The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing

In the final chapter, Kondō blends anecdotal evidence, spiritual philosophy, and motivational psychology to convey the transformative effects of the KonMari method. The author begins by describing how her early love of organizing spaces was fulfilled in primary school when she volunteered for the role of classroom tidier. Eventually, she realized that she could turn her passion into a profession. The author claims that the tidying process similarly prompts her clients to discover their vocation or purpose. For example, a client who worked in IT realized that all the books she had chosen to keep were about social welfare. During the tidying process, she also recalled how much she once enjoyed babysitting. Consequently, the client quit her job and launched a babysitting company. While anecdotal, this example illustrates how decluttering may prompt reflection on values and passions, catalyzing a lifestyle change.

Kondō asserts that her method changes her clients’ lives dramatically in part because the process builds confidence in one’s own judgment. Furthermore, many clients lose weight and look healthier after completing the KonMari method. The author suggests that decluttering reduces dust and cleanses the air while also prompting an inner “detox” of body and mind. Additionally, a tidy home allows one to focus on a healthier lifestyle, which often includes more exercise.