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The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing

Marie Kondō

Why we're reading this: I was really curious about it, given its popularity--it's very cute, but I don't think it's realistic, so…more
[close] I was really curious about it, given its popularity--it's very cute, but I don't think it's realistic, so it was hard to rate.

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Jan 07, 2016 Laura rated it liked it

I picked up this book because I had heard some creepy and insane things about the author's method. The book is becoming very popular, and I wanted to know if the things I'd heard were really true before I talked about it. . . plus, I wanted to hate-read it.

As I read the author's method and opinions, I did feel rebellious and annoyed, especially when she said some things that are directly contrary to personal experience (she claims that no one uses extra buttons, ever, for instance, but I have an I picked up this book because I had heard some creepy and insane things about the author's method. The book is becoming very popular, and I wanted to know if the things I'd heard were really true before I talked about it. . . plus, I wanted to hate-read it.

As I read the author's method and opinions, I did feel rebellious and annoyed, especially when she said some things that are directly contrary to personal experience (she claims that no one uses extra buttons, ever, for instance, but I have and do!). I don't like to be told what to do, or told that no variation is ever valid.

However, by the end of the book, even though I wasn't won over by the KonMari method (I think this fad will die quickly, because very few people are likely to finish the book, let alone follow through with such a radical approach!), I was won over by Marie Kondo. She developed this method and wrote this book because she really wanted to help people and objects, and I'm sure she wanted her potential to help to spread beyond those that she can reasonably reach as personal clients, and at her seminars.
I don't believe that my socks have feelings and are tired and taxed by being balled up in my drawer, but the fact that Marie Kondo does believe this lends another perspective to me, when it comes to her very specific approach to tidying. A lot of people will find the animism insane (especially the "reincarnation" aspect!), but it reminded me a bit of something a dear friend of mine would like, and it endeared me to the author as a person. Though I have no intention of tossing the many objects in my home that are functional, but that I don't expect to provide me with *joy* (a tall order for extension cords, spatulas, toenail clippers, etc.!), I like the idea of treating my objects kindly and thanking them for supporting me. Unless you are a hoarder, the positive energy can't hurt too much, in my opinion.

It's difficult to decide how to rate this, when I think the method is impractical and will mislead many people into "intending" to try it, but I don't really dislike the author or all of her views. I guess I would give it five stars for earnestness and cute animism, but one star for promising major life changes to people who are never going to actually handle each object and evaluate it for joy potential. The average between the two is three stars. ...more

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May 02, 2020 Elin Eriksson rated it it was ok

I’m fully aware of the fact that I’m not the first culture elitist westerner to say this but:
Marie Kondo is batshit crazy.
Socks are not in want of rest you crazy loon.

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Jun 14, 2015 Mattie marked it as to-read

Aug 13, 2018 E marked it as to-read

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