Goodbye, Things: The New Japanese Minimalism

Real words. You can feel the authors passion. I really connected as his thought process is real and felt expert. If you ever read a book of fluff this is not it, instead it’s very thoughtfully crafted and real helpful exploration. Thank you for writing a book that can be used as a reference point that is the journey of minimalism.

This book will grow you, change you, and make you new!! While also helping you find real joy and happiness in things that are not materialistic!

Funny story. I’ve been slowly transitioning to a minimalist lifestyle. It was this book, purchased in a Barnes & Noble bookstore that initially piqued my interest in minimalism. I realized that I had hundreds of books in my closet that I hadn’t picked up in years. I decided to rid myself of them having moved five times in one year for work and also due to a breakup with my then fiancé. I had been dragging these books around with me for years. I decided to part ways with them in favor of their digital counterparts. E-books and audiobooks are the way to go for me now. Unfortunately, this iBook doesn’t live up to the physical version of it. There are no pictures or illustrations of any kind here, which is disappointing in the sense that it can’t create proper examples or offer aspirations or motivation to achieve a way of life that places a person in the rooms pictured in the physical book. This, I feel, sets a poor example by undermining the message itself. The quality of the digital version of the book can’t live up to the quality of the physical version. The physical “thing” is actually better in this case, which is ironic and needed to be pointed out. Still a fantastic book that offers an introduction to minimalism. Just poorly executed in digital format. This may be a rant with a parent subject, however. Digital goods are, in most cases, inferior knockoffs of their physical versions. Another great example is streamed music. The physical vinyl would be uncompressed audio, whereas the digital version is compressed and slightly muffled by comparison. If you can tolerate this injustice, sure. By all means. I tolerate it. But that doesn’t necessarily make it right or offer incentive for a person to transition to such a lifestyle. And this is not to disparage the author, publisher or the ideas expressed within the pages of the book. This is simply an observation that should be recognized by the general public and taken into consideration when pursing a minimalistic lifestyle.

Very well written 👍🏻 Can’t wait for your next book, Hello Habits!!

For me, his life and his circumstances are relatable. So, the way he tries to correct those relatable circumstances thru minimalism and the reinforcement of positive moral values really made me think about my own life. This book is not just about minimalism. It’s much more than that.

Best book ever !!! Thank you very much...you gave me a lot to think about !!!

I had high expectations for this book as a potential adjunct to the popular Kon Marie books as well as other (Zen oriented) books about simplifying you lifestyle. As the author describes his cluttered life (including his extensive AV (adult video)) collection on his computer) he talks about minimalizing his posessions as a way to a positive life (he uses happiness which is a occasional experience rather than contentment wich is a longer more meaningful emotional state). I read the 1st 50 pages and when he gave homage to technology as one of the keys to a minimalist life I. Hmmm, began to vomit. The diffwerence between a cluttered physical space to a cluttered didigital space is no different. Sure you can sell all your physical books and buy what is available to read on your phone, iPad or other device but in the end it is still clutter. Clutter is more than a physical space and is also a psychological space and the author seems to not know the difference. Hve fun with your phones - upgrae to the most recent models but that is not a minamalist lifestyle. Seek that elsewhere...

Fumio Sasaki guides us through the sometimes controversial philosophy of minimalism and what it does for the mind. He gives such a humble approach to his step by step, simply explained, ideas on how to simplify your life through minimalism. Because of his book I have gotten rid of all the things that I do not use on a weekly basis and I’m always analyzing on what else I can get rid of. I am clearer in my mind, I am able to enjoy simple things- which gives me more joy. I am cleaner, healthier, happier, and more humble and appreciative of the things around me. I recommend everyone read this book even if they aren’t going to become a minimalist. You won’t regret it and you will find yourself thinking twice before buying or keeping any material possessions. Thank you Fumio, I look forward to your future books if they ever come out.

I so enjoyed the this book coming from a Japanese perspective. I like how Fumio explains how our behaviors form, and how we as human beings associate with a brand as a status symbol. I so enjoy my Apple products when my wife wanted a MacBook Pro for her birthday back in 2010, I haven't looked back, so in the family and friends I am known as the Apple guru. I have learned from this book, how just getting rid of material objects are just a tip of the iceberg.