Author Jemima Pendergast, first fleet Ascot descendent, admits her book was in fact, inspired by the diminutive Japanese tidying expert. ‘Yes I read her book, and in fact I found it a little underwhelming. The only life changing experience I can recommend is moving to 4007.’
While Marie Kondo stresses the importance of ‘sparking joy’, the central theme to the Ascot edition is the ability to ‘spark judgement’ in your everyday life. Ms Pendergast finds inspiration ‘everywhere’.
‘I often drive around the suburb and with total mindfulness, spark judgement with everything I see and all people I speak with’, she said.
‘Sparking judgement is really a very personal journey into your own feelings of superiority,’ she said. ‘You will experience a total closure of your mind, which brings feelings of euphoric reinforcement of the correctness of every thought you’ve ever had,’ said Ms Pendergast. ‘It’s astounding.’
The Observer understands sparking judgement can eventually become habitual. And, moving to 4007 will definitely sharpen your skills, mainly because everyone is sparking judgement around you.
‘Sometimes sparking judgement is instantaneous, like finding out that someone in your street voted Labor. Other times you have to tune right in,’ said Ms Pendergast.
‘Whether it’s someone who has put on a lot of weight, or lost too much weight, drinks too much or doesn’t drink at all, works full time, or stays at home with their kid, are getting divorced, are staying married, too interested in their kids or too disinterested, or maybe they are a teacher. Does it spark judgement? YES, I find it can.’
‘The life changing magic of living in Ascot’ is now available at all bookstores in Noosa and James Street.
You too can achieve a more Ascotian life with a little mindfulness and far too much time on time on your hands.
Says Ms Pendergast, ‘And with my book, you get to keep all of your stuff.’
More to come.