Rating: 
Summary: Saved my relationship!
Review: My cluttering has been a source of friction between me and my husband for years. He is neat. I am not. I am not so bad as to be a hoarder (as explained in the book), but am pretty meessy. I have been to classes on "how to organize your life," tried to practice feng shui (which may work for simply disorganized people, but not for people like me), and even hired an organizer to help me. Nothing worked. I nearly passed this book over, becasue I've read half a dozen "organizing" books. But when I saw that Ann Richards, former governor of Texas and Lucia Cappachione, a spiritual self-help author I adore, endorsed the book, I took a look. It is amazing! Mike (and you will feel like you know him personally when you read his book) approached cluttering from an entirely new perspective. He's obviously a clutterer himself who has found a way out. He manages to write with alternating seriousness, insight and much-needed humor. In fact, I found myself laughing out loud at his obviously single man's approach to housecleaning! We need to change our ways of thinking about the stuff in our lives and improve our spiritual lives to really, permanently, get better. He shows us how. The chapter on relationships hit home. I was using my clutter as a defense against closeness. I never knew that. By applying the principles he puts forth to my clutter and our relationship, things have already improved. He doesn't promise a miracle cure, or overnight curing, but he does point us on the right road. If there is one criticism of this book, it is that it is not long enough. Oh, the 200+ pages are packed with information, but I felt that it could go on and on. I just wanted to keep reading. I hope that Mike will write a follow-up workbook. I just love his writing. Thank you Mike, for writing such a personal and revealing glimpse into the lives of clutterers. You put a lot of yourself into this and it shows. I'll buy any book you write!
Rating: 
Summary: More "motivation" than "organization system"
Review: My title says it all. There isn't much of a blue print laid out here for you to follow on the path to organizing your life. For the most part, this book seems to beat around the bush by presenting you with a series of actual accounts of clutterers and discussion on why you hoard things and how much better your life would be if you didn't. The author frequently sites his own experience as a reformed pack rat. After reading this book, I felt more pumped up to take action than instructed on how to go about better organizing the different facets of my life. True, motivation is half the battle, but I would have preferred more guidance with the other half.
Rating:
Summary: More "motivation" than "organization system"
Review: My title says it all. There isn't much of a blue print laid out here for you to follow on the path to organizing your life. For the most part, this book seems to beat around the bush by presenting you with a series of actual accounts of clutterers and discussion on why you hoard things and how much better your life would be if you didn't. The author frequently sites his own experience as a reformed pack rat. After reading this book, I felt more pumped up to take action than instructed on how to go about better organizing the different facets of my life. True, motivation is half the battle, but I would have preferred more guidance with the other half.
Rating:
Summary: A very special and helpful book
Review: One of my therapy patients brought this book to my attention. While I am skeptical of self-help books in general, and books on organization especially, she seemed so affected by this one that I bought a copy. I have to admit that I was amazed. This breaks new ground. My patients have complex issues, ranging from clinical depression to various OCD tendencies. A fairly common symptom among many of them, though, is hoarding or cluttering, as Mr. Nelson defines it. For a layman, he displays a good understanding of the difference, and is able to explain the psychological aspects of this disorder in easy to understand terms. More importantly, he offers real solutions to the root causes of this manifestation of symptoms. Hoarding affects a very small percentage of the population, but cluttering (a more benign expression of less acute symptoms) is far more common that generally discussed. Because of the shame it causes, those not in therapy do not talk about it. Since the symtoms are not exhibited in public (like alcoholism), people can live their wholes lives without being diagnosed. Something I often tell my patients is, "You aren't going to clean out your house until you clean out your feelings." Cluttering may be a lifelong tendency, or may start after a traumatic psychological event like a divorce, death, loss of job or other emotional episode. Mr. Nelson echoes this sentiment. I was impressed by his interviews with professionals in the medical community to give his book a solid foundation. Combined with the stories from self-diagnosed clutterers, and the thoughts of professional organizers, he presents a well-rounded picture of a hidden epidemic. Thankfully, he has done with with a sense of humor that makes it easy reading. This book will elicit strong feelings from the readers, and his humor can keep them from feeling overwhelmed. That he weaves a spiritual view into his advice for recovery, without being preachy, opens an entirely new window of enlightenment. This is not a book for people who want to "get neat." While there are chapters with practical advice on physically decluttering, they are written as only a real clutterer can appreciate. There are many books on housekeeping and organizing that would better serve someone who doesn't have an emotional attachment to her "stuff." The reader who will benefit from this book has tried and not succeeded in organizing her physical world. She had probably read other books that told her "how to" do it, and those tips had no lasting effect. This book is for those who want to understand the "why" of their cluttering. In my opinion, this is the first step that needs to be taken before the "how-to" can take place. In conclusion, don't buy this book if just need to arrange your house better. Buy it if you need to arrange your life better.
Rating:
Summary: A wealth of cogently practical, easily applicable advice
Review: Skillfully narrated by David Elias, Stop Clutter From Stealing Your Life by Mike Nelson offers the listener with a wealth of cogently practical, easily applicable advice on avoiding and preempting the self-esteem damaging, relationship impairing, financially draining, job imperiling consequences of an excessively cluttered personal environment and lifestyle. Stop Clutter From Stealing Your Life provides "tips, tricks & techniques" for decluttering life both short term and long term. If you have more "stuff" piling up around you at home and at work, then give a very careful listen to Mike Nelson's Stop Clutter From Stealing Your Life!
Rating: 
Summary: don't buy it as a how to
Review: The other reviewers have pretty much said it all, this book was a turning point for me too. I have been wanting to get the clutter out for years and I finally realized that if I didn't want my sister to come in the house then it was time. This book gets to your soul and spirit, period, but you have to be ready for it.
Rating:
Summary: Turning Point
Review: The other reviewers have pretty much said it all, this book was a turning point for me too. I have been wanting to get the clutter out for years and I finally realized that if I didn't want my sister to come in the house then it was time. This book gets to your soul and spirit, period, but you have to be ready for it.
Rating:
Summary: don't buy it as a how to
Review: This book is fine for those who want to understand why they clutter, but not for those who want to know how to control it. Lots of empathy/sympathy, but I wouldn't buy it if I were looking for specific techniques.
Rating:
Summary: He Really Understands!
Review: This book was one of the few I have bought and actually read cover to cover (versus browsing or skimming) on the subject of clutter. Mike knows first hand what is like to be a clutterer, and how to get to the root of 'why' we do it. He has some practical suggestions, good references for further help, and most importantly a 'lifeline' to throw to fellow clutterers that have struggled for years to get clutter under control. Thank you Mike, I was impressed enough to start a group in my area for mutual support. No one understands a clutterer, like someone that has been there!
Rating:
Summary: He Really Understands!
Review: This book was one of the few I have bought and actually read cover to cover (versus browsing or skimming) on the subject of clutter. Mike knows first hand what is like to be a clutterer, and how to get to the root of 'why' we do it. He has some practical suggestions, good references for further help, and most importantly a 'lifeline' to throw to fellow clutterers that have struggled for years to get clutter under control. Thank you Mike, I was impressed enough to start a group in my area for mutual support. No one understands a clutterer, like someone that has been there!
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