From Clutter to Clarity: Clean Up Your Mindset to Clear Out Your Clutter

by Kerri Richardson

Reclaim your space, inside and outWhen you look at the clutter in your home, does it feel like you need an excavator to find the calm beneath the chaos? Do you try again and again to implement sustainable organizational systems without any success? Does the reason for your clutter always seem to come down to too little time or not enough space? If so, the time has come to look at the clutter beneath the clutter--the fears, doubts, and energy drains that are the true culprits of the muck.In the follow-up to her Wall Street Journal best-selling book What Your Clutter Is Trying to Tell You, decluttering expert, lifestyle designer, and coach Kerri Richardson helps you the three core causes of clutter and how they directly manifest in specific rooms and forms of clutterUse practical and actionable exercises to clear out your clutter hot spotsReclaim your personal space for the thoughts, things, and people in your life that are important to youWhether you are tackling perfectionism, procrastination, or toxic relationships, Richardson's straightforward advice will help you to finally clear those stubborn stacks, piles, and boxes for a clean start, with a wealth of space for your freedom and happiness to grow.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Reference, Audiobook

179 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 29, 2020

Reviews

[Sara Budarz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit of a quirky take on clutter, but one I liked, in which she was willing to discuss the fact that our external clutter is most often caused by internal clutter. So the book really focused on three areas: limiting beliefs we have about ourselves and the world (any statement about what you are like, have always been like, are not good at, etc or also the idea that if we give something away, we are ungrateful or a bad friend, etc), unrealistic expectations (the idea that if we can't do it perfectly, we shouldn't do it), and a need for boundaries.

Some was a bit odd, but at the same time, there was a lot of wisdom there and I have to agree that so often, when you listen to the deeper why of why people keep the things they do, it sounds like a therapy session waiting to happen, about past dreams that never came to pass or future anxiety and needing to be ready for anything.

Some notes I took:

It takes longer to dread something than to do something.
Small steps, consistently, get you to where you want to be. Some progress is better than no progress.
Listen to your internal resistance: what is it telling you?
Are you keeping things more out of guilt than joy?
Listen to the language you use to talk about yourself. What are you telling yourself about who you are or could be?
For each week, identify the one thing that is your game changer - the thing that, if done, would move you forwards.

[Courtenay · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a while to get through this as several things had to align to finally goad me into action. Tip: there's a very helpful cheat sheet in the back of the book which points directly to which chapters are going to be most helpful -- once I found those, I tore through the rest voraciously. I am now ready to tackle clutter using the KonMari method whereas before seeing Richardson's book I always got stuck on the "papers in the office" and emotional baggage -- Richardson provides the tools for clearing the WHYS so that I can deal with the WHATS. Thanks Kerri!

[RedGhost · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, this was exhausting. Goes significantly deeper into reasons for clutter and self analysis than the first one. I read second because I expected more actionable tips, but it ended being even more analytical.

I wouldn't say this is a how-to book for decluttering your possessions. So if you're looking for something like that, skip this one. Not because you won't get here any advice, but because here you'll work mostly on psychological aspects and understanding, which might be completely overwhelming. This book is best as your fifth or so book, when you're already into decluttering and doing it all over the place, but some spots just keep being messy or postponed.
Ok, or maybe as your 10th book. From deep analysis about physical clutter I definitely read it too soon in my journey.

Also, it is great for decluttering relationships, and that part takes significant amount of pages. Title doesn't feel like 'warning' you what's behind the covers.

Good reminder that people can't read your thoughts and if you don't tell them what behaviour you don't like and won't tolerate from them, there's actually zero chance they'll get it, no matter how 'logical' you think the thing in question is.

I didn't look into book for repairing relationships right now, since I'm more focused on the physical clutter itself, but nevertheless it helped me see things from different perspective and make new steps in one relationship. We'll see how it goes.

Anyhow, book is good, but really overwhelming. Thread carefully and leave it aside if it's too much. I didn't, because curiosity killed the cat, but I definitely didn't get all I've could from this book now, so I guess I'll have to reread it sometime later to get the most out of it.

I feel drained and not giddy to do some work after reading it, that's why 3 stars. Changing mindset isn't easy, and I'm not sure if I yet know in which direction I'd like to go. I came to get tips for easy decluttering, and got heavy weight psychological analysis which left me with more questions than answers at this point of time.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful with the emotional side and ways to work through what’s keeping us stuck with more of or different than what we really need and want, as well as strategies for getting the clearing out done.

[Emkoshka]

Abandoned on 2 April 2o22 at p. 52

I've read lots of books on decluttering and sorting and I had high hopes that this random pick would give me some structure for sorting 20+ years worth of stuff in a family home before we move. But it's mostly about the psychology of clutter, and when the author started harping on about weight as clutter, toxic relationships and journalling, I gave up on waiting it out for practical tips. This will appeal to a particular kind of woman, and I'm definitely not it.

[Jess Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't stop here read to her other book

I began the journey of clutter clearing with Denise Linn during a past life workshop. Since then I read the first book in this series called: What your clutter is trying to tell you. I eliminated a lot of stuff from my life. Recently when I decided to sell my house to clear people from my life I read Simplify your Life. All of these books were great! In this book the author helps to explain why I sold my house to get rid of people.

I had people in my life who needed to go and refused! So, I sold my house and they were forced to move on. Yes, change is painful and I'm sure they didn't like it while I did. I didn't realize the changes coming into my life since making that decision. When I moved into my first apartment ever it took two truck loads to get it all here. Then I worked through all the lessons and it began to leave. First the obvious stuff. Second I had three bins (keep, kick, maybe). Third I moved to 30 days, 60 days, 90 days or get rid of it! I managed to get the amount of stuff down in my apartment where I could downsize to a tiny house at this point in time except my cats would be upset with me!

Even the cats weren't safe when it came to clutter clearing! 12 cats are nice when you have 2,000 square feet. Some of the cats moved on from this vibratory level. Others found new homes and a few remain until they decide they've had enough of this vibratory level. Really three is still too many for a tiny house.

Going through this book I began to set clear boundaries and found it hard to keep to them. I read the book: Setting Boundaries will set you free. This helped along with getting rid of stuff and not replacing it. Eventually people have come to understand I want a simple life and no drama! Going through the lessons in this book really helped. Having a PDF version of this book helped as well. It's hard to pause a book multiple times to write down a question!

In the coming weeks I will move again to a new apartment and a new state. I feel I'm finally ready to move on with my life! Part of this is as the author points out who are the 5 people closest to you and you see yourself (or close enough). In this case I have to find new people and go from there. I feel it will serve me well!

Do the lessons in the book and see how things go!

[Ian M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing short of extraordinary.

Well thought out and complex stuff that is put simply. I've read from this author before and was happy to read a whole new approach from her. It will really get you interested in the subject (and related subjects). There's a lot to gain from this one, but I also recommend her other book, I think it's titled "What your clutter (or stuff?) is trying to tell you."

[Bryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not what was expected. As someone has probably already stated, this is not a book about your actual clutter and steps to take to clean up. It’s more of the reason you have the clutter. Makes sense you need to get to the root of the problem for a full resolution. Understanding yourself will go a long way to determine why you have clutter and confronting that head-on will help you change your ways (hopefully). One word. Introspection.

[Robert Sutherland · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you see a messy house, jungle of a yard, a car used as a storage closet, or a disorganized pile of papers, you would correctly think that is clutter and should be addressed. Most organization books have a variation of "make three piles--keep, give away, trash." That's what I was expecting from Kerri Richardson's book on clutter clearing, but that is not what I got--and I wasn't disappointed.

Instead of dealing with the how to, Richardson digs into the why of clutter...for the clutter under the clutter. What type of clutter is it--simple (anyone with time and motivation can get this done), or stubborn--this is probably what you have that either won't go away or keeps coming back. What Richardson does is uncover the "why" behind the mess.

Foundationally, your complex clutter is caused by unrealistic expectations, lack of boundaries, or limiting beliefs. She expounds on these at length. Unrealistic expectations include perfectionism and procrastination (tomorrow will be a better day to tackle this).

She says as you dig, you can use clutter as a tool for transformation. When you understand the why and address it, your future self will be in a better place and be able to make lasting change or more successfully address the often inevitable return of certain types of clutter.

I always thought of clutter as piles and a mess. She says that is part of it, but clutter can be things as well as thoughts or people.

While light on techniques, her favorites are journaling to get to the root, and pomodoro sessions to make incremental progress.

Sometimes I read a book and think "this added nothing to the world, why was it even written?" Not so with this one. This book attempts to tackle organization and decluttering at its root rather than treating only the symptoms. So in the midst of the "make three piles" and "spark joy or trash it" books, this one adds a new and helpful perspective.

[C.G. Twiles · Rating 2 out of 5]

This had very little to do with decluttering actual possessions. It was more about cutting people out of your life.

I think Richardson is some kind of life coach or something—but this was all psychological "advice" about dealing with various personality types, and some of it left me quite aghast. For instance, Richardson's friend tells her she is extremely nervous about going to the doctor, and Richardson considers offering to go with her, but "thinks about it" for several days and decides to stay home and read on her couch instead. She considers this a brave and generous choice that allows her to continue her friendship with her friend "without resentment."

Seriously? With friends like this, who needs random indifferent strangers?

If you're looking for actual decluttering, look elsewhere. Shame, as I enjoyed this author's first book. I guess she ran out of things to say about decluttering. And she sounds like a cr@p friend.

[Joy Chase]

Kerri Richardson writes about cleaning up your mindset to clear out your clutter. She is a trained life coach, and her advice provides a comprehensive view of the clutter-clearing process. Chapter by chapter, she demonstrates how the mind is often the first thing we need to declutter before we can proceed to declutter our physical space. She describes limiting beliefs, a lack of boundaries and planning, and begs us to reclaim our power. A core clutter cheat sheet at the end trails through the house from the kitchen to the basement (the graveyard), but extends to relationships, the mind, and the body. " Love your bedroom to love yourself," she states, showing how a cluttered bedroom reflects a cluttered mind and psyche. Start by writing in your diary all the drivel you can dump out of your brain, and then create a plan. Review the plan daily and follow it step by step, weekly. I recommend this book for a fresh view in the decluttering genre.

[Tigressp81 · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, it really depends on what you’re looking for here. I gather that the author is some kind of life coach, maybe more for teens and young adults than people further on in their life journey. She definitely feels like a cheerleader, cheering you on to make the changes you need to make. And that can be really important! But if you’re looking for a book that’s just about decluttering, this is not quite that, because this talks a lot more about decluttering your life, not just your stuff. For example, there’s a whole section about getting out of toxic relationships, dumping friends who are not really friends, that sort of thing. So while that can be very worthwhile, if you are looking for a book just about decluttering your stuff, maybe this isn’t it. But if you need to declutter your life, not just your stuff, then this book is worth a read.

[Kay · Rating 2 out of 5]

Having read many 'decluttering' experts' advice over almost three decades I was hopeful that this would come at the problem from a different angle and give me some refreshing lightbulb ideas. However I don’t think that this is the book for me on the subject of decluttering. There is way too much psychology and soul searching for what I see more as a first world problem requiring a more practical and straightforward solution. I just can’t relate my excess stuff at all to toxic relationships or feelings such as guilt. I much prefer Margarete Magnusson's The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning and even Marie Kondo's book to this approach. Not my cup of tea at all.

[Kaitlyn McClincy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author had a very soothing voice and I wanted to love the book. I thought she spent way too many chapters to focusing on what I would consider personal coaching techniques as opposed to dealing with clutter. Yes, she was trying to explain clutter is symptomatic of other things which is very easy to realize, but she spent more time focusing on things you’d work with a therapist on than the reason you’re purchasing the book

[Klee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it and found it helpful. I did struggle to finish it but found it worthy enough to keep going. It had a lot of insightful nuggets on limiting beliefs and I loved the push for self-curiosity and compassion as well as journaling. Have I applied it to my house and life yet? Yes and no-I haven’t moved ahead on the bigger clutter areas but am planning on integrating it into my schedule soon, I just wanted to finish the book first!Would recommend to clients.

[Diane Ryberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fabulous book. This is my second book from this author. Kerri takes another deep dive into the psychology of our clutter (both physical and emotional). There is a wealth of information in this book and it may even warrant a second read. What I really love is Kerri's style. She is very relatable and I feel like like I am getting guidance from a trusted friend.

[Kori · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have physical clutter in your home then chances are you have clutter in your mind body or soul too. Want to learn more about that? Want to do something about it? This book is definitely for you! One of the best books I read this year. I'm a professional organizer and it has helped me personally and have used it to help my clients.

[ao_always_reading · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read these books because I am constantly searching for and wanting to learn new ways of organising and decluttering. Was all of this information new? No Were there some helpful and useful tips I hadn’t considered before? Absolutely. I have implemented a few of the strategies into my daily life and they have really helped me.

[Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished this book in one sitting. Very quick and straight to the point. As a therapist, there are so many points that I talk about with many of my clients about mental clutter and physical clutter. Love the tips and recommendations. Will definitely be passing this along to friends, family, AND clients.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very insightful look at the underlying emotional beliefs behind the clutter in your life--unrealistic expectations, limiting beliefs, lack of boundaries. This really made me think about why it's so difficult to let go of--clothes I don't need, books I will not re-read, habits that don't serve me well. Lots of advice for meaningful action.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

This just wasn’t what I was looking for. When I think of decluttering, I think of physical clutter, not “emotional clutter” or body weight.

This would be good for someone looking to explore the psychological side of clutter… but not so much for someone who is in the process of actually cleaning out a house and just wants tips on what to throw away. My mistake for not doing my research!

[Fate's Lady · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting approach, but I found the sections on things like how to set boundaries with friends to be, to borrow the author's concept, word clutter. There were some useful right-sizing mindset tidbits and some pop psychology nonsense taking up space. Good if you don't mind sifting for what's useful.

[Bobbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wasn’t a book of lists of things you can get rid of, but more a guideline for working on your attitude first and the stuff second. Some of the advice cut deep and will be very useful to me personally.

[Stacey Hatfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever wonder why you are stuck in licensed of living. Well that is clutter. It comes in different forms.

This book is the best tool that you can have on hand. It gives you advise on how to deal with it.

[Nathalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are parts of this book that I had trouble relating to (in Dutch: "te zweverig" - I can't seem to find a description in English for this), but there are parts that I will be using in my life, like the steps to sort paperwork and the Pomodoro rounds.

[Helen A · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was definitely not written with neurodiversity in mind. So much of it was just, "get up and do one small thing!" But that's not much help for those of us with ADHD or autism. There were some good tips that might work, though, so not a total waste of time.

[Skye (Skye's Scribblings)]

3/25 DNF Page 53. I know I need some "emotional" decluttering, but nothing in this particular book is resonating with me. She focuses primarily on present relationships and that's not a primary focus for me regarding decluttering.

[Candace Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not expect a book about clutter to examine social relationships and psychology. This was my favorite line:

“The only time you can change someone is when they’re in diapers, so it’s worth putting on your big girl pants and taking charge of your life.”

[Bark · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's OK. There is a lot about the psychological part of clutter. I was just looking for a quick read and maybe some new information on decluttering but my brain just wasn't into the learning within the chapters. Just not the book for me.

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent approach!