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59 reviews for:
Organized Simplicity: The Clutter-Free Approach to Intentional Living
Tsh Oxenreider
3.5 AVERAGE
59 reviews for:
Organized Simplicity: The Clutter-Free Approach to Intentional Living
Tsh Oxenreider
3.5 AVERAGE
This author provides some thought-provoking, creative tips to living clutter-free. The idea of simplifying life appeals greatly to me, and Oxenreider offers insights as to how to move in that direction. While a substantial portion of the book instructs the reader on how to be better organized, the best portions are at the very beginning. There she makes the case for a simpler lifestyle, and recommends the development of a "family purpose statement" for each household. At the end of the book there is a very handy collection of recipes for making simple household cleaning and personal care products. There is also a list of websites and books that will aid in simplifying everyday life. I'm glad I purchased this book, and will likely refer to it again when life seems to be getting too cluttered.
I must admit, I have a habit of reading how-to books, particularly the organizing and simplicity type. Sounded like a match made in heaven, right? Unfortunately, I was really disappointed in this one. While there was a fair amount of useful information, Oxenreider spent so much of the book explaining how she wasn't talking down to you, that it just came across as condescending. Very much along the "me think thou doth protest too much" line.
All of the suggestions are doable (especially if, as the author does, you live outside the US and you can afford to live on one salary, thus freeing the other partner to do A LOT). She included a lot of appendices with handy worksheets, templates, and even recipes for homemade cleaning and beauty products. There's also some thought experiments regarding life choices, such as: are you really making more money by having both partners work, or is that decision actually costing you money? I really enjoyed the chapter on "opportunity costs" and found that, perhaps the most beneficial part for me.
I begrudge no one their life choices, but I really could use my books soap-box-free.
All of the suggestions are doable (especially if, as the author does, you live outside the US and you can afford to live on one salary, thus freeing the other partner to do A LOT). She included a lot of appendices with handy worksheets, templates, and even recipes for homemade cleaning and beauty products. There's also some thought experiments regarding life choices, such as: are you really making more money by having both partners work, or is that decision actually costing you money? I really enjoyed the chapter on "opportunity costs" and found that, perhaps the most beneficial part for me.
I begrudge no one their life choices, but I really could use my books soap-box-free.
I really enjoyed this book - it was easy to read, full of simple suggestions, and written with a tone that motivated me instead of making me feel inadequate or condemned. Tsh challenges the reader to make simple living free of clutter. Clutter can look different for each person, but physical clutter is assumed for most Americans.
Her thesis is that simple living is "living holistically towards your life purpose". Thus, different purposes for different families will be lived out in various ways.
She goes room by room through the house and gives practical cleaning and decluttering tips. The tip of asking "is it beautiful? Is it useful?" is great for decluttering. Also some good thoughts on toys for kids that I agree with. "the more the toy does, the less the child has to do".
Appendices have recipes for homemade cleaners, along with additional resources.
Her thesis is that simple living is "living holistically towards your life purpose". Thus, different purposes for different families will be lived out in various ways.
She goes room by room through the house and gives practical cleaning and decluttering tips. The tip of asking "is it beautiful? Is it useful?" is great for decluttering. Also some good thoughts on toys for kids that I agree with. "the more the toy does, the less the child has to do".
Appendices have recipes for homemade cleaners, along with additional resources.
First, just one formal complaint--why does anyone publish spiral-bound books? They are nothing but squeaky, fussy, and annoying. Just don't do it. Aside from that, I did find some practical information in this book helpful--especially Oxenreider's suggestion to create a family "purpose statement" to guide decisions about household matters. In addition, I think her particular decluttering plan could be helpful to a number of people. However, much of the information here is painfully obvious (how to create a budget, etc.), and once again this book is full of household cleaner recipes that are chemically ineffective. I've gone on tirades about this before, but it bears repeating: if you mix vinegar and baking soda together and then try to clean something with it, you might as well use water. I don't doubt that she gets her toilet clean when she uses this very mixture, but it's pretty much just the brush doing all the work at this point.
The first couple of chapters annoyed me, because I swear I read the exact same posts on her blog. I will be keeping this book around though - it has tons of recipes for homemade cleaners, lots of references to other awesomeness, and instructions on how to fold a fitted sheet! Woo hoo!
informative
medium-paced
Note to self: Get this every year for spring cleaning.
The book Organized Simplicity by Tsh Oxenreider is a good book. Strange first name for the author though. Did she simplify the vowels out of it? She has vowels in her last name though. Hmmm....
Anyway, she explains reasons why one should simplify and then gives tips and guidelines on how to simplify our lives. I like that she said "we should calculate every item's value by asking:... 1. Is this thing useful to me (us)? and 2. Is this thing beautiful to me (us)?.
I have been inspired and am going to participate in our neighborhood garage sale next weekend.
Anyway, she explains reasons why one should simplify and then gives tips and guidelines on how to simplify our lives. I like that she said "we should calculate every item's value by asking:... 1. Is this thing useful to me (us)? and 2. Is this thing beautiful to me (us)?.
I have been inspired and am going to participate in our neighborhood garage sale next weekend.
I became familiar with Tsh Oxenreider through her blog, Simple Mom, and was very interested in reading her book. While I don't necessarily agree with everything she puts forth in Organized Simplicity, I've found it to be a great resource for organizing and time saving projects.
I did not read the book cover to cover; rather, I skimmed through the topics, focusing in on the ones that interested me the most. My favorite section is Part 2: Ten Days to a Simpler, More Organized Home. The templates in the back of the book are great, too.
This will be a valuable resource that I will pick up over and over. It is permanently housed on my kitchen counter for easy reference.
I did not read the book cover to cover; rather, I skimmed through the topics, focusing in on the ones that interested me the most. My favorite section is Part 2: Ten Days to a Simpler, More Organized Home. The templates in the back of the book are great, too.
This will be a valuable resource that I will pick up over and over. It is permanently housed on my kitchen counter for easy reference.
I appreciated the step-by-step guides to organizing each room, but overall it was a bit too preachy for my liking...