Book Suggestions
Please note, these links are affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I may receive a small commission. I only recommend books that I use and love. Thank you for your support!
General Organization
Lighten Up
This book covers the basics of organizing in an enjoyable and friendly manner. It covers everything from analyzing why you want to change now, what you hope will come into your life by creating this change, establishing new habits, and a self-guide to help walk you through each room of your home with the principles of clearing clutter. This is a good self-help book for those who do not struggle with brain-based conditions such as hoarding, ADHD, anxiety, or depression.
Organizing from The Inside Out
I found this book full of practical knowledge. Not only does she cover the basics, she digs deeper into what may be getting in your way. Your habits, beliefs, thought proesses. Good general organizing book. She also has one on time management and it is well written also.
Making Peace With the Things
In Your Life
This book really takes a deep dive into what underlying causes are creating the clutter, makes you think and challenges you. Less step by step of what to do in what area and more about bringing awareness to your habits and changing your thinking, so you can take those next steps easily.
Get Organized Today
Written and produced by Professional Organizers in 2010 Many of the techniques are still accurate for today’s world. The lovely part about this book is the ability to read several different ideas and perspectives in one area. These strategies were created, tested, and proven with hundreds of hands-on organizing clients.
Getting Things Done
This book is all about productivity! Creating agreements with yourself, how you undermine yourself, setting goals, and breaking down big objectives into the next smallest doable tasks. He addresses the "Someday List" and how to set up the "Right Buckets" for success. Very popular book on productivity.
Hoarding
The Glass Castle
Written by Jeannette Walls, I highly recommend this book for any family member or friend who is hoping a loved one will change their cluttering ways. It is one of the most touching memoirs I have ever read. Even to this day, years after I have read the book, I can still feel how the book touched my life. It opened my eyes to the awareness of wanting the change more than the loved one.
Digging Out
Written by some of the best doctors on the subject, this short condensed powerful little book helps family members and friends understand the mental health component of hoarding.The overlying philosophy is if the individual does not feel like they have to defend their home and stuff they may be more willing to listen to safety concerns that loved ones are bring to their attention.
Stuff
I could not put this book down. It explains one of the best documented hoarding cases, the Collyer Brothers from 1947 in detail, gives very thorough accounts of several additional cases that the authors followed, explains the length of time that is needed to help individuals with this lifelong affliction, and shares some of the logic and challenges that faced each case study. It also does a very good job of explaining the connection to the early years of life.
The Secret Lives of Hoarders
Written by Matt Paxton, I found this book very insightful and easy to read. Matt does a good job of explaining the different levels, types of hoarding, and things to look for in the more extreme conditions. He shows how hoarding can affect all ages and income brackets. He does a wonderful job giving the story of the person which allows you to see the whole person and not just the condition of the home.
Buried in Treasures
This unique hoarding self-help book, was created by the pioneers who first studied Hoarding. It provides an outline of how to help yourself, includes self-assessments, and discusses how to change your behavior. It explains where to look for support or how to start a hoarding self-help support group. Easy to read and understand with how to strategies and techniques.
Overcoming Compulsive Hoarding
This book does a wonderful job describing the facts and physical differences in the brain regarding individuals that have hoarding tendencies. It really gives a good overall view of not just the safety issues that the clutter creates in the home, but all the additional components of hoarding as well, financial, emotional, relationships, and isolation. Designed as a clinical self-help book, also very helpful for families and friends.
