Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff

Declutter, Downsize, and Move Forward with Your Life

By: Matt Paxton, Jordan Michael Smith - contributor

Narrated by: Matt Paxton

Length: 5 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

America’s top cleaning expert and star of the hit series Legacy List with Matt Paxton distills his fail-proof approach to decluttering and downsizing.

Your boxes of photos, family’s china, and even the kids' height charts aren’t just stuff; they’re attached to a lifetime of memories - and letting them go can be scary. With empathy, expertise, and humor, Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff helps you sift through years of clutter, let go of what no longer serves you, and identify the items worth keeping so that you can focus on living in the present. 

For over 20 years, Matt Paxton has helped people from all walks of life who want to live more simply declutter and downsize. As a featured cleaner on Hoarders and host of the Emmy-nominated Legacy List with Matt Paxton on PBS, he has identified the psychological roadblocks that most organizational experts routinely miss but that prevent so many of us from lightening our material load. Using poignant stories from the thousands of individuals and families he has worked with, Paxton brings his signature insight to a necessary task. 

Whether you’re tired of living with clutter, making space for a loved one, or moving to a smaller home or retirement community, this book is for you. Paxton’s unique, step-by-step process gives you the tools you need to get the job done.

This audiobook includes a downloadable PDF of resources.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2022 Portfolio (P)2022 Penguin Audio

Incentive and inspiration to declutter

I listened to this book while culling through “treasures” I had collected for years. I have been able to get rid of things I haven’t used for years but felt disloyal for even thinking about donating. I will be listening to it again to keep the encouragement going. Thank you, Max Paxton!

wonderful 😀

Great book! He gives great advice and tips. Loved the stories with each family he worked with.

Older but with timeless advice

Our first move in almost 30 years. Boy have things changed hard to declutter, hard to let go, but the book gives practical plainspoken advice! Felt like a friend was guiding me through the decisions that needed to be made one way or another. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience.

Even better than I expected.

Packed with incredibly useful tips. Absolutely brilliant. Not just useful, but also quite moving.

Especially Useful if You’re Moving.

I loved all the helpful hints about getting rid of stuff, cleaning, and relocating home. I also enjoyed the stories and product recommendations.

good book!

love Matt Paxton! lots of personal stories and experiences shared in this book. it was nice to hear how to work through the decisions of purging. it also had resources.

A "INVALUABLE" retirement transition resource!!

Eye opening blueprint to use as I pack up my home and life at 70.

Very resourceful

This is a tremendous resource filled with personable experiences and keen expertise. Action specific strategies can be applied across all sectors of life from personal spaces to corporate office.

Great book on decluttering!

I am in the process of decluttering my home for 2 reasons- 1 my mother, who lived with me, just passed and I now have to declutter her belongings and 2 I will be moving in 6 months and combining homes.
Matt provides sound advice with stories to back up his reasons.
Love the idea of a legacy list!

Highly recommend!!!

Excellent Guide

Provided some detail about how to downsize and some of the emotions and hurdles encountered on the journey. The PDF provides checklists/guides for the process. Great read!