Yes, I know this is not a craft book or a work of literature, and there’s no Jewish content here. But I present these two books here in the interest of spring cleaning and renewal.
I’d heard about Marie Kondo first from writer pals and while I don’t agree with everything I read, it got me to tidy up my desk space, my dining room table, my kitchen, and two drawers in the dresser. I also went out and bought silk flowers and put them into a Kosher for Passover Gold’s Horseradish jar. Yesterday I bought baskets to place over the toilet tank for toilet paper.
Using the illustrations from the companion volume, Spark Joy, I now have a new way of folding that makes more efficient use of space. I don’t agree with Kondo’s recommendation of placing bookshelves inside a closet. She has 30 books. I have more like 5,000. But I will be more mindful of what books I buy. For example, I got these two Kondo books from my local library.
The bottom line? More energy and creative flow and a sense of control over my chaotic life.
One drawback: I’m so used to working in chaos that with a tidy desk, I feel stymied. I’ll get used to it.
The Whole Megillah 
HI Barbara, I, too, fell under Marie Kondo’s spell. Then all her simplicity strategies became another huge project and I got overwhelmed. There were some good takeaways, though. I’m more cognizant of bring more stuff into my large home filled with stuff of three kids and more. I found it fascinating to read about Kondo’s early obsession with order and tidying. I guess it’s an example of turning mild OCD into a lifestyle and business.
Thanks, Evelyn. I could see how it could get overwhelming. You make a great point about turning OCD into a profit-making asset. I do like the idea of reducing acquisitions. The older I get, the more I find I need less stuff.