Ever feel like your possessions are slowly taking over your life? Clothes overflowing from drawers, books multiplying on shelves, and a mysterious collection? feel tired of the declutter cycle?
Well, there’s a superhero in the world of tidying up: Marie Kondo and her KonMari method. This approach to decluttering promises to not just clear your space but also transform your relationship with your belongings. So, you do not need to declutter once a month; it will be part of your life, and you will always tidy and declutter your place.
What Exactly is The KonMari Method?
Unlike traditional methods that attack clutter room by room, the KonMari method focuses on tidying by category—not by location—clothes, books, papers, Komono (miscellaneous items), and sentimental items (tackled in that specific order). The key is to ask yourself a question when you touch each item: Does it spark joy? If it brings a little thrill or a spark of happiness, keep it! If not, thank it for its service and let it go! I know it sounds dramatic, but you will feel great after that.
KonMari Guide Lines
1. Commit Yourself to Tidying up
Friends, you should be aware that non-mari is not a cluttering method; it is a minimalist approach to life. Once you understand the aim of it and have a clear vision, you will commit yourself to the guidelines. It will be part of your life.
2. Imagine Your Ideal Lifestyle
Picture your ideal life, ask what you want your living room, your room, and your kitchen to look like, and how you want to live in it and spend your time. By clarifying your ideal lifestyle, you will find out what exactly sparks joy.
3. Finish Discarding Them First
Appreciate the things you don’t need as much as you cherish the items that bring you joy!
Discarding gives us an opportunity to learn from our past experiences—things that we have never used, things that we bought emotionally, things that no longer belong to today’s us.
4. Tidy by Category, Not by Location
Tidying up by category will save you from a vicious cycle of clutter.
5. Follow the Right Order
Working on each category separately Stick to the rule and do it in order. First, start with your clothes; continue with books, papers, komono (miscellaneous items), and sentimental items. Marie Kondo considers this order the most effective way and explains why. It makes every easier and smoother. She explains why she landed on this vital step in her book.
6. Ask Yourself if it Sparks Joy
This is the rule that makes this method really different and personal. There is no strict rule or weird number to guide you. Your approach to each item in your house is based on your feelings. Touch each item piece by piece and pay attention to your body’s response. Does that spark joy? If the answer is yes, keep it!
Sounds simple, right? Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the first category (clothes) to get you started:
Gather all your clothes! Yes, all of them! Dump them on your bed and the floor; create a Mount Everest of clothing; the bigger the pile, the bigger the impact.
Pick up Each Item One By One:
Feel the fabric and examine the design. Does it make you feel good? Does it fit your current style? If not, thank you and let it go.
Fold (like a Magician):
KonMari has specific folding techniques that not only save space but also make your clothes stand upright, like little soldiers in a drawer—a strangely satisfying sight. Read her book or watch on Netflix sparking Joy series. She is also has lot of helpful videos in her youtube channel.
Repeat For Each Category:
Books, papers, miscellaneous—the process is the same. Embrace the sparks of joy, and say goodbye to the rest.
Is KonMari Method for you?
Well, that depends. Here’s the honest scoop about KonMari method.
Pros of KonMari:
- Emotional decluttering: It’s not just about stuff; it’s about surrounding yourself with things that make you happy.
- Long-lasting results: Once you declutter with joy, you’re less likely to accumulate clutter again.
- Space-Saving Magic: folding techniques and category-based storage will maximize space.
Cons of KonMari:
The “joy” factor can be subjective. Does my trusty spatula really spark joy? Maybe not, but it gets the job done!
Time Commitment: Decluttering by category can be a slow process.
Emotional Toll: Letting go of sentimental items can be tough.
Personally, I found the KonMari method to be a game-changer. My closet went from a chaotic explosion to a haven of neatly folded clothes (that I actually wear!). But here’s the thing: I tweaked it to fit my life. I kept a few “non-joyful” but practical items and took breaks when the “spark joy” question got overwhelming.
The KonMari method is a powerful tool, but remember, it’s your home, your stuff, and your happiness. Take what works, leave what doesn’t, and, most importantly, enjoy the process of creating a space that sparks joy (and maybe a little less clutter) in your life.
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