Let Go of Clutter
by Harriet Schechter
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Book Summary Information
Author: Harriet SchechterEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2000-12-04
ISBN: 0071351221
Number of pages: 193
Publisher: McGraw-Hill
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Book Reviews of Let Go of Clutter
Book Review: Low on substance
Summary: 2 Stars
The reviews for this book are so overwhelmingly positive, I figured it *must* be good. Bad assumption! I gleaned very little usable information from this book. The author uses far too much space defining terms, relating her own experiences, and trying to be cute.
Even worse, as another reviewer noted, the author's tone is a bit condescending. Despite her purported years of experience as a professional organizer, she doesn't seem to have a good handle on what causes people to develop clutter problems. Her extensive use of coined words is annoying. The material is poorly organized, jumping around at times. Also, the writing drags in places; it could have used a more thorough editing. Overall, the writing and material presented is of low quality.
For example, in a chapter on how to clear out sentimental clutter, the author's advice can be distilled into one largely unhelpful sentence, "Save only objects that evoke pleasant or poignant feelings; don't keep anything that makes you feel stressed or upset." Okay, that makes sense, but is that really going to do me any good? I could have used suggestions on how to mentally unhook objects from memories. Then the author goes on to introduce terms such as "clutterabilia" and "memorabiliac." (And she's just getting started! Watch out for "paperosis" and "redundabundance.") Is having a coined word going to solve anything?
In dealing with the fear of getting rid of something and then regretting it, the author admonishes, "If you do find yourself grieving over the loss of something that was never alive to begin with, you need more help than I can give you, and I urge you to seek counseling." At this point, I think she has dismissed most of her readers. She continues without compassion, "Your regrets are...a poor excuse for you to keep hanging onto clutter." Tough love?
Some people might find the author's tone helpful, but I was totally put off by it. I would recommend a thorough perusal of the excerpt available online before investing in this book. It should have been a giveaway to me that so many copies are available used. Maybe the sellers took the author's suggestion to only hold onto things that are useful.
Summary of Let Go of Clutter
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 futureGuides Books
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