Learning From Literature

The Life-Changing Magic Of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo

Cover of The Life-Changing Magic Of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo

The Life-Changing Magic Of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art Of Decluttering And Organizing by Marie Kondo is a self-help book published in 2010. 

When you put your house in order, you bring clarity to your life as a whole – organizing not just your space, but also your past, your priorities, and your state of mind. The effects ripple outward, improving your work, relationships, and overall well-being.

Having devoted the majority of her life to the art of tidying, Kondo has worked with thousands of clients, now having a three-month waiting list, sold-out seminars, and even a waitlist just to join the waitlist! With practical, detailed guidance for identifying what truly brings you joy, Marie Kondo offers help to all.

Purchase the book by clicking this link!

Enjoy!

Table Of Contents

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Why Can’t I Keep My House In Order?

“Tidiness of your room reflects your state of mind” – Marie Kondo

  • Tidying is self-taught; it’s not typically part of our upbringing
    • Excess is caused by ignorance of how much
  • Put your house in order all at once
    • Rebound occurs when you think you tidied but really only sorted halfway
    • Tidying is a special event, not for every day
    • “Storage” is a trap — putting things away doesn’t solve clutter
    • Tidy by category, not location — avoids repeating work in many spots
  • Tidying is two acts:
    • Deciding whether or not to dispose of something
    • Deciding where to put it
  • When your house is in order, tidying becomes an unconscious habit of just putting things where they belong
Finish Discarding First

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

  • YOU MUST FINISH DISCARDING FIRST – Don’t start putting things away
  • Don’t let your family know the details of your discarding
    • Parents instinctively want their kids to keep things & avoid scarcity
  • 1st — identify your concrete goal
    • Picture the lifestyle your ideal space would give you
  • 2nd — begin with categories that are easier to make decisions about
    • Clothes → Books → Papers → Miscellaneous → Mementos
  • 3rd — Does It Spark Joy? (when held)
    • Yes → Keep
    • No → Discard
    • Consciously think for a while about each object (need quiet space to think)
Tidying By Category
  • Gather every object in the category within the entire house
  • Lay them on the floor (even books & papers)
  • Handle each item one-by-one and consciously think if you feel a spark of joy when touching it
  • Clients rarely realize how much they had until they began tidying
  • Get rid of excess immediately
    • Friends / Those In Need
    • Recycle
    • Donate to a shop
    • Don’t send them to your parents’ home — usually never retrieved
  • By reducing, you revitalize your relationship with your belongings
    • Your Money Or Your Life – Waste lies not in the number of possessions, but in the failure to enjoy them

Clothing

  • Don’t demote to “loungewear” → discard 
  • Usually left with ~1/3 to 1/4
  • Majority should be folded into a simple, smooth rectangle
  • Hang clothes that look happier hung up, by category

Books

  • The moment you first encounter a book is the best time to read it
  • Keep your collection small to avoid missing that initial excitement
  • You will reread very few of them

Papers

  • Dispose of anything not in 3 categories:
    • Currently in use
    • Needed for a limited period of time
    • Keep indefinitely

Miscellaneous (in order)

  • CDs, DVDs
  • Skin Care Products
  • Makeup
  • Accessories
  • Valuables (passports, credit cards)
  • Electrical Equipment (cameras, cords)
  • Household Equipment (stationary, sewing kits)
  • Household Supplies (medicine, detergents, tissues)
  • Kitchen/Food Supplies (spatulas, pots, blenders)
  • Other (change, figurines)
  • Hobby Subcategory (if you have many items related to a specific activity)

Photos

  • The purpose is to show a specific event or time
Storing
  • Designate a spot for every single thing
    • Keeping tidy becomes second nature
    • Item without a home → increases chances for clutter
    • Clutter is caused by a failure to return things to where they belong
  • Storage simplicity
    • Store items of the same type in the same place
    • Don’t scatter storage space
    • Clearly define separate spaces for each family member (1 per person)
  • No need for commercial storage items (dividers, narrow shelves, etc)
    • Wait until you’ve completed the process, then find storage items you truly need
  • Transform the home into a sacred place with pure energy
    • Eliminate excess visual information
    • Appreciate your belongings
    • Use your closet as a private space (mementos, etc.)
The Magic Of Tidying Transforms Your Life
  • Things we really like don’t change — putting your house in order is a great way to rediscover them
  • Letting go is more important than adding (read Essentialism)
  • 2 Reasons We Can’t Let Go
    • Attachment to the past
    • Fear for the future
  • How you want to live your life determines what you want to own
  • “Detox” our house → detox effect on our bodies
    • Discarding books & documents → minds tend to become clearer
    • Pour energy into what brings you the most joy – your purpose

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