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Clutter Busting: Letting Go of What's Holding You Back
Piles of junk in garages and closets, overflowing papers on desks, items unused for years, masses of unanswered email, clothing never worn, useless gifts that collect dust — all these things, says Brooks Palmer, come weighted with shame and guilt and have a suffocating effect on spirit and soul. In this insightful book, Palmer shows how to get rid of the things in our live...more
Paperback, 232 pages
Published
March 1st 2009
by New World Library
(first published 2009)
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I'm guilty of buying "declutter" books before with marginal results in real life. This book is different -- it doesn't address "organizing" but instead focuses on why you have all that "crap" in the first place. The book is full of stories of other people's struggle with emotional ties to things, and Brooks always has a lighthearted way of exposing the silliness of how we think about our stuff. I feel lighter already, and looking forward to filling up some trash bag...more
If you or someone you know has unmanageable clutter, Brooks Palmer explores the emotional causes for holding onto possessions. or the most part, this book offers a lot of theory about the psychological connection to clutter but doesn't offer any research or sources other than anecdotes about his organizing clients. The exercises at the end of each chapter have tidbits that might be useful. The examples he offers are extreme. Why keep photos to remember events or people? You probably won't look b...more
What is this book doing on my ology shelf. Brooks Palmer, a professional clutter buster, is not an organizer. The issues are internal not external. Most of it is not about organizing what you have accumulated rather getting rid of stuff both internally and externally.
Poeple's homes are a map of their mind. The mind is a storehouse of memories and opinions and beliefs. ... Problems ensue. Things pile up unused. ... home had become a stagnant pool. ... When you toss things and readjust...more
Bought this on impulse in Minnesota and read it on the plane coming home. Brooks Palmer doesn't talk about reorganizing your house/clutter, he talks about what your clutter means to you, what it's doing to your life, and what you can get from shoveling out of clutter. Having too much junk, too many things that are making your living area uncomfortable, things that are bringing you down man, can affect your mood, your emotional life, and your energy level. Being kind to yourself and realizing tha...more
I’ve been making an honest effort at reducing clutter in my life. I’ve been going from room to room clearing up messes and finding homes for everything. I’ve donated and thrown away more bags of stuff than I even realized I had. The house is starting to become cleaner and I do notice the difference in my attitude.
Lately though, I’ve run out of steam. I’m finding myself putting off certain jobs or making excuses why I had to keep certain items that seemed to have no functional value ...more
Lately though, I’ve run out of steam. I’m finding myself putting off certain jobs or making excuses why I had to keep certain items that seemed to have no functional value ...more
Mail, magazines, collectibles, gifts never used, clothing never worn, books you don’t read, CDs or DVDs you never listen or watch … all of these together begin to make our houses, lives and minds favor an episode of How Clean Is Your House?. Clutter will, and does, find its way into every nook and cranny of your home and office. Don’t fret though … enter Brooks Palmer, landscaper of clutter, defender of our lives and sanity.
Through the sharing of stories where he has helped people an...more
Through the sharing of stories where he has helped people an...more
I became interested in this book because I have been reading the author's blog and I have liked most of what I have seen there. I liked the author's stories of how he has helped people get rid of clutter in their homes. Most of the time it was inspiring and motivating to hear how he helped people learn to let go of things and see what is really important. In general, I liked some of the guidelines and exercises he used for his clients, which he also gives to the readers; however, there are sever...more
This is the first book about home organization/clutter that I've read. It was very touchy-feely, with lots of positive reinforcement to the reader, which was unexpected. Most of the real-life examples from Palmer's clients contained generally-applicable advice or themes. The bullet list in the back is a helpful summary of Palmer's main points. What surprised me is the very present-oriented and reflexive way that he deals with clutter. His main point that if it's not useful now, it's clutter and ...more
Unlike so many other "clutter" books this one doesn't tell you how to organize your stuff. He tells you that you need to get rid of your clutter and why you have it.
I will say it seems like he is encouraging you to get rid of everything - much like George Clooney's backpack motivational speech in Up in the Air.
Mr. Palmer is often telling you that you are good enough, and good things will happen once you free yourself from clutter. He is a normal guy, not some ...more
I will say it seems like he is encouraging you to get rid of everything - much like George Clooney's backpack motivational speech in Up in the Air.
Mr. Palmer is often telling you that you are good enough, and good things will happen once you free yourself from clutter. He is a normal guy, not some ...more
I'm about half way through this book, and I'm pretty sure my review will stand even when I finish it.
There are some very deep and poignant thoughts in this book (make for great quotes too), and overall, it's, I feel, a worthwhile read. However, there's a bit too much psycho-babble in it. I like some anecdotes in my non-fiction how-to books, but I prefer them to be much less touchy-feely too. I may have already said this in another review, but I'm a scientist at heart (if not brai...more
There are some very deep and poignant thoughts in this book (make for great quotes too), and overall, it's, I feel, a worthwhile read. However, there's a bit too much psycho-babble in it. I like some anecdotes in my non-fiction how-to books, but I prefer them to be much less touchy-feely too. I may have already said this in another review, but I'm a scientist at heart (if not brai...more
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So helpful! I am feeling very motivated and excited to continue my clutter busting adventures after reading this book. The book is very easy to read, and the author has a sense of humor which makes it easy to digest. It's not just someone chastising you for holding onto a bunch of crap. Brooks Palmer teaches you to toss the things that no longer serve your needs or promote growth in your life. The advice is gentle, yet powerful. His approach uses intuition, emotion, and a ruthless practicality t...more
To paraphrase another review of this book, this is not a book about how to de-clutter but rather WHY to de-clutter. Which would be perfectly fine...except that it's not at all what I was looking for when I chose to read it. What I really need is a how-to manual of tips & tricks to get and stay clutter-free.
I am a clutter-magnet, especially for paper, and I know this is primarily because of two reasons: 1) I forget about anything I can't see (apparently I missed a brain developmen...more
I am a clutter-magnet, especially for paper, and I know this is primarily because of two reasons: 1) I forget about anything I can't see (apparently I missed a brain developmen...more
I love this book!!! It is amazing. Just want I need. Makes you realize that a lot of your stuff is clutter and that you really don't need a lot in your life. It talks about why we keep certain things and why we cant throw stuff out. One thing from the book that I learned it when I look at something is does it make me feel good. I have some much stuff that even when I look at them I get overwhelmed. That's when I know its clutter!! This book is a life saver!!
I seem to give a lot of 5-star ratings to books, but there are also tomes I never finish. So when a book keeps my interest and inspires me greatly, I will give it a great review. Brooks Palmer's Clutter Busting book is among the best I have ever read. He not only talks about clutter busting on the outside, but he gets into the psychology of it as well. I am so inspired by this book that this is one of the few that I will purchase.
WOW!!! I recommend this book to anyone and everyone. I learned so much about myself while reading this book... things that made so much sense, that were so simple... and have made me clutter-bust my house like never before :) I have at least 3 carloads waiting to go to Goodwill, and I'm not even done, yet! The stuff isn't junk... it's just not useful to me NOW. Read this and change your life. Oh, and it also touches on emotional and mental clutter - very insightful!!!
I didn't think I would like this book once I started reading it because it was not a "how to" book, but rather a "why" book. But after reading several stories, I saw my own situation revealed. It turned out to be fascinating! He goes to people's houses to help them with clutter and he is able to uncover the emotional reason behind their clutter. It is like he has some counseling training or something. Very interesting how he could figure out the main cause of clutter (whateve...more
Lisa
is currently reading it
This book is well written and seems to speak to the reader about self-worth and letting go of the past and letting go of objects as a way of stagnating one's life. I find myself throwing out things as I walk through the house, little things, but I see it working. I can see myself doing it for others too. LOL!
This book changed my life. Seriously. It is different than any other book on the subject of organizing/getting rid of stuff. There is no "get 4 boxes. Label them..." This book simply discusses the relationships people have with their stuff. This is the first book of it's kind where I actually found the "real life examples" helpful and interesting. He said some simple things that sound obvious but really hit the spot, such as: clutter in boxes is still clutter. I have always f...more
Inspiring! And such liberating results! Highly recommend for those swimming in sentimental junk, warn out clothing, broken furniture, and sorted pasts. I had to read this because I was moving to a smaller apartment. I took four trunk loads of stuff to charity and have not missed a thing.
Amazing book! Everyone should read this book if you even have a hint of an issue with getting rid of things that no longer fit your life. Brooks Palmer explains how we are not our things, and we don't need things to be ourselves. Inspiring, great tone, and instantly applicable to daily life.
Not just a book about de-cluttering your house, but thinking long and hard about the reasons for your outward clutter--that is a manifestation of inner turmoil.
A really helpful read.
A really helpful read.
interesting commentary on how gender differences influence career choices, somewhat longwinded at times but portions of the book had really good points and interesting case studies
A really good book that helps you sort out your stuff. A great Spring Cleaning aid. Helps you see why you keep stuff forever that you do not use in your present life.
Yet another book on decluttering. This one also deals with the inner clutter that causes outer clutter. I'm an expert now....I just need to get moving!
Such a great quick read! It is really motivational and will really make you want to get rid of stuff you don't need! I really enjoyed this book!
A self help book not on how to declutter but why to declutter. Focuses mainly on psychological aspect of clutter and how it affect people's lives.
I had so much fun reading this book - it made me want to go into this profession as a career! :-)
I'm always searching for ways to make my home clear of clutter and zen like. Ha, not there yet
I like this book, lots of usful info, and gets to the reason of why we have clutter in a way, that makes you want to let go of it.
I like this book, lots of usful info, and gets to the reason of why we have clutter in a way, that makes you want to let go of it.
I *bought* this book...I don't usually do that.
Great insight--and entertaining.
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