Spark Joy by Marie Kondo and Cathy Hirano

I should not have listened to an audiobook that has “illustrated” in the title. Although this did go more into some of the order and systems involved in the konmari method, it wasn't as useful as if I'd given it the time to go through a physical copy (ironically enough).

“A visit from a friend, however, changed everything. ‘You were out of toilet paper, so I took out a new one,' she told me casually after using the toilet. I froze. To my chagrin, I realized that I had failed to take storing toilet paper seriously.”

This lady is batshit.

This book gets a 5 star review for the positive changes it brought to my home. I am not much of a self help reader and therefore do not feel qualified to judge this book in any other way. I have employed many ideas from the KonMari Method and am finding these to have made positive affects in our home.

This book is a breath of fresh air. As a gentle parent, the language and philosophy appeals to me. No shaming, just finding what sparks joy for you and weaving it into your life. I've read the Kondo wants us to get rid of all our books and such, but that doesn't hold up in what she writes here. It's really about filling your life with that which brings you the most joy and getting rid of the stuff that gets in its way. That leads to having gratitude for what we have. I see this becoming more rare in what feels like a disposable culture.

The eastern culture views of the feel of material and that they are vessels of spirit are foreign to the western culture here in the United States and many will not understand it. If one substitutes the mysticism for gratitude or appreciation for things, it might be more relatable.

I come away from this book thinking about what brings me joy, how to fill my life with joy, and being grateful for this joy. As a bonus, I get some tips on how to tidy these things up. This one is giving me some things to think about.