learnings from Marie Kondo: the life-changing magic of tidying up

The book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, written by Marie Kondo, has been all the rage for the last year. While I’m not someone who needs help tidying or de-cluttering, I did want to see what all the hype was about with this book. There were a lot of things I agreed with in the book and there were a handful that I felt were a little ridiculous. And, there are some things she shares that I’ve been doing for years, like organizing my dresser drawers.

It was timely that I just finished the book in the start of the new year when everyone is cleaning out and purging. In the end, I feel strongly that tidying and de-cluttering is very individual – what works for me might not work for you, but I wanted to share what resonated with me, and what didn’t, from the book.

What Works (for ME)

1. Does it spark joy? This question is asked over and over again in the book and I think it’s definitely something to think about. Why fill your home with objects, clothing, books, etc. that don’t make you happy?
2. Change Labels. How distracting are labels and marketing on every product we own? Try removing the labels or turning everything around in your bathroom cabinet. It’s amazing how calming it feels.
3. Shoe box Storage. I’ve always been one to use what you have when it comes to needing storage bins, buckets, baskets, etc. Why spend a fortune when you likely have leftover shoe boxes and other bins that can be re-purposed. I’ve always used small boxes to corral bras, underwear, socks, etc. It’s in a drawer, who cares what it looks like.
4. Show Respect to Your Home. It’s simple. Respect the space that you live in. Acknowledge that you work hard to live in that place. Clean it up, take care of it.
5. Acknowledge Attachment. Recognize the items you’re attached to and dive deeper into that attachment. For instance, the 200 books in your home. Be honest, are you really going to read them again? If not send them on their way so someone else can enjoy them.

What Doesn’t Work (for ME)

1. Sock Organization. I don’t love her method for organizing socks. It’s complicated and really is just too time consuming. I mean they’re socks, toss em in a drawer. Though, I can see that if you have limited space her method would work. But, still not sure it’s worth the time.
2. Organize by Category. She encourages you to tidy by category – so go room to room and pull out all the books you have, etc. I disagree and find that I’m more efficient when I go room by room and can focus on the completion of that room. I understand where she’s coming from, but know that it doesn’t work as well for me.
3. Thank Your Items. This seems extreme to me, but again, I don’t have a personality that attaches to things. If I did maybe I’d feel differently. She believes that you should thank every item you purge so that it feels okay to be donating or throwing it away. So that the item knows it served you well. I dunno about you, but I don’t got the time for that.
4. Don’t Change the Method to Suit Your Personality Type. Again, disagree. There is not one size fits all when it comes to purging and tidying. It’s very mental – and some people have a very VERY hard time with it, while others (like myself), don’t. Do what works for you to ensure that you’re successful. Point in case – #2 above.
5. Make Tidying a Special Event, Not a Daily Chore. If you’re not someone who is naturally tidy then every weekend is going to be a special event trying to keep up with it. A little bit every day goes a long way in keeping your space neat. Just 10 minutes to pick up items left out around the house, clean up the dinner dishes, etc. And then, the big purges can be a special event. Example: purging clothing. That’s not something I do everyday, but more like once a season and it takes me an hour or so. It’s a special event. The daily upkeep isn’t a special event.