I just finished listening to the audio book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing
I had heard quite a lot about this book before I had even put in on my waiting list. It seems people either love it or they hate it.
More or less the philosophy is to have a place for everything and everything in it’s place. But, it starts with eliminating lots of stuff that you aren’t in love with anymore first. Since we moved to this house, I’ve been working a lot under that premise already so it was easy for me to grab and go with the philosophy.
Also in the book she recommends “greeting your house as you come and go”. I’ll admit too, that’s something I more or less do each morning. It’s actually more of a moment of thanks that I can wake and live in a house that I love.
So did I like the writing….and will I “tidy” as she suggests?
I did. I really liked it. Anytime anyone has a passion like this author, it’s hard not to get caught too.
Will I completely go out and eliminate like she suggests. Likely not. For the most part, my bedroom, kitchen and bathrooms are already done. The only place in the house I really need to work on is the basement and until we decided how we are using that space, I’m holding off.
After reading I, without any thought or hesitation, I went into my bedroom and cleaned out two giant garbage bags of clothing. I also removed two big banana boxes of miscellaneous things.
Here’s what Amazon had to say, “Japanese cleaning consultant Marie Kondo takes tidying to a whole new level, promising that if you properly simplify and organize your home once, you’ll never have to do it again. Most methods advocate a room-by-room or little-by-little approach, which doom you to pick away at your piles of stuff forever. The KonMari Method, with its revolutionary category-by-category system, leads to lasting results. In fact, none of Kondo’s clients have lapsed (and she still has a three-month waiting list).
With detailed guidance for determining which items in your house “spark joy” (and which don’t), this international bestseller featuring Tokyo’s newest lifestyle phenomenon will help you clear your clutter and enjoy the unique magic of a tidy home—and the calm, motivated mindset it can inspire.”
Amazon readers give the book 4.4 stars. I’d have to agree. I liked the writing style and I liked the information in the book. I am off to put myself on the waiting list for her next book Spark Joy: An Illustrated Master Class on the Art of Organizing and Tidying Up
Has anyone else read it? What did you think?
I just finished the book last week. Very good read and great philosophy. I’m not much of a keeper or packrat and I have always been highly organized. Everything is in it’s place before I go to bed every night. IF I did her program exactly as described, I know there are more items that would leave-especially clothing. I joined Weight Watchers 60d ago and am 1/3 of the way to my goal. I will most definitely get rid of large items as the next size down can leave the house on my body :-) No more bouncing back up for this girl!
I love that you do book reviews. You share so much with your readership.
I read it a couple of months ago. I loved her philosophy in general, and think it will help me to weed out “extras” if we end up moving. I am so impressed that you made so much headway with your clothing — BRAVO! I have found that I am much more comfortable with getting rid of stuff, but I have not yet tried a total household purge. I will definitely look for her second book!