Messy? The joy of leaving your shit all over the place
F*uck!
Did I just step on something? 😤
Inspired by Pinterest mood boards and Mari Kondo folding tutorials, so many of us started to dream of houses that look more like film sets than real homes. Perfectly arranged pillows sit royally next to a blossoming army of exotic plants, uncluttered kitchen surfaces shine brighter than the morning sun, and there we are right in the middle of it! Shiningly happy, gloriously healthy, sipping organic green coffee, resplendent in this perfect picture of taste, wealth and beauty … ok, time to wake up!
Let’s stop right here, and return to reality.
Back to a place, where washed and unwashed clothes happily mingle on a chair until you can’t smell the difference anymore, where dishes pile up in the sink dangerously resembling the Leaning Tower of Pisa. A place, where your rather ordinary plants have committed suicide a long time ago, and you, in the middle of it, trying to find a clean spoon to eat your reheated dinner from last night while yelling at your roommate / partner / dead plant for no particular reason.
Do you really want to read another book about how to de-clutter, minimise, and be ‘organised in 10 minutes a day’? No? Then pick up “The joy of leaving your shit all over the place”, and get comfy - if you find some empty space! 😅
Only 126 pages and structured in six chapters, ‘TJOLYSAOTP’, is what devoted fans are calling their new bible. A super fun, easy read, inspiring us to “break free from the bonds of tidiness and triumph over the boring forces of uniformity.”
Screw you Marie Kondo!
Written as a parody against “The Life-Changing Magic Of Tidying Up” that became an international bestseller by advising its readers to throw away everything “that doesn’t spark joy”, Canadian author Jennifer McCartney argues that we would rather 'en-joy' life than feel guilty about a messy bedroom. Little sketches, quotes and quizzes (such as ‘Are you too neat?’, ‘Find your holiday clutter style’ or “Are you a ‘messy’ or a hoarder?’) make it even more worthwhile (and also force you to erase your answers before lending the book to someone else).
McCartney’s way of writing is sharp, sometimes over-the-top, but always entertaining - and if you read it with a glass of wine, you will go from a little giggle here and there to laughing hysterically in literally no time.
This book is a must-read, must-have, must-gift.
Hence, “The Joy of leaving your shit all over the place” is a great present for (1) your mum, alleging that she was wrong all these years, (2) for your complaining husband or roommate, gift-wrapped and ready to handover when chairs become throw-at-closets again, or for (3) any other friend, who enjoys the occasional once-in-two-months-I-dont-feel-like-an-adult-and-therefore-clean-the-house-and-get-a-new-haircut-because-I-own-my-life-tidiness that lasts exactly for two days.
Welcome back, good old messy comfort zone! Let’s celebrate our inner and outer chaos, as here we can be our unpretentious selves. And boy! Does that feel good. 🤗
Groovy, baby!
So now that you know better😉, don’t fret too much about your mess, press play, and bob your head joyfully into Wednesday. These lovely chill-reggae-vibes from Grenoble will show you the way! Thanks to my friend Param for sharing such nice music with us. 🌱
With love from Goa,
Isabelle 🌿
Cover picture sketched by Keir
