Unstuff Your Life

Kick the Clutter Habit and Completely Organize Your Life for Good

By: Andrew J. Mellen

Narrated by: Andrew J. Mellen

Length: 10 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

One of the country's most sought-after professional organizers here makes his foolproof rescue plan available for everyone.

Arguably the most organized man in America, Andrew J. Mellen has created unique, lasting techniques for streamlined living, bringing order out of chaos for a client list that includes attorneys, filmmakers, and even psychologists. With Unstuff Your Life! he puts his powerful program in the hands of his widest audience yet. Acknowledging that it's often the "stuff behind the stuff" that holds people back, Mellen offers an action-based plan to redirect clutterers from dwelling on their feelings. This simple shift yields immediate results that will help everyone achieve organizational bliss. Mellen's mix of humor, honesty, tough love, and foolproof strategies will motivates listeners to work through their feelings and make real behavior changes that will have long-lasting effects.

Written in Mellen's signature no-nonsense yet hilarious tone, Unstuff Your Life! brims with personality, along with approaches not found in other organizing books. Built on the principle that we must distinguish ourselves from our possessions, Unstuff Your Life! starts with truly achievable goals and works toward the nightmare projects everyone tries hard to avoid. From the basement to the bedroom, the kitchen to the car, and more, listeners will learn:

• Where to find a permanent home for your keys and wallet
• How to sort the mail in a manageable and time-effective way
• What it means to group "like with like"
• How to tackle bills and budget
• How to problem-solve with your new skills, and more

The result is absolute freedom from the burden of clutter - and more free time than you ever imagined possible.

Please note: Lists and worksheets mentioned in the audio can be downloaded from andrewmellen.com/uyl-downloads/.

©2012 Andrew J. Mellen (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Living in chaos? Professional Organizer Mellen has written the book to help.... [T]hose willing to take even a small sip of Mellon's Kool-Aid may enjoy a more organized, efficient, and well-managed life." ( Publishers Weekly)

I gave up on it after 2 hours..

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

The author really was giving some fairly good insight, but the repetition was too much to deal with in an audio book ( as a reader you might get through it much faster), One issue for me in this audiobook is if you bought it to listen in the car or on train or a bus, its not helpful to have the book suggest that I "get out my journal" or "go do this find a bowl to put my keys in" "and do it now"...and to make comments like don't start listening again until thats done as the author suggests, That works for a text workbook, but not a audio book. I may try to listen again because the ideas seem smart, but you take too long to get there and there is no "speed it up" button!

Would you recommend Unstuff Your Life to your friends? Why or why not?

If you really need to have someone walk you through a step by step how to be organized this might be right for you, but if you are beyond a chapter on "losing your keys" and instead you are looking for way to organize you whole complex business and home life and office you may be beyond this book.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Andrew J. Mellen?

not sure

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

no. might make a great 60 min tv show, but not 7 hours

Any additional comments?

To be clear....its really not a bad book, but was not right for me. I needed a more complex venture in organization, or I did not give it enough time to get there, so that meant I got board.

Common Sense, but I Needed It!

This was a useful book for me. I wouldn’t call it enjoyable, but it was useful. Andrew Mellen clearly presented an organized, elaborate set of steps for getting rid of excess “stuff” and organizing the rest so that it can be useful again, no longer lost in the jumble of daily living. This is not something I have ever been good at, and my husband is at least as bad, so having a blueprint of ideas to follow will be helpful to both of us. It took me longer to complete this audiobook than most of the same length because I stopped to actually work on some of the tasks recommended. I also downloaded lists of tasks from his website.

Mellen makes an excellent case for unloading many of our belongings and then putting what remains in order; while I will not follow his plan to the letter, I do intend to incorporate a lot of it into my life. I will definitely listen to specific chapters again as I attack each room of the house, the car, the carport, etc. I may even buy the print version of this book as we progress, if that seems like a good idea.

This book has caused me to change my behavior for the better already. This morning, for example, I found some Pre-Cambrian pizza in the freezer. I had been saving it for “some day” even though we didn’t like it when we choked down the first two in a package of three. Instead of putting it back in the freezer (as I had previously done a number of times), I decided to get it out of our lives forever. I cooked and cut it up to be used as dog training treats. As I put the containers into the refrigerator, I actually labeled each so they could be found and used before they spoil. I know it’s a small step, but I felt good about it, which means I will continue to work on the detritus in my life in small steps and larger ones. (And the dogs thoroughly approve!)

Considering the positive influence Unstuff Your Life has already had on us, why did I give it 4 stars rather than 5? It’s because I nearly stopped listening to this audiobook during the first two chapters when Mellen insisted that I answer a huge list of probing questions clearly aimed at getting to the bottom of my slovenliness. It was truly tiresome, and I would never have continued past page 10 of the print book. I know what my problem is: I have too many interests that interfere with maintaining order, and once things get out of control, it is too enormous a job to undertake--considering how much I truly hate this kind of thing. Some of his lecturing was needed in order to get me going, to make it OK for me to throw out or repurpose broken or useless items (old pizza, for example). But for me, at least, all that introspection was overdone.

Still, I highly recommend this book if you can’t always find your car keys or if there are times you spend way too much time looking through packed closets for something to wear that actually fits. It’s all common sense, and we’ve heard most of it before, but having a workable plan laid out just might make it easier to tackle “unstuffing” your life.

Intelligent analysis

Would you consider the audio edition of Unstuff Your Life to be better than the print version?

N/A

What did you like best about this story?

Addressed all sections of life/ space in sufficient detail and urgency/immediacy. What did I like best? The results.

What about Andrew J. Mellen’s performance did you like?

Quality of voice, pace, modulation - delivery matched the message.

What insight do you think you’ll apply from Unstuff Your Life?

Being reminded that the things are not the people.

Like Having a Personal Organizer of Your Own!

Where does Unstuff Your Life rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is one of my favorite purchases to date. Andrew's direct and sometimes snarky (which I like) delivery of this step-by-step guide to getting it together is just the how-to organization bible I have been looking for to provide me with a practical, methodical way to get organized for good!

What other book might you compare Unstuff Your Life to and why?

I read Your Spacious Self by Stephanie Bennett Vogt right before reading this book. I would recommend reading Stephanie's book first if you are looking to get yourself into the right frame of mind to start doing the work you need to do in order to finally get organized. Andrew's book is a real pratical tool in getting organized - one you will refer to often. His approach is a step-by-step, no excuses plan to really doing the work - all of the work - necessary to organize everything from your purse to your computer. Yes, you even receive a step-by-step plan to organize your e-life.

Have you listened to any of Andrew J. Mellen’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

While I do not believe there is another book narrated by Mr. Mellen, I can say that his narration of this book is one of the best I have ever listened to in that his timing and inflections are right on the money. It is not so much a reading of the book as much as it is an energized lecture of sorts. It is like having him as your personal organizer - for a bargain price! He is snarky without being hurtful and direct without being bossy and he provides a practical means of finally getting it all together.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I loved that point he made about an item not being your loved one. If you have ever held on to a material item because you thought you should out of respect for a loved one who has passed, Andrew helps you to see that the broken clock, chair, disintegrating hat, etc. is not your loved one and it is ok to let an item go that does not serve you any longer, no matter what sentimental attachment you may have once attached to the item. He helps you see that you are the keeper of the memories of your loved one's life, the object is not the keeper and it shouldn't be assigned that responsibility.

Any additional comments?

This is a wonderful book that you will read more than once. Also, if you go to his website, there are free printable resources for audible users to help you work through the task of getting organized - for good!

Now, if only I can put it into practice!

The concepts Andrew proposes (preaches) are well worth putting o to practice. Less is more and keep it organized. A lot of unorganized stuff controls your life. Turn it around: get rid of the unnecessary and unwanted, organize it methodically and keep it that way. Now you have mastery over your stuff and your life.

I Love This Book!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would definitely recommend this book to a friend because it was actually helpful and realistic in getting a grip on organizing ones life.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I loved that the author narrated, he has such a humorous way of expressing things. His examples and commentary definitely take the edge off of a touchy subject for most people.

Any additional comments?

This was the first self help book on organization that actually helped me get a handle on some of the areas of my life that were a bit out of control. He's so realistic in how he presents his methods yet is very sympathetic and non-judgmental. This book will remain in my library as a refresher if I feel myself slipping into old habits. Thanks for such a great tool!

Gateway to conscious living

I liked the thread of the book which makes the reader aware of their relationship with their belongings, rather than just try to rearrange everything to buy more space to store more!

Great advice and practical steps to implement.

I found this book so helpful and worthwhile. Slowly but surely I am able to organize my belongings and bring order to my space, digital files and life.

Unstuff Your Life

I really think the author was talking to me. This book was useful and helpful in how to tackle the clutter. What hit home was his explanations about how one's car is kept untidy and excuses given. Yes, it is embarrassing. Great advice and good suggestions!

I'm keeping this audible book for life😊

LBB63

Gives you REAL plan - Step by Step!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes! I would absolutely recommend this to anyone who needs to get their lives to a stress free level because Andrew Mellen truly instructs you how to accomplish the tasks you for which you need assistance! He does not just say to clean up your kitchen...He gives you the support you need to really get in there and do it!!! Bravo!

Have you listened to any of Andrew J. Mellen’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is the first book I have listened to by Andrew and he was delightful to listen to as he gave you support, instructions, examples, and a touch of tough love! We all need those things in our lives!

What did you learn from Unstuff Your Life that you would use in your daily life?

"Like with like" and "Everything in its place". Brilliant!

Any additional comments?

Please read/listen to this book if you are ready to get it together by taking your mess apart!
It truly helped me for he tells you HOW to accomplish the tasks that seem so overwhelming!
Thank you, Andrew!