Judy Granlee-Gates’ Bigger Living, Smaller Space is part practical guide, part personal memoir, and entirely a wake-up call to anyone drowning in their own possessions. This book isn’t just about organizing; it’s about resizing, reframing our relationship with stuff, and creating a home that works for our current lives rather than clinging to what used to be. Granlee-Gates, a seasoned builder and remodeler, combines humor, wisdom, and a bit of tough love to help readers declutter with intention, offering actionable steps and mindset shifts to make the process both manageable and meaningful.

What struck me first was her no-nonsense approach to decluttering. She doesn’t sugarcoat the work involved. She makes it clear that there’s no magic bullet, just effort and commitment. One of the book’s most powerful moments comes early on when she shares her own experience of inheriting belongings from multiple relatives and how she ended up with literal boxes of ashes in her closet. That image stuck with me. It’s a stark reminder that we often hold onto things out of obligation, not because they serve us. Her decision to finally scatter those ashes and then methodically clear out inherited possessions was deeply moving and set the tone for the rest of the book: decluttering isn’t just about making space in your home; it’s about making space in your heart and mind.

Another standout section for me was Chapter Five, America, Land of the Storage Units. It’s shocking how much we collectively spend just to store things we don’t even use. She points out that 9.4% of U.S. households rent a storage unit, and the majority of those people also have garages and basements packed to the brim. That statistic alone made me reevaluate my own storage habits. Granlee-Gates highlights the absurdity of spending thousands of dollars over the years to keep things we could probably live without. Her example of her husband’s grandmother, who paid for a storage unit for years only to end up selling its contents at a garage sale, was painfully relatable. It made me think: how many of us are holding onto things just because we’re not ready to deal with them?

What I appreciated most about this book is how it acknowledges the emotional weight of decluttering. Chapter Nine, Sentimentality and the Weird Stuff that Slows Us Down, was a game changer. She doesn’t dismiss sentimental attachment but rather offers practical ways to honor memories without being buried under them. Her take on “little ghosts” (items that constantly remind us of loss rather than joy) was especially eye-opening. I realized how many of those I have in my own home. The idea that memories are portable—that they live within us, not within objects—was a refreshing perspective that I needed to hear.

Bigger Living, Smaller Space is an absolute must-read for anyone feeling overwhelmed by their possessions but not sold on the idea of extreme minimalism. If you’re looking for a book that will hold your hand while also giving you a firm push in the right direction, this is it. Granlee-Gates is like that brutally honest but loving friend who tells you what you need to hear, not just what you want to hear. Whether you’re thinking of downsizing, trying to declutter, or simply want to create a home that feels more like a sanctuary than a storage unit, this book is packed with wisdom, humor, and actionable steps to help you get there.

Pages: 102 | ASIN : B0BS8KFV4T