Simplify Spring Cleaning: The Marie Kondo Craze

After a year of spending more time at home – working, learning, cooking, eating, and entertaining ourselves – this spring may be the perfect time to revisit one of our favorite posts. Read on for more inspiration…

Rather than feeling suffocated amongst the heaps of materials we tend to possess these days, why not make things simpler? At the age of 30, Marie Kondo has become a sensation in the eyes of millions of people who look to her when tidying up their homes. Her best-selling book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing also inspired a Netflix series, and she has launched a lifestyle brand, KonMari.

In each episode of her series, Marie Kondo teaches her method by entering people’s homes to help them achieve that homey and stress-free secure feeling that promotes a positive life change. When holding the item, if it does not spark joy, then thank it for its time and set it free.

She recommends 6 basic rules of tidying:

1.  Commit yourself to tidying up.
2.  Imagine your ideal lifestyle.
3.  Finish discarding first.
4.  Tidy by category, not by location.
5.  Follow the right order.
6.  Ask yourself if it sparks joy.

Marie tells her viewers that you must thank the home for all that it has done for you. Center yourself and really connect with the bones of the house to feel all the joy, safety, and excitement it has given you. Once you do that, you may then get started.

You must put all of their clothes into one pile in the center of the room. Start from the top and hold each article of clothing individually to see if it sparks joy. If the article of clothing does indeed bring you fond memories, or makes you feel unstoppable when wearing it, then you put it in the keep pile. If it does not then thank it for it’s time and remove it from your life.

You then do this with every room in the house with all the items each room has to offer. If it does not spark joy or bring you sentimental value, then it too must go.

Two most useful strategies to keep in mind when tidying up:

1. Problem: For most, when you put your clothes away you end up wearing the first few things on top in your drawer so you end up forgetting about the rest.

Solution: Marie informs her audience how to correctly fold your clothes so that when you open your drawer, you see all of your clothes instead of just the one on top.

2. Problem: Not being able to tell what items you have even stored, and where they are.
Solution: Boxes are key! Boxes help you store your items in an organized manner. You can put boxes in drawers as well as use bigger clear bins for storage. Clear bins are recommended so that you are able to see everything you have in that bin. This helps so that you do not buy the same thing twice.

The whole experience is meant to feel cleansing while reminding you of the objects you might of forgotten about and cherish. If you don’t believe me, below are two reviews from real people who followed Marie’s philosophy. Here is what they are saying about the trend:

“My house is now exceptionally tidier and logically organised making me feel more confident, happy and focused. Even whilst in work I’m finding myself more productive as I’m clearing my workspace, carrying less items and feeling focused. I get things done more quickly, after all there are less items to clean, my house fees brighter and practical.” – Jo

“Her advice may sound silly at first, but if your belongings inspire feelings of unhappiness, guilt, etc., her anthropomorphism of them can really help you change your viewpoint in a positive direction. I finished up with three bags for Goodwill and one for the garbage man. My drawers and closet, which were never very messy, are now exactly as I want them, and I feel fantastic!” – Eb

Both reviews are courtesy of Amazon

Feeling motivated yet? If so, you can go to Amazon or  Marie Kondo’s personal webpage where you can purchase her book, as well as connect to her Netflix series for more information. Join the movement and change your life for the better starting today! Happy decluttering!

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