The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing

The "magic tidy" book (as I've taken to calling it) reached a best-seller fever pitch in the US this year (2014/2015) and everyone was reading it. It was proposed for book club and we all heartily agreed to dive in. As someone who has lived in Japan and read, loved and often referenced Clear Your

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Clutter with Feng Shui by Karen Kingston, I thought I'd be all about this book.

I was not.

I was able to summarize the book into 5 bullet points on an index card, which leads me to believe that the book could and should have been an article instead. As such, it was fairly redundant and fluffy. The final paragraph summarizes nicely:

"If you think that tidying is something that must be done every day, if you think it is something that you will need to do all your life, it is time to wake up. I swear to you that tidying can be done thoroughly and quickly, all in one go. The only tasks that you will need to continue for the rest of your life are those of choosing what to keep and what to discard and of caring for the things you decide to keep. You can put your house in order now, once and forever."

There were a few practical matters that I got out of her tidying philosophy that I put into practice and do appreciate. She seems fanatical about her folding method, and that may seem weird, but she's really onto something there. I am folding and "filing" my clothes in new ways and, as a result, I am wearing more of a variety of clothes (you can "see" them all easily when filed horizontally rather than stacked vertically). I also was able to finally get rid of quite a number of clothes that I was hanging on to unnecessarily.

I strongly disagree with her disregard for some people wanting to keep a library of books and other media. Having a house with books and film and art fills me with great joy and brings my life beauty and culture. I appreciate the importance of keeping that love for the physical manifestation of those mediums on the healthy and manageable side of hoarding. And I think there's a way to tidy your house and keep your beloved books, too.

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It's easier to be organized when you have a lot less to organize. By no means is Kondo an extremist, but she encourages people to keep only what makes them happy, what sparks joy and nothing else. She asserts that most people have too much because they don't even know what they have; that piling it

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all in one place will give you perspective and help you cull out what's not needed or useful any longer. If picking up after yourself is some monumental task, then you either (a) have too much and/or (b) haven't developed the daily discipline to return everything to its place. Less is more and it leaves you more time to enjoy life. Some may find Kondo's personal anecdotes or her "spiritual" side of tidying -- like being grateful to your inanimate objects -- annoying, but those qualities are easy to look past, focusing on the real nuggets of advice, which are easily found in bold throughout. In the decluttering/organizing genre, this book is a good one for zeroing in on the essentials.

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When I read a self-help or advice book, I take what (if anything) will work for me and try to apply that. There's a few good points in Marie Kondo's book that I took to heart. For example: keep only what brings you joy. I was sharing what I gleaned with my family (we all need pointers on

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de-cluttering) and now my youngest, who is 14 years old, will say to me a bit sarcastically (but with a smile) "does this [insert random item here, such as a kitchen towel] bring you joy?"

Kondo is Japanese, and works with many Japanese clients to help them de-clutter their home. This book offers a good glimpse in Japanese culture. Some of her advice, however, would be hard-pressed to fly well in American culture. In spite of this, I was inspired by this book. One big issue I have, though, is that as I was reading this book we were/are right in the middle of unpacking from a cross-country move and having to downsize our belongings as well. Kondo makes it a bit less overwhelming as I unpack -- I am finding it easier to just move unpacked items directly to "donate boxes".

Kondo states that the best time to read a book is right when you acquire it. In theory, she has a good point there. But, in a book lover's real life, that is not as easy to apply. As I unpacked my books, I was overwhelmed by how many I had and how many were actually TBR books. While I've donated ten boxes of books thus far (that includes some of my family's books, not just mine), I just can't yet follow her advice to pare down to just about 30 books as she has for herself (even with her assertation that she loves books and loves to read). What I can do, however, is think carefully about bringing more books in the house until I am at least a bit more caught up on my TBR pile. Kondo points out that sources such as amazon.com has made it too easy (and at a cheaper price) for people to acquire books that they won't read right away. That is certainly true, and in my case it's also in addition to perusing used bookstores!

I would have liked to have some visuals in this book -- Kondo describes folding and storing clothes in such a way that I wanted to see how it was done.

Finally, although Kondo states you have to concentrate on this de-cluttering project all at one time, she does acknowledge that it can take months before results occur and are seen. She asserts that once you are done, then your life will be simpler and you may even figure out what you need to do with your life. If I do figure that out for myself, I'll come back and edit this review :-).

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I live reasonably light on this earth and don't think of myself as someone who has much to learn from a professional organizer and decluttering guru like Kondo, but this was a fun read--she alternates between weirdly manic, coming across like she just might cut you if you line up your clothes from

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shortest to longest instead of longest to shortest, and deeply content in this inner peace way--sticking with clothes, a very Japanese "all your clothes are kind of full of ghosts, and not just the ghosts of your squat regimen and the occasional grease stain but their own indigenous ghosts, treat them gently, fold them the way they want to be folded." I got rid of a bunch of clothes and books, and it was already something I knew I needed to do but Kondo gave me a methodology and made me feel that I was taking part in a larger movement and dabbling in a philosophy.

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I really liked this book. It's a quick read, and I'm re-reading it right away to make notes and a focused action plan for me. It made me snicker in lots of places, which I didn't expect, and the spiritual approach was nicely undercut by a pragmatic explanation alongside, so you could pick & choose

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which element you wanted to take away with you. I'm hopeful it will make a big difference in my environment as being a good, structured, straightforward methodology.

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If only for the idea that you shouldn't keep anything that does not "spark Joy" this gets the stars. She's a bit obsessive about throwing things away though and it didn't really speak to me. She is very unsentimental and while I get what she's saying, and I do intend to apply some of the ideas, I'm

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also going to donate as much as practical of what I dump.

Interesting food for thought. I won't be applying it all at once tho, I would be overwhelmed and get nowhere with it and dispirited before I got too far into it.

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Even though I don't agree with some of the methods in this book (after all, it was written by a Japanese expert for mostly Japanese clientele), it nevertheless gave me tremendous inspiration, as I continue to declutter my house and my life.

Everyone should read this book. Not just to follow to a T. Make the advice yours.

Ball your socks? Thats ok.

Keep the ugly vase your MIL gave you at your wedding for when s/he visits, do it if you need to and the *decision* makes you happy.

Even if you get two or three bits of wisdom that help you

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love and enjoy your home, workplace, or occupied space, I feel this read is for you.

Americans live with too much "stuff" anyway. You know that saying? The one encouraging us to reduce, reuse, and recycle? Be green! Repurpose! But Reduce? Reduce appears to be the struggle for the majority.

Im asking my teens read this too, as I believe the advice herein will help them establish good habits into college, adulthood, and with their own families.

Must, must read. Then make it your own.

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The book is less extreme than some reviews have painted it to be, and has a great deal of very good advice. Most of what she says can be found in other decluttering books, so whether you'll find this book helpful depends a lot on how you like her voice and writing style. For me, it didn't work; I

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found much of the book irritating rather than inspiring.

Early in the book, Kondo knocks the "get rid of one thing a day" method without understanding that it's usually meant as a small kick to get started -- she specifically says that she held back on getting rid of something so that she could get rid of it the next day, which is NOT how that method's supposed to be used! "Get rid of one thing a day" is like a "just work on it for ten minutes" -- it doesn't mean that you can't get rid of more if you're so moved, but if you don't have the brain to work on it, you've at least done *something*.

There's a classist aspect to saying "just get rid of everything you don't love" -- what if you're poor and really *can't* afford to replace the set of dishes you think are ugly, or the salvaged dresser, or the only outfit you own that's at all suitable for a job interview? Granted, most people reading this book aren't poor, but if this method really works universally, then it has to work for people who can't afford to replace the item they don't love (but need) with something they love right now.

Once she said that her method had to be done alone when one has quiet time, that made it clear that her method won't work for everybody, because there are quite a few people for whom uninterrupted time at home is a rarity. If she's correct that her method only works this way, I might as well throw away the book (well, return it to the library) and go back to some other method, because I can count on maybe an hour a week uninterrupted at home if I'm lucky (and that's usually after other people are in bed, so I can't do any tidying that involves noise).

One thing that many reviews and articles citing the book misconstrued: Kondo does NOT actually call for getting rid of all your books, and she does NOT give a blanket "get rid of the books you've already read, because you'll never read them again." She does say that for most people, there's no point in keeping books you've read because you'll never touch them again, but she also specifies that there are exceptions, such as people for whom reading is a major hobby, scholars, and authors.

I disagree, however, with her assertion "The moment you first encounter a particular book is the right time to read it." I have encountered many books where the first time I picked up the book was the wrong time to read it, starting with Pride and Prejudice when I was eleven. (Three years later, when I had to read it for class, I loved it and have loved it ever since.) I've set aside books because I was feeling too emotionally fragile to cope with the topic, or because I was too brain-fried from life with an infant to process a complex topic; that doesn't mean I've missed my chance or that these books will never be of value to me; it simply means that now is not the right time.

That said, I do see the argument that I should at least question whether I need to own the book if I'm not going to read it in the foreseeable future. I am not planning to throw out my TBR stack, but then, I generally limit my book purchases to ones that I already know I want anyway, and I have an excellent public library where I can check out most of the books that I hear about. I expect to have more time for reading in a few years as my kids become less perpetually in need of my attention; I'm comfortable with holding on to the books that still make me think "wow, I can't wait to read this one".

(I also notice that she doesn't discuss ebooks at all. Would buying the book as an e-book satisfy her system? It certainly doesn't lead to more clutter in the house, though it might lead to mental clutter.)

The largest holes I see in her method: Kondo clearly believes in the second half of William Morris's quotation "Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful," but has little to say about the first. She briefly addresses non-beloved-but-necessary items in her discussion of paper, admitting that there are a very few papers that need to be kept, but she doesn't expand this to other areas. (Fire extinguisher, anyone? Toilet brush? Spare filter for the air conditioner?)

Also, Kondo gives lip service to the issues of decluttering when you share a household with other people, and I agree with her ultimate point that the best way to convince others to declutter is to really do it yourself and set the example. But she comes across as someone who hasn't had to take a partner's or child's needs into account when deciding what to keep and what to toss, and I'm not convinced that she really *gets* it.

So, overall, this book is not for me. I can see why someone else might find it helpful or inspiring, but when I need a reminder to keep only what I love and what I use, I'll reread Don Aslett instead.

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Really enjoyed this book. I haven't applied the method yet, but I can't wait to see what happens. This is in no way an organizational/helpful storage book. If you're looking for "Top 10 storage tricks to make your closet more spacious" this is not the book for you. This is an idea and concept that

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needs to be fully realized in your own way.

The writing can be a bit rough at times and the author sometimes sounds a bit pretentious and repetitive, and there are some cultural differences which might confound or puzzle more literal readers in the United States.

Speaking from my own interpretation, I love the idea of surrounding yourself with only things that bring you joy. (Yes, some have criticized the idea of a toothbrush, cleaning supplies, or other necessary household objects never "actually" bringing you joy which I think does this book an injustice by being taken too literally in that manner.) Overall I felt that the author was asking the reader to make a conscious connection with the items and objects we surround ourselves with everyday and to truly appreciate their usefulness or in some cases simply their beauty they bring into our lives.

(For example - the act of keeping a food journal. It's not necessarily to guilt you for eating something bad, nor is it really there to make sure you're following a specific diet - it's actual intention is to usually just make you more conscious and aware of the types of food and amounts of food you are putting into your body.)

Definitely a read for someone whose mind often feels cluttered when your bedroom or resting space is cluttered and you can't seem to ever completely feel rested in your own environment. Also potentially a good read for someone that is looking to make a change in their life and they don't know where to start? Consider starting with your own possessions and in your own home.

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Self help is not usually my genre of choice, so why did I pick up this book? It's because I like order and organization; having clean and pleasant surroundings makes me feel and think better, and sometimes, my house is too messy. So I was looking forward to what Marie Kondo had to say about the art

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of "tidying."
First off, I need to say that what Kondo says in over 200 pages could be said in 20. Especially in the beginning, it felt like a repetitious TV commercial expounding the merits of her methods. The content itself, I can divide into three categories: parts I found useful, parts I completely disagreed with, and parts which made me roll my eyes.
Eye rollers first: No, I don't feel the need to thank my umbrella for keeping the rain off me when I put it away after a storm. No, I don't think it's necessary to empty my handbag at the end of each day because it worked hard to serve me all day & it is tired and needs a rest. My handbag is tired?? I don't care. Kondo treats objects like they are living, breathing creatures throughout the book. Sorry. I can't relate.
Next, there's quite a bit I disagree with. She advises throwing away users' guides the minute you get them, because most people prefer to just look at their new phones or cameras and figure out how to use them as they go. Hmmmm. Not me. When my space heater suddenly goes off and blinks: Error F4, I like to look up F4 and see how to fix it. Likewise throwing away my old pay stubs because I'll never need them. I work for the government. Enough said. Buying in quantity is also a big no-no for Kondo. She is appalled that some of her clients have 3 months worth of toilet paper in the house and she tells them to dispose of it immediately because it takes up too much space & is not necessary. Now personally, I hate shopping, especially for bulky or heavy items, and would love to have 3 months' worth of toilet paper in my house. Speaking of which, Kondo insists that like items should be stored together, regardless of where in the house they're used. Now, I have an upstairs bathroom and a downstairs bathroom. My preferred method would be a month & a half's worth in each… One thing Kondo boasts about was the fact that all of her clients got rid of their bookcases or put them inside closets where they couldn't be seen. For me, the joy of a tidy house would be to walk into a clean room with soft lighting, shiny hardwood floors, and bookcases filled to capacity with books. Her vision in this case just made me sad.
Some of her suggestions are thing I already do. I throw away handouts from seminars unless I plan to use them immediately. I hang like items (shirts with shirts, pants with pants) together in my closet for easy viewing. So, what is there that's new for me to like about the book? Well, some of her ideas were very appealing and I plan to give them a try. Kondo's basic idea is that the items you have should bring you joy. If not, they should be discarded. An example would be when you go through your closet, you should keep only those items that you look and feel good in. An inspiring idea. Phase one of her method involves getting rid of unnecessary items and phase two is deciding where to put what remains. She believes that the process is a big, one-time event that will prevent relapse into mess and disorder. Interesting. Kondo recommends dividing the job by discarding like items at once, (beginning with clothing, perhaps starting with shirts), gathering them all in one spot of the floor, and evaluating each item individually to see if it really brings joy. I kind of like that idea & may give it a try. For storage, she suggests storing items in a drawer vertically, so that there is nothing on the bottom & all items can be seen & used. Good idea. Her philosophy that a clutter free environment can lead to happiness in other areas of life I personally find to be true. So, am I glad I picked up this book? Yes. Will I recommend it to friends? I'll probably just show them the sentences I highlighted and save them the trouble of going through the repetitive or silly parts of the book.

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I couldn't finish this audiobook.  An advice book on "tidying up," it was written by a then-single twenty-something with no kids.  I'm a married member of the sandwich generation.  Need I say more?

Okay, like any other improve-your-life book, I'm all fired up to try the advice just as soon as I've finished reading it - we'll see how I feel in a few weeks. But I like Kondo's attitude, which is very pantheist - thanking your possessions for the good they've done you, letting them go because you

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can't take care of things you don't love. And I like her strategy of doing the whole purge in one (six-month-long) go and then being able to relax.

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Finally, after all of these years, I learned how to put socks and underwear in a drawer to save lots of space and see exactly what is there. Her ideas work great in full drawers, but I do have a bit of a problem about how to sustain the system when lots of the stuff is in the laundry basket waiting

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for attention. Still, a very helpful guide to de-cluttering. If it doesn't "sing to you", get rid of it!

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While I don't know if I will completely follow this verbatim, I am excited to have this book, and excited to start tidying up! With moving my house and unpacking my office in my near future, I hope to put the tips in this book to good use!!

This is an interesting little book (small in size) that has become a sensation! It is written in a very quirky style (she thanks her clothes at the end of the day) by a young Japanese woman living in Tokyo who has ruled her life by tidying and simplification. Kondo became a consultant to others to

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follow her suggestions and now she is an author and planning 2 more books on the tidying subject. Wow, in an interview she talks about wanting to tidy the world. Good idea! Her one powerful suggestion is that what you possess should bring you "JOY" and if it doesn't then ditch! Some good ideas about storage but more than anything this little gem of a book is about philosphy and psychology. Why do we own so much damn stuff!!!! There is now a new verb in use "kondoed" (to ditch). Do I hear hints from the mediatation world, be in the present and accept who you are?

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Marie Kondo and I are very sympatico. I also derive great pleasure from discarding. I set out to follow this book exactly without questioning it, and it has truly made a difference in my environment and also how I think about my things. Now I don't buy anything without asking myself if it sparks

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joy in my heart. My closet and drawers are wonderfully organized, and it actually gives me pleasure to put my clothes away. My bookcases have never looked better. And her advice on what to do with papers is so, so freeing. I also like the idea that things serve a purpose in your life, and they can be sent on their way once that purpose is served. Psychologically, that really helps me get over the hump of hanging on to something just because I might need it or it was expensive. I have to admit that I did stop the program before I got to mementos and photos. I ran out of steam. But this has been a great book for me, and one I will turn to again and again for inspiration.

A couple of wishes: I wish there had been more about reuse and recycle, rather than discard. We already throw too many things away. I try to find new homes for most things I discard. I also wish there had been more about acquiring, or rather not acquiring, or how to combat the urge to acquire. Because without acquiring, there is no need to discard.

Read in 2015.

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