A Simple Guide to the KonMari Method

A cluttered home is unfortunately the standard for many people. However, clutter has numerous downsides. For example, it makes your home more difficult to clean. It increases your stress level, wastes time and can even lead to unnecessary spending.

Have you ever searched for an item that you know is somewhere buried under the clutter only to give up and buy a replacement? Many people swear by the KonMari method for home organization, and it could be right for your home, too.

What is the KonMari Method?

The KonMari method is named after its inventor, Marie Kondo. In her book, the Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, she explains how her minimalist approach to decluttering and organization can bring pure joy to your life.

It focuses on removing things that you don’t actually need and use. It involves tidying rooms by the category of your items rather than on a room-by-room basis, which is a common approach.

The Core Principle: Does It Spark Joy?

The guiding principle of the KonMari method is, if it doesn’t spark joy in your life, you don’t need it. While this is a fairly simple principle, implementing it is easier said than done. However, the reward is well worthwhile. After removing the things in your home that don’t bring joy, your home will be free of clutter. You can live more simply by being surrounded only by things that produce happiness.

The KonMari method uses these six rules:

• Be committed to tidying up.
• Envision what you want your lifestyle to be.
• Before tossing out an item, give thanks to it for the purpose it served in your life.
• Tidy your home by category rather than by room.
• Follow the order.
• Ask yourself if an item sparks joy.

Tidy by Category, Not by Room

One of the basic rules of the KonMari method is to tidy by category rather than by room. These categories are:

• Clothing
• Books
• Papers
• Miscellaneous items
• Sentimental items

This means that you must remove every piece of clothing that you own from the closets, drawers and other storage items. After you’re done going through your clothes, go through all of your books, papers and so forth. Everything should be in a big pile separated by category. Then, working in the first category, pick up each item one by one and decide if it sparks joy. Only items that spark joy should be returned to where they belong in your home. Other items should be donated, given away or tossed out.

What is the Konmari Folding Method?

A key element of the KonMari method is its folding technique. Even when you have the best folding techniques for your clothes and towels, stacking items on top of each other inevitably leads to a mess.

After all, you have to mess up those piles to see each item and make a decision. Using the KonMari folding method, the clothes stand upright. This makes them easier to see and appreciate.

Common Challenges: “But what if I might need it?”

People grow attached to their belongings in different ways. For some items, this may be a sentimental attachment. For other items, it may be a practical attachment. Commonly, people who first start using the KonMari method have the same challenge. An item might not give them joy, but they don’t want to get rid of it because they might need it again.

While the KonMari method is a minimalist organization method, it doesn’t require you to get rid of everything that doesn’t immediately bring a smile to your face. Pay attention to the lifestyle that you want. Don’t overthink it. If an item doesn’t serve the lifestyle that will bring you happiness, discard it.

Is KonMari Right for Everyone?

While the KonMari method has positively impacted many lives, some people speak against it. They believe the method is too rigid and doesn’t give value to other feelings besides joy. Some people prefer greater flexibility to keep items that may serve a purpose even if that purpose doesn’t directly bring joy. The KonMari method doesn’t need to be applied strictly. Instead, adjust the method’s rules as needed to make the method work better for you.

Even with the best intentions of keeping your home clean and organized, the dirt and clutter can get out of hand. The faster and easier way to stay on top of organizing and cleaning your home is with professional assistance from the Cleanzen team. To learn more about our cleaning and organization services, call us today.