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Marie Kondo is author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up; The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing, a book which has completely taken over the average home or apartment dweller. Out of nowhere, Marie Kondo’s name started popping up more and more around the internet. Urban Outfitters started selling the book, people began swearing by her method and Kondo’s whole theory became a sort of international-must-read-this-will-change-your-life phenomenon.
The best part about the hype? It’s 100% accurate and real. Marie Kondo’s theory to declutter your life works and it works so well that it’s almost daunting. Is this book magic? Does it hypnotize you to become clean and organized? What is it about Marie Kondo and her book that just alters your energy and makes your space organized, clean and tidy?
If you’re the average busy-bee on the go with no time to read but in major need of a tidying lesson, here are the 5 big takeaways from this savior of a book.
Kondo says that while you are cleaning, you shouldn’t first clean your room and then your kitchen and then your bathrooms. You need to clean by category. This means bringing every single article of clothing into the same room and dumping on the floor. This allows you to really visualize how much of each thing in each category you truly have in your house. If you clean by room, you don’t see how many miscellaneous office supplies you may have that are hoarded in the upstairs drawers and in the downstairs drawers. This gives you a better, comprehensive visual of how much you actually have.
When you are going through an entire category and looking to get rid of things you don’t need or want anymore, Kondo says that you should ask yourself if each item gives you joy. If it doesn’t, it goes into the trash – no ifs, ands or buts. She says this same rule applies to pajamas and lounge wear. She believes that your pajamas and lounge wear should spark just as much joy as your fancier clothing. Your lounge wear is your house wear and your house, in all of its elements, should be a place of joy (Read: excuse to get pretty pajamas!).
Make sure you set aside the entire day to go through by category and discard. Doing it all in one day will also allow you to understand how much stuff you really have, Kondo says. It also ensures success the first time around!
Clothes, books, papers, miscellaneous and mementos. According to Kondo’s experience and research, discarding in this particular order ensures more success versus discarding in a different order.
Contrary to popular belief, Kondo says that storage experts are hoarders and that storage units are just another excuse to accumulate stuff.
Kondo believes that everyone deserves the space of their dreams and that it is attainable. The first step is keeping your space tidy and rid of excess material objects that weigh you down and clutter your house or apartment. Ask yourself what your destination looks like, what your dream lifestyle is. Proceed with that inspiration in your mind!
