Let Go of Clutter

by Harriet Schechter

Almost everyone struggles with clutter. Overflowing desks at work…overstuffed closets and piles of mail at home…overwhelmed minds all the time.… No wonder so many people say they are “drowning in clutter.” In Let Go of Clutter, organizing expert Harriet Schechter presents a fresh approach to overcoming the natural urge to accumulate objects and information. Dispensing equal doses of help, hope, and humor, she provides effective and realistic options for anyone who juggles too much stuff, too many decisions, and too little time. Featuring the innovative insights and time-tested techniques that have already helped thousands of Schechter’s clients and seminar attendees worldwide, Let Go of - Shows how to shed sentimental stuff without fear of regret - Provides easy-to-use forms and checklists that help readers decide what to jettison and what to keep - Includes action plans with systems for conquering all types of clutter―past, present and future

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help

193 pages, Paperback

First published December 4, 2000

Reviews

[Brian Cluster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written in 2001 this book by Harriet Schechter still resonates today. The book is well written. Ms. Schechter was a writer and editor before this and was known as one of the leaders in the field.

Although I am not passionate about cleaning and decluttering it is a topic and potential problem that can negatively impact anyone's life and livelihood. The book contains a range of valuable lists, tips and key learnings that are key for anyone trying to improve in this area.

One of my favorite exercises in the book helps clutterers become more selective. In this exercise you list a category of items and then write out the characteristics of your favorite things that currently fit that category. This defining elements table essentially creates a quality standard or filter for anything that you want to add to the category or anything you want to filter out.

Example: Jeans- I like relaxed blue jeans that fit well but are not too tight (skinny) jeans so I can wear them for a variety of situations and dress them down or up. This definition may help filter out bell-bottoms, green jeans, tight fashionable jeans for your future purpose. Now, just replace this definitional exercise for other categories that need help in your life.

Great book. Highly recommended for anyone dealing with this issue. I rate it a five because it provides complete coverage of the topic and the author is successful in making this topic somewhat interesting.

[Jendi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very simplistic book in understanding the cause of clutter, how to manage your existing environment and preventing future build ups. Fast easy read. Good for motivation. Not good for folks with serious pack rat syndromes.

[Cindee]

I should put this book with the other clean clutter books that are cluttering up my shelves.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't have a major clutter problem, but need help letting go. Enjoyed her book over all and will donate it.

[Annburnett · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book to get help you get motivated in decluttering again!

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dated but still great, lots of solid advice regarding decluttering. Easy to digest.

[Unwisely · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe this book just wasn't what I really needed. (Or maybe it was, I went ahead with a Stuff Rearranging Project whilst reading it.) This is *not* an organizing book - it's more about how to deal with Stuff. There's some reasons for clutter stuff, some advice on that, on lists, on how to attack the problems. So, not bad, just not quite as earth-shattering for me as some organizing books have been. I think my take-away was her point that life is 90% maintenance stuff; you can't just organize once and then be done, it requires continual effort.

[Mynette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I've finished reading the book, I would like to go through it again. I have appreciated a lot of her ideas that I would really like to try. Her lists and tables would be a great help and I fully appreciate those!

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a huge help. Her approach includes a way to rethink the importance of the STUFF that we hold on to and has us question why. Change comes from a different way of thinking and perceiving.

[Kr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some useful ideas, some lame humor. I found the section on how long to keep documents very helpful.

[LJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now . . . if I will just DO it!

[Gail Alderman · Rating 3 out of 5]

enjoyed the ideas. hopefully i will remember some on my own journey to be clutter freer!