I've read this book several times now. It's such an honest perspective on decluttering and organizing (and recognizing the difference between the two). It's filled with practical advice that's actually helpful for the general population,

“The point of decluttering isn’t to get rid of things you want to keep; it’s to identify those things and then make space to enjoy them.”

There is always an uneasiness when picking up a book from someone with a blog or a large platform, as the book might just be meant to be for the fandom, as the book is some extra content adjacent to the blog. Although Dana mentioned her blog a couple of times, I never felt like an outsider, or like I was missing a large context of the story by picking up here in this book rather than on her blog.

“I didn’t decide anything. I didn’t figure out anything. I just accepted that limits were limits. And accepting limits was strangely freeing.”

I went into this book with no expectations and was pleasantly impressed with the amount of tips Dana gave while bringing everything down to a digestible level. The tips and tools were helpful, but they also layered in the acceptance that decluttering is a lifestyle and a mindset. It’s not a weekend activity that you do once and never again, but continually over time and it will get easier and simpler as you go.

“As I got rid of obviously worthless stuff, I started realizing I loved something else. I loved space. Open space. I had no idea how much I would love open space because I'd always filled every space that was mine.”

Dana takes a less lofty approach than Marie Kondo’s only keeping the objects that spark joy when you touch them and instead focusing on her “container method” - which focuses on how much space you have NOW. Our homes are not infinite spaces, as much as we act like they are. We can only have so much stuff before our space is full - this book focuses on finding that threshold and learning to keep it.

“Accept the limitations of the space you have, and declutter enough that your stuff fits comfortably in that space.”

Her approach is piles - one to keep, one for “away”, and one for donations. She makes it clear that decluttering is not organizing or “stuff shifting” but instead getting rid of the stuff that you do not use to make more space for the things you do. She focuses on “visibility” - with the more you take out of your space making the home more visible and starting in the higher visibility areas - such as places guests see. She takes the reader room by room to follow her steps and eventually make your entire home a lot more clear of clutter.

“Touch things. I’ve said it again and again. Look. Always, always look. Assuming what is in a box or at the back of a shelf does no good whatsoever. But assuming is the hardest thing for me to fight in my war against clutter. I see a mass of stuff and assume it’s full of emotions. I assume every last item in the pile, box, or closet will rip my heart right out of my chest. Every single item will represent a part of life I’m not ready to accept is over.”

I think the biggest way that this book stands out her is focus on a change in mindset and that no small deed is too small. Even a couple things decluttered from your home can make a big difference and that difference can cause a snowball effect that helps you have the motivation to continue. With this approach, I see decluttering as a much less daunting task than other such books have made it feel, but instead something that can be done in as little as 5 minutes every couple of days. It makes the whole process much more digestible and doable.

“Decluttering Question #1: If I needed this item, where would I look for it first? Take it there now. Decluttering Question #2: If I needed this item, would it ever occur to me that I already had one?”

I’m really happy I picked up this read on my decluttering journey as it helped me find some new questions to ask myself and ways that I can continue to clear out my home. I would happily pass it on to my friends who are on their own decluttering journeys and I would even read it again if I need some inspiration. I also checked out the blog she mentioned https://www.aslobcomesclean.com/.

My only reasoning for rating it three and a half stars is that I think the blog most likely encompasses a lot of the tips already and I feel this book itself is most likely just a big collection of the blog posts.

Thank you to Netgalley & Thomas Nelson Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this release early. I did end up reading the audiobook (which is read by the author) and I enjoyed that - since she has a podcast, she is incredibly comfortable talking to an audience. Starting on December 25th, I pickup up this audiobook 15 times, reading for 5 hours and 11 minutes.

Dana White focuses on a container concept to declutter. For some things I like this, others, less so. But for some people, I can see this as a necessary start point. She always starts with trash and with the constant emphasis it has me wondering how many people have lots of trash lying about. Because she makes it sound like that alone will make a good dent.
I liked her tips for helping others. This is an area I struggle with as I have a few family members and friends who have begun to look to me as an example and say they want my help. And one person, in particular, is an emotional hoarder so the container concept I feel will be key. Her idea for this with kids is perfect!! It really is an argument saver when it comes to other people's stuff.

Just trying to clear my Netgalley shelf of older content that I read a long time ago, but forgot to or didn't rate/review. This was a super accessible read on how to manage your personal possessions. I use it a lot with other teachers moreso than students, but I find teachers who collect lots of materials for their classrooms benefit a lot from this book!

Decluttering at the Speed of Life is a great book for helping to get the clutter out of your home. I'm not a huge clutterer, but I also have moments where I feel like we have way too much stuff (and, honestly, I wanted some help with my bf). Marie Kondo's way would just not work for us (who truthfully has time to touch every single item in their home anyway??). White is much more realistic - I just wish we'd had this when clearing out my grandparent's home!

I really enjoyed Dana's down-to-earth and practical approaches to decluttering. She gives real life scenarios of her own struggle with getting the clutter out of her life and home. Step by step, room by room she steps you through the process of decluttering your house. She openly states multiple times that living clutter-free is not a one-time process. It is something we must continually be alert to and maintain and she tell you how that is easily done. One of the things that I appreciated the most was that Dana attacks decluttering at its root by causing the reader to think about why things piled up in the first place and then how to avoid it in the future. If you're serious about getting your life in order, I'd definitely recommend this book!!

This book really helped me with decluttering my life. it helped me realize that I was holding on to things that I don't need to. I really appreciate net galley sending me an copy of this.

I enjoyed the format of this book. I ended up following the author's blog and podcast after receiving an advanced review copy of "Decluttering at the Speed of Life". Dana White's tips were much easier for me to implement versus the other declutter.

I am always conscious of accumulating stuff and try to give away things I no longer need or use twice a year. While I found this book to be useful and informative, I also felt that it might be more fitted for someone who has difficulties letting go of things. The book is full of tips not only about decluttering, but also training one’s mind to think differently about possessions and material things.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a free copy for my review.

I really enjoyed this book, especially on audio. It really covers the mental process of decluttering but I do wish it had some more practical steps.

Finally! A book that offers a practical decluttering method that actually makes sense to me. The book was a bit repetitious in the first half, but as I continued to read I came to realize that I had already been practicing portions of the author's routine. This system certainly doesn't seem as overwhelming as most others I've read about. Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This is a great book for anyone looking to declutter their homes and has no idea where to start. This book is detailed enough to get you started and be able to finish your decluttering projects. I highly recommend this book for anyone who needs guidance in decluttering their space.

A great followup to Dana's first book, How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind. Dena's books stand out from the recent slew of decluttering, minimalism and home organization books as the ideas and suggestions presented don't sound dreadful. Audiobooks are read by the author, very enjoyable listen.

I relate to this author so much and her way of decluttering really helps me. I highly recommend this book if you are not normal organized person.

There were potions of this book that I loved. The way the author breaks down the rooms is helpful for a deep clean and declutter. It does get redundant though. And it is very time consuming how she explains to declutter rather than working in small doable time slots that busy parents have. I loved the humor in this book and it was written where it was easy to read and actually a bit fun until it got too repetitive. I would recommend this book for a deep clean how-to guide, but not as a daily help to clean and declutter as you are busy with other obligations.

White is, as always, a breath of fresh air. She is not condemning of one’s clutter or disorganized habits, and gives practical and doable tips and tricks to help one de clutter and stay as decluttered as one can.

I loved this book and how practical and doable she made the steps to decluttering. After reading this copy, I purchased my own copy of the book and I keep recommending to people.

I was/am encouraged as I started slowly implementing decluttering rules. My rating 4.5.

I really enjoyed this helpful work on decluttering. Ms. White shares great tips and specific rules that help in the process. I’d love to share the questions but then others might decide they don’t need to get the book. The book read easily and the method of questioning makes great sense.The suggestions/guides are shared with experience and humor.

The first weekend I got my husband to help me clean a room that was a real mess. We filled a large bag with trash and two boxes of giveaway items. That was just the visibility level so there is still more to do but it was a big improvement.

I am guilty of buying items I like but not using them...because I like them. An example is candles. Now I have boxes and cabinets with lovely candles that I don’t use. So I have to decide to use them up or donate them if I want to clear that space.

I have also been implementing the tips during my Christmas gift organizing. I have pulled gifts that I won’t ever give to anyone (either expired or outgrown) and put many in a donate box. Some I have put in a box for future giving but I made a list so I won’t forget what I have.

My husband and I want to downsize our house but first we need to declutter our belongings! This book will help. It is nice that the implementation can be small as that is all the time I have had… but it has helped. Even five minutes a day can make a difference. I recommend this to people who want to declutter their places and lives.

Source: NetGalley 2018.

I loved this book! As someone who is constantly trying to claim the clutter, Dana White's no nonsense, practical tips were good to hear! She doesn't make you feel guilty for loving the things you do or wanting 6 of the same thing. Your goal is to get stuff out of your house that's trash or doesn't fit in to your container (be it bookshelf, closet or house!)

Thanks for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This is a book that I read over several months, as I slowly implemented some of the things suggested in my life. Decluttering at the speed of life is a book full of good suggestions. At times it did feel a little long winded for some of the items mentioned. But I'm also a person anymore when it comes to some books like this that just wants to get to the main point and get given a list of what I need to do.
I am so glad I read this book though and that I was able to implement several of the things suggested in my life. My room is cleaner than it has been in a long time, and I am finally starting to feel at peace with how it is looking and how I want it to look decluttered while still feeling lived in and not like a magazine.

Overall I did really like this books. The authors fun little stories were so nice to read at times and made the things suggested seem a little bit more real for the most part. At times I did wish some of the things had been a little bit more towards the point and a little less talkative at times.