Declutter Fast

 

I’ve been trying to ignore the mess that’s accumulated in my house over the last two years since we moved in. Maybe it’s the stress, but I finally decided to do something about it. The only thing was, I didn’t really know what that “something” ought to be.

I started poking around the net to see what I could find. I found some tips here and there, but for my problem, I was looking for something, I don’t know…  more comprehensive?

I didn’t want to pay for one of those fancy professional organizers to come to my house. What with the price of gas and everything else, I need to get my house under control, but within my budget.

I kept seeing this Declutter Fast book. Its promises seemed pretty sweet, but I wondered if it would really deliver. So, I went searching for a review, but couldn’t seem to find an honest review of this thing no matter how hard I flogged Google.  Well, I bought it. Here’s my review of Declutter Fast, and hope it can be of some help to you:

Title: Declutter Fast
Author: Mimi Tanner

Ok, right away I was a little annoyed by the purchasing process.  Maybe I’m sensitive to filling out forms, but I felt like I typed out my name and email like five times. Maybe it was less. Then I was asked to create a login and my own password to get access to the private area where I could get the book and a few more unannounced goodies.

The private area is simply laid out and easy to navigate. Before I even downloaded the book, I was drawn to some extra strategies giving some clever techniques for keeping your car decluttered. I don’t have a clutter problem in my car, but I am sure going to pass this on to my wife. There is also something there on controlling “email overwhelm.” Very helpful.

I planned to give the book a once over and leave the heavy reading for tomorrow. But, I ended up reading the whole thing in one night. It’s only 72 pages, and reads beautifully. I was actually delighted. Ms. Tanner can write, her style is upbeat without being cheesy and she really knows how to light a fire under the proverbial derriere. Even my wife got into it (this morning I found her clearing out her nightstand!)

The book is divided into five parts.

Part 1:  The Madness
Mimi Tanner has a serious understanding of this clutter thing. Motivational and eye- opening. I guess I didn’t really understand how far reaching a clutter problem is, and to what degree it actually affects you and those around you.

Part 2: The Methods
This is where she gets into the nitty gritty of the decluttering solution. Her methods are tailored to your individual problems and situation, which I liked. Not everyone has the same level of clutter or same living/working situation, so it’s nice to see that she gives you a few options. Her “17 essentials” had me slapping my own forehead, now I know why the clutter keeps coming back. I also appreciated her section on decluttering children, very thoughtful, and some really great (and do-able) ideas.

Part 3:  Having it Together
In this part she shows you how to tackle paperwork and clothing, and gives you an ingenious way to deal with procrastination. I fell in love with her procrastination buster. I’ve used it three times today already. I think this one trick alone is probably worth the price of the whole book.

The paperwork section is easily my least favorite part. I just didn’t find it as beneficial as the other parts of the book. Now, I think it could help someone who’s paperwork is completely out of control or someone who needs a simple system that works. But for me, it seemed too simple.

I set up a complex filing system a couple of years ago, that I’m used to. As, I write this, I do see one advantage to a simple system like hers; My wife doesn’t know her way around my system at all. Whenever I’ve needed her to get something for me, I’ve always had to talk her through the operation. Ms. Tanner’s way is definitely more self explanatory. That said, I’ll probably stick to my system, which works fine as long as I actually file the papers.

Part 4:  Staying Decluttered
Yes. Maintenance. How to hold on to the progress you make. Some good strategies. Though I think once I see my whole place, clean and orderly, exactly how I want it – I’m not letting that go without a fight. She answers some readers questions in this part. I have the feeling that she encourages questions and feedback, which I always appreciate.

Part 5:  Emergency Decluttering

You know that sinking feeling you get, when you hear the news that you have visitors coming over and the house, looking the way it does, makes you want to  crawl under a rock? Head directly to part five. She has a lighting fast method, it’s not pretty, but will certainly the job done and quickly.

All, in all I’m glad I got this one. In fact, I was so inspired last night that I even dusted off my old agenda, and actually used it today. I haven’t been this efficient in a long time. I even had time to write this review!

If you’re tired of clutter, I strongly recommend that you at least you over to the URL below to see for yourself what I’m talking about. At the very least sign up for the free declutter tips, Mimi gives you more good (and actionable) info for free than others charge for.

Take a look at her manifesto here:

Mimi Tanner’s Declutter Fast

Here’s to finally coming home to a clean and peaceful place! Declutter and be free.