In the How-To field, Gretchen Rubin is one of my favorites. From each of her previous books on happiness, betterment, etc., I’ve gleaned at least a couple of great ideas for organizing my own life, and I’ve always admired her clarity of purpose and thought. Now, with “Outer Order Inner Calm: Declutter and Organize to Make More Room for Happiness“,” Rubin takes on Marie Kondo. Her central thesis, that being tidy and organized, even with small matters, can calm the inner beast, is one she’s always espoused, but now she tackles it systematically. The five steps she prescribes are: decide why you’re doing it; declutter vigorously; don’t listen to others, do it your own way; once decluttered, stay habitually neat; and finally, avoid an antiseptic, decluttered life by seeking beauty for your home. As ever, Rubin doles out helpful ideas and methods, while moving the reader along the path of righteous organization. If you’ve been hankering to rectify your lifetime of hoarding, this could be a lifesaver. Me, I’ve already downsized, decluttered, and generally slimmed down my footprint, so for the first time, there’s nothing in this Gretchen Rubin book that I’ll seek to apply to my life. And I also have the feeling that decluttering is a minor topic for this imaginative life guide.
Book, album, and movie reviews
