How I Put Marie Kondo’s Book to the Test in My Closet

Want to know if Marie Kondo’s Book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, really works?

Well, I decided to see if there was something Marie Kondo can teach this organizer.

I wanted to know if her way of organizing could really ‘change one’s life’.

Here are my results after organizing my clothes and closet.

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links that I have provided for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

Marie Kondo: A Hands-On Book Review

First, let me say that the book is an easy read.

The minute I began reading it, I was hooked.

Honestly, I read it so quickly because I couldn’t wait to start organizing.

I wanted to see if it was true that her methods could change my life.

So, without giving too much away, you can expect that you will have to do some purging.

In my house, I am forever purging my stuff but it turns out that I have been doing it wrong.

Yes, there is a method for doing it right.

Once you purge, Marie Kondo then shows you how to properly tidy what is left of your items.

Again, I didn’t think I needed advice on this but I was so wrong.

Now I wish I can say that I followed her book to a tee but there were some things I did not follow just because I felt my method made a little more sense to me.

Bring On the Marie Kondo Magic

Now for the life-changing part.

The author talks about all the different ways tidying up will help change your life and I have to say that I have seen some of these changes take place in my own home.

This includes the money I have saved.

When I went through the purging stage I found so many clothes that I had purchased “on clearance” and never wore.

Because most of it was from Kohl’s, I had no trouble returning these items.

I ended up with $88.97.

Not only did I save, but I learned something about myself.

I learned that I was purchasing things because they were bargains and not because I really wanted them.

So now I have started to become more aware of my purchases.

When I was completely done with the purging of my clothes, I ended up with bags and bags of stuff that I donated to charity.

What I Didn’t Like About the Book

Despite the fact that I did like the book, I was a little disappointed that there wasn’t anything about how to tidy children’s things.

I also wished she had written about other household items like linens.

Another complaint I have is that the book has no photos or pictures especially when it comes to folding things.

I found myself rereading parts and hoping I was doing it right.

My sister who also bought this book recently told me that Marie Kondo just came out with another book that provides pictures and goes over other household items.

Update

I did purchase her second book, “Spark Joy: An Illustrated Master Class on the Art of Organizing and Tidying Up.”

In it, there are illustrations and she does talk about other household items.

My suggestion is to purchase both books using the second one as a reference as you go through the first book.

Also, since writing this post, I have put Kondo’s method to use around my home. 

• Click here to read how I Kon-Mari’d and organized my small bathroom.
• Click here to read how I Kon-Mari’d and organized my linen closet.

So readers, if organizing is one of your goals, then these books will help you get there.