The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing
Kondo, Marie
Introduction
1
Why can’t I keep my house in order?
You can’t tidy if you’ve never learned how
A tidying marathon doesn’t cause rebound
Tidy a little a day and you’ll be tidying forever
Why you should aim for perfection
The moment you start you reset your life
Storage experts are hoarders
Sort by category, not by location
Don’t change the method to suit your personality
Make tidying a special event, not a daily chore
2
Finish discarding first
Start by discarding, all at once, intensely and completely
Before you start, visualize your destination
Selection criterion: does it spark joy?
One category at a time
Starting with mementos spells certain failure
Don’t let your family see
If you’re mad at your family, your room may be the cause
What you don’t need, your family doesn’t either
Tidying is a dialogue with one’s self
What to do when you can’t throw something away
3
Tidying by category works like magic
Tidying order: follow the correct order of categories
Clothing: place every item of clothing in the house on the floor
Loungewear: downgrading to “loungewear” is taboo
Clothing storage: fold it right and solve your storage problems
How to fold: the best way to fold for perfect appearance
Arranging clothes: the secret to energizing your closet
Storing socks: treat your socks and stockings with respect
Seasonal clothes: eliminate the need to store off-season clothes
Storing books: put all your books on the floor
Unread books: “sometime” means “never”
Books to keep: those that belong in the hall of fame
Sorting papers: rule of thumb—discard everything
All about papers: how to organize troublesome papers
Komono (miscellaneous items): keep things because you love them—not “just because”
Common types of komono: disposables
Small change: make “into my wallet” your motto
Sentimental items: your parents’ home is not a haven for mementos
Photos: cherish who you are now
Astounding stockpiles I have seen
Reduce until you reach the point where something clicks
Follow your intuition and all will be well
4
Storing your things to make your life shine
Designate a place for each thing
Discard first, store later
Storage: pursue ultimate simplicity
Don’t scatter storage spaces
Forget about “flow planning” and “frequency of use”
Never pile things: vertical storage is the key
No need for commercial storage items
The best way to store bags is in another bag
Empty your bag every day
Items that usurp floor space belong in the closet
Keep things out of the bath and the kitchen sink
Make the top shelf of the bookcase your personal shrine
Decorate your closet with your secret delights
Unpack and de-tag new clothes immediately
Don’t underestimate the “noise” of written information
Appreciate your possessions and gain strong allies
5
The magic of tidying dramatically transforms your life
Put your house in order and discover what you really want to do
The magic effect of tidying
Gaining confidence in life through the magic of tidying
An attachment to the past or anxiety about the future
Learning that you can do without
Do you greet your house?
Your possessions want to help you
Your living space affects your body
Is it true that tidying increases good fortune?
How to identify what is truly precious
Being surrounded by things that spark joy makes you happy
Your real life begins after putting your house in order
Afterword
About the author
Introduction
In this book, I have summed up how to put your space in order in a way that will change your life forever.
Impossible? A common response and not surprising, considering that almost everyone has experienced a rebound effect at least once, if not multiple times, after tidying.
Have you ever tidied madly, only to find that all too soon your home or workspace is cluttered again? If so, let me share with you the secret of success. Start by discarding. Then organize your space, thoroughly, completely, in one go. If you adopt this approach—the KonMari Method—you’ll never revert to clutter again.