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Declutter Your Home and Simplify Your Life
Are you feeling overwhelmed by the clutter in your life? A pile of laundry on the floor, a stack of papers on the table, or just too much stuff? You are not alone. The tough part is, you know that shoving it all out of sight isn’t enough—you need to start throwing things away. But you don’t have to become a minimalist. You just need to learn how to remove the excess, so you have more time for what is important in your life. And that’s just what this course teaches you.
Sophie Largen has made it her passion project to help motivate and encourage others by providing tips for efficient cleaning, organizing, and productivity. This practical guide will walk you through decluttering your spaces step by step. It will help you work through common pitfalls, and it will provide you with a plan for success for achieving a simplified—and more joyous—life.
Sophie starts by helping you build a road map and a schedule that are attainable for you and your family. She then shares her favorite decluttering strategies, providing exercises and asking questions to get you through challenges, such as parting with sentimental items. She then offers tools and techniques to help you maintain the organization and simplified life you’ve established.
By the end of this course, you may find yourself with new problems, like what to do with all your extra free time and that newly emptied drawer!
Sophie Largen has made it her passion project to help motivate and encourage others by providing tips for efficient cleaning, organizing, and productivity. This practical guide will walk you through decluttering your spaces step by step. It will help you work through common pitfalls, and it will provide you with a plan for success for achieving a simplified—and more joyous—life.
Sophie starts by helping you build a road map and a schedule that are attainable for you and your family. She then shares her favorite decluttering strategies, providing exercises and asking questions to get you through challenges, such as parting with sentimental items. She then offers tools and techniques to help you maintain the organization and simplified life you’ve established.
By the end of this course, you may find yourself with new problems, like what to do with all your extra free time and that newly emptied drawer!
Audible Audio
Published January 5, 2023
43 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
January 5, 2023
We’re not hoarders, but sometimes it feels like we’re moving in that direction. Stuff just accumulates and there is never time to really sit down and go through it in a systematic way. We make pushes that buy us some time and keep the “public” areas of the house looking okay, but the attic, the shed, the closets, etc. are all overloaded with stuff we’re not even sure we really need.
This book details a strategy to fix this problem in our lives. Overall, I felt it was completely unrealistic—laying out a six month plan in which every week involves tackling part of our clutter is just not going to happen. If we were the sort of people who had six months free to clean up our stuff, we would have never gotten over-cluttered in the first place. So—this book is not going to help most people fix their problem. It does, however, have a nice section on the mental changes you need to go through in order to handle your mess and it has a nice ending section on maintenance. (The author sees this as not letting yourself get re-cluttered, but it also applies to not making your mess worse so that you don’t lose ground when you start to gain it.)
It’s a very short book so I think it was definitely worth my time (and yours) but it’s not going to fix most peoples’ problems.
This book details a strategy to fix this problem in our lives. Overall, I felt it was completely unrealistic—laying out a six month plan in which every week involves tackling part of our clutter is just not going to happen. If we were the sort of people who had six months free to clean up our stuff, we would have never gotten over-cluttered in the first place. So—this book is not going to help most people fix their problem. It does, however, have a nice section on the mental changes you need to go through in order to handle your mess and it has a nice ending section on maintenance. (The author sees this as not letting yourself get re-cluttered, but it also applies to not making your mess worse so that you don’t lose ground when you start to gain it.)
It’s a very short book so I think it was definitely worth my time (and yours) but it’s not going to fix most peoples’ problems.
January 20, 2023
Being only an hour or so long this doesn't go in-depth but it does give some tips for a jumping off point. So take some of this advice and dive deeper.
I like the roadmap idea and taking it room by room, and then subcategorize the rooms. Great tip so not to get overwhelmed.
I started going through a closet putting some of her tips into practice. Such as letting go of guilt (I may need this one day but never used it in 10+ years) and if you don't declutter then you are just reorganizing clutter. Which is a trap I fall into. So I took one bag in my closet and chucked it. Onto the next bag.
3 out of 5.
I like the roadmap idea and taking it room by room, and then subcategorize the rooms. Great tip so not to get overwhelmed.
I started going through a closet putting some of her tips into practice. Such as letting go of guilt (I may need this one day but never used it in 10+ years) and if you don't declutter then you are just reorganizing clutter. Which is a trap I fall into. So I took one bag in my closet and chucked it. Onto the next bag.
3 out of 5.
March 8, 2024
Short and sweet. Not much new here if you’ve read a few decluttering books, but it was a good little motivator and reminder before beginning in on my first decluttering in a while.
A few take aways I liked were to write out all the areas that you want to work through, then sub-categorize into manageable chunks. That appeals to my brain.
I also like the reminder to let go of the guilt that makes us hang on to things. There are many good reasons to keep things—guilt isn’t a happy one. (For example you paid a lot for it, you’ve never used it but think you should, it was a gift, it belonged to someone you love even if you don’t want it.)
A few take aways I liked were to write out all the areas that you want to work through, then sub-categorize into manageable chunks. That appeals to my brain.
I also like the reminder to let go of the guilt that makes us hang on to things. There are many good reasons to keep things—guilt isn’t a happy one. (For example you paid a lot for it, you’ve never used it but think you should, it was a gift, it belonged to someone you love even if you don’t want it.)
April 1, 2024
No Toys for Tots and Junkless Junk Drawers?
I understand everything she was saying and she has some great ideas but something’s I just could not get behind. No I don’t think a child needs 100’s of toys or that we need a dozen junk drawers but there are compromises.
I understand everything she was saying and she has some great ideas but something’s I just could not get behind. No I don’t think a child needs 100’s of toys or that we need a dozen junk drawers but there are compromises.
May 2, 2023
Quick read to give you a starting point and way to organize your decluttering journey. I thought there were a lot of helpful tips on how to organize where to start and how to prioritize your efforts.
January 28, 2024
Declutter Your Home and Simplify Your Life by Sophie Largen and The Great Courses
The Great Courses series
1h 18m narrated by the author - Sophie Largen
Genre: Nonfiction, Self-Help, Stress Management, Personal Development Relationships, Parenting
Featuring: Audible Original, Organizing, Declutter, Inspiring, YouTuber, Lessons, Getting Started, From Disorganized to Organized, Minimizing, What We Can Do With Less, Sophisticated Organization - https://www.sophisticatedorganization..., Decluttering Sentimental Items, Dealing With Family Members, Maintenance, Creating a Roadmap, Exercises and Tips For Effective Decluttering, Navigating the Bumps,
It's Not Just About the Things, Donations, Time Blocking, How To Keep The Clutter Away
Rating as a movie: G
Quotes: "The more you take on, the more organized you have to be, and the less time you have for frivolous things."
My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🚮
My thoughts: I was very surprised by this book. I have read tons of decluttering books but this one is short and simple and that website is gold. I'm ready to apply it.
Recommend to others: Yes! This is a great book for creating a schedule to declutter followed by maintenance habits.
The Great Courses series
1h 18m narrated by the author - Sophie Largen
Genre: Nonfiction, Self-Help, Stress Management, Personal Development Relationships, Parenting
Featuring: Audible Original, Organizing, Declutter, Inspiring, YouTuber, Lessons, Getting Started, From Disorganized to Organized, Minimizing, What We Can Do With Less, Sophisticated Organization - https://www.sophisticatedorganization..., Decluttering Sentimental Items, Dealing With Family Members, Maintenance, Creating a Roadmap, Exercises and Tips For Effective Decluttering, Navigating the Bumps,
It's Not Just About the Things, Donations, Time Blocking, How To Keep The Clutter Away
Rating as a movie: G
Quotes: "The more you take on, the more organized you have to be, and the less time you have for frivolous things."
My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🚮
My thoughts: I was very surprised by this book. I have read tons of decluttering books but this one is short and simple and that website is gold. I'm ready to apply it.
Recommend to others: Yes! This is a great book for creating a schedule to declutter followed by maintenance habits.
June 18, 2025
As a busy mom of three kids. I appreciated that this was a short book with highlights of decluttering. Nothing new for people that have been decluttering and minimizing earlier.
It was clear and easy to follow and I liked that the author introduced you to why and when to declutter and the benefits of decluttering.
A great book with a reminder of why decluttering is a good thing to keep up with.
It was clear and easy to follow and I liked that the author introduced you to why and when to declutter and the benefits of decluttering.
A great book with a reminder of why decluttering is a good thing to keep up with.
May 16, 2025
Simple advice delivered well, to empower one to make great choices of how to succeed at de-cluttering life on all levels. As once the home is cleared, everything else starts to fall into place for the better, by making space for new bigger and better outcomes.
June 25, 2025
This was a good quick listen. I consider myself the master at decluttering unnecessary items, but this gave a few helpful tips and tricks. I especially liked the tips on how to approach decluttering when you share your living space with your family.
August 1, 2025
We have talked plenty about decluttering and simplifying our lives, but with only some action and no overall plan. This simple collection of lectures is practical and worthwhile. It only took me a little over an hour to listen, and I wrote down several notes. In fact, I have already started creating my roadmap. I also appreciate that the tips are for both decluttering and simplifying, as well as maintaining afterwards. The author also has an online resource intended to be practical and useful, which I will also check out.
January 10, 2025
Just looking for some inspiration as I begin my new year closet clean out. This was a short and sweet listen on audible. Not much new info to me, but good reminders.
March 26, 2025
3 1/2 stars—just lots of good reminders & letting go of guilt & how to deal with things that are inherited & sentimental stuff. 2 very big ones for me & where I get stuck.
April 2, 2025
Practical and helpful.
April 5, 2023
*review based on Audible*
A book that keeps the topic of decluttering simplistic, stress-free, and straightforward. I was able to finish this book in a day because it was short and concise, yet informative. Would recommend to anybody who is on a minimalism journey!
A book that keeps the topic of decluttering simplistic, stress-free, and straightforward. I was able to finish this book in a day because it was short and concise, yet informative. Would recommend to anybody who is on a minimalism journey!
September 14, 2023
Content Warnings: None
TL;DR Summary: this efficient read is worth your time if you want help to organize your efforts to declutter your home and routines...as long as you are willing to put up with a little self-promotion and aren't set on an academic approach to the issue.
Those already familiar with time management principles will immediately recognize Largen's approach of chunking spaces and time. This isn't a bad thing; instead, it serves as a specialized use case of time management for both decluttering your home and to simplifying your personal routines.
Largen also dedicates time to relevant issues such as handling of sentimental items, gifts, clothing, and mail. She achieves all of this with suitably high efficiency.
While I believe this was time we'll spent, there are two negatives here.
In the short space utilized, Largen manages not only to repeatedly plug her own YouTube channel but also her website and even an ebook with more details than the course itself provides. The ebook does not appear to have been included with the course. This is not the kind of self-promoting behavior I have come to expect from presenters on the Great Courses and I hope this does not become a trend.
Additionally, Largen seems to intentionally avoid using some of the specific time management terminology which she employs. This is likely an intentional choice to avoid alienating non-academics and create a casual feel through lack of jargon. Unfortunately, it also means that those taking the course are much less likely to tie the concepts to specific words for more efficient memory and retrieval. This is, from an academic standpoint, a missed opportunity.
TL;DR Summary: this efficient read is worth your time if you want help to organize your efforts to declutter your home and routines...as long as you are willing to put up with a little self-promotion and aren't set on an academic approach to the issue.
Those already familiar with time management principles will immediately recognize Largen's approach of chunking spaces and time. This isn't a bad thing; instead, it serves as a specialized use case of time management for both decluttering your home and to simplifying your personal routines.
Largen also dedicates time to relevant issues such as handling of sentimental items, gifts, clothing, and mail. She achieves all of this with suitably high efficiency.
While I believe this was time we'll spent, there are two negatives here.
In the short space utilized, Largen manages not only to repeatedly plug her own YouTube channel but also her website and even an ebook with more details than the course itself provides. The ebook does not appear to have been included with the course. This is not the kind of self-promoting behavior I have come to expect from presenters on the Great Courses and I hope this does not become a trend.
Additionally, Largen seems to intentionally avoid using some of the specific time management terminology which she employs. This is likely an intentional choice to avoid alienating non-academics and create a casual feel through lack of jargon. Unfortunately, it also means that those taking the course are much less likely to tie the concepts to specific words for more efficient memory and retrieval. This is, from an academic standpoint, a missed opportunity.
September 3, 2024
"Declutter Your Home and Simplify Your Life" by Sophie Largenis feels like a watered-down version of Marie Kondo. On the plus side, it skips the more extreme advice, like ripping out your favorite pages from books and discarding the rest—a suggestion that led me to throw out a book for the first time in my life. Marie Kondo’s approach, for me, brings not joy, but frustration.
However, Largenis's book, written from the perspective of a manic organizer with color-coded shelves and labels for everything, doesn’t resonate with my naturally chaotic and unorganized self. I’m not distracted by clutter; I’m distracted by a sterile environment. I don’t feel better in a perfectly organized house—I just don’t want to drown in my own mess.
I also don’t agree with the idea that throwing out things that might actually be needed is always worth it, especially when the solution is to just buy it again later. That’s not minimalism; that’s consumerism disguised as minimalism, like a fast fashion T-shirt with "minimalist" printed on it.
Yes, the book is short, but it was still a waste of time.
However, Largenis's book, written from the perspective of a manic organizer with color-coded shelves and labels for everything, doesn’t resonate with my naturally chaotic and unorganized self. I’m not distracted by clutter; I’m distracted by a sterile environment. I don’t feel better in a perfectly organized house—I just don’t want to drown in my own mess.
I also don’t agree with the idea that throwing out things that might actually be needed is always worth it, especially when the solution is to just buy it again later. That’s not minimalism; that’s consumerism disguised as minimalism, like a fast fashion T-shirt with "minimalist" printed on it.
Yes, the book is short, but it was still a waste of time.
November 10, 2024
Short and sweet. It's a good introductory book for decluttering, especially if you just need to get started. That's also one of the things Largen specified: just start.
For most of us, seeing physical clutter also causes mental clutter, so being able to remove things we do not need and organize the things we do would help make it less stressful and also increase our productivity not having to be distracted by a big pile of mess.
Largen also provided the tip on making it more manageable by going through rooms as categories and creating subsections under those categories. It helps to have a pen and paper handy of you'd like to participate in her planning exercise to create your decluttering road map. She also made a point about guilt not being a reason to hold on to things. I personally think that statement applies both physically and psychologically.
I wasn't a fan of the self-promotion embedded in it, but I guess that's part of marketing oneself.
Overall, it's a nice way to start. However, if you'd like a more elaborate and intuitive guide that fits your specific style of decluttering or organizing, you'll need to find other books for that.
For most of us, seeing physical clutter also causes mental clutter, so being able to remove things we do not need and organize the things we do would help make it less stressful and also increase our productivity not having to be distracted by a big pile of mess.
Largen also provided the tip on making it more manageable by going through rooms as categories and creating subsections under those categories. It helps to have a pen and paper handy of you'd like to participate in her planning exercise to create your decluttering road map. She also made a point about guilt not being a reason to hold on to things. I personally think that statement applies both physically and psychologically.
I wasn't a fan of the self-promotion embedded in it, but I guess that's part of marketing oneself.
Overall, it's a nice way to start. However, if you'd like a more elaborate and intuitive guide that fits your specific style of decluttering or organizing, you'll need to find other books for that.
Read
April 21, 2023This is not a good starting place for decluttering. Admittedly it is an overview of a wide variety of decluttering styles, I can almost hear the different Decluttering styles I have read about over the years being condensed in this very short audiobook. I suppose if you do not know what style will work for you this may be a good starting point. This very well-organized author has accomplished much in their life and I can easily see how this would work for them. The idea of decluttering being the only real move you need to make to clear out your house and get it organized. This is a good quick reminder of some decluttering ideas however I would look for a longer book with a style that fits you more than this.
January 14, 2025
This book is essentially an ad for the author's website and ebook. I didn't love that.
Otherwise it's decent advice but nothing I haven't heard before on the topic. Like most books on these topics, it is geared towards a "normal" person and not someone who is neurodivergent like I am. The advice makes sense but I have executive dysfunction and don't think I could motivate myself to or stick with a 6 month plan to declutter my house. Or to schedule it in. Some days I have the energy and motivation to tackle it and others (most of hte time) I don't. If it was as easy and she says it is, there wouldn't be a need for books like this!
Otherwise it's decent advice but nothing I haven't heard before on the topic. Like most books on these topics, it is geared towards a "normal" person and not someone who is neurodivergent like I am. The advice makes sense but I have executive dysfunction and don't think I could motivate myself to or stick with a 6 month plan to declutter my house. Or to schedule it in. Some days I have the energy and motivation to tackle it and others (most of hte time) I don't. If it was as easy and she says it is, there wouldn't be a need for books like this!
March 9, 2025
A Heartfelt Guide to Simplify, Though Familiar Territory
Declutter Your Home and Simplify Your Life, written and narrated by Sophie Largen, begins with a captivating and personal touch as the author’s narration directly addresses the listener, creating a sense of connection. While it is beautifully written and initially motivational, the insights and actionable advice it provides feel somewhat common and widely known—likely ideas many people already use. As a result, it didn’t fully resonate with me. However, for those newly exploring the topic of decluttering, the combination of heartfelt narration and approachable advice could still prove inspiring.
Declutter Your Home and Simplify Your Life, written and narrated by Sophie Largen, begins with a captivating and personal touch as the author’s narration directly addresses the listener, creating a sense of connection. While it is beautifully written and initially motivational, the insights and actionable advice it provides feel somewhat common and widely known—likely ideas many people already use. As a result, it didn’t fully resonate with me. However, for those newly exploring the topic of decluttering, the combination of heartfelt narration and approachable advice could still prove inspiring.
April 6, 2023
Declutter your home and simplify your life
By Sophie Largen
📚Honest Thoughts 💭📚
I’ve just finished this audiobook from @audible and this is and Audible Original, so really good material!
Sophie Largen takes us on a tour throughout own home 🏡 even those spaces that we want to avoid or those items we don’t want to get rid of.
Room by room, item by item I went through my own home and oh my! I’ve got too much stuff!
I’m certainly going to take her recipe! My brain is already thinking what I’m going to declutter next!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
By Sophie Largen
📚Honest Thoughts 💭📚
I’ve just finished this audiobook from @audible and this is and Audible Original, so really good material!
Sophie Largen takes us on a tour throughout own home 🏡 even those spaces that we want to avoid or those items we don’t want to get rid of.
Room by room, item by item I went through my own home and oh my! I’ve got too much stuff!
I’m certainly going to take her recipe! My brain is already thinking what I’m going to declutter next!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
January 28, 2025
Some good quick tips to start decluttering and placing systems in your life to get organized. I like how she was realistic with the timeframe of doing all of this. My rating system for 4 stars is simply I would like to reference or read again someday. 3 stars is I was entertained or enjoyed it, but won’t likely read again. I would say it’s a 3.5. Definitely a book I’d like to review every once in a while to check in on my progress.
July 9, 2024
This was a good book if you’re looking for a starting place. I do wish she went into a little more detail, but a good book to start with! Im planning on decluttering while we rearrange parts of our house and making the itemized list with subcategories was really helpful in making it less daunting and overwhelming!
February 18, 2023
This book is not very long but it certainly has great tips on how to get started while stressing that there is no rush. Take the time to plan it out and tackle it one room and one area at a time. A great strategy for busy people.
March 10, 2025
The day I hired a maid and had the house manager/ Handiman manger her. Well what to do with all the extra tubs of stuff with tags still on them? I did try to hire someone to post it all on facebook but they were states away… ugh
June 3, 2025
A plan for people that aren't happy with their clutter, but not sure how well this works for those that are extreme or hoarders. She does recognize we are all different in method and motivation.
How did this book find me? Discovered in the Audible Plus catalog.
How did this book find me? Discovered in the Audible Plus catalog.
June 13, 2025
It was a quick listen I flew through a couple months ago. I thought the plan it called for was unrealistic - a 6 month plan with weekly tasks? But I always need all the motivation I can get for decluttering and clearing my space, so I appreciated the content.
January 24, 2023
Reinforcement of process but the key is building the initial roadmap is the key. Working on first step to get started. One step, one discard at a time.
January 26, 2023
Good option to listen to while cleaning/decluttering, however also a bit of paper/pen work that made it a bit more difficult to multitask while listening at same time
March 10, 2023
Good ideas and insights. Good motivation to get you started.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews