The Year of Less: A Wall Street Journal Bestseller!

The Year of Less is a self-help memoir that documents my life for the first twelve months of my two-year shopping ban. At every stage, I learned that the less I consumed, the more fulfilled I felt. But the challenge became a lifeline when, in the course of the year, I found myself in situations that turned my life upside down. It was then that I realized why I had always turned to shopping, alcohol, and food—and what it had cost me. Unable to reach for my usual vices, I changed habits I’d spent years perfecting and discovered what truly mattered to me. Blending my story with insight and practical guidance, The Year of Less will leave you questioning what you’re holding on to in your own life—and, quite possibly, lead you to your own path of less.

Praise for The Year of Less

"If you've ever felt there must be more to life than consumerism and its vicious cycle, you'll find inspiration to break free in The Year of Less. Cait's highly readable and personal story is encouraging, challenging, and unbelievably helpful."
Joshua Becker
Author of The More of Less
"Cait Flanders is a brave woman. As I read, I cried. But my heart also brimmed with joy. For anyone who doesn't think they can, Cait's story shows that it doesn't matter where you start, only where you go from there."
Gail Vaz-Oxlade
Host of Til Debt Do Us Part and Author of Debt-Free Forever
"Cait's audacious goal—a yearlong shopping ban—has sparked a deeply personal book full of lessons for all of us on finding more fulfillment and meaning in our lives (without all the stuff!). A game-changing read for anyone searching for simplicity in our consumer-focused world."
Rachel Jonat
Author of The Joy of Doing Nothing
"This book is such a gift. A gift for anyone who's ever wanted to change but has been afraid-afraid to fail, afraid of what we might discover about ourselves as we strip back the layers, and afraid of what will happen if we don't. Cait writes beautifully and honestly about the work of creating a life with less, and gives you permission to step off the ever-revolving carousel of compulsive and mindless consumption and into the goodness that lies on the other side."
Brooke McAlary
Host of The Slow Home Podcast and Author of Destination Simple
"Cait comforted herself with alcohol, binge eating, and compulsive shopping, then finally said, 'Enough is enough.' This isn't another book about how to live with less, but instead a heartbreaking and then a heartwarming story that shows us if we are willing to let go of the things we think we need, we can have a life we really want."
Courtney Carver
Author of Soulful Simplicity
"The Year of Less is beautiful, vulnerable, and real. Cait's words inspired me to be braver in my writing and life, and I'm sure it will inspire you too."
Tammy Strobel
Author of Everyday Adventures Journal and You Can Buy Happiness (and It's Cheap)
"Creating meaningful change in your life takes significant time and effort, and in this book Cait shares a deeply intimate view into just how substantial that change can be. If you're looking for inspiration and practical examples of how to take steps toward a better future for yourself and the people you love, The Year of Less will give you that and so much more."
Anthony Ongaro
Author of Break the Twitch