One must be warned that the “Kon-Mari Method” -as her system is called- is ruthless. She has a “no mercy” approach when it comes to unclutching the flotsam and jetsam of our lives. But with her very long wait list for services, and no lapsed clients to date, it has proven very effective for many. Perhaps I can pull out a few tasty bits that may help, without applying her full conquer result. The concept is this: by evaluating your possessions in a very meticulous way, you learn to identify the items that “spark joy” and discard those that don’t. Simple right? But if you, too, are overwhelmed, know that she provides a step-by-step plan to help you sort and organize. For example, step one is clothes, with the very first step being to take out every garment you own and begin by putting back only those items you wear and love.
Now, if this makes you shudder thinking about a giant mound of clothing occupying a section of your floor, fear not! The first few chapters prepare you psychologically for this process, and how you will feel literally transformed by “unburdening” – whether it is items unworn, too worn, gifted or even hand-me-down. For the knitted mittens grandma made that were more decorative than warm, simply thank it for its memory of a loving nana and let them go! Resist the temptation to rebrand slouchy old clothes as “loungewear” and try folding clothes and stacking vertically as this is more economical space-wise and visually, you can see all items at a glance.
Next in the sequence is to do this same process for books, then papers, komono (which is a bit of a catch-all category), then sentimental items – the final group, once you have built up some sturdy momentum. Before I picked up the book, I did take everything out of my pantry to clean, discard and organize, and I must admit, this has provided some amount of daily joy knowing that at least for now, it is tidy.
The true 5-step focus of the Kon-Mari method begins with a commitment to this organizing process, imagining the de-cluttered result, discarding all items that you do not hold dear, streamline all possessions by category (incidentally, not by room) and assessing if it truly sparks joy. If you are one of the stellar folks who can fully embrace and can follow instructions to a T, congratulations! You will revel in the harmony of a place for everything and everything – now slimmer and joyful – in its place. For struggling mortals like me, I will adopt some of her best tips for my decluttering journey and perhaps tackle on “as I can” versus “all at once” approach.
Regardless of where you begin and end the clean out, it’s worth knowing this method that gives a valuable perspective on the many inanimate possessions that surround us and a roadmap to the joy the right ones provide.