The Bottom Line
A useful book for those who need this kind of help, even though it does not, as claimed, have all the answers for every person and situation.
Pros
- Good at identifying what's holding you back
- Idea of "zones" is a sensible one
- Stresses planning before spending money
Cons
- Claim of being foolproof is unrealistic
Description
- The book itself is well-organized - must-read sections followed by chapters on specific areas.
- Underestimates the difficulty of living with another change-resistant clutterer.
- Helpful sections at chapter ends with tips for daily, ongoing and occasional maintenance.
Guide Review - Organizing from the Inside Out - by Julie Morgenstern
"Organizing from the Inside Out" by Julie Morgenstern is a hopeful and helpful book for people with clutter and disorganization problems. The author, a professional organizer, does well at identifying both practical and psychological obstacles to the de-cluttering and reorganizing process. Her "Kindergarten" model of space organizations is sensible and will fit many situations, though not all. This theory of dividing space into zones may work well for those who tend to leave things out because they have no "home." The book does not help enough for situations where one's zones overlap (my own desk is a prime example). Pairing this book with "Stop Clutter from Stealing Your Life" (see below) may be good for people with serious clutter issues.
