--- title: Inspired by Blessed by Less description: Here's how one small book changed how Ellen Toole looks at all the stuff in her house. --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2014/01/13/inspired-by-blessed-by-less#) # Inspired by Blessed by Less Jan 13, 2014 12:00:43 PM  |  by [Guest](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/guest) [![CatholicMom-booknotes-logo](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/CatholicMom-booknotes-logo-550x169-291.jpg?width=550&height=169&name=CatholicMom-booknotes-logo-550x169-291.jpg)](http://catholicmom.com/?attachment_id=40160) I was excited to be asked to read and review *[Blessed By Less: Clearing Your Life Of Clutter By Living Lightly](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0829439021/catholicmom)* by Susan V. Vogt.  The title grabbed my interest immediately.  Admit it.  Which one of us couldn't stand to purge some of the the things we hold on to for no particular reason? [![cover-blessedbyless-vogt](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/cover-blessedbyless-vogt-258x400-2.jpg?width=258&height=400&name=cover-blessedbyless-vogt-258x400-2.jpg)](http://catholicmom.com/2014/01/02/blessed-by-less-better-instructions-for-simplifying-your-life/cover-blessedbyless-vogt/) The book jacket says, > *Blessed By Less* offers encouragement and inspiration for all who are burdened down by 'things' in their homes but don't quite know how to begin the process of letting go. That describes where I find myself perfectly.  I look around my house and know many things can and should go but where do I begin? In reading the book, however, something else struck me.  Vogt convinced me that it is actually my responsibility to do so. > Rather than making readers feel guilty for all the stuff they've accumulated, Susan gently nudges them to see all that they have to gain- physically, emotionally, and most of all spiritually- by living lightly. I now look at the books, toys, blankets. shoes, clothes, and other "clutter" and see a moral obligation.  I think of all the people who could benefit from the things my family has no use for or ignores. This book caused me to pause and consider the excess in my life.  I discussed some of  Vogt's insights with a friend and coworker.  We decided to use its principles as a Lenten project for the eighth grade students at our Catholic school.  We will ask the children to bring in one thing they no longer need or use for each day of Lent.  Then the students will donate all of the collected items to suitable charities. The project can be attributed to this book. The book was certainly thought-provoking.  I am glad it will be on my shelf for years to come to remind me to declutter and think of others. [***Order Blessed By Less and support CatholicMom.com with your purchase.***](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0829439021/catholicmom) Be sure to check out [our Book Notes archive](http://catholicmom.com/category/book-notes/). ***Copyright 2014, Ellen Toole*** ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2014%2F01%2F13%2Finspired-by-blessed-by-less%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2014%2F01%2F13%2Finspired-by-blessed-by-less%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2014%2F01%2F13%2Finspired-by-blessed-by-less%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Inspired%20by%20Blessed%20by%20Less) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2014%2F01%2F13%2Finspired-by-blessed-by-less%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2014%2F01%2F13%2Finspired-by-blessed-by-less%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Guest](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Profile%203.jpg) ### [Guest](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/guest) We welcome guest contributors who graciously volunteer their writing for our readers. Please support our guest writers by visiting their sites, purchasing their work, and leaving comments to thank them for sharing their gifts here on CatholicMom.com. To inquire about serving as a guest contributor, contact editor@CatholicMom.com. ## Related Blog Articles [ Blogging on Your iPhone (or Pursuing Your Passion in Stolen Moments) Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2014/04/17/blogging-on-your-iphone-or-pursuing-your-passion-in-stolen-moments) [ I Believe: A Creed Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2013/12/24/i-believe-a-creed) [ Holiday Hype? Don’t Buy It! Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2013/10/27/holiday-hype-dont-buy-it) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! Sign up to receive our free daily digest email. Copyright © 2026 CatholicMom.com. All Rights Reserved.