The Life-Changing Magic Of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo

The Life-Changing Magic Of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo presents a method for decluttering that focuses on keeping only items that spark joy. She emphasizes a mindful, step-by-step approach to transforming not just spaces but habits and mindset. Through her system, tidying becomes a way to simplify life and create lasting order.

Why Can’t I Keep My House In Order?

“Tidiness of your room reflects your state of mind.”

• Principles
  • Tidying is self-taught; not usually learned in upbringing
  • Excess comes from ignorance of what is ‘enough’
  • Do it all at once; partial tidying leads to rebound
  • Tidying is a special event, not a daily task
  • Storage is a trap – merely putting things away doesn’t solve clutter
• Method
  • Tidy by category, not location, to avoid repeated work
  • Decide whether to dispose of an item
  • Decide where to place it

Discard First

“To truly cherish what’s important to you, you must first discard what’s outlived its purpose.”

• Reducing revitalizes your relationship with belongings
• Waste lies in failure to enjoy possessions, not their number
• Don’t share details; parents may resist due to scarcity instincts
• Identify your goal; envision the ideal lifestyle your space provides
• Method
  • Gather all items in a category from the entire house
  • Lay them on the floor, handle each one individually
  • Consciously reflect on each item: Does it sparks joy?
  • Clients often only now realize the volume of possessions
  • Discard excess immediately
• Disposal Options
  • Friends or those in need
  • Recycle
  • Donate to a shop
  • Avoid sending to parents’ home (rarely retrieved)

By Category

• Clothing
  • Don’t demote items to “loungewear” — discard instead
  • Typically keep ~1/3 to 1/4 of clothing
  • Fold most; hang by category items that look happier hung
• Books
  • Best time to read is when first encountered
  • Keep collection small to preserve excitement
  • Rereading is rare
• Papers
  • Keep only: currently in use, needed for a limited time, indefinites
• Miscellaneous (in order)
  • CDs, DVDs
  • Skin care products
  • Makeup
  • Accessories
  • Valuables (passports, credit cards)
  • Electrical equipment (cameras, cords)
  • Household equipment (stationery, sewing kits)
  • Household supplies (medicine, detergents, tissues)
  • Kitchen/food supplies (spatulas, pots, blenders)
  • Other (change, figurines)
  • Hobby subcategory (if numerous items related to an activity)
• Photos
  • Keep only to show a specific event or time; not just to have

Storage

• Designate a spot for everything
  • Tidy is second nature – it’s just putting it back where it belongs
  • Items without a home increase clutter
  • Clutter arises from failing to return things to their place
• Storage simplicity
  • Store same-type items together; avoid scattering
  • Assign clearly defined spaces for each family member (1 pp)
  • Commercial storage often unnecessary
• Home as sacred space
  • Eliminate excess visual information
  • Appreciate your belongings
  • Use closet as a private space for mementos or personal items

The Magic Of Tidying Transforms Your Life

• Rediscovering joy
  • Things we truly like don’t change; tidying helps rediscover them
  • Letting go is more important than adding
• Reasons we can’t let go
  • Attachment to the past
  • Fear for the future
• Guiding principle
  • How you want to live determines what you want to own
  • Detoxing the house produces a detox effect on the mind and body
  • Discarding books and documents clears mental space
  • Focus energy on what brings the most joy – your purpose