The Life-changing Magic of Tidying Up

It was the first time I walked into the bookstore after wishing and dreaming of doing so. My aim was to get myself a good romance novel. I had no electronic device at the time, so I used more hardcopies. I mostly gave my literature teacher some cash to get me a book until one day she said, "not anymore." She asked me to go to the bookstore myself, advising that the experience was going to be mind-blowing.

I was scared, and my confidence level was very low at the time, but I had to try. One weekend, I dressed up, told my mom I was going to the bookstore (I was probably seventeen and hadn't gotten to the University yet). On hearing "bookstore," she was excited and let me go without too much questioning, even though I had glistened my lips with gloss. I hurried to the store, swaying slightly on my feet as I walked through the sidewalk with my money folded and held tight in my hand. I was excited and anxious.

On reaching the store, it stood with all its might in front of me, majestic, glorious, a place filled with knowledge. I pushed the door, and the bell behind it jingled. From the interior, I could tell the bookstore was an old one. There was this slightly musty scent, which I found very pleasing. I was suddenly snapped out of my fascination when I noticed bulging eyes piercing at me. I hurried to her desk and told her my reason for being at her bookstore. She pointed in a direction which I followed and began my search for a good novel, which was the primary reason for my being there.

I moved from aisle to aisle, but all the novels I found looked boring to me. Suddenly, I got to another aisle, and somehow, someone had fixed a book on a shelf that wasn't its category. I pulled the book out and whispered its title, "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up." The name stuck, and I found it interesting. Intrigued by the title, I checked the price tag on it, and it was the exact amount I had walked into the store with. After some heated, mind arguments, I walked to the counter, paid for it, and left.

I didn't read that book until my first year at the university after moving out from my parents' home. It was one of the days I was trying to put things in order, and I found it. That's where I sat to read half of it.

Here's a little review of the book just in case you may want to get it.

"The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up" was written by Marie Kondo. It is a book on minimalism and decluttering. Kondo, a Japanese organizing consultant, introduces her unique KonMari method, which focuses on keeping only the items that spark joy in your life and letting go of the rest. Her approach to tidying up is as much about transforming your mindset as it is about tidying your physical space. It is known for its practical and actionable advice. It inspired me to reevaluate my belongings and live a simpler, more intentional life.

After reading this book, I became intentional about almost everything I do with my life, space, and time. It was a worthy read. I don't have the book anymore because my friend came to my house, borrowed it, and to this day, she hasn't returned it. This week's prompt just made me remember the book, and I'm definitely going back to her for it because such books are gold and should not be lost for any reason.

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