Are you prone to hoarding stuff? Your drawers, closets, and desk overflow with things you haven't used in ages? Yet nothing seems to work whenever you try to organize your life. How about a new approach? But before we get into it, let's investigate why clutter gets the best of us.
Why do we get messy?
Our environment gets messy due to several reasons– tight schedules, mood issues, or work. Also, tidying up rarely feels like fun. Who gets excited about house chores?
Sometimes, indecisiveness kicks in about some items. We don't know whether to reuse, give away, or throw them.
There are numerous organization methods to choose from. But one that most people swear by is the KonMari Method.
What is it?
This is a method devised by Marie Kondo. In her book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing, she provides a guide to decluttering your spaces.
The KonMari Method involves tidying up by category, not by location. You start with clothes, then books, papers, komono (miscellaneous items), then sentimental items. The overriding principle is to keep only those things that speak to your heart and discard items that don't spark joy.
Before discarding the items, thank them for their service then let them go.
SIX RULES FOR TIDYING UP YOUR SPACES
The Konmari Method outlines 6 rules for tidying up:
- Commit yourself to tidying up.
- Imagine your ideal lifestyle.
- Finish discarding first.
- Tidy by category, not by location.
- Follow the right order.
- Ask yourself if it sparks joy.
Just because your stuff is tucked away from sight doesn't mean your home is tidy. It means you're good at hiding things.
THE ENERGY OF YOUR HOME
This method emphasizes the spiritual aspect of the home- each space has its separate energy. This energy can significantly affect your mood and set the tone of your day.
The KonMari Method is effective if you follow the instructions as outlined in the book. The categorical system helps you stay focused on one thing before moving to the next. This way, you're not overwhelmed by the overall process.
Try it!
When you're about to try something new, it usually feels daunting. However, remembering your goal helps to keep you motivated.
Once you've done steps 1 and 2 of the 6 rules for tidying up, start with the first category on the list—clothes. Ensure you follow the correct order for a smooth process.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?
Considering that this is a process, you need to be realistic with the time you'll need to finish each category. Some may need more days than others.
However, it would be best if you gave yourself a deadline to keep yourself from lingering.
The first week
Your first week could go something like this.
DAY 1
Gather all your clothes and accessories into one location within your home (like your bed or couch). Start by putting aside the items that bring you joy. Keep the things that do not bring happiness in a separate pile.
DAY 2
If you didn't manage to finish removing the clothing that does not bring you joy on the first day, complete this task today. All non-joy items must be removed before moving to the next step. Once your storage area is ready, you can now put away the clothes and accessories.
DAY 3
When placing your clothes in drawers, fold them in the method outlined by Kondo. Fold them into uniform, wrinkle-free rectangles and lay them with the folded edge upright. The flat side of the item should face upward.
For clothes that you're putting on hangers, place similar clothing items next to each other and sort by shade. You'll manage to see all your clothes at a glance, evoking feelings of joy.
DAY 4
Start the next category and follow all the steps above. The schedule we've outlined isn't cast in stone- it's a guideline of how to plan your week for cleaning up.
Get started today
If you have tried various methods of getting rid of clutter with frustrating results, we recommend you try the KonMari method. It might inspire you to commit to a tidier lifestyle.
With love,
The Sole Toscana Beauty Team
