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Netflix series ‘Tidying up with Marie Kondo’ teaches more than folding clothes
Japanese organizing consultant Marie Kondo, author of the best-selling book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing, has helped many people to reorganize their homes.
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“I love mess!” says Japanese organizing consultant Marie Kondo repeatedly in the Netflix original series Tidying up with Marie Kondo.
Since cleaning is not everyone's cup of tea, many consider Marie to be a life-saver. The author of best-selling book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing has helped many people to reorganize their homes.
In the series, Marie assists her clients in reorganizing their houses and helps them move forward in life. In each episode, viewers can learn several techniques, such as how to fold clothes upright, store kitchen utensils by size, categorize photographs and, one of the least enjoyable things to do, sort through papers.
Marie does not own a magic wand, but she has a simple message to help everyone in decluttering their homes, “Keep items that spark joy”.
— Netflix US (@netflix) January 10, 2019
Reactions to her techniques have made the rounds on social media, with some finding her methods effective.
Cleaned out a five storey dresser by using Marie Kondo's folding method. Downsized from 2 1/2 to 1 1/2 dressers of clothes. Now I have room for the TV rack I want to buy.
— Jessica (Asu) (@eemas91) January 11, 2019
I use the Marie Kondo method when fold clothes at the dorm and I gotta say that it's freakin convenient man
— sugoi-tan (@melowdwama) January 11, 2019
*Watches one episode of tidying up with marie kondo* pic.twitter.com/flnQThebpD
— Sam (@Lighthammer_) January 11, 2019
Read also: Five Netflix shows to kick-start 2019
Others have poked fun at her techniques.
According to @MarieKondo I only need to keep things that “spark joy” in my life. For 2019, I’ll do just that.
Including the people around me.
— Sanif Olek (@sanifoo) January 11, 2019
*Marie Kondo scrolling Whatsapp*
"Does this group spark joy?"
— 💎🌜 (@keinesasih) January 10, 2019
After spending several days watching the series, here are some of my takeaways from the show.
Set goals and a timeline
In the series, viewers can see that Marie’s clients actually take several weeks to finish organizing their homes.
Decluttering a house can be stressful and one might want to stop in the middle of the process. Since you may not have Marie to keep you on track, it’s important to set goals and a timeline.
As long as you’re committed, everything is doable and you might find yourself happily rolling your carpets when all is said and done.
Drawers are key
Many assume that clothes hangers are the best tools when it comes to keeping your clothes organized. But Marie shows us that drawers and boxes are a viable alternative.
In the series, Marie suggests using drawers to store your clothes, cables or even kitchen utensils.
Once you master her techniques of folding, you can basically store everything in drawers. If you don’t have drawers, fret not, as Marie shows that you can also use shoe boxes.
Everyone has their own kryptonite
Tidying up with Marie Kondo features people from different backgrounds. Each has their own soft spot; one loves Christmas decorations, others find it hard to organize their books and papers.
It does not matter what your kryptonite is, so long as you repeat the mantra, "Keep items that spark joy”. (wng)
