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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Coming Clean summary
Brief summary
Coming Clean is a compelling memoir by Kimberly Rae Miller that delves into her experience growing up with parents who were hoarders. It offers a raw and honest account of the challenges and emotional turmoil she faced.
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Coming Clean
Summary of key ideas
Understanding the Unseen Struggle
In Coming Clean by Kimberly Rae Miller, we are introduced to the author's childhood, which was overshadowed by her father's hoarding disorder. Miller paints a vivid picture of her family's home, which was filled with clutter, trash, and items that her father couldn't bear to part with. She describes the shame and isolation she felt as a result of her father's condition, and the lengths she went to in order to keep it a secret from the outside world.
As Miller grows older, she begins to understand the severity of her father's hoarding. She shares the heartbreaking reality of living with a hoarder, from the constant fear of eviction due to the unsanitary living conditions, to the emotional toll it takes on the entire family. Despite the chaos at home, Miller excels in school and begins to build a life outside of her father's hoarding.
Confronting the Past
As Miller enters adulthood, she finds herself grappling with the lasting effects of her father's hoarding. She realizes that her upbringing has left her with deep-seated insecurities and a fear of becoming like her father. In an effort to understand her father's condition, she delves into his past, uncovering traumatic events that may have contributed to his hoarding.
Miller's journey to confront her father's hoarding leads her to a deeper understanding of the disorder. She learns that hoarding is not simply a matter of being disorganized or messy, but a complex mental health issue that requires compassion and understanding. This realization helps her to forgive her father and begin to heal from the scars of her childhood.
Healing and Acceptance
Throughout Coming Clean, Miller shares her own struggles with anxiety and perfectionism, which she attributes to her father's hoarding. She describes her journey towards self-acceptance and the importance of seeking help when dealing with mental health issues. She also emphasizes the need for open conversations about hoarding and other mental health disorders, in order to reduce the stigma and provide support for those affected.
In the latter part of the book, Miller recounts her father's diagnosis with cancer, which forces him to confront his hoarding in order to receive treatment. This pivotal moment leads to a significant improvement in her father's living conditions, and a newfound sense of hope for their relationship. Miller's father's willingness to seek help serves as a powerful reminder that recovery is possible, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.
A Message of Hope
In conclusion, Coming Clean is a poignant exploration of the impact of hoarding on individuals and their families. Through her personal story, Miller sheds light on the often unseen struggles of those affected by hoarding disorder, and the importance of empathy and understanding in addressing mental health issues. She also offers a message of hope, showing that with support and determination, it is possible to overcome the challenges posed by hoarding and find healing.
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What is Coming Clean about?
Coming Clean by Kimberly Rae Miller is a gripping memoir that delves into the author’s experience growing up with parents who are hoarders. Miller bravely shares the challenges and emotional turmoil she faced living in a cluttered and chaotic environment, while also exploring themes of family, mental illness, and the healing power of self-acceptance. This raw and heartfelt account offers a unique perspective on the impact of hoarding on individuals and their loved ones.
Coming Clean Review
Coming Clean (2013) by Kimberly Rae Miller is a compelling memoir that explores the author's upbringing with hoarder parents and how it shaped her own journey towards a clutter-free life. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- With candid honesty, Miller shares her personal experiences, providing a unique and heartfelt perspective on living with hoarding disorder.
- The book offers insights into the psychological impact of hoarding, helping readers understand the complex nature of this disorder.
- Through her story, Miller provides a glimpse of hope and inspiration for those struggling with clutter and hoarding, showing that change is possible.
Who should read Coming Clean?
- Anyone struggling with clutter and organization
- People who want to understand hoarding and its impact on families
- Readers interested in personal memoirs and overcoming adversity
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Coming Clean FAQs
What is the main message of Coming Clean?
Coming Clean encourages vulnerability and honesty as a path to personal growth and liberation.
How long does it take to read Coming Clean?
Reading Coming Clean takes several hours, but the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Coming Clean a good book? Is it worth reading?
Coming Clean is a powerful memoir that offers insights into the complexities of family, mental health, and forgiveness.
Who is the author of Coming Clean?
Coming Clean is written by Kimberly Rae Miller.
What to read after Coming Clean?
If you're wondering what to read next after Coming Clean, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway by Susann Jeffers
- Making It All Work by David Allen
- The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
- The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss
- Mindset by Carol Dweck
- Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely
- Switch by Chip Heath & Dan Heath
- The Da Vinci Curse by Leonardo Lospennato
- The Defining Decade by Meg Jay
- The Art Of Non-Conformity by Chris Guillebeau