HAPPY NEW YEAR!! MAY BLESSINGS AND FORTUNE BE WITH YOU!
Ok, after hiatus for a long long time, finally I get an insight (?) to writing again. And this time is about the book I read lately. Check it out!
Do you know Marie Kondo? Most of people, especially those who have NETFLIX must know her, a Japanese woman who loves tidying anything, I mean, ANYTHING. She knows how to fold any kind of clothes, from t-shirt to the thickest coat. She also known by her quotes about ‘Thing that sparks joy’. I’ve known her since 2019, when I starting to interested in minimalist lifestyle. I was looking articles and videos about ‘How to be minimalist for beginner’, and her TV shows ‘Tidying Up with Marie Kondo’ trailer appeared in one of my search results. I amazed by her skills, how she capable to tidying. After that, I starting do a little research about her. Turns out she launched a book titled ‘Spark Joy: An Illustrated Master Class on the Art of Organizing and Tidying Up (The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up)’ since 2012. I bought the e-book without hesitation, and started to read it on Dec. So this is what I learned after reading the book:
1. Tidying Up ≠ Minimalism
Most of my friends knowing her as the one who taught minimalism, but after I read the book, it turns out that she only taught us about tidying up something. I’ve read a book about minimalism written by Fumio Sazaki, and he said that Marie Kondo is actually only taught us how to tidying. If minimalism principle is only having something that you really need. If you don’t need it, then you don’t have to buy it. And if you have something that only used once in a while (for example: a party dress), you have to get rid of it. Because in minimalism, you only have a thing that you’ll use everyday.
But Marie Kondo is different, she didn’t say anything about functionalism of things etc, she only said that ‘Keep things that sparking joy for you, and keep tidying your things’. So, even if that things don’t have any particular function, if it sparks joy, then you should keep it. How do you know if it sparks joy or not? By touch it, and hug it. You’ll feel the joy and warmth of anything that sparks you joy.
4. Fold your Clothes into Square Shape
Marie Kondo’s book taught me to fold anything (clothes) into a square shape, so you can easily put the clothes without leaving a space. From underwear, shirts, Jackets, pants, socks, and skirts. In her books, she told us how to fold it into a square. But there are some kind of clothes that can’t be fold because of the pattern and the fabric type, such as gown and tux. If you can’t fold it, than simply hang it.
3. BOX, BOX, BOX
For you, who have watched the Marie Kondo TV Shows, you must know that she always told her client to put anything in a box. Yes, literally a box. Because boxes can make tidying up more easier, and it’ll be easier too when you looking for something, because it’s sorted in boxes. So when you tidying your room, make sure you bring boxes, name the box, and put your things there (For example: ‘books’, ‘works’, ‘personal care’, etc). You don’t need to buy box like Marie Kondo use if your budget is low (she sells the box in her website tho. You can check it if you want), you can use shoebox, card box, or anything that shaped like a box.
4. Do Not Force Someone to tidying up if they don’t want to
Sometimes, when we’re starting to tidying up, we’re want anyone, especially those who around us (family, friends, etc) to do something like us. I also want my sister to do same thing like me, because her room is waaaayy messier than mine. But she doesn’t want to do the same thing as me. And it makes me a little sad. But in the books, Kondo said that if someone doesn’t want to tidying up, then don’t. Because if they’re force to do that, then they wouldn’t find any sparks in anything. So focus on yourself first.
As a beginner minimalist, Marie Kondo and Fumio Sazaki’s book are like a bible for me. I still learning about minimalism tho, if you’re also a minimalist, let me know. Maybe we can learn together about minimalism.
Sincerely,
Shirleyuri
