EXCLUSIVE: 'Most people were never taught to tidy’ – Marie Kondo on the 4 crucial tidying mistakes to unlearn, and what to do instead

Marie Kondo in a white linen sleeveless blouse folding clothes on a table. Background shows a mid century wooden sideboard which is tidy and clear of clutter.

There is a saying in Japanese that experience is the best teacher. It's true in most cases, but in my opinion, doesn't apply to tidying. If you don't know how to tidy, you often end up repeating the same mistakes again and again without success.

It wasn't until I started working as a tidying consultant that I realized most people have never learned to tidy up, which is why this task can be so hard to do and maintain. This includes those who have been full-time housewives for a long time, and those who have been interested in tidying up and practicing it.