LIVING
S
pring is in the air. With beautiful
blooms, new life, seasonally mild
weather and clear skies comes the
feeling of fresh beginnings and
anticipation for summer ahead.
As you pack up your coats and
boots in exchange for loafers and
ballet pumps, it’s the perfect time to take a look
around your home and see what needs to be cleared
out. Clutter in its many forms can be a chronic
source of stress. Th is means that spring cleaning
isn’t just good for your home, it’s also good for you.
Marie Kondo, in her New York Times Bestseller
Th e Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, talks
about more than just dusting and hoovering.
Fascinated with organising since her childhood,
Marie began her tidying consultant business as a
19-year-old university student in Tokyo. Today, she
encourages readers to become more organised and
intentional in what they choose to own, teaching
the benefi ts of decluttering and minimising.
She also believes that by clearing out objects
that weigh you down mentally and emotionally,
you'll make space for new people, things and
experiences. But does it work? Kondo says that
some of her clients have lost weight, had their
skin clear up, decreased their stress levels and
improved their personal relationships, possibly
due to the "detoxifying" eff ects of her tidying
method. Following the launch of her 8-episode
series Tidying Up on Netfl ix in January, goodwill
donations to charity shops and non-profi t
organisations have also spiked as a result of fans
being inspired to clean out their clutter to help
improve their wellbeing and attract good karma.
Kondo’s ‘KonMari Method’ encourages tidying
by category – not by location – beginning with
clothes, then moving on to books, papers, komono
(miscellaneous items), and, fi nally, sentimental
items. People around the world have been drawn
to her philosophy not only due to its eff ectiveness,
but also because it places great emphasis on being
mindful, introspective and forward-looking.
spark joy should be thrown away, while everything
that does spark joy should be kept. If you’re having
trouble throwing something away, think about
why: Is it of sentimental value? Did you buy a dress
and feel guilty for never wearing it? Th ank the
object for its service in your life and move on. Th is
helps mitigate the anxiety associated with purging.
Once you have all your clothes that continue to
spark joy, it’s time to fold and store them. Kondo
believes folding should be the main method of
storage and folds each item into a perfect rectangle
that can stand vertically in a drawer. Th is vertical
Th e KonMari Method six basic rules:
1 - Commit yourself to tidying up. Yes, it may feel storage technique will help keep your clothes
at fi rst a little daunting and time-consuming, but from becoming wrinkled and you’ll be able to
the sense of achievement and empowerment you’ll see everything easily in your drawers, too. Do a
quick search for #KonMari on Instagram to see
achieve will be worth it.
2 - Image your ideal lifestyle. In her fi rst book, Th e the abundance of drawer "after" photos taken by
Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, Kondo urges proud tidiers. Hollywood has also embraced the
readers to “think in concrete terms so that you can KonMari Method and famous fans who have been
vividly picture what it would be like to live in a known to share their tidying eff orts online include
Jamie Lee Curtis, Oprah,
clutter-free space.”
Kate Hudson, Emma
3 - Finish discarding fi rst.
KONMARI YOUR HANDBAG
Watson and Jennifer
Th inking about where to
Garner.
store things, or worrying
Empty the contents of your bag every
Once you've fi nished
about whether you can fi t
night. Th is will help to eliminate daily
her six-step process,
waste such as receipts, bus tickets,
everything in, will only
wrappers and tissues. It will also ensure
Kondo promises that
distract you from the job
you never forget important items that
maintaining this "state
of discarding, and you will
you may need to pack for the following
of perfect order" will be
never fi nish.
day. If you have a lot of bags, the best
a breeze and you'll never
4 - Tidy by category,
way to store them is in another bag!
have to purge again. In
not by location. Th is
fact, she has had zero
approach allows you to see
repeat clients.
objectively exactly how much you have.
So, get out the black bin bags, put some tunes
5 - Follow the right order. Clothes fi rst followed by
books, papers, komono (miscellaneous items) and on and get ready to choose joy. And remember,
“even if you fail, don't worry - your house won't
fi nally, sentimental items.
6 - Ask if it sparks joy. Everything that does not blow up!”
10 INTERESTING FACTS
ABOUT MARIE KONDO
Her four books have been translated from
Japanese into several languages including
Korean, Chinese, Spanish, French,
Portuguese and English.
She always wears white as part of
her brand and image.
Cosy socks and rose water are
two items that spark joy for her.
She hates wearing trousers!
Th e ancient Japanese religion of
Shintoism infl uenced her tidying
methods.
Despite her rise to fame she is extremely
private and likes to keep a low profi le.
She loves tidying up so much that it was
the subject of her university thesis.
Her pet cleaning hate is bad smells such as
garbage, dirty washing and rotten food.
Her “personal power spot” is her living
room. Her most treasured possessions?
Framed family photographs.
She always says a prayer upon entering a
client’s home to attract good karma and
enhanced spirituality.
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