Sooner or later, the cluttered, clunky, chaotic reality of life defeats everyone, even a minimalism maximalist like Marie Kondo. Quiet as it’s kempt, it turns out the being tidy is a lot easier before life intervenes and starts messing with you. Kondo made a tidy sum selling her tidying principles, but that was before she had three kids—a subspecies notoriously opposed to cleanliness. The new Kondo Method: “My home is messy, but the way I am spending my time is the right way for me at this time at this stage of my life.” WaPo (Gift Article): Marie Kondo’s life is messier now — and she’s fine with it. If you really want declutter your house, the first thing to get rid of is self-help books. If that doesn’t work, try moving the kids out.