Gentle Rest more, stress less, and live the life you actually want

Long-time simplicity advocate and blogger Carver (Soulful Simplicity; Project 333) shares her plan for transforming overwhelming, busy lives by becoming a "gentle you." She suggests that readers initiate change by slowly creating habits that stick, with consistency being more important than intensity. She recommends identifying why one wants to make a change, listing tiny steps to affect that change, and creating a support system of encouraging people. The program is divided into three sections, one for each "season": "Rest" (relax and reset), "Less" (let go), and "Rise" (move forward by bringing everything together). In "Rest," Carver proposes resting first, underreacting, skipping breaking news, and setting a bedtime. "Less" recommends decluttering possessions and calendars, unplugging, and refraining from offering or accepting unsolicited guidance. In "Rise," the advice includes prioritizing the gentle you, not take things personally, and savor simple pleasures, closing with living the life one actually wants. Carver introduces each topic, then lists some tiny steps, followed by a gentler step for those low on time or energy. VERDICT An encouraging program for readers who have found that pushing through hasn't worked and want a gentler approach to life, coached by an engaging, empathetic, supportive guide.--Sue O'Brien