Book Review: Clutter Free by Kathi Lipp

There are a lot of resources available on clutter.  I've skimmed some, read some and left it at that.  Kathi Lipp's book Clutter Free is a well written handbook on clutter, not just to address your current state of clutter, but to address the issues behind WHY you have clutter.  I have found the techniques and insight in this book to be life-changing.  If you are a tub-buying stasher, you may want to avoid this book.  It will challenge your tub buying stashing efforts in a BIG way - i.e. stop buying tubs!  By the time I reached Chapter 6, I thought Kathi Lipp had some sort of secret access to the thought processes of my mind and shopping experiences.  The book is 25 chapters long with three worthwhile appendices.  The first appendix provides you information you need to get started with Kathi's Three-Box, Two-Bag System.  No, you are not going out to buy new tubs for this system!!!  Although I actually found I had some empty ones that work nicely for the process.  I'm an easily distracted individual when I'm cleaning an area.  The three-box, two-bag system helps me to stay focused and in the same location as my clutter I'm attempting to clear.  Appendix 2 helps you address paperwork clutter and Appendix 3 helps you learn to pack for vacation and business trips without more luggage than you can carry, pull, load and check at the airport.  The 25 chapters will help you identify how much your clutter is costing you, why you buy the things you buy, why you keep the things you keep and approaches to get rid of stuff.  I've recommended this book to many friends.  I don't plan on giving up my copy anytime soon.  If you are ready for a life-changing read - order this book today, it may save you from multiple more costly purchases later. Find it today on Amazon.

I received this book for free in exchange for this review.

4000+ emails

Yesterday I began a daunting task of cleaning and purging my inbox. Have you ever let those pesky emails you don't intend to read, just sit in your inbox?  I did.  This seemingly impossible task provided me some time of reflection during the quiet napping of my children.  As I sorted, first by unread, then by sender I began deleting.  I realized that my inbox can be reflective of my life at times.  I thought of the constant work God does in my life, trying to rid my person of all the baggage that doesn't need to be cluttering my mind, body and soul.  One by one I deleted emails.  Then I realized that some of the same short cut keys that work in other programs work well in my inbox too.  Once I was armed with that realization, deleting emails became much easier.  As I continued on my deleting spree I found numerous emails from my favorite stores, newsletters and forwards from friends that I often enjoy.  They had gone unread and were now old and useless.  Then there were the emails that I didn't even request that should have been out as soon as they came in to my inbox.  The huge amount of unread emails cluttering my inbox often caused me to overlook the emails I received from important people in my life.  This morning as I opened up my freshly purged inbox, I found it so much easier to purge the new unwanted emails and to quickly read the important ones.


I think that God works much the same way.  He takes hold of the things that we are willing to release easily at first. Then, as we realize we are better for it, we release more life clutter to his deleting power.  The more we release to him, the more he is able to clear from our lives and the easier it is for us to see and hear him when he speaks to us.


In the past, I have jokingly remarked that sometimes I wish God would just send me an email.  Maybe he just did.


Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.  Hebrews 12:1-3