Chapter 1: Why can't I keep my house in order?

The first subtitle is, "You can't tidy if you never learned how" (Kondo, p. 10). This section goes on to discuss that Kondo is asked if people actually need lessons in being tidy. We in Extension know that yes, people do need lessons. Being tidy is just is one facet of maintaining a healthy home.

Let's create a dramatic change Let's apply the KonMarie method! Kondo basically encourages putting the home together "in one fell swoop. ( in Japanese, the term is ikki ni, or 'in one go.'" Changing habits will require a change in thinking. She argues that this change in thinking can evolve from a dramatic change in the home environment. Kondo states that we should aim for perfection.

Storage experts are hoarders
My favorite part of Chapter 1: "A booby trap lies within the term storage." Have you ever cleverly stored items, only to be forgotten and surprised at the contents at a later date? Maybe, like Kondo, you then realized that you didn't need the items. Before deciding where to put an item, Kondo argues that first, one must identify if the item is REALLY wanted.

My own booby trap
I have a china cabinet that belonged to my grandmother. I do not even recall how it came to be in my possession. It's in the front hall of my house. I don't have room for it.

China cabinet in the hallway

The china cabinet is jammed full of things that are rarely or never used. For example, we received these candlesticks as a wedding gift 15 years ago. Used a handful of times. Out of sight, out of mind.

Bottles, bowls, upside down porcelain baby, teacups, saucers, and who knows what else

The problem with the china cabinet is that it is heavy with emotion. My grandmother died a very untimely death. Later in the book, Kondo talks about those items that are sentimental. I have contacted my Dad to let him know that I no longer want the cabinet. We are coming up with a solution that suits both of us.

Sort by category, not by location
In terms of the rest of the home, where to begin? Kondo suggests tiding by type of item, not by place. For example, tidy all of the clothes, then books, etc. etc. Regardless, of the type of item, tiding must begin with discarding. 

Make tidying a special event, not a daily chore
Kondo also believes that tiding should not be done every day. Instead, tidying should be done just once. This is the big discard event. We are still responsible for "daily tidying," that is, using something and then putting it back.

Kondo states that she does not tidy her room as it is already tidy. "Although not large, the space I live in is graced with only those things that speak to my heart. My lifestyle brings me joy. Wouldn't you like to live this way, too? It's easy, once you know how to truly put your house in order" (Kondo, p. 31).

Until next week! Please meet me at Chapter 2.

Reference: Kondo, M. (2014). The life-changing magic of tidying up. Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed Press.