In 2015/2016 I came across a book that was a bestseller – The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying by Japanese writer Marie Kondo. In it, she explained the various methods in which to help you declutter and organize your living space, and by extension, your life.
It’s also known as the “Konmari method” of tidying/decluttering/organizing, and it took the world by storm.
I had to see what the fuss was about, so I bought the book and read it cover to cover. I had also just moved house then, so it was quite timely. While I’d thrown out a lot of stuff during my move, I still had a lot to go through. I decided to see if the Konmari method would help me.
Interestingly, after trying it out for quite a while, I can safely say that I’m resigned to being a packrat 😛 Yes, I’m one of the Konmari method school dropouts – one of the few who started out with good intentions, put some into practice, but who decided that the Konmari method wasn’t for me. I do realise I’m the exception to the rule, so I’d love to know if the Konmari method works for you!
Konmari Fail #1: My Things do Spark Joy
The key tenet of the Konmari method is to ask yourself if an item sparks joy. Marie Kondo details in her book how you should pile EVERYTHING you own that you’d like to slim down or declutter e.g. all your clothes or books or maybe even beauty products… LOL! 😀 and then pick each item up and ask if it sparks joy. Does it make you happy? You aren’t supposed to work room by room, but category by category.
If it makes you happy, it stays. If it doesn’t, or if it used to bring you joy but no longer does, it should go.
The problem is that a lot of things I own bring me joy, even if I don’t use them for a while. It’s usually the reason I buy them in the first place! LOL! 😛 I was standing in my kitchen, holding a plastic box, asking myself if it sparked joy, and the answer was that it did! Yes, it’s just another square plastic box of indeterminate size, but alongside the Konmari method, I also understood Murphy’s Law, that dictates that the moment I toss out that container, would be the moment I needed one in that exact size 😛
Ok, so I’m a hoarder and packrat and maybe that’s what was stopping me from graduating Marie Kondo’s Konmari school. To my credit, in the process, I did manage to weed out quite a few items that were too old, broken, didn’t fit, or no longer served any purpose. I suppose you could say that they no longer sparked joy.
But a lot of it did, and so I found myself reshelving at least 80% of my kitchen stuff. Sure, I may not use the coffee press, now I have a Nespresso machine, but sometimes, coffee grounds come my way. It’ll come in handy… one day LOL! 😀
Konmari Fail #2: I have the space
I think the Konmari method works best for those who have a very limited space in which to live. If you live in a very small apartment, or room, and want to maximise your living space, and not have to trip over clutter everywhere you walk, you really should pick up this book or at least read some of the tips shared. It can be life-changing.
But I realised, as I went on, that I had a lot of space with which to work with. There are cupboards that aren’t even used, because I evidently don’t have as much clutter as I originally thought (time to remedy that! LOL! 😀 ) I don’t live in a huge space, but it’s large enough that I can keep away my clutter from sight… if I wanted to. The fact that I’m lazy and tend to let my clutter build up is entirely my own fault!
I have however, adopted the method of picking up after myself as I finish a task. Believe you me, it’s not something I’m good at, but I’m working at it!
Konmari Fail #3: I can’t pare down my beauty products
I suppose I’m not your regular woman on the street and that’s why I’m faced with this dilemma. If I could have a cupboard for just my beauty products alone, I’d have one. Oh wait I do, but even that is overflowing LOL! I buy too much crap, as I keep telling myself, but I use them and I guess that’s alright right? 😛
I do try to keep my beauty products orderly. It doesn’t always work, as I will go a little nuts after a while, but every now and then, I steal 2 hours to myself and clean and clear my dresser and surrounding areas, so I can actually SEE what I’m using and not just rummage around the bottles and tubs littering its top, going by feel.
Konmari Fail #4: I love my books
Marie Kondo isn’t a big fan of keeping books. According to her philosophy, old books and papers have served their purpose once you read them and should be removed because they “no longer spark joy”. I suppose she’s not a bibliophile like I am 😛
While I admit that there are some books I buy, read and never re-read; or books I buy and struggle to get through, I like having my books in my bookshelves. They lie 2-3 books deep sometimes, but they spark a lot of joy. How then do I toss them out?
Ok to be fair, there are some books I’ve been wanting to get rid of, and I will likely donate them to some book exchanges that I see happening around town. But there are some books I read and re-read over and over because they bring me so much joy. The books of the late Sir Terry Pratchett form a large part of that number and they truly bring me a lot of joy… and unladylike snorts of suppressed laughter 😀
I guess with the rise of e-books and e-readers, there is now a lot of sense in this tip to get rid of the hard copies. Books do take up a lot of space and moving them is quite a bitch. So heavy! But I can’t read off e-readers and I love the feel of a paperback in my hand, so physical books it is for me! 🙂
The Konmari method isn’t for everyone
While I don’t LIKE clutter, I’m not one to lead a minimalist lifestyle. I like my “things”, and like many people who own “things”, I usually know where to find them amidst the perceived clutter. My living space isn’t in the least bit instagram or pinterest-worthy. It’s serviceable but otherwise has no artistic designer touch to it. I have too many throw pillows on my couches and maybe even too much furniture in my space. I could do better, I know and I try very hard. But my space is comfortable, and I’m not exactly tripping over things willy nilly, nor feeling oppressed by having “things”. Occasionally, I go into a bit of a frenzy and throw things out, and declutter visible space, but that’s because it clears my head – never underestimate the power of feng shui 😛
There are aspects of the Konmari method that work for me, that I’ll share with you another day. But in the main, I’ve failed to lead a clutter-free lifestyle as envisaged by Marie Kondo, who boasts that those who follow her method will never relapse. Oops! I guess I just never got started! 😀
Have you tried the Konmari method? Did it work for you?
Perhaps the getting rid of books tip was what resulted in my getting rid of this very book, which is why it’s not in the photos haha! 😀 Well, not really, because it’s being lent to a friend… who probably doesn’t really need it 😉
Paris B
Hear hear! 2016 was all about hygge and I’m going with it to keep my “things” and be cosy. So if I want 8 cushions on my couch to dive into and be buried under and to build a cushion fort, who’s to tell me I can’t?
To be fair, over the weekend I cleared out 2 huge bags of old tshirts and tank tops that no longer fit and they’ve gone to the charity bin. I’m hitting my work wardrobe shortly. I realise I don’t wear pants to work. It’s always skirts and dresses. I have crap loads of pants floating around. They need to go. I think the idea is good to declutter. I think it needs to be done on a regular basis and consciously.
I had to go google what was hygge LOL! But I like the idea! I think this konmari thing works for those who like that sleek, minimalist lifestyle, where you don’t have a lot of things taking up space. I tend to have a slightly more cluttered lifestyle which might explain why it doesn’t work as well. I have to do a big closet clear out soon. No matter what I tell myself, some clothes just won’t fit anymore (my thinner days are gone, sadly 😛 ) so they’ll have to go! Oh and I wear a lot of skirts and dresses these days too – just more comfortable.
Hi. I saw about her method on the net and have it a half hearted try. But three kids in tow, throwing their toys was the biggest headache. I threw one toy which was not touched in months…murphys’s law kicked in and my daughter wanted the same toy and kicked up a huge fuss.
I love books and somewhat don’t agree with her on getting rid of them. Books bring colour and joy to any room in my opinion at least. So yup I am half hearted dropout as well. Count me in…
Haha I feel you Santhi! Murphy’s law beats Konmari any day! I think the idea behind the method is a sound one, to keep us conscious about the clutter we create and the need to not fill our life with so much stuff. But as you’ve pointed out, when you have kids, it’s much harder trying to maintain a clutter-free home! I’m glad I’m not the only dropout here 😉
LOL Paris. All the points strike a chord with me too. I have so much space, I just feel like my room looks empty if I start decluttering too much. I regularly give away unloved clothes and shoes, and even makeup I hardly use because I have a set space I keep filled, and anything overflowing will be given away. I don’t exactly hoard stuff, but I need to keep a lot of the kids’ stuff. There are those perfectly nice clothes that the younger ones will fit into 🙂
However, if I have limited space and too much stuff, her tips will definitely come in handy.
I guess you don’t go for that airy minimalist look then? 😉 I don’t. Everytime I see some space opening up, I have a desire to fill it LOL! She did write from the point of view of a Japanese living in Japan where their spaces are tiny. In those spaces, it really does make sense or you’d go mad!
I didn’t read the entire book, but I got the gist of the concept….. and the idea of throwing away stuff didn’t quite work for me because I too like my ‘things’. But it was a good exercise of de-cluttering in a sense – especially old clothes. I did learn how to fold my tees from kon mari, which really does save a lot of space and I see them easier! so yeay, hits and misses!
I do agree with you about the decluttering. Helps me make one big declutter LOL! But I never got the folding thing. I can understand the concept, but my clothes are all in shelves not drawers, so I couldn’t see how I could make it work
The only thing I got out of the book was the clothes folding bit, which sounds great in theory, but really…
Funny, a few others mentioned the clothes folding thing too! I didn’t even try as my cupboards have shelves instead of drawers 😛 So I’m guessing it didn’t work for you eh?
Well I’ve not read the book and by reading your blog, I now know about it!! And i can tell you that I’m already practising her recommendation in my spring-cleaning end of last year. But I don’t ask myself whether the item brings me joy or not, but just whether I still need it or not, or will I need it in the future. If the answer is no, I will get rid of it. So I’m that practical, not joy or no joy haha Btw I have to say it works as I live in an apartment, with hubby and 2 kids. Some space saving techniques are required so that we can have space to move around ??? As for books, once I’ve finished a fiction paperback I rarely reread it, so I will accumulate a few books and donate them. Skincare items, I will restrict myself from ‘testing out’ too many new products and stick to those that work for me.
Haha this was really REALLY big a year or two back, but a lot of it is common sense too. Good to know you’re doing regular spring cleaning 🙂 I do end up keeping a lot of things because I think I’ll need it in the future, and the odds are I don’t. But it’s always after I’ve thrown it out, that I need it. Ugh. Hate it when that happens! 😀 I find it hard to get rid of books though. Even if I dont’ re-read them, just having lots of books makes me happy. Makes my poor bookshelves groan though LOL!
It worked very well for me 🙂 I am very proud of how neat, tidy and organized my room is and my colleagues were motivated to clean up their house when they saw mine.
Yay! Someone who survived Konmari school 😀 Happy it worked for you and I’m guessing that as she said, you won’t go back to a cluttered life again? 😀
Hahah I’m glad you wrote about the Konmari method. It’s so popular now that “konmari” has even become a verb. As in i konmari-ed all my crap! I read the book and a lot of it worked for me. Some parts were a tad woo woo for my liking and some parts were just “Nope not happening” but for the most part, it helped me declutter over 50% of my clothes, 90% of my books, more than half of my beauty products and a whole lot more. I used to think that I’m the sort who cannot let go of books but it turned out, I could after all. I kept what I really liked and let go what I thought were just so so. I bought a lot of books pre-kindle and ran out of space to store them.
I think this book caters to people like me who, erm, just like to shop and collect things that may have initially sparked some joy in retail therapy but have lost its spark somewhere along the line. ?
Yes yes! I remember when it was such a big thing a year or two back when I got the book LOL! It’s good to know it worked so well for you! Maybe I should have another go at it, just because I know I have crap sitting around in boxes from when I first moved LOL! But because it’s kept away, it’s out of sight, out of mind 😛 You could be right about who the book is targeted at. She did write it originally in Japanese after all, for the Japanese market and their houses are tiny, and consumerism is quite a thing with the Japanese so I can imagine that if you don’t rein it in, it’ll get out of hand!
I am huge fan of KonMari and in my reading of her books see two levels 1) the recipe/method description with extreme goals, and 2) the underlying theme of keeping what you love and releasing with gratitude what does not give you joy. I have not been able to accomplish the recipe part as prescribed but fully embrace the second message which has helped me downsize.
It seems that you already were practicing her underlying theme and keeping only what brings you joy…and so for you this book was not helpful. But for me, and I think for many others, the core method of deciding what to keep based on its spiritual value to oneself, rather than what to throw away based on more practical use/non use criteria is key to making it possible to get rid of things.
p.s. I saw a TV program where KonMarie helped a woman declutter her apartment in New York. The woman was able to make enough space to allow her boyfriend to move in and was elated…and KonMarie approved…even if she kept a huge bookcase of books, so while she gives a recipe to make it simpler to do her method, I suspect she allows a lot of deviation based on what gives people personal joy.
You could be right Kay. There are many people who have benefited from the method after all, and for an initial declutter, I think it can be very helpful, if a little overwhelming haha! Oh and that bit about keeping books if they spark joy makes sense I guess. If you have the space for it, there’s no reason not to keep it
I lost it at the book organizing bit.
I would NEVER. EVER. throw out my books. Never!!!
LOL! No kindle for you then, I’m assuming 😉
Hi! I totally agree with your statement “The problem is that a lot of things I own bring me joy, even if I don’t use them for a while. It’s usually the reason I buy them in the first place! LOL!”
I find a lot of joy in my possessions too, and I share your view that “I like my “things”, and like many people who own “things”, I usually know where to find them amidst the perceived clutter.” Some of us have more attachment to objects than others, and there’s nothing wrong with being that type of person as long as your attachment to objects doesn’t rule your life =)
That’s very true. That, and not drowning in “things” to the extent that it clutters up your life 🙂 I sometimes have to do a major declutter or tidying up, because I get irritated with the mess, and it seems like nothing goes right. Once I get things cleared up, then everything falls into place again. Psychological 😀
hey! those cushions on your couch spark joy for me ok 😛 although god knows if they have ever been washed? XD i tried folding clothes the konmari way, but ended up going back to my old self. a leopard will never change its spots yo 😛
ROFLOL! Point taken. Yes, they’ve been washed…. once or twice maybe? Some of them anyway LOL! But I whack them now and then on the balcony 😛 How come everyone tried the konmari clothes folding method? I never even tried! I guess there’s no point either eh? 😛
This is the first time I heard of this method, and I knew right away that I’d flunk this with flying colours. I love my makeup stash too much to part with them.
Hahaha Well if your things have their place, and bring you joy, there’s no reason not to keep them 😀
The method of folding clothes, bed sheets, towels and socks helps me alot. I manage to get rid many things, but not perfectly, someday I will go back and read again the book.
Haha I have to go and re read the bit about folding clothes and stuff. Somehow that was never my take away but so many people have mentioned it here!
It’s very helpful, especially in the drawers of three boys ? ?
I am with you here. I too find it very hard to throw away my books. And most of the stuff I own are the ones that bring me joy. However, I did manage to get rid of old clothes, the ones that I kept because it was a designer piece or bought from a special place but can no longer wear or not in trend anymore. Those are now gone.
I guess we don’t have to follow her method to the T but use it as a guide to keep our home tidy & neat.
You know, I have to do the same to my clothes. I feel “sayang” sometimes you know, especially if it’s an expensive piece but which you now have nowhere to wear it to (or can’t fit into anymore) I guess I have to learn to give them up and make room in my closet for what I can actually wear LOL! You’re right about using her method as a guide as opposed to a rule. Follow what makes sense, ditch what doesn’t 😀
I am a self declared Hoarder (with a capital H! Lol) and I definitely find it hard giving stuff up though I do do a semi annual spring clean to make sure things do not get out of control. And books, never will I give away all my books… They bring back joy and the happy memories of reading them.
LOL! I’m a hoarder too (but small h 😀 ) I do try to clear up after myself these days. Operative word is try because I do tend to drop things wherever I go, but hey, at least I’m now aware of it, and am trying to be better about not cluttering! 😀 I occasionally do big purges of my stuff as well. Sometimes you just have to, you know. It’s cathartic 😀
I actually can’t stand the clutter in my room BUT I love my books, I like looking at my unopened tubes or creams and lotions, I believe I will still lose enough weight to fit into my size 4 clothes and I’m a sentimental gal. Oh and a firm believer that once I throw something out..I will need it later. Hahaha. So yeah…I fail quite fantastically in the de-cluttering department ??
Hahaha I hear ya on thinking you can fit into old clothes. I have some hanging in my cupboard because of this. Sigh… Were that I were more disciplined so I’d actually be able to fit instead of hoping I could 😛 I do try however, to keep things tidy. Operative word being try. I think we can have things without cluttering up the place. It’s that balance to achieve
Ha!!! I had the book back then and I loved it. I didn’t achieve any of it, but I liked the idea that I could 😀 I did a bit of half hearted folding which soon fell apart (though I loved seeing my drawers all tidy) Im like you with the books though, no way they are going!!! And ditto Im a clutter person but I love all my things! Even the plastic Hello Kitty that I got in a cracker 10 years ago sparks joy because its cute, so its staying on my windowsill with a load of other crap lol.
So anyway I got the second book, and loved that too. And was delighted to see the series! I think, you know, its just the promise of this neat, serene, peaceful uncluttered life that’s so appealing even when you know its NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN. At least not the way she lives it. But hey!
I had a mad week, actually did the clothes thing properly ie piled it all up on my bed (and posted Instagram pic of the dog climbing it lol) I managed to get rid of 4 bin bags to a charity shop of clothes, unwanted kitchen bits, toys etc and I folded EVERYTHING nicely and my drawers are beautiful. The kitchen does feel nice now everything has a place and I will try and keep that up. (lol ‘try’) Saying ‘thank you’ to things really helped me to get rid of stuff like unwanted gifts (I like the idea that the gift has served its purpose – the giver was happy to give it to you and you have received it! You are happy that they thought of you, and the gift can now maybe go to someone else who will love it)
So its mixed. I keep my clutter and my books but I will try and keep my drawers tidy. I’ll try and be more mindful about what I buy in future. But overall I do agree with you – I thought it was just me, but really most of my things spark joy. And even if they don’t – what about stuff that doesn’t spark joy at all but you have to have it? Like boring work clothes etc? Hey ho!!
Loved this post btw (can you tell?!!)
Thanks for sharing your experience Sarah 🙂 I finished watching the series yesterday while… you guessed it, clearing up LOL! And to be fair, her tips are very practical. For someone with a lot of things, I’m sure it is also therapeutic, and I’ve since cleared out my guest room, so now it’s a guest room again and not a store room. I must admit also that sitting there, among my plastic boxes in the kitchen, I did wonder if that set of ugly boxes were worth keeping, even though they were practical, and the eventual answer was no. LOL! I guess you could say they did not spark joy anymore, and also, life’s too short to surround yourself with things you don’t enjoy 🙂 There is a lot we can take away from her, but sometimes, I feel it seems more esoteric than most will like to believe 😀
Ahhh, see I love the esoteric bits! I’m going around thanking everything lol – but then I’m that way inclined anyway, I do know a lot of people that say the book is ‘bonkers’ haha. I can see that puts people off. But hey – my laundry cupboard used to terrify me and now everything is nicely stacked in beautiful pink boxes so – progress! Lol!
hahaha No I get you Sarah – to each our own. I did initially think the book was a bit mad at the beginning, when I first read it. But some parts of it makes sense. You just have to pick out the parts that do, and ignore the parts that don’t. That’s true of every self-help book right? 😀 And your laundry cupboard sounds so lovely! Well done – see it brings you joy 😀