The Life Organizer: A Woman's Guide to a Mindful Year

A perfect tool for taking charge of your life. Not a rule book, not even an advice book. Almost as if she's walked through a year of life and left a trail of bread crumbs, along with helpful guideposts pointing out potential destinations. Nary a stray hint of blame or chastisement to give credence to that irritating inner voice who loves to list for us all our shortcomings and why we don't deserve, haven't earned the life rewards we desire.I've got a shelf full of other journaling/life path books, but this is the one that I use. It's structured enough to give direction but flexible enough to allow my passionate, artist-inside part of me to take control of the process. I bought a boxful of this book, hand them out like precious gems to all my women friends.

I'm a firm believer that when you're facing a big life transition like a wedding, it takes away a TON of stress when you have all the other facets of your life running fairly smoothly. So as a bride looks into the future, she'll know that she's in great shape when she has actual, useful, organized and entertaining steps to take to bring some order into her world. I just got married in April, and Jennifer Louden's books have always brought me a deeper sense of peace -- this book is the PERFECT book for brides-to-be. You're giving them a better chance at a happy life. That's way better than a blender!

I originally purchased the Kindle version of this book and began reading. But as I read, it was apparent that the book is not necessarily intended to be read in typical page to page order. So I purchased a soft cover copy of the book. The first 79 pages include a wonderfully written description of life organizing, including her five steps: connect, feel, inquire, allow, apply. The remainder of the book includes weekly life organizer pages with women's stories. Although I do not intend to write in the weekly life organizer pages of the book, I don't regret purchasing physical copy because it is much easier to understand the format and page through easily. Nor do I regret purchasing the Kindle version, as it will be helpful to me when I travel. I intend to use the book as a guide and write in my own notebook.I am disappointed that the Life Organizer app frequently mentioned in the book is no longer available. And I'm disappointed that the website lifeorganizerbook.com also mentioned in the book is not available. One url given in the book does work, and includes some resources for printing one's own pages for planning.

After reading this book and fully appreciating its message, I have recommended it to several of my women clients --- all have appreciated the recommendation --- and I've seen results in their lives. I want to congratulate Jennifer Louden on creating a very useful resource for women of all ages who are looking for a way to create more meaning and purpose in their "cluttered" lives. I especially appreciated the personal stories and illustrations from other women lives. I'm going to buy two or three more right now and pass them on to friends as well. Pamela D. Blair, author The Next Fifty Years: A Guide for Women at Mid-Life and Beyond

Lovely book, well written and very engaging. I had it on my desk and a co-worker picked it up - She couldn't put it down either. If you're looking or something simple to try without a lot of "rules" this is your book. I often give up on many of these type of books because they have structure I find too rigid. From the very beginning she encourages you to find your own flow for using the book.

In this addition to the author's list of other titles, such as the Women's Comfort Book, and Comfort Secrets for Busy Women, I noticed a slightly different format with pastel colored pages, and graphic designed borders, but I felt that she covered much of the same territory, of self-care reminders, in a crowded and disjointed way.There are weekly "assignments", if you will, intended to nudge or pry or push you (the overbusy, overworked, overwhelmed woman who already has too much on her plate) out of the discontented place you may have found yourself. This book reminds me very much of the year's worth of suggestions made by another author, Sarah Ban Breathnach, in her 1996 book, Simple Abundance-A Daybook of Comfort and Joy.It seems to me that there must be some kind of middle ground between the extremes of obsessive self-inquiry during our already busy lives, and giving ourselves the gift of a spa retreat with bodywork, meditation, yoga practice and healthful vegetarian cuisine. For after all, isn't that what we are looking for when we pick up this kind of book, some guided Wisdom about finding and recognizing that peaceful place of balance and harmony where we already live?

I've only just received this book, but from what I've read so far, I can already tell that it is going to be a very positive force in my life. And just in time for the new year! I can't wait to begin this journey, and will update after I've read the book in its entirety. I can't wait!

Jen Louden has distilled acres of wisdom, practical tips, and systems into this one-of-a-kind book. It is not a planner (but will work alongside your planner). It is a multi-faceted, multi-layered approach to how to live well in the NOW. I don't know what could be more important than that. It is a true treasure that is already bearing fruit in my life.

I am a fan of this author and it speaks directly to my soul. Lovely useful book to track my feelings, emotions and life.

Brilliant book for women who want to reflect on their lives and develop themselves. A great handbook for self care and self development. Good at focusing you by using goals and intentions at your own pace. I like the way she gets you to do an intention for the week, helps focus me on my goals. Great questions and also nice examples. Very well written and useful as well as a pleasure to look at.

This book is full of opportunities for contemplation, self-reflection and creative ways to re-examine your life. It isn't about the hows and have-tos of getting organized, it's about reconnecting with your true self, allowing your life to unfold more fully. There are no rules, no strategies, only weekly guided questions and thoughts, interspersed with reflections from others and thoughts about how to tackle difficult times. It is set up to be used weekly in some ways, but you can do a question a day, or a question a week and take as little or as long as you need, skip questions, spend more time on them etc. whatever resonates with you. It is like a warm blanket and a soothing drink, reminding you that you are worth a few moments of thought and rest.

Loved it!

Love the size. And it has some great inspirational ideas on my life organizing journey. It will be a reference book I will definitely keep going back too.