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The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: Summary

Everything you need to know about Marie Kondō's The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, in 1 paragraph.
An illustration of a reader enjoying The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondō in a cosy interior
A reader enjoying The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondō
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondō is a practical guide to decluttering and organizing your home. The book offers a comprehensive strategy for eliminating clutter and simplifying one's life, by discarding anything that does not "spark joy" in one's heart. The book encourages readers to consider the emotional implications of their possessions, to discard items in an intentional manner, and to store items according to categories rather than locations. This approach helps to create an environment of tidiness that facilitates focus and productivity.

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The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: Key Points

  1. Declutter by category, not by location. Kondō encourages readers to take all items of a single type (i.e., clothing, books, mementos and place them all in one spot. This allows for easier decision making about what to keep and discard.
  2. Discard items that no longer “spark joy”. Kondō believes that people should only keep those items that bring them joy when they touch them. This is an emotional approach to decluttering that helps to reduce clutter and create a more peaceful home environment.
  3. Store items neatly and out of sight. After discarding items that no longer spark joy, Kondō recommends storing remaining items in designated containers or drawers, thus helping create an organized living space.
  4. Let go of the past and embrace the future. Kondō believes that letting go of the things from our past frees us up emotionally and mentally to move forward into the future with new possibilities.
  5. Follow the right order when tidying up. Kondō suggests tackling categories in a specific order: clothing, books, papers, miscellaneous items, and mementos/sentimental items last. This order is intended to help reduce attachment to sentimental items while still allowing time to savor memories associated with them.

What to say about The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up

  • "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up is a great read that I believe can revolutionize how we approach our organizational systems in the workplace."
  • "The book provides insightful guidance for streamlining belongings, which can help us declutter and maximize our efficiency at work."
  • "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up encourages readers to ask themselves meaningful questions about what really matters to them and how they want to live their lives."
  • "Marie Kondō's wisdom is transforming the way people think about tidiness and cleanliness - both at home and in the office."
  • "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up offers an innovative approach to changing habits by utilizing the KonMari Method®."
  • "This book provides a refreshing take on how to develop better organizational processes within our workplace environment."
  • "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up is an inspiring read that motivates readers to make small changes that have a big impact."
  • "Marie Kondō's holistic philosophy on tidying up aims to simplify life by getting rid of physical things we don't need anymore."
  • "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up has reshaped the way many people look at their possessions, helping them stay focused and on track with achieving their goals."
  • "This book is full of useful tips and strategies for establishing a more organized and productive work space through decluttering and tidying up."

What to post on LinkedIn or Twitter about The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up

  • "If you're looking for an easy way to declutter your life and finally get organized, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondō is a must-read! #decluttering #organization"
  • "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up is an inspiring book that teaches how to make lasting changes in your home and life. #lifegoals #tidyingup"
  • "Organizing can be a daunting task but The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up shows that it doesn't have to be. Check out this amazing book by Marie Kondō today! #organization #tidyhome"
  • "Discover the KonMari Method and learn how to live a simpler, more organized life with The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. #konmari #simplify"
  • "Don't miss out on the opportunity to make your living space a happier, healthier place - pick up The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondō today! #happiness #healthyliving"

Top 5 Quotes from The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up

  1. "The question of what you want to own is actually the question of how you want to live your life."
  2. "Keep only those things that speak to your heart. Then take the plunge and discard all the rest. By doing this, you can reset your life and embark on a new lifestyle."
  3. "Tidying is just a tool, not the final destination. The true goal should be to establish the lifestyle you want most once your house has been put in order."
  4. "When we really delve into the reasons for why we can’t let something go, there are only two: an attachment to the past or a fear for the future."
  5. "Life truly begins only after you have put your house in order."

Other books by Marie Kondō

  • Joy at Work: Organizing Your Professional Life
  • Spark Joy: An Illustrated Master Class on the Art of Organizing and Tidying Up
  • Marie Kondo's Magic Cleaning Method: 10 Steps to Declutter your Home and Life
  • The Little Book of Kondo: How to Declutter Your Home in 30 Minutes or Less
  • Magical Cleaning: A Simple Guide to Transform Your Home and Life with the KonMari Method
  • The Life-Changing Manga of Tidying Up: A Magical Story
  • KonMari Kids: Sparking Joy in Every Child
  • Kiki & Jax: The Life-Changing Magic of Friendship

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The book has been translated into over 30 languages, making it one of the most widely read self-help books in the world.