I don’t think I’ve read a comic book since I was a kid.
The Life-Changing Manga of Tidying Up: A Magical Story
was just published and, the last of a trilogy, it makes a great gift and an indulgent read (see Entertainment Weekly’s review).
Marie Kondo | konmari.com
If you haven’t heard of the “KonMari” method of “tidying,” you’ve either been living under a rock — or a pile of your own mess. Don’t worry, I was too—there’s not enough time to fix everything in our busy lives…or so I thought.
Then I started with my clothes and my skepticism on a lunch break. Zing! Zapped by KonMari’s wand! Freshened wardrobe and a fresh attitude.
Marie Kondo’s first book,
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing
had me at hello, with the curious title. Life-changing? MAGIC? Was this another cleaning book by a fanatic? I considered the “global phenomena” buzz…
- 7 million copies sold, in 40 languages, since 2014
- Time magazine named Kondo to “100 most influential people of 2015”
- Smartphone app
- Training certified consultants, worldwide
- Featured by Ellen, Today, the Wall Street Journal, Vogue, Tim Ferris, CBS news
CBSnews.com, 3/19/17
Her follow-up book,
Spark Joy: An Illustrated Master Class on the Art of Organizing and Tidying Up
was an impulsive YES buy, as again, the title resonated. The litmus test to keep only items that “spark joy” aligns with my philosophy to let delight inform one’s path. “Follow your bliss” indeed!
- Tackle categories, not rooms
- Verticality: make everything stand up
- Arrange in uplifting order: dark/heavy (on left) to light (on right)
konmari.com
Manga are Japanese comics
Like much of the world, I became so enthusiastic about KonMari organization that, even though there’s isn’t much else to learn beyond her first two books, I bought the latest “manga” version. Might be good reminders in shorthand form.
A fast read, it was delightful: Story! Pictures! A positive change! This was my wheelhouse.
Marie Kondo | illustrations by Yuko Uramoto | Penguin Random House
Original source: KonMari Media, with permission to reprint as appeared at ew.com
- A lighthearted romantic B-story, behind the instruction
- G-rated content for all ages
- How-to illustrations of folding and arrangement, leap literacy and language barriers
I’ve since passed my comic-book copy to my kids. One had already grasped the surprising pleasure of folding, and can now get dressed with ease. She is likely to be most eager.
The second daughter, who only sees her clothing pile as a waiting chore, may need a nudge. A millennial love connection might help the cause.
As we hunt for better ways of modern living, simplifying calms the chaos of too much stuff. Visual peace quiets a busy mind. Priorities can shine through.
I swear it can change your outlook, and as Marie Kondo suggests, your behavior will follow.
Read something you do have time for, and enjoy the process. KonMari tidying cuts through all the other organization books, revealing an inspiring philosophy in the quest for improvement.
May your joy surround you at home, so you carry it into the world.
Related Posts:
