So, naturally, if I add the category of “Productivity Book,” to my reading challenge for this year, the Universe sends me a sign. It took one look inside my closets and kitchen pantry and sighed heavily. Unsurprisingly, the very same week, this delightful little tome shows up on Hoopla under my “Recommended for You” titles. Thanks, Universe. I feel very seen and judged right now.

I have never been one to pick up the foo-foo self help books by the Marie Kondo’s of the world. If I want to be judged I’ll go to a relative’s house down South. I definitely don’t need it from someone pretentious who is doing everything that I’m doing wrong right. What I will accept, however, is a dose of reality from someone who doesn’t take themselves too seriously. Enter Messie Condo, whoever you really are. Thank you!

This is not an earth-shattering book. You won’t have any epiphanies. You’ll sit there and chuckle a few times as a foul-mouthed realist gives you a slap in the face with the information you already know but desperately need reminding of. I cringed a few times inwardly as she told me things I really needed to hear. Yes, there’s a tiny little hoarder in there desperately clinging to a box of 30 year old cords and cables that I “might need one day.” I apologize. I am flawed. Very… very… flawed. Do I need someone to tell me to get rid of old cords, dvd’s I’ll never watch, and old sweaters I never wear that aren’t doing anyone any good and I admit I hate but I’m hanging onto them because someone gave them to me? Well yes, evidently I do.

The truth is, I hate waste. Let’s face it, so many of us are hanging onto things because we simply feel guilty throwing them away or we make excuses. Maybe we didn’t use it enough (or at all) in order to make the purchase feel worth it. Maybe we’ve created some ridiculous sentimental attachment to things even we don’t understand. Messie Condo is here to remind us in a very succinct and short little book to say, “fuck it,” and let that shit go. It is definitely short and sweet. The audiobook is just a bit over 3 hours in length. Chapters are short with logical and helpful advice, and she recaps it all at the end of the chapter. Add to that the humor she so deftly sprinkles about, you have quite the helpful kick in the pants delivered in one small volume. I definitely recommend this one if you are just needing that little nudge of motivation to get started. And if you enjoy being annihilated by truth bombs. This one has a few.

Published by Dreamscape Media. ISBN 9781690598275. Runtime 3 hrs 14 mins. Narrated by Natalie Naudus.