Using the KonMari Method to Tidy My Home

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I have been encouraged by several bloggers to read the Life Changing Magic of Tidying by Marie Kondo. The system has been nicknamed the KonMari Method as a combination of her first and last name. I have to say, I was a bit skeptical reading the title, but I bought the Kindle version and I started to read.


After the first chapter, I couldn't put it down. No kidding, I kept reading and reading, thinking about what I was reading, couldn't sleep with anticipation to what I would be able to tidy first and where I was to get started. Here is a brief overview of the book and how I will be applying it to my home.

Background about the Book

• Marie was a child who loved to find ways to be tidy
• She has used several methods and stumbled upon just one key to keep your room/home tidy
• Tidying is not cleaning
• This is a guide, not a one size fits all organizational method

What the KonMari Method is NOT

• a quick purge and move on with your life
• an organizational tool that tells you how to organize everything
• an easy way to just get rid of everything

How the book tells you the KonMari Method works:

• Using the phrase, 'Does it spark joy?' - does it make you happy when you look at it/touch it?, you will purge your home. Anything that does not spark joy gets 'discarded'.
• Do your discarding in one swoop, like a new beginning.
• Everything has an energy. 'Speak' to your clothes, to your home, to your belongings and have them 'help' you make decisions.
• Keep your things happy by storing them properly.
• When storing the items you did keep, keep in mind the easiest way to put them away, not get them.
• Continue to ask yourself if an item sparks joy in your life before you bring it into your home.
• She says that by using this 'yardstick' of joy, you will never rebound.

How I am using the KonMari Method in my Home:

• I am not able to do the whole house in one swoop with an 18 month old and a traveling-for-work husband. So I am working through at a pace that is good for me. My goal is to do it all within 2-3 weeks though - I am ready for a change.
• I do believe that all things have an energy but I am slow to have a conversation with my items. I do try to treat them with respect and will store things properly. I may come around to talking to my things, but not today.
• I am excited to start storing!

The Best Take Away's

• Why didn't I think about asking myself if my things brought me joy? That is the most simple question and it is so important to be surrounded by the things that make you happy.
• 'Clutter is caused by a failure to return things to where they belong. Therefore, storage should reduce the effort needed to put things away, not the effort needed to get them out.' The idea to make things easy to put away, not easy to access is life changing for me.
• I hope I will not rebound by asking myself if everything brings me joy.

I have started to go through my home and I am excited to show you the progress. To help me out, I downloaded this amazing printable I found at Jersha & Dup. She breaks down each 'room' into a category so you don't forget anything.

Pick up this book and read away. Follow along on our journey with Instagram!