Goodbye, Things: The New Japanese Minimalism

Fumio Sasaki

Apr 2017 · W. W. Norton & Company

About this ebook

The best-selling phenomenon from Japan that shows us a minimalist life is a happy life.

Fumio Sasaki is not an enlightened minimalism expert or organizing guru like Marie Kondo—he’s just a regular guy who was stressed out and constantly comparing himself to others, until one day he decided to change his life by saying goodbye to everything he didn’t absolutely need. The effects were remarkable: Sasaki gained true freedom, new focus, and a real sense of gratitude for everything around him. In Goodbye, Things Sasaki modestly shares his personal minimalist experience, offering specific tips on the minimizing process and revealing how the new minimalist movement can not only transform your space but truly enrich your life. The benefits of a minimalist life can be realized by anyone, and Sasaki’s humble vision of true happiness will open your eyes to minimalism’s potential.

Ratings and reviews

This book to me was phenomenal. I was able to gain insight to Japanese Minimalism and minimalism in general. It's a unique life-style that proves to have various other effects, which the author states in this book. The thing about this book is this: It's not trying to sell you anything. Mr. Sasaki explains his personal journey from somebody who had his objects rule over him to a minimalist who wants to tell the tale. He explains his additional benefits because he became a minimalist, and gives tips for your own journey. While reading, I felt like a friend was talking to me, explaining things and encouraging me. I'm about to become a college student at the time of this review, and before I graduate, I've already adapted some of the trends and habits in this book. It's caused me to become more productive, live in the now, have a greater sense of freedom, and broadened my eyes to a new lifestyle which will benefit me at my university. I do warn it may not be for everybody, since no one way of living is fit for everyone. But if you're tired of the clutter in your home, want to live a simple life that's freeing, or want to live in the now, no matter what your age, give this book a read. Even if you don't adapt to the minimalist lifestyle, there's some great life advice for anyone to consider and enjoy.

Quick read, great concepts. I agree that it can feel a little redundant at times. I gained the most insights from the 55 Tips, and 15 additional tips...that's the big takeaway from the book. Overall, I do recommend this to anyone looking to condense the amount of material possessions they own...especially if you are not normally a reader, as it is not a very intimidating book in size, or the way it is written.

The best-selling phenomenon from Japan that shows us a minimalist life is a happy life. Fumio Sasaki is not an enlightened minimalism expert or organizing guru like Marie Kondo—he’s just a regular guy who was stressed out and constantly comparing himself to others, until one day he decided to change his life by saying goodbye to everything he didn’t absolutely need

About the author

Fumio Sasaki is a Japanese author, editor, and minimalist. He is the former coeditor in chief of Japan’s Wani Books, and cofounder of the website Minimal & ism. He currently lives in the Philippines.