The life-changing magic of tidying-up 🧹
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Have you ever looked around your home and felt…blah? I certainly had. Given that my family member count is increasing on a regular basis (few humans, 3 kittens, 1 new puppy we got last week), I am always on the lookout for ways to make more space (and keep getting rid of the clutter).
I ended up reading Mary Kondo’s book on tidying up and realized that there was a formula to let go of things (even though you were connected with them once upon a time, like old books).
We should be choosing what we want to keep, not what we want to get rid of.
Marie Kondo's approach (though it’s debatable and you don’t have to follow everything) to tidying promised to infuse my spaces (and my life) with a sense of intention and delight. Here are big ideas from her book “The life-changing magic of tidying up” - actually this isn’t a summary, but a deep dive into her most important teaching, i.e. the Konmari method.
In The Life-Changing Manga of Tidying Up, Marie Kondo presents the fictional story of Chiaki, a young woman in Tokyo who struggles with a cluttered apartment, messy love life, and lack of direction. After receiving a complaint from her attractive next-door neighbour about the sad state of her balcony, Chiaki gets Kondo to take her on as a client. Through a series of entertaining and insightful lessons, Kondo helps Chiaki get her home - and life - in order.
The question of what you want to own is actually the question of how you want to live your life.
The KonMari Method
The key to decluttering is feeling, not logic. Marie Kondo's KonMari Method isn't just about having a clean house. It's a philosophy of living mindfully. Instead of deciding what to get rid of, focus on what you want to keep.
Hold each item in your hands and ask: "Does this spark joy?"
The KonMari Method, created by tidying guru Marie Kondo, is more than just a decluttering strategy; it's a philosophy for creating a joyful and harmonious living space. Here, we'll delve deeper into the core principles and practical steps to transform your home from a cluttered mess to a haven of happy possessions.
Choosing Joy Over Clutter
The heart of the KonMari Method lies in a unique selection criterion: joy. It’s not about discarding; it’s about keeping only what speaks to your soul. Imagine holding each item—does it spark joy? If so, it earns a place in your enchanted realm.
"The space in which we live should be for the person we are becoming now, not for the person we were in the past."
Tidying by Category, Not Location
Unlike other methods that doom you to room-by-room battles, KonMari dances to a different tune. It encourages tidying by category:
Clothes: Whether it gives you joy or not..and does it fit?
Books: Keep the wisdom that resonates.
Papers: Release the unnecessary.
Komono (Miscellaneous): Sort your magical artifacts.
Sentimental Items: Treasure memories that truly matter.
Thanking and Letting Go
As you bid farewell to items, thank them for their service. Their magic may have waned, but their role in your story was essential. Release them with gratitude, allowing space for new adventures.
Mindfulness and Transformation
The KonMari Method isn’t just about folding shirts or arranging books. It’s a journey of introspection, mindfulness, and forward-looking magic. As Marie Kondo wisely said, “Life truly begins only after you have put your house in order.”
Tidying as a Special Event
Tidying should be a marathon, not a daily chore. Commit yourself to a transformative decluttering event. Don't spread it out over months – tackle the process in one intensive go. This will create a dramatic, undeniable shift in your mindset and relationship to your belongings.
Discarding First
Before organizing, discard. Decluttering is step one; organizing your remaining possessions comes later. Most people focus on storage solutions without first rigorously discarding things that no longer serve them. This leads to a cycle of accumulating more than is needed.
The Book Barrier
Books are often a stumbling block. People cherish books for their potential value, rather than the joy they bring in the present. If you don't currently get joy from a book, even if you feel you should, let it go.
Komono: The Miscellany Monster
Komono is where clutter hides. This category includes kitchen items, bathroom supplies, skincare, hobby gear – anything that doesn't fit the other groups. Break it down into subcategories, and tackle them one at a time, using the "spark joy" principle.
The Power of Sentimentality
Sentimental items should be last. Once you've honed your decision-making skills on other categories, you'll be better equipped to handle the emotional charge of sentimental objects. Remember, the item itself isn't the memory. Hold on to what genuinely feels precious.
Keep only those things that speak to your heart. Then take the plunge and discard all the rest. By doing this, you can reset your life and embark on a new lifestyle
Respect Your Possessions
Don't feel guilty about discarding. Thank the things you get rid of for the role they played in your life. This gratitude helps ease guilt and creates a positive relationship with the possessions you decide to keep.
Finding a Place for Everything
Designate a specific spot for every item. When everything has its own home, it becomes easier to put things away. This will maintain order much more organically than trying to force yourself to be tidy.