If there ever was a more appropriate time for Tokyo-based celebrity organizing consultant Marie Kondo to release a new book on tidying up, it would be right about now—which she just did.
Her new book Spark Joy arrived in bookstores just this week (no word yet if it’s already available locally) and already, our inner hoarders are quivering with fear. The book’s title is based on a controversial method outlined in her breakout bestseller The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, which was released in 2014 and inspired countless fanatics, devotees, and glowing think pieces (along with its fair share of critics and naysayers).
Marie’s system for getting rid of the unnecessary clutter in our lives is simple: Pick up an item and ask yourself if it sparks joy. If not, throw it away or donate it to charity.
It sounds simple, but it has many readers up in arms, especially when it comes to her view on books: Once you’ve read them, let go. Even worse: If they’ve been sitting on your shelf, unread, for years, toss them.
Obviously, this approach is not a one-size-fits-all solution, which is why Spark Joy was created as an illustrated companion to The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. In it are detailed instructions and pictures that guide readers on things like the specifics of Marie’s basic folding method, as seen in this teaser:
According to Crown Publishing Group, Marie’s publisher, the book contains “guidance on specific categories like kitchen tools, cleaning supplies, hobby goods, digital photos, and answers to frequently asked questions like whether to keep ‘necessary’ items that may not bring you joy.”
In other words, hold your tongues, haters. Marie is the cleaning fairy the world needs right now—just let her work her magic on you already!
[Bustle]
Photo courtesy of Instagram