food for thought :: decluttering

I am a huge fan of everything Sarah Susanka does from her architecture to her books to her blog and newsletters.  I hope that as I think about developing my own architecture practice someday that my work can reflect a lot of the ideas about home and living more simply that she has brought to us.  I clicked through to her blog after receving her latest newsletter and was so moved by her blog post about her process of decluttering her office.

She says, "I see now that the real lesson of my decluttering task was not that I needed to throw everything out, but that through the process of sorting, reviewing, and culling I was able to render down the important ingredients of my life into its particular and unique flavor, just as one would do in the kitchen with a fine sauce. It’s all there already. We just have to take the time to let it simmer, and then after decades have past, to taste the results. I highly recommend it. I’ve learned a lot."

There are a lot of ways to look at what she said.  What I took from it is that in the process of decluttering whether it be our spaces, minds or lives in general we can let go of old ways, old habits, old things, and make way for new ideas and refreshed thinking.

I have not read her latest book The Not So Big Life yet, but if her previous books are any indication, I am sure that it is excellent.  I am putting it on my library list!

Comments

[bethany]

I was so happy when I saw all the posts I get to read here! I have always liked Susan Susanka too and we have just spent a weekend of decluttering (not done yet) and moving things around to work better. I realized that even though the old ways weren't working, it's hard for me to be comfortable with sudden change! Seems silly but it was good to realize it...now to simmer down this office desk!

[bethany]

I was so happy when I saw all the posts I get to read here! I have always liked Susan Susanka too and we have just spent a weekend of decluttering (not done yet) and moving things around to work better. I realized that even though the old ways weren't working, it's hard for me to be comfortable with sudden change! Seems silly but it was good to realize it...now to simmer down this office desk!

[Whitney Johnson]

Dear Erinn --

When I read your post, I was delighted to learn about yet another book that I didn't know. And, I just had to share something with you that I'd written -- about de-cluttering our relationships.

I had read a quote by Jim Rohn which said -- "You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with." And I wondered --are the five people that I spend the most time with cluttering my life. Do I need to de-clutter?

http://daretodream.typepad.com/weblog/2007/04/you_are_the_ave.html

Keep thinking and writing and sharing!

Whitney

[Bhavna]

Wow! I used to feast on Sarah's show houses when we were building our home. I love her clean spaces.

[Hooked on Houses]

I, too, appreciate Sarah Susanka's philosophies about design and life. When I discovered her first book in the 90s, it changed the way I look at houses and guided me in building my own a few years ago.

I'm such a fan that when I interviewed Daniel McGinn (author of the book HOUSE LUST) on my blog recently, we discussed her in our conversation, and Ms. Susanka read it. She then contacted me and said she would like to address my readers. Of course I was thrilled and couldn't get her words posted fast enough! :-)

After I saw your post about her, I thought you might be interested in reading what she had to say. I found her words incredibly inspiring. You can find the post here:

http://hookedonhouses.wordpress.com/2008/02/08/sarah-susanka-responds-to-my-interview-with-daniel-mcginn/

Love your site. I've gotten lost in it today when I should be working. I'll probably be adding you to my Blogroll as soon as I get a chance. Thanks. -Julia

[Marissa]

Thank you for your beautiful blog and for sharing yourself in the way that you do. I've added this author to my list to check out.

[bundaberg computer]

thanks sarah .. i will definately have a look at your book ..i also have to manage my office properly .thanks for your advice

[carpet cleaning sydney]

Sarah,I am impress on philosophy of design and life. The way you have explained and put the value of life and design all together is incredible. Good work, Nice book.

[organize room]

There are a lot of ways to look at what she said. What I took from it is that in the process of decluttering whether it be our spaces, minds or lives in general we can let go of old ways, old habits, old things, and make way for new ideas and refreshed thinking. I have not read her latest book The Not So Big Life yet, but if her previous books are any indication, I am sure that it is excellent. I am putting it on my library list!