Summary and Analysis of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing: Based on the Book by Marie Kondo

by Worth Books

So much to read, so little time? Get a brief overview of the Japanese KonMari method of organizing and take control of your life.   Japanese cleaning consultant and New York Times–bestselling author Marie Kondo is known for the revolutionary method of organization detailed in her book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, which has helped millions create and keep tidy homes. With chapter-by-chapter breakdowns, this summary explains the key points of her book,  How a calm, comfortable home can ease your mindWhy a “little-by-little” approach doesn’t workHow to identify items that “spark joy” and dispose of those that don’tHow to declutter your home by category  Complete with historical context, important quotes, fascinating trivia, a glossary of terms, and other features, this summary and analysis of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up is intended to complement your reading experience and bring you closer to a great work of nonfiction.

52 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 15, 2016

Reviews

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book begins with a disclaimer that it is "...meant to complement your reading experience and bring you closer to a great work of nonfiction. This ebook is not intended as a substitute for the work that it summarizes and analyzes , and it is not authorized, approved, licensed or endorsed by the work’s author or publisher." That is an important thing to knowork and is exactly why I think it's perfect for the KonMarie book in particular.

I have been interested in reading The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up for a while but I'm so, so intimidated by it! I need to do a lot of tidying up, but I'm not so sure I'm ready for any life-changing overhauls right now. In 30 pages, this overview told me almost everything I needed to know. I am definitely not ready for this life-changing magic.

The section of direct quotes was helpful in nailing what intimidates me about this book: “When your room is clean and uncluttered, you have no choice but to examine your inner state.” Yep, I'm out. Having a parent declining from dementia is to live in a constant state of heart-wrenching love and grief. I am certain that now is not the time for me to turn decluttering into a spiritual experience of saying goodbye to my old socks. In a heightened emotional state, the material things that spark joy are often related to the immediate grief and will not carry the same weight when my inner state is not coping with such overwhelming losses. No, this is not the right time for me.

But enough about me, let's talk about this book. If you're intimidated and not ready for the full KonMarie experience, this brief volume is great. There is a "For Your Information" section at the end that lists articles and books related to the subject matter that seem much less intimidating. I'm sure that the Konverts who have read the Kondo book would find this summary and analysis lacking, as it is a very brief overview. The only other thing I was hoping to find with this summary was a more specific explanation of her folding techniques, or perhaps any general tips that may help those of us who may only be ready to dip our toes into the experience rather than jumping in full force. Although I suppose that defeats the whole purpose of this method that requires a full commitment rather than a lifetime of tidying.