And I love her! Seriously, her book changed my life. I know that is a big claim to make but I honestly think this book (along with one other – The 4 Hour Work Week) has had the greatest impact on my day-to-day life than any other. Sure, The Great Gatsby and How to Kill a Mockingbird have given me plenty to think about in terms of how the world and everyone in it works, but for actual, tangible life changes, this is the book.
Marie Kondo is having a bit of a moment. You may have seen her new TV show – “Tidying Up” (I recommend reading the book first, and if you are in the “I hate Marmite” camp then I suggest you steer clear of ever watching the TV show!). If you have lost me already then let me explain: back in 2014 Marie Kondo published “The Life Changing Magic of Tidying” and the world quickly went nuts. According to her website, over 5 million copies have been sold in 41 different countries. It seems that people the world over needed to be taught how to tidy up. And I am one of them.
I am clearly not alone in thinking she is the best thing since sliced bread. The inside of my cupboard now makes me want to weep with happiness (sparking joy being the only reason you should be retaining things in your tidy up). However, I know plenty of people who cannot stand her. One colleague (who will remain unnamed) said she wanted to, and I quote, “punch her in the face”. Apparently, the very sight of Kondo gives her hives. The Marmite haters are dismayed that we should need to be taught anything quite so basic as how to fold clothes, and the notion that someone else should dictate what goes in your wardrobe is anathema to them.
But really truly, I think she is great, and so do the millions who are buying her books and watching her show. But why? Maybe part of the appeal is that very Japanese ability to find beauty in the small things. To create an image of what a simple, orderly life could look like and make it achievable for everyone. Even so, her success cannot simply be explained by Japan-mania; there must be something in her KonMari method (her name, not mine!) which captivated all of us. I think what it really boils down to is that this is a book about tidying up for tidy people.
I never thought of myself as someone who needed to be told how to tidy. I dislike clutter and I like to put the dishwasher on before I go to bed. I ALWAYS make the bed before I leave the house and I don’t throw my clothes on the floor. But as my husband cruelly discovered after we moved in together, my method of decluttering is sort of the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell approach. As long as mess is out of sight, I can breathe easily. Unfortunately, this is not a sustainable long-term solution and one which quickly breaks down the minute you need to relocate.
I have to admit that I’m now on my second round of a Marie-style tidy up. The first time round I read the entire book in a day and cleared out at least eight bags of clothes for the charity shop. It was amazing to realise that just by tidying my wardrobe, my head felt lighter and I made space for the new in my life. Weirdly, it wasn’t long after this that I met my future husband. Now I’m not claiming those things are causal (Marie probably would) but I do think that there is something about clearing out the things that no longer brings you joy which enables you to welcome in those things that do. The problem is that I stopped after organising just my clothes and books so I never got my graduation certificate.
So second time round and I am committed to seeing it through. I have followed the KonMari and started with my clothes again. This time, I realised I didn’t actually have much to give away because I really had held on to only those things I truly cherished. But by taking everything out and putting them back in beautifully folded little bundles, I realised that some of my favourite items had been hidden away. I’ve rediscovered about half of my wardrobe and last night I spent untangling necklaces to find one my wonderful grandmother had given me. I shall now wear it with pride.
The thing about Kondo’s advice is that it does a lot of the hard work for you. She tells you exactly what order to tidy in and gives you real inspiration of why the end result will be worth it (because we all know how painful any spring cleaning really is). She takes your hand and walks you through what would otherwise be several unpleasant weeks of chaos in your home. When you start panicking that your kitchen contents are currently all over the floor, she whispers in your ear and reminds you that everything will be ok in the end. Nobody wants a mother figure nagging you to tidy up but Marie makes it your idea, your joy that is being sparked, and ultimately, even though critics argue that her method is overly prescriptive, she is actually making you the boss of tidying up.
Our bedroom is lighter, cleaner and a more relaxing space to sleep in. Reluctant at first, the husband has been prompted to join in and our pantry is now a place where you can actually find that tin of tomatoes without having to squeeze in behind the door. Our Tupperware drawer no longer has boxes without a partner lid and I don’t need to pull out an entire cupboard to access a chopping board.
So yes, it may be obvious stuff but sometimes we need the self-evident pointed out to us. Sometimes you need that kick up the arse to get started. She might not be your cup of tea but if on this dark, cold January (I’m lying, its not cold or dark here but it sounds better this way) and you are feeling low - pick up her book and give it a go. Just don’t throw all your books away. You can never have too many books.