Staff Pick
Cait Flanders follows up The Year of Less with Adventures in Opting Out, a guide to navigating the road less traveled. I always feel better after I read Cait Flanders; there’s something about her mix of practicality and truth-telling that both soothes and inspires me. Interviews with fellow travelers, anecdotes, and sound wisdom make this a fast and inspirational read. 2020 has been filled with all sorts of intentional and unintentional adventures in opting out, and Flanders offers a sturdy and flexible framework to navigate whatever path you are currently on. Recommended By Mary Jo S., Powells.com
Synopses & Reviews
Opt out of expectations and live a more intentional life with this refreshing guide from the national bestselling author of The Year of Less.
We all follow our own path in life. At least, that's what
we're told. In reality, many of us either do what is expected of us, or
follow the invisible but well-worn paths that lead to what is culturally
acceptable. For some, those paths are fine — even great. But they
leave some of us feeling disconnected from ourselves and what we really
want. When that discomfort finally outweighs the fear of trying
something new, we're ready to opt out.
After going through this process many times, Cait Flanders found
there is an incredible parallel between taking a different path in life
and the psychological work it takes to summit a mountain — especially
when you decide to go solo. In Adventures in Opting Out, she offers a trail map to help you with
both. As you'll see, reaching the first viewpoint can be easy — and it
offers a glimpse of what you're walking toward. Climbing to the summit
for the full view is worth it. But in the space between those two peaks
you will enter a world completely unknown to you, and that is the most
difficult part of the path to navigate.
With Flanders's guidance and advice, drawn from her own journey
and stories of others, you'll have all the encouragement and insight
you'll need to take the path less traveled and create the life you want.
Just step up to the trailhead and expect it to be an adventure.
Review
"I emerged from
Adventures in Opting Out feeling courageous. In these pages, Cait
Flanders does more than simply inspire us to live with more depth and
authenticity. She gives us rare, practical guidance on reaching beyond
outworn cultural norms to discover — and to follow — the adventure that is
ours alone to create." Lyanda Lynn Haupt, author of Mozart's Starling
Review
"Through stories and
metaphors, Cait Flanders will show you how to opt into an intentional
life. The prose reads like a long letter from a good friend. The book is
unique and full of wisdom. I highly recommend
Adventures in Opting Out!" Tammy Strobel, author of You Can Buy Happiness (and It's Cheap)
Review
"Opting
out isn't about taking huge risks or being perfect in how you navigate
new trails in your life. Cait Flanders's book isn't a simple how-to full
of hacks and tips, it's more like having a helpful fellow traveler on
your journey, one who gently shows you how to critically examine which
new paths may be worth exploring. Do yourself a favor and don't opt out
of reading this book." Paul Jarvis, author of Company of One: Why Staying Small Is the Next Big Thing for Business
About the Author
Cait Flanders is the author of
Wall Street Journal bestseller,
The Year of Less. Described by
Vogue as "a fascinating look into a living experiment that we can
all learn from," it has been translated into 8 languages, and went on
to become one of the most sold nonfiction books on Amazon in July 2018,
and one of Powell's Staff Top Fives that same year. Her story has been
shared in the
New York Times,
The Guardian,
The Globe and Mail, Oprah.com,
Forbes, and more. Cait always has an adventure in the calendar,
and believes in leaving every place better than she found it. She is
from Victoria, BC, Canada. IG: @caitflanders