Sorted: Freedom through Structure

by Gillian Perkins

Whether you realize it or not, your home, schedule, and mind are filled with clutter. Perhaps you wonder why you often feel stressed, even if though your life seems tidy. Why do there never seem to be enough hours in a day? That’s clutter at work. Clutter is hiding in your home, confusing your schedule, and stressing your mind and body. You need to clear away the clutter and create a more organized life so that you are not constantly being distracted by all that stuff. You need to stop letting clutter waste your time and energy, so that you can instead use these resources to live and enjoy life! It’s time to once and for all reclaim that time as your own. SORTED is your guide to a beautiful a place where you have the time and space you need to think clearly, discover meaning, and embrace life. SORTED is the detailed system that will enable you to finally achieve order for your schedule, home, and future plans. SUMMON ORDER RECLAIM TRANSFORM ENJOY DETERMINE

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help

194 pages, Paperback

Published May 14, 2016

Reviews

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give this book 3.5 stars but rounded it 4 stars. This book is like a combination of "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up" (especially parts about deciding if an item gives you joy) with forming good habits and setting goals. The premise is to create a weekly routine that you can follow repeatedly so all the activities are ingrained (like brushing your teeth). When it becomes habitual to clean up after yourself (eliminating all the little unfinished things weighing on your mind), then declutter your stuff. When you have your schedule and stuff organized, then set goals for yourself (like read 20 pages a day to read more books and fulfill your goal of learning).

[Laura · Rating 1 out of 5]

Honestly, this book seemed more like the author was bragging/patting herself on the back than giving actual actionable advice. I didn't find anything helpful in it at all. The organisation of the book is extremely confusing. It would have been better as a blog post with all the anecdotes and life coaching left out of it. For an instruction manual - there was maybe 2 pages of instructions. Very disappointing. Glad my copy was free.

[Stephanie Sweatt · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you have never read Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, Happiness Project, Secrets of Happy Families, or 168 hours, there may be some useful information in this book. The author clearly believes in this method and I imagine it's what led her to publish this book. But most of the information could be covered in a web article. There was so much that was rehashed (and not always adequately cited). I lost count of the number of cliches. I would probably rate the book lower but I do appreciate an author's first attempt at success.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Marie Kondo's book last year, and I notice the similarities. But I found this book to be more actionable. I've started with phase 1 and I notice a huge reduction in daily overwhelm.

[Tess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Similar to other organising books, but the secret is always the same: less clutter and more planning create an easier, mess-free life. If someone ever finds another trick to magically solve every household problem, please share :-). This book however appeals me more then marie kondo's because this is more based on structure and planning. Only to find the energy to apply it to my daily life...

[Decluttering.The.Stuff · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing new

A combination of Konmari and bullet journaling concepts/ methods. Nothing new or enlightening. Repetitive. Glad I didn't purchase this one.

[Sathepine Marco · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book feels like 40% instruction and 60% encouragement. That 60% is working because I am very encouraged to apply the principles laid out in this book when my vacation ends. Although both my fiance and I are slightly organized and our place is not that messy to begin with - and we try not to have too many stuff at home as well because we move to a different apartment every two years - I still feel that there’s still a lot of clutter and a complete lack of routine. A routine is something I feel I personally need, especially in the near future, since I plan on doing a personal project in addition to... well, adulting. I think that this book will provide a great guide to achieve a doable routine. I can even start by using the author’s examples and tweaking it to fulfill my needs. I’ve been eyeing this book for some time now, and I’m glad I finally got it. And for sure, this won’t be the last time I’ll be reading this.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has concepts that are not totally new. Considering this was a best-seller, the book must have merit, right? The concepts have merit. However, the book itself needs more structure and a better step-by-step presentation. I will probably re-read this and take notes. I was disappointed that the book offers resources that don't exist. If you go to the website listed, it re-routes you to the author's personal website which is about starting your own business. The website doesn't have archived pdfs that the book promises etc. Very disappointing. It would be great if the author created a "workbook" to lead you through the process.
Fly Lady has a similar process with daily, weekly, and monthly routines. She leads you through them. Maybe I will go back to her.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think there are some good ideas in this book that I am going to try to implement. I think this has many similarities to "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up," which other reviewers have mentioned. That book just seemed a bit crazy to me. I need help uncluttering in a way that's not going to disrupt my life for days on end. So following that book exactly that's not going to help me. I think the most practical information here will be about the routines and schedule planning. A weekly planner also is a useful tool; I think she is right about that, and it's motivated me to pick mine up again.

[Cat Rayne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Is it a book about minimalism? Organization? Self help ( across multiple life demands) ???

Good information that seems to have been read before.

A lot of Kondo, Brian Tracy, FlyLady et al. Perhaps that is the good commentary about this book, it makes an ok effort to consolidate some of the best from the best.

It’s not a bad read, easy really...like Cliff Notes for organizing you life and space.

[Andreina Garban · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh well, not sure how I feel about this book. Maybe it worked well for the author, but I found it a little repetitive and somehow a collage of things that have been writing before. Marie Kondo's book is way much better and easy to apply!

[Marina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book and I am not even sure why! The content seems to be a copy of 3 other books that influenced the author, still told from her own point of view. However, I just love it as a product and want to read it again because it is so pleasing to me!

[Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one fell flat for me. Many items that were not relatable to me.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this could seem like a repeat of other books, I enjoyed her more everyday approach to decluttering. Other books have left me asking if my hammer brought me joy. This book acknowledges that there are items you need, but they may not make your heart flutter. I was particularly successful following her guidelines when it came time to declutter my closet. I also appreciated the goal setting section near the end. This seemed like a "whole life" approach for me

[Kara · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were some really great nuggets of knowledge in this book, but by halfway through the book I decided it wasn't worth it to keep reading. The structure of the writing seemed haphazard and the acronym SORTED was hard for me to remember and follow.

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book actually presents new ideas, or new to me, or maybe just presented in a way that makes sense to me. I'm still working on implementing it, but it speaks to me.

[Mitzi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is kind of like The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up and Fly Lady all rolled into one... I enjoyed it, but not a whole lot that I would consider new or groundbreaking...

[Felicia]

I've already started on these methods and I am liking the results so far.