Book interview: Decluttering is not about clearing out but how we shop
Emma Gleeson Stuff Happens
AT first glance, Stuff Happens appears to be about decluttering with tips on culling cupboards, setting expensive items free (author Emma says - get rid of it- the moneys gone), getting over the ‘It’ll come in handy someday’ hurdle and handy hints for storage. Delving in, the declutter devotee won’t be disappointed - Emma advises to take each room/ item ‘bird by bird’ – however sticky questions arise as to the hidden cause of clutter, one that perhaps the serial declutterer would rather not address; shopping, consumer culture and the myth that stuff brings us happiness.
For those expecting a house clearing manual, you’re in for oh-so-much-more, learning that there are more ways to declutter than just getting rid of stuff. Dublin author Emma captures us with the unexpected and often raw story of how understanding the phenomena of first-world clutter helped overcome her mental health struggles.
