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Dominique Loreau looks at life with fewer things. She also asks how to clear the mind. She urges readers to shed things they do not need. This includes thoughts and memories, not just objects. She asks why owning more may not make us feel fulfilled. This self-help book is for those who seek a simpler daily life.

Loreau links inner unrest to the urge to buy and consume. People seek relief in homes, cars, or things they collect. They may also turn to romance or addiction. She argues that none of these brings lasting balance. She turns to values that cost nothing and help people face pain. In her view, life with less need not mean hardship.

The book looks at the hidden costs of free goods. Small gifts and samples take up space and need care. Ads, offers, and credit can lead to clutter. So can goods passed down to us. Sales can prompt us to buy things we already have but do not need. These choices about goods for the home reflect a wider search for calm.

Loreau had lived in Japan for more than twenty years. This edition is part of the Savoir Vivre series. Ines Hristea translated the text. Ana Wagner made the cover art.