Why does it feel like people comment on things without even a cursory exposure to the central ideas. And if there is exposure, there’s certainly no demonstrated comprehension.

That’s not why it works. It works because Kondo provides a robust algorithm that works pretty darn well for 99.9% of inputs.

She breaks things down into approachable steps.

She provides an order of operations rooted in an understanding of human psychology: start with the easy things first. Then, move to harder things. Don’t exhaust yourself mentally. Don’t burn up your willpower at the beginning of the project.

She provides routines and ways of making decision making that preserve willpower and help you to avoid the trap of overthinking things.

Marie Kondo is an architect and engineer and psychologist and artist. This is her power.