7 Life Lessons We Learned from Marie Kondo’s Newest Netflix Series
If there’s a show that will inspire you to hit pause on a Netflix sesh and do something productive with your night, it’s definitely Netflix’s new series Tidying Up with Marie Kondo. Marie Kondo, creator of the KonMari method and author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, has inspired countless people all over the world to clear the clutter and part ways with items that don’t bring a spark of joy to their lives. It’s the happiest way to get organized and *stay* organized. So if you’re ready to press play and practice the KonMari method in your own home, read up on what we’ve learned from the show to help make 2019 your tidiest year yet.
1. It’s about quality, not quantity. You don’t have to get rid of things just because they don’t get used often. The KonMari method isn’t a minimalist challenge; it’s about keeping things in your home that you truly treasure.
2. Organize by category. Instead of tidying up each room one-by-one, Kondo recommends splitting the organization up between five categories: clothing, books, paper, Komono (miscellaneous items), and sentimental pieces. Yes, sifting through a giant pile of clothes from all over your home may seem a little overwhelming, but it’s meant to feel that way so you don’t fall back into your semi-hoarding lifestyle.
3. Don’t skip over categories. Even if you don’t think you own too many items in one category, follow the order because it will sharpen your decision-making skills. By the time you’ve gone through all of your clothing and papers, you’ll be able to make easier snap decisions about the tougher sentimental pieces.
4. Display the keepers. This method isn’t about downsizing to only the everyday essentials. If it truly sparks joy, keep it! But make sure to find a way to display it in your home instead of tucked away in a drawer so you can really maximize its purpose (which is to put a smile on your face).
5. When you’re stuck on an item, ask yourself if it has fulfilled its role in your life. That gift you’ve never used, a shirt you scored on sale years ago that still has the tags attached, a sweet note from your ex… if these do not spark joy but you feel guilty about tossing, reassess the item’s purpose. If their time has truly come and gone, thank the item and let it go.
6. It’s all about the KonMari fold. While it may initially make more sense to hang most of your clothes, Kondo’s vertical fold technique ensures that everything is on display, and more importantly, easier to keep tidy. And trust, you’ll be shocked at how much more you can fit in your drawers with this method.
7. Wait until you’re finished before running to the Container Store. Wait until you’ve completely KonMari’d each category to see if you need any bins, boxes, or organizational tools. Since we almost always have way more stuff than we need, you will most likely be left with a lot more space to store your things. Kondo is a huge fan of using whatever is already around the house too, like empty shoe boxes and tins.
Have you tried the KonMari method of de-cluttering? Let us know @BritAndCo.
(Photo via Netflix)