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"Our lives are so filled with junk from the past-from dried up tubes of glue to old grudges-that it's a wonder we can get up in the morning," exclaims motivator, best-selling author, columnist, and life coach Gail Blanke.
"If you want to grow, you gotta let go," is Blanke's mantra; and that means eliminating all the clutter-physical and emotional-that holds you back, weighs you down, or just makes you feel bad about yourself.
In THROW OUT FIFTY THINGS she takes us through each room of the house-from the attic to the garage-and even to the far reaches of our minds. Through poignant and humorous stories, she inspires us to get rid of the "life plaque" we've allowed to build-up there.
Blanke (Between Trapezes), a motivational speaker and former columnist for Real Simple, shovels aside detritus to make space for cleaner rooms and clearer minds. She challenges readers to follow her example in discarding 50 things; tossed items range from old clothes to "the need to be right." The author's suggestions range from the humble ("Have a swap party for your outgrown clothes") to the ambitious ("Clarify who you are"), and her scope and environmentally conscious mind-set make the book a rousing call to total transformation-one mismatched sock at a time. (Mar.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.What better way to start the New Year than to get rid of the old and start anew? Popular blogger Babauta (ZenHabits.net) advises readers to identify the essential and eliminate the rest, while life coach Blanke (Between Trapezes) cuts to the chase, ordering her audience to empty that stuffed kitchen drawer. What distinguishes Blanke's book is her advice to let go of not only stuff but also regrets, ideas about one's personality type, and the need to be liked by everyone. Babauta, too, advocates five-sentence emails and single-tasking for clearing away mental clutter. Both worthwhile purchases are heartily recommended.
Introduction xv
Fueling the Urge to Purge xxii
Making It to Fifty xxiv
Getting Started xxvi
Part 1 Getting Rid of the Physical Stuff
Chapter 1 Your Bedroom 3
Chapter 2 Your Bathroom 7
Chapter 3 Your Kitchen 28
Chapter 4 Your Living Room 40
Chapter 5 Your Dining Room 50
Chapter 6 Your Attic 58
Chapter 7 Your Garage 69
Part 2 Your Office: Paring Down the Professional Clutter
Chapter 8 Clarifying Your Brand 85
Chapter 9 Keeping What Works, Eliminating What Doesn't 97
Chapter 10 The Phoenix Rises from the Ashes 107
Part 3 Attacking the Mental Mess
If You Think you Can Separate the Physical from the Mental Clutter, Forget About It! 112
Chapter 11 Letting Go of Feeling Inadequate, Irrelevant, and Just Plain Not Good Enough 119
Chapter 12 Letting Go of the Type of Person You Think You Are-or Aren't 127
Chapter 13 Letting Go of the Regrets and Mistakes of the Past 137
Chapter 14 Letting Go of Being Right About How Wrong Everybody and Everything Is 148
Chapter 15 Letting Go of the Need to Have Everyone Like You 159
Chapter 16 Letting Go of Thinking the Worst 169
Chapter 17 Letting Go of Waiting for the Right Moment 181
Chapter 18 Letting Go of Needing to Feel Secure 190
Chapter 19 Letting Go of Thinking That You Have to Do Everything Yourself 197
Chapter 20 Making It to Fifty: The Celebration 208
Part 4 Stepping into the Clearing
Chapter 21 Your Vision for the Future 213
Chapter 22 Taking Energy from Your Denning Moments 223
Chapter 23 Being Unforgettable 232
Chapter 24 Find Your Song-and Sing It! 241
Chapter 25 Your Declaration to the World 248
Appendix: Your Throw-Outs 249
Resource Guide 253
Index 261
Anonymous
Posted April 25, 2010
I read the book through first and then went back and am attacking my clutter one item at a time. Read it in the a.m. and apply what you learn throughout the day. its a free feeling to clean up you life!
This is an umcomplacated and easy read but carries a big message.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I was very excited to read "Throw Out Fifty Things: Clear the Clutter, Find Your Life" by Gail Blanke. If you could see my house, and especially my 'reading room/office', you would understand immediately. I have such a hard time getting rid of 'stuff'. I have clothes in my closet that I bought three years ago that still have the tags because I haven't yet worn them...but can I throw them out? Uh, NO! Why? Well, duh...because I haven't worn them yet! If you don't understand that, then you are likely an organized kind of person that I love to envy.<BR/><BR/>I found this book very clear and the 'system' incredibly simple. Each chapter covers a different area/room in your house (bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, etc) and the author provides advice and suggestions (if not outright orders) for what types of things you should consider in each of the rooms. There are even very informative 'box' suggestions in each chapter with data on recycling, donating, tag sales, swapping, hazardous waste removal, etc. And a handy resource section at the end provides websites and/or contact information by type of item. That's the good news about the book.<BR/><BR/>The only downside (for me) was that the constant 'cheering' and 'philosophizing' tended to wear on me. In that regard, I think I would have been more pleased with the audio book version...but then I wouldn't have gotten all the handy charts in the book! So, if soul-searching and imperatives don't drive you batty, then "Throw Out Fifty Things" may be just the ticket to help you clear out those things you really don't need. As for me? Well...let's just say I didn't quite make it to fifty.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.HeatherBKC
Posted May 11, 2009
This is the greatest organizational book! I've recommended it to everyone I know. Gail puts her personal trials of holding onto things, the feelings and emotions involved, then tells you how to let go. She hits each room with practical advice. Super easy to read and the instructions are easy to follow.
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Schmooby-Doo
Posted September 30, 2011
I enjoyed this book, not just for its going through room by room but especially for its approach to mental and emotional clutter!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.IsabellaRose
Posted April 17, 2010
I found the book to be motivating. I am organized as a person. However, I used the book as a tool to work on my deceased father's home where there were many memories attached to "things".
The tips and exercises gave me the strength to throw out things as opposed to trying to sell them where their would be memories for some people. I was able to unload many thinggs and clothing to charity.
Again I stress the book was upbeat and motivational for me.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 10, 2011
Finally a book that worked for me. Cutting clutter has always been a challenge. This book breaks it down room by room with a common sense approach to what to keep and what to toss (or donate). Worked for me. Day one I read 60 pages and got rid of 48 things that were just filling space unnecessarily. Great book!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted July 6, 2009
My husband asked me why I have changed my ways after 20 years, this book is it. I am going to have my kids read it next, never too early to learn the lessons this book teaches!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 17, 2011
Psychological take on needing to clean...insightful.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 3, 2009
I Also Recommend:
If you have too much clutter and can't seem to part with any of it, this is the book for you. The author gives detailed advice on how to part with things and how to move on with your life. A great read.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted June 13, 2009
A surprisingly good example of the genre. The author uses examples from her own life to introduce or illustrate her points. She urges us to unclutter our lives, not just eliminating the possessions that we don't need, but also the regrets, heartbreaks, etc. that we may hang onto that keep us mired in the past. The combination is very helpful, and this short book was a valuable tool.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 12, 2013
live here put ur name down
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 24, 2011
This book will help you do this immediately! Not only clutter in front of you, but also clutter within youself! A must read !!
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 11, 2011
This little book is great if you need to find a starting place with clearing out clutter. It provides great direction, leaving no stone unturned.
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Posted January 5, 2012
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Posted October 5, 2010
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Posted September 8, 2010
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Posted May 8, 2010
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Posted November 5, 2012
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Posted May 28, 2010
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Posted January 24, 2010
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Overview
"Our lives are so filled with junk from the past-from dried up tubes of glue to old grudges-that it's a wonder we can get up in the morning," exclaims motivator, best-selling author, columnist, and life coach Gail Blanke.
"If you want to grow, you gotta let go," is Blanke's mantra; and that means eliminating all the clutter-physical and emotional-that holds you back, weighs you down, or just makes you feel bad about yourself.
In THROW OUT FIFTY THINGS she takes us through each room of the house-from the attic to ...