I love going to garage sales, looking at people’s junk, sometimes even finding a treasure for myself to tote home with pride. But one garage sale this summer filled me with horror that I will never forget. It wasn’t the things on the lawn. This particular woman’s kids had grown up so it was mostly toys, clothes, and plastic plates. Same old. Same old. But inside the house was something much different.

The woman, within some casual conversation, told us her husband wanted to open a clock shop. “There are at least three hundred clocks inside,” she said, pointing to the 1200-square-foot building behind her.

I was bewildered, curious, and terrified at the same time. I had to see this. So like a spook house on Halloween, my sister and I entered cautiously through the front door, greeted by the tickling of an infinite array of every sized clock you could possibly imagine.

They literally covered the walls, took residence in corners, on various tables, hung from the ceiling and on the refrigerator. How could anyone sleep in a world of endless ticking? It was like All Dogs Go to Heaven with all the watches, except this was more like hell.

And it wasn’t just the husband. She also kept Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls, though I don’t know where she found room for them. The entire house was a museum of useless collectable objects, and I decided that I never, ever wanted to be that way.

I like stuff, as I’m sure everyone does, but Mike Nelson’s book Stop Clutter from Stealing Your Life demonstrates how collecting things, even for unfulfilled dreams like clock shops, can be an emotional addiction that can destroy your self-esteem, finances, and family. He goes through chapters on why we clutter our houses and gives practical advice on how to stop the cycle.

Mike Nelson is the founder and executive director of the nonprofit organization Clutterless Recovery Groups. As a reformed clutterer, Nelson has helped many people through his workshops, seminars, and other books, Stop Clutter from Wrecking Your Family and Clutter-Proof Your Business.

In this book, Nelson speaks to the individual, going through steps on how to help the physical problem, as well as the emotional one. He addresses the fears we hide by cluttering and the depression associated with it. But most importantly, with each chapter, he gives practical advice on how to change.

This is a healing book for those who have been suppressed by material things for too long. To the man with an unfulfilled dream, to the woman who can’t let go, to those who buy to feel better but instead feel clogged and frustrated and angry with the mess, Mike Nelson’s book is for you. With humor and experience, he can literally help you stop clutter from stealing your life.