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)

The Right to un-Stuff

This is easily the most likely to be put into practice. I have already pitched 4 huge garbage cans full of stuff. Terrific progress particularly since the stuff has been sitting on shelves in my office for over 10 years.

Gradually, I came to the realization that I was being controlled by a bunch of old books and magazines. I have not used it in years and in many cases have never opened them. I hung onto them even when I had to rent an extra office to store it all.

I now save $200 per month all from listening to this simple book.

Andrew Mellen gave me permission to unload my stuff, to be free from caring for it and from paying for it over and over through excess "carrying costs".

Remember, Don't Fear Sentimental Land.

Great ideas to get your life in order!

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

This great book is in a category all it's own. It's a "How to" book to get your life in order (in terms of efficiency) so you have more time to read more books, work, or get to all those other projects/priorities you have been waiting to accomplish your whole life. I now feel organized and at peace with my time management - thank you!

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

Great voice.

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

I was able to listen to this book over a couple of weeks while doing housework. Following the ideas in this book has cut my housework down to consuming only a fraction of my time - from 20 disorganized hours cleaning house per week down to 6-7 productive hours each week buying me more time to do the things I want to do. I'm already an organized person in some areas of my life, but the book reminded me to become organized in what I thought were unimportant areas and it feels great!

Unstuffing as we speak

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

I would, and I have. I quote it alot (Like with Like and Everything in it's Place). Even if it is only in my head. I have cut the size of my email inbox by 2/3 already and am still on a roll. After a wildfire destroyed most of my neighborhood this summer, I became aware (almost to the point of obsession) that I need to be more organized, especially in my office, and have a "to go" box of papers ready for whatever is next. When you have 30 minutes or less to figure out what to take, having the box packed already would be a small comfort.

What did you like best about this story?

It seems do-able for the average messy, unorganized person. It made my think about my kitchen storage spaces in a different light, too.

Which character – as performed by Andrew J. Mellen – was your favorite?

Andrew Mellen

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

Defnitely not. One chapter a day (there was homework) was about all I could handle. Sometimes I listened to one chapter several times, as a refresher/reminder to keep me on track. I did go to the website and download all the lists at once, however.

This is a workbook, NOT for just listening

What did you love best about Unstuff Your Life?

Very clear cut. If you need someone to simply tell you what to do and why in a no nonsense manner, Mellen is great.

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

Please know this book is almost useless unless you WORK through it and do most everything he says. It's not advice, it is step by step procedures. In a weird way it is like listening to a cook book. I have not finished the book as I intend to go back to certain chapters like The Kitchen and follow as I work.

Which scene was your favorite?

NA

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

NA

Any additional comments?

It's a work book, similar to a cook book for organizing.

Thorough, informative and practical

I was hoping to glean some ideas for organizing and uncluttering and this book delivered in a big way. Have already started applying some of the principles from the book and can see real value in so many of the ideas that he presents in the book. The length of the book was about right, it moved at a fairly fast pace and the narration was very enthusiastic. The book is very comprehensive – goes over everything from photos, cars, keys, gifts and a great deal more than just clutter.

Fantastic!

Great structure, easy to follow, all recommendations are easily doable.. I would definitely be interested in listening to other audio books by this author

PRACTICAL AND INSPIRING

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

I would certainly recommend this book. Sometimes it becomes a bit repetitive, but the insistence in drilling the rules is wise.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Unstuff Your Life?

The chapter about filing documents, that is my everlasting nightmare.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

From chaos to peace.

A must read

I loved this book! His voice is captivating. His stuff works! I feel free.

Loved it!

There are only so many new things that can be said about clearing clutter. And those of us that like these types of books are usually on our second or third one. This guy has a great organized delivery method that can be relied upon in the future like a reference book.
Very helpful and pleasant.

Quirky, thorough, & humbling. A must read. :D

I can say with almost certainty that every American consumer would benefit from reading this. I simply can not wait to put this all into action. Thank you Andrew!