Livable.com states, “The KonMari method is a system of simplifying and organizing your home by getting rid of physical items that do not bring joy into your life.” In the powerful words of Marie Kondo, the woman who developed the KonMari method of decluttering, “discard anything that doesn’t spark joy.”  

The Mirriam Webster dictionary defines joy as “the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires.” I’ve seen it defined in a more spiritual context as a “settled state of contentment, confidence, and hope.” So, if you’re belongings don’t delight you, it’s time to say good-bye.

Hmmm. In that case, since cooking no longer sparks joy, I’m getting rid of the stove and most of my kitchen implements. The Kitchen Aid stays because it was a “joyful” gift from my children. Doing laundry is not what I’d refer to as a “joyful activity,” so I guess I’ll donate the washer and dryer to Goodwill and turn the laundry room into wine storage.

While reading Ms. Kondo’s best selling book, The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, I admit that I giggled on occasion (well, maybe it was more than a giggle). This woman actually suggests that before getting rid of items, you thank them for serving their purpose. She texted her old cell phone from her new cell phone to thank it for “all it has done.” I’m not saying that we shouldn’t appreciate or care for our possessions; I just don’t want to have a conversation with my coat.

Making the Case for a Tidy Home

For most of us, it feels good to keep our homes tidy. If you check our last blog, The Ugly Truth About Clutter, you’ll note that clutter can be physically and psychologically damaging. Marie Kondo has made quite a good living as an organization consultant and author, so there is probably something to be said for her method. She is reasonable enough to mention self storage as a solution for those who have trouble “letting go.”

The KonMari Method

As you can imagine, this method is highly detailed, so I’m going to give you a very simplified overview. The KonMari Method advocates sorting your belongings category-by-category rather than room-by-room. The reason for this is that people typically store items of the same category in different locations. Imagine that.

Before you begin your organization journey, read the following rules. This can be quite the intimidating process, so be sure you’re ready for it.

Rules

Rule 1:Commit yourself to tidying up.

Rule 2:  Imagine your ideal lifestyle (visualize your life in an organized home).

Rule 3:  Finish discarding first. Before getting rid of items, sincerely thank each one for serving its purpose (this is where she loses me because having conversations with inanimate objects is just weird, unless they are stuffed animals).

Rule 4: Tidy by category, not location.

Rule 5:  Follow the right order (Categories 1 through 5).

Rule 6:  Ask yourself if the item sparks joy.

Categories

Category 1:  Clothing

Clothing is typically stored in closets, dresser drawers, and maybe under the bed. After you’ve removed all of your clothing from these spaces and laid it on the floor, you can then move on to creating sub-categories. For example, you could separate your clothes into seasonal categories and then further subdivide, and finally donate or discard.

Category 2:  Books

As with clothing, remove all books from shelves and place them on the floor. Place them into four broad categories: 

• General (books you read for pleasure)
• Practical (references, cookbooks, etc.)
• Visual (photograph albums, etc.)
• Magazines

Hold each book and decide whether you want to keep it or toss it. Remember you’re looking for books that “spark joy.” 

Category 3:  Papers

Papers include accumulated newspapers, invitations and school announcements stuck to the refrigerator, as well as junk mail. The basic KonMari principle for papers is to throw everything away unless it does not fall into one of three categories:

• Currently in use
• Needed for a limited period
• Must be kept indefinitely

You’ll find the complex system for categorizing all other papers (bills, sentimental letters/diaries, receipts) in the The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up.

Category 4: Konomo (miscellaneous items)

These are the items you will find everywhere in your house. 

• CDs/DVDs
• Makeup (cosmetic samples that have never been used)
• Accessories
• Valuable Items (passports, credit cards, etc.)
• Electrical Equipment (broken appliances, cameras, cords, etc.)
• Household Equipment (stationery, writing materials, sewing baskets, etc.)
• Household and Cleaning Supplies (medicine, detergents, cleaners, tissues, etc.)
• Kitchen Goods (pots and pans, small appliances, kitchen implements, etc.)
• Other (spare change, key rings, etc.)
• Anything Related to a Particular Interest or Hobby 

Category 5: Sentimental Items

These are items from your past that still hold meaning for you. The problem is that they are probably stored in a drawer or closet where you never see them.They include mementos, photographs, and souvenirs. These things tend to appear in unexpected places. The KonMari Method will help you organize what is most meaningful. You’ll use the same method for sorting these items as you do for everything else. Lay them out on the floor (or bed or table), and create categories. Be aware that you will be holding on to each photo to see if it “sparks joy,” and then you probably need to have a conversation with it.

So now you’re ready to “put your space in order and change your life forever.” Anyway, that’s what the book says. If you’re going to follow this method, you really need to investigate self storage because it will give you the best of both worlds. You can follow the KonMari Method and still have a place for those “maybe I’ll need them later” items. If you into talking to inanimate objects, you can visit your items and thank them for serving their purpose. Don’t worry our friendly, professional storage management team will not laugh. They’re probably having discussions with their own stuff.