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Declutter: The get-real guide to creating calm from chaos
'I need this book.' - Nigella Lawson 'A chummy guide to clearing your home and head.' - Jack Monroe Bursting with practical and relatable advice, this book injects enthusiasm, energy and some much-needed humour into the essential task of de-cluttering. Forget the holier-than-thou approach promising a whole new you if you alphabetise your sock drawer - this is decluttering for real people, with real lives. With a refreshingly honest approach, Debora tackles the best ways to deal with domestic dilemmas, cluttered kitchens and crowded cupboards. She includes handy tips and tricks for the average time-poor person. Tasks are broken down into achievable goals and 'quick fixes', allowing even the busiest of people to create, maintain and achieve a tidy home. And it's not just the home she tackles. Debora helps you banish anxiety and kick-start productivity with '10 de-cluttering commandments' and includes honest advice on how to conquer the fear of change. The busy writer, who has transformed her own cluttered home and mind using these techniques, also explores how best to unclutter your virtual world, from managing social media accounts to balancing email mailing lists.
178 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 18, 2018
143 people are currently reading
307 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
March 25, 2022
I'm trying to like this book, I really am, because I think that there are a lot of useful and inspiring philosophies I can pick up that will greatly benefit me in my decluttering journey. However, I was only one chapter in when I couldn't get past the observation that the author was probably trying to write in a "quirky" and relatable manner at the expense of potentially being offensive.
Only 37 pages in and there are already three mentions of Marie Kondo and how her method does not work for the author. I get that Marie Kondo's sensationalized decluttering philosophies don't work for a lot of people, but as an author trying to write something authentically helpful, I don't see a need to take jabs at your fellow peers and feel that she could have gotten her point across effectively without needing to put others down.
Another thing that stuck out like a sore thumb to me was on page 20, under the header "Feng what now?", she expounds on being "eye-rollingly sceptical of the idea that a pot plant in a certain corner wards off conflict, or that keeping the loo seat down prevents riches pouring away". I get it. These idealogies seem like superstitions to many, but are actually widely practiced beliefs in Chinese culture. I personally do not practice Feng Shui, but felt that this entire paragraph (which was used to later highlight the usefulness of one particular Feng Shui philosophy of decluttering as "making perfect sense to her"), was really lacking in tact and respect. For a self-help author, I'd think that she would be more aware about not making cheap passes at other cultures - and again, her point could definitely be put across effectively even without that weird anecdotal jab. What may be an eye-roll to you, is a firmly held belief system to someone else that you shouldn't be cherry-picking from.
This is just one of MANY examples of the author adopting a "relatable", "quirky" tone in this book to elaborate on her ideas, which often borders on insulting something or sometimes even the reader themselves. It's a bummer, because when she's not trying to be funny, the book has a lot of substance that I could actually takeaway. But because of the observations I've mentioned, it's not something I'm likely to recommend to others.
Only 37 pages in and there are already three mentions of Marie Kondo and how her method does not work for the author. I get that Marie Kondo's sensationalized decluttering philosophies don't work for a lot of people, but as an author trying to write something authentically helpful, I don't see a need to take jabs at your fellow peers and feel that she could have gotten her point across effectively without needing to put others down.
Another thing that stuck out like a sore thumb to me was on page 20, under the header "Feng what now?", she expounds on being "eye-rollingly sceptical of the idea that a pot plant in a certain corner wards off conflict, or that keeping the loo seat down prevents riches pouring away". I get it. These idealogies seem like superstitions to many, but are actually widely practiced beliefs in Chinese culture. I personally do not practice Feng Shui, but felt that this entire paragraph (which was used to later highlight the usefulness of one particular Feng Shui philosophy of decluttering as "making perfect sense to her"), was really lacking in tact and respect. For a self-help author, I'd think that she would be more aware about not making cheap passes at other cultures - and again, her point could definitely be put across effectively even without that weird anecdotal jab. What may be an eye-roll to you, is a firmly held belief system to someone else that you shouldn't be cherry-picking from.
This is just one of MANY examples of the author adopting a "relatable", "quirky" tone in this book to elaborate on her ideas, which often borders on insulting something or sometimes even the reader themselves. It's a bummer, because when she's not trying to be funny, the book has a lot of substance that I could actually takeaway. But because of the observations I've mentioned, it's not something I'm likely to recommend to others.
June 13, 2019
I really liked this book on decluttering! It is super practical, and there are minimal repeats of advice, which is something I encounter a lot in shorter, popular self-help books for some reason.
A lot of people know what to do, but lack the knowledge of how to actually do it, or simply don’t have the time. Deborah’s advice is super helpful in actually starting the process, even if you (say you) don’t have time. As little as 5 or 10 minutes a day can already make a difference.
The only thing I disliked in this book is the part in the beginning of the book where Deborah advices you to buy a beautiful notebook to make into your “decluttering journal”. She then gives a few short exercises that you can do in your notebook, but in the rest of the book there is little to no reference back to that notebook. In my opinion you don’t need a pretty notebook to do those few short exercises in, but just a normal A4 paper and a pretty pen would also have worked.
If you’ve read The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo, or a similar book for example, but are struggling with actually implementing the advice, this book is for you!
A lot of people know what to do, but lack the knowledge of how to actually do it, or simply don’t have the time. Deborah’s advice is super helpful in actually starting the process, even if you (say you) don’t have time. As little as 5 or 10 minutes a day can already make a difference.
The only thing I disliked in this book is the part in the beginning of the book where Deborah advices you to buy a beautiful notebook to make into your “decluttering journal”. She then gives a few short exercises that you can do in your notebook, but in the rest of the book there is little to no reference back to that notebook. In my opinion you don’t need a pretty notebook to do those few short exercises in, but just a normal A4 paper and a pretty pen would also have worked.
If you’ve read The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo, or a similar book for example, but are struggling with actually implementing the advice, this book is for you!
February 24, 2022
Marie Kondo is all very well, but to me her method is impractical for people without massive amounts of time and energy. This book is far more practical and realistic, and has many ideas for things that take 10 mins. This is way more helpful to me as someone with a chronic illness and very little energy, and am sure would be to most people who have limited time, energy, or both.
It remains to be seen if my house will look any better over time, but it's definitely given me a more realistic approach, which I've already started with.
It remains to be seen if my house will look any better over time, but it's definitely given me a more realistic approach, which I've already started with.
February 24, 2020
Practical and realistic. I like how manageable the approach is.
February 7, 2021
Great book written with a decided dose of British flair and humour. Or humor.
I really enjoyed this book!
I really enjoyed this book!
February 24, 2020
I think this is the first proper decluttering book I've read, so take my opinion with a pinch of salt. Where I expected dry and preachy, I found this to be very humorous and full of, "I'm just like you" sentiments that I could actually believe.
What I needed help with the most – I don't have a big clutter problem, generally speaking – was sentimental items. As I've gotten older and people I've loved have moved away or passed on, I've found myself accumulating things I'm either attached to or feel I ought to be attached to, and don't have space for. I needed the straight-talking, "it will be okay" encouragement, the permission to move on from the stuff of other people's lives. And that was accomplished well enough:
"For most of us, peace, freedom and tranquillity in our own homes are what we want – not that lime-green salad bowl, slightly chipped on the rim, that Auntie Jean brought back from the Algarve in 1987. Don’t trade your tranquillity for a chipped salad bowl."
"...that the chipped vase you hate and have never used was given to you by your Aunty Mary’s next-door neighbour who was nice to you once and what would she think? (She’s been dead ten years. She doesn’t care.)"
"Ask yourself, very quickly, barely pausing for breath: ∘ Do I really need it? ∘ What would happen if I threw it away? ∘ Will I care for the person who gave this to me any less if I get rid of it? Will my memories of them be diminished in any way? ∘ Do I need so many? ... the answers are: ∘ No ∘ Nothing ∘ No ∘ No."
Full disclosure: I haven't yet got rid of the tiny salt and pepper shakers with the shamrocks on them that grandmother got when she visited Ireland many decades ago and which were given to me because I'm the family member who now lives in Ireland – but Debora's book has definitely given me more courage to do it!
What I needed help with the most – I don't have a big clutter problem, generally speaking – was sentimental items. As I've gotten older and people I've loved have moved away or passed on, I've found myself accumulating things I'm either attached to or feel I ought to be attached to, and don't have space for. I needed the straight-talking, "it will be okay" encouragement, the permission to move on from the stuff of other people's lives. And that was accomplished well enough:
"For most of us, peace, freedom and tranquillity in our own homes are what we want – not that lime-green salad bowl, slightly chipped on the rim, that Auntie Jean brought back from the Algarve in 1987. Don’t trade your tranquillity for a chipped salad bowl."
"...that the chipped vase you hate and have never used was given to you by your Aunty Mary’s next-door neighbour who was nice to you once and what would she think? (She’s been dead ten years. She doesn’t care.)"
"Ask yourself, very quickly, barely pausing for breath: ∘ Do I really need it? ∘ What would happen if I threw it away? ∘ Will I care for the person who gave this to me any less if I get rid of it? Will my memories of them be diminished in any way? ∘ Do I need so many? ... the answers are: ∘ No ∘ Nothing ∘ No ∘ No."
Full disclosure: I haven't yet got rid of the tiny salt and pepper shakers with the shamrocks on them that grandmother got when she visited Ireland many decades ago and which were given to me because I'm the family member who now lives in Ireland – but Debora's book has definitely given me more courage to do it!
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May 12, 2020I hate when authors in self-help books make fun of people. Why are you making fun of the people you're trying to help?
September 15, 2023
I listened to this as a typically tidy person who just went through a busy season and needed encouragement to toss some things without guilt. I have followed Flylady for a long time and have read many other decluttering articles, books, and podcasts, so not much of this was new. I did enjoy the down to earth British peptalk, though.
I absolutely couldn't live without my other half, but he does veer strongly towards saving, piling, and heaping as his filing strategy. There's a very fine line between the level of minimalist I would prefer to be and the continued marital bliss I enjoy, and Robertson very honestly meets that with some helpful strategies that won't put you at odds with a beloved spouse.
Not a lot new if you have read decluttering literature before, but I found this so much more realistic than the uber-minimalists.
I absolutely couldn't live without my other half, but he does veer strongly towards saving, piling, and heaping as his filing strategy. There's a very fine line between the level of minimalist I would prefer to be and the continued marital bliss I enjoy, and Robertson very honestly meets that with some helpful strategies that won't put you at odds with a beloved spouse.
Not a lot new if you have read decluttering literature before, but I found this so much more realistic than the uber-minimalists.
January 14, 2026
I found this to be a good, sensible, practical sort of no-nonsense book on decluttering.
I am currently obviously engaged in some pretty dedicated decluttering, and absorbing lots of content around it which I find motivating and clarifying whilst in the practical process.
I am currently obviously engaged in some pretty dedicated decluttering, and absorbing lots of content around it which I find motivating and clarifying whilst in the practical process.
August 5, 2020
I've read so much on the topic of decluttering that at this point, my standard is whether or not I learn something new or useful. While Debora Robertson doesn't really introduce anything I haven't already learned, I did appreciate the way she focused on decluttering strategies for time-poor people - her handy to-do lists for each allotment of time were actually pretty refreshing.
I listened to this as an audiobook, but I think I would have rather picked this up physically - in my opinion, especially if you intend to take action on the ideas listed in her book, it would be much easier to have a page to refer to as you declutter rather than sliding the track back and re-listening to the lists each time.
I listened to this as an audiobook, but I think I would have rather picked this up physically - in my opinion, especially if you intend to take action on the ideas listed in her book, it would be much easier to have a page to refer to as you declutter rather than sliding the track back and re-listening to the lists each time.
February 5, 2020
I've read quite a few books on decluttering now and this is one of the good ones - fun and quick to read, yet practical. I also recommend Marie Kondo's "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up" and Fumio Sasaki's "Goodbye, Things".
February 16, 2022
A list of do's and don'ts that adds nothing to the decluttering literature
Rather than principles, the author suggests games or tips, including a list of what to do if you have x amount of time to declutter. Unfortunately I did not find the tips useful nor new.
Rather than principles, the author suggests games or tips, including a list of what to do if you have x amount of time to declutter. Unfortunately I did not find the tips useful nor new.
May 1, 2021
Pleasant enough, but nothing groundbreaking if you’ve read even one other book or article on decluttering.
July 3, 2023
This book complimented Marie Kondo’s, but made things feel lighter and less daunting
key takeaways:
Clutter is stuck energy. It’s a physical manifestation of indecision, procrastination, and not being fully engaged in your own life.
Everything that you own is connected to you via energy. It’s like dragging the past around with you everywhere you go. This is why it’s exhausting.
You must replace the high from acquiring things with the high of letting them go
Free yourself of things that cause pain and embarrassment
Remind yourself that you’re probably never going to “want” to declutter. Acknowledge that it’s hard and decide to start today anyway
Get fully dressed, including shoes before beginning
Treat it like a job: clean fresh clothes, makes up, clean face, etc
set a timer
stay hydrated
clutter is not just the stuff on the floor. It’s anything that is standing between your present life and the life that you want to be living
make sure that your possessions are holding their weight and earning their place in your home: think about the cost of the burden they have for every month that you say “I’m going to eventually sell this”
enough is abundance to the wise- Euripides
10 rules
1)eat well, rest, hydrate. you don’t have to do it all at once
2)organize first, buy second
3)you don’t have to be good at this, you just have to try. Whatever you do is enough
4)don’t schedule too much for the time that you have
5)set realistic organizing goals
complete things
6)good enough is good enough
7)acquire the habit of the evening 15
8)store things where you use them
9)plan rewards: not shopping
10)keep going
Start w areas near the door
Start w surfaces
Do what you have to do until you can do what you want to do -Oprah Winfrey
key takeaways:
Clutter is stuck energy. It’s a physical manifestation of indecision, procrastination, and not being fully engaged in your own life.
Everything that you own is connected to you via energy. It’s like dragging the past around with you everywhere you go. This is why it’s exhausting.
You must replace the high from acquiring things with the high of letting them go
Free yourself of things that cause pain and embarrassment
Remind yourself that you’re probably never going to “want” to declutter. Acknowledge that it’s hard and decide to start today anyway
Get fully dressed, including shoes before beginning
Treat it like a job: clean fresh clothes, makes up, clean face, etc
set a timer
stay hydrated
clutter is not just the stuff on the floor. It’s anything that is standing between your present life and the life that you want to be living
make sure that your possessions are holding their weight and earning their place in your home: think about the cost of the burden they have for every month that you say “I’m going to eventually sell this”
enough is abundance to the wise- Euripides
10 rules
1)eat well, rest, hydrate. you don’t have to do it all at once
2)organize first, buy second
3)you don’t have to be good at this, you just have to try. Whatever you do is enough
4)don’t schedule too much for the time that you have
5)set realistic organizing goals
complete things
6)good enough is good enough
7)acquire the habit of the evening 15
8)store things where you use them
9)plan rewards: not shopping
10)keep going
Start w areas near the door
Start w surfaces
Do what you have to do until you can do what you want to do -Oprah Winfrey
January 5, 2025
Nope.
She did mention things that are helpful to know, for example, the fatigue that clutter creates, and then this fatigue becomes part of why you can't clear the clutter. The comparison to how free you can be in a hotel room where there is no clutter reminded me of why I often get a lot of reading done in hotel rooms, there isn't the junk to take up my energy. I also enjoyed some of the references to Fung Shui and found them helpful, but others seemed insensitive. I understand she does not believe that you need to keep the toilet seat down so wealth doesn't get flushed away, but I don't think anyone's house is cluttered because they are obsessed with the toilet seat.
I did think there was a big difference between what this book seemed to promise and what it delivered, which was more physiological and less practical. It may be a good book if you are having trouble realizing why you can't clean up once and for all, but less helpful if you are looking for strategies.
There are better books. Marie Kondo, and the oldie but goodie books by Don Aslett. I listened to this via Libby, the library app.
She did mention things that are helpful to know, for example, the fatigue that clutter creates, and then this fatigue becomes part of why you can't clear the clutter. The comparison to how free you can be in a hotel room where there is no clutter reminded me of why I often get a lot of reading done in hotel rooms, there isn't the junk to take up my energy. I also enjoyed some of the references to Fung Shui and found them helpful, but others seemed insensitive. I understand she does not believe that you need to keep the toilet seat down so wealth doesn't get flushed away, but I don't think anyone's house is cluttered because they are obsessed with the toilet seat.
I did think there was a big difference between what this book seemed to promise and what it delivered, which was more physiological and less practical. It may be a good book if you are having trouble realizing why you can't clean up once and for all, but less helpful if you are looking for strategies.
There are better books. Marie Kondo, and the oldie but goodie books by Don Aslett. I listened to this via Libby, the library app.
December 29, 2021
This was a quick read for me. She basically tells the same things you hear over and over, but for me is always good to review them. She agrees with (and gives props to) Flylady, who I have followed for a long time, and says to do 15 minutes on different areas. She also talked about Marie Kondo who says to decide what to keep instead of what to get rid of. She states that different methods work for different people and there isn't a one-size-fits-all method that works for everyone. So basically you need to find what works for you but start slowly and work your way through. Do a small project so you can see some success instead of starting a huge project full force, then not finishing it and leaving it there to taunt you and give you feelings of guilt which will only compound the problem.
November 20, 2019
Slightly obsessed with the idea of a minimalist lifestyle so chose this audiobook on my library’s app. I think this book is more aimed at someone at the start of their decluttering journey. Having recently moved house, I have purged many “unnecessary” items already but I liked the style of writing and the 5 minute, 10 minute and 30 minute tasks. Also enjoyed the mentions of charities that will take certain items and the nod to being eco-friendly when cleaning. It’s a shame I didn’t have a paper copy as I think there are pages I would go back to time and time again.
June 5, 2023
A short audiobook that I found while looking for self-help books to read for my next book club meeting. I am definitely not the target audience since I am an almost obsessive neatfreak and moving around a lot has made me more of a minimalist, but I still really liked listening for some reason. It just made me think: "people do that?!", and now I want to get started on decluttering other people's spaces.
December 2, 2018
Fab, not preachy, provides an using it why we arec
Fab, not preachy, provides an understanding of why we are in a state of clutter. How to tackle the objects and more importantly the feelings. It's realistic not monastic, I am starting my journey to a clutter free house where I won't be cluttered mentally allowing guilt free me time.
Fab, not preachy, provides an understanding of why we are in a state of clutter. How to tackle the objects and more importantly the feelings. It's realistic not monastic, I am starting my journey to a clutter free house where I won't be cluttered mentally allowing guilt free me time.
September 5, 2022
This book had some great ideas. I love the chapter on including children in the decluttering process. Although, I did not like the 'throw it away' mentality, but the author did mention a few ways in which goods can be recycled or donated. They didsharesomegreat tips for starting the process, a d I could relate to lots of the analogies and personal experiences shared.
July 21, 2024
Amazing book!
Specifically what I needed. It's as if the author knew all my struggles, not only with cleaning and organizing, but mental health and socializing.
Fantastic.
I want to own a paper version of it to touch and open at any part that is specifically needed, but that would create more clutter;)
Specifically what I needed. It's as if the author knew all my struggles, not only with cleaning and organizing, but mental health and socializing.
Fantastic.
I want to own a paper version of it to touch and open at any part that is specifically needed, but that would create more clutter;)
March 16, 2020
Loved it.
Fun easy read and rammed with real life practical suggestions.
She writes for real people and really kick started my much needed decluttering activity.
Brilliant. Inspiring. Implementable
Thank you Debora. I’m re-Reading to build my decluimuscles.
It’s going well 👍🙏
Fun easy read and rammed with real life practical suggestions.
She writes for real people and really kick started my much needed decluttering activity.
Brilliant. Inspiring. Implementable
Thank you Debora. I’m re-Reading to build my decluimuscles.
It’s going well 👍🙏
February 8, 2023
For such a simple book the take away is quite clear. Get on with it and start cleaning.
The book goes into slight detail about where to put black bags around the house but much of it is common sense. Really no brainer stuff.
The book goes into slight detail about where to put black bags around the house but much of it is common sense. Really no brainer stuff.
August 18, 2025
This was a very helpful book that gave me many helpful tips. She presented her concepts in very easy to understand sections She used some great quotes to introduce each new theme and I liked the narrator.
October 2, 2025
Peamiselt ei meeldinud mulle selle autori toon. Püüdlik pingutus olla vaimukas. Samas soovitused ja nõuanded on valdavalt kasulikud. Elu lihtsustamise ja minimalismi teemal on meeletult rahustav ja tähelepanu olulisel hoidnud hoopis https://www.becomingminimalist.com/.
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December 22, 2025I was not in the right headspace for this unfortunately. other than that it was average I think. Nothing new, but also easier to do than many other since there wasn't as extreme methods in this guide.
January 19, 2019
love this one - easy to read, great ideas & pictures - just need to get started now!
June 27, 2019
Sensible, fun to read organizing book. The author has a wonderful voice and good suggestions and critiques.
July 6, 2019
I enjoyed this and think it would have been helpful if I had been at the start of my decluttering journey. Didn’t enjoy the cartoons.
December 4, 2019
Basically, write down in a notebook that you want to de-junk your house and get on with it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews