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Tidy the F*ck Up: The American Art of Organizing Your Sh*t
Even you can get your sh*t together!Tidy the F*ck Up is a funny, down-to-earth parody of Marie Kondo’s The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, where you’ll be handed the most useful tools for keeping your crap clean and organized without all the pressure. In this book, you’ll discover useful ways to figure out what to do with your sh*tpiles in an approachable, care-free way, and you’ll say farewell to the hair-pulling stress of marathon cleaning. Tossing all your junk in a closet doesn’t make it any less of a clusterf*ck, but approaching it little by little and making use of some helpful hints can do a world of wonders for all your sh*t, the comfort of your space, and your general sanity. With this hilarious guide, you’ll learn how Become a decision-making bad*ssGet rid of the sh*t you don’t need and keep the sh*t you doLive life after a clusterf*ck!And more! With a lighthearted tone that the finest sailors would admire, Tidy the F*ck Up will help you make your house a f*cking home.
192 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 241 reviews
April 14, 2022
4.5 Stars
I quite enjoyed this one! Now, if I can just get rid of more stuff without losing the rest of my mind!!!
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
I quite enjoyed this one! Now, if I can just get rid of more stuff without losing the rest of my mind!!!
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
April 29, 2023
Tell me you're out of touch with modern book lovers without telling me—
Seriously, though, the bit about unhauling books was probably the worst "book decluttering"-specific section I've read in an organization book thus far. "If you wouldn't pay list price, you don't really want it": just because someone can't afford $30 per adult hardcover doesn't mean they don't want to read it. "Of books you've read, you should only keep a few favorites": you severely underestimate how many favorites I have. "People with overcrowded bookshelves are hoarders and pretentious jackasses": no, I just like books! "No bibliophile wants to admit you can put down books you don't like": you mean like me putting down this one? 💀
No, seriously though. I had a lot of issues with this book before this chapter and after this chapter, too. It's repetitive, most of the advice is pretty basic and doesn't offer anything new, and worst of all, the writing skips out on the ability to offer helpful insight because it's too focused on being as sassy as possible. I love a funny, vulgar book as much as anyone else (probably more, tbh), but when you're using it to cover up a lack of depth, it doesn't work.
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Seriously, though, the bit about unhauling books was probably the worst "book decluttering"-specific section I've read in an organization book thus far. "If you wouldn't pay list price, you don't really want it": just because someone can't afford $30 per adult hardcover doesn't mean they don't want to read it. "Of books you've read, you should only keep a few favorites": you severely underestimate how many favorites I have. "People with overcrowded bookshelves are hoarders and pretentious jackasses": no, I just like books! "No bibliophile wants to admit you can put down books you don't like": you mean like me putting down this one? 💀
No, seriously though. I had a lot of issues with this book before this chapter and after this chapter, too. It's repetitive, most of the advice is pretty basic and doesn't offer anything new, and worst of all, the writing skips out on the ability to offer helpful insight because it's too focused on being as sassy as possible. I love a funny, vulgar book as much as anyone else (probably more, tbh), but when you're using it to cover up a lack of depth, it doesn't work.
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November 1, 2019
It is a trend now to have the f-word in the title to come across as more hardcore and serious. I've read a few of these books, some good, some not great. This was a not great book. Obvious advice you can find online blogs or other books about tidying/decluttering. Pretty boring too.
October 20, 2019
Now this was funny. 😹 I read the Marie Kondo book years ago and didn't relate to it at all. I thought it was stupid and that so much of it was completely foreign and that it just didn't apply to the typical American life. However, this book gets it. This author talks like an average American; plain, down to earth and laced with profanity. She's the friend who tells you to just get your shit together. The advice in this book is more practical for an American and you'll laugh and feel comfortable, because it makes sense. So, download an ecopy like I did, so you aren't wasting space and get ready to tidy your garbage dump of a home. :) You'll be glad you did.
April 8, 2020
Probably funny regardless, but having read Marie Kondo's books makes this even more enjoyable. I related to the "f*k it muscle building" much more than the "spark joy muscle building". :)
June 17, 2020
Do you hate adulting? Can you be found wearing a "But first, coffee" tee? Does your ideal day involve doggos and Harry Potter? Did you read a BuzzFeed article about Marie Kondo one time and immediately got mad about how strict and perfectionist she is? Then this book is for you, you annoying millennial stereotype.
I thought that this could be funny, or at least a true parody of Marie Kondo. It was not, unless you think excessive swearing and Marvel movies are funny. The only "parody" elements were the swear words. This book matches Kondo's method and philosophy to a T.. besides replacing the spiritual Shinto element with, you guessed it, swearing. Just read Marie Kondo's book, and get the same advice without being annoyed.
I thought that this could be funny, or at least a true parody of Marie Kondo. It was not, unless you think excessive swearing and Marvel movies are funny. The only "parody" elements were the swear words. This book matches Kondo's method and philosophy to a T.. besides replacing the spiritual Shinto element with, you guessed it, swearing. Just read Marie Kondo's book, and get the same advice without being annoyed.
Read
March 5, 2020This was so much better than the Marie kondo book (which made me actively angry). Apparently the author is also from NJ 🙌🏻, and here, we call it like we see it and get shit done. This is the sort of motivation I wish I'd had the first time I seriously started going through my stuff. Instead, I took away a few good tips from the Other Book but mostly spent time laughing about how shirts have folding sweet spots and a specific way they want to be folded (LOL stop it).
In addition to being no bs advice on how to organize stuff and let go of the rest, this has a lot of random delightful hints. I really like the idea of taking something you really love and displaying it as the standard to judge the rest of your similar stuff against. The thing I love best about any book that includes advice is when the author acknowledges that there isn't one right way for everyone. For example...I love putting books I didn't enjoy into the pile to donate. I have weird taste, and someone else will likely love the books I hate. But the thought of getting rid of all but a few books just doesn't work for me. I'm the kind of person who runs to an old favorite book to read a few chapters when I'm feeling emotions (I have them sometimes stfu). Different emotions call for different books. The thought of not being able to turn to the obscure indie book I own but couldn't find at the library the second I need it makes my anxiety way worse. I'm good about letting go of meh books. I like to reassess often. Most importantly, looking at a huge bookcase full or things I love makes me really happy. And my point is, the author acknowledges that's fine if it's your jam. Books are mine.
It's weird to think I bought a cheap Kindle copy of this book and figured I might not read it...and it turned out to be exactly the sort of pick-me-up I needed to reset my week. I strongly believe most reading slumps are truly life slumps in disguise. This book made me want to pull my head out of my ass and get my shit together...in the absolute best way.
In addition to being no bs advice on how to organize stuff and let go of the rest, this has a lot of random delightful hints. I really like the idea of taking something you really love and displaying it as the standard to judge the rest of your similar stuff against. The thing I love best about any book that includes advice is when the author acknowledges that there isn't one right way for everyone. For example...I love putting books I didn't enjoy into the pile to donate. I have weird taste, and someone else will likely love the books I hate. But the thought of getting rid of all but a few books just doesn't work for me. I'm the kind of person who runs to an old favorite book to read a few chapters when I'm feeling emotions (I have them sometimes stfu). Different emotions call for different books. The thought of not being able to turn to the obscure indie book I own but couldn't find at the library the second I need it makes my anxiety way worse. I'm good about letting go of meh books. I like to reassess often. Most importantly, looking at a huge bookcase full or things I love makes me really happy. And my point is, the author acknowledges that's fine if it's your jam. Books are mine.
It's weird to think I bought a cheap Kindle copy of this book and figured I might not read it...and it turned out to be exactly the sort of pick-me-up I needed to reset my week. I strongly believe most reading slumps are truly life slumps in disguise. This book made me want to pull my head out of my ass and get my shit together...in the absolute best way.
May 25, 2023
I really liked this humorous spin on the Magic of Tidying Up for us non-tidy folks. I was laughing so much I'm going to have to listen to it again to actually apply the lessons. She basically takes you through the same steps as the Magic of Tidying Up author, but in a much more humorous vein. Would you spend $20 to buy that shirt in a store? If not, toss it out! Stop printing stuff. Save files electronically. You get the gist.
5/25 - Still find this book extremely amusing. I need to tidy the f*ck up myself!
5/25 - Still find this book extremely amusing. I need to tidy the f*ck up myself!
February 15, 2022
Really fun, sweary look at home organization. Not a lot of new stuff in it but I liked the way it was presented.
April 12, 2023
This is a fantastic deal, much cheaper than therapy and--if you're ready to change your habits--resulting in the prize of a better living space. I enjoyed the heck out of the writer's prose and specifically her ability to condense down how to tidy into small but informative bites. I was already doing most of this, but I ended up doing more tidying while reading, because I was inspired. I don't know what more a reader could ask of a self-help book.
I also find it hilarious that apparently a few people were put off by the f*s even though it's right there in the title. I'm not sure how that content could've been more clearly foreshadowed.
I also find it hilarious that apparently a few people were put off by the f*s even though it's right there in the title. I'm not sure how that content could've been more clearly foreshadowed.
April 28, 2021
If you aren't a fan of bad language, pass on this one, cuz it is CHOCK FULL.
But if you stick around, this is like getting a pep talk from a friend. There's probably not a lot of decluttering advice here that you don't already know but it's presented in a humorous way that you can read or listen to in just a few hours. So why not. I felt like reading this book was a good use of my time. I like that she uses common sense and makes it seem doable. Also that she doesn't recommend just trashing things. AND that you can even KEEP things that are going to traumatize you to get rid of! (at least for now you can, till you are stronger and don't love the item as much maybe)
I found myself wanting to make flashcards so I'd have reminders of some of her thoughts/prompts.
Such as:
"Do I like it?
Do I need it?
Can it be easily replaced?"
"What's the worst thing that can happen if I toss it?"
Re shopping... "If you still want it in a couple weeks, or months, you can buy it." Gotta be careful of that one, cuz sometimes things aren't there when you go back for them, but also sometimes the desire was temporary and you don't even want it anymore, so that's a win!
"Always try to sell, donate or recycle sh*t before throwing it out."
"Pat yourself on the back."
Note: I listened to the audiobook, read by the author, but when I posted this review, it wasn't an option to choose that edition. The audio was enjoyable!
But if you stick around, this is like getting a pep talk from a friend. There's probably not a lot of decluttering advice here that you don't already know but it's presented in a humorous way that you can read or listen to in just a few hours. So why not. I felt like reading this book was a good use of my time. I like that she uses common sense and makes it seem doable. Also that she doesn't recommend just trashing things. AND that you can even KEEP things that are going to traumatize you to get rid of! (at least for now you can, till you are stronger and don't love the item as much maybe)
I found myself wanting to make flashcards so I'd have reminders of some of her thoughts/prompts.
Such as:
"Do I like it?
Do I need it?
Can it be easily replaced?"
"What's the worst thing that can happen if I toss it?"
Re shopping... "If you still want it in a couple weeks, or months, you can buy it." Gotta be careful of that one, cuz sometimes things aren't there when you go back for them, but also sometimes the desire was temporary and you don't even want it anymore, so that's a win!
"Always try to sell, donate or recycle sh*t before throwing it out."
"Pat yourself on the back."
Note: I listened to the audiobook, read by the author, but when I posted this review, it wasn't an option to choose that edition. The audio was enjoyable!
February 9, 2024
Absolutely recommend as an audiobook. Its short. Comical. Feels like you have a friend sitting next to you as you clean, declutter, tidy etc.
October 26, 2024
When I picked up Tidy the F*ck Up by the author fictitiously known as Messie Condo, I was hoping for a funny, tongue-in-cheek parody of Marie Kondo's The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing, a la what An Apology for the Life of Mrs. Shamela Andrews is to Pamela, but instead I got...yet another book about decluttering with a bunch of curse words thrown in. It's not as if Kondo's book isn't ripe for poking fun at in parts (I mean, the part where she talks about holding every object to see if it sparks joy or the promise that once you declutter with her method, you'll never, ever be messy again are low-hanging fruit), and Kondo's eponymous Container Store collection has since been clearanced out (though the clearancing happened after this book's 2019 publication). So I suppose the main utility of this book is if you're new to the "clean up your life" genre and you prefer books that swear at you.
My statistics:
Book 256 for 2024
Book 1859 cumulatively
My statistics:
Book 256 for 2024
Book 1859 cumulatively
January 8, 2024
Helpful and funny read to start out the new year
September 6, 2020
Nothing too new and unique for ideas. Seems to swing wildly between telling you to not buy anything to buying something. Or telling you not to watch something or sort and then it’s okay to do that. Was hoping for some new ideas or tips.
January 20, 2022
Personally preferred this to Marie Kondo, although ofcorse she is the original inventor of the concept. This was just less mumbo-jumbo, less spiritual, which worked for me.
May 6, 2024
I picked this up hoping for a good laugh, but this book is one that takes itself seriously in giving advice about keeping stuff organized. Like a foul mouthed Marie Kondo. But the funniness is supposed to come from the foul language, but it just didn’t hit for me.
September 11, 2020
Tidy the F*ck Up: The American Art of Organizing Your Sh*t by Messie Condo
Parody/Self-Help
I’m kind of a hoarder. You wouldn’t know it from walking in my house, but look in my garage or my closets and you’ll know. I love to shop and buy stupid stuff online in the middle of the night. I have closets so full I don't even use them anymore. I’ve watched Marie Kondo’s show and her sweet nature didn’t really work for me. Also, dumping all my shit in a pile is a recipe for disaster with me. Tidy the F*ck Up: The American Art of Organizing Your Sh*t by ‘Messie Condo’ is exactly what I need in my life. In fact, I wish she’d move in with me and kick my ass all the time because I’d probably lose weight with her no-bullshit approach as well.
It’s like she lives in my house and knows all my quirks! Over the years when cabinets or closets get too full, I take it all, dump it in a bin, and put it in the garage. Then when the garage got full, we rented a storage unit. We paid $250 a month to literally store GARBAGE.
“If you’re willing to store something several miles away from you, I’m willing to bet you don’t fucking need it in your life.”
My ex-husband was even worse than me. He seems so organized and neat but it’s because he hides his piles of crap in bins, never to be seen again.
“Dumping everything in bins won’t help.”
She’s seen my garage. She knows me. It’s creepy.
“The only “right” way to organize your shit is just to start organizing your shit.”
I look around and I’m so overwhelmed that I don’t know where to start. Messie Condo gives me the swift kick in the ass I need. She calls me out on my bullshit in a language I can relate to: a LOT of ‘fucks’ and ‘shits’.
How many of us have a bin of old cords you “might” need one day? Then when you need a cord, you pop on Amazon and buy a new one? I mean who needs to plow through the bin, untangle all the cords just to see it’s broken or the wrong one? For $6 I can get one tomorrow from Amazon. The time it took me to find and go through that bin is worth more than $6!
It’s the guilt. Being Jewish doesn’t help with the guilt of wasting stuff! Well, Messie covers that too. Donating alleviates guilt, and if your stuff is so crappy it’s not good enough to donate, well….
“Ask yourself three questions: Do I like it? Do I need it? Can I buy a new one if I need to?”
I mean really, what is making me keep that hamburger meat chopper I bought that gets stuck in the drawer all the time and never worked the way it was supposed to? A spatula does just as good of a job. What about all those nice size 12 outfits still in my closet? I haven’t been a size 12 in twelve years. If I ever get that skinny again, I’ll want to celebrate with new clothes!
“Save the sentimental shit for later”
I have bins of schoolwork from my kids. Like 1 bin per grade! It’s ridiculous. I have the program for every single show they’ve been in. With two musician kids, that is a LOT of shows. I will be spending a while doing that, but I will also enjoy the walk back along memory lane.
“A book collection isn’t a resume it’s a love letter.”
OK, maybe the book stuff didn’t really work for me. She says books aren’t trophies, but since she doesn’t talk about SIGNED books (which all of mine are), I’ll ignore the books part, because they kind of are trophies to me!
How often do you say "But I might need it someday"?
“How many fucking pens do you need?”
Aw shit….now she really got me. When she said that line, I heard that horror film music in my head and saw a camera zooming into all my pen hoarding spots around my house. She’s here…she’s watching me.
I can go on and on, but then you’d be missing out on a hysterical journey. I want to buy the hardcover so badly but it goes against all the clutter rules!
Likes:
•It gave very practical advice on organizing while making me laugh.
•She had a no-nonsense ass-kicking approach that totally worked for me.
•She had a checklist at the end of every chapter.
•It felt like she was in my house and knew me!
Dislikes:
•I loved it all! If you don’t like foul language though, this book is not for you.
The Narration:
Natalie Naudus was fabulous as our foul-mouthed guide to cleaning our shit up. I think she made it funnier than just reading it, she had great timing.
The Down & Dirty:
I listened to Tidy The F*ck Up and immediately got the book. Whenever I see my house start to get out of control, I’m coming back to it! This was the first organizing book I have read that actually spoke to me because it spoke my language. A few of my friends have already thanked me for the recommendation, and I will absolutely listen to this again for motivation and plain old fun. I wish she’d write a weight loss book now, maybe she’d be the one to motivate me there too. While Tidy the F*ck Up: The American Art of Organizing Your Sh*t is marketed as a parody of Marie Kondo's book, it's chock-full of down-to-earth, practical advice for hot messes like myself.
Rating: 5 Stars, 5 Narration
Purchase Tidy the F*ck Up: The American Art of Organizing Your Sh*t by Messie Condo
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January 8, 2024
Was it kind of mediocre? Yes.
Did it however motivate me to clear out some stuff? Also yes. Hence the 3 stars.
There's a LOT of swearing here. Being an Australian, it doesn't faze me in and of itself, but it was irritatingly over the top, and the author seemed to be rather patronising. I feel like this book is aimed at a stereotypical "Target Mom" with a penchant for cheap decor, "designer" leggings, cancer-inducing candles and a Starbucks addiction. So not terribly relatable but low key entertaining if you are into the minimalism-lit-as-entertainment genre.
(I kind of hate that it's my first finished book of the year because it's the book equivalent of junk food but I needed something to get me through long stretches of boring computer work.)
Did it however motivate me to clear out some stuff? Also yes. Hence the 3 stars.
There's a LOT of swearing here. Being an Australian, it doesn't faze me in and of itself, but it was irritatingly over the top, and the author seemed to be rather patronising. I feel like this book is aimed at a stereotypical "Target Mom" with a penchant for cheap decor, "designer" leggings, cancer-inducing candles and a Starbucks addiction. So not terribly relatable but low key entertaining if you are into the minimalism-lit-as-entertainment genre.
(I kind of hate that it's my first finished book of the year because it's the book equivalent of junk food but I needed something to get me through long stretches of boring computer work.)
June 11, 2020
This was a more blunt version of The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up. I think that book makes great points about cleaning, decluttering, and organizing, but it never made want to get up and actually do it. At times, that felt a bit too overwhelming.
This book, though, touches on a lot of the same points, but says it in a more practical and blunt way that I could relate to. The narrator (I read this on audiobook) puts things in a way that just click. If you need a little push to get to your spring cleaning, I definitely recommend this book!
This book, though, touches on a lot of the same points, but says it in a more practical and blunt way that I could relate to. The narrator (I read this on audiobook) puts things in a way that just click. If you need a little push to get to your spring cleaning, I definitely recommend this book!
October 19, 2019
In the same vein as Marie Kondo's The Art of Tidying Up, but less strict, more practical, and more than a little profane, which makes it pretty funny. For those who want organizing tips without the woo-woo of Kondo's practice.
December 2, 2020
I thought this was going to be a parody book on Marie kondo. I was pleasantly surprised at how great the advice was in the book, and how much it helped me actually declutter my apartment. I highly recommend this book!
July 21, 2022
Hilarious idea to create a parody and I definitely LOL'd at the genius of the author name "Messie Condo".
I don't know if I could listen to the full book but what I did listen to was funny and on point.
I will highly recommend this book to my coaching clients to just to lighten the mood because there's a lot of guilt and judgment around this topic.
Pairs well with How to Keep House while Drowning by K C Davis for more actual advice combined with compassion for the challenge that is tidying up.
I don't know if I could listen to the full book but what I did listen to was funny and on point.
I will highly recommend this book to my coaching clients to just to lighten the mood because there's a lot of guilt and judgment around this topic.
Pairs well with How to Keep House while Drowning by K C Davis for more actual advice combined with compassion for the challenge that is tidying up.
April 12, 2022
If you don’t mind the occasional swear word, and I don’t, you will enjoy this book and find it helpful. Written in a light and humorous manner you’ll enjoy reading it. But it gives considerable (sassy) information that can help you go from a semi-hoarder to a clean and happy home to go to each night.
August 8, 2024
Thought this would be a parody of Marie Kondo, but it was basically generic organizing advice buried in a barrage of foul language. I'm sure some people find it refreshing and funny, but it just annoyed me. And the crazy comments about dumping any books you will not immediately read?! She clearly misses the joy of anticipating books, whether you read them or not!
September 7, 2020
A hilarious approach to decluttering and getting your space in order. I laughed quite a few times, but it has some great advice as well. It really got me in the right mindset to get cleaning and sorting.
January 30, 2024
This motivated me SO much. Loved listening to this audiobook while I was cleaning/declittering. Loved getting validation that I don’t need to hoard things like generations before us do! Also, loved the bluntness. She makes it seem so easy. Donate the sh*t that doesn’t make you happy. Or throw it away if it’s worn out. The end.
August 19, 2024
I like it - it’s short, practical, to the point. I already did a lot of decluttering this year. And after finishing book I cleaned out another three bags for goodwill (and that was only a start of a new cleaning round).
September 17, 2024
This was a quick, no BS riff on Marie Kondo, and I loved it! Sometimes, self-help books can be way too much, but this was a comedic way of providing practical tips. Now excuse me while I go tidy my room.
November 17, 2024
Read (listened to) after her second book (so wrong order). I preferred the death cleansing one, but still very much appreciated the vibe of this wonderfully sweary motivational permission slip to release yourself from so much junk that encumbers our lives.
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