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 love love love this book

I love this book because it really is practical. That, by the way, is an extreme understatement.....! The author approaches the subject with clear, concise directions that explain WHY you should/should not do something as well as the HOW.

I honestly didn't think I'd get anything out of this book. I figured I knew what he was gonna' say and that I was going to consider it just "so much noise." B U T.... it's not. It's great advice. By the end of the introduction, I was jazzed. By the middle of the book, I was motivated. By the end of the book, I had already made more progress than I've made on my own in 10 years............

Apart from being terrific information, it also happens to be fun and ofttimes funny. Mr. Mellen has a slightly sarcastic (but not caustic) sense of humor that makes you kinda' shake your head, laugh, and say, "Yep, that's me!" His reading is also right up there as "the perfect voice" for his own material (and I don't usually say that about authors reading their own stuff.).

Unless you are already a perfect housekeeper/organizer, I GUARANTEE you that you will find enough gems in this book to make it well worth your time and money.

A magic wand for getting the results you want

Any additional comments?

Pleasant surprises are at times life-changing. Stumbling across something that you easily could have missed, ending up transforming your life.

My expectations were low when I purchased this book. Hoping for some inspiration to get started with "unstuffing" my house, I instead got the mind-set of a super-achiever; following-through, according a plan, in a systematic way.

By starting with the small stuff you can't delude yourself that you're living according to your theoretically high standards when you aren't. Getting organized and disciplined creates ripples on the water, affecting bigger areas in your life.

I've always been quite an organized person, this book was still extremely helpful with great advice on how to approach overloaded kitchen cabinets, counter tops and wardrobes.

Paradoxically though, this is one of the most potent self-help books there are. It's behavioral therapy at its best, with clearly visible feedback.

Life altering, and I don't use that term lightly.

Any additional comments?

At the end of this book, I felt like I was saying good bye to one of the best therapists I've ever had. I literally was teared up from the emotion of the tremendous gift he just gave me; peace and freedom. With kind but firm guidance, and delightful humor, Andrew gives you both the tools and the permission to get rid of everything in your life that is bogging you down. I've read many "get organized and stay that way forever" self help books but I assure you this one is different. And the difference is Andrew's spirit.

Stuff is stuff and that is all it will ever be!

Andrew J. Mellen is to Stuff, what Dave Ramsey is to Personal Finance! This book and its "slow" process of growing order into your life is awesome. I can now find my keys! One place for everything and everything in its place works wonders.

This book gets you to examine who you are based upon the stuff you have and your relationship to it. It is worth reading and listening to multiple times and even more worth applying in your life! There is such a thing as finding peace without conspicuous consumerism.

What is more all of the forms he mentions in the audio can easily be downloaded from the web. This makes it one of the better self-help books on that note alone. The book is full of helpful suggestions and exercises to help you achieve the victory over stuff.

This book has vaulted into my top ten life altering books.

Good listen, but now need the paper book

What made the experience of listening to Unstuff Your Life the most enjoyable?

I really liked the ideas in the book. I tried the one about finding a home for your purse and keys and always putting them in that one spot. Seriously...I never search for either anymore! Sounds silly, it's an obvious/easy idea. But it worked and if I needed him to tell me that, well, it's ok, I needed the encouragement.

Any additional comments?

If all you do is listen to the book, I get the feeling that there'll be something missing. I finished it wishing I had the paper book because i think there were some written exercises/charts. Audio books are expensive...please provide these with the book so that I don't have to buy the paper too.

You are not your Stuff.

I loved this book! It contains useful information on matters big or small. I am implementing small changes every day. I hope others find it helpful as well.

Less Stuff equals more More Time for fun

Would you listen to Unstuff Your Life again? Why?

Unstuff is the kind of book you might need to listen to several times. The author gives you his website where you can download the first chapter with the table of contents so you can return to certain chapters over and over. There are also other hand outs so you can do your own work in this "improve your life" book.

What did you like best about this story?

Andrew J. Mellen goes to core issues and values to explore and motivate the reader. His instructions are simple and make sense. His fundamental rule "A home for everything and like with like" has become my new mantra as I bring order to my space and life.

What does Andrew J. Mellen bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Because Mellen reads his own work and has a very pleasent voice, I feel I am hearing it as it was ment to be heard. I was able to listen again and again while I actuall started on my projects. It was like having my own coach in the room. Also it was easier to implement his advice in a step by step fashion.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

This is not a book to read in one sitting. This is a book you will refer to again and again for instruction and encouragement.

Any additional comments?

As a therapist I read many self help books so I can make recomendations to my clients. Often people feel out of control and overwhelmed by the stuff in their lives. This book offers many clear answers on how to tame our stuff.

haven't lost my keys since I started this!

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

I have, to my son. He learned his cluttering habits from me.

What did you like best about this story?

Not really a story, but I liked hearing permission to rid my home of unuseful shtuff just because it once belonged to someone I loved.

Can't get past the narration!

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

I have tried to listen to this audio book, I really think it will help me organize my house and my life. I cannot, however, get past the narration. With few exceptions, most authors should not narrate their own books. I may purchase the written book and try to get the information that way.

Has Unstuff Your Life turned you off from other books in this genre?

Not at all. I will make sure to listen to an example to make sure I like the narrator before I purchase another.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

He has a monotone delivery. His narration made me stop listening to the book.

Could you see Unstuff Your Life being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Maybe a reality show on how to organize.

Any additional comments?

I really wish authors would learn their limitations when it comes to narration. An awesome audio book is often ruined by the narration.

Best organizing book ever!

This book was amazing. It really help me organize my home and helped me with spending on unnecessary items. Andrew feels like a close friend after listening to his book. I highly recommend it.