How Not to Be a Messie: The Ultimate Guide for the Neatness Challenged : The Messies Manual/the Messie Motivator

I am a life-long "messie" and have wanted for years not to be. This book FINALLY gave me some insight into WHY I am a messy, hoarding procrastinator and - most importantly - gave me some ideas and tools on HOW to change. Coupled with what I am learning from flylady.com, I am finally making some real progress (SO excited!!). I have three kids ages 5, 3 and 4 months and kept the house fairly straight for two weeks! I was able to have unexpected company twice without panicking (that never happened before!) A few of things that the author suggests that I was already doing worked well and the new ideas I got from the book are making me even more successful. Understanding the messie mindset - for me, anyway - was THE KEY to changing. There is hope! If I can change, so can you! So glad I stumbled upon this book. I'm already teaching my five-year-old son how to be a "cleanie" and he already gets it! One minor note, the book is a tad dated on a few of the organizing tips but you can easily convert to electronic organizing if you want (calendar, address book, notes on services - just input into iPhone or similar device instead of on paper.)

This is SUCH a good book. It definitely gives practical advice on cleaning your home; but, more importantly, it makes you feel empowered to declutter and to keep it that way. The first copy I read was borrowed. I kept recording notes on a separate piece of paper while I read the borrowed copy. As I neared the end, I felt I had to have my own copy so I could transfer my notes to my personal copy and re-read the book at will! So much of what the author writes is uplifting.

I never thought of myself as a "Messie", I just thought I was just behind on a few things! Sandra Felton in her wonderful writing style makes you want to sing out loud and expect more from yourself and your home. This book is not for you if you want to learn how to clean but it is for you if you want to organize your home and life. Her system on organizing your cleaning and day to day life are quick painless and ultimately change your messie ways forever!

This contains my two favorite books by Sandra Felton - The Messies Manual and the Messie Motivator. How I ever lived without the Messie Motivator, I do not know. It is very encouraging. Get these books - I mean, get this book! :)

This was okay. Got some good ideas from it. Maybe it's for more extreme 'Messies' than me...

Misleading title. It is not about messiness, or poor organization. It is about cleanliness, but the author euphemizes it. A more appropriate title, but one that is uncomplimentary, would have been How to Clean Your House If Your House is Typically Dirty.

I absolutely loved this book. It gave me hope years ago and thanks to this book and people, I have changed for the better.:)

One of her suggestions is to keep an index card box with both alphabet & monthly dividers & use it as an address book, monthly chore list, and just overall misc. filing system. Twice, she has suggested you write down on a card where your Christmas decorations are stored & file it under "C". Really!! Is she really suggesting that she would lose her Christmas tree if she didn't write down where it was? Doesn't the average homeowner only have one place, maybe two, in their whole house large enough to store it anyway?I keep plugging thru this book, mainly because I have nothing else to read, but I'm overall very underwhelmed. One of the organizational tips that she puts a lot of emphasis on is to color code your closets. Have all the shirts hanging together in color order from white to black & then the pants, etc. If you want your black pants, you can go straight to the end of the pants section & if they aren't there, you know they're dirty. I'm just guessing she must have many more clothes than I do.I also wasn't pleased with how strongly she urged you to cut down on extra activities for the sake of housekeeping. Coming right out & saying that volunteer work or Sunday school classes weren't as important as keeping the home in good order. She goes on to say that you should take your phone off the hook until your housework is done for the day. As if I haven't experienced enough isolation since becoming a SAHM. I find that getting out actually energizes me, and socializing provides me with the best motivation for a presentable home.I really wouldn't recommend this book.