The Lifechanging Magic of Tidying Up the Japanese Art

Book review : The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up

One-sentence summary of "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Upwards — The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing" : The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up is an introduction to the KonMari Method, a storage and tidying method that will transform your messy living areas into spaces of beauty, peace and inspiration.

By Marie Kondo, 2011, 270 pages

Original title : Jinsei Ga Tokimeku Katazuke No Maho

This is a invitee relate written by Amanda Saurin from the web log Amour, Mode & Beauté

Book chronicle and summary of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up:

The KonMari Method in 2 points:

Become rid of useless things
Organise your living space in one case and for all

Marie Kondo explains that living in an orderly space positively affects all the other aspects of our lives. An untidy room is the reflection of a mind that is in the aforementioned condition. A spectacular reorganisation of your interior tin can lead to dramatic changes in your lifestyle and your vision of life.

Feedback from some of Marie Kondo'southward former clients:

"Later taking your class, I quit my job and launched my own business doing something I had dreamed of doing ever since I was a child".

"I'g delighted to report that since cleaning upwards my apartment, I've been able to actually increase my sales".

"My hubby I are getting forth much better."

"I'm amazed to notice that just throwing things away has changed me and then much. I finally managed to lose 3 kilos"

Chapter ane: Why tin can't I continue my house in order?

According to Marie Kondo, the fine art of tidying is not acquired naturally, and we need to be taught about storage methods. That is why it is perfectly normal that we exercise not master the art of tidying. With the right arroyo, the rebound effect (the kind of yoyo result yous see in dieting) will never return and your living space will be permanently tidy.

How to keep when it comes to tidying your living space (abode, office, etc.):

Tidy properly and once and for all
Tidying everything in one go should atomic number 82 to a dramatic alter in your state of listen. You lot take to definitively forget any notion of throwing things abroad petty past piffling, considering it is the best style to become a slave to tidying and to lose all motivation. Marie Kondo says that to tidy to perfection, yous simply need to know what you have to discard and where to tidy what you lot keep.
Sort past category, not by location
Instead of deciding to tidy this or that room today, the best thing is to set yourself the objective of tidying by category of items. For example: tidy every unmarried item of wearable today, then every single book tomorrow, etc.

We have to face two kinds of tidying in life:

Everyday tidying (putting something that yous utilise over the grade of a day back in its place)
Special tidying (tidying that you only perform once, in one go)

Once the day of special tidying is over (and it happens very rarely), all you have left to practise is the daily tidying. This makes "perseverance" in matters of tidying unnecessary, given that the existent tidying only happens once.

Chapter 2: End discarding commencement

Step 1: Before discarding, you demand to visualise your desired lifestyle. You have to imagine your dream interior down to the smallest detail. For example, having a business firm that is as uncluttered as a hotel room, a clear view of your favourite painting, etc.

Footstep two: Ask yourself why you want this kind of space.

To do this, inquire yourself the post-obit question about each item y'all want in your interior:

Why do I desire it? (east.yard.: why do I want a minimalist bedchamber?)

Through the answers to these questions, y'all should get in at the conclusion that in the finish there is but one purpose when it comes to deciding what to throw abroad and what to keep: "to make u.s.a. happy"

Footstep iii: Accept stock of your possessions

Footstep four: Choose what to discard and what to keep. The best way to do this is to concord the object (or item of clothing) in your hands for a moment and ask yourself whether information technology sparks joy (makes you happy). This is the path to finding yourself in an interior that makes you happy.

Chapter 3: How to tidy past category

To make discarding and tidying easier, you should proceed category past category, in the following order:

1. Wearable

Assemble every item of wearable you own in 1 identify and rank them by sub-categories:

Tops
Bottoms
Clothes you hang upwards
Socks
Underwear
Handbags, etc.
Accessories
Clothes for specific occasions (swimwear, hats, etc.)
Shoes

What not to practise:

Never downgrade clothes y'all wear outdoors to clothes you just clothing at dwelling house (except for cotton t-shirts). It is the perfect strategy to put off that moment when you become rid of clothes that no longer spark joy. We spend a lot of time at dwelling, and it is not considering nobody sees united states that we should turn a loungewear item of clothing into a second-course item of vesture. In fact, it is precisely when nobody is looking that you should strengthen your self-paradigm by wearing indoor clothes that are comfortable and aesthetically pleasing. Loungewear clothes should be purchased in specialist shops or departments and please you lot visually.

To improve determine whether the detail of clothing that you are property in your easily brings you joy or non, ask yourself the post-obit questions:

What place does it have in my life?
When did I get it?
What importance did it have at the time?

2. Books

The KonMari Method recommends laying out every single book you own on the flooring with the cover facing up.

If y'all have likewise many books, they should be separated into 4 groups:

General reading: books you read to relax
Applied reading: reference books, cookbooks, etc.
Visual books: collections of photos, etc.
Magazines

The thought is to only go on the books that make us happy on our shelves.

You need to go rid of:

Books you have never read
Books you barely started or stopped halfway through

Owning fewer books amplifies the affect of the information you read. When you come beyond a book, information technology is time to read information technology.

3. Papers

Marie Kondo advises us to throw away every single paper that does not fall into one of these categories:

In current use
Of limited usefulness in fourth dimension
To keep indefinitely
Warranties

Assemble all the papers to be sorted in one place, and the same applies to papers that demand to be kept indefinitely. The papers to keep can then exist separated into three different storage piles. One file for papers that practice non need to be consulted very often (lease, contract of insurance, etc.), ane file for the papers that nosotros utilise more than ofttimes and ane file for warranties.

What non to exercise:

Hold onto documents distributed at seminars. Marie Kondo is convinced that if nosotros don't put everything that nosotros learn over the class of such seminars into do, it is precisely because we hang onto this documentation.
Keep account statements and empty chequebooks.
Keep user manuals (except for computer or camera guides).

four. Miscellaneous objects (coins, small objects, gadgets, etc.)

Marie Kondo calls these various objects Komono. They are scary to sort, but if we practice information technology in the right lodge, information technology becomes very easy.

How to sort miscellaneous objects:

CDs, DVDs
Skincare products
Make-upwards
Accessories
Valuable items (passport, bank card, etc.)
Household appliances (digital camera, electric cords, anything that seems vaguely electric)
Household equipment (writing implements, knitting needles, etc.)
Other household supplies (medicines, detergents, tissues, etc.)
Cooking utensils, nutrient.
Others

The next step is to get rid of each of the useless objects on this listing, and to keep and store those that bring u.s.a. joy (respecting the order of the Komono sorting list).

Coins

Information technology is not a good idea for coins to accumulate in various places around the dwelling. They should all be kept in your purse (not in a piggy bank) or deposited at the banking company.

Throwing abroad things that we continue "just in example"

Y'all know what these objects are — they can be identified instantly as intended for the bin without fifty-fifty request yourself "Does this bring me joy?"

Listing of these objects:

Gifts
Storage boxes for mobile phones
Unidentified electrical cables
Spare buttons
Boxes for household appliances
Televisions and radios that exercise not piece of work
Sleeping infinite for friends who never come to stay
Samples of cosmetic products that you keep for travel
The latest health products
Complimentary publicity gadgets

5. Objects with deep sentimental value

Souvenirs

These are objects we find it difficult to carve up ourselves from, because nosotros are afraid that we might forget the precious moments associated with these souvenirs. In reality, nosotros must tell ourselves that precious memories do not fly away just because we discard these tokens. We accept to alive in the present moment, and there is no use in hanging onto memories of the by that we would accept forgotten without these objects. The pleasance and enthusiasm we feel in the present moment are more than of import.

What not to do:

Give these objects that have strong sentimental value to your family unit every bit they will in turn go hell-raising

Photos

Marie Kondo recommends gathering every single one of your photos in one identify and only keeping the ones that stir up emotions within you.

What not to do:

Go along photos that belonged to people who have died (for case, photos that belonged to your grandfather).

We should not be cherishing the memories, simply the person that we take become cheers to these past experiences. Our interior is intended for the individual we are in the process of becoming and not for the person we were in the by.

Once you have added order to your interior and the volume of your possessions has decreased, you should exist able to perceive the nature of your true values. You will know what is actually important in your life. The possessions that we accept too many of, but which we cannot bring ourselves to carve up from are not the ones that we take the about care of — in fact it is quite the opposite. By returning to a volume of possessions that nosotros tin can reasonably manage, nosotros re-energise our relationship with our things. Separating yourself from things that are of no use is not wasteful.

Follow your intuition and all will be well

Marie Kondo explains that the procedure for selecting objects is very personal. To avoid the rebound consequence, you must create your own storage method using your own standards. That is why it is so of import to empathize your feelings near each one of your possessions.

The process of selecting objects that bring y'all joy allows you to identify what y'all love and what yous need. The possession that yous are holding in your hands triggers a number of emotions. These feelings are authentic. By basing yourself on this intuition, y'all tin can lead a more harmonious life and discover some dramatic changes over time. Marie Kondo goes so far as to say that it will be as if your life will be touched past grace. Tidying your interior will be the magic backside a happier and livelier life.

Chapter 4: Storing your things to make your life shine

Designate a place for each affair

Without predefined storage compartments for each object, it is very difficult to know where to shop things afterwards using them. The solution is therefore to have a specific place to store each category of possessions. As soon equally you lot utilise an particular or introduce a new item into your living space, it must be stored in its rightful place. In this way your interior will remain orderly.

Discard offset, store later

Tidying, even if you lot adopt the most efficient method, is of no use unless y'all starting time go rid of everything that is superfluous (everything that does not spark joy). The rebound effect will be inevitable.

Storage: pursue ultimate simplicity

To proceed a room tidy, the secret is to search for the ultimate simplicity. It is preferable to opt for the simplest storage method possible in guild to retrieve what possessions yous accept.

Don't scatter storage spaces

The rule is to put all the items from the aforementioned category in the same place and not to scatter storage spaces. If several people alive in the aforementioned place, it is essential to ascertain, insofar as possible, one location per person. Having your personal infinite is a source of happiness, and gives yous the feeling that it belongs to you only, making y'all want to keep it tidy.

Forget nearly 'flow planning' and 'frequency of utilise'

Storing according to a period plan means storing co-ordinate to the manner in which the inhabitants move around a home. All that this achieves is to scatter storage spaces effectually the entire house. The same applies to the frequency of utilise of a given object. There is no point in storing objects according to their frequency of use. It is much easier to store everything as simply as possible in relation to the living space, and that is that.

Never pile things, vertical storage is the key

The KonMari method recommends never stacking things. Stacking your possessions gives an impression of having endless storage space. Marie Kondo explains that vertical storage is essential, even for clothes. In fact, she has developed a vertical folding method that she says is extremely efficient. Vertical storage is also a form of respect for our possessions, because no object has to bear the weight of another on elevation of it.

No need for commercial storage items

The but storage compartments we need are elementary drawers and boxes, nothing special or sophisticated.

The best way to shop bags is in some other handbag

The most efficient style to shop your numberless is to identify them i inside the other. Yet, ideally you shouldn't store also many bags inside ane other pocketbook, 2 is a skillful compromise. Remember to let the straps of the "host" to hang out so equally not to forget the existence of the bag beingness hosted.

Empty your purse every twenty-four hour period

Emptying your bag allows you to throw away useless things that you accumulate over the class of the solar day (receipts, handkerchiefs, etc.) and to give information technology a "residual". An empty bag volition keep its shape for longer and bring the states greater satisfaction on a daily footing. The best way to empty your bag is to shop its contents vertically (apart from what yous are throwing away) in a drawer or a box (like a shoe box) placed in a nearby location to the handbag in question.

Items that usurp floor space vest in the closet

According to the KonMari method, it is much more than efficient to put all our storage elements in our cupboard or wardrobe (fifty-fifty suitcases).

Keep things out of the bathroom and the kitchen sink

It is preferable not to leave anything on the side of the bath to avoid any slimy deposits under the products and to facilitate cleaning the bathtub. The aforementioned applies to the kitchen sink, the ideal beingness not to leave anything on it and to dry dishes as soon as they are done.

Decorate your closet with your hugger-mugger delights

Certain elements that you like and that y'all do non want to display (posters, photos etc.) can be used to decorate the within of your storage areas. Your storage spaces are your ain personal paradise.

Unpack and de-tag new clothes immediately

Unwrapping and taking the tags off clothes helps the clothes to move from the status of "shop products" to that of personal belongings.

Don't underestimate the "noise" of written information

By removing the superfluous visual data (storage compartment labels, tags on new vesture, plastic advertising roofing on some detergents or deodorants, etc.) which is of no joy, nosotros can manage to make our interior much more than peaceful and comfy.

Appreciate your possessions and gain potent allies

Saying thank you to your personal holding on a daily basis for the proficient services they render over the course of one day and assigning them a very specific identify inside the home is beneficial to them. Handling your belongings with respect allows them to display greater vitality and therefore to last longer.

Chapter 5: The magic of tidying dramatically transforms your life

Put your house in club and discover what you actually want to do

Marie Kondo states that her clients oft tell her that since they tidied their living space, they have discovered what they really want to do in life. Some start their own business, others change jobs and withal others accept a greater interest in their profession. Her clients also feel more enthusiasm for their hobbies, their home and their family life. Tidying makes u.s. more enlightened of what we love and makes our daily life more heady.

The magic result of tidying dramatically transforms your life

Tidying changes life dramatically and this is truthful for everyone, 100%. That is what the KonMari Method calls "The magic of tidying up". The bear upon of the "magic of tidying up" is phenomenal and i of the magical effects of tidying is increased confidence in our ability to take decisions.

In fact, tidying your living space means that you lot have held several hundred or even several thousand objects in your hands and wondered whether they bring you joy and whether you desire to keep or discard them. This process naturally enables the states to increase our capacity to have decisions and our cocky-conviction.

Gaining confidence in life through the magic of tidying

Marie Kondo here refers to her issues of the past and explains that a reassuring interior increases self-confidence. If we have confidence in our belongings, in the clothes we wearable, in the people effectually us and in our environment, then there is a potent chance that we volition feel more self-confident. These things and these people are all special, valuable and incredibly beloved to our eye, they bring the states joy, support u.s.a. and assistance us to believe in our capabilities.

An zipper to the by or feet about the hereafter

The two real reasons that make it difficult to separate yourself from an object are the post-obit: commitment to the past or fright of the time to come.

If you tin can recognise your commitment to the past and your fears about the futurity by observing your property in complete objectivity, you will be able to perceive what is truly important for you. By trusting in your decisions and taking action with enthusiasm and without beingness hampered by whatsoever doubt, then you volition be able to notice more than success.

Learning that you can do without

Discarding objects that provide no joy has no harmful side effects. That is why in one case you lot have finished tidying upwardly using the KonMari Method you volition non endure because of it. This proves that before tidying you spent all your time surrounded by things that you lot did not need.

Do you greet your house?

Greeting your home every time that yous enter it is an infallible way of honing the chapters to know what objects are useful to you and in their rightful place. Remember to systematically greet your business firm when you lot arrive with a simple "Hi, I'm back" or "Cheers for giving me a roof" out loud or in your head and you volition feel that it responds to you. That mode, yous will gradually be able to know what part of your house wants to be tidied and where it would like united states to put things. The process of tidying is the opportunity to express our gratitude to our home for everything that it does for us.

Your possessions want to help yous

Everything nosotros own, without exception, has one desire — to be of use to usa. That is why, once information technology has gone, an object will exit the energy of its usefulness backside it. Freed from its physical form, it will evolve in our earth in the form of energy, revealing to other objects that nosotros are a special person.

Your living space affects your body

Once we ain fewer things and we "cleanse" our home, the same process of detoxification also takes place inside the torso. The primary reason that tidying up has a positive issue on the torso is the satisfaction yous experience through the procedure. By observing her clients, Marie Kondo noticed that when they got rid of books and documents, their ideas became clearer and when they reduced their quantity of beauty products and tidied the space located around the sink and the bathtub, their complexion was clearer and their peel softer.

Is it truthful that tidying increases good fortune?

Organising your interior to be comfortable, dynamic and happy each twenty-four hours is skilful fortune. By tidying your dwelling house, you can alive naturally. Cull things that requite you pleasure and cherish what is really and truly precious to you. Zilch tin bring you lot greater happiness than to deed in a simple and natural style. If you want to phone call that skillful fortune, then putting order into your home would exist a expert way to do good from it.

How to place what is truly precious

Marie Kondo explains in this role that there is no uncertainty whatsoever that her clients take a unlike reaction depending on whether or non they love the object that they are holding in their hands or whether they are unsure virtually their pick. When they hold an object that is a source of pleasure, the decision is normally made instantly and their eyes shine. On the other manus, if the object does not spark joy, their hands get still, their heads look up and their brow furrows. This is why the writer can succeed in identifying at a glance which objects bring joy to her clients or not.

Existence surrounded by things that spark joy makes you lot happy

If the object you want to proceed is nonsensical and makes you almost ashamed of it, but it brings you real joy, then you must go on it. If you are able to say with certainty "I really love it!" no thing what others may say and if you are proud to own it, so y'all shouldn't worry about what other people think.

Your real life begins after putting your house in gild

Tidying should not exist a daily task: we are not supposed to spend our entire lives on information technology. Tidying should exist done thoroughly and chop-chop, in one become. The only task that you will have to perform at the end of each day is to choose what to proceed and what to discard and to beloved the things that you make up one's mind to keep. Let's spend our time on the things that give us pleasure, on our mission in life. Marie Kondo is convinced that tidying your habitation will help yous to find the mission that speaks to your eye. That is why life will simply actually begin one time your house is in order.

Conclusions about The Life-changing Magic of Tidying Up:

The Life-Irresolute Magic of Tidying Up presents storage methods in a new way. Tidying up becomes an art that can transform our lives dramatically. Tidy and discard in one get to only keep objects that bring the states joy and make u.s. happy, because afterward we will be surrounded only past the things that make us happy. The magic of tidying upwardly likewise allows us to increase our decision-making power and self-confidence and offers a clearer vision of what we really want from life once all the superfluous things have been removed from our living space. A new life is available to u.s.a. once our house is in order.

I myself have applied the KonMari Method, although perhaps not equally radically every bit the book recommends, but I can clinch you that this tidying has already transformed my life. I experience I am in a improve state of mind, the time I spend at dwelling house is even more than enjoyable, I no longer have allergies and curiously, I feel fifty-fifty more productive and passionate about my piece of work. And, I have even made savings, because I no longer buy things without a valid reason and I am very careful about what comes into my abode. The pick process is ruthless, only the things that will be lucky enough to take their place alongside the things that are already present in my interior volition have earned their place.

The American entrepreneur Tim Ferriss, author of Tools of Giants explores the theme of decluttering in his bestseller The 4-Hour Workweek and in fact, he has fifty-fifty made information technology i of the pillars of his life balancing method.

Book critique of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up

You can sense that Marie Kondo's doctrine is firm, but non unkind. Readers of her book on The Life-Irresolute Magic of Tidying Up will feel that they have been taken firmly by the hand, merely never judged on their weaknesses. I am convinced that if the precepts of the book are properly practical by the reader, life volition improve in a much more pregnant way than you lot could e'er have imagined at the get-go.

Stiff Points :

A fast and enjoyable read
The benefits of each activity that yous tin put into place are explained
Short, interesting and sometimes amusing stories illustrate some passages

Weak Signal :

The exercises to employ (especially for the "wearing apparel" office) lack illustrations

The 5 principles of the KonMari Method:

Only go on the things that bring joy to your life.
Merely declutter one kind of object at a time instead of tidying the various spaces within your home.
Understand that "someday" means "never".
As yous de-clutter, pick up each item individually.
Treat the items that remain with respect.

My rating :

Take you lot read "The Life-Irresolute Magic of Tidying Upward"? How practise yous rate it?

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