Tips + Tricks: Spring Cleaning with the KonMari Method

The countdown for Spring Cleaning has begun. There is nothing that can make you feel as comfortable and joyful in your home as a little refreshment after a long winter inside. Maybe you have even experienced a warm day to open the windows and let some new air inside.

Speaking of joy, Marie Kondo of KonMarie.comis currently leading the charge in the effort to revitalize the home. If you haven’t heard of her, Marie Kondo is the best-selling author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing.

The KonMari Method teaches you to ask a simple question when tidying up your house: Does this item spark joy? If not, get rid of it. 

Here is what we have learned from the KonMari Method:

1. Visualize Your Idea Life:What does your ideal lifestyle and living environment look like? Imagine how you would be living your life if money, time and resources were not an issue. List the goals that come to mind. Describe in detail how you envision your home to look after the end of your tidying journey.  
2. Tidy by Category:Rather than going room-by-room, tidy by category – beginning with clothes, then moving on to books, papers, miscellaneous items, and finally, sentimental items. Keep only those items that spark joy.
3. Say Thank You:It is difficult to get rid of your possessions, but KonMari teaches that these possessions are stripped of their dignity when they go unused in a home. If it doesn’t speak to the heart, Marie Kondo teaches us to thank the item for its service, and then let it go. 

Marie Kondo’s focus on joy has been a novelty and eye-opener to many people. She also has her own hit Netflix show: Tidying Up with Marie Kondo. So, if you don’t have the time/energy/concentration for the book, you can check it out there. 

Happy tidying!