The biggest problem people have with this book is that they take everything too literally. There have been many suggestions Kondo has made that I wouldn't do, like thank my clothes, but I still understand the reasoning behind it, like respecting yourself by taking care of your clothes, and take away from this book what I can.

I first heard of the KonMari method online and, based on the little that I knew, actually succeeded with a few of her suggestions, mainly: folding clothes vertically and a minor version of the "spark joy" disposal method. A few months in and I my clothes are still in great order and my room is as organized as it could be considering the renovations going on - and all this before I even read the book. The main point that someone should take away from this book is that you need to change your mindset about how your live your life, what to truly value, and why you need to practice some common sense.

I wish Kondo stressed donating more throughout the book, but it was still mentioned at various times. I just felt like the imagery of dozens of garbage bags wouldn't sit well with so many people who probably keep things around because it would be a waste to throw them out. At least with donating or gifting, which she does mention but doesn't stress, that would help with the disposal methods. That being said, she does use a lot of common sense - that many people don't have - when it comes to choosing what to keep and more importantly what we choose to surround ourselves with. Keeping things around to use "one day" is a great way to accumulate clutter and that's exactly the problem that most people have, the other being that they don't value what they put in their homes - or choose to still hold on to. I would be as extreme with memories as she suggests, but it is still important to think about why you choose to hold on to the things that you do.

I love how Kondo peppers the book with memories of herself as a kid. It's great to see where the passion to tidy comes from, and more so why other methods don't work as seen through her own trials. Stories about her clients are great, too, as we can see what she's dealt with and why her method worked for them when others did not. I could have done without all the pushy selling about how her method is great, why I should try it, and why she's had no rebounds, though. I don't need to be sold to - I did buy the book, after all.

It was hard to hear about how to deal with books, but I understand that it's a great place to start (after clothing, that is) since it's easier to understand how to use her method with something a bit less personal. I wouldn't practice that part of her method personally, but she does point out some great things like getting rid of books on your backlog because if you didn't read the book when you bought it there's probably a reason for it and you might keep it there for a long time - if not forever. It definitely teaches you what to value when buying books in the future, though. Buy what sparks joy at that moment and read it right then otherwise it's lost its moment and won't mean as much to you if you ever do get around to it.

With books as well as with other items, one great thing to take away from the KonMari method is that you shouldn't feel guilty about eliminating items from your house. Throwing these things out teaches you something about yourself, like why the item didn't work for you, and that holding on to things for various reasons that don't bring you happiness is the best way to clutter your home and make your life worse.

Mindfulness is the one thing to take away from this book. There's so much I could talk about, like things that I wouldn't personally practice, but it's a whole other experience to see what the method is about and why she suggests these things - especially doing things at a marathon pace. Actually using your brain to declutter your home and prevent it from rebounding (like being particular about what you spend your money on and what you choose to have in your home) is something that everyone should practice and this is the kind of book that everyone who has problems organizing their lives needs to read. There's one section in the book where Kondo describes what her routine is when she comes home then ends the segment with how long it took her to go through all the things people probably would complain about not having time for. Guess what? It only took a couple of minutes. That segment alone should tell people that there is enough time to maintain a peaceful house and life - and the only thing that prevents you is your own excuses.

I won't follow everything in this book to a T, but there is so much I was able to take away from the KonMari method even before I read the book. I don't see myself ever stopping the clothing storage method that she suggests simply because of how easy it is to maintain and how much I've changed in making time for my clothes - and my items - when I'm done with them. How could I wear clothes or use items that I don't respect enough to store properly and pretend that I respect myself by neglecting them? There is so much that everyone can learn from this book even if you don't practice any of the methods. This is simply about changing your perspective, and more important realizing that you are the problem of your own untidiness - nobody else.

Great approach to a lifelong tidy home. The method is effective and has lasted in my home for the last six months. My home has never been this organized!! Will certainly change your outlook on how to clean.

Great resource and new approach to trying to declutter your home. Teaches you to look at your belongings in a new way. Quick read.