How To Declutter Your Home And Your Life; Minimalist Concepts To Help You Start Organizing Today

by Martha Sinclair

When you look at your home, do you see a welcoming haven or a chaotic battleground? Without you even knowing, your possessions have taken over your living space right under your very nose. So now you’re confronted with the ultimate scuffle between you and your clutter. How do you plan to win the battle? For one, you need to draw up a battle plan. The truth of the matter is, you are not merely fighting for space here, in essence, you are also struggling to gain better control over your life. Let’s face it, living in the middle of a mess easily diminishes your joy of living and devalues your life as a whole. All that stuff no doubt weighs on you physically and mentally. A disorganized home also presents a hazardous place for you and your family. If you have grown weary and frustrated muddling through a thick pile of stuff to find certain things, then it’s time to take action. Surely, one can do without the unnecessary stress. So whether you are a pack rat, a clutter bug, a sentimental softie -- whatever label you want to use, you need a firm taskmaster and an encouraging mentor to get you out of a rut – and FAST! This eBook is an integral part of your arsenal in winning the war against clutter. First, it is designed to let you see things from a different perspective and gain a better understanding about the situation you have found yourself in. It doesn’t just tell you how to organize your stuff, but more importantly, it goes down to the very root cause of the problem. Clutter doesn’t have to be something you have to live with. This eBook teaches you how to get an upper hand over clutter once and for all. Feeling like waving that white flag and about to concede defeat? That’s not one of the options with this eBook. Sure, the battlefield may be field with “landmines”. This book is loaded with encouraging tips and helpful ideas so you can physically and mentally maneuver your way through the war zone with ease and confidence. A cluttered home breeds a cluttered mind. It’s time to take that positive, empowering action today! This eBook provides you clear-cut, no-nonsense advice on how to re-invent your living space and shows you the view from the other side – the tranquil and clutter-free home that you can proudly show off to your friends and family members. And who knows, a major spring cleaning may just be the right inspiration you need to make other strategic changes in your life! Beyond decluttering, the book also touches on finding happiness with lesser stuff – something everyone can definitely relate to. Based on the principle of minimalism, there are very insightful discussions on finding lifelong happiness beyond material possessions, beyond all the stuff and junk that we have surrounded ourselves with. It talks about editing and purging the unnecessary things and helping you define your person without all the material trappings and expensive ornaments. It can be quite daunting to finally come face to face with a mountain of junk that have accumulated all throughout the years. It’s going to be a long and ongoing battle. You definitely need to be fully armed and loaded. Have you have already psyched yourself up for the challenges ahead and declare an all-out war? It’s time to call in the reinforcements and shore up your defenses. It is worth all the effort? Definitely. Winning the war means gaining back that peace of mind and sense of tranquility that have eluded you for years. But most importantly, you will gain back firm control over your life as well as be able to provide a happy, sparkling and uncluttered home for your family.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Reference, How To

100 pages, Paperback

First published October 21, 2011

Reviews

[Melissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Although the book's focus is home de-cluttering, I felt that the majority of advice was rather common sense. I recognize that everyone is in a different stage of how to organize their home, regardless, I was hoping there would be some tips and pointers that would really stand out as innovative and creative ways to make the best of my space.

I did find some of the passages about minimalist living quite poignant, but didn't so much need the persuasion or beginning steps of living an organized life.

"Minimalism is the pragmatic belief in valuing a few chosen items in your life, and choosing to prioritize these ahead of unnecessary things. In essence, minimalism is the opposite of greedy materialism, and focuses on need and read value in order to lead a happy life instead of filling your time with things and false importance." (pg. 22/Location 138)

"Being a minimalist does not mean that your home has to be a place of deprivation." (pg. 25/Location 159).

"Always keep in mind the core of minimalism - function, need and passion. If your home reflects what you are passionate about, you will be able to better explore these passions and yourself." (pg. 25/Location 160)

[Amber · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was hoping for more information about living minimalist. What I got was just another book about decluttering (not the same). Get rid of some things and shuffle around the rest is not minimalist.

The information she included are very common place and common sense. I would have been more productive if I had put down the book and started doing the things I already knew how to do.

The other issue I had was her section on sentimental items. Yes, many of us include too many sentimental items. However her comment about evaluating just how relevant that memory is to your current life is a but ridiculous. All of our sentimental memories are important. We should not be letting those go. However the memory is in us, not in the items we are holding on to, so getting rid of those is very different from getting rid of the memory.

Overall I would say this was a very mediocre book and your time would be better spent looking into something like fly lady then reading this.

[Elysa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd give the kindle freebie an overall rating of "meh". It's a pretty obvious repurposing of minimalism. The focus is more on the psychology of why you should be a minimalist and the emotional values of doing so. Not many tangible how-tos. I did highlight a few quotable moments, the following being my favorite "Always keep in mind the core of minimalism - function, need and passion. If your home reflects what you are passionate about, you will be able to better explore these passions and yourself.". It was a really short read, I finished it in one evening. I'd say it's a good fit for women with children who want a lite getting started motivator read.

[Sheri · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nothing new here. And I had to laugh at her comments about how much the kids would LOVE helping out with chores & organization. Does she even have kids? Too ridiculous & not practical. Lots of "shoulds" but not many fresh ideas of how to do them. Definitely avoid this book if you are prone to "Mommy guilt."

[Lyne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't believe what's considered writing anymore. This is loads of psychobabble with one or two good tips. It even goes as far as guaranteeing results if you pay an expensive (authors words) psychologist....hhhmm wondrous if they paid for this to be written to get more clients!?

[Leanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

There was nothing new in this book but it was a quick read while walking on the treadmill. At least the author didn't keep repeating the same things over and over like in the last decluttering book that I read, but kept it short and to the point.

[athenaowl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Free kindle book.. I could of wrote it myself. I guess that means I would of only given myself a two star rating. I suppose this is why I don't write free kindle books.

Throw away, give away, and organize your stuff so it doesn't rob you of joy. Total book in a one sentence review.

[Jillian Eslami · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty quick read and some good ideas. A lot of it is common sense but sometimes you just need to be old again!

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short book that is more about why to be a minimalist than how. It had some good ideas though. I'm glad I read it. A kindle freebie.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty superficial look at hoarding and decluttering, but a quick read with some good reminders.

[Darlene]

Kindle Version ASIN: B005Y5C20M

[Carole Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting stuff, not much new. This book is more for hoarders. I'm not that desperate!

[Jan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ho hum. Pretty obvious. What I need is a how to downsize....

[Russell Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Encouragement

Well organized and thought-provoking book. While I already incorporate many of the ideas I still have a ways to go. This book encouraged me to get back on track.