Finished 27/07/2026
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up
Found in the game Tiny Bookshop, I am interested in the topic and curious to optimize how I tidy. It opened my eyes! It is very intriguing, it puts my mind at ease, and it makes cleaning and arranging (especially clothes) an art. She clearly has had a deep focus on the topic for a long time, and she is very candid about it.
I watched her videos with admiration and organized my closet. I am very happy with the result.
Note: even she admits that tidying is not essential and she has kind of eased up with kids: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/jan/30/queen-of-clean-marie-kondo-says-she-has-kind-of-given-up-on-tidying-at-home
Notes
- First change the mindset, then the habits: cleaning a little at a time does not work
- To break the rebound effect, aim for perfection in a single fast, drastic session
- Never tidy by room or location, only by category
- There are two types of tidying: daily maintenance (putting back what you use) and the special “event” (to be completed as soon as possible)
- Selection criterion: keep only what sparks joy
- Mandatory order: clothes, books, papers, miscellaneous (komono), sentimental items
- Never discard or tidy other people’s things without permission
- Silence or ambient music without lyrics while working; avoid TV
- Clothing subcategories: tops, bottoms, hanging items, socks, underwear, bags, accessories, seasonal items, shoes
- Closet arranged on an ascending slope: long, heavy, dark items on the left; short, light, light-colored items on the right. Colors go from light to dark too
- Fold socks into rectangles, never roll them into a ball. For general folding, see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjkmqbJTLBM
- Documents: the goal is to discard almost all; the rest split only into “to keep” and “to process”. The “to process” container must stay empty
- Sequence for miscellany (komono): CDs/DVDs, body care, cosmetics, accessories, valuables, electronics, stationery/sewing, daily consumables, kitchen, other/hobbies
- Gifts serve to convey affection at the moment they are received; you can let them go without guilt if you do not like them
- Discard letters and mementos from ex-partners; keep items only if you like them regardless of who gave them
- Store every item vertically rather than horizontally to avoid it getting buried and forgotten
- Store bags nested by category, with handles and straps visible
- Care for objects and express gratitude for their use; it prolongs their life and makes using them satisfying
- Tidying is not mandatory. You will not die if your home is messy