Diane’s review of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing > Likes and Comments
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Really?!? What a bunch of crap this book is.
Very well done. I'll be staying far away from this book!
It's possible to take from it the bits that work though, without losing your mind to it. A lot of her advice works for a lot of people, without taking from her advice the idea we need to thank our knickers!
What a great review! I haven't laughed like that in a long time. Well worth the read, and I will bypass the book. Well done.
My underwear refuses to stand up on its own. Does the book give hints on how to train it? I can say that my carrot peeler does bring me much joy, for which I'm grateful. It doesn't make me as joyful as my Danish dough whisk, but that one doesn't get used nearly as much.
I'm feeling your pain and wish I had read your review before purchasing this book!
Hilarious! You make it sound quite entertaining!
I am currently reading this and find some parts charming, some parts useful and some parts anxiety-provoking--particularly the advice to discard/organize in a specific timeframe and a specific order. I got a kick out of your review and can understand why you feel this way about the book. Very funny!!!
yes, it's terrible to be respectful of your belongings. If that happened to me it would certainly ruin my life. Also... if I read a book and don't like an idea an author gives, I do feel pretty free to "discard" it. As for beige underwear, you could get some nicer skivvies that make you happy to wear them.
Ahh Amy, thinking your sense of humor got lost in the drawer with my beige underwear.
Oh my gosh, I laughed so hard at this :) Even though I actually liked the book...your review is spot-on.
P.S. you forgot about drying your shampoo bottles and soap and putting them away after each shower--my favorite part!
Hilarious! I think I must run from this book. I can't handle the stress of feeling all my "stuff's emotions".
Oh yeah? Thanks Kendall. How could I have forgotten that???
Ha! Awesome review. So funny! I'm reading the book now and you are so right.
I just heard about this book and your review is the only one I read. I laughed so hard at it that I'm now not sure if I should read the book or not. I think we have similar senses of humor so I might read it for the laugh!
Very funny review!!! (although I really enjoyed this book as a more theoretical application.)
I have enough trouble decluttering. I think I'll skip this one.
This is the best review ever! I contemplated reading this book for a moment and then I read your review and one other. Both fabulously written and both incredibly funny! I see the merit in consciously thinking about how something I use has made my life easier. I think I'd be inclined to put things away better if I took the time to recognize the role things have in my happiness, but personifying them to the point of talking to them and basically giving them personalities puts this concept squarely in the crazy territory.
This is the best review ever! I contemplated reading this book for a moment and then I read your review and one other. Both fabulously written and both incredibly funny! I see the merit in consciously thinking about how something I use has made my life easier. I think I'd be inclined to put things away better if I took the time to recognize the role things have in my happiness, but personifying them to the point of talking to them and basically giving them personalities puts this concept squarely in the crazy territory.
I'm enjoying the book but I also enjoyed your review.
I'm enjoying the book but I also enjoyed your review.
Your review had me laughing out loud. The book's promising title almost had me making a mad dash to Amazon.com. Luckily you save me. I had no idea that my rolled socks are in agony and my Tupperware is tormented. I don't think I will be able to look at myself in the mirror understanding the harm I am doing. And although your review has brought this into my consciousness and may cause me a bit of tossing and turning this evening, I believe I will be able to sleep better than you, my poor dear.
Your review had me laughing out loud. The book's promising title almost had me making a mad dash to Amazon.com. Luckily you save me. I had no idea that my rolled socks are in agony and my Tupperware is tormented. I don't think I will be able to look at myself in the mirror understanding the harm I am doing. And although your review has brought this into my consciousness and may cause me a bit of tossing and turning this evening, I believe I will be able to sleep better than you, my poor dear.
Classic review - I have literally been crying with laughter - thank you for starting off my day so brilliantly. I was considering this book but it sounds as if my life is too busy to start doing the things she recommends. I think I need a bit of chaos in my life anyway - it wouldn't seem normal otherwise!
Thanks for the comment. I almost added it to my "I want to read" list.
I listened to the book while gardening. By the end, I had heard the word "tidy" so many times it started sounding like "duty" which is incredibly funny to my kids because it sounds like, well you know. These reviews and comments however, do *spark* joy.
loved this review..I needed a good laugh before bedtime, and will steer clear of this book
SO PERFECT. Well, thank you for saving my life. My first thought, other than I would never do this in a million years, is who would have time to actually do all of this. My second, of course, is who would want to. There are so many more things to do other than clean and organize stuff. Like idk, read a book, lying sideways on a couch or loves seat piled with unfolded clean clothes. Ahhh, perfect.
Laughing so hard I'm crying! Hubby and dog think I've lost it. Your review is hilarious!
I laughed so hard that my husband and dog woke up.
I laughed so hard that my husband and dog woke up.
Thank you for the belly laugh! I think I'll stick with my tried-and-true method of "at the end of the season, if I haven't worn it, donate it", and for books, clear out any book I haven't "touched, thanked or thought about" in the last year and donate it to the church charity book sale - I can live with that!
Susan
I also got a good laugh from this review, as I recently read the book. However, while we in the US find much in the book hilarious, I think many of the things Kondo wrote about are typical in the Japanese culture (such as attributing feelings to objects). I don't personally know much about that culture and have never been to Japan, but I have a feeling that something gets lost in translation with books such as this.
Thank you for a great review. I have been avoiding this book and now I know why.
OH Diana, you nailed it! I LOVE your review! I am laughing so hard I am crying! I am half-way through this book and I have come to the conclusion that the chick that wrote it is severely disturbed. She "cleans her room" so much, I'm surprised she has one possession left. The only thing I want to thank my clothes for is staying on the hangar crammed into my closet. I too, have gained weight reading this book...why is that? But I dutifully thanked each meal before I ate it. Anyway, time to ush and thank my "Enter" key.
I think you should title your review "I hate the word joy." All around me (former) friends are succumbing to the tidying virus of this book like pod people. I hope to stay immune, because I don't want to hate that lovely word.
Thanks for the hilarious review. I'm just reading this book and find myself laughing at it while at the same time besotted with it. I've gone mad, clearly. Time to stop abusing my socks.
Thanks for the hilarious review. I'm just reading this book and find myself laughing at it while at the same time besotted with it. I've gone mad, clearly. Time to stop abusing my socks.
After reading Diane's review I'm not sure I can get past the first page. I think I will make the book become a "coffee table" book. Do you think it will become offended?
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Jan 17, 2015 10:50AM
Really?!? What a bunch of crap this book is.
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Very well done. I'll be staying far away from this book!
It's possible to take from it the bits that work though, without losing your mind to it. A lot of her advice works for a lot of people, without taking from her advice the idea we need to thank our knickers!
What a great review! I haven't laughed like that in a long time. Well worth the read, and I will bypass the book. Well done.
My underwear refuses to stand up on its own. Does the book give hints on how to train it? I can say that my carrot peeler does bring me much joy, for which I'm grateful. It doesn't make me as joyful as my Danish dough whisk, but that one doesn't get used nearly as much.
I'm feeling your pain and wish I had read your review before purchasing this book!
Hilarious! You make it sound quite entertaining!
I am currently reading this and find some parts charming, some parts useful and some parts anxiety-provoking--particularly the advice to discard/organize in a specific timeframe and a specific order. I got a kick out of your review and can understand why you feel this way about the book. Very funny!!!
yes, it's terrible to be respectful of your belongings. If that happened to me it would certainly ruin my life. Also... if I read a book and don't like an idea an author gives, I do feel pretty free to "discard" it. As for beige underwear, you could get some nicer skivvies that make you happy to wear them.
Ahh Amy, thinking your sense of humor got lost in the drawer with my beige underwear.
Oh my gosh, I laughed so hard at this :) Even though I actually liked the book...your review is spot-on. P.S. you forgot about drying your shampoo bottles and soap and putting them away after each shower--my favorite part!
Hilarious! I think I must run from this book. I can't handle the stress of feeling all my "stuff's emotions".
Oh yeah? Thanks Kendall. How could I have forgotten that???
Ha! Awesome review. So funny! I'm reading the book now and you are so right.
I just heard about this book and your review is the only one I read. I laughed so hard at it that I'm now not sure if I should read the book or not. I think we have similar senses of humor so I might read it for the laugh!
Very funny review!!! (although I really enjoyed this book as a more theoretical application.)
I have enough trouble decluttering. I think I'll skip this one.
This is the best review ever! I contemplated reading this book for a moment and then I read your review and one other. Both fabulously written and both incredibly funny! I see the merit in consciously thinking about how something I use has made my life easier. I think I'd be inclined to put things away better if I took the time to recognize the role things have in my happiness, but personifying them to the point of talking to them and basically giving them personalities puts this concept squarely in the crazy territory.
This is the best review ever! I contemplated reading this book for a moment and then I read your review and one other. Both fabulously written and both incredibly funny! I see the merit in consciously thinking about how something I use has made my life easier. I think I'd be inclined to put things away better if I took the time to recognize the role things have in my happiness, but personifying them to the point of talking to them and basically giving them personalities puts this concept squarely in the crazy territory.
I'm enjoying the book but I also enjoyed your review.
I'm enjoying the book but I also enjoyed your review.
Your review had me laughing out loud. The book's promising title almost had me making a mad dash to Amazon.com. Luckily you save me. I had no idea that my rolled socks are in agony and my Tupperware is tormented. I don't think I will be able to look at myself in the mirror understanding the harm I am doing. And although your review has brought this into my consciousness and may cause me a bit of tossing and turning this evening, I believe I will be able to sleep better than you, my poor dear.
Your review had me laughing out loud. The book's promising title almost had me making a mad dash to Amazon.com. Luckily you save me. I had no idea that my rolled socks are in agony and my Tupperware is tormented. I don't think I will be able to look at myself in the mirror understanding the harm I am doing. And although your review has brought this into my consciousness and may cause me a bit of tossing and turning this evening, I believe I will be able to sleep better than you, my poor dear.
Classic review - I have literally been crying with laughter - thank you for starting off my day so brilliantly. I was considering this book but it sounds as if my life is too busy to start doing the things she recommends. I think I need a bit of chaos in my life anyway - it wouldn't seem normal otherwise!
I don't think this is crap at all, although I'm not sure I could do it—or should do it.
Also, I don't mean my comments to belittle or explain away the very real misgivings and criticisms you share here. All valid!
But ...think about a world you could live in where you end the consumerism and acquisitive nature of modern life and instead focus on true materialism, a sense of body and mind together with the things you touch, eat, feel, enjoy every day? Your review reminds me of the Japanese religion that imagines objects have spirits. Your review, even in its negativity, fascinates me. What a unique approach. If you took this SLOWLY and didn't JUDGE yourself for not doing it FAST enough or WELL enough, I think this could lead to more gratitude, more serenity and more mindfulness.
Also, I don't mean my comments to belittle or explain away the very real misgivings and criticisms you share here. All valid!
But ...think about a world you could live in where you end the consumerism and acquisitive nature of modern life and instead focus on true materialism, a sense of body and mind together with the things you touch, eat, feel, enjoy every day? Your review reminds me of the Japanese religion that imagines objects have spirits. Your review, even in its negativity, fascinates me. What a unique approach. If you took this SLOWLY and didn't JUDGE yourself for not doing it FAST enough or WELL enough, I think this could lead to more gratitude, more serenity and more mindfulness.
Thanks for the comment. I almost added it to my "I want to read" list.
I listened to the book while gardening. By the end, I had heard the word "tidy" so many times it started sounding like "duty" which is incredibly funny to my kids because it sounds like, well you know. These reviews and comments however, do *spark* joy.
loved this review..I needed a good laugh before bedtime, and will steer clear of this book
SO PERFECT. Well, thank you for saving my life. My first thought, other than I would never do this in a million years, is who would have time to actually do all of this. My second, of course, is who would want to. There are so many more things to do other than clean and organize stuff. Like idk, read a book, lying sideways on a couch or loves seat piled with unfolded clean clothes. Ahhh, perfect.
Laughing so hard I'm crying! Hubby and dog think I've lost it. Your review is hilarious!
I laughed so hard that my husband and dog woke up.
I laughed so hard that my husband and dog woke up.
Thank you for the belly laugh! I think I'll stick with my tried-and-true method of "at the end of the season, if I haven't worn it, donate it", and for books, clear out any book I haven't "touched, thanked or thought about" in the last year and donate it to the church charity book sale - I can live with that!Susan
I also got a good laugh from this review, as I recently read the book. However, while we in the US find much in the book hilarious, I think many of the things Kondo wrote about are typical in the Japanese culture (such as attributing feelings to objects). I don't personally know much about that culture and have never been to Japan, but I have a feeling that something gets lost in translation with books such as this.
Adherents of the Shinto religion believe objects have spirits. Even if this is not true—as I don't believe in ANY spirits anywhere in anything—I wonder how we might change our interactions with the world around us if we did believe objects have some dignity or spirit or emotion. That's a good thought experiment, and nothing to sneeze at.
Thank you for a great review. I have been avoiding this book and now I know why.
As someone who has lived in Japan and appreciates wabi-sabi and mindfulness, as well as someone who understands the Western monastic concept of treating "all utensils and goods of the monastery as sacred vessels of the altar, aware that nothing is to be neglected" (Rule of Benedict 31.10-11), your review has convinced me this is a book I need to read!
OH Diana, you nailed it! I LOVE your review! I am laughing so hard I am crying! I am half-way through this book and I have come to the conclusion that the chick that wrote it is severely disturbed. She "cleans her room" so much, I'm surprised she has one possession left. The only thing I want to thank my clothes for is staying on the hangar crammed into my closet. I too, have gained weight reading this book...why is that? But I dutifully thanked each meal before I ate it. Anyway, time to ush and thank my "Enter" key.
I think you should title your review "I hate the word joy." All around me (former) friends are succumbing to the tidying virus of this book like pod people. I hope to stay immune, because I don't want to hate that lovely word.
Thanks for the hilarious review. I'm just reading this book and find myself laughing at it while at the same time besotted with it. I've gone mad, clearly. Time to stop abusing my socks.
Thanks for the hilarious review. I'm just reading this book and find myself laughing at it while at the same time besotted with it. I've gone mad, clearly. Time to stop abusing my socks.
After reading Diane's review I'm not sure I can get past the first page. I think I will make the book become a "coffee table" book. Do you think it will become offended?
