Shelf Life: New Year, new organized you
Published 8:00 am Wednesday, January 16, 2019
Have you watched “Tidying Up with Marie Kondo” on Netflix yet?
In the show, the decluttering diva shares her “KonMari Method,” where you hold each possession and ask yourself whether it sparks joy. If it doesn’t, thank it for its service and let it go.
The series has sparked a nationwide closet-purging trend since it debuted earlier this month. If you’re jumping on the “let it go” bandwagon, here are some books you might enjoy (personally, I’ll be scouring thrift stores to reap the benefits!).
“The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing,” by Marie Kondo
The book that started it all! Kondo promises that if you properly simplify and organize your home once, you’ll never have to do it again.
“The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Yourself and Your Family from a Lifetime of Clutter,” by Margareta Magnusson
In Sweden, there is a kind of decluttering called “döstädning,” “dö” meaning death and “standing” meaning cleaning. Magnusson instructs readers to embrace minimalism and suggests which possessions you can easily get rid of and which you might want to keep.
“Spark Joy: An Illustrated Master Class on the Art of Organizing and Tidying Up,” by Marie Kondo
A follow-up to Kondon’s first book, this guide provides step-by-step folding illustrations for everything from shirts to socks, plus drawings of perfectly organized drawers and closets.
“Real Life Organizing: Clean and Clutter-Free in 15 Minutes a Day,” by Cassandra Aarssen
Learn how to organize your home, simplify life and have more time for the things you love with organizational expert Cas Aarssen, the guru from YouTube’s ClutterBug channel.
“The Complete Book of Clean: Tips & Techniques for Your Home,” by Toni Hammersley
This foolproof, eco-friendly guide to cleaning your home will help you help keep every area of your home neat and spotless, from establishing routines to making green cleaning solutions.
“Clear the Clutter, Find Happiness: One-Minute Tips for Decluttering and Refreshing Your Home and Your Life,” by Donna Smallin
Organizing expert Smallin shows you how to enjoy the happy, healthy and inviting home you long for with hundreds of time-saving, clutter-busting tips. Her simple and manageable approach helps you focus on the things that will make the biggest difference in the least amount of time.
Jen Pace Dickenson is the youth services librarian for Polk County Public Libraries. For information about the library’s resources, programs and other services, visit polklibrary.org or call 828-894-8721.