Book Review: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up (#KonMari)

Book Review

THE LIFE-CHANGING MAGIC OF TIDYING UP

By: Marie Kondo

Genre: Self-Help | Published: 2011

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This book is the Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing, the #KonMari way. This #1 New York Times best-selling guide to declutter your home using Marie Kondo’s strategy takes a lot of readers step-by-step through KonMari Method for simplifying, organizing, and storing. 

In 2017, Kokobear bought me this book as a gift and I have tried this process. So let me share a little bit of how it goes:

The Process

STEP 1 – Visualize your destination, ask yourself why you want to live like that. Be specific.

STEP 2 – Clean in one or 2 days – in one event. Clean by categories.

•      Category 1 –  Clothes
•      Category 2 – Books
•      Category 3 – Papers
•      Category 4 – Komono (Miscellaneous)
•      Category 5 – Mementos

STEP 3 – Take one by one and ask yourself if this item sparks joy* No distractions; no music no TV.

STEP 4 – Get rid of your materials. Donate and/or dispose of those items that you’ve set aside from this process

STEP 5 – Store items according to Mari Kondo’s style of storing items. She has specific ways how to fold and hang stuffs.

STEP 6 – Practice KonMari way in your day-to-day life. 

Marie has recently released her Netflix series and its been trending lately. In fact while watching it Kokobear and I were also cleaning up and I caught him doing this while were watching. Added it on my IG Stories and tagged Mari herself. To my surprised she replied to it and asked me to submit it in order to share that to her community. So I obliged. :) 

On the other hand, let’s talk about my personal experience in applying the above process. I did it way back in 2018 right before we moved to Dubai. Before we started packing our stuffs in Abu Dhabi, I have done the day or 3 days of sorting our clothes, books and komono. I haven’t worked on papers and mementos. 

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THE PROs

✓The truth of being an OFW in UAE is that we are NPA (No Permanent Address) therefore moving from one flat to another; one room to another room is a reality every single OFW experiences. To realize that we’re having this much stuffs (while staying in a very small space) isn’t surprising. What’s amazing on the other hand is that there are actually many clothes, books and other materials that have been laying down in the closet, cabinets or somewhere else that hasn’t been used for more than a year. Being able to sort them one by one and considering the question if this thing sparks joy has been helpful and exhilarating. 

✓ It has allowed me to see what I have, what I liked, what fits, what’s useful and whats not.

✓  I’ve learned new ways to store things, to fold clothes and the idea of putting them in a box looks nice and more neat.

✓ This book reaffirm my personal stand about outer order inner calm mantra which I first learned from Gretchen Ruben’s Happier Podcast. I find it true to actually feel at ease if my surrounding is clean, not chaotic, organized and calm. Thus it foster more creativity and productivity from my side.

 

THE CONs

✗ The process really take time especially if you have a lot of stuffs.

✗ Since I haven’t completed all the categories, I feel the the need to re-do all the categories since I might have started accumulating new clothes, books etc.

✗ I find it difficult to get rid of things, so sent it home. This isn’t the best action because, this would mean that if the things I used won’t be useful to others, then it will remain useless and unwanted. Thus, it still won’t spark joy to others.

✗ Some of the advises on the book is applicable for Asian setting, maybe more specific to Japanese people as well. I guess a few Western people might have some difficulties into applying them too. 

Personal Conclusion

I would say that the first part of the book went pretty well. It inspires you to clean up, organize and have planted the seed of being mindful of the things we buy and store. This is a great start to minimalism. Although Mari herself that this tidying method isn’t minimalism, it’s a way of life. It doesn’t mean you only need less. As long as every single thing in your house sparks joy – thats what matter most.

As of writing, I am in the quest to re-do the whole process. I’d like to have more space at home and indeed feel joy in each item I see. I’d like to consider minimalism as well, although I have to say there is still a long way to go.

Ready to do this? Here’s a Checklist guide from Happy DIY Home.

 

Let’s do this! I hope it sparks more joy! Aja! :)

 

God bless,

 

 

 

 

 

 

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