acord cu absolut tot ce scrie autoarea dar e bine să înțelegi principiile din spatele ideilor expuse și să le aplici cum se potrivesc mai bine în viața ta.
January 12, 2018
To be honest I was expecting more of the book. Maybe I had false expectations, thinking it would be focused on buying and consuming less. However, it is centered around how to take care of yourself, your appartement etc. Even though it was inspiring on how to live simple and minimalistic, some things were quite self-explanatory, or, on the other spectrum, not quite realistic. Overall a good read to think about consumerism and our consumer behaviour and be aware of how we act, live and feel.
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