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Kindle Notes & Highlights
by
Marie Kondō
four broad categories: General (books you read for pleasure) Practical (references, cookbooks, etc.) Visual (photograph collections, etc.) Magazines
The criterion is, of course, whether or not it gives you a thrill of pleasure when you touch it.
Unread books
Let’s face it. In the end, you are going to read very few of your books again.
If you haven’t done what you intended to do yet, donate or recycle that book.
Only by discarding it will you be able to test how passionate you are about that subject. If your feelings don’t change after discarding it, then you’re fine as is. If you want the book so badly after getting rid of it that you’re willing to buy another copy, then buy one—and this time read and study it.
The moment you first encounter a particular book is the right time to read it.
I recommend you dispose of anything that does not fall into one of three categories: currently in use, needed for a limited period of time, or must be
kept indefinitely.
Limit yourself at first to sorting papers that give you no thrill at all and finish the job in one go.
two categories: papers to be saved and papers that need to be dealt with.
make a special corner for papers like these that need to be dealt with. Make sure that you keep all such papers in one spot only. Never let them spread to other parts of the house.
As for papers that must be saved, these I subdivide according to the frequency of use.
infrequently used papers and more frequently used papers.
Papers are organized into only three categories: needs attention, should be saved (contractual documents), and should be saved (others).
Don’t forget that the “needs attention” box ought to be empty.
I believe that precisely because we hang on to such materials, we fail to put what we learn into practice.
discard are all your credit card statements.
once you’ve checked the content to confirm that it’s correct and have recorded the figure in your household account book, the statement has fulfilled its purpose and you should discard it.
Most people save not only the warranty but also the operation manual in the same file. First, let’s start by parting with these manuals.
warranties: the filing method I recommend is to put them all in a single clear file, without separating them into categories.
GREETING CARDS
Dispense with those that are two or more years old, except those that spark joy in your heart.
Used checkbooks are just that—used.
get rid of them.
The purpose of your pay slip is to inform you how much you have been paid for this month. Once you’ve checked the content, its usefulness is over.
(miscellaneous items)
Keep things because you love them—not “just because”
komono, a Japanese term that the dictionary defines variously as “small articles; miscellaneous items; accessories; gadgets or small tools, parts, or attachments; an insignificant person; small fry.”
The basic order for sorting komono is as follows: 1. CDs, DVDs 2. Skin care products 3. Makeup 4. Accessories 5. Valuables (passports, credit cards, etc.) 6. Electrical equipment and appliances (digital cameras, electric cords, anything that seems vaguely “electric”) 7. Household equipment (stationery and writing materials, sewing kits, etc.) 8. Household supplies (expendables like medicine, detergents, tissues, etc.) 9. Kitchen goods/food supplies (spatulas, pots, blenders, etc.) 10. Other (spare change, figurines, etc.)
Too many people live surrounded by things they don’t need “just because.”
I urge you to take stock of your komono and save only, and I mean only, those that bring you joy.
It is equally important when putting your house in order to actually notice the things you have kept for “no particular reason.”
They were gifts. Someone important to you used precious time to pick them out and buy them for you. They are an expression of love and consideration. You can’t just throw them away, right?
The true purpose of a present is to be received. Presents are not “things” but a means for conveying someone’s feelings.
When the quantity is very small, such as
for samples, the quality deteriorates faster.
Discard or recycle the box your cell phone comes in as soon as you unpack it. You don’t need the manual or the CD that comes with it either. You’ll figure out the applications you need through using it.
It’s a shame to let a boring box take up room in your house just because you might need it someday.
Mysterious cords will always remain just that—a mystery.
Keep only those cords that you can clearly identify and get rid of the rest.
BROKEN APPLIANCES
contact your local recycler and get rid of them.
spare sets of bedding take up a lot of room. This is another common item that gets discarded
You will never use spare buttons.
recommend sewing spare buttons to the lining when you first buy them.
PRODUCTS FROM THE LATEST HEALTH CRAZE
The exhilaration you felt when you bought them is what counts.
FREE NOVELTY GOODS
None of these are going to bring you any pleasure. Discard or recycle them without any qualms.
