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It's All Too Much: An Easy Plan for Living a Richer Life with Less Stuff
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List Price: $14.95
Our Price: $7.75
You Save: $ 7.20 ( 48% )
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Free Press
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 640
EAN: 9780743292658
ISBN: 0743292650
Label: Free Press
Manufacturer: Free Press
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 240
Publication Date: 2007-11-06
Publisher: Free Press
Studio: Free Press
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: Wish there were more stars!
Comment: I wish I could give this audiobook more stars! It is a wonderful read for anyone who has ever felt owned by their stuff. By following Peter's firm but kind guidance, I began a journey of decluttering that was a catalyst for great personal growth. Read this book/audio book. You will be so glad you did.
Customer Rating:
Summary: So helpful
Comment: This book is amazing. I haven't even finished doing all the things he's said to do (I'm not even through phase one) and already I've done so much to improve the clutter in my house. Don't pick up this book if you aren't ready to seriously de-clutter your home and your life. I've done parts of my living room and my home office and already brought a big tote to Goodwill and threw out or recycled a ton more stuff.
One thing I did notice is that he never really mentions recycling things, at least not as much as he should. Also, he keeps harping on magazines being a huge source of clutter but those are my babies and I could never part with some of them.
This book has made a huge difference and I can't wait until I get all the way through with everything he outlines in the book. I already feel like I can breathe and my ADD has improved dramatically.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Favorite "organizing" book
Comment: Love Peter Walsh and listen to him on Oprah's radio station. I am an organizing freak type person. This book has lots of good "to do" type stuff but moreover, gets to the basis of why people collect and get overwhelmed. Has info on how to cut down junk mail/email. If you have "paper" issues, you can just look at that section. I got this as a reference book to keep. My favorite organizing book ever. Not for people who just want to go buy new cute boxes/files. Gets to the root of why people feel they need so much stuff. Tips on how to free yourself while saving important memories in another way.
Customer Rating: 
Summary: A little of this, a little of that
Comment: Part of the book is good advice about how to change how you think about your life, your home and its spaces, and the functions and activities and possessions for each space, plus how to communicate with family members in this process. And part of the book is a collection of things you should do, e.g. go through each room and pull out unwanted items and either throw them out or donate to charity, store things near their point of use, and so on. I felt the book was a "good enough" treatment of the two categories; however, I personally had hoped for something deeper and more extensive about the psychological/cognitive aspects of overcoming chronic clutter and disorganization. (I am thinking the next book I'd like to read may be "It's Hard to Make a Difference When You Can't Find Your Keys" by Marilyn Paul, Ph.D.)
I would have appreciated a teeny bit more emphasis on trying to keep things out of landfills. Examples: You can donate to charity, give away on your local FreeCycle website, post a "free" notice on a nearby grocery store bulletin board. My local newspaper has mail-in forms for free classified ads for things people wish to give away free or to sell for less than $75.
Customer Rating:
Summary: If you think it's hard to quit smoking;try getting rid of clutter.
Comment:
I managed to quit smoking about 20 years ago, when I was smoking over 2 packs a day.It was something I had tried to do many times but without success. I tried every trick in the book,but before long I was back smoking as much as ever.Why couldn't I quit? No reason at all,I certainly enjoyed it and the enjoyment obviously exceeded my will power.As a matter of fact,I have not even become an anti-smoker and still enjoy the aroma of smokers;but have decided to let them do it.
However getting rid of stuff,junk,clutter,or whatever you choose to call it has been a whole different matter--at least for me.
The reason clutter collects is different for different people.However; the reason always boils down to one thing,at least for most people.Some people border on being compulsive or have a mental issue;but that is the exception.If you really want to see how bad that can be I suggest you read "Cadillac Jack" by Larry McMurtry;where you will find a guy who completely filled his house with bird nests.However; there are those who just don't want to throw anything away,keep it because it might come in handy,it's still good,someone might want it,etc.
In my case ,I feel it is different.Don't we all.I have always been engrossed in hobbies and interests and along with these interests have come the "stuff".And why do I have it? Sure,I've spent money and time on it over the years;but I like it, and it has been a lot of fun collecting it.To each his own,I suppose.If you have time and money,you might as well enjoy it. Travel,Drinking,Sports,Gardening,Photography,Music,Reading,Shopping,Dining, or whatever you choose to do is fine;but in many cases, a natural result is the accumulation of stuff.
It would be nice to be able to collect anything you wanted and have someplace to put it. Some wealthy people have had the luxury to do this ,but in the end they have to pass on and leave it all behind.And that has given the world its collections and museums.
So,what about this book and the stuff it talks about getting rid of?
Well,even if you are like me,with my personal library of over 7,000 books (and still growing),my collection of music,collection of rocks,minerals and fossils,collection of puzzles,collection of YO-YO's, ;You are going to be like me.We need all the help we can get and this book is filled with the help we need.
By the way,I have been working at this,as much by necessity as desire.I have a few books similar to this one. See my reviews for "Clutter's Last Stand" by Don Aslett on December 29,2005 and "Clutter Control" by by the Editors of FC&A Publishing on February 15,2008;they are both excellent.
So even for collectors,there is a lot of useful help in these books and we need to keep using the ideas ,if for no other reason than to help us keep it under control or to make room for something "new"
I can still remember the wise words of my dear old Grandmother who once said;
"Remember,everything you get,takes looking after"
I guess it's OK if you enjoy your "stuff",but if you don't;
GET RID OF IT!!!!
This book will definitely help you get started.
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Editorial Reviews:
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When Peter Walsh, organizational guru of TLC's hit show Clean Sweep and a regular contributor to The Oprah Winfrey Show, appeared on national television shows and told people how they could reclaim their lives from the suffocating burden of their clutter, the response was overwhelming. People flooded Peter's website (www.peterwalshdesign.com) with success stories about how his book had changed their lives. Peter's unique approach helped people everywhere learn to let go of the emotional and psychological clutter that was literally and figuratively choking the life out of their homes. With his good humor and reassuring advice, Peter shows you how to face the really big question: What is the vision for the life you want to live? He then offers simple techniques and a step-by-step plan to assess the state of your home, prioritize your possessions, and let go of the clutter you have been holding on to that has kept you from living the life you imagine. The result is freed-up space, less stress, and more energy for living a happier, richer life every day.
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