This book is filled with ideas on space clearing and why you need to do it. It also dives into clearing the body and inner self of clutter. This is a really great book!

This is one of my favorite books on clutter clearing. Very readable in small manageable chapters and topic sections. The author's ideas about room flow, space, and energy make intuitive sense and are easy to apply. Ideas are both pragmatic and thoughtful. I learned to "see" clutter I had been missing and to think about some of the consequences of clutter that I hadn't considered before! This book also addresses the sometimes neglected topics of mental, emotional, and spiritual clutter.

I have had this book for about 2 years , and I have referred to it often. I didn't know much about Feng Shui before I got it, but I did know about clutter! The simple, common sense instructions and definition of clutter helped me focus on the real issues and see more clearly where I could make improvements. Clearing Clutter is a process. It takes awareness and practice, and with this book I have learned skills that I have been able to pass along to my kids.

This book was very motivating and pursuasive.She makes good points about the material things we own.Since Ive read her book Ive been able to let go of things no matter how expensive or appealing it is.I hope she writes more books

I put this book to the test this weekend and by this evening I have cleared over thirty or so years of not only my clutter, but things that belonged to my son and daughter. The book Clear Your Clutter with Feng shui gave me "permission" to toss out things that were not longer useful or wanted. I had tried to keep it all. I literally filled up a large building with collections and garage sale and auctions finds. Only a small pathway was left in the building and it was definitely a fire hazard. The book talks about how decluttering is freeing and it was right. If you have problems with too much stuff, read this book. You'll feel better and your family and friends will notice the difference ,too.

Exellent book, truly enjoyed and very helpful.
I will be clearing the clutter any minute now!
I was sort of a pack rat, but now I realize all
these things were just weighing me down. I can
toss alot without feeling guilty as in "hanging on
to stuff for my three sons". They probably will be
very glad I did some hoeing out.

This book has quite literally changed my life. I was a major clutterbug and did not realize that it was actually hindering my progress in life. Reading this book is like taking a big breath of fresh air. My house, car, and workspace are now more manageable because of this book. There are so many lessons in this book including clearing your body of clutter, clearing your emotional clutter, and more! If you or anyone you know has clutter taking over their life, GET THIS BOOK! It will change the energy of your home and self to a positive space to enjoy.

The book is simple to read and to the point. The part about feng shui is not really feng shui. Author states to use the 9 sections of the bagua, but does not factor the directional locations (North, South, West, East, etc) at all. After reading this book, I think it is just for entertainment purposes and to motivate to declutter. That's about it (and not feng shui related really). There is a point where I felt that the book is telling you to literally through out everything you don't use for a year or two and it is okay to keep a filing cabinet for your papers. I pictured a hotel lifestyle room (not possible for an actual home). If you agree with the author to throw or give away your cookbooks, take pictures of your physical sentimental things and let them go, pretty much let go of things. There will be a point where you will read this book and think...should I give most of the things I have away. Again, book will motivate to declutter but remember that there is a limit to what the author is suggesting.

You would never expect for something like clutter to affect your mood away from home. I had a strong sense that my home environment was affecting the rest of my life. I attempted Feng Shui a few years ago by rearranging my furniture, draping things with cloths, etc. but the clutter remained. I would purge and clean up every few months or so and in hind sight I see those were peaks/highlights in my life. I am in the process of moving to a new place and decided I wanted to decorate my fresh space with Feng Shui inspired techniques. I stumble across this book and figure this will only enhance the sacred space book I have pick up. I start reading this book first and only 3 days later I find myself cleaning for 6 HOURS!!!! LOL! I threw away soooo much stuff. Over 60 pair of shoes (some of which I haven't worn in years), clothes that weren't flattering or no longer fit, old credit card statements for accounts that are no longer active, books who's pages cracked at their opening. The next day I felt GREAT. Prior to this my space made me sleepy immediately when I entered it. I wanted to do nothing but surf the web and sleep. Some of the issues I was having prior to still exist, but I have a new perspective on them. I don't feel the same anxiety or heaviness that I have been feeling in the months leading up to this day. I'm still not done and can't wait to do more. I currently work two jobs so finding the energy and time proves to be difficult, but the next block of free time I get will be devoted to creating a clean space.

This book is a fabulous inspiration recommended by my daughter. I just feng shui'd my mother (I've had her paperwork lying around for 8 years since she passed away). Been avoiding it. Plus, I'm getting rid of all the craft stuff I have been saving for my grandkids to use, but they've moved out of state or outgrown it. My house is beginning to float, and the Salvation Army needs a new building. Even my husband has jumped on the bandwagon. Great book!

I started using the suggestions in this book right away. As a matter of fact, I just went to the subject I felt I needed help with and I found the insight, the advice and suggestions to be extremely practical and helpful and I got moving on my own clutter clearing right away... I was so inspired by this book I took it with me to my moms house and did some clutter clearing for her! By sharing the insights with her and applying them to my mom's bedroom it made the process of cleaning up fun and uplifting.
I would suggest it to anyone who tends to be a clutter-bug! This book is easy to read. The advice and insights are refreshing and the results feel great ... no complicated charts to follow like in most Feng Shui books.

Reading this book was almost a life altering experience. I immediately began clearing not just my space, but my life. I've bought two more copies and given them to friends who expressed a need for the same!

I found this little book to be inspirational, useful and fun to read. It did get me started on the decluttering of 15+ years of accumulation. I now have more questions on Feng Shui and will be reading more on that subject however, this little book at least has sent me off into a flurry of much needed activity. It will be interesting to note what changes may come about in my life once the "clutter clearing" is done.

I find the author to be an excellent motivator. After reading a few chapters, I easily embarked upon a long-considered but ever-postponed clearing of numerous, dense pockets of accumulated items throughout my house. I've gleefully filled so many boxes and bags in the last 3 days that my yellow Lab is showing signs of anxiety usually reserved for moving. So my husband and I have been doing our best to reassure her that the pack is staying put. And there's more house purging to come.

What I found especially liberating was the section on dismantling the "keep it just in case" myth. I realized that I was holding incompatible belief systems in my mind: knowing deep down that the universe always provides for me and having constant evidence to prove it; yet offering up doubt in the form of holding on to items that were certainly useful in theory, but not in use in my home. When the "Maybe I should keep this" line reared its ugly head several times during the clear-out, I was able to challenge it successfully and allow the items to enter the "donate" box without stress or thoughts of future need of it. The mental clutter-clearing is a great benefit of the whole process, and it's been such a valuable opportunity to get in touch with the myths I've been carrying around regarding these objects. None of my previous justifications for keeping these items can hold up in my mind anymore. The sense of freedom in this is immense.

Of course, with a stirring up of long-dormant objects comes a release of stuck energy. While I was expecting and looking forward to the increase in money flow, physical energy, business and creativity; there were some postponed decisions that suddenly required action NOW. Things came to a head, so to speak. All within a matter of hours of tossing and sorting. Be prepared for what I can best describe as a healing crisis of your whole life. Whatever has been on hold will surface and require attention; whether it's speaking your mind concerning something you've long been shy or silent about, dealing directly with a difficult friend or even culling superfluous animals from your farm.

The interesting and amazing thing about all this, is that with the sudden surfacing of these issues is a fresh and clear viewpoint on the subject, as well as exactly the right words with which to articulate difficult feelings. At least that's been my experience. Whatever it is that requires addressing will present itself with clarity and urgency, if you really dig deeply and allow yourself to release the objects that have gripped you emotionally. Just tossing a pile of last week's newspapers will not yield this effect, but get them in the recycling pile anyway.

While I've used feng shui for years with great results, this is not a book for someone hoping to learn the basics on the subject. Feng shui is mentioned throughout the book as far as how clutter affects the various areas of the bagua. That said, any attempt to "feng shui" a living space must be accompanied by clutter clearing to be truly successful. So it is an excellent companion volume to a primer on the basics. I haven't yet read her other book, but will put it in my cart today.

If you're ready to take an honest look at what you've accumulated and why, and are willing to encounter whatever temporary fallout may ensue as a result; you'll find this little book invaluable.

I am a professional interior designer and the clutter I've seen in my client's homes...! Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui taught me a lot about the psychology of why people surround themselves with too much stuff. the book has been very helpful in enabling me to get my clients to get rid of their junk. Those that are in really bad shape I give a copy to. It really helps.

However, other than the discussion on energy (which is very important,) this book lacks information on Feng Shui. I recommend Harmonious Environment: Beautify, Detoxify and Energize Your Life, Your Home and Your Planet, to fill that gap AND give you great information on greening your home.

If clutter is your problem, buy this book!

I bought this book a year or so ago. It is really helpful and it is small and easy to read. Nice to have all the used copies now for many people. I bought it new. I like the way things are explained in the book. I did not realize how clutter can actually paralyze people. Now I do my best to keep the clutter under control. It gives you so much more energy to have the things you need, some items you enjoy and call it good.

[...]

Gets at the heart of what's causing clutteritis, and then eases one into the traumatic process of parting with classic junque-stuff. The title is a fair precis of what the book is about.

For individuals who suddenly find themselves with more stuff than they have space for, this book is helpful in clearing out the clutter. Keep in mind that clutter doesn't develop overnight so it will take time to achieve your goal of getting rid of it. This book is a good first step of a long journey.

Whether you buy into feng shui or not, this book could change how you look at what you own.

I first encountered this gem of a book when it initially came out, and over the years I have bought multiple copies for friends and family members.

The basic premise is simple but liberating: If you don't love it or it is not useful, get rid of it. I was so motivated after reading this book that I started sorting the very same night, and within a short period of time I was left with: a heck of a lot less than I had before, but all of it stuff that I loved and valued. And since that time I have retained the same desire to own less, while seeking out quality.

To date I've read many books on simplicity and clutter clearing, and I can honestly say that none of them come even close to this one. It is short and to the point -- and that is the beauty of it.

Jennifer Skinner
Author of The Very Small Closet

Reading this book was a life-changing experience. It made me look at the reasons I hold onto things, and helped me gain the courage to pass them along when needed, or be clear about why I was keeping them. It also helped to create fresh energy, which got many of the "stuck" areas of my life flowing again. I would highly recommend it.

In my continuing effort to clear my home of clutter and throw off bad habits learned from my parents, I read a number of reviews praising Karen Kingston's "Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui" for its simplicity and useful information.

They were so wrong. This book is horrendous.

The first half of the book is more a paean to Kingston herself than anything else: every page contains a testimonial detailing how incredible she and her books and her seminars are despite the fact that every idea she has is either stolen from the quack medicine community or from true Feng Shui practitioners. Among other things, Kingston believes (and I am not making this up, no matter how bizarrely ludicrous this all sounds):

* that she can tell if somebody died in a house, even years earlier, because the death causes "energy" to ball up in one area of the home

* that if someone went bankrupt, committed a crime, or - horrors of horrors - gained weight in the house, buying that house means the same thing will happen to you too

* that blowing water up your rear end regularly will somehow not just make you rich; it'll also cure any disease you have (apparently all her clients are immortals?)

* that having stuff around that you only use once a year is an "energy drain" (apparently you're supposed to throw it out and buy it again every year?)

* that somehow having millions in the bank doesn't make you rich, because she wasn't rich when she bought a million-dollar estate in Bali. It was just feng shui.

I am personally offended by this book, so much that I have returned it hours after receiving it. WHY would anyone publish such pseudoscientific claptrap nonsense? Oh, I forgot: because people will believe anything as long as it has absolutely no scientific basis whatsoever.

This book is an embarrassment to the publishing world, and I don't recommend it.

(Title borrowed from The Portable Dorothy Parker (Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition): if you want to spend money, buy something of hers instead.)

In my continuing effort to clear my home of clutter and throw off bad habits learned from my parents, I read a number of reviews praising Karen Kingston's "Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui" for its simplicity and useful information.

They were so wrong. This book is horrendous.

The first half of the book is more a paean to Kingston herself than anything else: every page contains a testimonial detailing how incredible she and her books and her seminars are despite the fact that every idea she has is either stolen from the quack medicine community or from true Feng Shui practitioners. Among other things, Kingston believes (and I am not making this up, no matter how bizarrely ludicrous this all sounds):

* that she can tell if somebody died in a house, even years earlier, because the death causes "energy" to ball up in one area of the home

* that if someone went bankrupt, committed a crime, or - horrors of horrors - gained weight in the house, buying that house means the same thing will happen to you too

* that blowing water up your rear end regularly will somehow not just make you rich; it'll also cure any disease you have (apparently all her clients are immortals?)

* that having stuff around that you only use once a year is an "energy drain" (apparently you're supposed to throw it out and buy it again every year?)

* that somehow having millions in the bank doesn't make you rich, because she wasn't rich when she bought a million-dollar estate in Bali. It was just feng shui.

I am personally offended by this book, so much that I have returned it hours after receiving it. WHY would anyone publish such pseudoscientific claptrap nonsense? Oh, I forgot: because people will believe anything as long as it has absolutely no scientific basis whatsoever.

This book is an embarrassment to the publishing world, and I don't recommend it.

(Title borrowed from The Portable Dorothy Parker (Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition): if you want to spend money, buy something of hers instead.)

This book literally changed my life and made me realize what clutter meant growing up ina household with Depression Era parents. Why I held on to certain things that I did and why it made me anxious! It also made me realize that my purpose was to help others overcome their clutter issues. I moved forward to become a professional organizer and start my own business. Four years later this is still the number one book I recommend my organizing clients read! Simple truths and an easy read put it all into perspective!

I have had this book on my bookshelf for years and it is still the one I turn to for quick inspiration. Karen's concepts make sense. There is the usual placement-directions-colors you find in all Feng Shui books, but this book helped me most where she writes about WHY certain clutter isn't helpful, and made me think about what I really want in my home. Why was I hanging on to things that no longer inspire me, and in fact, might even keep reminding me of that which is long in the past and not relevant to my life today -- and the kind of life I want going forward?

The result is a home that holds the things I love, displayed in a manner that feels pleasing to be around.

This is the one book I would not be without. It's small, inexpensive, and my "bible" when I need inspiration to clear out what's in the way.

This is such a great book. I can be a pack rat but am tired of all the "stuff" I have accumulated. This book has been wonderful for me. I have suggested it to tons of people. Hope it will help you as well, sure can't hurt!

This little book is very easy to read and follow, very handy, it really makes you understand and see how bad is the clutter for you and your house and how it affects your life.

I really enjoyed this book and even bought copies for several of my friends. I like how the author goes into the psychological aspects of clutter & collecting things. This book gives you something to think about and motivates you to get rid of stuff!

I started getting numerous recommendations to read this book. It sounded interesting but I thought "I don't have clutter." Boy was I wrong! When I read the book I realized the many ways I was literally zapping the energy out of different areas of my life due to my clutter. This is one of those books you read in one sitting and believe me I had to force myself not to get up and start work on my apartment. That was over a year ago and since that time a lot of aspects of my life has changed for the better -- my relationship improved, more money started flowing in, and tell you a secret every time I want to manifest or bring new energy into my life a good decluttering always does it. I decided that this book had given me so much that I passed it on to my mother who passed it on to my aunt and so forth. I do think that I will get a copy for my shelf. This is one of those books that is awesome and changed my life for the better. Thank you Karen!

This Book is one of the BEST for clearing clutter. I have tried to for years without much success until this book opened my eyes. It gave me understanding why I do some of the things I do. I started right away in clearing areas (getting rid of excess stuff). I got rid of 80% of my clothes and WOW what a change. I got rid of old sweatshirts ( 16 years old could hardly wear) that I had emotions attached to and soon after throwing them away I found Brand new ones for a great low price. Clutter does work on your subconscious in a negative way. Decluttering truly helped my whole family in many ways.

This is not a book for organizing your clutter, it is on taking the extra out of your life. It is so nice now to walk into an area that I have worked on and feel at peace. My mother started with the advise from this book and my father commented to her "what ever your doing keep it up". He didn't know how to explain it but he was feeling better with her getting rid of extra pictures of someone they were having problems with.

The Feng Shui part is very basic. For others I have shared this book with and myself agree that this book is the way to start with Feng Shui. It is very hard to see results with Feng Shui when the clutter is in the way. If you don't understand Feng Shui this book still helps you with the basics.

ENJOY

Best book I've ever read on the subject. I'm not into Feng Shui but it didn't matter.

This book is a very good book for yourself and also to hand down to your adult children or friends.

This is a terrific book for people who need to be motivated to clear their clutter! Clutter removal is essential to rid your home or office of unwanted negative, stagnate energies. I'm a huge proponent of clearing clutter (and organizing the rest.)

Once your home or office is free from clutter, the next step--creating a sanctuary in your home and manifesting your desires--is easy.

So, if you overwhelmed with clutter, allow Karen to guide you!

Harmonious Environment: Beautify, Detoxify and Energize Your Life, Your Home and Your Planet

This is a book I was waiting for for years. To bring the art and spirituality of Feng Shui together with clearing your clutter and the emotional baggage that goes with it, is a phenominal task and was done beautifully and succinctly by the author. I read it in practically one gulp and immediately set about to clear our years of clutter. Of course, I was planning this maneuver in my head for a long time before I found this perfect instruction kit. It is true what the author conveys: clearing clutter not only clears your spaces, but frees your spirit as well.You will not be sorry you bought this lovely little book.

The message of this book is very simple and straightforward. So straight forward, in fact, that the point of letting go of attachments to the unneeded seemed a bit belabored. This book could have been a lot shorter, for the length of its true message. But if superfluous text is what it takes to get people to understand how they stem the flow of their own abundance and growth with the extra in their lives, then so be it.

I think this is a really beneficial book. It gets into a little Feng Shui but really talks more about clutter and the underlying reasons that clutter becomes an issue and why people are inclined to keep clutter. There are many reasons and all helped me see that the clutter isn't necessary and is actually distracting me from moving forward. It also helped me make some big steps forward to really getting rid of clutter. I have read numerous books on organization but the underlying issue is getting rid of clutter and then organizing what is left and that is what this book is all about.

I had my doubts about this book when it was given to me as a gift. I am generally not a very mystical/spritual person and was doubtful about how a book based in Eastern religion/philosophy was going to be helpful to me. I was pleasantly surprised to find that this book was well grounded in very practical suggestions and commentary. I did find some parts to be a bit too far "out there" for me, but her definitions of clutter really opened my eyes to the amount of it in my life. It is still a work in progress, but I am clearing clutter on a daily basis and have tried to change my attitude about sutff. If it is not bringing joy into my life, I really need to consider if it belongs with me, and if not...move it on out! Two examples of my personal clutter clearning that came about as a result of reading this book: 1. I finally donated an 18" braid to Locks of Love...I was no longer enjoying my long hair, and they certainly could use it! 2. I realized I was collecting scrapbooking materials (stickers, scissors, etc.) not to use, but to have. When I had a hard time opening a sticker pack because it would no longer be "complete" I recognized it as a collection/cluttter problem. I have decided not to get any more scrapbooking stuff until I actually start using it...and if I don't do it soon, that will let me know it's not as important to me as I thought it was. It's been an interesting time of seeing my life and myself a little differently - and hopefully, a little better. I have passed along the ideas in this book, both by telling people and by giving copies as a gift.

This is a refreshing book that focus on your emotional needs and it really helps you focus on things that are inside of you that you don't realize. This books goes every where I go and when I want to shop I just pull it out and it all goes away. This author really focus on you as a person and why we do the things that we do. This book has twenty one chapters and they are all excellent , short, and to the point. I am so happy I pick up this book, my whole life feels so much better and I feel good!

Finally a book for all of us who find no help in suggestions like: "throw out everything you have not used in one year". This suggestion makes sense, but I never followed it, because I thought "what if I need it.." etc. Karen Kingstons' book tells us all the reasons we are hurting inside at the thought of throwing stuff out, resulting in all our clutter. And she tells us with great warmth and joy. She really gets us thinking and believing that it is ok to finally let go. I highlighted half her book, and for the first time ever in my life, began immediately with de-cluttering.
Also, because she mentions again and again that objects in our house need empty space around them (for the energy to flow freely), guess what the end result of my de-cluttering was? A home where every object still standing in it has been made into a feature, something that designers have been telling us for years. So, a vase with flowers, a small statue, my CD-collection, my coffe table, my bed, is no longer just sitting there. They now look beautyful, because with less stuff, they really stand out and look a little bit like art. So for the effective advice, the warm writing and the amazing decorative end results, I give this book the best rating, and recommend it to every hoarder.

My sister is a certified Feng Shui consultant, and I've learned quite a bit from her, but nothing was as much fun as reading Karen Kingston's book. She covers all the important ideas and material one needs to know about the Western approach to Feng Shui, but she does it in an extremely practical, down-to-earth, and often hilarious way. I'm not sure how librarians catalog this book--as philosophy, architectural design, or humor! I also have several other Feng Shui books in my collection, but I find myself referring to this one most often, because it's organized so sensibly.

This is a very small book. Sometimes there is just so much to say about an issue and it doesn't take a lot of room. That is what happened here.

As I worked through the book I realized that I had cluttered up my life, and my home, with things that belonged to interests that I no longer was interested in. Some of those things have been easy to get rid of; some are taking longer. But I am doing the work.

I probably don't have as much of this stuff as some people my age because we moved across the country several times and you tend to be forced to cull out things you should not be keeping when you do that, but I was surprised at how much there still was. There are a couple of things that I have given away that resulted in a huge release once they were out of the house. That was a surprise.

It is worth reading the book and doing the work.

This book has been instrumental in changing my life. I happened upon it when I thought I might be moving and was overwhelmed thinking of everything I needed to do. Turned out I didn't move, but I started uncluttering my house of everything that was not important to me and found out there are few material possessions that I would carry with me if I were to move. I cannot believe how many things I carried with me when I moved across country the last time. I'm keeping the things I love and use, and things I enjoy but would discard if I were to leave. I have gone through every room in my house, thrown things out, donated to thrift stores, given a few things to friends/family. This weekend I got a dumpster and have gone through my basement and yard. I feel so much "lighter", "liberated", "free". It feels so good! I've rearranged what I have because I have more room. I've decided what is important and what is not. But the philosophy grows from there. I've found many things I was holding onto were only dragging me down. It has motivated me to work on the house and clean like I never had before, because there's not all this crap crowding me. I don't care about shopping any more. A lot of things I love that I donated to thrift stores (mainly clothes that I can't wear any more) I figured, let someone else enjoy them. The clothes are only sitting in my closets; let someone else love them. I donated about a thousand dollars worth of books to the local library. I have a better perspective on what's important in my life, not just pertaining to material possessions. I have always been a home-person, a "nester". Cleansing my home has cleansed my soul and will change other areas of my life. I highly recommend this book.

Got this after browsing it at a friend's. Don't know a bit about Feng Shui, but the advice and direction are as clear and relevant as any scientific theory. Read parts of it to a group of (30)women, as a thought provoking discussion and it prompted many to recognize the "mess" in their lives... begins with the mess in their environment.
Should be re-read yearly!
Worth it's weight in gold!

In Harmony,
Diane L. Donohue

I bought this book, and Karen Kingston's Creating Sacred Space With Feng Shui: Learn the Art of Space Clearing and Bring New Energy into Your Life, together. To call myself a "clutterbug" (or more ominously, a "clutterholic") is an understatement. When I finally realized I couldn't go on, it took four people four hours to clean out just a couple of rooms; and that didn't include clearing the clutter, a process which still continues.

I enjoyed this book, and found it very helpful in reorganizing the "sacred space" of my home. It suffered however, from a few very irritating flaws which cost it some stars in my estimation.

But first, the Good: Karen Kingston has a very insightful way of looking at the accumulated detrius of our lives, and her analysis of Why People Clutter and What People Clutter With is generally on point, although it's nothing very revolutionary. This discussion takes up about half of the book overall.

I think she missed an overobvious reason for cluttering, which is that clutter becomes invisible---to your average clutterbug, all the stuff becomes so much a part of their environmental background that they don't see it. Ms. Kingston came close to recognizing this when she discussed a client who had filled her house with images of ducks---"What's with all the ducks?" "What ducks?"---and that is the whole underpinning of her idea of "Space Clearing": Make the person see it and then dispose of it. (While decluttering, I rummaged through two packed cartons of "important papers" which yielded about 20 items worth keeping, all of which fit neatly into a file folder.)

Feng Shui is based on Taoist and Zen principles of energy flow. In the book, Ms. Kingston discusses the "bagua," an energy matrix which pervades any space you are in. Unfortunately, her discussion of the bagua and its importance are very much slighted between the covers, and I had to visit her website to gain a fuller understanding---not a good point. (Even though CREATING SACRED SPACE came first, she should have included a useful summary for readers of this book as a stand-alone.)

This brings me to the book's weak points: Decluttering is demonstrated largely as a process of ruthlessly throwing away everything from canned food to family photos, to your broken rubberband collection. To declutter, a lot of tossing must go on, but Ms. Kingston hardly addresses what to do with those TRULY valuable old family heirlooms or with the REALLY important papers that can't be thrown away but that have no set places: I would have preferred a bit more discussion on creating additional, ergonomic, attractive and useful space in (what is after all), the average person's limited cubic footage inside the home. Organizing seems to be a vital part of "Space Clearing," yet organizing per se gets few words.

And my apologies, but Karen Kingston is such a blasted British xenophobe and snob that it made me laugh. Huzzahs go to the multibillion-dollar Arabian family that bought four identical houses on four continents with four identical sets of everything. Now, that's a useful tip. Remind me to tell Bill Gates the next time he and Warren Buffett and I play bridge with the Queen.

Likewise, "Americans clutter EVERYWHERE" (sic) and "In the United States personal status is so often defined not by who you are but by what you are worth." Excuse me for being born on the left side of The Pond, will you? This from a woman who claims, "I don't have pots of money" but manages to live in Bali six months out of the year and makes her living telling people how to clean their closets. Trust me, she has at least one pot of money, and it's bigger than yours (and mine...put together). I guess there aren't any slobs in Bali, either.

So thus, despite the New Age patina, Ms. Kingston isn't a follower of the Tao she espouses, and she isn't very Zen. It's a shame she heads down the prickly path, since the book is otherwise a good and useful guide to clearing out your clutter. The end of the book has a chapter on high colonics, and how we can all use one. Lead the way, K.!

If I could rate this book with 10 stars, I would. It has been invaluable to me in understanding why I hold onto things that I don't use, don't need, and sometimes don't even like. No, it doesn't have concrete examples on how to organize, because this isn't a book about organizing. (If that's what you want, there are plenty of organizing books you can read and HGTV shows you can watch.) This is a book about learning to let go - to get past the emotions and habits that cause you to hold onto things. If you're not interested in "clearing negative energies" (I admit I'm a skeptic about that, although I still enjoyed reading those chapters), or in rearranging your furniture using feng shui, then just skip those chapters and go straight to the meat of the book. I've begun a major clutter-clearing and already I feel a little more energetic after literally years of lethargy, and I know that as I progress through the house, I'm going to get my old energy and drive back. Each area that I clear gives me the energy I need to move onto the next one. I've read some chapters over and over as a sort of "self-talk" to help me avoid falling back into old behaviors. Ms. Kingston's book may be a little too "new age" for some, but with the help of this book and a slave-driving friend, I'm going to get my life back.

I almost did not bother to write this because there are already so many wonderful reviews of this book but felt I owed it to the other reviewers and the author to pile it on!
Yes, this book is terrific. Author explains why some clutter gets the best of you and how to tackle things so that you do not feel guilty or shamed for letting it pile up in the first place.
If I had one small quibble with this book it is the last part where it gets a little too spacey / new age / religious, whatever, for my taste. This certainly would never deter me from highly recommending this book. Regardless of whether you are interested in learning Feng Shui or not, this book is fantastic as a guide to help you clear clutter from your life!

I almost did not bother to write this because there are already so many wonderful reviews of this book but felt I owed it to the other reviewers and the author to pile it on!
Yes, this book is terrific. Author explains why some clutter gets the best of you and how to tackle things so that you do not feel guilty or shamed for letting it pile up in the first place.
If I had one small quibble with this book it is the last part where it gets a little too spacey / new age / religious, whatever, for my taste. This certainly would never deter me from highly recommending this book. Regardless of whether you are interested in learning Feng Shui or not, this book is fantastic as a guide to help you clear clutter from your life!

This is my third copy of this book, I gave the others away to friends. It truly has changed my mind on what is and isn't clutter in my home and my life! I highly recommend this book if you are looking to declutter your house.

This is my third copy of this book, I gave the others away to friends. It truly has changed my mind on what is and isn't clutter in my home and my life! I highly recommend this book if you are looking to declutter your house.

The book has very nice Cover Page ! unfortunately that about it..and nothing else ! the contents is not very good, there almost no illustration, no picture, no example...just word after word like a Romantic novel while the reader is searching for the Feng Shui solution.

I don't like it !

As other reviewers have noted, this book is not exactly what you may be expecting. Don't expect to see concrete suggestions on how to clear clutter, or perhaps ways of staying organized.

This book is really a strange new age religious book. It will briefly touch upon reality, such as: junk in a corner will distract us when we walk into a room. Yes, this makes sense. Or perhaps that cleaning up clutter will improve your mood in your home. This also makes sense.

However, then we enter "Crazy Karen" land.

Karen can smell the taint of clutter when she enters a house. In fact, she can tell if your house is cluttered by smelling you. Yes, outside of your home, she can sense the clutter. That is how in-tune she is with the spirit world.

Instead of just cleaning up the clutter, you probably should get out some sacred candles, walk the mystic circle 4 times, and use a special clutter clearing chant to get rid of the negative vibes which will cause clutter to appear.

Over all, I don't think the chants are necessary to clean a house, nor that mystical spirits are causing me to drop my clothes in a pile near my closet. It just happens.

In either case, if you believe her, or think she's a nutcase, I still think the book won't be all that inspiring. It very rarely touches on concrete suggestions, and then moves onto the next topic without giving you a real answer. It is a "feel good" book, but not one which should be relied upon to help you solve a problem.