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Embarking on the journey to prepare my home for a new baby, I dived into Pinterest and YouTube for organization hacks, discovering the space-saving wonders of the KonMari folding method.
The neatly folded baby clothes seemed to whisper promises of a clutter-free life, a much-needed solace amidst the chaos of impending parenthood. Each fold brought a sense of order and accomplishment, as I carved a cozy nursery nook in our master bedroom.
It was through Marie Kondo’s “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” that I truly grasped the essence of decluttering. Her philosophy of simplifying and choosing mindfulness over materialism resonated deeply, offering more than just tidy drawers but a transformation of our space into a serene sanctuary.
Join me in exploring six expert tips that promise not just a seasonal spring clean, but a lasting shift towards an intentionally neat and calm home environment.
“The KonMari Method™ is not a quick fix for a messy room or a once-in-a-while approach to tidying. It’s a chance to reset your entire life–but only if you commit to following its principles.”
Marie Kondo
What is the KonMari Method™?
The life-changing magic of tidying up–the Japanese art of decluttering and organizing book states that if you properly simplify and organize your home once, you’ll never have to do it again. Most methods advocate a room-by-room or little-by-little approach, which doom you to pick away at your piles of stuff forever. I have always done the room-by-room method and it feels like I am living in a never-ending cycle of cleaning and trying to declutter.
The KonMari Method_™_, with its revolutionary category-by-category system, leads to lasting results. In fact, none of Kondo’s clients have lapsed (and she still has a three-month waiting list). I recently started using this method and the results have been phenomenal. The areas that I have applied this to so far happen to be the cleanest and tidiest I have ever seen them to be.
In short: it’s a life-changing organization method that ensures after doing it once, you’ll never have to do it again. Marie Kondo is the mastermind behind it, and she lays it all out in her book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing. Essentially, it’s about saying “good riddance!” to the typical drag of cleaning up your place room by repetitive room.
Here’s the scoop: KonMari flips the script and has you deal with your stuff category-by-category. Unlike the typical room-by-room or little-by-little approaches most of us use, this system leads to lasting results. Marie’s clients are living proof. They’ve kissed the clutter goodbye for good, and the method’s so coveted that people are lining up for months just to get on her waiting list!
And besties, I tried this method for myself and the hype? Totally justified. I’m talking about seeing my places stay beautifully tidy like never before. (Update: It’s been over a year and a half since I originally wrote this post, and I have yet to relapse to clutter!) Trust, once you KonMari your life, there’s no looking back. It’s pretty much a clutter-free fairy tale come true!
Lets begin by learning the six rules of the KonMari Method™ –
01
commit yourself to tidying up
Setting the intention to tidy-up and resolving to put in the time and effort required is the first rule of tidying.
When you approach your tidying festival with a clear vision and a can-do attitude, you’ll find the energy and motivation you need to tidy all of your belongings in one go.
The effort will be worth it in the end. Not only will you experience the joy of living with objects you love, but you’ll also be on the path to establishing your ideal lifestyle.
02
imagine your ideal lifestyle
Think about your dream home and what your life would be like in it. Get creative! You can draw it, write about it, or even pin your favorite ideas on Pinterest.
Picturing your perfect way of living helps you figure out why you want to clean up and what your awesome life could look like.
Starting to tidy up is a big deal—it’s the first step to living that dream life you’re imagining. So take it seriously and have fun dreaming up your ideal future!
03
finish discarding first
Getting rid of stuff you don’t use teaches you what you really need. It helps you not to buy things you won’t use again.
Think about why you’re throwing each item away. This helps you make better choices in what to keep around you.
Once you’ve cleared out the clutter, you’ll know how much space you have. Then, you can keep only the things that bring you joy.
“[Joy]…a little thrill, as if the cells in your body are slowly rising.”
Marie Kondo
04
tidy by category, not by location
People often store the same type of item in more than one place.
When you tidy each place separately, you’re repeating the same work in many locations.
Tidy by category–clothes, books, komono (misc. items), and then sentimental items–and you’re on the path to success.
05
follow the right order
The order you tidy in is crucial. This order has proven to be the most efficient and effective:
- clothes
- books
- papers
- komono (misc. items)
- and sentimental items
Starting with clothes helps you practice decision-making in a manageable way. Clothes are easier to sort than emotionally-charged items, so as you progress, the process becomes simpler.
Completing the clothing category gives you a visible reminder of your progress. A neat closet can motivate you to continue decluttering.
As you organize each category, the act of decluttering energizes you. Even if you’re physically tired, seeing less clutter is refreshing and uplifting.
This journey isn’t just about tidying up; it’s also a chance to learn about the method and discover more about yourself.
06
ask yourself “does this spark joy?”
The essence of the KonMari Method™ is simple: keep what brings you joy. It’s all about your personal happiness and the emotional response you have to your belongings.
When organizing, touch each item and ask, “Does this spark joy?” Pay attention to how you feel physically in response. This emotional check will guide you in deciding what to keep.
By choosing only the items that resonate with you, you discover what you truly value. This method isn’t just about decluttering, but about understanding yourself and what you need for happiness.
Kondo, Marie. “6 Rules of Tidying” KonMari (blog), March 23, 2022, https://konmari.com/category/marie-kondo-six-rules-of-tidying/
And of course, this is just the basics. If you want the full experience I highly recommend you get the book—it’ll be your roadmap to lasting change. You can also download my FREE printable checklist to start your decluttering journey below 🙂
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Feeling inspired to embrace a clutter-free lifestyle? Or already tried this method? Join the conversation in the comments—share your wins, challenges, and everything in between. Your story could inspire others on their journey! ☻
P.S. This is NOT a sponsored post. I bought the book and genuinely enjoyed it. The book has inspired me so much that I had to share it with you all by documenting my experience so far and sharing some tips that I have learned from the KonMari Method™. All opinions are my own, tips were directly taken from the book: the life-changing magic of tidying up–the Japanese art of decluttering and organizing by Marie Kondo.
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