Mary W

Definitely one to keep close.

Reviewed: 02-22-25

I appreciate the clear themes that Dr Perry and Oprah reinforced throughout this book in a way that made sense and connected ideas. A lot of times these books introduce a lot of concepts and don’t do a great job of connecting ideas and concepts so that you have to do more of the work yourself. And when you’re struggling with mental health condition flare-ups, it can be overwhelming to try to absorb lots of information at once and working to connect concepts. The piece about connectness is not a new concept, it’s been around for several decades since we started using more computers and went to fewer bowling leagues & church groups. But they did a great job of reinforcing it in this post-COVID era. Between social media, our ever more chaotic and divided world, a workforce that is still very much spread out via remote roles, and having enough financial wealth that we can take care of ourselves … well I think so many of us are feeling extreme disconnectedness and isolation. It’s affecting us far more than we realize. No disrespect to Oprah but I was a little skeptical about this thanks to her name on this. First, I am just not that familiar with her work. And two, I’m currently in a headspace at the moment where I feel like entertainers and media personalities are bleeding over into news, facts, and legitimate scientific research. We’re just over saturated with people who want to be famous just for being famous. Everyone wants their own show or podcast. I’m burned out from all the self promotion. But Oprah, I owe you an apology. I was quickly reminded about your lengthy record of advocacy, empathy, connecting people, lifting others up, and trying to change paradigms. You cast key spotlights on very important work and issues with insights that we all benefit from learning. Dr. Perry’s work is very insightful and many things “clicked”. There were a few points where the story went into children’s brains and upbringing a little more than I wanted to hear about. As a childfree person the topic of children is just not that interesting to me to spend quite so much time learning about children’s development. There are many things that happen to us later in life (teenage years, college, our 20s and 30s, etc) which also can impact us incredibly deeply. And those experiences also hold weight that I felt was glossed over more here. I would have appreciated a little more balance with discussing what we experience as babies and children and what we experience as teens and young adults. I understand that earlier trauma is more deeply rooted and more impactful long term, but I started to feel like some of my most traumatic experiences that stay with me don’t matter as much because I wasn’t a baby or young child when they happened. Anyway, it was great overall and I appreciate the proposal shift of moving away from asking “what’s wrong with you?” To “what happened to you?”. Thank you both. I will be keeping this handy to listen to again and I may end up purchasing the paperback eventually as well.

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Practical, specific, and useful

Reviewed: 06-17-22

I’m a third-generation anxiety-driven shopper and hoarder of sentimental items, Most of my adult life I’ve spent finding balance here, and now helping family members with their struggles with clutter and letting go of things. What drives me nuts are books who talk in vague generalities, but this is specific and easy to replicate and practice. Well narrated, this is a good book for learning how to get out of the clutter circle. I’m just well read on this topic so did not find as many brand-new-to-me ideas on the topic, so rating it a 4. But people just starting their journey may find it more insightful.

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Lost me after religion and sexism right in the intro.

Reviewed: 06-17-22

Yikes, I didn’t realize the authors were going to bring up God and cite a Bible verse right in the introduction. Everyone has their right to believe whatever they want to believe, but I’m weary of people who use the Bible as their guide through life - since so many take it too literally and was written by white men well before our modern times. So that was kind of a red flag, and then they brought up how this book is written mostly for women because usually men don’t seek out solutions to getting ahold of their clutter. These are sexist gender stereotypes we need to stop perpetuating. That was the second and last red flag for me. Perhaps the rest of the content is fine and free of religion and stereotypes but there are too many other books out there to spend time on this one.

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White girl whining

Reviewed: 01-24-21

It was hard to finish. Much of this book is white-girl whining about problems in her own life that she spends way too much time in. Even a better storytelling method would come across as less sel-absorbed. Lots of mention of “your creator” and God, so more religious than I expected or liked. Between the random stories that make you wonder how you got down this road, and the “stop doing this” scolding, she comes across as a self-righteous critic. She loves her creator, stopped drinking when she realized it was too much, managed her weight and health, and gosh she has a diverse set of friends too! How is any of this supposed to be useful to others besides the screechy “stop eating junk! Eat whole foods! Open up and meet new people!” Girl, I’ll go wash my face when you get out of my face with the self-righteous screeching.

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