If you hadn’t heard of Marie Kondo, you probably have now. The tidying mega-star is known for her book The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, and now she’s got a Netflix series under her belt that basically made her name one of the most well-known for users of the streaming service. If you haven’t watched the series or read Kondo’s book, though, you may not know what her KonMari Method is.
The KonMari Method is the idea that the items in your home should spark joy. If they no longer do so, it’s time to let them go. The tidying method encourages people to be more self-reflective regarding their possession in order to tidy their lives. Obviously, the idea of joy is going to be different from person to person, but it should help you decide what material possession are most valuable.
Now, should you try the KonMari method? That’s up to you. There are a few things you need to think about first before you decide to try Marie Kondo’s KonMari Method.
1. Are You Willing To Part With Your Things?
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This may be the biggest items to think about when it comes to KonMari. Part of the idea of the tidying method is to live a more minimalist lifestyle. For example, a major point of contention from Kondo’s Netflix series is her decision to only keep 30 books in her library. Book lovers balked at this idea, but Kondo isn’t saying that no one should have over 30 book. She’s simply saying that it’s her choice to keep that many, but you should decide what in your collection sparks joy and get rid of the rest. Are you willing to do that? If so, you may be ready to KonMari.
2. Do You Have Shared Items?
Ah, roommates. They help you pay the bills, prevent you from being alone all the time, and can be your best friends. However, if you live in an apartment where you share items with your roommate, don’t start the KonMari method right away. You’ll need to talk to your roommate about whether they want to do the KonMari method as well. If not, you’ll be relegated to your own personal space. If they do, you’ll need to make sure there are rules if disagreements arise about what stays and goes. Just remember Kondo’s tidying methods are all about joy, so don’t let working with a roommate bring you down.
3. How Much Space Do You Have?
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One of the best reasons to try the KonMari method is that it saves space. If you’re living in a small apartment or have just a bedroom to yourself, Kondo’s methods of tidying could be perfect for you. One of the ways Kondo saves space is via her folding method. Once you have decluttered your clothing collection and discarded those items, it’s time to place them back. Thanks to Kondo’s organization methods, you could free up much more space in your closet. The same is true of living areas. Eliminating clutter results in more space making the KonMari Method ideal for either a tiny apartment or an apartment where you have just a bedroom.
Is this KonMari Method right for you? Ask yourself these three questions before you begin. If you want to learn more about Kondo and her tidying, check out her Netflix series and book.
