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Title: It's All Too Much: An Easy Plan for Living a Richer Life with Less Stuff
ISBN: 0743292650
Author:
Peter Walsh
Publicate Date: 2007-11-06
Publish: 2007-11-06
List Price: $14.00
Average Customer Rating: 4.5
Format: Paperback
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $7.96
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $6.96
Amazon Merchant Price: $11.20
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| Customer Review: |
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1: A life-changing book!
Peter Walsh, the professional organizer from TLC's reality show "Clean Sweep" holds forth on how and why we are overwhelmed with "junk" and what we can do about it. Instead of offering simple "how to clean" advice he tackles the psychology of why people have trouble letting go of things.
Basically, there are two reasons people have trouble thinning down.
1) They have an irrational sentimental attachment to an item. This explains why people keep broken, unusable goods, or family heirlooms which are more of a burden than a blessing.
2) They feel they might need the item "one day". This usually boils down to a fear of scarcity. In our decadent Western society, how likely is it that we won't be able to run to any number of big box stores down the street and pick up whatever we need, at the time that we need it? Do yourself a favor, he argues, and get rid of the stuff that's weighing you down.
I did find a few of his edicts a tad draconian. For example, no bronzed baby shoe mementos, and never ever more than 3 magazines in the home at a time? Really?
However! You must keep in mind, that this is coming from a man who has personally witnessed a lot of the worst cases in the country. I think I can speak for the majority of Americans when I say that my house certainly doesn't look as bad as some of the "before's" on his show. Unfortunately, my home doesn't look as beautiful as the "after's" either. For most of us, whose homes are somewhere in-between, this book is the perfect kick in the pants to get a bit of clearing, organizing and beautifying accomplished.
Walsh patiently, reasonably and logically lays out some of the common thoughts and fears that prevent us from getting rid the clutter and living in the best space possible. I felt inspired to clean up my act and while my home still isn't "perfect" it's now looking a darn sight better than it has in years. It's a difference that you can see! For this reason alone, I give this book 5 stars. Highly, highly, highly recommend.
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2: Walsh's clueless, toxic help
I watched a few episodes of that TV show Walsh is on, and he is clearly not a professional in any sense. He gives the impression of someone who somehow fell into an opening in front of a TV studio on his way to his job installing drywall.
One of his organizational strategies is shame, one of the most damaging emotions to mental and emotional health. In one episode, he drove a Korean woman not just to tears, but to actual sobbing, over the state of her guest room. He pummeled her with questions like: "Would you want your mother to stay in this room? Is that what you think of her? Is that how much she means to you?" Given the reverence bestowed upon elders in the Asian culture, it was especially mean.
Furthermore, disorganization is major feature of several neurological disorders, particularly ADD, and many of the afflicted are undiagnosed and untreated. Given their serious, lifelong struggles to get organized, it would not be surprising if a disproportionate number showed up on these TV shows seeking help. Shame would be particularly destructive to these individuals. As a form of toxic help, shame is a major player.
Walsh just doesn't get it: organization or lack thereof is not a moral issue.
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3: Buying this book will only add to your clutter
If you feel a need to read this book, please check it out of the local library.
There's little here in the way of new ideas and the book is very repetitive. Perhaps the author had a page quota to meet.
Two questions were helpful in thinking about clutter removal: What is the purpose of the room? How do you want to feel when you are in the room?
While the premise is that things must be culled and removed from the home, there is more stress on simply tossing things in the trash than suggestions of ways to properly dispose of items or recycle, or pass along to appropriate charities or non-profits.
I'll be giving my copy of this book to a charity's upcoming book sale.
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4: Simplify
Simple and profoundly true. I sat down to rest, to write this. Must go back to THROWING THINGS AWAY, that are neither useful or important. Excellent book.
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5: Declutter your life
By process of self-selection, I would place myself in the better half of the population when it comes to keeping the clutter out of my life. Reading Peter Walsh's 'It's All Too Much', I was glad to find many of the suggested practices already in use, but I also found a few small gems which made me reconsider the status quo and make a change for the better. The discussion on 'cost vs value', was especially valuable: remember that the cost (what you paid), is not necessarily equivalent to value of that item in your life. It's that piece of clothing you bought and wore once, or an expensive present someone gave you and which is now occupying prime real estate in your house - it's time for it to go.
The only immediate shortcoming: the book, in all likelihood, will attract a self-selected crowd of people who are already well down this path. We all know a friend or a relative who could really use the lessons, but Peter Walsh does not provide any discussion on how to breach or introduce the subject. There, you're on your own.
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