Clutterfree

by Leo Babauta

Clutterfree is about creating more time and space by eliminating the clutter in your home and life. By understanding why you have so much stuff, you can start to let it go and enjoy the best that life has to offer.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Personal Development

66 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 6, 2012

About the author

Leo Babauta is a simplicity blogger and author. He created Zen Habits, a Top 25 blog (according to TIME magazine) with 260,000 subscribers, mnmlist.com, and the best-selling books focus, The Power of Less, and Zen To Done.

Babauta is a former journalist of 18 years, a husband, father of six children, and in 2010 moved from Guam to San Francisco, where he leads a simple life.

He started Zen Habits to chronicle and share what he's learned while changing a number of habits.

Reviews

[Emma Sea · Rating 4 out of 5]

nothing new or startling in here, but sometimes it's just really good to have a short and to-the-point reminder of why and how getting rid of stuff makes one's life better. I am inspired to tackle my wardrobe tomorrow.

ETA: six hours later I threw out 40% of my wardrobe and listed my XBox 360 and games on a local 'For Free' website. If no one wants them I'll take them to e-cycling next weekend.

I'm too scared to do my jewellery. I don't wear any, ever. but I feel such guilt for having once spent money on it.

And I have two of my grandad's indestructable hand-knitted sweaters. I dont wear them because they are wool, itchy, the wrong size, and so solid they could double for medieval armor, but they were my grandads. I'm kind of failing at the decluttering, here :(

ETA2: fuck. this is hard. suddenly i feel challenged to discard things that defined me 15 years ago

ETA3: okay, i filled one carton with books. I really have to get rid of my In Search Of Lost Time books, though, don't I? I've never read the whole trilogy, and at least part of that is because the 1982 pb translations are so bulky :( I bailed on going through the jewelery. Baby steps.

[Cydney · Rating 1 out of 5]

It does not deliver what it promises in the introduction - offering a very slight, superficial, and obvious analysis of "why you've collected the clutter in the first place and why it's so hard to get rid of for good". The strategies for de-cluttering are perfectly reasonable but nothing you probably haven't come across before. I found the tone patronising as I felt talked down to and found many of the statements ignored the realities of life in a small apartment. The final straw was the ending with the ridiculous statement that activities like carpentry, sewing, or art don't contribute to clutter.

[Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

While much of the information in Clutter Free will be old news for anyone familiar with the basics of the physical side of minimalism it's always good to reinforce such things regularly, especially when you're engaging in a lifestyle outside the societal norm. The book is also an excellent intro to anyone new to minimalism, being short on fluff and long on useful information and strategies to get rid of clutter and keep it from creeping back.

[Yoric · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm always amazed how "clutter free" and "minimalist" philosophy is much deeper and powerful as we may think at first sight.

At first glance, it's like: Ok you don't own your stuff, they own you. Get rid of what you accumulate or you may get overwelmed, and it feels so much better to live in a clean environment.

But there's more. Don't stop here or you may miss the deep down roots of the philosophy and why it's worthwile.

See by yourself:

"Did you expect your bed to deliver a great night of sleep? Did you think your computer would make you money?
We’ve assigned so much power to stuff, that it’s become a challenge to let it go.
When you let go of stuff, it may feel like you are letting go of hopes and dreams when in reality, you are making room for them.
you can not depend on stuff. You have to put your trust and faith in people, in yourself, and in God or the Universe."

[Joshua Tintner · Rating 2 out of 5]

A good algorithm to keep in mind during my move. I should have read it before I packed my stuff, but will be thinking of these simple but mind-organizing messages as I unpack and whittle down my baggage. I especially liked what she wrote about holding onto things because of past attachments and u fulfilled aspirations. Both of which are an impediment to living here, and doing (for me at least).

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book to help you declutter. It is full of how to’s on decluttering. Best book I have read yet.

Great book to help you declutter. It is full of how to’s on decluttering. Best book I have read yet.

[Dale Rogerson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A how-to book on how to reduce clutter and supplied a bunch of (American) places to donate your stuff. Didn't teach me anything new but it was a good reminder that I really, REALLY need to get rid of a lot of my stuff!

[John Bainbridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really useful, comprehensive guide, packed with wise, friendly, non-judgemental advice. All as concise and unpadded as you’d expect from two well-known minimalists. Helpful and inspiring.

[Marcus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read but not that much information.

[Mark Thornton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read, to the point.

Lots of good information in a concise, to the point format. Easy to use as a guide for decluttering. Recommend to anyone wanting to start the process of minimalizing their"stuff".

[Jade · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great introduction to the minimalist lifestyle and a brief overview of decluttering techniques. Useful for a beginner, or a timely reminder to those already accustomed to the ideas. For a more systematic and comprehensive guide, read Marie Kondo's work.

Best quotes in the book:
- "Think of ownership like a public library - we check things out when we need them, and then return them when we're done, so that others can use them. If we ever need something, we can always check it out again."
- "And in the end, you learn that the people and moment are all that matter. Everything else comes and goes."

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short read but really gets down to the nitty-gritty of de-cluttering one's home.

His rationales for parting with things that loved ones have given us are sound and struck a chord with me. Tips to empty one's junk drawer and the reality of parting with the pile of 'just in case' things really resounded as well.

Sections at the end include hosting a successful garage sale, lists of charities that take donations to re-purpose your discards and 'what next' on how to NOT fill up your house with stuff are great.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really good reader's digest version of how to become a minimalist. I have been slowly picking up speed with minimalism thinking and living, but this has fueled me to go just a little bit further. My only regret is not reading this at home, because it would be nice to read a section and then go clutter-out that room or area or surface you just read about. Good starting point for anyone wondering about a minimalism lifestyle and how to start.

[Delia Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great ideas

I have read many articles, newsletters and books on getting organized, but this book had new information and ideas I have not found anywhere else. Worth the short amount of time it took to read. I will be rereading and referring back to it as I work on decluttering my home and my life.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not going to finish this as I'm quite good on the clutter front anyway, however wanted to support Leo as his posts are so inspirational and have given me so much to think about over the time I've been subscribed to him

[Pieter van Osch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspirational book about decluttering your life. Nice principles and it leaves the reader the room whether to embrace these or not. It is inspirational but not a 'how to' document. So you may spark energy to discover more about minimalism and still wondering what the next step is.

[Amy Zmolek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great information for people pursuing a life with less junk, particularly for those beginning to think about this concept.
For an even deeper, rich understanding, I recommend Marie Kondo's book about tidying.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read, great info

I've been doing this already unknowingly and it's been incredibly freeing - however, looking at my own insights in Leo's words helped me see what else to get rid of and other areas this mindset can apply to. Great info.

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for beginners. Most of it is common sense

[Jens Wiese · Rating 3 out of 5]

To much Repetition of the Same Concept.

[Justin Banger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super straight forward tips and encouragement for getting rid of and managing your stuff. I return to it occasionally. Holla.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice

Although a short quick read, I thought this book had a lot of useful information on decluttering your life and becoming more minimalistic. I enjoyed it.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short read but covers the basics which are always good to hear again. Good for getting your head in the right space again for clearing clutter in your space or head.

[Jessi Payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Made a huge difference for me. Gave me strength to let go of many things I wish I'd given up years ago.

Jessi Payne
Writer
Facebook.com/JoinJessiPayne

[Claudio Olivares Medina · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a practical guide, very straightforward.