Mind Over Clutter Book Summary - Mind Over Clutter Book explained in key points
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Mind Over Clutter summary

Nicola Lewis

Cleaning Your Way to a Calm and Happy Home

3.6 (289 ratings)
15 mins

Brief summary

Mind Over Clutter by Nicola Lewis is a practical guide to decluttering and organizing your life. It offers effective techniques and advice for simplifying your surroundings and creating a more peaceful, productive home.

Table of Contents

    Mind Over Clutter
    Summary of 5 key ideas

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    A cluttered home is a stressful home. 

    Do you ever feel overwhelmed by your possessions? Have piles of paperwork, clothes, and household objects taken over your home? If the answer to these questions is yes, then it’s time to declutter both your home and your life! 

    Modern living is complicated, and a tidy house won’t solve all your problems. But it can definitely help. That’s because your physical environment has a big impact on your state of mind. Unpleasant surroundings can actually damage your mental health.

    A study published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin in 2009 showed that living in a cluttered home can raise the levels of the stress hormone cortisol in your body. 

    The key message here is: A cluttered home is a stressful home. 

    These findings are bad news for untidy people; high cortisol levels can lead to an increased risk of depression and anxiety and can also cause concentration lapses. Not only that, but elevated cortisol is associated with physical problems too, such as headaches and insomnia.

    So clutter makes us unhappy. But we still avoid reorganizing our homes. Why? Well, for some people the thought of tackling the mess can seem overwhelming – or perhaps too time-consuming. 

    Although the prospect of decluttering might fill you with dread, the good news is that you don’t have to do everything at once! Start by making small, gradual changes, and over time they will make a big difference.

    You could start decluttering right in your bedroom. Step one: begin each morning by making your bed. Completing this simple daily task will mean you’ve already accomplished something before breakfast! This will set a positive tone for the day ahead. Even better, research has found that people who make their bed every day are 19 percent more likely to sleep better than those who don’t!

    You could then move on to other manageable tasks, such as sorting through your cupboards. Clutter starts to accumulate when you shove items into drawers and forget about them. So every week, set aside a regular time slot to look into your cupboards. Be ruthless, and throw out anything you no longer need. 

    But how do you identify the things you don’t need? Well, there’s a simple rule: if an item doesn’t bring you joy, it’s not worth having. So that pair of jeans that no longer fit you? Take a deep breath, and throw them away! 

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    What is Mind Over Clutter about?

    Mind Over Clutter (2019) explores simple tips and techniques for keeping any home free from clutter. These blinks also reveal the impact of mess on your mental health and explain how you can approach housework in a more eco-friendly way, without the need for harsh chemicals. 

    Mind Over Clutter Review

    Mind Over Clutter (2022) by Nicola Lewis is the ultimate guide to conquering clutter and creating an organized space. Here's why this book is worth reading:

    • It offers a step-by-step decluttering system that is practical and easy to follow, helping readers transform their living spaces.
    • The book provides insightful tips and strategies to tackle different types of clutter, making it a valuable resource for anyone striving for a clutter-free life.
    • With its personal anecdotes and relatable stories, this book brings a refreshing perspective on clutter, making it definitely not boring.

    Best quote from Mind Over Clutter

    Theres little point buying a natural organic bath oil if you pour it into a bath thats been cleaned with harsh chemicals. 

    —Nicola Lewis
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    Who should read Mind Over Clutter?

    • Minimalists looking for a fresh angle
    • Messy people hoping to change their ways
    • Neat freaks seeking inspiration

    About the Author

    Nicola Lewis is a professional home organizer and the creator of the website and blog This Girl Can Organize. 

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    Mind Over Clutter FAQs 

    What is the main message of Mind Over Clutter?

    Mind Over Clutter teaches us how to declutter our physical and mental spaces for a more organized and peaceful life.

    How long does it take to read Mind Over Clutter?

    The reading time for Mind Over Clutter may vary, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is Mind Over Clutter a good book? Is it worth reading?

    Mind Over Clutter is worth reading as it offers practical strategies to create order and harmony in our lives.

    Who is the author of Mind Over Clutter?

    The author of Mind Over Clutter is Nicola Lewis.

    What to read after Mind Over Clutter?

    If you're wondering what to read next after Mind Over Clutter, here are some recommendations we suggest:
    • The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
    • The Joy of Less by Francine Jay
    • Let It Go by Peter Walsh
    • Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg
    • Hinch Yourself Happy by Mrs. Hinch
    • The Body by Bill Bryson
    • Outer Order, Inner Calm by Gretchen Rubin
    • Beyond Tidy by Annmarie Brogan and Marie Limpert
    • The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson
    • Stuffocation by James Wallman