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Идеальный порядок за 8 минут: Легкие решения для упрощения жизни и высвобождения времени
Вы хотите навести в доме порядок, но чувствуете, что не хватает времени? Хаос выкачивает из вас жизненную энергию? Вы точно знаете, что чувствовал Сизиф, пытавшийся вкатить камень на гору. Не отчаивайтесь. Реджина Лидс, организатор и опытнейший консультант по созданию комфортного жизненного пространства, поможет вам. Следуйте советам, представленным в книге, и, тратя всего 8 минут в день, вы превратите свое жилище в дом вашей мечты. Используя книгу как непосредственное руководство к действию, вы сможете шаг за шагом, с радостью и вдохновением, изменить пространство вокруг себя так, чтобы оно воодушевляло вас, дарило гармонию и заряжало энергией.
244 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
106 people are currently reading
453 people want to read
About the author
Regina Leeds
17 books23 followersProfessional Organizer. New York Times best selling author of 9 books. Speaker.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
October 26, 2020
This is a beginners book for the inherent organizer who just can’t seem to find the time to get their shit together (I can relate).
Offering bite-sized projects, it’s aim is to get you to chip away at the clutter in your life and build a home you can feel zen in. The projects were practical and specific, taking the guesswork out of where to start in your home.
I appreciated that the author seems to have a good grasp on the psychology of organizing and concepts beyond the scope of the book on how to find more time in your day and how to find the energy to sustain yourself. Even though she kind of breezes over them, it added a lot of credibility to her work that might be expanded on in her other book (One Year to an Organized Life), which I’ve yet to read. If you read this and love it, but still can’t find the energy for 8-minute allotments, I recommend Make Time by Jake Knapp and John Zeratski and Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport as supporting resources to help you make the positive changes you’re after (both have incredibly detailed strategies and tactics to reclaiming time and living with intention – I highly recommend both). I think it all plays a part in what us committed organizers are trying to achieve long-term. It’s about a gradual lifestyle change, not just physical living condition changes.
The one thing in the book that rings counter to what I’ve experienced over the years is that the author suggests making a LOT of purchases right off the bat to help deal with certain spaces. I would caution that it’s worth having things contained imperfectly for a while if you’re just getting into this decluttering/organizing thing. The more you do it, the more you eventually let go, and the more creative you get with your spaces. Buying storage novelties too soon not only adds up in costs, but can actually trap you into keeping more things because you’ve purchased a designated “home” for them and letting things go would make the new organizing things you just bought obsolete. Storage “solutions” can be enablers if you’re not careful. Getting your home in order is a gradual process and usually involves a lot of trial and error. I realize the book doesn’t really focus too much on the decluttering aspect (to its detriment), but even acknowledges that it’s the first step in every long-term organizing solution.
It’s pretty clear from her descriptions of clearing out dry cleaning bags (from kids closets too!!) and the types of items she suggests for purchase that she’s used to organizing for wealthier clientele who are probably more interested in containing what they have than any long-term reduction of stuff. If you’re anything like me and most of the people I know, a large investment in storage solutions just isn’t practical (even though it’s tempting – yes I’ve watched The Home Edit on Netflix and I want all the beautiful organizing things). If anything, keep your purchases cheap (like $1 baskets cheap) until you’ve gotten into a good rhythm. THEN make the pretty organizing purchases for the things you’ve evaluated are “definite keepers” down the line. My personal favorites are these little crates Walmart gets every fall for their back to school setups ($1 and $3 price points, you can’t beat it). The cheap solutions let you play around with arrangements until you get it just right without huge cost. You can always upgrade later.
She’s also a bit delusional about the anal retentive nature required by all people who live in a home to tidy up after themselves every single time they leave a room. Now, I’ve been accused of being a bit obsessive about stuff like this in the past, which is all well and good, but even I can’t muster the energy to keep up the level of consistency she suggests. Believe it or not, there is actually a diminishing value of return on the efficiency that comes from staying on top of every menial task in your life. But that’s just addressing my own behavior. Trying to get others in the household to maintain the same level of consistency would not only be a full time, stressful policing job, but it would also be an effort in futility. You can’t control those around you – trying to will just wreck your own personal serenity. Chances are, if your household is cluttered, the answer is a healthy combination of decluttering (less stuff to manage) and an “in moderation” adaptation of the good habits she’s trying to convey in this book (because it is generally easier to get in the habit of picking stuff up as you go than trying to deal with a pile later, as long as it doesn’t turn obsessive). I personally do a 15 min power tidy at the end of the night to address all of these things, and usually I can get the people around me to help. Up until that point I’m just enjoying life.
I’m well past the beginning premises of this book, having been tackling the concepts and habits for several years now (and in the process, devouring every piece of literature and YouTube video on the subject I could get my hands on). So I didn’t get a lot out of it. Most of the areas mentioned were ones I’ve already been over dozens of times. Just for kicks, I did take a few of my areas next-level so I could feel like I was doing something new. Even though I select my clothes based on sleeve length in the mornings, I took 8 minutes and rearranged my hanging clothes by color. Based on my habits, it probably won’t serve me long term, but it sure looks pretty. I didn’t touch my sock drawer… some systems are just meant to be macro-organized (check out the Clutter Bug’s (Cassandra Aarssen’s) 4 organizing personalities on YouTube. Regina Leeds is great at customizing for micro/visual organizers (bees), but neglects the need of the other “bugs.” Many people need macro solutions, not just detailed, micro systems. I use a mix of both even though I lean more micro.
Recommendation: As I mentioned, this book is geared more toward the inherent organizer rather than the average person with a clutter problem. I really can’t imagine someone who hates organizing but wants to get their house in order reveling at the idea of spending time meticulously sorting their sock drawers (which is not a joke, that’s one of the first thing she covers). So I’d probably only suggest this to people who already have the organizing bug but would like a detailed road map on where to start and how to tackle it (with additional decluttering references unless the only aim is to contain what you already have better). The book does a decent job taking the brainwork out of the organizing areas of focus.
Books mentioned:
Offering bite-sized projects, it’s aim is to get you to chip away at the clutter in your life and build a home you can feel zen in. The projects were practical and specific, taking the guesswork out of where to start in your home.
I appreciated that the author seems to have a good grasp on the psychology of organizing and concepts beyond the scope of the book on how to find more time in your day and how to find the energy to sustain yourself. Even though she kind of breezes over them, it added a lot of credibility to her work that might be expanded on in her other book (One Year to an Organized Life), which I’ve yet to read. If you read this and love it, but still can’t find the energy for 8-minute allotments, I recommend Make Time by Jake Knapp and John Zeratski and Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport as supporting resources to help you make the positive changes you’re after (both have incredibly detailed strategies and tactics to reclaiming time and living with intention – I highly recommend both). I think it all plays a part in what us committed organizers are trying to achieve long-term. It’s about a gradual lifestyle change, not just physical living condition changes.
The one thing in the book that rings counter to what I’ve experienced over the years is that the author suggests making a LOT of purchases right off the bat to help deal with certain spaces. I would caution that it’s worth having things contained imperfectly for a while if you’re just getting into this decluttering/organizing thing. The more you do it, the more you eventually let go, and the more creative you get with your spaces. Buying storage novelties too soon not only adds up in costs, but can actually trap you into keeping more things because you’ve purchased a designated “home” for them and letting things go would make the new organizing things you just bought obsolete. Storage “solutions” can be enablers if you’re not careful. Getting your home in order is a gradual process and usually involves a lot of trial and error. I realize the book doesn’t really focus too much on the decluttering aspect (to its detriment), but even acknowledges that it’s the first step in every long-term organizing solution.
It’s pretty clear from her descriptions of clearing out dry cleaning bags (from kids closets too!!) and the types of items she suggests for purchase that she’s used to organizing for wealthier clientele who are probably more interested in containing what they have than any long-term reduction of stuff. If you’re anything like me and most of the people I know, a large investment in storage solutions just isn’t practical (even though it’s tempting – yes I’ve watched The Home Edit on Netflix and I want all the beautiful organizing things). If anything, keep your purchases cheap (like $1 baskets cheap) until you’ve gotten into a good rhythm. THEN make the pretty organizing purchases for the things you’ve evaluated are “definite keepers” down the line. My personal favorites are these little crates Walmart gets every fall for their back to school setups ($1 and $3 price points, you can’t beat it). The cheap solutions let you play around with arrangements until you get it just right without huge cost. You can always upgrade later.
She’s also a bit delusional about the anal retentive nature required by all people who live in a home to tidy up after themselves every single time they leave a room. Now, I’ve been accused of being a bit obsessive about stuff like this in the past, which is all well and good, but even I can’t muster the energy to keep up the level of consistency she suggests. Believe it or not, there is actually a diminishing value of return on the efficiency that comes from staying on top of every menial task in your life. But that’s just addressing my own behavior. Trying to get others in the household to maintain the same level of consistency would not only be a full time, stressful policing job, but it would also be an effort in futility. You can’t control those around you – trying to will just wreck your own personal serenity. Chances are, if your household is cluttered, the answer is a healthy combination of decluttering (less stuff to manage) and an “in moderation” adaptation of the good habits she’s trying to convey in this book (because it is generally easier to get in the habit of picking stuff up as you go than trying to deal with a pile later, as long as it doesn’t turn obsessive). I personally do a 15 min power tidy at the end of the night to address all of these things, and usually I can get the people around me to help. Up until that point I’m just enjoying life.
I’m well past the beginning premises of this book, having been tackling the concepts and habits for several years now (and in the process, devouring every piece of literature and YouTube video on the subject I could get my hands on). So I didn’t get a lot out of it. Most of the areas mentioned were ones I’ve already been over dozens of times. Just for kicks, I did take a few of my areas next-level so I could feel like I was doing something new. Even though I select my clothes based on sleeve length in the mornings, I took 8 minutes and rearranged my hanging clothes by color. Based on my habits, it probably won’t serve me long term, but it sure looks pretty. I didn’t touch my sock drawer… some systems are just meant to be macro-organized (check out the Clutter Bug’s (Cassandra Aarssen’s) 4 organizing personalities on YouTube. Regina Leeds is great at customizing for micro/visual organizers (bees), but neglects the need of the other “bugs.” Many people need macro solutions, not just detailed, micro systems. I use a mix of both even though I lean more micro.
Recommendation: As I mentioned, this book is geared more toward the inherent organizer rather than the average person with a clutter problem. I really can’t imagine someone who hates organizing but wants to get their house in order reveling at the idea of spending time meticulously sorting their sock drawers (which is not a joke, that’s one of the first thing she covers). So I’d probably only suggest this to people who already have the organizing bug but would like a detailed road map on where to start and how to tackle it (with additional decluttering references unless the only aim is to contain what you already have better). The book does a decent job taking the brainwork out of the organizing areas of focus.
Books mentioned:
December 21, 2012
Holy heck, why does this book have such low ratings? It's so helpful! The 8-minute bit didn't make a whole lot of sense, but I was completely sold on her central message: that being organized not only comes about by habit, it can be fun. I also love her 'zenness' and her holistic approach to calm and order. Best of all: she's not arrogant about it at all, and seems like a lovely and approachable lady I'd love to have tea with. (As far as personal development is concerned, I never say that about ANY other author!) Highly recommended!
August 10, 2013
This book delivers exactly what it promises: "easy solutions to simplify your life in your spare time." I have read countless books and followed even more blogs on topics like this, and this is one of the first ones I found that addresses the reader as a serious, thinking individual. I can't get through entire blog entries sometimes because I'm so put off by the feeling of "Aw, shucks! Your life is a total mess, but golly so is everyone else's!" No, my life is NOT a total mess, but that doesn't mean there's no room for improvement, for more precise organization and for what Regina Leeds calls "life tweaks," or habits that will help to establish order.
The approach actually does feel quite Zen, with a feasible emphasis on simplicity, not austerity. I highly recommend this.
As an earlier commenter posted, the author feels like someone you'd enjoy having over for tea.
The approach actually does feel quite Zen, with a feasible emphasis on simplicity, not austerity. I highly recommend this.
As an earlier commenter posted, the author feels like someone you'd enjoy having over for tea.
August 3, 2012
If it were as easy as she makes it, I wouldn't need to read the book in the first place. It's like telling a man in a wheelchair to run over there and jump here. ADHD cripples the ability to organize, and afflicted people need a whole lot more than is offered here.
The first project for a child's closet is to remove all the dry-cleaning plastic. Huh? What world does she live in, anyway?
I recommend "Sink Reflections" by Marla Cilley (Flylady.net), who understands her target audience far better, and gives advice even the most challenged can work with.
The first project for a child's closet is to remove all the dry-cleaning plastic. Huh? What world does she live in, anyway?
I recommend "Sink Reflections" by Marla Cilley (Flylady.net), who understands her target audience far better, and gives advice even the most challenged can work with.
August 11, 2013
What I like about this book is that it offers simple solutions that can make a difference in home organization without getting too wrapped up in the *whys* of mess. My feeling is you don't need psychoanalysis to get organized (though many books, including most of Regina Leeds', imply it). This is the "Just Do It" school, and that's refreshing for a change.
August 10, 2024
very action oriented and breaks overwhelming tasks into small chunks
September 10, 2015
Хорошая книга об организации пространства. Основная мысль - все крупные дела нужно делить на такие восьмиминутки, за которые не страшно браться. Мне кажется это все таки образно, и можно просто дробить на мелкие части. Отличная идея - выходя из комнаты, оставлять ее в порядке. Тоже самое, на мой взгляд, можно и нужно применять и к машине.. По крайней мере, мне) Очень много практических советов, вплоть до списка покупок вещей необходимых для порядка. Хорошие советы по наведению порядка в личных бумагах и использованию ежедневника, чтобы разгрузить голову
December 29, 2017
Regina Leeds break down the organization process into smaller projects and increments of time. There are no major secrets or crazy tactics revealed, however this book does make the daunting task of being organized seem attainable. If you’re looking for simple ways to make your home or office more organized, this is a great start to get the confidence you need. She also offers suggested tools and resources that are helpful.
May 13, 2020
I had higher hopes for this book, thinking it would give me more tips to help organize my house in ways that would be more practical for me, and while it was filled with tons of ideas, due to the limited time of having the book from the library, I had a harder time implementing some of them as they required more than just a change in organization, but more of a change in mentality and thought process.
I think this book really would be helpful for me with extended time. There were some good tips I was able to implement, so I did find the book useful.
I think this book really would be helpful for me with extended time. There were some good tips I was able to implement, so I did find the book useful.
April 10, 2023
8 minutes is abt Wht my attention span is 😁
March 31, 2020
Some useful thoughts on breaking up organizing tasks into small, more manageable chunks of 8 minutes. Not a lot of especially new or special info otherwise. I would give it 3.5 stars if I could, but I won’t give 3 for the sake of the author 😊
Worth at least a quick skim if the subject of organizing interests you, but won’t be an exhaustive resource.
Worth at least a quick skim if the subject of organizing interests you, but won’t be an exhaustive resource.
June 5, 2019
The best part of this book is the simple routines it gives you for keeping your house organized and clean. I haven’t made them a habit yet, but even doing them a little has made a difference in my house. Plus it inspired me to keep decluttering.
October 16, 2020
A much better strategy than those discussed in the book is to learn to live with LESS. It is the excess that creates the problems. Organizing and tidying can be a very zen-like experience if your space is not jammed full of clutter and excess. Work towards owning less than you won't need this book.
March 30, 2017
Great quick tips on organizing and breaking down each room into chunks. Some of the tasks take a little more than 8 minutes, but it still makes the task of organizing a home very manageable.
March 28, 2019
This book is how to organize when you have too much crap- the lists in here are seriously long and full of unnecessary stuff. If you really need to go out and purchase every organizing do-dad she suggests, you clearly just have too much stuff.
Things I don’t like about this book:
-The emphasis that you need to buy a bunch of organizing crap from the container store
-the idea of separating your paper crap into six other separate files in order to deal with it later
-the assumption that most hotels have robes for their guests, or you can just borrow one from from friends/family- uh no- I will not be borrowing someone else’s robe and if we are supposed to simplifying things for ourselves, do we really need a robe every time we are away from home?
- three pairs of shoes for a four day trip? And that’s paring down your suitcase?
Ugh- this book makes me anxious with all the clutter and excessiveness
Things I don’t like about this book:
-The emphasis that you need to buy a bunch of organizing crap from the container store
-the idea of separating your paper crap into six other separate files in order to deal with it later
-the assumption that most hotels have robes for their guests, or you can just borrow one from from friends/family- uh no- I will not be borrowing someone else’s robe and if we are supposed to simplifying things for ourselves, do we really need a robe every time we are away from home?
- three pairs of shoes for a four day trip? And that’s paring down your suitcase?
Ugh- this book makes me anxious with all the clutter and excessiveness
September 9, 2025
Leeds writes with understanding and humor as she provides 8-minute sessions to get a room or paper or crafts organized. Eight minutes is do-able--even if many 8-minute sessions are needed to clear and organize any particular area.
December 18, 2016
There were some good ideas in here, and i am going to implement some of them...but as I suspected, much of the advice was stuff I have heard before.
April 28, 2024
"Do you wish you could get organized . . . if you only had more time? Whether you're facing a cluttered kitchen, piles of papers, or overstuffed closets, the idea of setting aside a weekend to tackle the disarray can seem overwhelming. The 8-Minute Organizer to the rescue!
"In this simple guide, professional organizer Regina Leeds shows you hot to streamline your life in quick sessions. With hundreds of systems, tasks, and tricks -- from rapid closet rehab to dealing with incoming mail -- The 8-Minute Organizer"* Speed Elimination: limited time, maximum impact
"* Quickie: small changes that make a big difference
"* Basic 8: tasks you can accomplish in minutes
"* Ambitious 8: larger projects in short segments
"Leeds keeps you motivated with a fresh perspective, tips on the best organizing 0products to use, and easy routines to keep your space inviting. An organized life can be yours -- and momentum starts with just 8 minutes."
~~back cover
UI don't know -- perhaps I['m just resistant to organization. (And that['s probably true given that I'm ADD.) But it seemed to me that:
1. I already had most of the systems in place
2. This book wasn't written for anyone who has physical disabilities, or a family to share some of the burden.
I did come up with one system that I don't think she mentioned: working in a different room every day of the week:
So: Monday - kitchen; Tuesday - living room; Wednesday -- front yard; Thursday -- back yard; Friday: bathroom; Saturday -- my bedroom; Sunday: my office.
Friday was OK -- I cleaned the toilet and the sink area; rubbed furniture polish into the wooden medicine cabinet. Saturday: I changed the sheets on my bed; washed a load of colored clothes & hung them out to dry; folded the clean laundry on the hope chest. Sunday: I copied the recipes I wanted out of the 3 small recipe books I inherited; I wrote a note to my PCP reminding them that I have MediCal secondary insurance & to bill them; I got the books I'm reading/read input into the data system.
The problem is: the back lawn in 6" high and desperately needs to be mowed. I've got to get out & pick up the sticks & branches blown down in the wind storms before it can be mowed. I don't dare wait 4 days to get that done! So I'll be spending less time in my office and more time in the back yard. Hopefully the system will even out over time.
"In this simple guide, professional organizer Regina Leeds shows you hot to streamline your life in quick sessions. With hundreds of systems, tasks, and tricks -- from rapid closet rehab to dealing with incoming mail -- The 8-Minute Organizer"* Speed Elimination: limited time, maximum impact
"* Quickie: small changes that make a big difference
"* Basic 8: tasks you can accomplish in minutes
"* Ambitious 8: larger projects in short segments
"Leeds keeps you motivated with a fresh perspective, tips on the best organizing 0products to use, and easy routines to keep your space inviting. An organized life can be yours -- and momentum starts with just 8 minutes."
~~back cover
UI don't know -- perhaps I['m just resistant to organization. (And that['s probably true given that I'm ADD.) But it seemed to me that:
1. I already had most of the systems in place
2. This book wasn't written for anyone who has physical disabilities, or a family to share some of the burden.
I did come up with one system that I don't think she mentioned: working in a different room every day of the week:
So: Monday - kitchen; Tuesday - living room; Wednesday -- front yard; Thursday -- back yard; Friday: bathroom; Saturday -- my bedroom; Sunday: my office.
Friday was OK -- I cleaned the toilet and the sink area; rubbed furniture polish into the wooden medicine cabinet. Saturday: I changed the sheets on my bed; washed a load of colored clothes & hung them out to dry; folded the clean laundry on the hope chest. Sunday: I copied the recipes I wanted out of the 3 small recipe books I inherited; I wrote a note to my PCP reminding them that I have MediCal secondary insurance & to bill them; I got the books I'm reading/read input into the data system.
The problem is: the back lawn in 6" high and desperately needs to be mowed. I've got to get out & pick up the sticks & branches blown down in the wind storms before it can be mowed. I don't dare wait 4 days to get that done! So I'll be spending less time in my office and more time in the back yard. Hopefully the system will even out over time.
December 7, 2019
Не смотря на отзывы, что эта книга по типу флай леди, мне так не кажется. Здесь немного другие принципы. Я долго металась между рейтингом 3 и 4, в итоге все-таки поставила 3, так как некоторые вещи для меня не очень актуальны (например как разбирать бумаги, вроде нам их столько не приходит).
Из того, что мне понравилось:
1. В самом начале автор спрашивает: подумайте, а кого вы считаете привлекательным для вас из людей? А теперь представьте, что он (она) прийдет к вам в гости на чашечку кофе. Будет ли у вас время на бесконечные смс (соц.сети)?) Риторический вопрос...То есть смысл в том, что когда вы выполняете уборку, то не стоит отвлекаться на посторонние дела. Вроде бы и так понятно, но все же...)
2. Очень понравилось упражнение "Свежий взгляд". Суть в том, чтобы сесть в любой из комнат и посмотреть на нее глазами гостя. Что бы вы в ней поменяли (перенесли, убрали)
3. Огранизационный секрет: Наведение порядка не отнимает больше сил чем жизнь в хаосе. Вы просто перенаправляете энергию в нужную сторону. Пример: можно прийти домой, закинуть ключи (куртку) , а потом искать, либо сразу положить на место и потом не искать)
4. Есть несколько минут пока тушится блюдо в кастрюле? Не стойте, а потратьте на что -то полезное (протереть что-то), переложить и т.д.
5. Привлечение детей: некоторые мамы, пишет автор, словно прислуга в доме. Никто и пальцем не пошевелит, так как знает, что сделает мама. Другие мамы впадают в перфекционизм (лучше меня никто не сделает). И хотя это благие намерения ни то ни другое не есть хорошо, а нужно привлекать детей.
6. Подумать о том, чем мы занимаемся после сна и перед ним. Это периоды пиковой активности, то есть когда одна минута либо потрачена безрассудно либо нет.
Из того, что мне понравилось:
1. В самом начале автор спрашивает: подумайте, а кого вы считаете привлекательным для вас из людей? А теперь представьте, что он (она) прийдет к вам в гости на чашечку кофе. Будет ли у вас время на бесконечные смс (соц.сети)?) Риторический вопрос...То есть смысл в том, что когда вы выполняете уборку, то не стоит отвлекаться на посторонние дела. Вроде бы и так понятно, но все же...)
2. Очень понравилось упражнение "Свежий взгляд". Суть в том, чтобы сесть в любой из комнат и посмотреть на нее глазами гостя. Что бы вы в ней поменяли (перенесли, убрали)
3. Огранизационный секрет: Наведение порядка не отнимает больше сил чем жизнь в хаосе. Вы просто перенаправляете энергию в нужную сторону. Пример: можно прийти домой, закинуть ключи (куртку) , а потом искать, либо сразу положить на место и потом не искать)
4. Есть несколько минут пока тушится блюдо в кастрюле? Не стойте, а потратьте на что -то полезное (протереть что-то), переложить и т.д.
5. Привлечение детей: некоторые мамы, пишет автор, словно прислуга в доме. Никто и пальцем не пошевелит, так как знает, что сделает мама. Другие мамы впадают в перфекционизм (лучше меня никто не сделает). И хотя это благие намерения ни то ни другое не есть хорошо, а нужно привлекать детей.
6. Подумать о том, чем мы занимаемся после сна и перед ним. Это периоды пиковой активности, то есть когда одна минута либо потрачена безрассудно либо нет.
February 17, 2022
This book was okay- it had some helpful tips, but some tips and comments just made me laugh out loud with how strange and dated they were. The author suggested that one option for storing your handbags is to put tissue paper in a ziploc bag and then put the ziploc bag in your handbag so that it will stand upright and then you can take the ziploc bag out when you want to change handbags. It's hilarious that she assumes that enough people have multiple handbags to dedicate several whole paragraphs to it.
She also said at one point that she'd never been in a home that didn't have a good set of china for special occasions. Seriously!? I don't know if I've ever been in a home that DID have a good set of china, at least not in this century, and who even cares about nice dishes in 2022? It just seemed quite dated.
I also thought she minimized the difficulty of doing some of these things sometimes, almost scolding the reader like see? It wasn't so hard. Without taking into consideration that some people live alone and have a chronic illness, or work a lot of hours to make ends meet.
There were definitely some good tips in here but overall I don't particularly recommend the book.
She also said at one point that she'd never been in a home that didn't have a good set of china for special occasions. Seriously!? I don't know if I've ever been in a home that DID have a good set of china, at least not in this century, and who even cares about nice dishes in 2022? It just seemed quite dated.
I also thought she minimized the difficulty of doing some of these things sometimes, almost scolding the reader like see? It wasn't so hard. Without taking into consideration that some people live alone and have a chronic illness, or work a lot of hours to make ends meet.
There were definitely some good tips in here but overall I don't particularly recommend the book.
June 8, 2018
This is a great book for people who like to check all the boxes. She gives you a lot of boxes to check! Leeds breaks down each room into a series of 8-minute tasks. Larger projects are broken down into several 8-minute sections and then there are quickies that are shorter than 8 minutes.
I would give this book 3.5 stars honestly. It's not that I don't think her advice is good, it's that she's very bossy. She says at one point that if you can't get rid of your stuff you should see a therapist because you have issues. I agree with her but her delivery is almost combative.
If you like a book that says 'go here, do this, then when you're done, go over there and do that' you'll really like this book.
I would give this book 3.5 stars honestly. It's not that I don't think her advice is good, it's that she's very bossy. She says at one point that if you can't get rid of your stuff you should see a therapist because you have issues. I agree with her but her delivery is almost combative.
If you like a book that says 'go here, do this, then when you're done, go over there and do that' you'll really like this book.
July 24, 2022
This is my second book by this author that I’ve decided not to finish. Her organization methods are overly cumbersome and frequently encourage shopping. One example: she talked about replacing all of your metal hangers with wood or slim coated hangers. She said this can be a time consuming project so set aside several hours or hire someone to do it for you. Better idea that I got from Dana K. White: put your new hangers in your laundry room. When you hang your clean clothes, use the new hangers. The bonus is that after a month you can easily see which clothes in your closet you don’t wear and can quickly decide what you should donate. No major time involved and your closet gets a spring cleaning.
I recommend skipping this one.
I recommend skipping this one.
February 19, 2023
Short little read but not all that inspired. I got a few good tips, but maybe my house/life was not as in much of a mess as I thought it was. The Container Store got a ton of play, though. Wow! As a greenie, all. that. plastic. makes my heart hurt. There are better stainless steel, aluminium, glass, and natural options than "grid totes" and acrylic bins. They will ultimately break, scratch, or discolor and will just get tossed, then of course, repurchased. Use some of these helpful hints (there are a few) to get organized, but look for sustainable alternatives to zip lock baggies, acrylic vanity trays, and plastic buckets. An organized home is nice, but a environmentally friendly, organized home is the best. You'll feel good about your space in more ways than one.
March 21, 2018
This is a great book for everyone who wants to get organized and gets flustered about how bad they are at it. In fashion of her One Year to an Organized Life, Regina Leeds breaks down the basics of finding homes for the clutter in your home and how to relieve your home from unnecessary possessions. I also like the quotes she uses to preface each section. The exercises in this book are simple, timed, and broken down so that even the most daunting task seems manageable.
I'd recommend this to teenagers getting ready for college and new home owners/apartment renters. Basically, I think most adults can benefit from this book. Also, I think I'm a Regina Leeds fan girl now.
I'd recommend this to teenagers getting ready for college and new home owners/apartment renters. Basically, I think most adults can benefit from this book. Also, I think I'm a Regina Leeds fan girl now.
July 4, 2025
Logical method to cleaning, purging, organizing any room in your home. A great reference book
Memorable quotes:
- I followed the same three steps - eliminate, categorize, and organize - no matter what the project
- Until we respect all work, paths, and contributions without judgment as to their importance, we cannot be whole
- Who looks outside, dreams; who looks within, awakens.
- 1. Preparing for change You begin work on your home, work on your dream board or mind map for 8 minutes a day
- 5. Paper Clutter Minutes You can be flexible for family emergencies, but in an emergency occurs every day at the time you have set aside to work, you need to deal with the underlying fear
Memorable quotes:
- I followed the same three steps - eliminate, categorize, and organize - no matter what the project
- Until we respect all work, paths, and contributions without judgment as to their importance, we cannot be whole
- Who looks outside, dreams; who looks within, awakens.
- 1. Preparing for change You begin work on your home, work on your dream board or mind map for 8 minutes a day
- 5. Paper Clutter Minutes You can be flexible for family emergencies, but in an emergency occurs every day at the time you have set aside to work, you need to deal with the underlying fear
March 25, 2018
I found The 8 Minute Organizer to be very helpful and encouraging Not only did it take you room-by-room through the house, but it also broke the organization of each room down to managable 8 minute time increments. Author Rebina Leeds' tips on how to organize each area were "doable" if you put your mind to it. Breaking each area down into managable 8 minute increments helps to tackle the elephant-sized task that overwhelms so many. I have started and am excited to complete each room.
January 29, 2020
As a fan of the concept of breaking things into smaller tasks, I liked that this book was chock full of quick and do-able ideas for organizing every room of your home...piece by piece There were a couple of things I skipped past, simply because they did not apply for me. However, the overall message that "tidying-up" and organizing are very different things that have very different results is a good one.
April 17, 2020
Good overall message: you can split cleaning tasks into 8 minute chunks. Provides a menu of ways to fill those 8 minutes. Also some decent parenting advice about how to engage kids in the process.
But (1) makes strong assumptions about home layout (and implicitly the reader’s socioeconomic status), and (2) doesn’t give concrete advice on how to keep the habit up for 21 days when life happens. The second has been my biggest issue with most books in this genre.
But (1) makes strong assumptions about home layout (and implicitly the reader’s socioeconomic status), and (2) doesn’t give concrete advice on how to keep the habit up for 21 days when life happens. The second has been my biggest issue with most books in this genre.
October 26, 2020
She starts out by saying people too often mistake tidying up with getting organized. Then she proceeds to spend most of the book advising us about how to tidy up. When she does get to the point of teaching some organizational skills, much of it involves long lists. In book form, that might work. I would have skimmed over these lists and determined if they would work for my purposes. In an audio book...horrors!
June 7, 2024
This book is exactly what it says it is, an ORGANIZING book. This is not a cleaning and dejunking or minimalism book. There are ALOT of 'buy this to organize your stuff' recommendations. There were so many recommendations of items that could be purchased at the Container store I started to wonder if the author was getting paid by the store. It also would be super expensive to buy all the recommended items. This book's avatar appears to be more affluent people.
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