Clean, organize, clean, repeat!
What do we need to know about The magic of Tiding Up?
Is there any truth to the book “The life-changing Magic Of Tiding Up”?
My girlfriend Stacia found this book about the magic of tiding up at Costco. She shared with me that she had gone through her closets previous to reading this book and had gotten rid of a lot of things. Then she read the book and decided to try Marie Kondo’s method.
She started the first step of discarding by gathering similar items together in one room. She started with tops and as instructed in the book she held each piece of clothing in her hands, asking herself if it made her feel happy.
If it did, she kept it,
and if not,
it went into the discard pile.
She was amazed how large the pile of tops she was discarding was, especially considering she had just sorted them weeks ago.
Like most people, I feel if I was better organized then my home and desk would be cleaner. So I organize and I clean, just to do it again a few months later. I decided to get the book, in the hope that some of the Magic Of Tiding Up would rub off on me.
What I learn about the Magic Of Tidying Up
1. We should be choosing what we want to keep, not what we want to get rid of.
When we are focused on what to discard, we forget to cherish the things that we love and want to keep. The moment you start to focus on “how” to choose what to through away, you veered off course.
2. Organize by Category, NOT by Room.
Always think in terms of category, not place, as we often store similar things in multiple areas. The first step to the Magic Of Tiding Up is to collect everything that falls into one category. Search every room! Then bring everything in that category into the same room and spread them out.
3. Start with a category you know will be easy to get rid of.
The degree of difficulty increases if you start with mementos or items you attach a functional or emotional value too. Start with items that are easier to make decisions about, like clothing, then work toward the harder categories when your decision-making skills will be perfected.
4. Create subcategories, like tops, pants, jackets, to make the task less daunting.
5. Ask Yourself, does it Spark Joy?
Marie Kondo’s selection criterion is simple: “Does it spark joy?” If the answer is no, get rid of it.
Hold each item, one at a time, in your hands and ask yourself, “Does it spark joy?”
When you touch each item, your body will react differently to each item.
If it does, keep it.
If it does not, get rid of it.
6. You must finish discarding first before you organize.
There are only two tasks to tidying- discarding and putting those things that bring you joy away.
Failure to completely finish the process of discarding before you put things away is the one reason many people do not make permanent progress.
7. The best way to organize your drawers and closets.
- Fold your clothes so that they stand up vertically.
- The key is to store things standing up rather than laid flat.
- Organize the contents of your drawers so you can see every item at a glance, just as you can see the spines of books on a bookshelf.
- To store clothes standing up, they must be made very compact, which results in more folds.
- Every piece of clothing has a “sweet spot”, which will depend on the type of material and size of clothing.
- Fold thin, soft material more tightly and thick, fluffy material less.
Arranging Clothes
- Arrange the clothes in your closet so they rise to the right. Heavy items on the left side and light items on the right.
- Heavy items include those with length, made from heavier material and those dark in color.
- Organize by category, coats would be far left, then dresses, jackets, pants, shirts and blouses.
- Organize the clothes in each category from heavy to light.
8. Downgrading Clothing to “Lounge Wear” is Taboo.
Don’t justify keeping something you do not like just because you think you can repurpose it as a pajama top. If you never liked wearing it out of the house, why would you want to wear it at all?
When you come across an item that you bought by never use or wear, examine why you bought it.
Say for example you bought a top and you never wear it as you do not like the fit or the color. You probably no longer buy clothes in the color or style so it actually has fulfilled an important function- it taught you what does not suit you.
Tell it “Thank you for teaching me what does not suit me” and put it in the discard pile.
9. Don’t keep gifts out of guilt.
After the joy of the gift-giving moment is through, you can donate the gift without guilt. It has served its purpose.
10. Storage experts are hoarders.
A “clever” storage solution will never really solve anything, it will not make you tidy.
11. The Best way to get your family to buy into The Magic Of Tidying Up.
Getting rid of your own excess of things is the easiest way to get your family to tidy up. If you are annoyed with your family for being untidy, it is usually a sign that you are neglecting to take care of your own space.
When I finished reading the book I looked at the ugly orchard, sitting on my island, that was given to my daughter years ago. It was a gift from an old boyfriend, had never bloomed and the only reason I had kept it was because it was a living thing.
I thought about the Magic Of Tidying Up and knew I did not have to hold it in my hands to know if it gave me joy or not. I threw that sucker out right then!! It felt fabulous!
If you are interested in learning more:
Pinterest Marie Kondo: Keep only those things that speak to your heart
Spark Joy A comprehensive, illustrated manual on how to declutter and organize specific items throughout the house, from kitchen and bathroom items to work-related papers and hobby collections.
