August 15, 2023
Does tidying up your home often seem like an endless task? Depending on your approach to decluttering, it can indeed become one. Tackling each room separately can quickly become overwhelming, especially since similar items tend to be stored in multiple places, leading to repetitive tasks. Enter the KonMari method, developed by Marie Kondo. This revolutionary approach to decluttering breaks it down into six simple steps and has been proven to create a lasting sense of tidiness in your life.
Step One: Commit Yourself to Tidying Up
Decluttering your life is no small feat, and it becomes even more challenging with a negative attitude. Dedicate a day or two to this task, approaching it with enthusiasm. Preemptively acquire any additional storage bins or units to avoid being faced with a mountain of items after all your hard work.
Step Two: Imagine Your Ideal Lifestyle
Rather than focusing solely on appearances for guests, envision how you want to experience your day-to-day life. Consider the items you wish to surround yourself with, the values that hold importance to you, and the energy you want the space to exude. Maintain this perspective as you declutter to keep your motivation levels high.
Step Three: Finish Discarding First
Before finding permanent homes for your items, sort through everything first. Keep only those items that serve a purpose in your life (remember, finding joy in an object is a purpose!) and let go of the rest.
Step Four: Tidy by Category, Not by Location
Organize items according to their purpose rather than their physical location. This approach enables you to see all your belongings at once and prevents you from falling into the never-ending cycle of cleaning.
The categories are as follows: clothing, books, papers, miscellaneous items, and sentimental items.
Step Five: Follow the Right Order
Begin with decluttering your clothing – often a relatively easier category to part with. This category offers tangible proof of your progress, as you’ll be reminded of your efforts each time you get dressed, inspiring you to continue on your decluttering journey. For important papers or documents, gather them all and place them in a secure binder for easy access when needed.
Save sentimental items for last, leveraging the momentum you’ve built to help you let go of items that no longer serve you. Taking photographs of bulkier or cherished items can help reduce clutter while still preserving the associated memories.
Step Six: Does It Spark Joy?
The crux of the KonMari method lies in asking yourself if an item sparks joy within you. A life filled with meaning is one enriched with joy. Therefore, no matter how ornamental or seemingly trivial something may be, if it brings you happiness, it has a place in your life. Consider using storage bins and rotate their contents to ensure each item maintains a sense of novelty.
Spark Joy in Your Home Today!
Ready to bid farewell to clutter for good? Give Marie Kondo’s method a try! Store those joy-sparking items that don’t fit in your home at one of our units. With 24/7 access, you can effortlessly reintroduce them into your living space whenever inspiration strikes.