Title: Throw Out Fifty Things: Clear the Clutter, Find Your Life
Author: Gail Blanke
First published March 1, 2009
270 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780446505796 (ISBN10: 044650579X)
Rating: 3.45
Overview
Do you feel like your life is cluttered with things from the past? Do you have trouble getting rid of physical and emotional junk that holds you back?
Motivator, best-selling author, columnist, and life coach Gail Blanke understands that feeling all too well. In her book, Throw Out Fifty Things, she takes readers on a journey through every room of their house and even their minds to help them eliminate the clutter that weighs them down.
Blanke shares poignant and humorous stories that inspire readers to let go of the “life plaque” that has built up over time. Don’t let that junk drawer, old regrets, outdated makeup, or depressing relationships hold you back any longer! With Blanke’s guidance, you’ll be surprised how easy it is to reach that magic number of fifty and step out into the clearing, ready to begin the next and greatest segment of your life.
About the Author
Meet Gail Blanke, the founder, president, and CEO of Lifedesigns, LLC. Her company aims to empower individuals globally to live truly exceptional lives.
As a best-selling author, Gail has written several books, including “In My Wildest Dreams: Living the Life You Long For,” which made it to Amazon.com’s Best Selling Books list and the New York Times Business Best Seller List. She was also a guest on the Oprah Winfrey Show in 1998, where she used concepts from her book to help empower audience members to live fulfilling lives.
Aside from being an author, Gail is a renowned executive coach and presentation skills trainer. She has advised CEOs, presidential candidates, college presidents, and even a jazz musician.
Her clients have expressed how she has helped them find qualities in themselves they didn’t know they had and express themselves with power, grace, and persuasion. Ms. Blanke was even called in by FOX News to critique George W.
Bush’s second inaugural address.
Gail’s first book, “Taking Control of Your Life: The Secrets of Successful Enterprising Women,” sold over half a million copies. Her other book, “Between Trapezes: Flying into a New Life with the Greatest of Ease,” was published by Rodale in August 2004.
Gail’s column, “The Motivator,” appears monthly in Real Simple magazine, and she is featured as a Business and Career Coach on AOL Coaches.
Gail is a graduate of Sweet Briar College in Virginia, where she majored in acting at Yale University Graduate School of Drama. She currently resides in New York City with her husband, F.
James Cusick, a writer, and their two daughters, Kate and Abigail.
Editoral Review
In “Throw Out Fifty Things: Clear the Clutter, Find Your Life,” author and life coach Gail Blanke offers a self-help guide for those looking to declutter their lives and find more meaningful experiences. First published in March 2009, the book falls within the self-improvement genre and showcases Blanke’s signature motivational style.
Blanke provides a helpful framework for readers to declutter their lives, both physically and emotionally, by focusing on 50 specific things to toss out. From physical objects in the home to toxic relationships and behaviors, Blanke encourages readers to let go of the things that are holding them back and keeping them from reaching their potential.
The book’s strength lies in Blanke’s relatable and encouraging tone. She understands the emotional attachment many people have to their possessions and is able to navigate that sentimentality with compassion while also emphasizing the liberating benefits of decluttering.
However, the book lacks depth in its exploration of the link between physical and emotional clutter. While Blanke touches on the idea that clearing physical clutter can lead to emotional clarity, she fails to provide a nuanced exploration of the emotional toll that clutter can take on a person’s mental health and well-being.
Furthermore, Blanke’s 50 item approach may not be realistic for everyone, particularly those who struggle with chronic disorganization or hoarding disorder. She also fails to acknowledge the impact that socioeconomic status can have on an individual’s ability to declutter and live a minimalist lifestyle.
Overall, “Throw Out Fifty Things” is a helpful starting point for those looking to declutter their lives and find more fulfillment. While it may not provide a comprehensive solution to the complex issues surrounding clutter, Blanke’s positive and encouraging message is sure to resonate with many readers.
For those seeking more in-depth explanations and strategies, other authors in the self-help genre may be a better fit. However, for those who respond well to Blanke’s coaching style and manageable approach, “Throw Out Fifty Things” is a solid choice.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars.
