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Summary: Sink Reflections, serious motivation in a book!
Review: This is one of those "Must Have" type of books. If you have somewhere to store your stuff (like a house, apartment or shack), you absolutely NEED this book. It is great for anyone wanting to take care of their home and make it a wonderful place to live. More than just a housekeeping and organizing book, Sink Reflections is a wonder to behold! Buy it now and you won't be sorry.
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Summary: definitely on the right track
Review: Mrs. Cilley provides constant encouragement for people to take baby steps toward becoming neat, clean, organized, and clutter-free. She never berates her readers. She points out that the effects are cumulative, and that one's self-image has an effect on how one maintains one's home. For those who have lost hope, this is a good place to start.Her Flylady program depends on e-mail, which, if you aren't constantly by a computer, you would not receive. The book is a helpful guide for those who either can't sit and get e-mail, or who need to use a computer for their jobs. The book's one weak area is in estimating time. And there is a passage (which I couldn't locate quickly) in which she says, "Eventually housework should take hardly any time at all." True, if one maintains one's residence daily, less would accumulate for the weekends. But it is simply not realistic to say it would take "hardly any time." There is an irreducible minimum, and much of it must be repeated day in and day out. This book seems more aimed at stay-at-home moms than working ones (such as the advice to get all the way dressed, to shoes; what working woman wouldn't do that?). But there is something here for everybody if you look for it.
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Summary: Flylady was the Answer
Review: The writer of this book, Marla Cilley, goes by another name: Flylady. I own this book and have read it. But there is another way to experience Flylady if you have a computer. You can receive all the wisdom contained in the book by joining her e-mail coaching list. I joined her list over a year ago and it has completely changed my life. Bit by bit, I read and absorbed her wisdom and have been transforming my life and my home. Because the Flylady had made such an impact on my life, I bought her book immediately after it was published. As I read it, not much was unfamiliar to me because I had been a member of her e-mail group, and yet having it all in one place was very valuable to me. Despite having received a lot of information contained in the book through the e-mail group, I still wanted to own the book and use it frequently. This book will especially be helpful to people who have a real problem figuring out how to keep and organize their home. Probably every person will find something to benefit them from the wisdom contained within, however, people who really struggle with issues of getting their act together will be especially helped. I was at my absolute wits end. I have an extensive collection of self-help books on organization and overcoming clutter. Each and every book has been interesting and hope-inspiring, and has presented helpful techniques and approaches. Yet to my great despair,I was never able to find a way to make it all work for me. At one point I decided, maybe I need outside help and hired a very expensive (and famous)organizing professional to help me. I paid several thousand dollars for an organizing plan, and hired these organizers at $75.00 an hour to try to help me overcome my disorganization problem. They even selected me to have a makeover in a famous magazine after seeing pictures of my disorganized, cluttered home. (The story was killed by new editors who took over the magazine, much to my dismay). It was Flylady's way of teaching and coaching that was my salvation. Her method is so doable. You start with baby steps, and you never do more than you are ready for. She starts you off with one task, and one task only. To shine your kitchen sink. It is so easy to comply with this first step. Even if you never do anything else, it is so simple and easy there really isn't a reason to try. When you become really comfortable with shining your sink every day, she has you add another step: developing a simple evening and morning routine. Lay out your clothes for the next day in the evening, and get dressed to your shoes every morning. You can practice and stay on these beginning steps for as long as you like, until you feel comfortable to move to the next step. She likes to say that you are never behind and don't need to get caught up. She tells you to take everything in baby steps. You can go as fast or as slow as you like. Later she add her brilliant strategy of decluttering to your steps. For only 15 minutes a day, you work in various zones in your house decluttering. It is so simple. Anyone can work 15 minutes a day. And, miraculously, you discover the power of what 15 minutes can accomplish. Things seem to get more complicated later on, but you don't even notice, as she leads you through adding simple daily routines, making a weekly plan, putting together a control journal, learning meal planning, holiday organizing. Because everything is given to you in little pieces, you never realize how much you're doing because you only add each new technique one layer at a time. You build on what has come before and you never feel like you're doing very much more. A year after I have been putting her methods into practice, I have a completely different mindset regarding keeping my home. I have experienced a year now of chaos-free, much reduced stress holidays. I have done many projects that I've always felt bad about never getting around to. My family and friends all comment on the difference in my home. My counter (which had been for years a source of despair for me, as it had been covered with piles of junk that I would spend hours cleaning, only to have it reappear a couple of days later) is now always clean and clear. The problem of my counter which had been impossible for me to solve, has been so easily and elegantly solved by Flylady. I have learned from her that my counter is a "hot spot", and that nothing can be on it because "clutter begets clutter. By looking at this "hot spot" and putting out fires that erupt in it during the day, I have been able to effortlessly keep it clear. I still have a way to go. I'm still building on my layers of knowledge with Flylady's system. I have every confidence that her methods will prove to be an answer for me. If you are in despair and don't know where to turn, please give her a try.
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Summary: Does she have a camera in my house?????????????
Review: This book is EXCELLENT! I thought I was the only one living in CHAOS. Marla just has a nice way of writing to get your attention and get you moving. She understands our plight and doesn't discourage - but rather encourages us to take baby steps eventually leading to a warm, clean, organized home. I've read MANY books on getting my home in order (at least 15 in the past 2 years)... but for some reason this one speaks to me. This morning I made a journal for my 6 yr old with the 10 things she needs to do in the morning before catching the school bus... She LOVED IT! She crossed off as she went along and I wasn't constantly yelling at her to do the next step. My kitchen has been clean for 2 weeks, my laundry is caught up and every night I have at least 45 minutes to do what "I" want to do before bed. If you are depressed with trying to get your home and life in order, this is a great book. I am also re-reading Don Aslett's Clear the Clutter and it now has new meaning. Now when a neighbor stops by - I can actually let them in. Marla is a Christian - so there are references to home blessing and quiet times with God. I personally enjoy her approach but I am trying to make this review generic.
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Summary: The last "Get Organized" book or system you will need!!
Review: This is the best system I've seen for getting and staying organized. It lays out simple routines and helps develop good habits to maintain and continually improve your home...I recommend the book and the system to everyone!
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Summary: GET THIS BOOK! It is AWESOME!!
Review: Ok, if you are like me you have bought about ten books on organization, and they are simply adding to the clutter and disorganization in your home. If you are sick and tired of having a messy home, and don't know where to turn, then GET THIS BOOK!!! Marla gives you a plan that is workable, and has immediate results. (Go shine your sink.... you will know this after you read the book!) Let me tell you that my huband has already noticed what I am doing, and is helping out. We are actully not fighting about cleaning up the house anymnore! Ladies, if you are not a born organized woman, and want to turn your home into a place of enjoyment, then you will find this book extrememly helpful. Marla sympothizes with you, and also tells you how it is, in a straightforward approach. She trains you to focus in on routines that are realistic and approchable. I am throughly impressed with this book and her web site. I work 12-15 hour days, so trust me, getting my house clean is tough. This is the best $... you can spend is you are seriously fed up with having a messy depressing home! It's all about taking those baby steps!
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Summary: It's a wonderfull plan, and has helped me tremendously
Review: I would also like to write a note about the "religious agenda" that one reviewer here mentioned. Yes, Flylady does mention God, and religious phrases in places, but I can hardly say this book has a religious agenda. I'm a pagan as well(so would in no way be out to further any 'religious agenda' of Flylady's), and have been a member of Flylady's helping list for a long time. Anything she has to say of a religious nature in relation to cleaning is something that is meant in a sincerly helpfull way. There are times I will think of her 'God breezes' as 'Goddess breses' or 'Frigga(norse goddess, patron of home and hearth) breses' ;-) But yes, you can tell Marla is a Christian, and that her beliefs are enmeshed with her life, but hey! I'm a pagan, and my beliefs are enmeshed with my life and I can find the same kinds of messages from my religion! Anyway, This book is a compilation of the e-mails and website material. I think it's a wonderfull thing to have around if you're like me and getting on the computer to check your e-mail is something that really puts a hold on your progress. It's also easier to find needed information in the book rather than the website. I'm nowhere near perfect at keeping house, but always making progress!! I have decluttered over 1,000 lbs of STUFF and clutter since starting the flylady program and I don't miss any of it! I don't feel guilty about keeping the things that are precious to me because those things are now nicely displayed/framed, and they bring more joy to my life now that all the other stuff isn't getting in the way. The Flylady program has made life much better for me and my family. :-) I would also like to reccomend 'Home Comforts: The art and science of keeping house which is a very in-depth book with a lot of information about cleaning things, washing things, and our outlook on our homes.
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Summary: It's not rocket science...
Review: ...it's Sink Science! Maybe you've seen all the press FlyLady is getting lately and wondering what all the fuss is about and how this book looks way to simple to work. I mean, really, shining a sink? 15 Minutes steps? Well, that's the point, people! If all the things you've read here about clutter amd disorganized lives sound like you, a 45 step daily system on how to put all your STUFF in color-coordinated floral boxes isn't going to fix it. It's just putting STUFF in more STUFF! Forget Martha and everyone else who makes you feel less than perfect. Sit and chat with the FlyLady. Like a good friend, she will explain to you one small job is an accomplishment, and several small jobs over time is a new way to live. It's a revolutionary idea!
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Summary: Stuggling in CHAOS? (Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome)
Review: Then this is the book for you. I just can't say enough about the FlyLady. She is a God send, when it comes to showing you that you can get your life back in order one Baby Step at a time! She has such a simple format for getting your home in order. You are constantly reminded that you are never behind, that you are starting just where you are. She gives you ideas of Morning & Evening Routines that will change your life once you find the ones that work for you. If you get this book and just do a small Baby Step at a time you will see a dramatic change in your enviroment! And she also has a wonderful website and e-group to join at FlyLady.net. You will not be sorry for getting this book! It really does work. Take it from a mother of 5 children, 3 of which are in diapers. If I can get my life in order with this book, anyone can! Just read the other reviews. And if your still not convinced, check out her website. I highly reccomend this book to anyone that needs that little extra help with getting back into life and living instead of hiding in CHAOS! Good luck to you :)
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Summary: We are not alone!!!
Review: FlyLady has helped me regain my self-esteem...one babystep at a time. She explains in this book how clutter and CHAOS can steal energy and love from each of us and our families. The shame associated with not being able to get a handle on our homes and lives when we are intelligent, capable people disappears with her oh so do-able system. Every word she writes seems to be written just for me...we are not alone!!! ... and we are loved! This is not a miracle cure...our homes did not get this way in a day and it will take work but FlyLady breaks it down into non-intimidating babysteps. And like all babies learning to walk we might fall down but she is there to pick us back up. Gentle support until we learn how to FLY!
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