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 Mike Nelson is a clutterer. And so are thousands of other Americans. According to
Nelson, clutter isn’t just a minor annoyance or an organizational challenge. It can
destroy self esteem and relationships, contribute to financial problems, and even lead to
unemployment. In fact, studies have shown that clutterers are also overeaters, alcoholics,
and chronic debtors.
For Nelson, clutter became his identity–his all-consuming passion. This book is
the story of Mike Nelson’s journey from the depths of cluttered despair to a new
clutter-free life. A former writer of travel guides, Nelson now guides his troubled
readers on a sojourn of another sort–one out of the habit of cluttering into a
carefree, clutter-free life.
He begins by telling his readers to start with their most obvious source of clutter in
their life so that they can obtain immediate gratification. By experiencing the success of
ridding themselves of some of their clutter, they’ll have the will power to continue.
He stresses beginning with projects that can easily be accomplished.
Momentos, most of
which are too hard to part with, are best left for later on when the clutterer has some
experience with uncluttering.
Nelson relates tales of other clutterers–Samantha, Mary, Marilyn, Richard, Joe and
others. Each has an intriguing story to tell. Some, like Samantha, have been fighting
clutter for years. Others, like Mary, have never admitted their cluttering addiction to
anyone.
From his own personal experience, Nelson discusses what recovery feels like, including
practical steps to help eliminate the piles of clutter. But the hardest part, as with so
many other addictions, is keeping clutter at bay. He tells of reaching a new level of
recovery while writing this book.
After discussing, spiritualizing, and agonizing about clutter, Mike Nelson discusses
professional organizers and their role in the uncluttering process. For those with the
means, the help of a professional organizer may be just the ticket to get them started on
their road to uncluttering. But most readers won’t be able to afford one of these
specialists. Instead, they’ll have to plod through every drawer, read ever piece of
paper, and sort through every pile to get themselves on the road to recovery.
Written in a witty manner, this book is a must for anyone caught in the web of clutter.
And just like a spider in a web, clutter will poison its prey and devour it for dinner.
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