Outer Order, Inner Calm

Declutter and Organize to Make More Room for Happiness

By: Gretchen Rubin

Narrated by: Gretchen Rubin

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • In this lovely, easy-to-use illustrated guide to decluttering, the beloved author of The Happiness Project shows us how to take control of our stuff—and, by extension, our lives.

Gretchen Rubin knows firsthand that creating order can make our lives happier, healthier, more productive, and more creative. But for most of us, a rigid, one-size-fits-all solution doesn't work. When we tailor our approach to suit our own particular challenges and habits, we can find inner calm.

With a sense of fun, and a clear idea of what’s realistic for most people, Rubin suggests dozens of manageable tips and tricks for creating a more serene, orderly environment, including:

• Never label anything “miscellaneous.”
• Ask yourself, “Do I need more than one?”
• Don’t aim for minimalism.
• Remember: If you can’t retrieve it, you won’t use it.
• Stay current with a child’s interests.
• Beware the urge to “procrasticlear.”

By getting rid of things we don’t use, don’t need, or don’t love, we free our minds (and our shelves) for what we truly value.

Critic reviews

Accolades and Praise for GRETCHEN RUBIN
#1 New York Times bestselling author
Member of Oprah’s SuperSoul 100

“Aided by her formidable intelligence and willingness to try anything, she spent a year road-testing every theory about happiness she could get her hands on, using her own life as the road.” —TIME

“Once you’ve read Gretchen Rubin’s tale of a year spent searching for satisfaction, you’ll want to start your own happiness project and get your friends and family to join you. This is the rare book that will make you both smile and think—often on the same page.”
—Daniel H. Pink, Drive

“Rubin had learned that there was a close correlation between habits and happiness, so she figured out how we form them, use them, and change them. Once I came to understand habits as harnessing our own laziness—making a habit frees you from decision-making, which you can use to your advantage—my relationship to them changed permanently.” —The New Yorker

“Lays out life’s essential goals… serves as a kind of detailed instruction manual on how to achieve them.”
—New York Times Book Review

“If anyone can help us stop procrastinating, start exercising or get organized, it’s Gretchen Rubin. The happiness guru takes a sledgehammer to old-fashioned notions about change.” —Parade

“Gretchen Rubin combines deep research and observations from her own life to explain how habits emerge and—more important—how they can change. It’s indispensable for anyone hoping to overhaul how they (almost unthinkingly) behave.”
—Charles Duhigg, The Power of Habit

“Gretchen Rubin is a writer after my own heart—seriously brilliant, very warm, and funny. I think she’s amazing.” —Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird and Help, Thanks, Wow

“Gretchen Rubin’s superpower is curiosity… Weaving together research, unforgettable examples, and her brilliant insight, Better Than Before is a force for real change.” —Brené Brown, Dare to Lead and Daring Greatly

“With her characteristic mix of delightful charm, thoughtful research, and insightful advice… Gretchen Rubin shows how to add fun, joy, and harmony to your home life.”
—Susan Cain, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking

"Loaded with practical solutions and impeccable research. Rubin is also a fine writer, and her enthusiasm for improving lives is contagious."
—Harlan Coben

Feeling inspired....

Opened the book and couldn't put it down. Luckily, it is a book that is to the point and readable in an evening. I often read organizational books to increase the calm in my life. There is nothing eye opening, but I do feel inspired to jump back into clearing clutter. All and all her advice is well researched and she understands that one size does not fit all. The ten step rule will make a dent in my routine and ultimately help guide me in the opposite direction of procrastination.

Inspiring and Motivating

As I write this review, I just finished listening to this audiobook, it has great content and I enjoyed it. Thanks Gretchen!

Well done!

This book was short & concise.
I left feeling energized to get my clutter in order & with tools to keep it that way realistically, no matter your personality type. Thank you Gretchen!

Practical and customized to what works for us

Gretchen Rubin has an engaging way of making de-cluttering more accessible. I have listened to the book multiple times and it’s helped me to get myself cleaning, even when I didn’t feel like it at first.

Excellent

Reading this book in the midst of my crazy life was like putting on an oxygen mask in the midst of a burning building. Just listening to the common sense Ms. Rubin presents gave me so much hope and clarity that I can take control of the clutter in my life. It was so good I’ve already recommended it to several people and have ordered the hard copy. Thank you Ms. Rubin!