In an attempt to do some uncluttering, I thought this one would be a good listen, and it was surprisingly helpful. Mellen takes things room by room, looking for ways of making each one cleaner and uncluttered. ( )

For this book to be useful, you really do have to persevere with the initial 2 chapters: the questions and self-analysis can be challenging, but well-worth the mental preparation to make progress in decluttering and tidying up. That’s why I read the book, after all, to have some strategies for tackling the work. My advice for potential readers: have a supportive family-member (or a really good friend) on hand, because one’s own perceptions need to be re-examined with a dispassionate focus ~ it’s easier with a support person to help over this tough stuff.

Many tidying-decluttering books restate very similar tactics (Walsh, Let It Go; Fortin and Quilici, New Minimalism; Jay Joy of Less). Mellen presents variations that resonated with me: (1) his mantra (‘Everything has a Home’, ‘Like with Like’) and guidance how to determine these attributes; (2) advice in Chapter 8 on coping with sentimental momentos, family keepsakes, collections and gifts. A telling insight in the sentimental decluttering was to find the key article(s) ~ the ‘Touchstone’ ~ that is the essence of the items that are so evocative for you.

Loss of star ratings ~ building designs and construction (which seemed totally out of place in describing how to ‘Unstuff Your Life’), as well as some less sensible approaches to decluttering. For example, storing memorabilia for your children is hardly going to improve your decluttering efforts given that this activity didn’t appear to involve (a) the kids (b) removal from the home to the children’s houses. It was perplexing to see how often Mellen resorted to plastic tubs and bins. Corralling keepsakes in plastic bins doesn’t promote enjoyment of your ‘stuff’, it just adds to stored clutter. The discussion of garages, especially cars, was overly prescriptive: not a helpful approach when each individual needs to find their own way to achieve downsizing. However, towards the end of Mellen’s book there are some good snippets: savouring and understanding the real importance of your family’s photographic record. Chapter 11 was especially valuable in philosophically discussing materialism and enjoying life after organizing and decluttering. ( )

Not a real exciting page turner, but a useful book for organizing lots of stuff...from your mail to your closet. Maybe, I'll get around to doing something about it. ( )

This borrowed book from the library served its purpose for me by getting me off my duff to do some reorganizing. I now have a definite place for my purse, netbook and accessories, among other things. But this book is guilty of something that really bugs me in self-improvement books--on one page he says you need to customize his advice for yourself, and on many other pages he says you must follow his instructions exactly or you will fail. Shades of Flylady. I'm not even attempting to follow his entire system, and won't be buying my own copy. ( )