Tortoise and Hare Decluttering: The Whats, Whys, and Hows of Every Angle of Decluttering

by Dana K. White

Do you wish a decluttering expert could come alongside you to help tackle specific roadblocks that always derail your decluttering journey? Dana K. White, self-proclaimed recovering slob and author of Organizing for the Rest of Us, is here to help with her audio original series, Decluttering Deep Dives.

Each installment of Decluttering Deep Dives covers a frequent problem that Dana hears about from her listeners. Featuring Dana’s signature light-hearted voice and approachable tactics, Tortoise and the Hare Decluttering dives into these common struggles:

Viewing decluttering as a big all-or-nothing project
Creating more clutter while trying to declutter
Fighting (and losing to) decision fatigue
Trying to declutter with limited time

Fans of Dana’s podcast, A Slob Comes Clean, will love Dana’s in-depth conversation filled with workable solutions for you to make your space the peaceful, organized home you need and want. Duration: 1 hour, 1 minute.

Genres: Audiobook, Nonfiction, Self Help, Reference, Adult

Audible Audio

Published July 26, 2022

Reviews

[Jesse · Rating 3 out of 5]

The main idea of this audiobook is helpful, but I couldn't help but feel that it was drawn waaaay more out than it needed to be. I was also a little annoyed at the side comments about having needed to have read her other books, and the insinuation that her method is more helpful than any other, particularly for ALL folks with ADHD, was a weird blanket statement.

Thanks to Libro.fm's ALC program for the advanced copy!

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a helpful reinforcement of the information that I read in her previous books. Dana has her own vocabulary for decluttering ( duh donations, take it there now) and if you have not read her books, these won’t have much meaning for you. But I knew exactly what she was talking about. My brain works similarly to hers so it’s encouraging to me to read about her methods. Many I have successfully adopted in my home already. This is just more of a review and encouragement to keep at it.

[Willow · Rating 4 out of 5]

{December 18, 2022}
Been bingeing on Dana's content on hoopla! She's fun to listen to and has plenty of practical real-life solutions. I like how in this one she encourages us to make steady progress, little by little, one item at a time, even though the results probably won't be fast, dramatic, or jaw-dropping; but the space you've been working on WILL be better, and better is good. Progress and only progress.

[Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Decluttering is a pain. And pulling everything out of a space and putting it into a pile is great if you have the time and are self-motivated or have a professional. But for the everyday person it tends to make it overwhelming. Too many memories, emotions, or regrets can brings things to a halt. One item at a time works for me. Sometimes, in a day, it’s 50 items and others it’s just one. It’s still progress.

[Shelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

More of a podcast then a full book, though still an enjoyable read or listen to reinforce decluttering rules to live by. Rules that allow you to have a home you and your family can live in comfortably now, with the life you have now.

[Kari Napier · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this mediocre for a decluttering book. Then again how much can you go into decluttering....

[Hisgirl85 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This was a helpful little motivator. I really enjoy this author/blogger/youtuber...though I hope to never understand her issues with laundry. I occasionally have folded laundry in a basket for a bit, but the laying clean clothes on furniture is not something I understand. My dishes issue, however...🤣

[J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super quick read and she even gives advice for those of us who are neurodivergent and suffer from chronic pain. She definitely empowers people to get up and declutter.

[Dhaneesha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a book in the traditional sense, as the author notes, but more like a FAQ compilation. It's a supplement to her other books and ongoing conversation around the topic of decluttering. This book is short and answers problems encountered when decluttering with the 'Take it there' method outlined in her other books.

[Chloe (Always Booked) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This is a short discussion about the tortoise and the hare method of decluttering. The idea is that you put everything where it goes immediately, one at a time, instead of making piles and then dealing with the piles. Yes, its slower. Yes, it takes more energy. Yes, its inefficient, IF your goal is to get the entire thing done. However, her whole concept is that you don't need to get it completely done to make progress. ADHD would say taking things to their place immediately leads to more distraction, but lets be real-- who would take everything out and completely finish the project without getting distracted somehow? Even if you have to stop immediately (because of neurodivergence, kids, whatever) you have noticeable progress if you do each thing immediately.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was supposed to be a "deep dive" but it was just a rambling justification for why her "take it there now" method is the best thing for everyone. I found the part where she read an email from a fan who explains how the method helps her despite the limitations from her multiple diagnoses -- and then immediately followed it with exclaiming how "exhausting" it was to read those big words both vaguely offensive and unintentionally hilarious. Honey, if "dopamine" is too much of a big word for you, maybe worry less about your clutter and more about your education level.

[Kristin Wilson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was repetitive and the whole concept could have been explained in about ten minutes.

Also, the pacing on this audiobook was very bizarre. Sometimes she talked really fast, and other times she was going really slow like she was distracted by something else or like she was trying to think of what to say next. When she would be talking really slow, there would be long awkward pauses in the middle of sentences.

Overall there was about two minutes of interesting content, and the rest was all rambling.

[amyi · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're a fan of Dana's decluttering method, this is a great listen! I think it is helpful if you are familiar with her 5-step process. I would listen to Decluttering at the Speed of Life: Winning Your Never-Ending Battle with Stuff first. Look for it at your local library!

[Jenn. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read as audiobook. Borrowed from Hoopla.

True to Dana, this is just another long rambling podcast about the take it there now process for making progress in your home. As a fan, this was a fun listen but will probably not be on my repeat listen list.

Glad I just borrowed it, and didn't use an Audible credit on it.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This seemed more like a podcast episode than a book, but that’s okay.

“Accept your reality.”

In a world where everyone is obsessed with Kylie Perkins (me too) it’s good to remember that not everyone’s reality allows them to go at a Hare’s speed when decluttering which is what Dana K. White explains well in this audio.

[Mindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I think of one motivating author to listen to while cleaning the house, it's Dana K. White. This isn't really a book, it's an audio series. She tells it like it is. She's motivating and inspiring. Best of all, if you follow her advice, you'll make progress. Even slow progress is still progress.
I'll be listening to the others in the series.

[Lydia Kass · Rating 2 out of 5]

More like a one-trick-pony belabored podcast than a book, per se. Might have some merits in the take it there approach to decluttering, although there were some unanswered questions on my part, partly because I probably didn't read her other books, which she unabashedly plugged.

[Debbie Faruga · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read all her books, love listening to these 1 hour or so conversations for additional motivation to declutter. Slow and steady wins the race. Taking out one item at time and taking it to its home never leaves your house in a mess like the Marie Kondo method.

[Alanna Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually loved this, I want to read more from Dana now. It’s nice to finally hear a different declutter method. I think this is a good idea for people who have already done the big declutters but still have the bug!

[Erin Gatlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tortoise kept me thinking about Frieda McFaddens book “The Coworker”. I’ll never see turtles the same.


Great little series about decluttering. Everything has a place and needs to be put up. It’s a vicious cycle.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is by Dana, so of course I had to listen! This is more of a podcast and this specific one about the take it there now method. I found it to be a helpful reinforcement. In Dana's usual style, it is a bit rambly, but that's how my brain works, so it didn't bother me.

[Cathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a lot longer than it had to be and it wasn't even very long. She repeats herself and expounds a lot. I would like a summary of this and they others in this series, just the facts without the wondering.

[Mary T · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the author’s two actual books more than this unscripted conversation. She is VERY convinced that her method of Take it there now is the best method for all people and all scenarios. I still don’t really care for it.

[Carol Fischer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A work by Dana helps me get motivated to declutter. Once one has read one or two of her longer, more intro works, a shorter piece helps as a refresh.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another quick audiobook about decluttering. It’s basically like a podcast episode. It was good, but felt a little repetitive at times. Still useful advice though!

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent short read to encourage and guide you while decluttering.

[Amanda Eldridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

I miss Dana during the summer 😅 this is a good refresher and the encouragement needed to press on!

[Gi V · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author understands the way my brain works. I haven't been able to declutter (yet) but this book makes me believe that it is possible.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

super helpful

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid tips, solid logic, way too many unnecessary words.