Spark Joy: An Illustrated Guide to the Japanese Art of Tidying (Vermilion)

I have just finished reading this wonderful book, and ran over here to leave a few lines: so far there are only two other reviews, and, at 2 and 3 stars, they make me wonder if the reviewers have read the same book as I did!?! My 5 stars are given with no reservation! I am currently in the midst of my 'tidying festival' and even though, sprinkled throughout 'Spark Joy', almost all the ideas in 'The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying' are reiterated, I found that not only I needed the repetition of those very good principles for them to sink in, but that I also wouldn't have had half the confidence and the enthusiasm for tidying that l have now, having read it. That is because this book also contains a wealth of detail and practical advice, real life examples of different situations, questions and outcomes related to tidying, and very moving accounts from the author's own life. There is a lot of needed clarification on storage, and a step by step run through the categories, plus lots of insight into the timeless principles that underpin the KonMari approach. The illustrations are in a very cute Japanese style, and while they are particularly informative when it comes to showing the proper ways of folding clothing etc, I think their purpose is mainly to 'spark joy' and enthusiasm, and less to be scientific diagrams (which seems to be what the other reviewers might have been mistakenly expecting?). The whole point of the KonMari method is that your tidy home will spark joy for you, as an individual and family, and clearly that is not something that can be achieved by slavishly following technical illustrations and prescriptions. This book is a beautiful object in itself, lovely to look at and to hold, in a sweet small format, with beautiful binding (the photo here does it no justice), and nice, easy to read font and layout. The contents are practical, interesting, funny, heartwarming, profoundly inspirational, and represent a maturing of Marie Kondo's approach to tidying. I think it will be of particular use to people who have just made the decision to KonMari their house, or who are in the middle of tidying already. To me it has given fresh enthusiasm and practical knowledge, it has answered many questions, and it has saved me lots of time, effort, and false starts by the clarification of many points I was confused about, and by making me think about things that hadn't even occurred to me before. I know I will be re-reading it as I go, and again later with family and friends. I'm already talking about it to everyone I know. Happy tidying!

Presented as a perfect, smooth, rectangle, this beautiful book is a joy in itself, as one might imagine it would be. I ordered my copy after listening to Marie on Woman's Hour recently, and from reading about her in the press. Online, there are various videos of her explaining her tried and trusted methods of folding and storing, which I found truly helpful, watching them while trying them out. Don't get over excited about this 'illustrated' version though, the illustrations are rudimentary, childlike sketches with little rabbits adorning them, pencil drawings. Yes they are helpful and I rather wish they had all been in one go to section instead of scatter untidily (!) through the clothes chapter. I had to keep going from page to p age as I taught myself which is why in the end the online demonstrations were more helpful. Having the lovely hardback book in your hand is the beginning of your journey. Open it with reverence. I read it calmly and steadily, her personality is imbued in the pages, her thinking wafts about gently, leading, not lecturing, sweetly encouraging. January was a good time for me to take this seriously, alone in my bedroom, I really taught myself the art of tidying for the first time. My wardrobe is now a pleasure to open, my clothes sorted and displayed in a far better way than ever before, and I am in my sixties. Sensibly Marie says start with the things nearest to your body to interpret the feelings that show us when an item speaks to you or leaves you cold. Taking proper care of possessions and pruning them down, saying goodbye politely to those things that no longer 'Spark Joy' is solid common sense really. However, we post war babies were brought up to make do and mend, keep things in case they come in handy, to just carry on acquiring, hoarding almost, without making room for the new or feeling free to discard gifts and legacies that are loaded with meaning, not always happy. Advice that most impressed and helped me included being given permission to use the best for everyday, china, clothes, special things, previously stowed away for some occasion that never comes. Taking time to consider what is around me all day and the effect it has on my emotions. Being polite and considered, thinking about 'stuff' as it has a little bit of soul to take into account. Having so much more space in my cupboards now my clothes are folded, rolled and stored upright instead in messy heaps and piles. The orderliness really does calm. Instead of constantly thinking about changing Big Things about our lives, using this 'textbook' has altered my everyday way of thinking about apparently small things, to a deeper level than I would have believed 'just a book' could do for me. Thank you Marie Kondo for making a big difference in your friendly, sweet, humble way.

Spark Joy is the companion to Marie Kondo's wonderful book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing . It goes deeper into her ideas behind the KonMari method, and provides lots of how-to hints and tips. The book is divided into three sections. The first section is called KonMari Master Tips and talks about how to figure out what really brings you joy. This section also has lots of tips to help you keep your decluttering momentum going and how to develop the proper mindset. Section two, The tidying encyclopedia, provides detailed instructions on how to fold, store, and discard all sorts of items. This section really is the meat of the book, and is just chocked full of great information. The final section, Life-changing magic, gives tips on how to create spaces that spark joy, as well as the other changes that can happen in your life once you get your clutter under control. If you are a KonMari fan, you will love this book. It contains lots of amazing tips and stories about how KonMari has helped her clients (and herself) find joy, and it has definitely helped spark joy in my life too.

As a die-hard Kondo fan, this book was on my wishlist for a long time. It is a nice hardback with great quality pages. Very impressed with the seller. I have been using it for a year now and no wear and tear of pages. The book itself is more of a guide that shows you how to get the work done (the illustrations are very useful), but with the new Netflix show and hazaar images on Pinterest, you probably don’t need it. The philosophy is not as in depth as her first book, but it makes for a nice guidebook if you prefer having everything in one place vs Pinterest/youtube/netflix tutorials. Please buy only if you have read or heard the first book. (By heard, I mean an audiobook).

Konmari amadurece, revê posições antes mais taxativa e descreve melhor como sugere a arrumação e o descarte dos itens e a classificação em categorias.

This book stunned me. I was a bit cynical at first and then tried out a major throwing out session of the first category: clothes and had three boxes of clothes that I never wear (including shoes). I found the exercise very enjoyable. When I started on the inevitable messy sock drawer, and underwear, the result was astounding. The book said it would change your life. This is a statement that I wonder about. It certainly changed my ideas about my possession and the way I treat them and it most surely altered the way I saw myself, in the sense that if life is about cherishing our clothes and possessions (homes, relationships), it means that we should treasure ourselves and the environment and people too much much more. Also, when looking at my newly organized clothes, what stood out for me was how much I love sparkling things (jewellery, cloths with lurex in them, sequins, etc.) I had never realized this before. For someone else, it may mean an appreciation of gothic, leather, lace, you name it. I'm sitting here typing as one of the major effects of my cleaning out was getting a rather bad cold. I went out to buy her other book which I believe is the first book and that was even better "The Life Changing Magic of Tidying". For those who are wondering, also, you will save money and time too as you discover articles that you might have forgotten. I got dressed so fast the day after I had done my tidying and it is a real joy.

I borrowed her original book on Tidying and glanced through. Once I was convinced it was wroth my time to learn Marie Kondo's way of tidying, I decided to directly buy this book for some practical advice. I am happy with my decision!