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Your Spacious Self: Clear the Clutter and Discover Who You Are

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it’s not just the piles of junk in your closet.
 
It’s also the nagging thoughts, endless to-do lists, and calendar full of obligations. It’s the fears and worries that cycle through your mind on repeat, and the sticky emotional energy that you pick up from the people around you. It’s the sense of panicky suffocation you feel when you contemplate all that you “have” to accomplish in a day, a week, or a lifetime.
 
For almost thirty years, Stephanie Bennett Vogt has been teaching the art of clearing clutter at every physical, energetic, mental, and emotional. Her unique “slow-drip” approach to clearing is a welcome antidote to popular binge-cleaning methods that leave you feeling exhausted and overwhelmed. With her practical tips and step-by-step guidance, you’ll learn how to identify the root causes of clutter, create a personalized clutter-clearing plan, and break the endless cycle of clutter accumulation.
 
Completely revised and updated with even more inspiring stories, helpful exercises, and insightful advice, Your Spacious Clear the Clutter and Discover Who You Are, 10th Anniversary Edition is the ultimate guide to transforming your home and life.

185 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 15, 2007

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558 people want to read

About the author

Stephanie Bennett Vogt

4 books23 followers
Stephanie Bennett Vogt is a leading space clearing expert, teacher, and author of five books. She brings forty years of teaching experience through her practice SpaceClear, which she founded in 1996 to help homes and people come into balance. She has taught her inspiring clearing programs at centers worldwide including Kripalu and the New England School of Feng Shui, and is the creator of several bestselling courses on DailyOM which have attracted over 300,000 participants.

Stephanie is best known for her game-changing and transformational approach to clearing and simplifying known as the Spacious Way: a proven method that releases the underlying causes of clutter, stress, struggle, and overwhelm for good.
Besides teaching, Stephanie loves tending her home, cultivating simplicity, and using her camera to find beauty in the every day.

Stephanie and her husband divide their time between Concord, Massachusetts and San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

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5 stars
80 (26%)
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95 (31%)
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28 (9%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
Profile Image for Stacie Vaughan.
22 reviews61 followers
May 20, 2012
I like self-help books and I have to say that I enjoyed this book. It was easy and fast to read and the concepts were explained in plain English. I like when things are kept simple so I can understand it better and not sit there and go "huh?". I actually had many "a-ha" moments when reading this book and thought it all really did make a lot of sense. I have a better understanding of myself and why I tend to hold onto things that I no longer even need or want. I see now how clutter can really hold you back and I like how this book explains how to change it.

I did a few of the exercises in the book and definitely felt a change after doing some of them. When I clean out a closet or drawer and finally throw stuff out, I really felt lighter and a positive energy shift. It's such a nice feeling to have and I felt motivated to keep working at my place, one room at a time. I'm still working on it, but I know its not something that can be done overnight.

This book is for everyone whether you are a pack rat or neat as pin. The author explains both physical and emotional clutter and how to rid yourself of both. I recommend you read it and see for yourself the positive changes you can make in your own home and yourself.
Profile Image for Julian Pecenco.
124 reviews3 followers
March 6, 2017
This book was not at all what I wanted or needed at this point. I was expecting a book on decluttering based on the title and description, and was actually very much looking forward to reading it. Instead, it was highly metaphysical, and each tiny chapter was essentially identical to the previous tiny chapter with a few words changed. It's probably great if you're looking for a book on meditation as it relates to decluttering, this might fit that bill.

I fully recognize the mental/emotional aspects of decluttering and how critical it is to address those of one is to make any lasting progress. Indeed, a book that doesn't mention the emotional side of decluttering is pretty much useless to me. Alas, this book had the opposite problem. It rarely actually mentioned the "stuff," making it very difficult to relate her concepts to the actually purging process. (And yes, I know it's "not about the stuff," as the author writes, but this was so disconnected from it that it lost all meaning for me.) It seems as though the book is a summary of her workshops; perhaps something is lost when not actively participating person.

Much of her method involves journaling. I actually use journaling as a large part of my decluttering journey, but this book still did not resonate with me. Again, it felt as though the same tiny chapter kept getting repeated over and over, and I forced myself to plow on adkept waiting to get to the meat of the text. Halfway through, I realized that clearly was the point of the book, and decided to shelve it.

If you are someone who is moved by metaphysical concepts, this method might work for you. I clearly need something at least a bit more hands on.
Profile Image for Rift Vegan.
334 reviews69 followers
March 30, 2014
I got this book because I am taking SBV's year-long class (A Year to Clear). I was thinking it would be a supplement to the "daily drip" lessons I'm doing. Unfortunately, I jammed thru the book so fast and skipped the lessons... well, I feel like I need to re-read, at a slower pace!

I must say, tho: I do like her approach and I'm trying to add a daily practice of clearing to my life. I am so happy for the opportunity of her year-long class!
Profile Image for Kailey (Luminous Libro).
3,553 reviews549 followers
March 14, 2019
I didn't enjoy this book as much as I thought I would. There are NO practical tips for decluttering at all. Not in the entire book. It's all about your mental and emotional state as you declutter. There are journal prompts and meditations and emotional exercises. The main theme is internal awareness, accepting your own emotions and corralling your thoughts. This is more about clearing the mental and emotional clutter, and it's relationship with your physical clutter. But there are NO actual tips about how to declutter your home or possessions.

I wanted more of a mixture of internal decluttering and physical decluttering, and this book was so heavily focused on the internal stuff that I lost interest. Some of the ideas about decluttering your mental space and your heart space are really wonderful! Some of them are common-sense things, and some are a little strange, all about energy transferring to our possessions and rooms.

The writing was also repetitive, saying the same basic concepts with a slightly different perspective or with a different example. So I got bored with it by the middle and end, because I felt like I had already grasped and understood that concept the first time and I didn't need to hear it two or three more times.
I didn't do any of the journal prompts or meditations, because I already have my own journaling and meditating practice that I do regularly.

Overall, a good book, but with a narrow focus.
Profile Image for Jen.
906 reviews8 followers
June 1, 2015
Looking for a bit of a kickstart to my de-cluttering mojo, I was surprised to find this book also held tips on getting rid of emotional clutter. While I couldn't be bothered to do any of the exercises, I did find it a useful tool in reminding me to be in my 'grateful' mindset as much as possible, and I found the meditation phrases to be helpful. Overall a good reminder to not get tied up in other peoples 'droppings' (highly charged stress patterns) lol
Profile Image for Lindsay.
320 reviews42 followers
September 28, 2018
I got it as audiobook and now that I finished it, I realize I actually need it as a book.
This book is about clearing the clutter but it goes beyond stuff in the house. It's also clearing your connections, your mind, clearing everything! The reason why I want it as a book is simply because I can reread some things. Every chapter has writing prompts too and in book form it might be easier to get back to these questions to journal them out.
Profile Image for Jane.
184 reviews1 follower
June 1, 2019
I abandoned this book. It's a shame because I liked it at first, but then it seemed to change course. I didn't like that it delved into metaphysical justifications for actions and had journaling and quizzes to complete. While I'm sure there are many for whom this would appeal, this science person didn't find it engaging. I much prefer "It's All Too Much" by Peter Walsh.
Profile Image for Chana.
1,631 reviews149 followers
December 8, 2019
Self-help is really not my thing but this book was different. I started it as an on-line course, then bought the book and worked from that. My first time through I actually moved house as a result. This time through there was a lot less to get rid of physically, but emotionally is a more difficult thing to tackle. I don't much like meditation and exercises on personal awareness, doing those exercises was much harder for me than the sorting physical possessions part. This isn't really a book you finish, the whole process is on-going. I made big life changes as a result of reading it.
Profile Image for Nicole Arthur.
7 reviews
January 19, 2020
The title is misleading as is the picture, this book is more around decluttering your mind from excess negative thoughts, emotions and energy. It is a great book if that is what you are looking for. My favourite take away. It’s not mine!
Profile Image for Sayli Desai.
13 reviews1 follower
June 2, 2020
A must-read, if you are looking for clarity of thought in your life. Super-beneficial.
Profile Image for Jia L.
15 reviews1 follower
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September 10, 2025
The writing style makes for a meandering read. I had skim through it so if there were gems, I guess I have to reread again.
Profile Image for Tim Larison.
93 reviews8 followers
November 14, 2015
Clearing clutter is a very popular topic these days. The National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) says on their website “The professional organizing industry has grown steadily in recent years as Americans and others all over the world attempt to gain better control of their lives.” In the midst of the wealth of advice on how to get organized comes a new book by Stephanie Bennett Vogt that gets to the root of the problem – “Your Spacious Self: clear the clutter and discover who you are”.

Vogt’s book is full of practical suggestions. I liked one chapter where she gives a game plan for sorting through all the extra stuff that you may have accumulated over the years. Vogt recommends sorting your goods in four main categories: “Stay”, “Go”, “Throw”, “Don’t Know”. She breaks down each category into sub categories. In the “Stay” category there’s a place for “Stays Put” things – “this is stuff that may need a little weeding and fluffing up, but it remains in the current home,” she writes. Another subcategory of “Stays” is the “Tolerations Pile” – “possessions that you want to keep that need fixing, finishing, or upgrading” belong here. Read Spacious Self for a complete description of the categories and sub-categories. I followed Vogt’s advice and it helped me sort through some unneeded electronics that had been collecting dust in our home.

Your Spacious Self is far more than your typical “organize your house” book, though. Vogt addresses the spiritual aspect of clutter. “We do not need fixing,” she writes. “The core of our being is not broken. We humans are simply out of touch with our true selves and out of balance. And by extension, our homes and world are out of balance because we are. Not the other way around.” She emphasizes the three “R’s” in getting rid of our physical and emotional clutter: “Clearing raises awareness. Clearing releases attachments. Clearing reveals a spacious part in us that has been there all along.” As I was reading “Spacious Self” I found myself thinking, “wait a minute! This isn’t just a book on organizing my stuff. There are lots of valuable life lessons here.” Emotional clutter is just as inhibiting as physical clutter, if not more so, and in chapter after chapter Vogt gives suggestions on how to clear this insidious type of clutter, too. Emotional baggage that prevents us from living a life of freedom and joy.

Each chapter has detailed step by step procedures to follow in a “Clearing Practice” section, followed by “Clearing Journal” exercises – questions to ponder on what was presented earlier in the chapter. Take the time to do the journal exercises and you will get even more out of Vogt’s book.

I’m still working on the emotional clutter that came to my attention in reading Your Spacious Self. “There is no replacing the wisdom that comes from living life in present time, embracing the shadow when it shows up, and entering each moment with innocent curiosity,” Vogt writes. Her book is a wonderful guide for releasing attachments to the physical and emotional baggage we all carry around. It is the best book on clearing clutter that I have read.

I received a complementary copy of this book for review purposes. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.
318 reviews6 followers
June 2, 2019
Een gezond tegengewicht voor Marie Kondo. Kondo is een rabiaat tegenstander van elke dag een beetje, Bennett zweert erbij.

Toegegeven: wat Kondo belooft is heerlijk, en het voelt bijna alsof Bennett ons weer vanalles afpakt.
Maar Bennett vind ik eigenlijk wel genuanceerder en daardoor bedachtzamer overkomen: rommel maakt deel uit van de menselijke conditie, en eigenlijk kan je je daar nog het beste tegen verweren door eerst en vooral een portie stevige mindfullness te introduceren, en te aanvaarden dat het soms serieus tegenzit. En dat de eerste reflex is dan rommel te maken en/of niet aan te pakken. En dat dat ombuigen naar een tweede reflex, stille doorploegen, tijd vraagt.

Enter elke dag een beetje. En meer van die saaie, maar behapbare, redelijkheden.
Profile Image for Cynthia.
1 review
August 9, 2013
I picked this up thinking it would be a book just about organizing, clearing clutter, etc. I thought, "Ok, I could always use some help with that!" But it wound up being so much more.

I love reading up on the principles of Feng Shui and, while this book doesn't mention those words even once, it really is about how getting the energy flowing in your home opens up your life for opportunity via attraction. The author is warm and endearing, and often humorous, and she walks you through one step at a time, so it is never overwhelming, even when you are digging deeper into your psyche than you had anticipated. Whether you think you need help with this or not, read this book with an open mind, be self aware, and your life will improve in some way. I can honestly say that this book has changed the way I look at absolutely everything, and it resonated with me with in so many ways, as it was a culmination of interests and studies of mine that previously seemed random and unrelated. It has opened my eyes and my mind and I just can't stop raving about it to friends. I'll keep it around as a reference for life.
Profile Image for Austin S..
7 reviews
July 29, 2010
A longer review later, but this is decluttering book that actual got me over the hump and I've been able to both implement *sustainable* practices and get more decluttering done in the last three weeks than I have in the last three years. This isn't "binge cleaning" reminiscent of diets (which all know by now do not work), but a soulful took at clearing space physically, emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually. I've even expanded the decluttering to social/professional realms and am anticipating mind-blowing effects. Many of the principles are not unique (e.g., only keep things you love or need and have a home); others are so simple (e.g., putting one thing away for a week) yet completely transformative. Making space is presented as a lifelong marathon and you are given useable tools to make space for your self and your soul for the long haul, not just for this weekend. I promise reading this will change your life. However, it may lead to letting go of things, people, and/or situations that you didn't even know didn't serve you.
Profile Image for Tami.
Author 38 books85 followers
March 6, 2009
You’ve lost your keys, again. By the time you manage to find them, you’re late for work. Then some jerk cuts you off in traffic. From here, the day just seems to get worse. Does this sound familiar?

When it comes to clutter, most of would prefer having a clean, organized house. We’d like nothing more than to find everything that we want, when we want it. The problem is that with the chaos of our daily life, tidying just isn’t a priority.

Your Spacious Self makes the process a lot less painful. It’s amazing what picking up a few papers or cleaning a cupboard each day can do. It’s actually quite freeing, not to mention much easier to find those missing keys.
Profile Image for Calantirniel.
Author 9 books30 followers
March 31, 2013
This is not your usual decluttering book - and that is good! There are many already done with practical things to do to move and sort "stuff." But not many address the underlying causes of why our "stuff" gets so out of whack in the first place. Stephanie's book IS such a work, because you need to deal with your "stuff" that is NOT physical as well as the physical. Addressing the "stuff" between my ears (and even hard-wired into my DNA through prior programming) reached core issues that I am still working on. I would like to see Stephanie do a "next step" piece, or how to move toward that physical "stuff" once you get it in your mind.
Profile Image for Nicole Mulder.
1 review1 follower
February 13, 2017
I anticipate coming back to this book over and over for refreshers on action items and food for thought. It's not just about how to clear clutter in your home or office, but also about why you have clutter in the first place. The book contains good exercises to help move you through the process.
Tip: It can easily be added to your light summer reading. I'd recommend starting the beginning of summer and tackling one section per week for 6 weeks.
4 reviews5 followers
January 4, 2018
The type of tome to revisit from time to time as a refresher. Offers practical strategies for balance and clearing both internal and external clutter. Loved the recommendations of self-care near the end, to include stimulating your senses, forming a clutter clearance support group, taking yourself out on a date alone once a month, small and steady approach to clutter clearance, and doing something that makes your heart sing daily.
Profile Image for Marilyn.
123 reviews
April 29, 2018
device that could illuminate the coiled-up mess of all of our attachments and a build-up of highly charged stress patterns over the course of a lifetime. The cumulative effect of all of these strings tangled together would be what I affectioately refer to as "Pigpen's cloud," after the adorable Peanuts character who walks around with his permanent cloud of dust.
Like with Pigpen, this clutter cloud goes with us everywhere we go until we clear it."
Profile Image for Metalpig.
54 reviews3 followers
June 14, 2015
Book is concerned much more with self-help, basically daily meditation practice, than physically cleaning/clearing. Frankly, I just wanted some suggestions for getting rid of my stuff and organizing, so I ended up skimming most of it. The KonMari book is probably more useful if you just need to get started weeding your possessions.
Profile Image for Mary.
18 reviews
July 23, 2016
You know when you watch Hoarders and they say the doctor met with the client and did some counseling before the show? You know how sometimes they show the doctor stopping and going through the emotions and 'stickiness' with the clients? THIS is what they are saying to them, showing them how to move on with their lives. This is how they make room to live a fuller life. This is good!
Profile Image for Danielius Goriunovas.
Author 1 book261 followers
October 17, 2016
Knyga apie minčių ir sąmonės tvarką. Iš lietuviško viršelio atrodė, kad daiktų.

Stilius: 7/10 (Vietomis kartojasi)
Žinių patikimumas: 6/10 (Jokių mokslinių ar asmeninių pagrindimų, bet žinios gana akivaizdžios)
Dizainas: 8/10 (Parašyta aiškiu mokykliniu stiliumi, tačiau šis stilius kartojasi ir nusibosta)
Profile Image for Sandra de koning-vd pol.
511 reviews11 followers
February 8, 2017
En zo eindig ik mijn opruimreis voor nu, met een grote grijns, los en gelaten. Loslaatlastig laten totdat het goed voelt en dat voelt het. Veel beter ;)) Een boek dat nog lang op mijn nachtkastje zal blijven liggen...
29 reviews1 follower
February 2, 2017
I think I would have preferred reading this book over listening to it. All the checklists were a little tedious. I did like the fact that the author includes all type of clutter - not just physical clutter. Better than the average book on this subject.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Mary.
299 reviews2 followers
October 26, 2017
I'm doing a daily read/journal thing on the subject of clearing the clutter in your mind -- so wanted to read this along with the daily stuff. It's good, but I wish I hadn't gotten the CD because I listen mostly in the car and can't write down the journal prompts at the end of each section.
41 reviews1 follower
August 28, 2018
Clear Your Mind and the Rest Will Follow

This book gives good advice for the person whose clutter is a manifestation of their internal struggle. Basically, Vogt gives advice on how to clear the mind and spirit to allow a clearing of the clutter to follow.
Profile Image for Skaistė Girtienė.
793 reviews132 followers
December 12, 2020
Knygoje daug pratimų, kaip įnešti tvarkos į savo gyvenimą įvairiose srityse. Skaičiau neatlikdama pratimų, tad sunku pasidalinti, kiek paveikė mano gyvenimą. Visgi kelis kartus skaitydama sustojau ir ėjau tvarkytis. Gal dar kada gyvenime perskaitysiu jau imdamasi užduočių.
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