T.C.L.C - Book Recommendations to Inspire a Considered Lifestyle
- Evans & Moose
- 8 hours ago
- 4 min read
Living a considered lifestyle means making thoughtful choices that align with your values, promote well-being, and encourage mindfulness. Books can be powerful guides on this journey, offering insights, practical advice, escapism and inspiration. This post shares a carefully selected list of books that help cultivate a more intentional way of living, covering topics from sustainability to mindfulness, seasonal living and personal growth.
Why Choose Books for a Considered Lifestyle
Books provide more than just information; they offer perspectives that challenge habits and encourage reflection. Unlike quick online articles or fleeting social media posts, books allow you to slow down and absorb ideas deeply, revisiting things that resonate and allowing for time to ponder on points. This slower pace fits perfectly with the principles of a considered lifestyle, which values quality over quantity and mindfulness over haste.
Reading about others’ experiences and philosophies can spark changes in your own habits. Whether you want to reduce clutter, live more sustainably, or find peace in daily routines, the right book can serve as a roadmap. Books can also offer our minds a chance to escape, be transported into the words of your favourite reader, so by definition, just by picking up a book and reading you're engaging in a mindful, slow living practice.
Mindfulness and Presence
Being present is key to a considered lifestyle. Mindfulness helps you engage fully with each moment, reducing stress and increasing satisfaction. Mindfulness often has the association of being a little 'out there' or potentially even as a more feminine practice but it's really not, the act of being mindful is vital for our autonomy, sense of self and overall wellbeing. These books introduce mindfulness practices and explain their benefits.
"Wherever You Go, There You Are" by Jon Kabat-Zinn
Kabat-Zinn, a pioneer of mindfulness-based stress reduction, offers simple exercises to cultivate awareness in everyday life.
"The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle
This book explores how living in the present moment can transform your experience of life, reducing anxiety about the past and future.
"Radical Acceptance" by Tara Brach
Brach combines mindfulness with self-compassion, showing how accepting yourself fully can lead to emotional healing and peace.
Sustainability and Ethical Living
A considered lifestyle often includes caring for the environment and making more ethical and sustainable choices. These books provide guidance on reducing your ecological footprint and living in harmony with nature whilst improving your physical health and home.
"Braiding Sweetgrass" by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Kimmerer, a botanist and member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, blends science and indigenous wisdom to show how plants and people can live in mutual respect.
"Zero Waste Home" by Bea Johnson
Johnson shares practical tips for reducing waste in daily life, from shopping to cooking, helping readers adopt a more sustainable lifestyle.
"Green Housekeeping" by Christina Strutt
Strutt helps you have a calmer, healthier, more sustainable, and eco-friendly home.
Personal Growth and Intentional Living
Living thoughtfully not only means growing as a person and aligning your actions with your values but also living intentionally in sync with the seasons and the nature around us. These books inspire self-reflection and offer tools for creating a meaningful life.
"Atomic Habits" by James Clear
Clear explains how small changes in habits can lead to significant improvements over time. His strategies help build routines that support your goals.
"The Art of Simple Living" by Shunmyo Masuno
A Zen monk shares 100 daily practices to bring calm, clarity, and joy into your life.
"Digital Minimalism" by Cal Newport
Newport explores how to use technology intentionally, reducing distractions and reclaiming time for what matters most.
"The Dose Effect" by TJ Power
Powers helps unlock the secret powers of dopamine, serotonin and more in this new self-help guide to feeling healthier and happier
"The Little Book of Cottagecore" by Emily Kent
Kent encourages slower paced activities and enjoyment through unplugged activities reminiscent of times gone past.
"The Enchanted Life" by Sharon Blackie
The Enchanted Life is written to resonate with those who may feel at sea in the fast paced modern world.
" A Home for all Seasons" by Kay Prestney
Prestney helps inspire homes that are aligned with the seasons, allowing you to create versatile spaces throughout the whole year. Celebrating the natural world is encouraged throughout this book, with each chapter dedicated to a season.
"Inspire: The Art of Living with Nature" by Willow Crossley
Inspire: The Art of Living with Nature by Willow Crossley will help if you're looking to bring nature into your home and have it inspire your décor.
"Relaxed Rustic" by Niki Brantmark
Scandinavian style encourages us to bring nature and tranquility into our homes, and this book is perfect inspiration on how to do just that.
How to Use These Books in Your Journey
Start by choosing one book that resonates with your current interests or challenges. Set aside regular time to read, even if it’s just 10-15 minutes a day. Take notes or highlight passages that inspire you. Try applying one idea at a time rather than overwhelming yourself with too many changes.
Join a book club or online discussion group to share insights and stay motivated. As our Considered Living Collective grows we're hoping to start an online book club for people all over the country and potentially the world. It will be a place to discuss the books but also discuss and offer support on venturing into a considered lifestyle and the challenges that may have been highlighted by the books we're reading. Just another example of finding the sweet spot between modern technology and the slower more mindful lifestyle. If this is something you might be interested in, please subscribe to our free mailing list by clicking below and entering your email on our homepage so you'll know when it goes live! There's no junk, promise!
Reflect on how the ideas influence your daily choices and mindset. Over time, these small shifts can build a more considered, fulfilling lifestyle.
We hope you've found some inspiration in the blog post, until next time!
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