Let Go of Clutter [Paperback]

Harriet Schechter (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 4, 2000

Almost everyone struggles with clutter. Overflowing desks at work…overstuffed closets and piles of mail at home…overwhelmed minds all the time.… No wonder so many people say they are “drowning in clutter.” In Let Go of Clutter, organizing expert Harriet Schechter presents a fresh approach to overcoming the natural urge to accumulate objects and information. Dispensing equal doses of help, hope, and humor, she provides effective and realistic options for anyone who juggles too much stuff, too many decisions, and too little time. Featuring the innovative insights and time-tested techniques that have already helped thousands of Schechter’s clients and seminar attendees worldwide, Let Go of Clutter: - Shows how to shed sentimental stuff without fear of regret - Provides easy-to-use forms and checklists that help readers decide what to jettison and what to keep - Includes action plans with systems for conquering all types of clutter—past, present and future (20010213)

Editorial Reviews

Review

A must-read for clutter victims. Schechter makes a complex subject manageable and fun. Her fireside chat writing style will make you laugh and get you motivated to put the kibosh on clutter. Case in point: Reading Let Go of Clutter propelled me toward several nasty mountains of filing that had been crying for my attention. (Kansas City Star )

From the Back Cover

Stop being a slave to stuff!

An internationally acclaimed expert provides a total program for conquering ALL the clutter in your life

Maximize your life by minimizing what's in it with "Miracle Worker" Harriet Schechter's tried-and-tested techniques for eliminating clutter. Let Go of Clutter answers the most frequently asked question, "Why do we keep all this stuff?" and shows you how to let go of clutter­not just reorganize it.

Based on Schechter's two decades of helping thousands of people worldwide get uncluttered, Let Go of Clutter explains why "stuff" seems so hard to let go of and demonstrates how to shed objects and information without anxiety or regret. This fresh approach to clearing our cluttered lives provides a painless process for letting go and shows you how to overcome future clutter by managing the innate urge to acquire and accumulate.

Discover new ways to:

• Quickly plow through piles of paper
• "Speed Weed" your files
• Manage mementos and memories
• Clear out wall-to-wall clutter in the garage and other areas
• Get rid of excess clothes, supplies, and "To Do's"
• And much more!

Dispensing equal doses of help, hope, and humor, Harriet Schechter provides effective and realistic options for anyone juggling too much stuff, too many decisions, and too little time. Featuring easy-to-use forms and checklists to help you decide what to jettison and what to keep, Let Go of Clutter also includes action plans to lighten your load by conquering all types of clutter­ past, present, and future.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 193 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (December 4, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071351221
• ISBN-13: 978-0071351225
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #789,493 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

87 of 89 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hardcore Packrats Need not Apply, February 13, 2002

By 

Say Grace "dirtyh20sam" (Incline Village, NV USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Let Go of Clutter (Paperback)

I am very interested in the concept of ridding oneself of clutter, as well as the art of Feng Shui. My 2002 new years resolution is to free myself of one third of the "stuff" in my home. I am truly thankful I have found Ms Schechters book. She explains why we collect, from a sociological viewpoint. She also admits that this book is NOT for packrats (which I think is very big of her) unless of course they are really willing to change and their hoarding habits are causing real pain to them.
I didn't realize this was an obsessive compulsive disorder and may really require professional intervention.
I love all the helpful hints like..."Use large waste containers that stand up" instead of itty bitty ones or just a floppy large plastic bag. There is real joy in tossing "lotsa" dust collectors away in a sturdy container. All of these gems (and there are many) of info really do add up to a happy successful clutter purging. I also like the fact that she does not go into things like "how to organize your closet" etc. You come to realize that your precious time will be free of "organizing" when you are free of all the overabundance in your life. Since I do clean my own home "decluttering" makes this job much easier. Any surface that has no knicknacks takes just seconds to clean and dust. If Harriets book doesn't motivate you to happily want to "declutter" I dont think that another book out there would. I have read many others, and I feel this one is the best.

91 of 94 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Right On The Money!, April 9, 2001

By 

Sonia E. Schlenger "Sunny Schlenger" (Sedona, Arizona) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Let Go of Clutter (Paperback)

As a professional organizer for over 20 years, I tend to be tough on the new organizing books that come out. It's easy to call yourself an expert and dispense advice, but for me what counts is the "understanding" behind the advice. And Harriet's approach, along with excellent pointers that are well-organized themselves, manages to combine a real compassion for the reader/client that is missing in so many "how-to-do-it" books that are on the market today. Harriet obviously understands the people she works with and teaches, and presents this understanding in a way that is not at all condescending. By combining her humor-filled observations with very practical step-by-step directions, she demonstrates that people learn best when they're treated with informed intelligence and respect.If your problem is clutter (and that includes most of us!), this is the book you should read.

53 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply the best!, April 7, 2002

By 

odesigns (NJ United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Let Go of Clutter (Paperback)

I've read many books on decluttering and organizing, but this one was by far the best. It was the first one that really helped me to get the clutter out of my life. It is well-organized and easy to read, with some excellent motivational tips as well as practical tips.

One of the ideas I liked best was to take "before" photos of all your cluttered areas. In my case, I photographed my entire house! The photos really open your eyes to how much clutter you really have, and serve as a wonderful comparison when you've finished with an area.

The book has helped me tackle one of my most difficult areas - my office. In a few days, I threw out several boxes of papers and other useless clutter. I never thought I would get this room in order again, and just seeing my progress has given me motivation to tackle other areas.

I recommend this book for anyone just embarking on de-cluttering, as well as people who have read other books on the subject without success. Whenever I feel myself backsliding and need inspiration, I just re-read parts of this book. It keeps me on track, and I can't wait till the rest of my house is finished.