Kurashi. La joie est un art de vivre

by Marie Kondō

Débarrassez-vous donc de ce qui vous encombre pour faire place à ce qui vous est cher ! Inspiré d'un concept japonais, le kurashi – qui signifie " mode
de vie " – ce guide améliorera votre quotidien, de votre réveil
à votre coucher.
Posez-vous la question " Cet objet me procure-t-il de la joie ? " et adoptez la méthode, devenue culte, de Marie Kondo pour aménager votre intérieur. Grâce à la visualisation de votre mode de vie idéal, vous sublimerez chaque recoin de votre maison !
Riche de photographies et de conseils inédits, ce guide illustré vous permettra de mesurer la véritable valeur que vous accordez à ce que vous possédez et d'en trouver la juste place. Vous pourrez alors créer un espace serein et propice à votre épanouissement, autant pour travailler ou étudier que pour partager un moment entre amis ou en famille, ou encore se reposer et se détendre. Faites entrer la joie dans votre quotidien et épanouissez-vous !

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Audiobook, Lifestyle, Design, Adult, Philosophy

222 pages, Hardcover

First published November 15, 2022

About the author

Marie Kondo (近藤 麻理恵) is a Japanese organizing consultant and author. Kondo's method of organizing is known as the KonMari Method, and one of the main principles is keeping only possessions which "spark joy."

Kondo's best-seller The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing has been published in more than 30 countries.

She was listed as one of the world's 100 most influential people by Time Magazine in 2015.

Personal website: http://konmari.com/en/
Book website: http://tidyingup.com/
App website: http://konmari-media.com/

Reviews

[ashes ➷ · Rating 5 out of 5]

(I was given a finished copy by the publisher in exchange for an honest review)

A lovely, calming book to flip through and consider as I reorganize my life. Kondo moves from discussing tidying to taking an expansive view of everything that makes up our everyday lives in this delightful followup to her original book.

If you find you’ve run out of time or emotional space, I recommend letting go of something. The trick is to decide what your bottom line is on any given day. In my case, it’s that my children are healthy and happy and that I don’t get worn out.

I've made my thoughts on Marie Kondo pretty clear in my last review, and I think they've honestly only gotten more positive since then: she's open about the need to individualize her advice, she's empathetic, she's creative, she's insightful, and most of all she's genuine and kind. I find that I can never really criticize someone who is being so honest and open about their intentions and whose intentions are so overwhelmingly positive.

...and the book is helpful, too! I bookmarked a bunch of pages for use, and I imagine it'll help a lot of other people who enjoy organizing and/or need help moving forward with living their ideal life. As with many of my favorite advice books, I think this is a great, accessible book for asking some big opening questions or getting a little deeper into reorganizing your life. The hundreds of photos were incredibly helpful in understanding my own aesthetic preferences, and the questions Kondo poses gave me more insight into how I live.

I do, however, talk to the bath as I wipe it dry, saying things like, "That was such a refreshing bath," and "It's amazing how you're always so clean and free from mold."

You can't talk about Marie Kondo without talking about her Shintoism, and I'm going to do it again. I love it. I think there is nothing better than someone talking unabashedly about something they deeply care for, which I know nothing whatsoever about. I may not start talking to my bathtub, and some of Kondo's ideals are different from my own religious beliefs... but I can always incorporate the vibes into my own life my own way. I'm just going to preeempt any possible criticism of Kondo's inclusion of her faith in her writing: it's fucking awesome! And, honestly, I wish I had approached it differently before; so much discussion of Kondo's faith paints it as weird and idiosynchratic, and while some of it's certainly unique to her, that seems like such a myopic way to view practices stemming from larger cultural traditions.

It's difficult to form new habits. But for me, there is one key approach that seems to work: try it every day for ten days. Just like the KonMari principle of tidying, do it thoroughly and completely, in a short period of time.

And then there are RECIPES! Recipes for all her favorite foods! Again, these may not all have been applicable to my lifestyle, but once again not everything is about me. I thought it was WONDERFUL for her to include her personal favorite foods and I'm sure I will try them when the ingredients become more accessible to me.

What I REALLY liked were the worksheets-- though I'm not someone who can bring myself to write in a finished book (especially one as glossy and beautiful as this), I'm confident I'm going to be printing a dozen copies for myself and every one of my friends. It is hard to overstate how incredibly fucking excited I am to fill out worksheets about my ideal day. It's like heroin to me.

If your window happens to look out on a beautiful landscape like the sea, that's wonderful. But even if your bedroom doesn't have a window, or your only view is the building next door, don't worry. Imagine what would give you the greatest pleasure if it was the first thing you saw when you woke up, and then design the interior of your room with that in mind.

If I could ask a next question for Kondo to tackle as she hopefully continues releasing books, I would love to hear her advice for people living in a transitional state: that is to say, anybody who is not living in the place they intend to live for the rest of their life. Particularly in America, I find that most people coming of age about five years ahead of and behind this moment are taking much, much longer to get to a permanent living situation-- if they ever do feel they're there at all. Personally, I'm currently renting a place I may not be able to afford when the rent inevitably rises next year, and if I could afford better, I know exactly where I'd like to live and what I would rent or (imagine!) buy. I know a lot of people who are living with parents before, during, or after college, all hoping to someday Not live with their parents. I know people in wonderful living situations who nonetheless plan to up and move across state lines in the next year.

Right now, my solution has been "pause the Kondoing." It's hard for me to know what I have when it's sprawled across multiple locations (mine and my parents' homes), and it's hard for me to understand my storage space when I'm hoping and praying to get more as soon as possible, but also strongly fearing getting even less. Especially when my shopping drug of choice is books, it's quite difficult to, for example, get rid of books to match my storage space now when 1) my books all spark joy... 2) I would hate to then have to re-buy books if/when I do have the room for them.

I know that Kondo's advice is purposefully malleable: she explicitly states many times that her intention is to focus on current situtions, without moving outside the client's or reader's means, and that it's natural for an individual person's ideal lifestyle to change over time. It's a short leap to "you can and should create your ideal living situation where you are now, even if you're fearing or hoping moving out soon," but I still found myself wanting this addressed just a little more directly all the same. Honestly, if I could pitch a book I wanted Kondo to write at this point, it'd be a KonMari guide for people in situations that can make it all complicated-- poor people, college students, people with five housemates, people with full-time jobs, etc. I love when she gives specific tips and ideas, and I'd love to hear how she'd tackle those differences.

[R]ight from the start, schedule breaks into your day. Even just ten or fifteen minutes makes a difference. [...] Consider what you find most refreshing. A walk around the block? A short meditation? An afternoon espresso?

In short: highly recommend!! I always highly recommend Kondo, and a friend even flipped through this one the second I put it down, just because her bright outlook is so fun to read about. The major advantage of this book is that it's also organized in very brief chapters, so you can pick it up and put it down totally at will. What a joy to read.

[Rina · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I wouldn’t call myself a minimalist, with my tendency to collect beautiful things (my alternative way of saying ‘hoarding’). But, I do like to see my things arranged neatly. This was why I got into Marie Kondo’s KonMari method. When I saw that she was releasing this book, I just had to get my hands on it!

This book is the full-colour, photographs-enhanced edition of the popular KonMari philosophy that was introduced in Marie’s first book, “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up”.

If you have read Marie’s previous books, this one isn’t going to teach you anything new. The main principles of KonMari are rehashed with accompanying photos in this one. The only new practical things you get with the book are some recipes (which do nothing for me) and the worksheets/templates at the back of the book to help you design your ideal mornings, afternoons and evenings (which I do like!)

What the book does well is to encourage you to slow down. Flipping the pages and absorbing the pictures force you to stay in the moment.

I would recommend this book to anyone who wishes to get the summary of the KonMari method without having to read Marie’s entire first book. I’d also recommend checking out this book if you’re in need of a mindfulness anchor, i.e. something to guide you to pay attention to details and slow down.

(Thanks to Pan Macmillan Australia for a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review)

See my bookstagram review.

[Donna Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ms. Kondo is an author who changed the way I live. Her newest book is beautiful to hold, look at, experience. This is definitely a hard-copy-only book. The author expands her concept of “the ideal life,” introduced in The Life-Changing Magic…. I really like the templates in the back of the book which help you envision your ideal life.
While this book wasn’t life-changing and lacked the easy-to-read energetic writing style of the first book, I enjoyed the beauty of it, the recipes, and the templates in the back enough to bump it up to four stars. Ms. Kondo is a mother now and has developed a more relaxed attitude toward life. I actually miss her former, more motivating style.

[Kyle Spishock · Rating 3 out of 5]

New Marie Kondo, new girlfriend. Our room is a mess and I asked her if Marie Kondo would keep any of our clutter. My gf responded: “what do I care? I don’t know her. She’s not my friend.” I will continue to spark joy alone, in silence.

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really calming and beautiful. It perfectly communicated Marie’s message that tidying isn’t about getting rid of all your stuff but rather making sure your living space is reflects the life you want to live.

I like the idea that you do the best with what you have and show gratitude to your belongings and surroundings.

Also this book came with recipes for things like Miso and Spinach with sesame sauce and matcha lattes. That was really cool! I like the included worksheets for creating an ideal morning customized to my needs.

I really enjoyed reading this book.

[Cindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Marie Kondo makes me feel calm. There wasn’t much new in this book as far as text, but it was her first book I’ve seen with multiple photographs. The pictures were of pristine, nearly empty rooms, which is calming, but not especially helpful. The best take-away for me was her suggestion to plan your ideal day, from morning to night, with notes on how to achieve it. (Ex: if you plan to indulge in a hot bath, have your supplies ready).

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Paradoxically, this latest Marie Kondo book contains less text yet has a wider scope than her previous ones. It is an illustrated hardback that can easily be read in an hour, as the structure and content are rather like a lifestyle magazine. I wasn't wild about the interior design pictures, due to the preponderance of white, beige, and grey. On the other hand, Marie's outfits are elegant - I especially like the green wrap cardigan. Rather than contiguous text, the chapters with broad advice are broken up by little Q&A sections and even recipes. (The latter were a surprise.) Scattered amid the main messages are more specific pieces of advice that reminded me of articles, e.g. wipe the soles of shoes, minimise the number of cleaning products you use, and choose natural fibre pyjamas. These definitely contributed to the magazine-esque feeling.

The librarian that issued Kurashi at Home: How to Organize Your Space and Achieve Your Ideal Life to me had already read it and gently cautioned that its advice is more difficult to follow than that of previous books. That's fair, as it suggests asking yourself what your ideal home, ideal lifestyle, and ideal daily routine would be then working towards achieving them. This is inspiring as well as ambitious. The concept of analysing how you spend your time daily and consciously choosing habits that bring joy is very similar here to Happiness by Design: Change What You Do, Not How You Think. It's also sensible in general, while seeming quite overwhelming. Marie Kondo suggests breaking it down into pieces: the morning routine, how you spend evenings, whether the entrance to your home is welcoming, etc.

Despite this, I would have liked greater guidance on the more challenging parts. I'm quite satisfied with my morning routine, as it maximises how late I can sleep in while still retaining an acceptable working pattern. (Until 9:40, in case you were wondering.) My ideal home is much more mysterious. How can I determine what I want my flat to look like, really? I've been trying to decide what colour the living room walls should be for nearly five years and have yet to come up with an answer. My crappy shower makes washing unpleasant, but is it worth replacing when it still works? How to decide?

Nonetheless I am receptive to Marie Kondo's suggestions to make decisions based on consideration of what sparks joy, as I've recently started trying this in daily life. This is intended to be a substitute for basing decision-making on anxiety minimisation, which turns out to be totally ineffective at actually minimising anxiety. Perhaps by thinking more deeply about whether discrete objects, foods, and daily activities spark joy, one can work up to wider lifestyle stuff? For me the challenge is that I'm very good at tidying, because it's fun, but couldn't tell you what my ideal life would be without veering into facetious fantasy (e.g. as a plant-being living in constant mental communion with a vast intelligent forest). My clothes are well-organised yet I don't think anyone would describe me as joyful. While I enjoyed Kurashi at Home: How to Organize Your Space and Achieve Your Ideal Life, it has less substance than Marie Kondo's prior books and is probably not as helpful. Expect the experience to be more like reading a magazine than a book. That said, it did motivate me to finally dust behind the fridge after meaning to for months.

[lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a fluffier restating of her earlier books, but it is inspiring me to get rid of things so it’s worthwhile for that reason.

[Kristina · Rating 1 out of 5]

Lines from this book made it clear that it was written for someone else:

-Are there things in your house gasping for air? Listen closely to what each one is trying to tell you.

-Discover the joy of fermentation.

-I wipe the floor of my entranceway with a well-rung damp rag. (every day!)

-Perhaps your shoes converse with their neighbors, your socks or stockings, while you wearing them. "It sure is hot today," your shoes might say.
"Yes, positively steamy. Hang in there," the socks might respond.
But privately, your shoes must be thinking, "At least you get to freshen up by being washed every time you're worn."
...
That's why I adopted the habit of wiping the soles of my shoes before bed or first thing in the morning when I wipe down my entranceway.

-If you make a habit of wiping the soles of your shoes, you may find that special things happen to you...

-Cleaning the floor is a time for meditation. ... I actually like cleaning the floors, so sometimes I still get down and polish the floor as a form of enjoyable exercise.

-If your home had a personality, what kind of person would it be?

This book didn't spark joy, but it did make me wonder who its intended audience was.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read this author's other books and I love the simplicity in her style and her method. But letting things go is not that simple. Or even that calm. The process takes some getting used to.

There wasn't much new in this one but it did feel more personal as she talked about her own life, her family and her own home. I like that she emphasized change at all the different stages in life. I also liked the emphaisis on being grateful. Overall, she inspires me to want to do better. So 4 stars.

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Non-Fiction book about Organize. I read this book by listening to the audiobook, and I really enjoyed the audiobook. I found a lot of information in this book so interesting. I really enjoyed reading this book. This book was a quick but interesting read.

[Melcat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always been a fan of Marie Kondo, and her famous The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing truly changed my life. I admire her perspective on how letting go of things can lead to a lighter, happier existence simply by organizing your space in a way that, as she famously says, sparks joy for you.

I understand her approach isn’t for everyone, but it feels tailor-made for me. So when I came across her new book I was immediately intrigued and bought it right away. The book is beautifully designed, with lovely photos that complement insightful tips on each area of the home. It’s a wonderful companion to The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.

You can sense that Kondo’s philosophy has matured with her audience, which is refreshing to see. I truly appreciate her work. If you’re interested in minimalism and organizing, I highly recommend exploring Marie Kondo’s books. But keep in mind—it might not be for everyone, and that’s okay!

[Amelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Does it spark joy?"

This is the question Kondo has been asking us to ask ourselves. At first, it was about what we owned. Is it useful? Does it fill you with awe and joy? If not, perhaps it would be better off gifted elsewhere. Now, she's asking us to think about this in terms of our lives and livelihoods. Are our systems working for us? Do we feel good with how our lives are going? Our day-to-day decisions? These are the questions she wants us to think about.

Largely, she also wants us to take pride in our home. Take the time to clean it. Think of all the dirt we track in just in our entryway! Think of all the grime that builds up in our bath! These are not pleasant ideas, these ideas don't spark joy, but they should inspire us to recognize what our house does for us every day. We should thank it in return.

This is a refreshing way to think about where we live. Pride, respect, and gratefulness shine through in Kondo's latest book.

[Kat V · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok the first book was good, the second one was ok, but this is just a grab for money. Disappointing but at least short. 2 stars.

[bookreader_nix · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked how Marie outlined different areas of your life that can be tidied and offering personal highlights and advice on how to do so. I know there's only so much you can write about when it comes to decluttering without becoming robotic or repetitive, but this book did a great job of extending the idea of the KonMari Method to other areas of your life and in specific areas of your home, your job, and relationships.

[Mona · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eine unvergleichliche Melange aus japanischem Kurashi und amerikanischem Geschäftssinn, wie Frau Kondō uns ihren Onlineshop als Wohltätigkeitseinrichtung anpreist, die existiert, um uns Käufer glücklich zu machen. Na ja.

[Temi Panayotova-Kendeva · Rating 2 out of 5]

So boring, considered to even dnf at some point. At least will put you to sleep

[alisonwonderland (Alison) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Last summer my daughter Elisabeth and I listened to Joy at Work: Organizing Your Professional Life during our commutes together. This year we listened to Kurashi at Home. (I also perused a Kindle version to mark some passages and view the photographs.)

I know I need to better implement some of Marie Kondō's methods in my house and my office—and this book gave me a good review—but I especially appreciated the applications beyond "stuff" as Kondō explored the broader concept of "kurashi," or lifestyle.

It was fun listening with Elisabeth for her insights from living in Japan for seven years, including her perspective on the schoolchildren's cleaning of the floors.

From my first introduction to "the life-changing magic of tidying up" seven years ago, I've been of two minds. To much of what Kondō says, I respond, "That's brilliant!" To some, however, I just roll my eyes. I've decided that that's okay.

2023 Summer Reading 6/33

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Skimmed. A lovely book and a refresher of her tidying philosophy extended into daily life. I found I didn’t need to read it word for word as much was redundant from her original book. I liked her gratitude practice, enjoyed hearing about her grandpa (“keep your expression bright and your intestines light,” he said) and am open to learning more about feng shui. The serene photos were very calming (though I did scoff a little at the pristine minimalism of the “office” photos).

[GONZA · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rather repetitive if, like me, you have already read Marie Kondo's previous books. Clearly some useful stuff is there, but it is not enough to deem it a book to keep, as she would say.

Piuttosto ripetitivo se, come me, avete giá letto i precedenti libri di Marie Kondo. Chiaramente qualche cosa utile c'é, ma non é sufficiente per ritenerlo un libro da conservare, come direbbe lei.

[Miss Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

a very beautiful book! i wouldn't say there was much new content here but it served as a reminder and inspiration for me to do some tidying in my living room. i also liked her suggestions on planning out your ideal day. gorgeous photos too

4 stars

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dear god, why. Marie, you have sold out

[Maile Akina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always enjoy a Marie Kondo book to kick off the New Year. You know it’s January bc I’m listening or reading about tidying up. I just love the idea of appreciation of all that we have.

[Nic · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t know if I’ve gotten poorer since reading her other books or if she’s always been this hard to relate to, but some of the lines in this book were distractingly out of touch.

She made multiple comments about her change in lifestyle upon moving to the US - like how it’s common to have a gardener and a house cleaner - and I couldn’t help but think that part of her culture shock upon moving wasn’t just switching countries but also switching tax brackets. So many of the things she casually suggests doing require so much more time and money than the average American has, especially the average American parent.

Also, the section about giving back to your community just rubbed me the wrong way. Somehow her version of giving back to her community is by repackaging her culture to sell to Americans. ????

Finally, a few of her comments about previous clients were uncomfortably judgmental even as if she tried to follow it up by showing how she understood.

This book did not leave me with the calm, warm, and fuzzy feeling of her previous books. I’m going to go rewatch her tv shows in hopes of finding that feeling, but I will not be reading this again.

[Cindy(groundedinreads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you @prhaudio for this complimentary #alc
If you read The Life Changing Magic of Tidying up by Marie Kondo, you will get a refresher on the practice of asking yourself if a possession sparks joy. This was a super quick listen at just under 3 hours. I felt motivated to tackle some areas of my home but not from the mindset that Marie sets up where you try to think of how an object feels. Maybe that will work for some but not me. One thing I took away is that I don’t always have to feel like I need to organize or declutter which is constantly on my mind. 3.5⭐️

[Aeromama · Rating 1 out of 5]

Entertaining: 3/10
Transformational: 2/10

Pretty. And that's about it. If you want pictures of the beautiful interior of a house that nobody lives in, this is it! My life is filled with messy beauty which is far superior to coffee table book spreads.

I love order, which is why I picked this up from the new books shelf at the library. It seems that the target reader is entitled folks who seem not to have to work during their days, but can focus entirely on . . . themselves.

[Arnold · Rating 4 out of 5]

I continue to find Marie Kondo’s minimalistic and logical approach to cleaning/organizing enjoyable and relaxing to read about, and this book adds to the mix a ton of expertly staged photography of aesthetically pleasing spaces. I may not follow or even agree with all of Kondo’s advice, but I love that she’s dedicating so much thought and effort to an organized lifestyle.

[Sean Vaughn McCormick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Initially, I thought this was a money grab as Marie Kondo reiterated ideas and methods I read read in her first two books (The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and Spark Joy) in the form of a beautifully photographed coffee table book.

By the end of reading this book though, I felt uplifted. My husband and I are doing the KonMari method together for the first time in our five years together and we are starting Step 3 (Paper) tomorrow. Kurashi at Home is more than just tidying--it's to help the reader live his or her life with purpose and to find joy in all of it (mostly the home). This is a balance I have not always been the best at striking. In my youth, I was definitely more of an all or nothing kind of guy. IN the last five years or so, I have striven more for balance: knowing that pain makes your appreciate when there is no pain; that thinking too far ahead can be daunting and that to live in the moment (while still mindful of the future) is key.

If you enjoy Marie Kondo's other books or her show on Netflix and need a nudge to help lead a more mindful life, then this book may be the nudge that you need.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marie Kondo has expanded her thoughts on possessions sparking joy and the way one wants to conduct living in a household. Her message is much the same with added pictures framing peaceful arrangements. This is a pretty book to linger over and come away refreshed.

[Avi · Rating 3 out of 5]

As many of the other reviews have mentioned, this book felt like a shorter, diluted version of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing that was partially meant to promote her new company that imports Japanese goods to the U.S. As a person who is not into 'modern' looking homes (Kim K's house distresses me), I was relieved that Kondo clarified to her readers that a house does not need to be spotless and empty of personality to spark joy.

Some tips I liked from the book:
-say good morning to your house every day
-open up your window for a bit every morning to increase air circulation
-drink hot water in the morning to clear your system
-try to make breakfast a calming and pleasant experience
I now realize that most of these tips relate to the morning....I really care about mornings! Onto the rest of the day...
- make a list of people you're grateful for and why
- find a creative outlet that brings you joy
- think consciously (or write down!) the way you spend your days. How could you better spend that time rather than mindlessly scrolling?

Of course, most of these are commonsense, but I still think it's important to be reminded of good habits.

My main criticism of this book is the way Kondo talks about food. Much of her food-specific advice is pretty basic: eat nutritious meals, pay attention to your body's needs, etc. In one part of the book, she mentioned that she kept herself from snacking by announcing it out loud to herself and her kids. Her husband is her snack-monitor...not sure if that arrangement is healthy for everyone 😶. Her advice to keep a scrapbook of desserts and cakes and look at it when you're craving sweets was especially odd. Of course, overindulgence with sweets is not the best for you, but let yourself have that cake once in a while! Authors, especially lifestyle gurus like Kondo, really have to be careful about the way they write about food. You never know what your readers are struggling with and could trigger something by speaking carelessly about diet culture.

All in all, an okay book that was mostly fine!
3 stars!
⭐️⭐️⭐️