- Over-extended schedule.
- Fear of not being productive.
- Feeling lazy when I have downtime.
- Wondering if I’m wasting time.
Can you relate?
Over the years, I’ve heard that home organization (or lack therof) affects our personal life, causing either relaxation or even stress. And judging by the stats regarding posts written on organization tips and techniques, as well as the myriad of magazine covers at the local grocery store, many people want to de-clutter, they want structure, and they want their days to run smoothly.
But even when I felt as though my home was in order and all the clutter was gone, something still didn’t set well. After reading Ruth Soukup’s latest book, Unstuffed: Decluttering Your Home, Mind, & Soul, I think I figured out the rest of the puzzle.
While decluttering my home is great and feels wonderful after it’s done, I hadn’t looked at other areas of my life that required some tending to and attention, such as friendships, spiritual health, and even health habits.
In her book, Ruth breaks down three areas in need of being “unstuffed”:
- Home
- Mind
- Soul
In the first section for the home, she shares her story of how she accumulated stuff, whether through the merging of two homes in marriage, the passing of a family member, finding a great deal at the store, and more. She also explains a few ways of how to stay on top of clutter, including 10 daily habits that are very easy to incorporate into our day. And if we really need to go nuclear, a challenge, complete with schedule, on decluttering an entire house in a weekend.
In the second section regarding minds, she covers everything from scheduling to paper and e-clutter to how to lay down boundaries when accepting things from well-meaning family members.
And in the third section, which I found the most thought-provoking, she shares ways to examine our spiritual walk and lives, including evaluating friendships and how to determine if we’re in a toxic relationship that could affect our well-being. She also includes ways to incorporate health and how not to stuff our days so full of commitments and activities that we ultimately make ourselves sick.
Wrapping up her book is her very powerful testimony. Ruth is a woman, who by God’s grace, has overcome several adversities and arrived on the other end to reach out and help those who are struggling.
When you pick up a copy, I suggest reading through it before working through it. The first part felt a little overwhelming as I saw all of the ideas for de-cluttering and organizing my home. But once I looked beyond that and simply read the book, I felt I was able to grasp more material and understand Ruth’s heart for helping others. Now I can go back through and begin some legwork!
*A copy of Unstuffed: Decluttering Your Home, Mind, & Soul was provided by the publisher, in exchange for my honest review.
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Karen Del Tatto says
I can definitely relate to the four bullet points you shared at the beginning of the post.
I am someone that is literally physically effected by clutter. Just recently our house was emptied out of a lot of things and I can already feel the stress lifting.
Next up is closets.
The book you reviewed sounds very thought provoking and interesting. Thanks for sharing.
Sara Elizabeth says
I totally agree!! And closets seem difficult to keep organized. I’ve learned that if I don’t keep culling, it gets out of hand very quickly. 🙂
Grandmas House DIY says
I am definitely also someone really effected by clutter, my husband knows that my life is not a good one until all of my surfaces are empty of all objects and wiped clean lol. Except for some very specific things like coasters, plants, lamps etc. I am a clutter nazi!
Our link party at Grandma’s House just opened today, we would love to have you there!
Sara Elizabeth says
I need to be more of a clutter nazi. Before I know it, my surfaces are cluttered again.
bluecottonmemory says
This is been a re-organization year – and it has caused much de-cluttering. However, there’s so much more to do. I’d be interested in the part about what to do with handed-down furniture that I have been given custody of with any changes frowned upon – that’s a hard one! Especially with a house full of boys who probably won’t be interested in it some day.
Sara Elizabeth says
Yes that’s a hard one, isn’t it? 🙂
Amy Jung says
I appreciate the reminder that decluttering must happen in the mind and soul as well as in the home! Good things to ponder! Linked up near you at 3dlessons4life!
Sara Elizabeth says
Thanks for visiting! And yes, I’ve realized that physical clutter affects my mind and mind clutter can affect the physical clutter.