The Magic of Tidying - The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up

 

The Life-Changing Magic of Tiding Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo

 

I was introduced to The Life-Changing Magic of Tiding Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo by the librarian at my neighborhood public library, which I frequent weekly. 

The title appeared more than interesting enough. I was determined to find out how tidying up could become a magical experience. From the very beginning, the author, Marie Kondo, states that her method of tidying, which she calls The KonMari Method is so contagious and effective, that after one totally revamps her home and office, she will never be surrounded by clutter again. Though that was a tall promise, it intrigued me the same.

The KonMari Method focuses mostly on decluttering and organizing.  Her position is that a person can clean her home from top to bottom, but if she does not also declutter and organize, that person will find herself living in a state of disarray in a matter of weeks.

Her method: A complete overhaul approach, where one discards anything that is not useful, needed or loved, then put in order what remains, from the way food is categorized in the kitchen cabinets, to how cleaning supplies are assembled beneath the sink, and to the way clothes are folded in the dresser drawer.

As I am only five months in since revamping my home and desk at work, utilizing the KonMari Method, it’s too early to tell if her system is truly long-lasting, but I can’t wait to find out.

Brooklyn Weaver is a book reviewer for Publishers' Weekly.

Why Plan B Is My Super Power

Why Plan B Is My Super Power

It was not until later in life that I learned of the powers of having a Plan B in place.  I had heard many celebrities say that if you have a Plan B, you are allowing the possibility of failure.  I now see things totally different.  Plan B is a Super Power. 

And why is that?

Because, having a Plan B in place is win-win.

If you have a Plan B in place, and your Plan A does not work out, then you are already prepared for that scenario.  And if your Plan A does work out, then that's just as good or better.

But in addition to that, here's why having a Plan Be is so powerful.  Because with few exceptions, having a Plan B in place almost guarantees that your Plan A will pan out.

That’s right.  Sometimes having a Plan B in place almost guarantees that your Plan A will succeed. Sometimes this is true.

Having a Plan B in place can work for small things and for big things.

Not too long ago, my friends and I ordered food from a new restaurant that used one of those delivery services and because I have had so many issues with such services as Uber Eats, etc., I told everyone, “let's figure out what we will do if the delivery guy fails to show for whatever reason.  What will we eat?” I shared with them, “just having a Plan B in place would almost guarantee that Plan A will be a success.

And, I was right.  The food was delivered on time, without incident.

I theorize that the reason so many things work in your favor when you have a Plan B in place is because having a Plan B is a form of surrender.  You are not attached to things working out a certain way and once that happens, I believe you emit a different type of energy into the world and things just seem to work out.

The next time you have your heart set on something working in your favor, say, being approved for loan, being accepted into a certain school or be proposed to by that special someone, put a Plan B in place. Say to yourself, if such-and-such does not happen, I will _______________.  And then sit back and watch how the very thing that you wanted to happen, will happen. 

 You don't believe me?

 Test it for yourself.

Brooklyn Weaver is an author, free-lance writer and book reviewer for Publishers Weekly. She lives in Oak Park, Illinois.