Tidy Your Space, Tidy Your Life
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up
by Marie Kondo
Self-Help
TL;DR
This book is all about the KonMari method, which is basically a one-time, intense purge of all your belongings. You gotta gather everything by category, hold each item, and ask if it "sparks joy." If it's a "nah," you thank it for its service (lol) and toss it. The goal is to create a permanently tidy space and a clearer mind by only keeping what genuinely makes you happy, forcing you into mindful consumption and respecting your stuff (even the stuff you're about to ditch).
Action Items
Grab 5 random items from your desk or bag. Hold each one. If it doesn't make you go 'yassss,' mentally prepare to yeet it into the donation pile.
Pick one small category, like 'all pens.' Gather every single pen you own from every corner of your house. See how many dead ones you have. It's probably more than you think.
Pick one drawer. Empty it, clean it, and then put things back in a way that makes sense and looks good. No more random junk drawer, you deserve better.
Schedule a 'Big Bang Clean-Up' session for one category this weekend. Block out a solid 4-6 hours in your calendar. No excuses, just pure, unadulterated decluttering.
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Key Chapter
Chapter - Tidying by Category: The Right Order
One of the biggest game-changers in this book is the idea of tidying by category instead of by room. Seriously, it's a mind-fuck. Instead of just cleaning your bedroom, you're supposed to drag every single piece of clothing you own from every closet, drawer, and random floor pile into one giant mountain. This isn't just for kicks; it forces you to confront the sheer, overwhelming volume of stuff you've accumulated. Seeing all your identical black t-shirts in one place makes it way easier to make ruthless decisions and realize you don't need seventeen of them. It's a shock to the system that helps you stop hoarding and actually see what you truly value.
Key Methods and Approaches
The "Does This Slap?" Test
(AKA: The Joy Check)
Description:
Hold every single item you own and ask yourself if it gives you a little happy tingle. If not, it's time for it to go.
Explanation:
Imagine your stuff is on a dating app. If it doesn't make you swipe right with a resounding 'hell yeah,' it's just taking up space in your feed. Your belongings should be like your ride-or-dies, not that random acquaintance you keep bumping into. If it doesn't make your heart do a little jig, it's just dead weight, sucking your energy like a drained phone battery.
Examples:
Holding a shirt: 'Does this make me feel like a main character or a background extra?'
Looking at old concert tickets: 'Does this spark joy or just remind me how old I am?'
That chipped mug: 'Does this bring me joy or just make me feel poor?'
Today's Action:
Grab 5 random items from your desk or bag. Hold each one. If it doesn't make you go 'yassss,' mentally prepare to yeet it into the donation pile.
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