As mentioned in a previous post, I’m determined to read more this year and The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up was first up on my to-read list! I just finished it last week and decided that I’d better write my review of it while it’s still fresh on my mind.
I have a feeling that this is a book a lot of people will either love or hate. Suffice it to say it’s very unique. I came away with a list of both positives and negatives. I’ll start with the negatives:
Negatives
The best way to do this may be to start off with a few quotes from the book . . .
Every piece of clothing has its own “sweet spot” where it feels just right – a folded state that best suits that item… it’s like a sudden revelation – So this is how you always wanted to be folded!
Never, ever ball up your socks… this should be a time for them to rest. Do you really think they can get any rest like that?
The first thing I do when I visit a client’s home is to greet their house… I ask for help in creating a space where the family can enjoy a happier life.
I have witnessed with my own eyes how [my clients’] appearance changes when their rooms are tidied. Their figures are more streamlined, their skin is more radiant, and their eyes shine brighter.
In case the quotes didn’t make it obvious, the author, Marie Kondo, has some interesting bizarre ideas. I found them humorous for the most part and certainly don’t plan on following some of her suggestions, particularly her suggestion of greeting my home each time I enter and thanking my possessions for their service before getting rid of them!
But, bizarre ideas aside, I’m glad to have read the book for several reasons.
Positives
- Helpful practical suggestions, such as how to store clothes in a drawer standing on end so you can see everything at a glance (something I already do!)
- Emphasis on being thankful for what you have
- Good reminder that I don’t need as much stuff as I think I do
- This quote: Clutter has only two possible causes: too much effort is required to put things away or it is unclear where things belong
- And the biggest positive of all, which is simply that I came away feeling inspired to sort, get rid of stuff and keep my home clean!
Ms. Kondo ends the main chapter of the book with this statement – life truly begins after you have put your house in order. While I don’t agree with everything she’s saying, I do think she has a point: when we are living in dis-organization and chaos, surrounded by clutter, it can be difficult to ever feel the energy to do more. But, when there is a place for everything and when we discipline ourselves to put things in their places regularly, a lot of our time and energy is freed up to do more important things.
Have you read The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up? If so I’d love to hear your thoughts!