Unstuff Your Life!
BOOK REVIEWS
"Everything you own is either contributing to your life or distracting you from it."
If you’ve ever spent 15 minutes looking for something you know you just had, only to find it under a pile of random stuff, welcome to my world. I’m naturally someone who tends to hold onto things—physical stuff, sentimental stuff, and especially digital stuff. After all, it’s invisible… right? Every six months, I pick up Unstuff Your Life! by Andrew Mellen as a much-needed intervention to declutter my life (and my hard drive) before things spiral out of control again.
Why This Book Matters
Unstuff Your Life! is not your typical “just clean your room” book. Mellen dives into the why behind clutter and teaches you how to shift your mindset so the mess doesn’t keep coming back. It’s about letting go—physically and mentally—so you can stop feeling overwhelmed and start living more intentionally.
For someone like me who holds onto everything (because, hey, I might need that file from 2014 someday, right?), this book has been a really helpful.
Key Takeaways for Future Success
“Everything Needs a Home”: If something doesn’t have a designated place, it ends up everywhere. Mellen’s simple mantra forces you to think: Where does this go? This one tip alone has saved me hours of searching for everything from chargers to documents.
Invisible Clutter Is Still Clutter: I’m talking to all my fellow digital hoarders. Just because you can’t see the files doesn’t mean they’re not weighing you down. A cluttered desktop or inbox creates mental chaos. Mellen’s advice? Treat your digital space the same way you treat your physical space—sort, decide, and delete.
Decluttering Is Decision-Making: At its core, unstuffing your life isn’t about cleaning—it’s about choosing what matters. Whether it’s an old receipt, a cluttered hard drive, or a crammed calendar, Mellen reminds us that letting go creates room for what’s truly important.
Personal Connection
Here’s the thing: I’m a natural keeper. I keep stuff “just in case,” especially digital files. I mean, storage is unlimited, right? (Well, it’s not.) But every time I notice my laptop groaning under the weight of 100,000 folders—or when I can’t find a single thing on my desk—I know it’s time to revisit this book.
I remember one specific moment when I realized my “just in case” tendencies were holding me back. I found receipts from ten years ago and emails I’d meant to delete in 2018. And let’s not talk about the 40,000 photos I swear I’ll organize someday. Mellen’s approach—one drawer, one folder, one decision at a time—helped me start small and build momentum. And honestly, the sense of clarity and relief afterward is great.
But the best part? The time I save not having to dig through chaos—physical or digital—is time I get to spend on things that matter.
Quote to Remember
“You are not what you own. Your stuff is not you.”
This one hits hard every time I’m tempted to keep “just one more thing.” It’s a reminder that letting go doesn’t mean losing—it means gaining space, freedom, and peace of mind.
How It Helps You Look Ahead
Unstuff Your Life! is a practical guide to breaking the cycle of clutter—whether it’s in your home, your hard drive, or your head. For someone like me, who naturally gravitates toward keeping everything, it’s a gentle (but firm) reminder to clear out the noise and focus on what’s important.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the piles—visible or invisible—this book will help you press reset. And trust me, once you experience the calm of an uncluttered space, you’ll want to keep coming back for more.