Kondo Quotes

The objects you decide to keep, the ones that gave you the spark of joy? Treasure them from now on. When you put things away, you can actually audibly say, 'Hey, thank you for the good work today ... ' By doing so, it becomes easier for you to put the objects away and treasure them, which prolongs the spark of joy environment. ~ Marie Kondo

If you've tied them up, start by undoing the knot! Lay the toes one on top of the other and fold the stocking in half lengthwise. Then fold it into thirds, making sure that the toes are inside, not outside, and that the waistband protrudes slightly at the top. Finally, roll the stocking up toward the waistband. If the waistband is on the outside when you finish, you've done it right. Fold knee-high stockings the same way. With thicker material, such as tights, it is easier to roll if you fold them in half rather than in thirds. The point is that the stocking should be firm and stable when you've finished, much like a sushi roll. When you store the stockings in your drawer, arrange them on end so that the swirl is visible. ~ Marie Kondo

My basic principle for sorting papers is to throw them all away. My clients are stunned when I say this, bu there is nothing more annoying than papers. After all, they will never inspire joy, no matter how carefully you keep them. ~ Marie Kondo

We live in this moment. Who you are now is more important than memories of your past. Be good to yourself.

It is so hard to let go of things that once brought us joy and are filled with precious memories. It feels like we are losing the memories along with them. But that is not the case. Memories that are truly precious will never be forgotten, even if we discard an item associated with them.

What really matters is not the past but the person we have now become, thanks to those past experiences. We should use our space not for the person we once were, but for our future selves. ~ Marie Kondo

The process of facing and selecting our possessions can be quite painful. It forces us to confront our imperfections and inadequacies and the foolish choices we made in the past. ~ Marie Kondo

Selection criterion: does it spark joy? ~ Marie Kondo

The space in which we live should be for the person we are becoming now, not for the person we were in the past. ~ Marie Kondo

By acknowledging their contribution and letting them go with gratitude, you will be able to truly put the things you own, and your life, in order. ~ Marie Kondo

People with large book collections are almost always diligent learners. ~ Marie Kondo

My head was full of tidying tips, and I had complete, albeit misguided, confidence that I could tidy any place. ~ Marie Kondo

But when we really delve into the reasons for why we can't let something go, there are only two: an attachment to the past or a fear for the future. ~ Marie Kondo

These include coats, suits, jackets, skirts, and dresses. My standard is this: hang any clothes that look like they would be happier hung up, such as those made with soft materials that flutter in the breeze or highly tailored cuts, which protest at being folded. These we should hang willingly. ~ Marie Kondo

The meaning of a photo lies in the excitement and joy you feel when taking it. ~ Marie Kondo

Although not large, the space I live in is graced only with those things that speak to my heart ~ Marie Kondo

not having a space you can call your own is dangerous. Everyone needs a sanctuary. ~ Marie Kondo

In the end, people are unable to discard things either because they are attached to the past or afraid of the future. ~ Marie Kondo

I'd like to tidy up the entire planet. I would go anywhere if there were something that needs tidying. ~ Marie Kondo

people who can't stay tidy can be categorized into just three types: the "can't-throw-it-away" type, the "can't-put-it-back" type, and the "first-two-combined" type. ~ Marie Kondo

Not every person you meet in life will become a close friend or lover. Some you will find hard to get along with or impossible to like. But these people, too, teach you the precious lesson of who you do like, so that you will appreciate those special people even more. ~ Marie Kondo

During the selection process, if you come across something that does not spark joy but that you just can't bring yourself to throw away, stop a moment and ask yourself, "Am I having trouble getting rid of this because of an attachment to the past or because of a fear for the future?" Ask this for every one of these items. As you do so, you'll begin to see a pattern in your ownership of things, a pattern that falls into one of three categories: attachment to the past, desire for stability in the future, or a combination of both. It's important to understand your ownership pattern because it is an expression of the values that guide your life. ~ Marie Kondo

My filing method is extremely simple. I divide them into two categories: papers to be saved and papers that need to be dealt with. Although my policy is to get rid of all papers, these are the only categories I make for those that can't be discarded. ~ Marie Kondo

It is not memories but the person we have become because of those past experiences that we should treasure. This is the lesson these keepsakes teach us when we sort them. The space in which we live should be for the person we are becoming now, not the person we were in the past. P.118 ~ Marie Kondo

Because I was poor at developing bonds of trust with people, I had an unusually strong attachment to things. ~ Marie Kondo

It's true that while instructors and schools offer courses in everything from cooking and how to wear a kimono to yoga and Zen meditation, you'll be hard-pressed to find classes on how to tidy. The general assumption, in Japan at least, is that tidying doesn't need to be taught but rather is picked up naturally. Cooking skills and recipes are passed down as family traditions from grandmother to mother to daughter, yet one never hears of anyone passing on the family secrets of tidying, even within the same household. ~ Marie Kondo

Taking good care of your things leads to taking good care of yourself. ~ Marie Kondo

Once you learn to choose your belongings properly, you will be left with only the amount that fits perfectly in the space you own. ~ Marie Kondo

Quite a few books about decluttering are published in a year. ~ Marie Kondo

In Japan, we say that "words make our reality." The ~ Marie Kondo

When you tidy, you gain a little confidence. You start to believe in the future. Things begin to go more smoothly. The people you meet change. Unexpected things happen in a positive way. Change begins to accelerate. And you begin to really enjoy your life. ~ Marie Kondo

Storage: pursue ultimate simplicity When I first started this business, I assumed that I had to demonstrate my ability to come up with miraculous storage designs - clever solutions that you ~ Marie Kondo

Some people save the boxes for electrical appliances because they think they can get more money for the appliances if they ever sell them. This, however, is a waste. If you consider the rent or mortgage you pay, turning your space into a storage shed for empty boxes costs you more than what you could earn selling an appliance in a box. You don't need to keep them for moving either. You can worry about finding suitable boxes when the time comes. It's a shame to let a boring box take up room in your house just because you might need it someday. ~ Marie Kondo

Success is 90 percent dependent on our mind-set. ~ Marie Kondo

If you haven't done what you intended to do yet, donate or recycle that book. Only by discarding it will you be able to test how passionate you are about that subject. If your feelings don't change after discarding it, then you're fine as is. If you want the book so badly after getting rid of it that you're willing to buy another copy, then buy one - and this time read and study it. Books ~ Marie Kondo

Life truly begins after you have put your house in order. ~ Marie Kondo

Some people save appliance boxes because they think they will get more money for the items if they ever sell them. But if you consider the rent you pay, turning your space into a storage shed for empty boxes, that probably costs you more than you would earn selling an appliance in a box. ~ Marie Kondo

The act of folding is far more than making clothes compact for storage. It is an act of caring, an expression of love and appreciation for the way these clothes support your lifestyle. Therefore, when we fold, we should put our heart into it, thanking our clothes for protecting our bodies. ~ Marie Kondo

The point in deciding specific places to keep things is to designate a spot for every thing. ~ Marie Kondo

We need to show consideration for others by helping them avoid the burden of owning more than they need or can enjoy. ~ Marie Kondo

Tidying is just a tool, not the final destination. The true goal should be to establish the lifestyle you want most once your house has been put in order. ~ Marie Kondo

What is the perfect amount of possessions? I think that most people don't know. If you have lived in Japan or the United States all your life, you have almost certainly been surrounded by far more than you need. This makes it hard for many people to imagine how much they need to live comfortably. As you reduce your belongings through the process of tidying, you will come to a point where you suddenly know how much is just right for you. You will feel it as clearly as if something has clicked inside your head and said, "Ah! This is just the amount I need to live comfortably. This is all I need to be happy. I don't need anything more." The satisfaction that envelops your whole being at that point is palpable. I call this the "just-right click point." Interestingly, once you have passed this point, you'll find that the amount you own never increases. And that is precisely why you will never rebound. ~ Marie Kondo

Marathon tidying produces a heap of garbage. At this stage, the one disaster that can wreak more havoc than an earthquake is the entrance of that recycling expert who goes by the alias of "mother. ~ Marie Kondo

In my case, my size is so small that if I want it but don't buy it, I might miss the opportunity. ~ Marie Kondo

For the first category, clothing, I recommend dividing further into the following subcategories to increase efficiency: Tops (shirts, sweaters, etc.) Bottoms (pants, skirts, etc.) Clothes that should be hung (jackets, coats, suits, etc.) Socks Underwear Bags (handbags, messenger bags, etc.) Accessories (scarves, belts, hats, etc.) Clothes for specific events (swimsuits, kimonos, uniforms, etc.) Shoes ~ Marie Kondo

By starting with the easy things first and leaving the hardest for last, you can gradually hone your decision-making skills, so that by the end, it seems simple. ~ Marie Kondo

The best way to choose what to keep and what to throw away is to take each item in one's hand and ask: "Does this spark joy?" If it does, keep it. If not, dispose of it. This is not only the simplest but also the most accurate yardstick by which to judge. ~ Marie Kondo

People who lack confidence in their judgement lack confidence in themselves ~ Marie Kondo

Storage, after all, is the magical act of finding a home for your belongings. ~ Marie Kondo

About tidying up a toy box, you should let your kids experience the selection process by touching all of their toys. It's also important how they throw away their toys. They can earn a stronger sense of valuing things when they throw things away with respect and appreciation. ~ Marie Kondo

When you stand in front of a wardrobe that has been reorganised so that the clothes rise to the right, you will feel your heart beat faster and the cells in your body buzz with energy. ~ Marie Kondo

The lives of those who tidy thoroughly and completely, in a single shot, are without exception dramatically altered. ~ Marie Kondo

Being messy is not hereditary nor is it related to lack of time. ~ Marie Kondo

Now imagine yourself living in a space that contains only things that spark joy. Isn't this the lifestyle you dream of? ~ Marie Kondo

I have yet to see a house that lacked sufficient storage. The real problem is that we have far more than we need or want. ~ Marie Kondo

Tidying is a way of taking stock that shows us what we really like. The ~ Marie Kondo

First, fold each lengthwise side of the garment toward the center (such as the left-hand, then right-hand, sides of a shirt) and tuck the sleeves in to make a long rectangular shape. It doesn't matter how you fold the sleeves. Next, pick up one short end of the rectangle and fold it toward the other short end. Then fold again, in the same manner, in halves or in thirds. The number of folds should be adjusted so that the folded clothing when standing on edge fits the height of the drawer. This is the basic principle that will ultimately allow your clothes to be stacked on edge, side by side, so that when you pull open your drawer you can see the edge of every item inside. If you find that the end result is the right shape but too loose and floppy to stand up, it's a sign that your way of folding doesn't match the type of clothing. Every piece of clothing has its own "sweet spot" where it feels just right - a ~ Marie Kondo

For books, timing is everything. The moment you first encounter a particular book is the right time to read it. ~ Marie Kondo

Selecting and discarding one's possessions is a continuous process of making decisions based on one's own values. ~ Marie Kondo

The moment you first encounter a particular book is the right time to read it. To avoid missing that moment, I recommend that you keep your collection small. ~ Marie Kondo

(Episode 9. Hijikata finds Gintoki on a rooftop and challenges him to a duel to avenge Kondo's defeat earlier. Gintoki doesn't want to fight him, so breaks Hijikata's sword easily, and leaves. It's then revealed that Okita and Kondo had been watching them clash, from another rooftop.)

Okita Sougou:
"He's an interesting man.
I'd like to cross swords with him, myself."

Kondo:
"Don't bother. He'll kick your ass, Sougou."
"He's the kind of guy fighting another battle far away,
even as a sword swings at his throat."
"Fair or unfair, it doesn't matter to him."

(Not knowing that Kondo & Okita were watching his duel from a high vantage point, Hijikata lights a cigarette and sits back.)

Hijikata (watching the blue sky above him):
"Sorry, Kondo-san. I lost to him, as well ... ~ Kondo Isao - Gintama

As I am both lazy and forgetful, I can't take proper care of too many things. That's why I want to cherish properly the things I love. ~ Marie Kondo

Discard anything that doesn't spark joy. ~ Marie Kondo

I had been so focused on what to discard, on attacking the unwanted obstacles around me, that I had forgotten to cherish the things that I loved, the things I wanted to keep. ~ Marie Kondo

It's going to be labor-intensive and time-consuming, but you need to take all the books down and put them on the floor. Take them down and spread them in one area. Physically pick each book up, one by one. If the book inspires you, keep it. If not, it goes out. That's the standard by which you decide. ~ Marie Kondo

When you come across something that's hard to discard, consider carefully why you have that specific item in the first place. When did you get it and what meaning did it have for you then? Reassess the role it plays in your life. If, for example, you have some clothes that you bought but never wear, examine them one at a time. Where did you buy that particular outfit and why? If you bought it because you thought it looked cool in the shop, it has fulfilled the function of giving you a thrill when you bought it. Then why did you never wear it? Was it because you realized that it didn't suit you when you tried it on at home? If so, and if you no longer buy clothes of the same style or color, it has fulfilled another important function - it has taught you what doesn't suit you. In fact, that particular article of clothing has already completed its role in your life, and you are free to say, "Thank you for giving me joy when I bought you," or "Thank you for teaching me what ~ Marie Kondo

Have gratitude for the things you're discarding. By giving gratitude, you're giving closure to the relationship with that object, and by doing so, it becomes a lot easier to let go. ~ Marie Kondo

You could say that tidying orders the mind while cleaning purifies it. ~ Marie Kondo

it seems to me that people have far more unread books than they once did, ranging from three to more than forty. ~ Marie Kondo

To quietly work away at disposing of your own excess is actually the best way of dealing with a family that doesn't tidy. ~ Marie Kondo

Effective tidying involves only three essential actions. All you need to do is take the time to examine every item you own, decide whether or not you want to keep it, then choose where to put what you keep. Designate a place for each thing. ~ Marie Kondo

Imagine what it would be like to have a bookshelf filled only with books that you really love. Isn't that image spellbinding? For someone who loves books, what greater happiness could there be? ~ Marie Kondo

Keep only those things that speak to your heart. Then take the plunge and discard all the rest. By doing this, you can reset your life and embark on a new lifestyle. ~ Marie Kondo

I did not like being dependent on others, found it hard to trust them, and was very inept at expressing my feelings. ~ Marie Kondo

People have trouble discarding things that they could still use (functional value), that contain helpful information (informational value), and that have sentimental ties (emotional value). When these things are hard to obtain or replace (rarity), they become even harder to part with. ~ Marie Kondo

It is very natural for me to say thank you to the goods that support us. ~ Marie Kondo

I have an image in my mind of what I want, whether it's a light jacket or a one-piece. I can tell if what I want is in the store right away. ~ Marie Kondo

Changing lifestyle habits acquired over many years is often extremely difficult. ~ Marie Kondo

I will only purchase what fits me. If I want to lose weight, I do that first and then go shopping. ~ Marie Kondo

The true purpose of a present is to be received. ~ Marie Kondo

People cannot change their tidying habits without first changing their way of thinking. ~ Marie Kondo

By putting our house in order, we can live in our natural state. We choose those things that bring us joy and cherish what is truly precious in our lives. Nothing can bring greater happiness than to be able to do something as simple and natural as this. ~ Marie Kondo

If you fold your clothes in the formal spark of joy, you can actually make the joy last longer. ~ Marie Kondo

Once you have experienced what it's like to have a truly ordered house, you'll feel your whole world brighten. ~ Marie Kondo

Tidying is the act of confronting yourself; cleaning is the act of confronting nature ~ Marie Kondo

Tops (shirts, sweaters, etc.) Bottoms (pants, skirts, etc.) Clothes that should be hung (jackets, coats, suits, etc.) Socks Underwear Bags (handbags, messenger bags, etc.) Accessories ~ Marie Kondo

The inside of a house or apartment after decluttering has much in common with a Shinto shrine ... a place where there are no unnecessary things, and our thoughts become clear. ~ Marie Kondo

It's important to understand your ownership pattern because it is an expression of the values that guide your life. The question of what you want to own is actually the question of how you want to live your life. ~ Marie Kondo

By now you understand why it is crucial to discard before thinking about where to keep things. ~ Marie Kondo

If you can say without a doubt, "I really like this!" no matter what anyone else says, and if you like yourself for having it, then ignore what other people think. ~ Marie Kondo

Have you ever had the experience where you thought what you were doing was a good thing but later learned that it had hurt someone? At the time, you were totally unconcerned, oblivious to the other person's feelings. This is somewhat similar to the way many of us treat our socks. ~ Marie Kondo

Tidying in the end is just a physical act. The work involved can be broadly divided into two kinds: deciding whether or not to dispose of something and deciding where to put it. If you can do these two things, you can achieve perfection. Objects can be counted. All you need to do is look at each item, one at a time, and decide whether or not to keep it and where to put it. That's all you need to do to complete this job. It is not hard to tidy up perfectly and completely in one fell swoop. In fact, anyone can do it. And if you want to avoid rebound, this is the only way to do it. ~ Marie Kondo

Every object has a different role to play. Not all clothes have come to you to be worn threadbare. It is the same with people. Not every person you meet in life will become a close friend or lover. ~ Marie Kondo

One of my clients, a self-professed "dress fanatic" and successful businesswoman who has a whole closetful of them, calls the dress her "combat uniform. ~ Marie Kondo

To summarise, the secret of success is to tidy in one shot, as quickly and completely as possible, and to start by discarding. ~ Marie Kondo

Your next step is to identify why you want to live like that. Look back over your notes about the kind of lifestyle you want, and think again. Why do you want to do aromatherapy before bed? Why do you want to listen to classical music while doing yoga? If the answers are "because I want to relax before bed," and "I want to do yoga to lose weight," ask yourself why you want to relax and why you want to lose weight. Maybe your answers will be "I don't want to be tired when I go to work the next day," and "I want to lose weight so that I can be more svelte." Ask yourself "Why?" again, for each answer. Repeat this process three to five times for every item. As you continue to explore the reasons behind your ideal lifestyle, you will come to a simple realization. The whole point in ~ Marie Kondo

If you missed your chance to read a particular book, even if it was recommended to you or is one you have been intending to read for ages, this is your chance to let it go. You may have wanted to read it when you bought it, but if you haven't read it by now, the book's purpose was to teach you that you didn't need it. There's no need to finish reading books that you only got halfway through. Their purpose was to be read halfway. So get rid of all those unread books. It ~ Marie Kondo

In fact, to go through life without knowing how to fold is a huge loss. ~ Marie Kondo

others may prefer to go naked in the home and therefore have no loungewear at all. (You'd be surprised at how many fall into this latter category.) ~ Marie Kondo

We amass material things for the same reason that we eat - to satisfy a craving. Buying on impulse and eating and drinking to excess are attempts to alleviate stress. From observing my clients, I have noticed that when they discard excess clothing, their tummies tend to slim down, when they discard books and documents, their minds become clearer, when they reduce the number of cosmetics and tidy up the area around the sink and bath, their complexion tends to become clear and their skin smooth. -p226 ~ Marie Kondo

When it comes to storage, vertical is best. ~ Marie Kondo

The essence of effective storage is this: designate a spot for every last thing you own. ~ Marie Kondo