Organizing from the Inside Out: The Foolproof System For Organizing Your Home, Your Office and Yo...
A completely revised and expanded edition of the New York Times bestselling guide to putting things in order
Getting organize... read full description
Getting organize... read full description
reviews
Feb 24, 2008
Margaret
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One of my favorite things about this book is that the author helps you to recognize that you already have organizational systems in place, then she helps you to reach the next level and beyond. She keeps things simple and logical, and encourages the reader to personalize their own systems. The author avoids denigrating or discouraging the reader, instead of presuming that they are doomed to a life-time of desperate struggle against some innate and entrenched personality flaws, she gives clear an
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Apr 04, 2011
Maestramom
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Totally useless--requires readers to do all this tedious essay-writing about how you *feel* about your messes and why you want them clean. Then when the organizing advice finally DOES come along (not until page 68!), it is just the tired old, "clean, sort, put into containers" drill. Readers looking for truly motivating and fresh, innovative ideas for organizing their home, paperwork, and lived would do better to read Deniece Schofield's Confessions of an Organized Homemaker: The Secrets of Uncluttering Your Home and Taking Control of Your Life
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May 24, 2009
Karima
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SPACE.
Sort
Purge
Assign a home
Containerize
Equalize
Another acronym but this lady's on to something. I like her approach and sensibility. Be prepared to do some self-assessment BEFORE you tackle a project or buy any new-fangled storage system.
This is a solution and, better than that, a PREVENTION approach. By going through a series of target questions, you can determine what your tendencies are and why. So you restructure yourself (YES, this IS possible, t More...
Sort
Purge
Assign a home
Containerize
Equalize
Another acronym but this lady's on to something. I like her approach and sensibility. Be prepared to do some self-assessment BEFORE you tackle a project or buy any new-fangled storage system.
This is a solution and, better than that, a PREVENTION approach. By going through a series of target questions, you can determine what your tendencies are and why. So you restructure yourself (YES, this IS possible, t More...
Oct 26, 2010
Joan
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I bought this book several years ago and have only recently actually read it from the beginning - instead of skipping to the specific chapters on organizing specific areas of the house. It offers some very helpful ideas that I'm going to use to keep my home and office work spaces from being referred to by others as 'black holes' and help me more easily retrieve the materials I need easily, yet live within the physical limitations of the space available.
The steps that I skipped before More...
The steps that I skipped before More...
Jun 04, 2011
Judith
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So, I guess I can call myself "done" reading this book. It is a multi-layered text, that eventually becomes a practical "manual" style book of organization, so I read the majority of the book in detail, and then skimmed the specific chapters, with the intent to go over them with a fine tooth comb each time I need said chapter. So far, I have 'implemented' the "bedroom" chapter. It took two days, but I re-organized the room, right down to the furniture to give the ro
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Jun 28, 2011
Gillian
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There were some helpful ideas in this book, including identifying your personal styles/habits that lead to disorganization (mine is constantly getting distracted mid-task to do something else and then having multiple half-finished tasks laying about...) Also, I liked reading about "what's working" and "what's not working" from real-life interviews. For example, irons her clothes before putting them in her closet, so that if they are hanging in there, she knows they are read
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Mar 12, 2011
Carrie
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I am currently re-reading this book and so far, am finding out some new things about myself. Such as, I think sometimes I organize and then re-organize even when I don't really need to. I need to learn to organize something (closet, drawers, room, whatever) to the stage where I am happy with how it looks, how it works and how the family works with the system and then just be done with it. I know I will always need to fine-tune things and change systems as the family changes, but I also need to l
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Jan 29, 2011
Janet
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I read this book when I was getting started as a professional organizer.
One of the things I like about it is that it suggests various ways of organizing each area in the home. This can be very helpful when working with clients with different personalities and lifestyles than your own. It also includes time estimates for various organizing projects. Although this will naturally vary depending on the situation, it’s a useful guideline when you’re quoting on a job, especially when you’ More...
One of the things I like about it is that it suggests various ways of organizing each area in the home. This can be very helpful when working with clients with different personalities and lifestyles than your own. It also includes time estimates for various organizing projects. Although this will naturally vary depending on the situation, it’s a useful guideline when you’re quoting on a job, especially when you’ More...
Dec 17, 2009
Denise
rated it:
Practical!!!!!! I would read a chapter and then act upon it. Just don't get anal about organization. The book is meant to enhance your life not rule your life.
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Aug 14, 2010
Mark
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"Julie Morgenstern helped me tame piles of paperwork and organize our house. In our modern life it seems like we have way to much stuff to manage. This book suggests simple but practices tools and techniques to organize things. I am particularly fond of her ""Kindergarten"" principle... everything should have a place to be put away right by where where they will be used. Reading this book also helped me appreciate how my tendency to want to organize things ""ex
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May 27, 2009
Chary
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If you need to get your act together in terms of your personal space, time management, and decor for your home (here, there, and everywhere), THIS IS THE BOOK to help! It was so good that I bought the book on CD so that it will remind me to keep things organized (basically kicking my behind in my mind's eye). Using this as a tool was (and is)VERY liberating because it's a long term strategy that will force you to make your organizing system a lifestyle instead of a weekend; it'll give you some
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Feb 26, 2010
Kelsey
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To be fair, I did not read this book word for word; I ended up just leafing through it after the first section. I felt it was geared more towards organizing businesses than homes. Also, when it comes to home organization, you have to find the right fit for you. This just wasn't it for me. I think all that this book could have offered me I had already gotten out of reading House Works by Cynthia Townsend Ewer.
This book did open my eyes to one thing, however. I don't think organization More...
This book did open my eyes to one thing, however. I don't think organization More...
Dec 18, 2008
Christina
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The entire first section of this book is excellent! The other sections are helpful, but I really liked the beginning.
The book starts by going into the theory behind being organized. Julie Morgenstern helps us figure out why we aren't organized and what, specifically, is holding us back. Then she gives practical steps for organizing a little at a time. She has ideas for staying motivated, and she is sensitive to the fact that sometimes we cannot part with things that have sentimen More...
The book starts by going into the theory behind being organized. Julie Morgenstern helps us figure out why we aren't organized and what, specifically, is holding us back. Then she gives practical steps for organizing a little at a time. She has ideas for staying motivated, and she is sensitive to the fact that sometimes we cannot part with things that have sentimen More...
Mar 15, 2011
Mutant
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I guess once you read one organizing book, you've pretty much read them all so this book has pretty much put the nail into the coffin for me as far as organzing books go. It's ok. Has some good little bits here and there. It's A LOT like "One Year to an Organized Life". So much so, I'd say you can read one or the other and pretty much get the exact same advice, tips, plan of attack, etc. I still recommend Clearing your Clutter with Feng Shui if you're interested in clearing out your ho
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May 09, 2011
Jared
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Organizing from the Inside Out by Julie Morgenstern is one of those books packed with useful information on how to organize every aspect of your life. I do have to admit that I did not read the book in its entirety. In fact, I barely even read half of the book. Why you may ask? Because Ms Morgenstern offers some great suggestions on how to get organized in every room in your house in great detail for more than 2/3 of this book. The rest of the book is about evaluating yourself which Ms Morgenste
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Feb 26, 2009
MsSmartiePants
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A very good book for addressing those things which are bugging us - clutter! This book attempts to help the reader understand the forces within us which contribute and actually drive the procrastination, disorganization, over-committed, and overwhelmed behavior.
There is a better book: The One Life Solution by Dr. Henry Cloud.
Dr. Cloud's book is a great way to do some detective work on ourselves which underlie the problems we face in corporate and personal relationships and activi More...
There is a better book: The One Life Solution by Dr. Henry Cloud.
Dr. Cloud's book is a great way to do some detective work on ourselves which underlie the problems we face in corporate and personal relationships and activi More...
Jun 20, 2008
Loren
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I love this book! It introduces a kind and forgiving method of evaluating the "why" of your lack of organization, and then helps one sort out the "how" of getting it all together. She gives lots of examples and stories and anagrams, and breaks things into manageable pieces. Ms. Morgenstern never scolds one for having "too much crap,' she just helps you look at what you are keeping and why, and then you can see the logic or lack of logic in your choices and go from ther
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Feb 01, 2008
Josephine
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After the holidays are over and the new year comes around, I almost always get the organizing bug. I start to think of all the projects I want to do over the new year and have this urge to reevaluate and find ways to be more efficient, more organized, more productive. For those of you who have similar tendencies, I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
A few years back, a friend gave me Julie Morgenstern's Organizing from the Inside Out, and it really changed the way I think about More...
A few years back, a friend gave me Julie Morgenstern's Organizing from the Inside Out, and it really changed the way I think about More...
Jul 04, 2010
Emma
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Most organizing books make me feel excited about getting rid of stuff, and then stuck when I actually try to do it.
This book makes a point that it's not about just getting rid of things, it's about understanding what is important to you. Then you organize your spaces to support what you love to do and see. Then it's much easier to get rid of the extraneous stuff because it's easier to see why it's not important. This makes so much more sense to me than directions to "simplify!"
This book makes a point that it's not about just getting rid of things, it's about understanding what is important to you. Then you organize your spaces to support what you love to do and see. Then it's much easier to get rid of the extraneous stuff because it's easier to see why it's not important. This makes so much more sense to me than directions to "simplify!"
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Aug 09, 2011
Stephanie
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This was a really helpful read. The author has you identify what situational or mental obstacles are keeping you from being organized. She also has you think of what DOES work (ie my laundry baskets) and why, so you can apply what that says about your habits and personality to other areas of your home.
Her main point is that you may see these organizing systems that look super impressive in magazines or other people's homes, and you may have decluttered down to nothing, but unless th More...
Her main point is that you may see these organizing systems that look super impressive in magazines or other people's homes, and you may have decluttered down to nothing, but unless th More...
Mar 24, 2008
Danielle
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I read this shortly out of college, and wished I read it years before. I normally am not into self-help books, but this one changed how I approach my living space PROFOUNDLY. The author goes, step-by-step, room-by-room, how to organize in a way that leads to increased peace of mind and productivity for each person, as an individual. It's not about imposing someone else's way of putting things away, but how to find your own way to make your life better.
Directly after reading the book More...
Directly after reading the book More...
Jun 11, 2010
Heila
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Fantastic - talks about psychological obstacles, misconceptions, the importance of function. The first couple chapters help you see where you're coming from and give matter-of-fact encouragement. Then the back chapters are separated into different spaces like offices, garages, closets, photographs. "Teaches you how to work with your personality rather than against it." Very, very helpful.
Jan 02, 2010
Tanya
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This book changed the way I live. I try to re-read sections to brush-up and learn what I didn't the first time. Julie goes through the house room by room, and teaches you HOW to organize. This book is all about implementing system that will work for you, and how to figure out what will work for you. A must read for people that struggle with the day to day of keeping it straightened.
Sep 25, 2011
Cathy
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This is one of the most helpful organizing books I've ever read. Julie is not a BO (born-organized) so she understands how I think and how to help me. One of the most helpful hints I've gleaned from her is to analyze what is working in my life and why. That helps me to understand myself and apply those same principles to other areas.
Jan 05, 2009
Jennifer
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Read it! Loved it! Is my home organized and neat? No way! Why? Because, life happens and I have five kids. So I just need Julie, the author, to come over and spend a week at my house. Then just maybe, I could get it all done. It is the doing it part, that I have not yet accomplished. But I am going to!
Jan 10, 2012
Melanie
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Had to listen to particular portions of the book again, each time I felt unsure of how to organize a particular "thing"... storage room, pantry room, closet, for example. Had to keep reminding myself to ask: What is it I hope to accomplish? Whether organizer something, small or large. Great blueprint.
Jun 24, 2011
Mary Anne
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This had some excellent information and ideas in it. Labeling EVERYTHING is the one that I remember all this time later. I have since read Confessions of an Organized Homemaker and it has a lot of similar information, but I feel has a better attitude. I'm still glad I have read both books though.
Mar 01, 2011
Sharlene
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I read this book a couple years ago, and I will go back one of these days and check it out again so I can follow its guidelines more carefully. I thought it motivating and practical advice.
I am now reading her Time management book. I started this a couple years ago, but then I ran out of time!
I am now reading her Time management book. I started this a couple years ago, but then I ran out of time!
Apr 09, 2010
Carrie
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I am TOTALLY loving this book!!! AND I adore Julie Morgenstern. She makes absolute sense and her voice is fabulous! Not done, yet but getting there!
I ordered this book at the library and somehow I got a CD version. At first I was disappointed, I like "seeing" help books, feel like that helps me take notes. But I have loved hearing the author, Julie Morgenstern, read this aloud. She has a lovely voice and is very sharp and clear and you get to hear where sh More...
I ordered this book at the library and somehow I got a CD version. At first I was disappointed, I like "seeing" help books, feel like that helps me take notes. But I have loved hearing the author, Julie Morgenstern, read this aloud. She has a lovely voice and is very sharp and clear and you get to hear where sh More...
Jan 14, 2011
Jennifer
rated it:
If you've never read a book on organizing, this is a great place to start. I listened to it during a car ride to Chicago and back, which means it's a quick read. Read by the author, it's a very do-able approach to beginning the process of de-cluttering and organizing any space.
