The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying

Interesting juxtapose between western decluttering conventions and the KonMari method. She recommends throwing out things that “doesn't spark joy”. I can't throw away a perfectly good item when it can be donated or sold. Slows down the process but reduces landfill. Having said that, I can't disagree with being conscious of what you own and keeping items that make you happy. She also assigns personalities to her items, treating them as though they had feelings. It's weird when you read it in a book teaching you how to do stuff, but I think most of us do it already.

I read this as I'm redoing my room and I desperately meed to unhaul lots of stuff. My main thoughts on this were:
- written as if for a ciswoman perspective- which considering it was first published in 2011 i get
- i can tell she's not a enthusiastic reader from her attitude to books
- reduces the psychological aspect of hoarding although this isnt a book on that topic, she mentions people who clearly have hoarding tendencies and kinda jokes about it and then says very simplistically to just get rid .... Erm babe , anyone with hundreds of the same item clearly can't just get rid
- an almost spiritual take to cleaning and homes
- it's a good thing she is so hyper fixated on tidying because it has been great for her and others, although slightly unusual

The real test is to see if it works!

Interesting and inspiring. It makes me feel less crazy. I used to divide the silverware in the dishwasher so that each piece had a friend and that no one was in a compartment alone. I like the idea of treating your possessions with honor and respect. I would really like to employ the Konmarie methods and I'm going to give it a shot.

Since starting this book I have finally managed to part with my graffiti laden secondary school polo shirt, which I last wore in 2001, and university notes I've not looked at since writing them down in 2007.

Kondo's approach is methodical and indeed ruthless, and recommends starting with clothes. Why? - You may ask. Well to me this makes sense. She recommends starting here, as we're all prey to buying something new every season – in theory discarding something we didn't like or use so much from the previous season.

The way to figure out whether an item is worth keeping or not, is whether it “sparks joy” – these are her words, not mine. Again, this methodology makes sense. If you don't love an item, why are you keeping it? In theory if you apply this theory to every item you own, you end up with only the items you truly cherish, and you end up happier as a result.

By sorting your clothes, you then have the know-how to approach other items you may own, sorting and decluttering as a result.

The author's culture and her background do seep through in some aspects of the book, but in a way that appealed to me. Don't let this aspect of the book put you off though – take it with a pinch of salt, as the message behind it is well meant.

No amount of nagging from my mother, Feng Shui books or the approach of trying to sort out a corner of my bedroom at a time was going to get me to sort all of my stuff out – until now. So far unloved clothes have been donated, books have been given to the public library in town and I have felt “lighter” as a result.

Though I'm far from a clutter free life, I've certainly broken the camel's back with the KonMari method and if like myself, you've struggled with clutter for whatever reason, this may be the book you're looking for.

Thoroughly recommended.

I'm so excited to throw away all my stuff now!! This was super interesting and I can't stop talking about it now. There are a few things in here that are like, a little bit beyond? But overall, awesome and I think will be really good for me to put into practice.

(btw I should, I suppose, take a moment to acknowlege the privilege involved with her suggestions like “donate that thing you don't use very often and just buy another one if it turns out you want to use it more after it's gone”, but I think they are very applicable for my own lifestyle and for many middle-class consumers).

I found this book interesting; it gave me new ways to think about tidying up my space/life.
The author's basic strategy would seem extreme to a lot of people (myself included), but given the basic East v West culture differences the more minimalist theories make sense.

I know I won't be putting the full strategy of the book into play any time soon (or ever), but there were definitely useful elements to be incorporated into creating a more personalized strategy for myself. I think the biggest thing that I can take out of the book is to be grateful and thankful for what you have, and be prepared to treat the things you have with respect even as their place in your life comes to an end. Things that have served their purpose in your life have as much value as things currently doing so. It just may be that the items value may be better served out of your home.

Half memoirs of an obsessive tidier (the noun?) and half self-help book about how to clean one's mind by putting one's house in order. This book might not be for everyone, but if you're someone who gets an energy rush after a little tidying, then Kondo's tips and tricks will sound very helpful.

-Doing it all at once instead of gradually, for the ultimate mental boost.
-Only keeping the objects that spark joy, and building a better relationship to your belongings.
-Don't pile, store vertically so you can see everything at once.

I finally got around to this one, in preparation for this year's spring cleaning. So now I just have to wait for a proper spring. Looking forward to decluttering :)

These uncluttering books are great motivation to get things done. I especially appreciate this one, because it's targeting Japanese households which lack the space we tend to have here in the US. This helps with focus more on what you should keep and get rid of it. The main concept of this book is “Do you love it?”. If yet, keep it, if not, then don't buy it or get rid of it.

Before reading this book, I thought the idea that each of one's possessions should spark joy was irrational. Mostly, I still feel this way. I feel no joy when I pick up any given kitchen utensil, but they sure do make my life easier and get used frequently. So, I think I should keep them. I think this message has the most value for things like clothing, books, decorations, etc. I watched the minimalist documentary before reading this book, and I thought it was interesting how they have different views towards objects, but ultimately the same goal of only owning what's most valuable - whether that value lies in usefulness or its ability to make you happy. There's a middle ground between the two and I think that's what we should strive for. One should only have items that are either useful or which make you happy. Do you need spoons? Absolutely. Should you keep that decoration you adore which has no useful purpose? Definitely.

These uncluttering books are great motivation to get things done. I especially appreciate this one, because it's targeting Japanese households which lack the space we tend to have here in the US. This helps with focus more on what you should keep and get rid of it. The main concept of this book is “Do you love it?”. If yet, keep it, if not, then don't buy it or get rid of it.