Spark Joy: An Illustrated Master Class on the Art of Organizing and Tidying Up (The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up)

I read The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up when it was released in late 2014. I found Marie Kondo's book both useful and charming. I am a somewhat sloppy person. Neither am I a hoarder, however. I found Ms. Kondo's advice useful in tidying up both my bedroom closets and kitchen. I was able to toss a number of clothing items which I had kept from a sense of guilt instead of joy. Similarly, I was able to let go of a number of kitchen appliances to which I had sentimental attachments but no use. Ms. Kondo's childish suggestion to thank my things before letting go was oddly touching and helpful with regard to certain items. I photographed a number of items before releasing them to GoodWill; this gave me an opportunity to acknowledge the memories they generated without retaining the objects themselves (which included a 40 year old blender, some old and hole-ridden t-shirts, and a coffee press which I have not used in over ten years). Ms. Kondo touches on a few of these elements in the introduction of her book as well. Ms. Kondo's new book, Spark Joy, contains further instructions. For example, she provides detailed diagrams explaining how to fold certain clothing items. These are things I wish I would have had when I read the original book. I also enjoyed pictures of organized spaces. There is something attractive about the spartan simplicity of these arrangements, even if they are not for everyone. In the introduction Ms. Kondo highlights that it is good that this book has come later and serves the purpose for aiding those who are in mid-process, whereas those who are just starting may feel overwhelmed. I understand the rationale for not including as many diagrams in the first book, but, I do wish I had it when I was more invested in the process. In the Kindle version of the book, which I got, the first 900 locations (single page showing) is mostly verbal and revisits many of the aspects from her first book. Following this information, there is a “encyclopedia” section that has a large number of diagrams that are very easy to follow; especially with multiple folding techniques for clothing. There are additional paragraphs about specific items, with some pictures, but then the diagrams become less frequent. The abridged information on each section is useful though, and as Ms. Kondo references in her introduction, one can simply turn to the specific area and see what information Ms. Kondo provides for that specific section. There is also a very lovely section on working with others with regards to them being tidy. Ms. Kondo does a good job of helping an individual understand what they can do to help themselves, but still love others who may not have the same draw to being tidy. There is also, within this particular section, a conversation about working children into the process of learning how to fold, which will help them be tidy as well. Must you accept every one of Ms. Kondo's recommendations? I do not think so. For example, Ms. Kondo recommends eliminating extra books. But I am not about to whittle my book collection down to thirty volumes. I find myself going back to certain books again and again, or referring to something I had read years before. But I can still cull out certain books. Nor am I going to rid myself of my file cabinet and all its contents. But I do not need to maintain monthly copies of my cable and water bills, nor do I need to maintain handouts from old seminars. However, a year after reading her original book, I still find myself meditating while I fold clothes and tidy up my drawers, which is truly a bit of life-changing magic. This particular book is a nice addition, giving further insight, reminders, and guidance on the process of creating joy while organizing.

I bought this book on the spur of the moment and I really loved it. I have to add though that I am a fairly orderly and clean person; I am not much of a clutterer and I do love organizing and keeping everything pretty (I'm very Monica -Friends- in that way, minus the extreme obsessiveness) so probably me liking the book would be pretty obvious, but I don't like it only because is a great book on how to keep everything organized and orderly, I liked it so much because is a book that helps you to live your life with joy in every little thing, including the things you own. I read the book in a week, the next day after finishing the book I started the "Tidying process" and something sparked in me. I realized how much joy I found in my things and how much they reflected who I am; but above all is that I managed to let go of many things that didn't sparked me joy anymore and mainly things that were part of my past one way or another. Clothes that I just hanged on to for whatever reason and I just couldn't see myself letting them go. I had some tops from at least 10 years! When I realized that they didn't sparked me joy and remembered the life stages when I did used those clothes I realized that was so long ago that I was someone else enterely, that I had changed, I am another person now and that if didn't spark me joy anymore I had the right to thank them, let go and move on. I cried in a few, because I realized that something in me was changing, that I was leaving the past behind with things, people or situations that I didn't knew I was still hanging on to. I am a firm believer that for cleaning your life your house is the first place you should start. There's a divine rule of reflection as it is said in great wisdom cultures that goes something like this: "as it is inside it is outside, and as it is outside is inside"; so I really think that for changing something within sometimes a change on the outside can be extremely helpful. Marie Kondo does a great job on teaching you how to maximize your space (honestly, didn't knew I could fit in so MUCH in my closet and still have space so it doesn't feel cluttered) and how to create a home filled with joyful things that spark happiness in you every single day. I haven't finished the whole "tidying process", I'm still just finishing clothes (which is the FIRST stage), but I am getting there and every time I open my closet I get and overwhelming and beautiful sense of pride and joy for myself and my life. We are all different and my experience may not be yours, but I do believe that if we open up ourselves to beautiful things happening then the world will make them happen. I advice you that if you buy this book be open to what it can do for you, inside and out, as it is honestly a whole process of introspection of oneself through our own things. And if you do just want a book about maximizing space, cool ways of folding clothes and really enjoying the things you own this book can also fulfill that! Seriously, folding clothes is so much more fun now, more work, but more fun when you know that those are things that SPARK JOY in you (see what I did there? jajaja). Also I bought the kindle version and I think is pretty useful! As it has links throughout the book, index and glossary to very useful sections, so when you are tidying something and need to check out how it was done or how to fold again you just click in the link and you get to the page immediately instead of having to sort through a bunch of pages, so in that sense I definitely recommend the kindle version for ease of use.

Such a great book. I have been in the midst of yet another tidy event and this is such a helpful guide and companion to the process. It goes over aspects a bit more in depth than the first book, and with more specific details on how to get through more complex categories. I’m not done yet but deep in the process. I’d say I’m about 3/4 through. On the surface it looks like my house is emaculate and in order but my storage areas say otherwise. I have managed to get each storage area to hold an entire cashe of a category so I can sort each one thoroughly one by one over the winter. It’s a difficult process since what’s left is mainly family stuff and both my parents have now passed, so I need to do a rather emotional sorting process to get through all the photos and other memorabilia. This book is so helpful since it helps to address how to identify what’s important and how to track joy within oneself so making decisions in the long run you’ll feel good about. As I’ve been through simplistic categories such as clothing, books, and into more challenging like the kitchen and tools, this book is such a helpful reference and when I find myself getting stuck or hung up, I’ll refer to the chapter that matches the category and it will renew my clarity and urge me forward. All that’s left is the real challenging sentimental items and family heirlooms. I’m getting through it and it’s a pretty amazing feeling to literally know everything I own and exactly where it is, completely. To have nothing extraneous is pretty incredible. It feels like freedom. My storage areas slowly are becoming “bento” boxes. To have a sense of ease, peace and joy as I move through my house is indescribable. To be able to find anything and everything within moments is also. Everything has a place and a home it belongs. I highly recommend this book. Start with the first book in the series if you are new to this system. It requires complete dedication to it otherwise you won’t get the benefits. If you do, and it’s actually taken me five years to get to the place I am at and I’m not finished quite yet but I can see the finish line. The feeling is indescribable and the clarity I have about my life and what is most important to me lived from the inside out is priceless. The reality is stuff we own is finite, no matter how much we have. (When my mom died she left five storage units full, so hence, it’s been a process.) It’s amazing how what we have reflects our identity back to us, and our life values, so I find the peace and order, every moment of living and interacting with what I possess and use to be something that makes me happy supports my life goals. It brings a kind of clarity to being alive and being in relationship of harmony that transcends into every other area of one’s life from this. If you are ready for it, this book is essential on that journey.

Mari Kondo's first book covered her method pretty thoroughly, so I wasn't sure whether this one would be worth the purchase. If you aren't sure which to buy first, I would say the first book does a better job of explaining her attitude towards tidying and this book has better practical advice. In a nutshell, the konmari method involves getting rid of anything in your life that doesn't spark joy. Starting with clothes, you go through each item and decide what stays or goes based on whether or not it sparks joy when you hold it. Joy is the only criterion: 'If it makes you happy, then the right choice is to keep it confidently, regardless of what anyone else says.' The illustrations are charming, but there aren't very many of them. The most helpful shows her famous folding method, which is something I didn't understand simply from reading the first book. (Youtube videos helped.) This book has around 10 diagrams for folding dresses, shirts, odd-shaped clothes, camisoles, parkas, etc. Apart from the folding instructions, the other images are simply cute images of rabbits putting things away, a perfectly tidied closet, etc. One of the criticisms of the first book is that it seems geared mostly towards people cleaning up their own mess, and that hasn't changed. For example, the section on handling stuffed animals is talking about your own plushies, not your children's. I wish there were more discussion of handling items belonging to family members and how to inspire them to tidy up too. Family is covered in one small section, and the main advice is simply to set a good example and accept others – easier said than done! Overall this is a fun read but not substantially different from the first book. This book has more explanation of the original advice, but if you understood it the first time around, you may not need it. There is a lot of repetition between the two books. However, it's an enjoyable read and may give you that last bit of motivation to tidy up once and for all. In addition to the extra folding help, it has more specific advice about handling certain types of items such as greeting cards, dishes, photos, etc.

After enjoying her first book 'The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up', I was excited to read this follow up book. I was wondering if this is just going to be repetitive and worth getting, but I went ahead and got it anyway, and really enjoyed it. While it does seem a little bit padded out, (i.e. just over explaining things already covered in the first book with examples) there are some real treasures of inspiration within this book that are not in the first one. She gives more clarification on techniques along with illustrations. In particular I liked the detailed sections on how to arrange closets, exactly how you fold different items, from tops, dresses, skirts to underwear to bags. She also goes into more detail with how to arrange things in the bathroom, kitchen, what to do with miscellaneous stuff. Packing a suitcase efficiently also gets its place in there. I love the positive way she approaches tidying - it is very refreshing and inspiring and appeals to my desire for everything to look beautiful. I think it is a dream for most housewives for their home to be beautiful and clean - with lovely table linens etc. I agree with her, it makes you feel so much better to look around at pretty things or things that bring you joy. She goes to lengths of even removing labels from her laundry detergent bottles or covering with a big bow so it looks nice. Thought it was an interesting thought about the words too - if you have too many books and words in a room it is like they are constantly speaking and creating a noise in the room. That people that remove them or cover them up, find the room is more peaceful after. On the whole I would recommend this book. I really enjoyed it and found it really inspiring and energizing. Marie is so passionate about this and it passes on to her readers.

I didn't love Marie Kondo's first book and wrote a three-star review for it. It was good, but not great, and not brilliantly inspired like it was made out to be in the press and in other reviews (in my opinion). But, there was enough that I liked about it that I thought her second book would be worth a read. I enjoyed this book much more. It's a practical guide to implementing the concepts outlined in the first book. She walks through different areas of the home room by room, discussing how to pare down and organize each one. There's no constant repetition in Spark Joy like in the first book, but there are still plenty of relevant anecdotes to illustrate her points. I also found the guidance to be a little more "mainstream" (e.g., "clear off your kitchen counters when you're done cooking", vs. "empty out your purse every night and store the contents all over the house"), and it covers a much larger area of the house. In the first book, it felt like she was talking about living spaces that consisted of one room, whereas in Spark Joy, she covers an entire house that includes a kitchen, bathrooms, etc. She also discusses how to tidy spaces that include other occupants, like a spouse and children. One of the things I really like about this book is that she covers how to think about items that don't spark joy but are necessary in most households (like a spatula or a flashlight). I would recommend this book over the first one for sure, but I don't know if it would make sense without the context provided by the first book. If you don't want to read both, then it would be a good idea to at least look up the concepts covered in the first book and familiarize yourself with them before reading Spark Joy. Overall, this is one of the best decluttering books I have read, and its strength is in the practical application of the concept of only keeping things that spark joy.

" Spark Joy: An Illustrated Master Class on the Art of Organizing and Tidying Up " is neither a replacement for nor a rehash of " The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing ". It is a companion that underscores the key points of the first book while offering concrete examples of HOW to make the magic happen. It's like having a KonMari support group on your bookshelf. And the illustrations are kawaii - I would expect nothing less, of course! The first book was a lecture hall experience while the second book is a study group/conversation with the author. She shares stories from past clients from many different backgrounds to better underscore that the KonMarie Method works for EVERYONE including families with small children. She also answers many questions on paper that have been asked by clients and fans in an effort to give better insight into the method and how to make it work for you. Kondo-san gives you permission to fail and try again saying "Your house won't blow up!" which is exactly the motivation we sometimes need when we are in the throes of the process and it feels like we'll never see the end of our "tidying festival". I'm about halfway through the entire process and "stalled" on what I like to call the "Komono Dragon", "Spark Joy" was able to help clear the fog that was blocking my progress. You certainly don't NEED "Spark Joy", however if you are stalled or want expert advice, it's an excellent supplement to have on hand. Especially if a particular area of komono is giving you grief. And at the price of a couple of lattes, it's certainly worth the price of admission. One caveat... You MUST first have read "The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up". Think of it as a pre-requisite for this master class.

1/29/16- UPDATE No this isn't to change my stars, if anything I would take one away just because I hate that I wasted the money on both books. That being said, my master bath that I 'kendoed" after reading the first book is still spotless, tidy, easy to clean, clutter free. I have tried many times over the years to reach that zen, and I have to thank her methods for that. What I really wanted to update were the thoughts I've had since reading the book and re-reading my edit, I came to realize I should take my own advice. Although this method is stated as very rigid and needing to be followed to the letter to work, I disagree. I think the author should have provided other options, but at the end of the day you can always make your own. I watched youtube videos of others using this method and I just cannot see myself sitting in the middle of the floor hugging and smelling my clothes to decide if they bring me joy. I'm not a tactile person, I'm more dreamy, as in memories of the things I've done in the clothes affect me much more than hugging them. For instance, the gown that I wore to my step-sons wedding I have hanging in my closet. I wore it again on a cruise with my daughter. I will probably never wear it again, but I won't get rid of it because it means something to me. So in that moment of thinking about that, I completely understood that Spark Joy isn't about what you throw away, it's about what you keep. I just don't need to molest inanimate objects to make that decision. I am now on to my closet, and I came up with an addition to her method that makes sense to me and is saving time as well. I lined up several boxes, one for shirts, one for pants, etc... Since her method suggests starting with socks then moving on to each category, I figured why throw everything in a pile on the floor and sorting at the end when I could sort into categories and knock out a whole step. In addition, you can move the boxes to the side if you don't finish in a day and it minimizes the messy look. Secondly, while I am being careful not to sort as I am getting everything out of the closet, drawers, and storage, there are some things that I pull out and shake my head, "WTF was I thinking??" So I already know that any joy I may have had with that item is long gone. Those things go straight into the trash bag, I don't see the sense in prolonging the feeling of "WTF was I thinking" for a second go around. I'll post pictures of progress, the before ones make me look like I belong on an episode of hoarders (minus the rodents and occasional dead flat animals they find, after all it is just a closet). I will surely be embarrassed to post them, but in the interest of Sparking Joy, or at least a laugh, I will. I just wanted to let those like me who have a different organizational brain that it is okay to vary a bit from her strict rules and have a good outcome and save time in the process! I was prepared to LOVE this book. I read her first book, "The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up" and found it useful, different, reverent, and intriguing. I digress, I found the ideas in it to be all of those things. I enjoyed finding a different method of household organization (or tidying, although as she points out they are two different things.) Her suggestions do not involve three bins marked, "Keep" 'Toss" "Donate", or whatever. I enjoyed reading the first book and it made me want to get busy. Then I saw "Spark Joy", which is touted as an illustrated companion to the first book, and I was eagerly anticipating receiving it. The first thing I noticed about the book was it's size. Its small. Perhaps 5 x 7. but a bit thick. I guess I had expected more of a notebook size? It is touted as "illustrated", and showing exactly how to put what you've learned into practice. So, despite the size, I eagerly flipped through the pages looking for photos. I found very few "illustrated" pages. The illustrations of how to fold clothes, for instance, consisted of crudely drawn items with arrows showing how to fold them into rectangles for the stand up method of storage which she explains in the first book. I'm not an idiot, I can follow written directions, and she explained how to do this in the first book completely. I was looking for photos of someones dresser, a real picture. Or of a closet with the clothes hung to the right, etc. Flipping further, the illustrations were the same crudely drawn photos of things like how to stack your dishes. Even though the book is small and compact, I have to say that the print isn't. It is not large print, but I appreciated that I didn't have to hunt down reading glasses to see the print. Although disappointed in the "illustrations" that my 5 year old granddaughter could have drawn easily, I enjoyed reading the first book so much I thought at least I could look forward to reading this one. I was so disappointed to find that for the most part, it's the first book reworded. There are a few examples of specific clients, but truthfully I became disinterested after the first chapter and just started flipping to try and find the actual "how-to" sections. Those, to me, weren't all that informative. I really appreciate the author's slant on this, and I believe trying this method is very worthwhile. In fact I already did my master bath using her method. After I finished, I was so pleased. But according to the author, you are supposed to sort in categories and go in a specific order. And when you do, you are to get everything in your house that falls into that category (clothes, paper, kimono or junk, etc.) out at one time. Well, for someone that lives in a 12,000 square foot house that just isn't practical. For someone in an apartment, it's perfect. So I feel that her methods could use some alternative suggestions to make them more practical. I don't have small children in my house, but if I did there is no way I could use her method for tidying. I don't see how you could drag everything in a category into the middle of the floor and chase after a baby or keep the kids out of the pile long enough to sort it. I'm not meaning to put down her method, I guess I'm just trying to say that in her perfect world there is no husband that wants nothing to do with the tidying arriving home at 5 placing lunch dishes and clothing and work papers down as he makes his way into the house. And no kids that you have to get to soccer or ballet. There aren't any contingencies in her book for the way real life works. I also think that the whole thanking stuff for being useful is a cultural thing. I get the "Spark Joy" message throughout the book, and I appreciate how it ties into deciding what to keep in your house. But after the first few reminders to thank my objects for their service it got a little old. For instance, thank your shoes at the end of the day. Well, if they had walked to my door, knocked, and asked, "May I be of service to you?" I would be very thankful. But I had to either go to a store or to Amazon to get them, and me spending the money I worked for was thanking them in advance. At the end of the day, the "Spark Joy" method, or "Kendoing" is worthwhile and effective. Either of the books are a good read. Buying both is redundant and pointless. Since in my view both pretty much say the same thing, I guess it's a toss up. I enjoyed reading the first one, this second one not so much, but I think that is due to the fact that it isn't what I expected, and it's a rehash. I would have liked to have had a checklist, notebook type of thing. I would have appreciated actual photos of actual clothes in actual drawers and closets to look at, and a comprehensive list of the order in which to apply the method. I would have preferred practical versus another book to tell me how to talk to the items in my home. Having to write my own notes and flip back and forth feels like school work. I really want to try her method, but like I said her rules are pretty strict if you want to do it correctly and only once. So you have to find a way to make her rules work with your lifestyle. Since this is how the author makes her living, going into people's homes to help get them tidying up, I have a feeling that there are more books in the works and that the lack of specific detail is purposeful. Perhaps she is franchising, and there will be a Kendo consultant in your neighborhood. I fully intend to employ the method in my home, and I'm not sorry I purchased a "Spark Joy" book, just sorry I was suckered into purchasing both of them. In my opinion, the first one was a more enjoyable read than this one. But had I not read it, this one would have been just as enjoyable. Pick one or the other, but purchasing both books is a waste of money. And space.

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!