What is the KonMari Method®?

"The question of what you want to own is actually the question of how you want to live your life." 
-The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, Marie Kondo
Japanese organizer, author of "Joy at Work" & "Spark Joy", and & star of "Tidying Up" on Netflix

Marie Kondo's method is based on the philosophy that we, as a society, own more things than we want or need, often accumulated over many years.  Scientific research shows that clutter causes us both mental and physical stress. 

Clark, M. (2018). How decluttering your space could make you healthier and happier. [online] Mayo Clinic. ​

The method KonMari Method® is a step-by-step process for decluttering by asking the simple question: Does it "Spark Joy®"?  In essence, this involves going back to your goals in life - what physical items either are necessary, help you in the life you are currently living, or make you happy.  Then, instead of organizing room by room, she encourages people to organize by category:  
1. Clothes
2. Books
3. Papers
4. Miscellaneous
5. Sentimental

When starting a daunting task like organizing your home, it helps to have some steps to follow!  And it makes perfect sense to start with the end goal in mind and to consider what motivates you.  

Recent news articles have been in an uproar and quote Marie as saying she has "given up" on having a tidy home.  She now has 3 kids, and the reporters love a good story.  When it comes down to it, though, her meaning actually fits right in line with what she has been saying all along.  The KonMari Method is actually about prioritizing: thinking about your life and what is most important to you.  Then, the decluttering and reorganizing process is done in a thoughtful way so that your belongings support those things that you are prioritizing.  For Marie, her current priority is spending time with her kids, even if that means things are little less than perfectly arranged in her home right now.  

I encourage you to spend some time prioritizing. 

• What is most important to you right now?  
  
• Do your belongings and organizational system help support you in that?  
  
• Do the ways you spend your time and energy support that?  

You can find out more about Marie Kondo on her website:  https://konmari.com/

​You can order her book on Amazon.  

​Read more on the blog:

Blog: Book Recommendations for Kids about Tidying & Organizing

Blog: Marie Kondo's Method is not about Minimalism

Blog: Keeping Seasonal Clothes in your Closet using the KonMari Method®