Start With Your Sock Drawer

by Vicky Silverthorn

Cupboards packed with unused gadgets. Boxes full of obsolete chargers. Unpaid bills hidden among piles of junk mail. Wardrobes bursting with unworn clothes. Heaps of neglected children's toys. A dresser jammed full of mismatched socks. . .

Sound familiar?

Many of us feel increasingly overwhelmed by - and guilty about - the sheer amount of stuff packed into our homes. And we're starting to realise that being organised at home doesn't just mean always knowing where you left the remote; it means being able to face the world with a clear mind and increased energy. It all starts at home.

But where? When the problem is so vast and we are all so busy, how do you even begin to tackle the clutter mountain? Professional organiser Vicky Silverthorn has the simple answer: start with your sock drawer.

Using tried-and-tested methods, Vicky will guide you through practical, bite-sized tasks that will help you achieve a friendly level of organisation throughout your home and a new clarity of mind. With Vicky's help, you can fight back against the clutter and learn to love your home once more.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Personal Development, Audiobook

212 pages, Paperback

Published September 8, 2016

Reviews

[Chloe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Do-able common sense. Less like joining a cult than some other decluttering systems/books.

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple book about organising your home. Mainly read it so get me motivated again. She is passionate about organising but didn’t find anything new To inspire me. My favourite decluttering book will always be from Marie Kondo.

[Irni Farid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading about minimalism is always easier than the action itself. The book suggests the easiest task to statrt with the sock drawer which is practical to me. As the author paraphrase a quotation from Gandhi, "if you don't see it, you don't use it, this is actually a reality. Keep things that are in use and avoid hoarding. Manage storage and memories while making space for the occupants to grow.

[Nirmala · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very quick read because I could skip many parts, and scan through very fast! Many things she suggested are good, but its a book you should keep in hand and follow the instruction while you are actually decluttering.

[Joanne Tognarelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a real revelation and inspiring read - going to try & put lots of tips into practice especially the paperwork & wardrobe ones

[Jess Whitby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great because it provides simple, clear advice for those of us who don't find keeping things tidy a part of our natural DNA. Although, sadly, the desire for tidiness and some order IS part of that DNA.

I like that the book is relatively short. I did find myself reaching for other books for extra advice on "how to" alongside reading this book. However, it was a real help to me.

[Melissa Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has completely changed my viewpoint on streamlining. I've gained so much inspiration from Vickys innovative ideas that I'll never want a cluttered home again. Cluttered house = cluttered mind!

[sislasus · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty boring.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its a bit "me me me" as she came up with the idea of tidying up & "my methods" as if its not just common sense (if we are being honest here) but I did find it motivating, as I do with all positive books & even if I didn't actually follow it too much, it was an easy read, positive, motivating & I did start on with my decluttering.

I liked the bits about letting go of stuff, not worrying about guilt -sentimental/cost etc which was reassuring, not because it was anything new but just reaffirming & motivating.

[Agnes · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've read a lot of declutter books and this one did not offer anything new, except maybe have each member of the family pack a suitcase when you move of things that will be needed soonest.

It was about 65 pages in before she started giving actionable tips.

This was written in 2016 and referred to fondue pots, utility bills and manuals??
No mention of scanning or accessing things online was mentioned.

Also her personality or humor did not come through; I don't feel like I know her at all and she has had some interesting jobs.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very practical book for declutter. If you are familiar with the KonMari, this book is basically a more practical approach. You don’t have to get everything out, it’s better to start with one drawer. She also organizes things more after frequency of usage which I think is a good idea. The last chapter was about moving houses and I came up with another alternative to the “Does this spark joy?” question: “Would I be willing to use energy and money to pack this item, transport it to a new home and unpack it there again?”

[Filipa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comprei este livro porque tem um capítulo dedicado à organização de papéis...e gostei! A Vicky Silverthorn propõe um sistema simples para arrumar papéis e documentos importantes, que é fácil de manter e depois de passar para arquivo definitivo anualmente. Apesar da maior parte dos “papéis” chegar em formato electrónico, continua a ser necessário ter alguns em papel, que têm de estar minimamente organizados.

[Tori · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read. Easy, applicable tips that can easily be altered to suit your requirements.

One of my favourite points that I still utilise today, is freeing myself of "blocks". Things that add unnecessary steps to a task you don't reaaallly want to be doing. Having such things as my uniform, my blender, the hoover within easy reach makes my days run much smoother.

Also great at getting you to alter your thinking, the sooner we learn to want less junk the easier things are to keep tidy!

[Leila Hunt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very simplistic entry-level decluttering book. While it does have some good tips and advice, I believe this would only work for someone who has already taken baby steps on their decluttering journey and needs guidance. I've personally found a lot more useful information online as to the hows and whys of decluttering, there is no easy way or shortcut to truly free oneself of the cycle of clutter or the mindset that gets us there in the first place.

[Alyce Hunt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vicky's voice is bright and bubbly throughout, but this decluttering manual doesn't offer any advice I haven't read before. In the past years I've devoured more decluttering books than you can imagine, but I don't think this one's going to stick in my mind! Good job I've already begun utilizing most of the techniques to clear my living space.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very simple, no nonsense approach to making your house work for you, rather than the other way round. One room at a time is acknowledged as sometimes being too much and starting with one drawer or one cupboard may take you all day. There is no judgment or benchmark - simply the encouragement to make a start.

[Katie Crichton · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok. Nothing seriously new here, but a nice refresher. My issue is that I think she advocates keeping too much stuff — organized photo boxes and memory boxes are exactly what I am trying to move away from. My favorite takeaway is her question “could someone else get better use out of this item than I can?”

[Femi Oye · Rating 5 out of 5]

A more realistic read on cluttering and organisation I've read in a while. This has made me actually start!

Like the book's style in that it was broken down into bite size pieces so that familiar feeling of being overwhelmed is less likely to be felt. I'm more likely to start now knowing I can start with small victories than a whole category in whole swoop.

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! I have been reading a ton of books on decluttering and organizing your home, and this one was by far the best. It was very clearly organized with lots of helpful tips and logical thinking. It has the same overall sentiment as the KonMari book, with less fluff.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple to the point book about organising your home.

I hoped it would get me more motivated to organise as I move house but it’s a simple common sense approach and I didn’t really take much more from it than that.

[Chica Novocaina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me gustó mucho la primer parte, fue lo que me resultó más útil.
Pero cuando empieza a entrar en cada sección siento que generaliza mucho y se queda en lo obvio.

[Kristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good beginner book for those who are a little overwhelmed with decluttering. It was too basic for me.

[Gorduchita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Soluções práticas e fáceis de colocar em prática, para ter a casa organizada.

[Me · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book. It Really motivated me to declutter my house and realise what is important in life (not material things) !!

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was pretty good with some good, practical tips so that decluttering isn't overwhelming.

[Lucy McLaurin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Food for thought!

There are some great suggestions on here and I can totally see the reasons for them … it’s just implementing them …. I’ve started; but it’s a long - almost over-whelming task.

[JoJo · Rating 3 out of 5]

It has stimulated me to do a little more tidying, but there was no greatly new insights - I guess it depends where you are starting from and if you are looking for miracles there probably isn't a book in the World that can sort that sock drawer for you.

[BookBairn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read quite a few organising books and articles and this one was ok and sort of got me a motivated to get sorted but it was a bit generic in it's advice and the sort of stuff we all know already - get rid of stuff that doesn't serve you or make you happy, organise what's left. The key take away is to not be overwhelmed and to start small tackling each space at a time.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book serves as a great guide for which things it's worth investing time and energy into sorting and organising... and which things it's not worth it for!

The author is a voice of wisdom and clear thinking.

There are a couple of slightly waffly chapters at the beginning (where it all started, how to let go et.c) but these are none-the-less important to have and to read as they help clarify your own thoughts about WHY you are keeping 'clutter' around you and how you are live your life... in the real world! These are followed by chapter after chapter of friendly ideas and practical tips as well as step-by-step instructions on how to tackle a mountain of mess, a bit at a time. Moving house, organising your wadrobe and packing for travelling are some that stood out to me.

It's easy to read, entertaining and very very sensible. There were a couple of very minor points I disagreed with (e.g. advice to put off-season clothes in storage - personal choice but with heating, air con and layering I wear all my clothes all year round). However, on the whole, this book is an extremely sensible guide to getting control of your life back using, in the authors words, a 'friendly' level of organisation to all parts of your life. I have implemented a few things the author suggested and so far, it's been great. I'm now looking forward to organising the rest of my life! Thoroughly recommend this book.

[Ligaya · Rating 2 out of 5]

My sock drawer is well organized (by color) and my underwear drawer is an absolute wonder, but my basement and kitchen are a mess. This is an okay book on decluttering, not offering any new insights, just nudging you along bit by bit. This is KonMari Super Lite and I don't agree that "the rest will follow". Her solution for the paperwork dilemma is very simplistic and cannot work for anyone with a complex life. The author is from the UK so some terms are different to us Americans. Helpful, but there are better organizing books out there.