I thought this month, I'd provide a simple book review on the book that got me tossing and simplifying. It's "Clutter's Last Stand" by Don Aslett. Copyright is 1984 and the ISBN for easy reference is: O-89879-137-5.
It begins with a "Junkee Entrance Exam" which really gets you to thinking. Here are a few sample questions:
- I've kept books and paperbacks I couldn't force myself to finish - I hoard odd socks or pantyhose with one ruined leg - If I had to move suddenly, how much stuff would end up in the alley
You score yourself with these answers: a.) more than I'll ever admit to; b.) Moore than I'd like; c.) Only a few things and d.) none. Of course if the readers answered mostly "none" they probably don't need to be reading the book.
The author uses humor and great graphics throughout the book to get his point across. He explains the genealogy of junk. It covers reasons why we accumulate and what we do with the items once we do. He moves into 101 feeble excuses for hanging onto our clutter.
We've all heard about the 80/20 rule. It applies to clutter to, according to the author. 80% of the space on our shelves is occupied by stuff we never need. 80% of family fun comes from 20% of the games we own. 80% of our reading enjoyment comes from 20% of the reading material we have in our homes. It goes on and on in the chapter entitled "the economy of clutter". He describes the cost of clutter, the storage of it, guarding it, moving it, even owning it. It costs use a lot.
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