The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up Book Summary - The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up Book explained in key points
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The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up summary

The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing

4.2 (1118 ratings)
14 mins

Brief summary

"The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up" by Marie Kondo is a guide to decluttering and organizing your home, using her KonMari method. This process involves discarding items that do not bring you joy and finding a proper place for everything you keep, resulting in a happier and more peaceful living space.

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    The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up
    Summary of 6 key ideas

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    Key idea 1 of 6

    The first step to achieving your dream lifestyle is visualizing your dream life in your dream space.

    Before you can begin to tidy up, you first need a vision for your ideal life and your living space. Before reading further, take a moment to visualize what that would look like.

    For example, when one of the author’s clients, a woman in her twenties, did this exercise, she confided that she wanted a more “feminine” lifestyle. So she visualized arriving home to find a room free of clutter – as tidy as a hotel suite – with a pink bedspread and an antique lamp.

    Want to see all full key ideas from The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up?

    Key ideas in The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up

    • Introduction

    • 1

      The first step to achieving your dream lifestyle is visualizing your dream life in your dream space.

    • 2

      A tidy home will improve both your body and mind.

    • 3

      Put your past in order and gain clarity about the future you want.

    • 4

      Create a comforting and invigorating environment by surrounding yourself with neatly organized things that make you happy.

    • 5

      You only have to tidy once to make a lasting change in your life.

    • 6

      Though it may be hard, you’re going to have to let some of your belongings go.

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    What is The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up about?

    The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up isn’t just a guide to decluttering, it’s a best seller that’s changed lives in Japan, Europe and the United States. The Wall Street Journal even called Marie Kondo’s Shinto-inspired “KonMari” technique “the cult of tidying up.” Kondo explains in detail the many ways in which your living space affects all aspects of your life, and how you can ensure that each item in it has powerful personal significance. By following her simple yet resonant advice, you can move closer to achieving your dreams.

    The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up Review

    The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up (2014) offers a fresh perspective on decluttering and organizing our living spaces. Here's why this book is worth reading:

    • Practical and actionable techniques make tidying up a simple, achievable task for anyone looking to transform their homes and lives.
    • With its emphasis on creating a joyful living environment, it goes beyond just cleaning and organizing to help us cultivate a happier and more fulfilling life.
    • The book's unique approach to organizing, which involves evaluating the emotional connection to our belongings, keeps the reader engaged and ensures long-lasting results.

    Best quote from The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up

    Order is dependent on the extremely personal values of how a person wants to be.

    —Marie Kondo
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    Who should read The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up?

    • Anyone who dreads cleaning their house
    • Anyone interested in how their surroundings affect their lives
    • Anyone looking for tips on how to be a more effective organizer

    About the Author

    Marie Kondo has spent more than half her life helping people transform their cluttered homes into tidy reflections of their ideal lives. Her professional services and courses are so popular in Japan that people wait three months just to get an appointment. Her books have sold over two million copies and been the subject of a TV movie.

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    The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up FAQs 

    What is the main message of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up?

    The main message of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up is to declutter and organize your life for lasting happiness.

    How long does it take to read The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up?

    The reading time for The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up varies, but it typically takes a few hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up a good book? Is it worth reading?

    The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up is worth reading for its practical advice on decluttering and creating a harmonious living space.

    Who is the author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up?

    The author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up is Marie Kondo.

    What to read after The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up?

    If you're wondering what to read next after The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, here are some recommendations we suggest:
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