Spark Joy: An Illustrated Master Class on the Art of Organizing and Tidying Up

Questions About Spark Joy: An Illustrated Master Class on the Art of Organizing and Tidying Up

by Marie Kondō (Goodreads Author)

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Answered Questions (8)

Ms. Kondo, Whenever you talk about a client and the number of bags that he or she discarded, there is no mention of giving clothing, shoes, or other items to a non-profit organization for others to use. I am wondering if you encourage clients to do this? It is quite acceptable in the United States. Thank you.
Caroline In this book she specifically mentions donating items to thrift shops. She doesn't care how you get rid of stuff, as long as you get rid of what no lo…moreIn this book she specifically mentions donating items to thrift shops. She doesn't care how you get rid of stuff, as long as you get rid of what no longer sparks joy in your life.(less)
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Is this basically the same as the first book but with drawings? I remember reading the first book and wishing there was a diagram to show the method of folding she was going on about.
Caroline I haven't read the first book, but there are folding diagrams in this one - shirts, dresses, skirts, pants, socks, underwear, you name it!

They are jus…moreI haven't read the first book, but there are folding diagrams in this one - shirts, dresses, skirts, pants, socks, underwear, you name it!

They are just little drawings, not actual photos, but do look helpful. (I received the book just today in the mail and have not yet had a chance to actually read it.) (less)
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Another question is what is her morning rituals. I assume to be organizes she most have a check list or rituals which keeps her organized?
Krystal AGREE- please expand on not just morning rituals but daily routine please.
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Should I buy The Life Changing Magic of tidying up, first. Or can I just buy spark joy? I decluttering A LOT when I moved house a couple of months ago and I am keen to do more!
Cora Hmm... I think Life Changing Magic gives you the overall picture and idea while Spark Joy gives you the details. I can't decide if you could just read…moreHmm... I think Life Changing Magic gives you the overall picture and idea while Spark Joy gives you the details. I can't decide if you could just read Spark Joy and if that would make enough sense... What did you end up doing?(less)
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I admire her but also think she must be....just joking here.....like my husband, a little OCD. I'm not. How doe she accomplishes all of this? If I start on a Saturday before I know it it is Sunday night and then the work week begins again. I have trouble starting and not thinking I will be finished before Monday. Again, I realize I have too much stuff and that might be part of the problem !
Steph Kondo doesn't expect your entire home, or even a given category, be completed in a day or two. If I recall correctly, she says that it will take about…moreKondo doesn't expect your entire home, or even a given category, be completed in a day or two. If I recall correctly, she says that it will take about 6 months to go through your entire home, though I'm not sure if that estimate is for those who work full time or not.

Personally, I would go crazy from the chaos if I didn't put anything away until the culling step was over, and I have no desire to go full KonMari by upending my home like that! Has my decluttering process has been slow? Yes, but it's also been manageable. My takeaways from the KonMari method have been: (1) don't settle for something simply because it fulfills a purpose, (2) don't save the good towels for guests because I'm worthy of them too, and (3) vertical folding lets me see everything at a glance and forces me to admit when I have too much inventory for a given space.

My advice to you and anyone like you (myself included) is to glean what you can from the KonMari method & move on. I plan on reading "Decluttering at the Speed of Life" by Dana White next, which sounds like a more manageable decluttering process than one like KonMari where your entire home is in upheaval for months at a time all while still trying to live and function throughout the process.(less)
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