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Magic Cleaning #2
Spark Joy: An Illustrated Guide to the Japanese Art of Tidying
The secret to Marie Kondo’s unique and simple KonMari tidying method is to focus on what you want to keep, not what you want to get rid of. Ask yourself if something ‘sparks joy’ and suddenly it becomes so much easier to understand if you really need it in your home and your life. When you surround yourself with things you love you will find that your whole life begins to change.
Spark Joy is an in-depth, illustrated, room-by-room guide to decluttering and organising your home. It covers every room in the house from bedrooms and kitchens to bathrooms and living rooms as well as a wide range of items in different categories, including clothes, photographs, paperwork, books, cutlery, cosmetics, shoes, bags, wallets and valuables. Charming line drawings explain how to properly organise drawers, wardrobes, cupboards and cabinets. Illustrations also show Ms Kondo’s unique folding method, clearly showing how to fold anything from shirts, trousers and jackets to skirts, socks and bras.
Marie Kondo’s first book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying, presents her unique tidying philosophy and introduces readers to the basics of her KonMari method. It has already transformed the homes and lives of millions of people around the world. Spark Joy is Marie Kondo’s in-depth tidying masterclass, focusing on the detail of how to declutter and organise your home.
Spark Joy is an in-depth, illustrated, room-by-room guide to decluttering and organising your home. It covers every room in the house from bedrooms and kitchens to bathrooms and living rooms as well as a wide range of items in different categories, including clothes, photographs, paperwork, books, cutlery, cosmetics, shoes, bags, wallets and valuables. Charming line drawings explain how to properly organise drawers, wardrobes, cupboards and cabinets. Illustrations also show Ms Kondo’s unique folding method, clearly showing how to fold anything from shirts, trousers and jackets to skirts, socks and bras.
Marie Kondo’s first book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying, presents her unique tidying philosophy and introduces readers to the basics of her KonMari method. It has already transformed the homes and lives of millions of people around the world. Spark Joy is Marie Kondo’s in-depth tidying masterclass, focusing on the detail of how to declutter and organise your home.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 9, 2012
About the author
Marie Kondō
41 books4,818 followersMarie Kondo (近藤 麻理恵) is a Japanese organizing consultant and author. Kondo's method of organizing is known as the KonMari Method, and one of the main principles is keeping only possessions which "spark joy."
Kondo's best-seller The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing has been published in more than 30 countries.
She was listed as one of the world's 100 most influential people by Time Magazine in 2015.
Personal website: http://konmari.com/en/
Book website: http://tidyingup.com/
App website: http://konmari-media.com/
Kondo's best-seller The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing has been published in more than 30 countries.
She was listed as one of the world's 100 most influential people by Time Magazine in 2015.
Personal website: http://konmari.com/en/
Book website: http://tidyingup.com/
App website: http://konmari-media.com/
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April 15, 2016Dear Marie Kondo,
It is with great trepidation that I write this review of your newest book. I was berated by people all over the world after my critical Goodreads review of your first book, The Magical Art of Tidying. I received over 1800 likes and comments. Your rabid fans called me ethnocentric, hyperbolic, shallow, insensitive, unromantic, cold, narrow-minded, immature, a derisive mess, despicable, a pseudo-feminist (?), a possessor of ugly underwear, and they sent their deepest sympathy to the poor schmuck who married me. I was even contacted by a writer from the Chicago Tribune who was doing an article on the tidying craze. Others, who are evidently as unenlightened as me, saw humor in my review. One sweet soul even offered to replace my beige underwear with something more appealing. I turned that offer down as I think it goes against Goodreads' policies. Another particularly disgruntled reader suggested that I go hide under a rock. Well, that ain't happenin' cause I'm a 68 year old woman who says whatever she wants, whenever she wants. Threaten all you want, Kondofans cause Yannick doesn't panic.
Although I have studied both of your books with uncharacteristic focus, I am left with some questions. I hope you can find it in your heart to answer them. Believe it or not, I started with 57 questions and condensed it to these measly 14:
1) I didn't realize that if you couldn't get joy from touching your clothes that you could hug them for further clarification. Just one thing, do you have any suggestions on how to remove all of those hugging wrinkles?
2) Although I did realize that clothes are plant fibers, I did not realize that they like to hold hands or be cheek to cheek. The first and last items seem to get the short-changed as they only have one hand to hold or one cheek to rub. Would you suggest plotting out a rotation system?
3) I don't own a camisole but it's good to know that if I had one I shouldn't "criticize it for its failure to stand up." This criticism would be very bad for the cami's soul. I totally get that but am I missing out on something big by not having a camisoul?
4) I know that my panties are supposed "to look like spring rolls" with only the front of the waistband showing. You said that you can fit seven pairs in a tissue box. Could you give me the dimensions of a Japanese tissue box?
5) I didn't realize that I had to unpack my suitcase within 30 minutes of my homecoming. To make this work for me, I've had to begin unpacking in the car on the way home from the airport. Have any of your clients had to this? Are their dropped articles causing lawn mower problems?
6) Thanks so much for the help offered about what to do with the pictures of my cheating, conniving ex-husband. I'd stuck them in a cabinet in the basement hoping for a flood. Now I know I should have put them in a paper bag facing inward with a pinch of purification salt. After doing this, I was able to discard them with no regrets and free up that mildewy spot in my basement. Is the purification salt on Amazon ok?
7) I never thought about how unrefined the inside of my bathroom cupboard must feel. When I took your advice and removed the loud and ugly labels it did add to the refinement but my husband was not too happy when he used my unlabeled hair removal creme on his man parts. I think he'll be ok. Do you have any doctors as clients who might be able to anonymously answer some embarrassing questions about damaged man parts?
8) I am bothered about one of your substitution anecdotes. You claim that you can always find a substitution for a discarded item that you later need. BUT....how do you think your frying pan felt when it had to hammer the nail into the wall? Do you regret throwing that hammer out because of its imperfect handle? What about the ruler you broke when you used it as a screwdriver? In your last book you wrote that daywear could not be demoted to loungewear. Aren't these substitutions even more egregious?
9) Do you think it would be possible to create a Joybit that could sit cheek to cheek with my Fitbit and detect when an item fulfills my joy criterion or when I've reached my click point? I can't seem to get consistent readings on my own.
10) Exactly what vibes do your clothes give off that let you know whether they're happier being folded or hung? Mine just don't seem to care. Do I need to stop buying my clothes at Walmart?
11) I see that "many of your clients say that their underwear drawer looks so beautiful that they can't resist opening it to gaze at its contents." I'm worried because I never have this urge. Do you think I should move my underwear to the kitchen as I spend more time there?
12) I don't have many hundred dollar bills to leave lying on the kitchen table so no worries there about them feeling forlorn and embarrassed. I have been doing a lot of sniffing of my smaller bills, coupons, and credit cards but I can't get the "dense metallic aroma" that most of your clients smell.
Any advice on refining my sniffer?
13) I didn't need to go to Japan for a memory service for my childhood dolls. I simply took your advice--covered their eyes and gave them the heave ho. Can I use that same procedure for some unruly neighborhood kids or would that be crossing the line?
14) My husband did not know that I had taken your advice about storing kitchen scraps in the freezer. He thought the container of decayed meatballs and mushy tomatoes was holiday soup. He's out of the hospital but he's not one of your biggest fans.
Let me end by saying what a lucky lady you are. Your ideas have made you rich in purse and spirit. You have only ever had one client rebound which is an amazing stat. You and your new husband (2014) use folding and tidying to keep your relationship fresh. Have you ever thought about officially changing your name to Joy?
Until you write again,
Diane Yannick, West Chester PA
It is with great trepidation that I write this review of your newest book. I was berated by people all over the world after my critical Goodreads review of your first book, The Magical Art of Tidying. I received over 1800 likes and comments. Your rabid fans called me ethnocentric, hyperbolic, shallow, insensitive, unromantic, cold, narrow-minded, immature, a derisive mess, despicable, a pseudo-feminist (?), a possessor of ugly underwear, and they sent their deepest sympathy to the poor schmuck who married me. I was even contacted by a writer from the Chicago Tribune who was doing an article on the tidying craze. Others, who are evidently as unenlightened as me, saw humor in my review. One sweet soul even offered to replace my beige underwear with something more appealing. I turned that offer down as I think it goes against Goodreads' policies. Another particularly disgruntled reader suggested that I go hide under a rock. Well, that ain't happenin' cause I'm a 68 year old woman who says whatever she wants, whenever she wants. Threaten all you want, Kondofans cause Yannick doesn't panic.
Although I have studied both of your books with uncharacteristic focus, I am left with some questions. I hope you can find it in your heart to answer them. Believe it or not, I started with 57 questions and condensed it to these measly 14:
1) I didn't realize that if you couldn't get joy from touching your clothes that you could hug them for further clarification. Just one thing, do you have any suggestions on how to remove all of those hugging wrinkles?
2) Although I did realize that clothes are plant fibers, I did not realize that they like to hold hands or be cheek to cheek. The first and last items seem to get the short-changed as they only have one hand to hold or one cheek to rub. Would you suggest plotting out a rotation system?
3) I don't own a camisole but it's good to know that if I had one I shouldn't "criticize it for its failure to stand up." This criticism would be very bad for the cami's soul. I totally get that but am I missing out on something big by not having a camisoul?
4) I know that my panties are supposed "to look like spring rolls" with only the front of the waistband showing. You said that you can fit seven pairs in a tissue box. Could you give me the dimensions of a Japanese tissue box?
5) I didn't realize that I had to unpack my suitcase within 30 minutes of my homecoming. To make this work for me, I've had to begin unpacking in the car on the way home from the airport. Have any of your clients had to this? Are their dropped articles causing lawn mower problems?
6) Thanks so much for the help offered about what to do with the pictures of my cheating, conniving ex-husband. I'd stuck them in a cabinet in the basement hoping for a flood. Now I know I should have put them in a paper bag facing inward with a pinch of purification salt. After doing this, I was able to discard them with no regrets and free up that mildewy spot in my basement. Is the purification salt on Amazon ok?
7) I never thought about how unrefined the inside of my bathroom cupboard must feel. When I took your advice and removed the loud and ugly labels it did add to the refinement but my husband was not too happy when he used my unlabeled hair removal creme on his man parts. I think he'll be ok. Do you have any doctors as clients who might be able to anonymously answer some embarrassing questions about damaged man parts?
8) I am bothered about one of your substitution anecdotes. You claim that you can always find a substitution for a discarded item that you later need. BUT....how do you think your frying pan felt when it had to hammer the nail into the wall? Do you regret throwing that hammer out because of its imperfect handle? What about the ruler you broke when you used it as a screwdriver? In your last book you wrote that daywear could not be demoted to loungewear. Aren't these substitutions even more egregious?
9) Do you think it would be possible to create a Joybit that could sit cheek to cheek with my Fitbit and detect when an item fulfills my joy criterion or when I've reached my click point? I can't seem to get consistent readings on my own.
10) Exactly what vibes do your clothes give off that let you know whether they're happier being folded or hung? Mine just don't seem to care. Do I need to stop buying my clothes at Walmart?
11) I see that "many of your clients say that their underwear drawer looks so beautiful that they can't resist opening it to gaze at its contents." I'm worried because I never have this urge. Do you think I should move my underwear to the kitchen as I spend more time there?
12) I don't have many hundred dollar bills to leave lying on the kitchen table so no worries there about them feeling forlorn and embarrassed. I have been doing a lot of sniffing of my smaller bills, coupons, and credit cards but I can't get the "dense metallic aroma" that most of your clients smell.
Any advice on refining my sniffer?
13) I didn't need to go to Japan for a memory service for my childhood dolls. I simply took your advice--covered their eyes and gave them the heave ho. Can I use that same procedure for some unruly neighborhood kids or would that be crossing the line?
14) My husband did not know that I had taken your advice about storing kitchen scraps in the freezer. He thought the container of decayed meatballs and mushy tomatoes was holiday soup. He's out of the hospital but he's not one of your biggest fans.
Let me end by saying what a lucky lady you are. Your ideas have made you rich in purse and spirit. You have only ever had one client rebound which is an amazing stat. You and your new husband (2014) use folding and tidying to keep your relationship fresh. Have you ever thought about officially changing your name to Joy?
Until you write again,
Diane Yannick, West Chester PA
January 7, 2016
This is a fine follow-up to The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. I listened to the audio version, and found the accompanying PDF helpful enough that I didn't need the printed text.
Don't let Kondo's animism put you off; even if you're uncomfortable with thanking your possessions for their service before discarding them, there is much to be learned from this book. For Kondo, tidying is really a means to the end of mastering the space in which you live, and making it a place that nourishes rather than oppresses.
There is significantly more detail here, including great ideas for dealing with the miscellany (komono) that can be so hard to control. I have used the method on my clothes, and have had success in keeping it tidy. Implementing it throughout the house is a much bigger undertaking, but I am already envisioning the result!
Don't let Kondo's animism put you off; even if you're uncomfortable with thanking your possessions for their service before discarding them, there is much to be learned from this book. For Kondo, tidying is really a means to the end of mastering the space in which you live, and making it a place that nourishes rather than oppresses.
There is significantly more detail here, including great ideas for dealing with the miscellany (komono) that can be so hard to control. I have used the method on my clothes, and have had success in keeping it tidy. Implementing it throughout the house is a much bigger undertaking, but I am already envisioning the result!
August 11, 2016
Spark Joy or Kill Joy?
According to Marie Kondo.... her KonMari Method of tidying up is nothing short of
life-changing.
Every time I walked into any book store... This little book ( kinda attractive), seems to always be near the front of the store...with many copies. I've yet to touch the book myself. I actually had NO IDEA what the book was about until walking early yesterday morning. While random looking at audiobook's on my overdrive app, I see this book is available.
By the way...the downside to audiobook 'listening/searching' the way I have, come with consequences. I'm on the trail- I decide I want to listen to a book. I can't see what the book is about...( just a photo of the cover) -
I'll download a few - maybe as many as 8 books at a time - try each out - send back the ones I don't like. The problem has been ---I've sent back 90% of the books. Sometimes I invested 2 hours of listening to each book. (or an hour anyway)
For example: I listen to 2 hours of "Let Me Be Frank With You" by Richard Ford....I liked it - but never finished it ....Then felt I'd kinda rather 'read' his book....( yet in this case his voice was nice enough)....but I forgot about the book --and before you knew it --the library time ran out.
But in most other cases I just don't care about the book enough to stay with it. I put my music back on and keep walking.
It's this reason - I've 'almost' decided to go with Audible. Buy 1 book a month. Return Policy if I don't care for the book. Seems like I might have a wider selection of book choices to fit my fancy. Plus, Paul can listen to these too....(so I'm still considering)
Back to THIS REVIEW ON THIS BOOK:
It will be short...
I listened to the audiobook for 90 minutes until I had enough! I got the general idea....which 'was' ENOUGH!
No way, am I going to follow detailed instructions about how to create joy in my life.
I was beginning to feel exhausted by all the rules. The author had a lot of 'MUST DO's'.
I understand it can be extremely liberating to toss out things, and re-create fresh.
But I really don't need to hug every item I own or bless it.
The value I took away in the 90 minutes I spent with the audiobook....
1. many people around the world have gotten miracles from her work. The author told us so. I believe her. I'm thrilled for them....(really I am).
2. I'm happy with my own style of tidying up and organizing. I might make a few changes-(remodel) --but not from her rule book.
3. So..... I made JOY-choice ...... I turned off the audiobook. Put my music back on..and I was back sparkling with joy!
4. I had a terrific laugh with Paul and Ali, ( our daughter), later that day...we considered hugging our forks before dinner. Or... If our forks didn't give us joy, we could always toss them out the window......and buy new JOY forks some other day!
.........lol with JOY money!!!
xo
According to Marie Kondo.... her KonMari Method of tidying up is nothing short of
life-changing.
Every time I walked into any book store... This little book ( kinda attractive), seems to always be near the front of the store...with many copies. I've yet to touch the book myself. I actually had NO IDEA what the book was about until walking early yesterday morning. While random looking at audiobook's on my overdrive app, I see this book is available.
By the way...the downside to audiobook 'listening/searching' the way I have, come with consequences. I'm on the trail- I decide I want to listen to a book. I can't see what the book is about...( just a photo of the cover) -
I'll download a few - maybe as many as 8 books at a time - try each out - send back the ones I don't like. The problem has been ---I've sent back 90% of the books. Sometimes I invested 2 hours of listening to each book. (or an hour anyway)
For example: I listen to 2 hours of "Let Me Be Frank With You" by Richard Ford....I liked it - but never finished it ....Then felt I'd kinda rather 'read' his book....( yet in this case his voice was nice enough)....but I forgot about the book --and before you knew it --the library time ran out.
But in most other cases I just don't care about the book enough to stay with it. I put my music back on and keep walking.
It's this reason - I've 'almost' decided to go with Audible. Buy 1 book a month. Return Policy if I don't care for the book. Seems like I might have a wider selection of book choices to fit my fancy. Plus, Paul can listen to these too....(so I'm still considering)
Back to THIS REVIEW ON THIS BOOK:
It will be short...
I listened to the audiobook for 90 minutes until I had enough! I got the general idea....which 'was' ENOUGH!
No way, am I going to follow detailed instructions about how to create joy in my life.
I was beginning to feel exhausted by all the rules. The author had a lot of 'MUST DO's'.
I understand it can be extremely liberating to toss out things, and re-create fresh.
But I really don't need to hug every item I own or bless it.
The value I took away in the 90 minutes I spent with the audiobook....
1. many people around the world have gotten miracles from her work. The author told us so. I believe her. I'm thrilled for them....(really I am).
2. I'm happy with my own style of tidying up and organizing. I might make a few changes-(remodel) --but not from her rule book.
3. So..... I made JOY-choice ...... I turned off the audiobook. Put my music back on..and I was back sparkling with joy!
4. I had a terrific laugh with Paul and Ali, ( our daughter), later that day...we considered hugging our forks before dinner. Or... If our forks didn't give us joy, we could always toss them out the window......and buy new JOY forks some other day!
.........lol with JOY money!!!
xo
September 10, 2018
Spark Joy is author Marie Kondō's follow up to her internationally best-selling title, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing.
Kondo's not for everyone — some of her ideas are very different like treating your possessions as if they have spirits of their own and sorting items by smell — but I like her.
I think it's because she is obviously very passionate about what she teaches. Her excitement seems to seek from the pages of her book.
This companion novel is an excellent book by itself, but, in my opinion, you won't be able to fully appreciate it unless you've read Kondō's first title. She doesn't as completely explain her tidying methods in this book as she took the time to in the last. But there was still so much to enjoy here.
She encourages individuals to embrace what they love, even if society doesn't love it too, like in this section called Save Your Cosplay for Indoors: "...a surprisingly high percentage of my clients have costume-like clothes. To name just a few, I have encountered a Chinese dress, a maid's outfit, and a belly-dancing costume. ... If it brings you joy, but you can't see yourself wearing it outside, there's no reason you shouldn't wear it inside." pg 25-26
Kondo has a pretty philosophy of living: "I'm convinced that things that have been loved and cherished acquire elegance and character. When we surround ourselves only with things that spark joy and shower them with love, we can transform our home into a space filled with precious artifacts, our very own art museum." pg 47
One of my favorite parts of both books is Kondo's theory about socks. It makes me smile: "The socks you wear at home are particularly important because they are the contact point between you and your house, so choose ones that will make the time you spend there even more enjoyable. Balling your socks and stockings, or tying them into knots, is cruel. Please put an end to this practice today." pg 98 :)
As much as I enjoy Kondo's quirkiness, I don't embrace all of her theories.
For example, I'm still trying to talk myself out of the mountains of books that I have around the house. I have this dream that one day, I'll have an enormous library with shelves so high that I'll need a ladder with rollers to climb up and reach the books at the top.
Here's what Kondo has to say about tidying up the books: "When you're left with only those books that you love, you'll discover that the quality of information you receive changes noticeably. The room you make by discarding books seems to create space for an equivalent volume of new information. You'll soon see that the information you need comes just when you need it, and when it does, you'll find that you respond to it immediately in a new pattern of behavior that wasn't possible when you were hoarding books and neglecting the information they contained." pg 126
Sigh.
Here's a helpful tip for sorting piles of stuffed animals: "Energy resides in the eyes, which is why it's best to cover them when discarding something. Once their eyes are hidden, stuffed toys and dolls look much more like objects, and that makes it far easier to part with them. The simplest solution is to place a cloth or piece of paper over their faces." pg 164-165
Consider some of the most used items in your life for the royal treatment: "...my criterion for deciding which items require royal treatment... is this: the item's proximity to your body. Items such as forks or undergarments, which come in direct contact with delicate parts of our bodies, should be treated as a rank above the rest whenever possible." pg 183
Good to know.
And finally: "Tidying is a special event. If you give storage your best effort, experimenting with different ideas and enjoying the whole process, you'll find that it goes very smoothly. Treat it like a game. Each idea you try will bring immediate results, and you can readjust anytime you like." pg 206
If only I had that sort of passion for tidying...
Marie Kondo is inspiring but I don't know if I will ever achieve the emotional highs that she seems to find from it. The best part of this book is: she makes me willing to try.
Kondo's not for everyone — some of her ideas are very different like treating your possessions as if they have spirits of their own and sorting items by smell — but I like her.
I think it's because she is obviously very passionate about what she teaches. Her excitement seems to seek from the pages of her book.
This companion novel is an excellent book by itself, but, in my opinion, you won't be able to fully appreciate it unless you've read Kondō's first title. She doesn't as completely explain her tidying methods in this book as she took the time to in the last. But there was still so much to enjoy here.
She encourages individuals to embrace what they love, even if society doesn't love it too, like in this section called Save Your Cosplay for Indoors: "...a surprisingly high percentage of my clients have costume-like clothes. To name just a few, I have encountered a Chinese dress, a maid's outfit, and a belly-dancing costume. ... If it brings you joy, but you can't see yourself wearing it outside, there's no reason you shouldn't wear it inside." pg 25-26
Kondo has a pretty philosophy of living: "I'm convinced that things that have been loved and cherished acquire elegance and character. When we surround ourselves only with things that spark joy and shower them with love, we can transform our home into a space filled with precious artifacts, our very own art museum." pg 47
One of my favorite parts of both books is Kondo's theory about socks. It makes me smile: "The socks you wear at home are particularly important because they are the contact point between you and your house, so choose ones that will make the time you spend there even more enjoyable. Balling your socks and stockings, or tying them into knots, is cruel. Please put an end to this practice today." pg 98 :)
As much as I enjoy Kondo's quirkiness, I don't embrace all of her theories.
For example, I'm still trying to talk myself out of the mountains of books that I have around the house. I have this dream that one day, I'll have an enormous library with shelves so high that I'll need a ladder with rollers to climb up and reach the books at the top.
Here's what Kondo has to say about tidying up the books: "When you're left with only those books that you love, you'll discover that the quality of information you receive changes noticeably. The room you make by discarding books seems to create space for an equivalent volume of new information. You'll soon see that the information you need comes just when you need it, and when it does, you'll find that you respond to it immediately in a new pattern of behavior that wasn't possible when you were hoarding books and neglecting the information they contained." pg 126
Sigh.
Here's a helpful tip for sorting piles of stuffed animals: "Energy resides in the eyes, which is why it's best to cover them when discarding something. Once their eyes are hidden, stuffed toys and dolls look much more like objects, and that makes it far easier to part with them. The simplest solution is to place a cloth or piece of paper over their faces." pg 164-165
Consider some of the most used items in your life for the royal treatment: "...my criterion for deciding which items require royal treatment... is this: the item's proximity to your body. Items such as forks or undergarments, which come in direct contact with delicate parts of our bodies, should be treated as a rank above the rest whenever possible." pg 183
Good to know.
And finally: "Tidying is a special event. If you give storage your best effort, experimenting with different ideas and enjoying the whole process, you'll find that it goes very smoothly. Treat it like a game. Each idea you try will bring immediate results, and you can readjust anytime you like." pg 206
If only I had that sort of passion for tidying...
Marie Kondo is inspiring but I don't know if I will ever achieve the emotional highs that she seems to find from it. The best part of this book is: she makes me willing to try.
November 6, 2015
Very unique way to organize items, minimalist and get rid of clutter easily. If you can't declutter after this book there might not be hope.
May 23, 2017
I got this book instead of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing because it has invaluable illustrations of Marie Kondo's folding style. (I started looking like one of these dogs when reading the descriptions of how to fold without any pictures.) From what I can tell, this book is an expansion of her first with some of the key concepts outlined a bit more clearly.
I will be moving at the end of the week, and I packed all of my clothes over the weekend. During this process, I had a revelation: because I had applied the Konmari method to my clothes over the last six months, I did not find any clothes I had forgotten about and I didn't need to donate anything - I had already done it! This is frankly shocking for someone who finds online shopping therapeutic and also only buys statement pieces. While I didn't follow the method exactly, I did approach my closet a little differently: not just "will this be useful?" but "am I excited about this?" (my personal stand-in for joy).
Where this helped the most was with my komono. I am a compulsive postcard and tiny souvenir collector (buttons, pins), and I had some other mementos I've kept for at least ten years. I went through everything I had, got rid of my notes from German class, and downsized to one shoebox and one folder worth of items. It really made me happy going through the result. I think, more than anything else, the method of looking through personal items gave me permission to not feel silly about some of the (admittedly silly) things that I decided to hang onto. It's also nice to recognize that some of those things won't be as important in, say, five years, at which point they've served their purpose and I can move on.
Anyway, I probably will not anthropomorphize my socks, but I do love the Konmari folding method. And I really like feeling that everything I own has a place to go.
I will be moving at the end of the week, and I packed all of my clothes over the weekend. During this process, I had a revelation: because I had applied the Konmari method to my clothes over the last six months, I did not find any clothes I had forgotten about and I didn't need to donate anything - I had already done it! This is frankly shocking for someone who finds online shopping therapeutic and also only buys statement pieces. While I didn't follow the method exactly, I did approach my closet a little differently: not just "will this be useful?" but "am I excited about this?" (my personal stand-in for joy).
Where this helped the most was with my komono. I am a compulsive postcard and tiny souvenir collector (buttons, pins), and I had some other mementos I've kept for at least ten years. I went through everything I had, got rid of my notes from German class, and downsized to one shoebox and one folder worth of items. It really made me happy going through the result. I think, more than anything else, the method of looking through personal items gave me permission to not feel silly about some of the (admittedly silly) things that I decided to hang onto. It's also nice to recognize that some of those things won't be as important in, say, five years, at which point they've served their purpose and I can move on.
Anyway, I probably will not anthropomorphize my socks, but I do love the Konmari folding method. And I really like feeling that everything I own has a place to go.
August 23, 2016
If you are really serious about decluttering your life this book will give you the guidance you need. It should be something you've already thought about. It's not a book for people who love to be surrounded by a lot of stuff. Those people will just end up writing long reviews making fun of the book hoping for laughs from other people who don't get those who wish to live a more minimalistic life. The day we had to move my grandma from a 5 bedroom 6 bathroom home to a small condo was when I started thinking about downsizing. At her age she couldn't possibly go through all her stuff so it was left to us. That was sad. I want to make the decisions myself of what to keep and also make it easier for my kids one day. I don't want to leave them with tons of stuff they will have to dispose of. This book has me well on my way to living the life I want. Making fun of this method is passing judgment on those of us who would rather experience life than be weighed down by our possessions. Others need those possessions to feel they have lived life. There is no right or wrong way but the Konmari method is exactly what I needed.
January 20, 2019
For a while, I didn't really know if I wanted to read about KonMari or not, but luckily I decided to choose this, largely due to Emily's review down here at the reviews (which says this is a expansion to her previous book, with some things explained a bit clearer, and there are illustrations to the folding styles Kondo recommends).
I think there are some books that just work better when you read them instead of audiobooking them, mainly because you can reread and find places a bit better, no risk of unpleasant or fast reader, and all that underlining, stickering of important bits, etc. I did have to pause now and them to breathe (haha) and to absorb a bit, but the subject was interesting enough that I read it faster that just the routine amount I make myself read of a book daily (about 41 pages). I made a bunch of notes for later, and will rewrite them into a clearer form at some point.
I love the rubber band that comes with this hardcover. You can use it or not, but it does look nice when it's used. Just the kind of touchable bonus I like.
This is somewhat different from minimalism-tidying (which aims for smaller amount of possessions) and usual decluttering techniques (in the idea of 'spark joy'). The focus is more on what you really want to keep, with putting in place coming afterwards for everything left. The folding illustrations are mostly concentrated in the clothes section, with one or two in other places. Advicing clients on tidying their homes is the author's work in Japan, and then there's her books.
The point is to keep what 'sparks joy' when touched/seen, for you - others might give suggestions, but the final decision is yours. Knowing where to keep them also helps, but it doesn't come first. Some client/personal examples are given, but they don't disturb the main purpose of the book. It is helpful if you feel already ready to commit to this (even if it doesn' t happen immediately - like, for me I will probably be more likely to start on it after weight loss, since clothes appear first in tidying order).
First the six basic rules of tidying are given, before we move on to the main text (commitment, knowing what home look you want after, discarding in every category before proper arranging, going by categories, in right order, and the 'spark joy' testing). Don't let her insistencies put you off, some of it will end up making sense later.
In the main part: the first part talks about the concept of joy and finding motivation, the second goes deep into each category (clothes - books - papers - komono (misc. items, in smaller categories) - sentimental items). The third part shows the end result for each part of home, and what changes might appear afterwards, plus other people and this tidying process. The main positive impact for this tidying method will be for your mental well-being, which might improve also your outer life (like relationships).
Some tips are a bit outside the main KonMari method of tidying, at least I made notes of them to separate notings (for example, checking on the expiring dates on some emergency supplies, or cleaning your suitcase outside and wheels after traveling).
Of course there are things that are odd or even a bit irritating. For example, I disagree with the opinion that just not have yet read a book is a sole reason for discarding it. And no, I won't cut or tear a page off a book - I would do that for magazines only. And sometimes I prefer piling, not standing up, things. And you do have to be careful with what papers you discard - I think it's better to research first what the lenght of keeping is for some before letting go of them.
She seems a bit optimistic about avoiding relapse back to messiness, and also about how after tidying other things in life get fixed too. Her talk about things' feelings and thanking them too is quite odd, but in my opinion these moves appeal to the part of self in one's head that still can't help but think object have 'feelings'). And anyway, you can freely ignore the odd bits.
But for all the weaker bits and things I disagree with, I'm surprised how much I liked the book as a whole, and the method of tidying started to make sense, the further I got into the book. The client/personal examples made the reading lighter, and gave one some amusement too. I might not get into this right away, now, but I can see myself going through it when the time is right. A rewarding experience that made me think, amused me, and inspired me.
I think there are some books that just work better when you read them instead of audiobooking them, mainly because you can reread and find places a bit better, no risk of unpleasant or fast reader, and all that underlining, stickering of important bits, etc. I did have to pause now and them to breathe (haha) and to absorb a bit, but the subject was interesting enough that I read it faster that just the routine amount I make myself read of a book daily (about 41 pages). I made a bunch of notes for later, and will rewrite them into a clearer form at some point.
I love the rubber band that comes with this hardcover. You can use it or not, but it does look nice when it's used. Just the kind of touchable bonus I like.
This is somewhat different from minimalism-tidying (which aims for smaller amount of possessions) and usual decluttering techniques (in the idea of 'spark joy'). The focus is more on what you really want to keep, with putting in place coming afterwards for everything left. The folding illustrations are mostly concentrated in the clothes section, with one or two in other places. Advicing clients on tidying their homes is the author's work in Japan, and then there's her books.
The point is to keep what 'sparks joy' when touched/seen, for you - others might give suggestions, but the final decision is yours. Knowing where to keep them also helps, but it doesn't come first. Some client/personal examples are given, but they don't disturb the main purpose of the book. It is helpful if you feel already ready to commit to this (even if it doesn' t happen immediately - like, for me I will probably be more likely to start on it after weight loss, since clothes appear first in tidying order).
First the six basic rules of tidying are given, before we move on to the main text (commitment, knowing what home look you want after, discarding in every category before proper arranging, going by categories, in right order, and the 'spark joy' testing). Don't let her insistencies put you off, some of it will end up making sense later.
In the main part: the first part talks about the concept of joy and finding motivation, the second goes deep into each category (clothes - books - papers - komono (misc. items, in smaller categories) - sentimental items). The third part shows the end result for each part of home, and what changes might appear afterwards, plus other people and this tidying process. The main positive impact for this tidying method will be for your mental well-being, which might improve also your outer life (like relationships).
Some tips are a bit outside the main KonMari method of tidying, at least I made notes of them to separate notings (for example, checking on the expiring dates on some emergency supplies, or cleaning your suitcase outside and wheels after traveling).
Of course there are things that are odd or even a bit irritating. For example, I disagree with the opinion that just not have yet read a book is a sole reason for discarding it. And no, I won't cut or tear a page off a book - I would do that for magazines only. And sometimes I prefer piling, not standing up, things. And you do have to be careful with what papers you discard - I think it's better to research first what the lenght of keeping is for some before letting go of them.
She seems a bit optimistic about avoiding relapse back to messiness, and also about how after tidying other things in life get fixed too. Her talk about things' feelings and thanking them too is quite odd, but in my opinion these moves appeal to the part of self in one's head that still can't help but think object have 'feelings'). And anyway, you can freely ignore the odd bits.
But for all the weaker bits and things I disagree with, I'm surprised how much I liked the book as a whole, and the method of tidying started to make sense, the further I got into the book. The client/personal examples made the reading lighter, and gave one some amusement too. I might not get into this right away, now, but I can see myself going through it when the time is right. A rewarding experience that made me think, amused me, and inspired me.
January 9, 2016
I really enjoyed konmari's first book! I found it helpful, fresh, and it really did help me tidy up (pretty magically I might add) Since that book was released, I've read articles online about the method as it spread, and when I saw this book was due- I was thrilled!
I was disappointed that this book didn't seem to provide anything new. If you've read the first book, and even seen one or two videos of her folding techniques on YouTube- you've pretty much read this book.
I also think that if you haven't read her first one, you are probably better to start there (which she says in Ch1 too) because this is more of an overview than any solid detailed info about the process.
I was disappointed that this book didn't seem to provide anything new. If you've read the first book, and even seen one or two videos of her folding techniques on YouTube- you've pretty much read this book.
I also think that if you haven't read her first one, you are probably better to start there (which she says in Ch1 too) because this is more of an overview than any solid detailed info about the process.
March 25, 2016
This was 100% what I expected and needed out of a "master class." I read The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up right around a year ago, and completed the entire KonMari process in the following months. However, although we'd pared down our possessions to only the things we love and use, I didn't feel like I had mastered how to organize and arrange what we had left for maximize efficiency and appreciation. This book has specific tips for every area tackled by the process, including a detailed section on the different parts of kitchen komono, and there are illustrations of sample ways of organizing to inspire and instruct. I particularly appreciated the step-by-step instructions on folding for just about every kind of clothing.
I read this in two days in preparation for tackling the things we have in basement storage — we'd gone through them before, but there was a lot of stuff still loose and I wanted everything grouped and in labeled bins before we move this summer. Because I had Kondō's ruthless (but gentle) voice in my head, I was able to do a more thorough job than before, mostly by grilling my husband about things ("Do you actually need this? For what? When did you last use it? Will you use it if it's down here or should it go somewhere else?"). After reading the detailed information about folding and storing clothes, I also decided to reorganize my socks-and-underwear drawer.
Some people have said that if you read this book you don't need to read the first one, and while she does give a quick-and-dirty overview of what's in the first book, I would highly recommend starting with that one if you can. The stories from the first book were what inspired me to actually undertake the full process in the first place; this book is more nitty-gritty for those who get stuck or, like me, just want to organize what they have left a little more neatly. So if you're already a Konvert but want a little boost, definitely pick this one up.
I read this in two days in preparation for tackling the things we have in basement storage — we'd gone through them before, but there was a lot of stuff still loose and I wanted everything grouped and in labeled bins before we move this summer. Because I had Kondō's ruthless (but gentle) voice in my head, I was able to do a more thorough job than before, mostly by grilling my husband about things ("Do you actually need this? For what? When did you last use it? Will you use it if it's down here or should it go somewhere else?"). After reading the detailed information about folding and storing clothes, I also decided to reorganize my socks-and-underwear drawer.
Some people have said that if you read this book you don't need to read the first one, and while she does give a quick-and-dirty overview of what's in the first book, I would highly recommend starting with that one if you can. The stories from the first book were what inspired me to actually undertake the full process in the first place; this book is more nitty-gritty for those who get stuck or, like me, just want to organize what they have left a little more neatly. So if you're already a Konvert but want a little boost, definitely pick this one up.
February 2, 2019
Bloody hell. I'm not sure when they released smack into the water supply, but this book confirms that we have lost it, as a civilization.
Three examples will confirm my statement.
Clothes organization. “Start with tops because things worn closer to your heart make it easier to judge whether or not you feel joy.”
It is fabric, love. Sort yourself out.
Second example. “Store bras like royalty.”
Women's underwear is satanic. It exists to make us feel uncomfortable. Unworthy. Bits are not quite in the right place. I refuse to treat these hooky, yucky bonkers pieces of overpriced fabric as royalty.
It is demonic lace, love. Sort yourself out.
Example three. “Tidying up your books is the best way to increase your sensitivity to joy and your ability to take action."
You touch my books - I'm taking an organ. You will increase my sensitivity to DEFCON 1 if you touch my books. Also, don't use the word sensitivity. I think I've just melted into a post-empathic spinach...
Please - think about capitalism, work, leisure, women and men. Do not allow this nonsense to direct your actions.
Shocking.
Three examples will confirm my statement.
Clothes organization. “Start with tops because things worn closer to your heart make it easier to judge whether or not you feel joy.”
It is fabric, love. Sort yourself out.
Second example. “Store bras like royalty.”
Women's underwear is satanic. It exists to make us feel uncomfortable. Unworthy. Bits are not quite in the right place. I refuse to treat these hooky, yucky bonkers pieces of overpriced fabric as royalty.
It is demonic lace, love. Sort yourself out.
Example three. “Tidying up your books is the best way to increase your sensitivity to joy and your ability to take action."
You touch my books - I'm taking an organ. You will increase my sensitivity to DEFCON 1 if you touch my books. Also, don't use the word sensitivity. I think I've just melted into a post-empathic spinach...
Please - think about capitalism, work, leisure, women and men. Do not allow this nonsense to direct your actions.
Shocking.
August 18, 2016
Initial reaction: I thought this was a thorough follow up to Marie Kondo's first book, with more expansions and cute illustrations to boot. This book has a slight edge for my enjoyment because of how streamlined and organized it is compared to the first book. Probably rating this about 4 stars.
Full review:
"Spark Joy" was a book I was anticipating reading following Marie Kondo's first book "The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up". I was at first afraid I wouldn't be able to read it for a while because of the long double-digit queue it had at my library. (Its hold list is still in the double digits even after my read of this book and the review I'm presently writing.) I'm thankful I grabbed this when I did because it ended up coming up for a special sale on Amazon.
The KonMari method, like named after the author, is a methodology of organizing that relies keeping things that "spark joy", discarding things that don't, and placing items back in their proper place. She notes that this is a method that involves doing a large overhaul all at once and following a specific means of going through ones things in the method of organizing: clothes, books, papers komono (miscellaneous), and sentimental items. I remember thinking at the end of Kondo's first book that aspects of the method still felt like it didn't have a streamlined expansion, which left me wanting more though I was intrigued and inspired by it. Now I can say that "Spark Joy" not only streamlined the details of the KonMari method, but it clarified and showcased tips in a way that was well presented and had cute illustrations to boot. I appreciated seeing some of the examples of her clientele and the emphasis on creating a space that you love and are surrounded by that bring that feeling to you. I grinned also at the note to "pack drawers like a Japanese bento box" - which if you know anything about bento boxes are very neatly and carefully presented. I already know about the Japanese style of folding clothes (thank you YouTube, because that's how I fold all my clothes now), so reading it in this book was a refresher for me. I gained a lot of takeaway from this book in terms of the KonMari method and ways to incorporate it into my own system of organizing. I appreciated it (though honest to goodness, the only part of this method I know I won't be using is getting rid of books - though I'll apply it to magazines and newspapers that I'm trying to purge). I also liked that suggestions were made with respect to each part of the tidying process and approaches to each measure, including the large category of komono.
In the end, definitely a read I would recommend to those looking for organization methodologies and personal productivity. I plan on seeing how it works for me and keeping this book as a handy reference.
Overall score: 4/5 stars.
Full review:
"Spark Joy" was a book I was anticipating reading following Marie Kondo's first book "The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up". I was at first afraid I wouldn't be able to read it for a while because of the long double-digit queue it had at my library. (Its hold list is still in the double digits even after my read of this book and the review I'm presently writing.) I'm thankful I grabbed this when I did because it ended up coming up for a special sale on Amazon.
The KonMari method, like named after the author, is a methodology of organizing that relies keeping things that "spark joy", discarding things that don't, and placing items back in their proper place. She notes that this is a method that involves doing a large overhaul all at once and following a specific means of going through ones things in the method of organizing: clothes, books, papers komono (miscellaneous), and sentimental items. I remember thinking at the end of Kondo's first book that aspects of the method still felt like it didn't have a streamlined expansion, which left me wanting more though I was intrigued and inspired by it. Now I can say that "Spark Joy" not only streamlined the details of the KonMari method, but it clarified and showcased tips in a way that was well presented and had cute illustrations to boot. I appreciated seeing some of the examples of her clientele and the emphasis on creating a space that you love and are surrounded by that bring that feeling to you. I grinned also at the note to "pack drawers like a Japanese bento box" - which if you know anything about bento boxes are very neatly and carefully presented. I already know about the Japanese style of folding clothes (thank you YouTube, because that's how I fold all my clothes now), so reading it in this book was a refresher for me. I gained a lot of takeaway from this book in terms of the KonMari method and ways to incorporate it into my own system of organizing. I appreciated it (though honest to goodness, the only part of this method I know I won't be using is getting rid of books - though I'll apply it to magazines and newspapers that I'm trying to purge). I also liked that suggestions were made with respect to each part of the tidying process and approaches to each measure, including the large category of komono.
In the end, definitely a read I would recommend to those looking for organization methodologies and personal productivity. I plan on seeing how it works for me and keeping this book as a handy reference.
Overall score: 4/5 stars.
January 4, 2016
I found this book cluttered with boring and unhelpful anecdotes and also lacking in practical tips on how to actually tidy ones house. There's no real structure of how to go about it and there are a lot of gaps. For example, nowhere does the author mention coats, decorative items or art. She could have also been more practical in explaining when to tackle which task as you're reading the book. It wasn't really clear when I should put down the book and start tidying, and when to then read again and start putting things away. As far as I could gather you'll be spending at least a couple of hours (in my case the whole ordeal took two absolutely knackering days) with all your stuff you love in a pile on the by now very dusty and less than joy sparking floor. However, the overall approach of taking all your stuff out of your storage areas, examining each piece and throwing away what you don't like and putting the stuff you do like away NICELY is good. Ta-da.
Overall it helped me clear out a lot of objects I wasn't using or didn't like – but the actual book needs some serious editing if it's going to be as good as what it's hoping to achieve in your life. Thank God I bought it as an ebook, otherwise it would be straight out the door.
Overall it helped me clear out a lot of objects I wasn't using or didn't like – but the actual book needs some serious editing if it's going to be as good as what it's hoping to achieve in your life. Thank God I bought it as an ebook, otherwise it would be straight out the door.
August 29, 2019
I've been reading through this book slowly. I've spent more time gradually taking it's advice than actually reading it now that I'm technically finished. I'll spare everyone here the details, but before I read this book my apartment looked a lot different. And though it took me some time to warm up to it's twee language, Marie's way of tidying really stuck a chord with me once I was open to it. I'm not done taking it's advice, but I appreciate what this book has done for me.
January 25, 2019
3.5 stars. I tend to reserve 4/5 star ratings for books very beautifully written; but whilst the simplicity and minimalism of her writing didn’t warrant a higher rating, her content was insightful and well broken down. It’s a very simple read (that being said, I listened to the audiobook, but that was only 5 hours long), but highly effective. I’ve committed myself to purge this year (along with a no-buy year), and it really helped me reconsider my storage methods. I know what I want to keep in my life and I’m looking forward to a much simpler future.
February 18, 2017
Honestly, I thought this book was weird. Like this author is just way too obsessed with tidiness. I consider myself pretty tidy but I'm never gonna close my eyes and hug a piece of clothing to my chest to decide whether "inspires joy." Eventually I was motivated to tidy my home though, so I guess the book did its job, even though I don't think I followed one suggestion from the book (taking all of mine and my fiance's clothes from the drawers/closets and putting them in one big pile to go through each garment one by one sounds like something that would probably incite a panic attack in me. Like once everything is in a pile I'd stare at it thinking dear god what have I done)
March 30, 2016
Although I may not (read: will not) fold all my underwear into origami, her principles of tidying up are well worth looking at. What is important to you? (Seems weird to say "spark joy" when referring to underwear.) I'm all about shedding stuff that is no longer useful in my life hence the two garbage bags and two boxes of stuff being jettisoned from my house. (Note: threw out aforementioned underwear...did not put in donate box.)
March 23, 2017
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing felt a bit weird. it's successor, Spark Joy: An Illustrated Master Class on the Art of Organizing and Tidying Up felt more comfortable, whether because I was adapted to Ms. Kondō's perspective, or the weird-to-Mike factor had been throttled back.
August 18, 2018
I really liked this sequel to THE LIFE-CHANGING MAGIC OF TIDYING UP! However, I felt like it was more of a modification of the first book than adding something new to Kondo's ideas. A lot of the same concepts are recycled in this novel - keeping items if it "sparks joy", learning to tidy and organize items, etc., so don't expect much new information.
Nonetheless, I do think that this book was an improvement to the first novel - there are tons of cute diagrams/doodles which help assist Kondo's instructions very well. I also think it's organized a lot better; the first half is basically a summary of the Kondo's first book, just rewritten, but the second part is actually very concrete - she has separate chapters for how to tidy clothes (my favorite chapter, personally) to books to papers to other items in your household, and finally, she also has a chapter of various locations in your home and how to improve the area to truly spark joy. Frankly, with the inclusion of diagrams, the second half of this book a lot more digestible and enjoyable to read. (If anything, I would skip the first book and go straight to reading SPARK JOY.) Overall, a very satisfying second book!
Nonetheless, I do think that this book was an improvement to the first novel - there are tons of cute diagrams/doodles which help assist Kondo's instructions very well. I also think it's organized a lot better; the first half is basically a summary of the Kondo's first book, just rewritten, but the second part is actually very concrete - she has separate chapters for how to tidy clothes (my favorite chapter, personally) to books to papers to other items in your household, and finally, she also has a chapter of various locations in your home and how to improve the area to truly spark joy. Frankly, with the inclusion of diagrams, the second half of this book a lot more digestible and enjoyable to read. (If anything, I would skip the first book and go straight to reading SPARK JOY.) Overall, a very satisfying second book!
November 29, 2017
Me ha llevado meses leer este libro porque me parecía más de lo mismo, mucha teoría repetida del primer libro. Este viene con fotos y esquemas para aprender a doblar pero me ha aportado poco. Abarca el orden más concreto por zonas de la casa. Si habéis leído el primero os lo podéis ahorrar o leerlo por encima yendo a lo que os importa. Para aprender más sobre el método Konmari de forma visual y amena os recomiendo los videos que @eherraiz sube a su canal de youtube (Elena Hg), me han venido de lujo, mucho mejor que este segundo libro.
VALORACIÓN: 6/10
VALORACIÓN: 6/10
December 22, 2016
I read this book thinking, "well of course this is how to tidy up! Makes total sense." The language may have been idiosyncratic at times ("spark joy" being especially prevalent), but none of the principals were a huge shock or revelation.
January 11, 2017
I am almost embarrassed to admit that I wasted the first eight days of the new year reading this book. After rereading my 2015 review of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Kondo, I realize that the concepts that she introduced in her first book resonated with me and seemed fresh and new. Wanting to continue the decluttering process that I began last year, I thought there might be some wisdom in this book that would help me to clear out my house once and for all.
Instead, Spark Joy felt redundant. There really wasn't any new or helpful information, unless you count the childlike bunny illustrations of folding techniques. And, I couldn't help but skip the sections in which Kondo painstakingly describes how to fold socks, underwear and oddly-shaped shirts. Folding clothing seems like common sense to me and honestly, I really don't care to devote so much time to this task. Other absolutes, such as hanging clothes in ascending order to the right seem completely arbitrary and just plain weird.
About halfway through, I really began to tire of the book. Even the word "tidying" began to grate on my nerves. As I continued, I felt like I was reading the words of a crazy person. A harmless, gentle, sweet crazy person, but a crazy person nonetheless. Many of Kondo's declarations left me scratching my head, like this one, from p. 208: "Personally, I like to take off the garish labels from my liquid laundry soap and tie a ribbon around the neck to enhance the joy factor." Or, this, on p. 218: "It can be a lot of fun to turn your bathroom into a joy-filled theme park." Finally, on p. 265: "When I meet people who feel this way, it reminds me of myself as a high school student when I was so obsessed with tidying that I had a nervous breakdown." There is no further explanation of said breakdown. I wondered if something was lost in translation or if excessive and obsessive tidying actually did lead to a mental breakdown for the author.
The most valuable part of the book for me was in the Afterword, in which Kondo briefly explains yaoyorozu no kami, the Japanese concept that gods reside not just in natural phenomena, but in all things. Everything is imbued with spirit and therefore, we must treat all things with reverence.
Though I appreciate Kondo's basic premise, I found this book to be a great waste of time.
Instead, Spark Joy felt redundant. There really wasn't any new or helpful information, unless you count the childlike bunny illustrations of folding techniques. And, I couldn't help but skip the sections in which Kondo painstakingly describes how to fold socks, underwear and oddly-shaped shirts. Folding clothing seems like common sense to me and honestly, I really don't care to devote so much time to this task. Other absolutes, such as hanging clothes in ascending order to the right seem completely arbitrary and just plain weird.
About halfway through, I really began to tire of the book. Even the word "tidying" began to grate on my nerves. As I continued, I felt like I was reading the words of a crazy person. A harmless, gentle, sweet crazy person, but a crazy person nonetheless. Many of Kondo's declarations left me scratching my head, like this one, from p. 208: "Personally, I like to take off the garish labels from my liquid laundry soap and tie a ribbon around the neck to enhance the joy factor." Or, this, on p. 218: "It can be a lot of fun to turn your bathroom into a joy-filled theme park." Finally, on p. 265: "When I meet people who feel this way, it reminds me of myself as a high school student when I was so obsessed with tidying that I had a nervous breakdown." There is no further explanation of said breakdown. I wondered if something was lost in translation or if excessive and obsessive tidying actually did lead to a mental breakdown for the author.
The most valuable part of the book for me was in the Afterword, in which Kondo briefly explains yaoyorozu no kami, the Japanese concept that gods reside not just in natural phenomena, but in all things. Everything is imbued with spirit and therefore, we must treat all things with reverence.
Though I appreciate Kondo's basic premise, I found this book to be a great waste of time.
February 10, 2019
Ok, I’ve read Marie’s books one after each other... I’d definitely recommend reading the previous book of hers first. I actually prefer this book as Marie seems to have relaxed a bit in how she gets information over to the reader, and she tells us a lot more anecdotal stories, that are interesting. I’m not sure I can follow all her information but I’m going to give most of it a go. I’ve already gotten rid of about 40 books, so I’m off to a good start. Recommended.
April 30, 2019
Vērtīga grāmata, daudzas atziņas gan sasaucas ar iepriekšējo grāmatu. Īpaši uzrunāja tēze "kaut kad noderēs frāze ir tabū". Jo kuram gan no mums nav pilna māja ar lietām,kas protams,kaut kad noderēs!
February 12, 2020
I very much enjoyed The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying, so had to borrow 'Spark Joy' when I saw it in the library. As with Marie Kondo's previous book, I had the delightful sense that she is a kindred spirit. For instance, she recommends wearing your dressing-up clothes around the house if they spark joy but you don't have occasions to wear them outside. I already do this quite often with evening dresses, high heels, and a Victorian-style long skirt with a train. All items I love but rarely, if ever, have a reason to wear. In chilly weather, I keep a base layer on under a satin dress, which is quite a good look in itself. I actually enjoyed 'Spark Joy' even more than Marie Kondo's first book, as it assumes the reader has already been convinced to tidy and provides more specific advice on rooms and types of item. The same day that I finished it, I finally tidied the messiest part of my flat: the cupboard under the sink. This now looks very neat, with washing up sponges and fabric shopping bags sorted into separate tupperware boxes. As you might guess, I already have a great enthusiasm for tidying. However, there are still improvements that I want to make and this book provides useful guidance to that end.
I picked an appropriate time to read 'Spark Joy', as I've just had some redecoration done in my flat. In conjunction with my lovely repainted walls, the book inspired me to consider furniture rearrangements - which are always fun, just more difficult in a compact tenement flat. Marie Kondo advises visualising your ideal lifestyle before beginning to tidy, so you have some idea of what you want from your living space. Her suggested approach is to look in interiors magazines, however I've found that I get more inspiration by sitting on the top deck of a bus at twilight and looking into other people's living rooms. Edinburgh has so many stylish first floor residences. I know that might seem a little creepy, but I've no interest in observing the people, just their interior design choices! Digging through the fashion scrapbooks that I kept as a teenager and into my twenties also supplied aesthetic fodder. I even found the single image that encapsulates my 'ideal lifestyle', from a years-old newspaper weekend magazine. It shows the novelist Sheila Heti sitting on a green velvet armchair with a Flemish giant rabbit in her arms:
Now that is a lifestyle to aspire to.
At risk of sounding like a Marie Kondo evangelist, she says a lot of wise things in this book. Notably, 'For essential things that don't bring joy, look at what they do for you'. I don't like kitchen items, because I dislike cooking, and therefore constantly want to get rid of their clutter. A good way to resist this is to think of mixing bowls, baking tins, and suchlike as a means to nourish myself and others. They don't spark joy in themselves, but being able to serve someone food that I prepared is pretty good. The clothes-folding advice is likewise excellent. The only thing I'd add might be controversial for completists: there is no need to keep an entire series of books if you only really love one or two of them. My approach with book-tidying is this: keep books that I haven't read and want to (of which I currently have 35) and books I really love (currently 55). Of the latter, a handful are specific editions I've had for years and have sentimental value, most are copies of books I adored enough to want to re-read, and a few are books I really enjoyed and want to give as gifts.
I certainly found this a joyful book to read, as it was clearly on my wavelength. Reading it just before attempting sleep was a mistake, though. Rather than being soporific, it filled me with ideas for reorganising my flat, which I had to get out of bed to note down. So it's probably better to be read during the day, at least if you're a tidying enthusiast.
I picked an appropriate time to read 'Spark Joy', as I've just had some redecoration done in my flat. In conjunction with my lovely repainted walls, the book inspired me to consider furniture rearrangements - which are always fun, just more difficult in a compact tenement flat. Marie Kondo advises visualising your ideal lifestyle before beginning to tidy, so you have some idea of what you want from your living space. Her suggested approach is to look in interiors magazines, however I've found that I get more inspiration by sitting on the top deck of a bus at twilight and looking into other people's living rooms. Edinburgh has so many stylish first floor residences. I know that might seem a little creepy, but I've no interest in observing the people, just their interior design choices! Digging through the fashion scrapbooks that I kept as a teenager and into my twenties also supplied aesthetic fodder. I even found the single image that encapsulates my 'ideal lifestyle', from a years-old newspaper weekend magazine. It shows the novelist Sheila Heti sitting on a green velvet armchair with a Flemish giant rabbit in her arms:
Now that is a lifestyle to aspire to.
At risk of sounding like a Marie Kondo evangelist, she says a lot of wise things in this book. Notably, 'For essential things that don't bring joy, look at what they do for you'. I don't like kitchen items, because I dislike cooking, and therefore constantly want to get rid of their clutter. A good way to resist this is to think of mixing bowls, baking tins, and suchlike as a means to nourish myself and others. They don't spark joy in themselves, but being able to serve someone food that I prepared is pretty good. The clothes-folding advice is likewise excellent. The only thing I'd add might be controversial for completists: there is no need to keep an entire series of books if you only really love one or two of them. My approach with book-tidying is this: keep books that I haven't read and want to (of which I currently have 35) and books I really love (currently 55). Of the latter, a handful are specific editions I've had for years and have sentimental value, most are copies of books I adored enough to want to re-read, and a few are books I really enjoyed and want to give as gifts.
I certainly found this a joyful book to read, as it was clearly on my wavelength. Reading it just before attempting sleep was a mistake, though. Rather than being soporific, it filled me with ideas for reorganising my flat, which I had to get out of bed to note down. So it's probably better to be read during the day, at least if you're a tidying enthusiast.
March 20, 2016
Okay, so this second KonMarie book is even crazier than the first, and Kondo herself is a self-professed obsessive-compulsive who talks to underwear and thanks papers. Still, she is very good at motivating you to get off the couch and put some order in your house, and has a strong point in her instruction to keep only stuff that makes you happy. We in the West all have way too much stuff in our homes anyway, which should go to recycling or to someone who would be happy to accept it. On top of this, Marie Kondo has lots of experience tidying, which makes her able to give really great tips for a more aesthetic and comfortable home. There's no reading this book without starting to notice all of the untended dark corners of your house. I threw away around 60% of my wardrobe last week, and about four big garbage bags this week, and I plan to go on. I can't promise to follow the KonMarie (what a ridiculous name) method to the dot, but I will do what I can at this point, which is more than I did before I read this book (and the first one).
August 7, 2019
لم يختلف كثيرا عن كتابها السابق سحر الترتيب، مع إضافة بعض التفاصيل والصور التوضيحية، وحذف بعض تفاصيل حياتها الشخصية تجبنا للملل، لكنه جدد بداخلي جذوة الترتيب وشجعني على نشر اللمسات المبهجة في المنزل
طريقة كونماري في الترتيب عامة أعجبتني كثيرًا، ومنذ طبقتها لم أعد أشعر بمشكلة في إبقاء المنزل مرتب الحمد لله، لم أحتج لإعادة ترتيب دواليب الملابس منذ سبعة أشهر تقريبًا، عوضًا عن خزانات المطبخ وأرفف الكتب والأنشطة
طريقة كونماري في الترتيب عامة أعجبتني كثيرًا، ومنذ طبقتها لم أعد أشعر بمشكلة في إبقاء المنزل مرتب الحمد لله، لم أحتج لإعادة ترتيب دواليب الملابس منذ سبعة أشهر تقريبًا، عوضًا عن خزانات المطبخ وأرفف الكتب والأنشطة
January 23, 2016
Slow start, I almost felt like I was rereading "Life Changing Magic." Halfway through, Marie got to some tips about kitchens and bathrooms that was really lacking in the first book. I really enjoyed it! Love her.
February 3, 2018
Better then her previous book because she finally had some diagrams. Most of her advice was the same, so I pretty much skimmed through it.
January 24, 2016
The companion book to the KonMari method, with even more details about how to do all the things.
This tiny little book is meant to be read after, or in conjunction with, Kondo's bestseller The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. Taken on its own/out of sequence, you can consider it the book to flip through to decide if you want to dive into the first book or not. However, it's definitely more logical to read these two books in order, since Spark Joy amplifies on the principles brought up in LCM.
This is a brilliant strategy for getting a second book out of a first one, but it's more than just a gimmick. The logic of certain concepts that might sound hokey or woo-woo in LCM is explained more deeply in SJ. For example, it's easy to joke about potholders sparking joy or not, but Kondo goes on at length about what joy actually is, in the context of having a nice home, and it will make the most sense to people who own, rather than rent, their property. Folding is dicussed at great length, with illustrations, so if you were confused about how to do it in LCM, SJ gives you no excuse. Speaking of illustrations, most of the ones included here use bunnies that are so kawaii, it hurts. And the book, like its predecessor, is beautifully designed: tiny enough to fit in the palm of your hand, a calm/soothing cover, decent weight pages, a font that won't hurt your eyes...the feng shui of the whole is, I think, what makes these books so darned appealing.
Well, that and the promise of living in a clutter-free home. The most useful section for most of us will be how to deal with family/spouses who DON'T want to be tidy. The secret appears to be focusing only on those things you can control, which is good advice for life anyway. You also shouldn't tidy in front of your housemates, lest they feel bad, and for the love of bunnies, DON'T get rid of their stuff without asking.
Will this method work for you? If you're open-minded and/or willing to put aside your cynicism long enough to take it for a test drive, you might be surprised. I KonMari-d my clothes today, and am pleasantly surprised by how much more spacious the house feels already (especially since it's not like I had tons of clothes to begin with). Books are next, which might prove to be my Waterloo, but at least it's not boring! A fun social experiment for the snowy months.
This tiny little book is meant to be read after, or in conjunction with, Kondo's bestseller The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. Taken on its own/out of sequence, you can consider it the book to flip through to decide if you want to dive into the first book or not. However, it's definitely more logical to read these two books in order, since Spark Joy amplifies on the principles brought up in LCM.
This is a brilliant strategy for getting a second book out of a first one, but it's more than just a gimmick. The logic of certain concepts that might sound hokey or woo-woo in LCM is explained more deeply in SJ. For example, it's easy to joke about potholders sparking joy or not, but Kondo goes on at length about what joy actually is, in the context of having a nice home, and it will make the most sense to people who own, rather than rent, their property. Folding is dicussed at great length, with illustrations, so if you were confused about how to do it in LCM, SJ gives you no excuse. Speaking of illustrations, most of the ones included here use bunnies that are so kawaii, it hurts. And the book, like its predecessor, is beautifully designed: tiny enough to fit in the palm of your hand, a calm/soothing cover, decent weight pages, a font that won't hurt your eyes...the feng shui of the whole is, I think, what makes these books so darned appealing.
Well, that and the promise of living in a clutter-free home. The most useful section for most of us will be how to deal with family/spouses who DON'T want to be tidy. The secret appears to be focusing only on those things you can control, which is good advice for life anyway. You also shouldn't tidy in front of your housemates, lest they feel bad, and for the love of bunnies, DON'T get rid of their stuff without asking.
Will this method work for you? If you're open-minded and/or willing to put aside your cynicism long enough to take it for a test drive, you might be surprised. I KonMari-d my clothes today, and am pleasantly surprised by how much more spacious the house feels already (especially since it's not like I had tons of clothes to begin with). Books are next, which might prove to be my Waterloo, but at least it's not boring! A fun social experiment for the snowy months.
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