JDCMustReadBooks

By Melva Green, Lauren Rosenfeld

ISBN: 9781582704579

Publisher: Atria Books/Beyond Words

Publication date: 4/1/2014

Pages: 288

Format:  e-book

My Rating:  5 Stars 

This was my first book by Melva Green or Lauren Rosenfeld – what a dynamic duo! I loved Breathing Room: Open Your Heart by De-cluttering Your Home, from the first page, and prior to finishing the first chapter found myself bookmarking each page, as so inspiring! (loved reading their background).

Two wise and passionate women, guide readers with clarity-- how to learn from spaces where we live, and create rooms that reflect peace and nourishment. They offer sensitivity and humor as each demonstrate the connection between living and heart space. There are fabulous spiritual exercises throughout the book, with valuable information and stories, as you create a more healthy and balanced life of self-reflection and learning. 

For me, it was not about the stuff in my house; however, more importantly my heart, mind, and spirit offering a clear guide for your inner self, not just your physical world. Sometimes it is hard for me to be still long enough to meditate, and this engaging book was so Zen, to help me on my journey. 

Step One: Stop and Listen; Step Two: Intend, Step Three: Clear the Energy. Final section covers Embracing the Sacred Messiness of Life (how to stay in in this attitude). The spiritual method is called SLICE an anagram for Stop and Listen. Intend. Clear the Energy. A holistic approach to de-cluttering. You have to de-clutter both your home and heart as they work hand in hand together. 

As a very highly organized personality, (no hoarder– the total opposite), basically I sold my condo and all my furnishings years ago, with a new sense of freedom. With both sons grown, divorced and single for over 25 yrs., a former interior designer, had collected many nice pieces of furniture and art, and each time a company wanted to relocate me for a job, had to continue with a very costly, and time consuming move. (for short term projects) If the company did not pay for the move, then I would have to turn down an exciting opportunity. 

A few years ago, I made the decision to sell and donate, everything except my SUV, clothes, laptop, ipad, Nook, cell phone, printer, and my road bike (sorry, still need the technology to work). This way, I was able to accept contract jobs in different states and everything fits in one SUV, and rent beautiful furnished cottages or vacation rentals, with all utilities included, affording me to begin working immediately- No hassle, with a rewarding sense of freedom. Most of the time I am working from remote locations, or sometimes work and live onsite in the hospitality and online marketing business. 

As I love travel and adventure, the lifestyle is ideal. (my kids thought I was nuts). With a select amount of clothes and shoes, I never keep anything I do not wear, as donate them to charity. By doing so, have enjoyed working and living in a number of beautiful tropical areas. 

Breathing Room was so much more for me than about de-cluttering the home, since this has been achieved. However, this book is about uncluttering your mind spiritually and emotionally (as failed to do this step). With social media, technology at our finger tips 24/7, and tons of websites to update daily, demands, feeling overwhelmed, and stress - this is another example of clutter within in our minds. We need to disconnect totally at times. 

Love this quote from the book: “The heart is often a forgotten sacred space. The heart is meant to be touched by joy, laughter, happiness and innocence. Instead it often carries suffocating burdens, anxiety, fear, and worry.” We live in a world of stress, burnout and breakdown. 

This book was SO for me in this regards. As a Type A, high achiever, and perfectionist, it is hard to stop working and achieve balance with personal life. Breathing Room was so helpful, as a guide to train you to take care of yourself and learn to say, NO to things which take away your time and energy and what is best for you. Keep a journal – of those emotional blockages --it works! 

This is not just a, “read once”, kind of book. Breathing Room is a continued resource guide with a wealth of critical and healthy information, as you find your own breathing room. 

I am also a vegan, which I find a very healthy choice for myself and my lifestyle. It is a way of life and with the help of these two fine authors and this brilliantly written book, I can now start de-cluttering my mind and attitude for life, in order to open up new and endless possibilities. I highly recommend for any woman or man of any age. 

A special thank you to Atria Books/Beyond Words and NetGalley, for a complimentary ARC, in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.