Every once in awhile a book enters your life at the right time and makes all the difference. In 2015, Marie Kondo called to me during a date night at Barnes and Noble and she’s been my shoulder angel ever since.

Why The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing?

Marie Kondo’s methods (also called KonMari for short) take tidying to a whole new level.

The gist: Tidy in one big go around, organized by category, rather than physical space. This allows you to see how much stuff you really have (warning: it can be shocking!). Do it all in one fell swoop and change how you see your home.

Here are a few of my favorite takeaways:

  • Question why you have so much stuff: Ask yourself why you are attached to an item. Is it a longing for the past or fear for the future? Ultimately, does that item spark joy in your heart? If not, let it go and free yourself.
  • Make your home a sacred space: Surround yourself with things you love – things that spark joy and add meaning to your life. Respect those things and treat them well.
  • See things for what they’re worth: The #KonMari method allows you to know exactly what you own and what you need. Owning and buying things is a much better experience. In our fast-paced consumerism-driven world, this is a true gift.

Take the leap.

You may think it’s dramatic to call this life-changing, but I can attest that it impacted my life, my home, and how I view the things I own. It has moved me closer to how I want to live and made me a more conscious consumer. Now that’s a good book.

Learn more and buy the book here.