August 2007 Newsletter
Online Issue # 16

Good Books

The Not So Big Life:
Making Room for What Really Matters
by Sarah Susanka
Random House, 2007
hardcover, $24.95

This is the seventh book by Sarah Susanka, architect, author and creator of the not-so-big approach to designing and building “better not bigger” homes. Susanka’s first award winning book, The Not So Big House, was followed by Creating The Not So Big House, and a handful of other not-so-big-house spinoffs.

In her latest book, The Not So Big Life, Susanka applies the not-so-big philosophy to our lives as she expertly develops the theme of being at home in our lives. After reading this book, I can think of no one more suited to this fascinating undertaking: exploring the connections between the interior spaces of a home and the interior processes of our lives. Susanka’s detailed and fascinating descriptions of her own ongoing awakening and inner work illustrate how we can change life patterns to allow ourselves to live more of what we truly desire.

Chapter one introduces a chapter-by-chapter overview of “Blueprint for a New Way of Living.” Susanka suggests that our “too big lives” need more than the equivalent of furniture rearranging or redecorating. “What we need is a remodeling that allows us to experience what’s already here but to experience it differently, so that it delights us rather than drives us crazy.... When we’re done, the contents of your days will still be quite recognizable to you, but there will be room to do what you’ve always wanted to do and the freedom to experience more of the potential you know is waiting within you to be revealed and realized.”

Each chapter begins with a one-page summary of a design principle that applies to both the design of a home and a life. For example, the principle “interior views” precedes the chapter on Listening to Your Dreams, and the principle “point of focus” precedes the chapter on Creating a Place and a Time of Your Own. These summary pages were among my favorite passages in the book.

Each chapter is followed by a thoughtful, well developed exercise to put into practice or delve deeper into the theme of the chapter. Most exercises require a commitment of time and attention in order to produce worthy results. You can’t just read through them, you will need to set aside alone time, turn off the phone(s) and pull out your notebook. I don’t think you’ll regret what happens.

"So when we find ourselves tired and frustrated by the direction of our lives and wanting to make room for things that have more significance and more meaning, we must realize that our image of fulfillment looks entirely different from the actual experiencing of fulfillment. It turns out to be unbelievably simple, requiring no doing at all, only a great letting go as we quit hanging on to the character in the waking dream that we believe to be our self and become aware that our lives are perfectly crafted to reveal who and what we really are. All that’s required is our presence. We just have to show up."

-Sarah Susanka

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