Title: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up
Author: Marie Kondo
Series: Magic Cleaning #1
Publisher: Ten Speed Press
Date Published: January 15, 2011
Genre: Non-Fiction, Self-Help
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
My Thoughts:
- I know I'm late to the party, but when this was at its peak in popularity, everyone recommended this to me, and everyone compared me to Marie Kondo. I should have been flattered, because I think Ms. Kondo is brilliant, but I was bugged by the comparison. Yes, I'm Asian. Yes, I love to organize, and it is a passion of mine. Yes, my methods of organizing and decluttering are similar to the konmari method. That doesn't mean we are the same. Not all Asians are the same!! I'm not Japanese! *deep breath, step off soapbox*
- Anyway, despite my experiences, I am glad I read this book. I felt invigorated to declutter even more than I already do. I also picked up some great tips.
- I don't believe inanimate objects have feelings, but I definitely project my feelings on to my belongings. Yes, I talk to my stuff, and I liked the idea of telling my stuff thank you. It has helped me let go of objects that I was unsure about because of emotional attachment. The fact that I could tell that thing that I appreciated it for bringing me joy when it did and let it go is very freeing.
- I am experimenting with folding stuff. I kinda like it for certain things, but definitely not for everything. For example, I hang up my shirts. I prefer them hung up and not folded in a drawer, but I do love the konmari folding method for my socks. I no longer bunch them up into potato shapes, and I love it.
- How about you? Do you implement any of Marie Kondo's methods?
My Thoughts in a GIF:
P.S. Just to clarify, I have nothing against Marie Kondo or her method. In fact, I admire it a lot, and have tried to implement certain things into my life. I also love the Japanese and their culture. It was just the constant comparison that irked me. I have faced a lifetime of "all Asians are/look the same."
I don't blame you for being irked. If I were in your shoes, I would've been irked too. I'm sorry you have to deal with that.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you liked reading her book. I haven't read it yet. Corey wants me to. I'd probably get a lot out of it. I just think I'm a weird married person. I know both Corey's stuff and my stuff is our stuff, and I don't like messing with what I think of as his or our stuff. I like organizing my stuff. That's why my library is my sanctuary; it's organized the way I like things and it's full of my stuff. Like I said, weird married person.
If you want to seriously declutter and tidy your house, I'd highly recommend it. She talks about her experiences with other people's stuff.
DeleteThat’s good to know about her talking about her experiences with other people’s stuff. I’ll take a look at it sometime.
DeleteI really liked this book. I didn't agree with all of her organizing tips (especially when it comes to books!), but I did find a few useful hints along the way. I use some of her folding tips. And I liked the idea of acknowledging what a favorite object once meant to you, thanking it, then letting it go. It seems to work, oddly enough.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on the books thing.
DeleteYes! It does work, and it has helped me a lot in getting rid of stuff.
I'm a bit of a slob, but my daughter is super organized and loves to de clutter and organize. I think I'd be lost without her help!
ReplyDeleteYes, when you are lost, it is always good to have a buddy help you with the decluttering.
DeleteI've always had a thing against her because I heard she said somewhere only have 30 books.. or something. I was like.. um. sorry. But NO! Also, you know how I feel about all Asians looking the same (or being from the same country.) 🙄
ReplyDeleteI see this misconception a lot! 😄 Marie Kondo said that we should get rid of items that don't spark joy. If having only a few books would make you very unhappy, then books are clearly important to you and you should keep them! But if your space is cluttered and your books aren't sparking joy, fewer than 30 books is a number that works for her and it's just a suggestion.
DeleteI've heard that too, but she isn't a lover of books. In her book, she says you can keep all the books that bring you joy.
DeleteMarie Kondo's decluttering method is amazing! ❤ I've also read The Life-Changing Manga of Tidying Up: A Magical Story by Marie Kondo. It's the same book, but in manga format.
ReplyDeleteSeriously!? If I'd known there was a manga version, I would have read that.
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