Stuff Happens: Manage your clutter, clear your head and discover what's really important

by Emma Gleeson

Life is messy, and sometimes so is your space.

As a reformed hoarder turned professional declutterer, Emma Gleeson knows how easy it is to be overwhelmed by stuff. Stuff Happens! is her life-changing guide to getting a handle on your stuff and reclaiming your peace of mind.

Stuff Happens! is brimful of practical advice on . . .
· what to keep and what to chuck (responsibly)
· how to shop (especially if you struggle with a fast fashion habit)
· how to organize (however tiny your space)

Stuff Happens! is packed with clever room-by-room pointers and ingenious tips and hacks.

Not only that, it will change your relationship with stuff forever. By putting you, rather than some dream of minimalism, at the heart of the process Emma explains that it's natural to have stuff and easier than you think to stop it getting out of control.

Filled with aha moments from Emma's and her clients' lives, and fantastic tools for making lasting change, Stuff Happens! will transform both your space and your headspace - so that you can focus on what's really important.

_______________

'Genius! Stunning and thought-provoking' Laura de Barra, author of Gaff Goddess

'So well thought out, practical and personal' Emer McLysaght

'Simply brilliant. I find myself returning to it again and again' Hilary Fannin

'Fab! As a total hoarder and un-organiser, Stuff Happens! is what the doctor ordered' James Kavanagh

'Not just practical, I loved how brilliantly Emma explained the psychology behind so many common problems we all have in dealing with our stuff' Daniella Moyles, author of Jump

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help

256 pages, Hardcover

Published February 25, 2021

Reviews

[JMMurphy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This just wasn't my cup of tea at all and it wasn't what I thought it would be. I wanted a book about managing my clutter etc, but this is about body image and mental health and the environment. Had it been marketed as such that would be fine, but it's not clear that the vast majority of this book is about those topics. That said, the author comes across as a nice person and has been very open about her mental health issues. So I don't want to be unduly harsh here. And I don't want to cr** all over a young person making a go of things in the world. It's not easy putting yourself out there and writing a book. So I wish her every success. And if you want to read a book that is mainly focused on body image, mental health and environmental concerns and is packed to the rafters with quotes from other books then this is the one for you.

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is such an antidote to the Insta perfect trend of tidying and organising that you see on shows like Get Organised on Netflix. There's no big 'this will change your life' set of rules here but that's what makes it so good - it doesn't pretend to give simple answers to the very messy and emotional questions surrounding what we own and how we keep our homes. That said, Emma Gleeson has worked with lots of people to find storage and decluttering systems that work for them so there's loads of practical advice, examples and case studies. She doesn't say what will work for you, but she certainly gives you the tools to try and work it out for yourself. If you are already well-read on neoliberalism, environmentalism, fast fashion, body image and self-esteem then some of the information on those topics won't be new to you but maybe connecting those issues to the things you own and how to store them will be.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really informative, well structured and well thought out book about decluttering.

What I loved about this book was that it wasn't just practical tips for decluttering, although there was plenty of those, there was lots of advice about looking after your mental health while decluttering and chapters about why our homes are filled with clutter.

This book explored our relationship with stuff and consumerism in a really elegant and eye opening way.

At no point did this book claim to change your life. The message is clear, different things work for different people. There is no one sized fits all approach to decluttering.

The writing style was really easy to read. This book was very informative with lots of helpful tips and information I've highlighted for future reference. I also enjoyed the real life stories from clients she has worked with.

If you are looking to declutter your home in a sustainable and slow way while also trying to avoid new clutter entering the home, then this book is the one for you.

[Catherine Lonergan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptionally brilliant!

This book was such a breath of fresh air! What I expected was a book about decluttering. What I got was so much more; everything from sustainability to mental health to looking at our relationship with buying and owning stuff, all relayed in a really gentle and non judgemental way .
I learnt so much from this book, and I would highly recommend it to anyone.

[Karli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would love to have a tea with Emma and quietly express my gratitude for this book! We moved to Ireland in June 2020. I had four spine surgeries in 20 months and was in the hospital for five weeks with a wound infection. Then for giggles, I’ve “come down with” fibromyalgia. With the world ending (choose your own adventure here), it’s hard to keep from devolving into a cake-eating, isolation troll who never leaves their home and crafts new swear words while trimming their toenails.

Will admit that I went looking for a clutter-busting, quick fix and found a lifeline written by one with the crazy quilt career perfectly suited to get the job done! Then gentle hand-holding and thoughtful questioning will stay with me longer than another suggestion to use adjustable shower rods for hanging whatever.

Honestly, hooray.

[Jenni Holian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book. Very thought provoking, the writer has clearly done immense research, and it will surely lead to lasting, sustainable change in my home/life. It was almost too easy a read, I found myself racing through the book but then decided, taking a leaf out of the book, to take a more mindful approach of putting it down for a few days after finishing each chapter and giving myself time to think about it rather than race on to the next one. For me, the fact that I kept coming back to the book speaks volumes. It is such an engaging read.

[Jen Tidman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was not expecting a book nominally about decluttering to tackle patriarchy / feminism / the mental load, neoliberalism/ capitalism, climate change / corporate gaslighting, mental health / perfectionism, privilege, toxic wellness / influencers, diet culture / body positivity, and more - especially not whilst also being very readable. There’s a lot here to absorb and take in, but it’s very helpful and empathetic, and a good read alongside How to Keep House While Drowning: A Gentle Approach to Cleaning and Organizing by K.C. Davis.

[Vanessa (Nessreadsalot) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went into this book expecting some advice about dealing with clutter but it was actually more focused on our personal relationship with stuff, the psychology behind filling our homes with it and the environmental impacts of the constant drive for more. 

Rather than being prescriptive with advice this was more reflective. There are some great tips included without claiming any of them are the ideal fix all solution. 

[Helene · Rating 2 out of 5]

Going deeper than simply giving some tips on decluttering, this Irish author offers food for thought on topics like; root causes of clutter, advertising and consumer capitalism, clothing and body image, fast fashion, the paradox of endless choice, valuing what we already own, and respecting our planet's finite resources.

[Nicola Whelan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me a long time to read this book as I have another 2 books that I’m reading on the go and also I’ve been knitting and crocheting a little too. I could connect to the author in this book and found it quite inspiring. This is a good book and I’d recommend it to my friends and family.

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! So much research has gone into it, and it’s much deeper than a regular de-cluttering book. Great info, definitely one to keep to refer to.

[Kara Rowley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting

[Binnie ☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating: 3.5

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok and had a few good points. Not your typical declutter book, looks at the bigger picture.

[Irene Adler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, 6/5 stars.

[Ashen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it, I feel that this was more of a book on consumerism and modern capitalism than actually getting rid of physical clutter. I particularly liked the concept she touched on of physical things having a purpose and not demonising people just because they have a lot of stuff. So often in self help books of this nature, we are made, whether intentionally or not, to feel bad about keeping that broken mug you got when you were 12, or that dress that doesn't fit anymore.

Her main takeaway is it's okay to possess things, just be mindful of what you are buying and why (why keeping up with trends is bad, and wasteful, shopping sustainably), and also how you get rid of stuff( having a legit plan for the things you are getting rid of, finding ways to reuse stuff and responsibly getting rid of what can't be reused).

I also like the list of resources she provided at the back for further reading, it's a nice touch and I wish more non fiction authors (at least those I have read 😂) would do this.

[Philippa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Apparently, doing yoga and eating organic is something people do because they want to say to others ‘I’m richer than you’. 🤨