I have experienced the boost in productivity that being organized gives and the distraction that clutter creates. Many times I procrastinate by sorting and filing until it is back in order. I have read many books about organization, but none quite like Marie Kondo’s The life-changing magic of tidying up: the Japanese art of decluttering and organizing.

Direct quotes from the book are in bold.

Start by discarding. Then organize your space, thoroughly, completely and in one go.  …when you put your house in order, you put your affairs and and your past in order, too.

To truly cherish the things that are important to you… Keep only the things that speak to your heart. (that bring you joy)

This is not as hard as it sounds. Most of Kondo’s clients take dozens of bags to the trash or to charity. I have already decided to sell 2 bikes and have donated 6 bags to Good Will and I have just begun. It feels good.

It is about being mindful in your living space.

People have trouble discarding things they could still use (functional value), that contain helpful information (informational value), and that have sentimental value (emotional value). When these things are hard to obtain or replace (rarity), they become even harder to part with.

The best sequence is this: clothes first, then books, papers, komono (misc.), and lastly, momentos.

I am not strictly following this order because Sarah Harriet is helping me. She is concentrating on my komono and I am going through clothes. She advises thanking the clothes you are discarding for their service. It feels a little weird at first, and oddly enough, it makes it easier to let them go. My goal is to finish the process by the end of the year, thus making room for new adventures in 2016.

The question of what you want to own is actually the question of how you want to live your life.

Life becomes far easier once you know that things will still work out even if you are lacking something.

As for you, pour your time and passion into what brings you the most joy, your mission in life.