Organizing for Life: Declutter Your Mind to Declutter Your World

by Sandra Felton

Paperback

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Audiobook, Personal Development

238 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2007

Reviews

[Natalie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This took a sudden and odd jump to religion. That really threw me. I barely finished this. What I thought might be helpful tips on organization and keeping your possessions to a minimum became a religious interpretation of what the clutter means. Very confusing.

[Huda Al-Anbar · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am not sure what the author wanted the reader to get out of the book,as it was merely a couple of insights and readings from the bible and nothing substantial to work with.No practical steps to organize one's life,more on the feeling or thinking of the perfect house than actual steps to get there.

The part were we got a read through the bible and concluded that it said nothing about keeping a clean home was a hot mess...

Better books are out there.

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thanks for another self-help book, Mom--I love these things. This is the first of the most recent trilogy bestowed upon me. Why did I read this? The book successfully provoked its intended change in me by making me feel so worthless I had to do something.

The reader is assumed to be a woman. I thought for a while that Felton's use of "she" and "her" when referring to the prototypical "messie" person was perhaps a feminist thing, that perhaps this is what it is like to be female and always reading "he" and "his". But no, there are plenty of points that make it obvious Felton's intended reader is a woman. Appendix B about messiness and makeup removed all doubt from my mind.

The reader is also assumed to be religious. I felt this was the case for purposes of increased sales.

The first part of any self-help book is the author convincing the reader of his/her authority on the subject. Some people have degrees or have done extensive research. Others have pulled themselves up by their bootstraps or have talked to a million people with whatever condition. Felton is the latter. She self-describes as "The Organizer Lady" and has written no fewer than 10 volumes on the subject! She continually advertises those volumes you are not currently reading throughout the book, including a complete listing before the last two chapters.

She knows the problem of messiness and lack of organization well enough, but there is something annoying about the sort of person she has in mind for me to become. She is correct that most of my chronic disorganization is self-imposed by my own mindset. An exploration of the various mindsets that lead to disorganization is the subject of Part I. None of it was really enlightening; I never thought, oh, I didn't realize I was thinking that way and it was manifesting as this or that. It was just extraordinarily soul-crushing to read page after page of anecdotes about dysfunctional people realizing all the while that she is just talking about me in a veiled manner and all the while reading about change rather than being change/doing something. Felton was successful in embarrassing me in front of myself and provoking me to some action.

Part II is her tips on how to change. She seems not satisfied in changing enough to cure dysfunctionality. I get the idea that I should not stop changing until I achieve some level of normalcy, and with that I disagree. Thus, the second half of the book was rather unbearable, especially considering that it is all rather obvious conclusions following from Part I, plus the female audience, religion, and advertising angles all get worse.

The worst part about it is that the book itself is an overflowing disorganization of material that could be boiled down to the length of a long magazine article. Has the author truly conquered her messiness to the point of authority?

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever started an organizational system and were excited about how it changed life...for a while? Then things somehow just went back to the old way and never really changed? I loved this book for that reason. It deals with attitudes and mentalities that get us into a pattern of disorganization in the first place. I like to think of myself as organized and blame my messie house on having 5 children and no time but this book showed me some mindsets that I have that contribute to the messiness and chaos. This book offers hope and encouragement.
The author spends the first part of the book talking about the thoughts, emotions, and even physical issues that contribute to a messy lifestyle. She deals with the root of the problem and not just the surface how to's. At the end of each chapter there are serious questions that really make you stop and think.
Don't think that if you are a perfectionist or are organized that this book cannot help you. I think the only people who don't need it are those who are at complete peace with their homes and the way their lives are organized. This book offers hope for peace in all areas of life and not just for your home. I really think it is well worth the read. I now plan to read The Messies Manual and implement the organizational techniques described.

[Erin Franklin · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm not Christian nor am I the feminine stereotype this book seems to assume anyone with a uterus is so I struggled to finish this. The parts of this book that I found at all relatable did not contain any new information or present it in a new and interesting/motivational way.

If you're looking for a book on decluttering that includes a section that looks through the bible to conclude that it doesn't actually say anything about keeping a messy house making you a bad person (cool story, bro), then maybe try this? But otherwise there are so many other books on the subject that you could try. For some of the same concepts about why we clutter I would recommend The Hoarder in You: How to Live a Happier, Healthier, Uncluttered Life by Robin Zasio.

[Cheri Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sandra Felton is INSIDE MY HEAD! This book gave me some amazing insights into myself and why I do (or don't do as the case may be) certain things. Less how-to than let's-get-to-the-root-of-things, it prompted some major paradigm shifts and has given me direction. And more importantly--it's given me hope.

[Elissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not a book of practical advice. It is more a book about motivations and ideas. If you have a cluttered home, this book can help you understand why and help you see a way out. It lead me to a better understanding of why I am the way I am and what to do about it.

[Lagniappe · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is long on explanations on why people are "messies" but short on solutions on how to change. I kept waiting for the payoff - but it never came. I listened to this while doing other things and it was pleasant enough, but I don't really think I learned anything new. Also, please note that the author is a person of faith and biblical references abound. I did not find this problematic but others may. In either case this book is not one I would recommend.

[Jo · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book will probably increase in star-rating based on your situation:
1 Star, if you are non-normative or male
2 Stars, if you're a normative woman in a somewhat progressive household
3 Stars if you're a Christian woman
4 Stars if you're a Christian woman with ADHD
5 Stars if you're a Christian woman with conservative values and ADHD/depression

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A different approach... this book focuses on the reasons it may be hard for some people to maintain a clean home. (There are not a lot of specific tips for getting organized.) I am intrigued by the author's approach and will read more from her.

[Steve Dustcircle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wanted to like it more, but I couldn't get past the returning to the religious. Some great material otherwise.

[Jenny Steytler · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book seemed so promising when I first started reading. The author begins by exploring the myriad reasons that people clutter or hoard, many of which resonated with me. However, the much hoped for suggestions for overcoming these problems never materialised. Whilst I understand that we need to identify our issues before we can deal with them, I was really hoping that the book would actually help me to deal with them. Instead of providing solutions, the author provides bible references. I’m not Christian, but I have no objection at all to references to religion. However, in this context, it wasn’t very helpful.

[Infowriter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a heavy-duty read. It's not about how to organize your house: It's about why many of us have difficulty doing so. A thought-provoking and sometimes disturbing read, it addresses issues such as self-esteem, alcoholic parents, attention deficit, etc., etc. Author Felton doesn't condemn; rather, she offers hope and concrete suggestions for the perennially disorganized and clutter-challenged.

[Jen (bookscoffeedogs) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing practical at all in this. And I too hated the reference to a keeper of a slightly disorderly house as a 'messie', just one more label tossed around as if the planet needs more of those. Usually when I try to inspire my children, the last thing I do is make up a name for them. LOL, imagine if I tried to motivate my highly creative, highly disorganized 8 year old by calling her a 'messie' from now until she left home. I would be footing a therapy bill.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Christian overtones throughout, but the discussion of the psychology of clutter is interesting. What motivates us to be messy? It's hard to not be insulted by the tag "messies" that she uses to refer to disorganized souls like myself who are seeking guidance.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good concepts, and great info on how things like ADD and OCD play into the messie syndrome, but slim on practical steps. I'm liking The New Messies Manual better on that front, and a lot of repeat between them.

[Geta · Rating 1 out of 5]

I managed to finish reading the book(that was a fit on itself)
at the beginning of the book, there are a couple of things you should take into account and maybe check out more, but otherwise I just wanted to smack he author in the head. I felt as if a self-righteous attitude was used when writing and the advice given is kind of non-existent.
it was implied that only women should and take care of the house, that if a man takes care of the household the woman should be grateful and consider herself lucky. that beautiful homes are only those put in order, that everything good comes from a clean house.a lot of advert for the messies.com site and her other books and at some point there is a sentence that says along the lines:"I am not going into details about clothes and whatever else, because it was discussed in my other books"(maybe I don't want to read those-definitely not now for sure)..there are just so many other things that rubbed on me wrong and made me angry.
oh..one useful thing was the fact that at the end of every chapter you had a set of self-asessment questions(not all of them making sense or thought in a way to help you think of your improvement though)
did it help me in any way? NO
maybe it can help others
I did learn one thing though. do you remember the Nike motto "Just Do It"? this is as far as I am concerned this book, a self-righteous way with a superiority complex way of saying it, just do it cause you are a failure otherwise

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listening to this audio book, I felt like that scene in confessions of a shopaholic movie where the self-help tape asks the main character a bunch of pointed questions about their habits and they denied denied denied - when in actuality they were being read to filth! This book definitely identified some ways of thinking that got me stuck in a cycle of messiness and had some good motivation and practical tips for decluttering. I listened to it while I unpacked/cleaned stuff and it kept me fairly motivated - I liked that it was short & sweet and the audiobook reader had a nice cadence to their voice. There was even a small q&a at the end of the recording with the author which was a pleasant surprise.

Now, that all said there was some weird religious stuff and gender role assumptions halfway through the book that was a little distracting & didn't apply to me as I was reading this purely for secular, practical non-gendered decluttering tips. It was a little off-putting which is why I knocked 2 stars off. That aside, if that stuff doesn't bother you or if you can put personal feelings towards that aside for a few minutes while the book takes that odd turn then makes its way back to the practical stuff, I'd say this is a quick, worthwhile audiobook read for cleaning/decluttering motivation.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book started out well by explaining why some people struggle to keep their homes organized and clean. I've read another book by Sandra Felton, so much of this information was familiar to me. However, the rest of the book was not very helpful. The author spent much of the book comparing messy mindsets to clean mindsets. Unfortunately, her expectation seems to be that the reader can simply change his or her mindset to a cleanie mindset. Many of the things she said that clean people seemed more difficult than if I were required to grow a tail! The last couple of chapters had slightly helpful tips, but I was looking for an approach, not a mindset or tips.

[Sarah Loewer Terio · Rating 1 out of 5]

Another book that begins telling the reader how messiness is a result of an issue beyond their control (brain chemicals, health issues, childhood trama)and then quickly shifts to blaming the woman for not being a good christian and wife. Wth?? The authors answer to the (author diagnosed) self hating woman is to hate yourself more so as to motivate??? Wow.
I started this book thinking I could gain understanding or some helpful tips for a loved one who has always struggled with hoarding. At half way through the book I put it down. I hope no one personally struggling with any messiness ever picks up this book. The author should be ashamed. Wow.

[Paige Rielly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ms. Felton shares that "messies" are a certain type of person, and if you picked up this book, you may be one of these people. Messies are wives who are failing in their duty to keep a spotless home. Ms. Felton shares only a few sentences of practical tips at the end of the book for organizing a telephone space and refrigerator. Otherwise, she spends the entire book dwelling on the ethical, psychological, and spiritual deficiencies that would lead a woman to such an unnatural and unhappy state.

If you want your daughter-in-law to never speak to you again, give her this book.

[Rachel Meyers · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you want to spend a long time diagnosing and dissecting what the author has determined are the thoughts of every different “messy person” ( authors constant soap box word) then this might be the book for you. If you enjoy the inspiration of some ideas or thoughts to keep you inspired to keep moving forward into a more organized space skip this book. My least favorite organization and cleaning / decluttering book by far. Just found it dragged with lots of air with very little meat.

[Eliz]

I’m on a binge of listening to decluttering and organizing books — whatever I can find though the library’s e-audiobook collection. I think I’m not the target audience for thus book, which approached home organizing from a Christian perspective and a mental health perspective. Also hard for me to listen to references to “messies” and”cleanies.” Part of it was the matter-of-fact narration, which lacked the compassion I imagine the author intended. This was a quick listen.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short look at causes & mindset so one can think through and change the thinking that may hold them back. (If you want a "how to" deal with the physical, get her other books or search for blogs. If a million articles on processes didn't change your situation, maybe thinking through this will reveal what really needs to happen first in your self talk and help you then be ready for the practical steps.)

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5
The concept here is great- understanding yourself so that you can understand the mess you make.
Unfortunately it gets smothered in religion, outdated notions i.e gender roles, and with the added bonus of fat-shaming, amongst other things.
The bones are here but I wish that a qualified psychologist had written this book and that it was actually more clinical, rather than some random woman who keeps talking about church every paragraph.

[Micki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not what I expected. Some good very generalized advice. No direct itemized list, rather this is a general "inventory" regarding changes to make for the unorganized "homemaker".

A word of caution - this is not a product of the "cell-phone" generation. There is a whole chapter on organizing a phone message center with advice regarding attaching a pen/pencil to your telephone. Items such as this are very outdated. However, on general advice it is plentiful - and a quick easy read.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book sparked some significant insights into the cause of some “messies.” It is not at all delicate in the way it addresses the problems and very blunt, but the truths are there. I don’t really understand what the author hoped for the reader to get from this. She pointed out the psychological problems under the mess, but does not offer a solution or particular system.

It’s outdated. Lots of time was spent with a system for writing messages near the wall phone, including a Rolodex.

[Becca Tillman · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I agree there should have been some sort of heads up about religion that was easy to see I actually really like the lack of a “how to”

Most books contain a step by step that explains how one persons process works, which I inevitably try and fail at and become disappointed that yet another didn’t work for me, I feel like this one is more poised as a way to question yourself and try to figure out WHY.

This book was way more helpful to me than any process book I’ve read so far.

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author makes the point that a cluttered home is a symptom of underlying psychological issues. Once you understand the root of the behavior, you can begin a holistic process of healing - one manifestation of which is a more organized and beautiful home (a full expression of your corrected and normal personality).

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was encouraging and helped me feel motivated while cleaning my home. I also appreciated the unexpected religious aspect which helped me contimplate the spiritual benefits of maintaining a tidy home. I especially enjoy the peace and extra time with my kids!
But I also don't think the book went into the detail I hoped for, thus the 3 star rating.