I loved this book and bought if for all of my friends for Christmas. Emily has a way of making difficult things seem easier to manage and this book is great for all women, but I think even more so for moms.

When Less Becomes More is a breath of fresh air. It is encouraging, and much need in this day & time! We often feel like we must do more, but this book shows ways to have some freedom!

Apologies are due, as I was not aware of the NetGalley review feature when I first received this book. I was a part of the launch group for When Less Becomes More and received the ARC through that and wasn't actively requesting books on NetGalley. Regardless, wanted to give my thanks for the ARC and my honest review.

I have been a fan of Emily Ley for years, and have previously read Simlified Life and Grace not Perfection and loved them. When Less Becomes more was hands down in it's own category for me. It felt almost like Grace not Perfection was dipping the toe in the water where When Less Becomes More was diving all the way into the water. Emily is able to write about such deeply fraught ideas such as are we doing this "life" well with so much care and relatability. Also, as an aside, I purchased the hardcover as well and the book is stunning!

Emily Ley's brand is to live a Simplified life, and in this book she discusses practical tips on how to live simply with less. She mentions things like living with less physical clutter, but she delves more into how to live with less mental clutter. Emily always has a lot of wisdom to share, and the graphics in her books are always beautiful as well and this book is no exception.

This book is a great collection of all the things I have been taking in lately about slowing down and savoring life. It goes deeper in some areas that I thought I had really thought about. It is a good read. Kind of like a breath of fresh air.

If you are feeling overwhelmed, overcommitted, and pulled in a million directions at once, this is the book for you! It’s evident that Emily put her heart into this book as she tells her journey of slowing down and making space for the truly important things. She asks thought-provoking questions so you can reflect on your own life and journal your answers. Emily covers so many topics revenant to today - wellness, contentment, social media, parenting, faith - that it’s applicable to everyone, no matter your season of life. “When Less Becomes More” taught me that it’s okay to slow down, enjoy the little moments in life and not rush through each day without stopping to take a breath.

One of my favorite quotes from the book: “What would it look like to reject modern social norms of living a constantly connected, overfull life and adopt a life that is a little less… and yet MORE.”

I highly recommend "When Less Becomes More" along with her previous two (“Grace Not Perfection” and “A Simplified Life”)!

I’ve been a follower of Emily Ley and her brand, Simplified, for a very long time. I love the premise of the book.. less is more, because, isn’t that really the truth? It’s something that has been a saying for a long time and I feel like Emily gives a number of examples of why that is the case, especially when it comes to being a woman in today’s world—particularly a mother. I also like how she pointed out that good can be great. I feel like this is her saying that it’s okay that things aren’t the preconceived idea of “perfect” and we need to lessen the pressure on ourselves. It’s like the effort you put in to make something “great” isn’t always worth the result you are given. You can exhaust yourself trying to be “great,” but maybe that won’t be worth what you get in the end. And if that is the case, be content with just being good. Take the pressure off of yourself and find contentment. Other than having a good message, the book is extremely beautiful and well-designed (not surprising at all!). I feel like it’s a great book for a new mom or a friend that is going through a tough time. Sometimes self-help and inspirational books can feel a little fraudulent or disingenuous; however, this does not feel that way, but maybe that’s because I know Emily’s voice and have seen her heart over the years. I really loved this book and go back to it randomly when I feel like I need a little pick-me-up and calming voice.

The world keeps getting faster and louder and busier and crazier... and it often feels chaotic and overwhelming. Emily’s book is a breath of fresh air, permission to change what needs changing, with helpful action steps laid out to help us get there. Life can be more if we’re willing to let go a little and live strategically and purposefully. Emily shows us the way in this beautiful gift of a book!

Emily gives us practical advice to encourage us to live our best lives. Not hurried and rushed lives with jam-packed schedules, but lives that are full and intentional. This is an easy read with great encouragement.

“When Less Becomes More” was written by the founder of Simplified. In 2008, she successfully launched her brand which is carried in retail outlets across the United States and around the world. She has received numerous awards, including Best New Product–Desktop (for the 2015 Simplified Planner) at the National Stationery Show, and Top 10 Designers to Watch in 2015 by Stationery Trends Magazine. She is the author of “Grace, Not Perfection“, the “Simplified Planner“, and “A Simplified Life“.
After reading both “Grace, Not Perfection” and “A Simplified Life”, I was so thrilled to hear that Emily was writing another book. As soon as I read the title and a brief description of it I was so anxious to learn more about it. I had the wonderful opportunity to be a part of the book launch team and I didn’t hesitate a second when the opening presented itself. I began to read the book one evening after a long stressful day and ended up reading the entire book in one night. Before you read this book, I highly recommend preparing yourself with, a notebook, and paper. This is a book that can be read again and again as it really stirs up thoughts that hold the reader’s attention. Emily dives into a deep observation of what we see becoming a great issue in not only our homes but in ourselves. How do we slow down to make time for more? When Less Becomes More is written for those who are tired of rushing and losing joy in the little things because life has become too stressful or busy to enjoy them. The words in this book are written with a great depth of understanding from someone who has taken the plunge to dissect the tangled confusion of a busy lifestyle.
At the beginning of When Less Becomes More, there is a letter written by Emily to her daughter Caroline. This letter invites the reader to the heart and sincerity behind her book with a deep insight into her and her daughter’s life. She profoundly reflects special moments and characteristics she sees in her daughter that she will want Caroline to remember when she is older. That no matter what this life throws at her, she does not have to live a life of stress. To always keep her joy and to remember she was made for more.

I really began to be taken into this book when Emily delivered the analogy of a bright yellow balloon being compared to our life.

“Imagine that your life is a bright yellow balloon. As young girls, our balloons are adequately full of responsibilities, allowing space for joy. But as we get older, the balloons begin to change. It’s not a slow leak that steals our joy. Instead, little by little we add seemingly good things into it-one after the other. One more puff of air, followed by another and another. Jobs. Marriage. A Child. Children. Church. Volunteer projects. Social events. Social Media. Phone Calls. Text messages. Household chores. Mortgages. Soccer practice. Play practice. Tutoring. Meal Planning. A little puff. Followed by another little puff. Followed by just one more puff. Eventually, what happens? At some point, the balloon either outright pops or it just barely holds, stretched taut, to its absolute maximum capacity. That “balloon” has become unfathomably fragile, susceptible to everything around it, read to burst at a moment’s notice. This is the paradox of everyday empty: a empty life filled to capacity with commitments, possession, communications, and connections that is deceivingly full but soulfully and spiritually empty. ” – When Less Becomes More | Emily Ley

We are living in a time where there is so much demanding our attention. It’s rush, rush, and more rush. Modern conveniences have made it to where we can do more quickly and thus our schedule becomes full because we want to keep up with everyone else and what they are posting on social media next. While these conveniences have their advantages they can easily become a burden to us if we do not establish some boundaries. Emily shares how she took a month to fast from social media. She lists her benefits to this fast but also brings to light a surprise by her results.

“But here’s the weird thing. As I continued tracking my daily phone usage through Screen Time, I found that my daily usage numbers weren’t really going down much. I’d expected those numbers to plummet. Social media is the problem, the thing that really logs the minutes that I’m glued to this phone, right? But no. I realized something even more concerning. Social media wasn’t the problem. My habits were.” – When Less Becomes More | Emily Ley

While I definitely agree with Emily, it is something we need to change. I enjoy the benefits of social media for the fact I use it daily for my own personal blog, book groups, online meetings, and so on. However, I have heard friends and even family become angry and lose their contentment over someone else’s social media post. It can quickly destroy someone’s life if they are suppressing a more serious personal matter to only replace it with a quick fix such as random unbudgeted purchases just to keep up with everyone else. These random unplanned splurges and quickly made decisions soon become unnecessary added stress when we are only doing them to impress others and not resolving an underlying issue within ourselves. This pattern and behavior of bad habits will eventually lead to serious burnout.Emily weaves in personal stories from her friends that also have taken measures to slow down the fast pace in their lives. I found myself relating to the story of her friend, Whitney and her garden metaphor for her self-care.

“As I looked out at my lush, growing garden and saw the bright blooms and strong stems, I was reminded that we as women need tending and care as well. Like my flowers, I need good soil ( a firm foundation of rhythm for my life), water (nourishment from healthy foods), and light ( from the sun, from truth filling my soul-the place from which I do my most important job-caring for the son God gave me). I realized that, if cared for in the right ways, I too would bloom from the darkness I’d been feeling.” – When Less Becomes More \ Emily Ley

I thought this was so beautiful and very well written. This section of the book paralleled greatly with the Wellness chapter where Emily goes into much more depth the importance of soul care. Her execution on her wellness “toolbox” as she describes it, is very insightful and put in a way I had never thought about before. Emily lists several remedies she keeps in her toolbox also know as “supplies”. Some of these supplies mentioned are

“a hot bath with my favorite bath salts or a candle, sitting outside in the silence, listening to a novel audiobook while accomplishing a few chores (physical clutter = mental clutter for me)…” -When Less Becomes More \ Emily Ley

When we are constantly on-the-go and becoming overwhelmed it is very difficult to take care of ourselves. This is another negative to falling into this rushed lifestyle. Before we know it this lifestyle begins to show in not only our health but in our homes and in our spiritual life as well. We start trying to draw water from an empty well.

” I’ve often shoved this empty feeling down into the corners of my heart because of the guilt that comes with acknowledging it. It feels as if, by acknowledging the overwhelm, I am devoid of gratitude for the blessings, privileges, and treasures in my life. So instead of identifying the problem and finding a solution. I have turned the other way and ignored the feelings, allowing them to fester and grow. This inevitably leads to a crash-and-burn scenario.” – When Less Becomes More \ Emily Ley

No matter what season in life you are in this book will resonate with you. In a world where we are constantly feeling we are not doing enough or need to be accomplishing more, the words written in this book will help you discover a freedom that reminds us that it’s ok to breathe and appreciate the beauty of the moment. What will you choose to make a change in your life? Emily has written this book with great compassion for her readers. I applaud her for delivering a new outlook to freedom in a chaotic world. This book will certainly leave you with a sense of peace and want to re-examine your life. Thankfully, Emily does not just leave you with the wonder of how to change on your own. She provides sources available to also help you begin to achieve a Simplified life so the reader can get back to what matters most and appreciate the little moments in life that we often take for granted. A little perk to Emily’s book she also includes a very special recipe that was given to her from her mother. I personally, baked up a batch of these and they are out of this world delicious!
Thank you so much for stopping by and checking out my review on ‘When Less Becomes More’. We would love to hear your thoughts on the book! Feel free to share in the comment section below.

I've enjoyed following Emily online and books on this topic are usually my jam, but I wasn't expecting too much. I figured it would be more of the same of what's already been written on slowing down, saying no, being intentional, etc. I was pleasantly surprised to find these topics addressed in fresh, new ways with new perspectives. She talked about the pattern of searching for something new again and again on social media and all of the energy that takes and how it contributes to burn out. And the section on moms and wine culture! I'm not a mom, but I'm glad that someone finally challenged this mentality and pointed out the dangers of it. Thank you Emily for adding some new stuff to this important discussion!

This book was a breath of fresh air for a new mom struggling to do it all. It's been a season of taking care of everyone but me but I've been inspired to end that thanks to this book and launch team.

How can I even put into words how much this book means to me? Maybe through the fact that I have recommended it to so many women, and purchased several to give as gifts? Or the fact that I keep going back to it to be refreshed and encouraged in my "search for slow"?
I've been following Emily on social media for years, and after her January social media break where she wrote this book, she came back noticeably different. After reading When Less Becomes More, I completely understand - she had processed through her own journey and came out totally changed. These concepts of living a slow, intentional life with the ones you love is such a beautiful way to approach life, and I have already started to implement them in my own life. Thank you Emily for writing your story!!!

]I received a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.]

As I enter the busyness of the holidays and wrapping up the year for work, Emily Ley’s new book #whenlessbecomesmore was a voice telling me to slow down, breathe, and focus on the beauty found in margin and rest. Here’s to nights of silence from technology and instead laughter with friends over meals or the sounds of book pages turning while sipping on a cup of hot tea.

Such a great book. We live in such a hurried world that we forget to stop and value the important things in life. It is way past time to slow down and smell the roses. Emily Ley has done a wonderful job in sharing her journey through your fight to find rest. Learning how to do it all hasn’t been an easy ride but she has found a way to not feel guilty for letting things go and resetting her priorities. The topics she address in When Less Becomes More are spot on. I highly recommend this book to women/young ladies. We have to stop trying to do it all and learn to treasure the moments we really want to experience.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.

the newest book by @emilyley releases next week, and it resonated so much with me that I read it in one sitting. it covers topics from parenting and wellness to the home and social media, encouraging readers to resist the pressure to have + do it all, which inevitably leads to burnout, and instead embrace a simpler but more fulfilling life. the chapter titles alone are thought-provoking and helped me to think through these areas in my own life:
* Less Rush, More Rhythm
* Less Liking, More Loving
* Less Noise, More Calm
* Less Distraction, More Connection
* Less Frenzy, More Soul Rest
* Less Fake, More Real
* Less Fear, More Community
* Less Great, More Good
* Less Chasing, More Cherishing
* Less Stuff, More Treasures

pre-order this one wherever books are sold so you can get it in your hands on Tuesday!

I’m sorry.
Radical concepts?
How far do you have to look to see or hear someone claiming the need for tech-free weekends, for decluttering your home and life or being more strategic on the things you agree to or take on or even the call for more focus on yourself?
I, myself have shared these “radical views” through the use of easily found memes.
I think we all know we need to put the oxygen mask on ourselves first, then help others.
I would never begrudge anyone a new source of inspiration. Sometimes it’s that one particular voice or image, book, article, whatever that actually gives an individual the lightbulb moment on how to do/be/feel better.

Despite the restating some fairly widely known sentiments, I would still recommend this book to anyone who is curious about it. This book is filled with beautiful photos displaying a loving home and family – making it a great coffee table book, as well. There are also activities within the book to provide a hands-on or step-by-step guidance in reducing the things that overwhelm, which I know many readers will find useful.

LOVELOVELOVED reading WLBM. This book came at the exact right time. There is so much overwhelm in my day to day life and this book was the guide that I needed to know exactly how to make less become more. I'm ready to make a good life for myself and stop burning myself in the search for great. Definitely recommend.

Emily Ley brings forward a book that's been on her heart for a while. She looks to address that overwhelming feeling of needing to be more and do more. We don't have to live like that, nor do we need to. Ley gives us permission to live a life that not everyone will understand and to love every second of it.
I loved this book. Ley has created a company that is just so satisfying. I think that this book is a message we all need. Life is hectic and crazy, but we don't have to let it be. We can find joy right where we are with what we have. Let's retrain our mind to remember that less really is more!