Marie Kondo in My Life
Sunday January 03, 2016
I’ve been asked for a while if I could blog about my experience with the whole KonMari method of tidying and decluttering my entire house. I don’t want to be some zealot pushing this approach onto uninterested people. Marie Kondo even states that only those who want to read her book should read it and buying the book for someone else is a bad idea. And it makes sense. Before you really put a lot of thought into the ways your life needs decluttered you too easily point to someone you know wishing THEY’D be more organized first. But in reading the book, and going through the process, you actually let go of how others organize their lives. You realize it’s a very personal experience; decluttering. And after you do it others will often approach you about it. But then some might take offense to something they deem as a “drastic measure.”
In my office I cleared away all remaining Japanese magazines that no longer sparked joy. I went through each one individually and kept only the ones I cherished. There were hundreds to go through. I had to make a separate trip to the recycling center just to deposit them (as the library did not want them sadly.) This process was easier than I expected as I could remember my favorite issues by just the cover. I did sort them twice. I went through my “sparked joy” pile a second time just to be sure.
I made the mistake of mentioning to my mother that we were organizing the house last September. She’s very sentimental and she’s aware that I don’t “hang onto things” (her words not mine.) It resulted in a very heated argument over the silliest things (that I shred old bills and other very random disagreements.) There’s a chapter in the book about not “letting them see.” The people in your life can easily take offense to even just knowing you may be giving away “perfectly good ____.” So… it’s a very personal journey.
For that reason I knew I didn’t want any before and after photos. There was no reason to compare the two. I wasn’t trying to “throw away the most stuff” or “develop the most creative stacking system.” I was simply trying to surround myself with only my favorite items. Things that… spark joy.
Before reading Marie Kondo’s book I was already doing some of the methods on my own. I’ve always been an organized person. Ultra-tidy; tad obsessive. But I also always hit brick walls. On days I was sick the house would fall apart. Some days I would just feel bummed entering a certain room even if it was neat and clean. I’d then turn it upside down trying to “fix something” but I never knew exactly what. I looked at my possessions in more of a “what can I get rid of” way. And this approach comes up in the book. I’ll be honest; many parts of this book really struck a nerve. The craziness and frustration I would sometimes feel… it was a relief to know I wasn’t alone.
When I started seeing my items, all of them, one by one as sparking joy or not it became much easier. I realized that many of my favorite things were hidden behind or next to some items I never even had feelings towards. So why was I keeping it? To take up space on my bookcase? Because a magazine somewhere one day said I needed this to “have a real home?” I’d get sucked into that nonsense pretty easily.
I used to hang all my clothes but I actually prefer the method the book recommends. I’m able to get dressed so quickly now and I never feel I have “nothing to wear.” I hang all my skirts and a few shirts or tops that didn’t seem happy folded in the drawers (wrinkled too easily or fabric not suited to folding.)
The two items on the shelf are new from Christmas. I like to display new or favorite items until I feel ready to fold them up with everything else. I like walking in and seeing them there.
I played around with color order but definitely got the best results from Marie Kondo’s advice to go from dark to light.
I like keeping my current favorite shoes out both for easy access and to have them on display so I always feel like I have great options.
It’s a daunting process that can take weeks. It’s done in stages. And I did everything. From clothes to bath goods, medicines, pots and pans, and even our food. Immediately after the process (which for me was like a high,) I felt both relieved and at a loss. Similar to finishing a long binge watch of a TV show. I somehow wished I could do it again but I couldn’t because it was done. Soon after living just became… easier. I got sick a month later and the things that usually fell apart didn’t. Laundry didn’t end up piling on the floor. I wasn’t behind on groceries or cleaning house or picking up. In fact “picking up” was no longer even a daily task of mine anymore. And that’s why I loved the book. My life truly is easier. It’s more at peace. I don’t feel like I always “need something new.” I’m still amazed when I go to find something and there it is in the spot it always is.
I don’t even know how many times I purged my makeup stash in my life but it always felt like a never-ending process. I had to set a real vision of what I wanted from my makeup items before going through each item individually. It was harder than doing clothing. I ended up parting with expensive items such as Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette which never suited my skintone and always frustrated me when wearing.
But when you open a drawer and you only see your favorites… it’s an amazing feeling. Guilt-free mornings choosing what to put on was worth the process. Much of my makeup only sparked joy with the initial purchase while others were still sparking joy on a daily basis for me.
Shopping has become so much easier. I stopped “stocking up” on things. I have vastly diminished impulse-buy cravings. And I don’t feel guilty spending on something I want.
Looking at every single thing I own individually made me realize what I’m passionate about. It was akin to a journey through my life as well. I was surprised at some of the things I still had hanging around. I also got a better sense of what I enjoy and how I became the person I am today. In a way it helps hone your own personal style from clothing, to decorating, to even cooking. I couldn’t believe I’d actually have pots and pans that “sparked joy” but I did.
Being able to appreciate the things that no longer make you happy and letting them go was key in a bedroom filled with an old broken alarm clock I never used and a TV that was more of an eyesore 90% of the time than useful. The TV was also a reminder for me of the times I spent in bed 2 years ago when I was too sore and in pain to even move. I hadn’t ever realized I had made that association until I had to truly consider whether or not that TV “sparked joy.”
I’ve become extremely familiar with that initial “yes” feeling that it’s spread into my daily life. It’s given me better decision making skills. I suddenly had all this practice in deciding what I did and didn’t like that it was easier to tell when I was doing something for myself or out of pressures and guilt.
This book was the missing piece I needed for so many years. I needed to know how to part with things that didn’t make me happy. I needed this all encompassing process to achieve the sort of reboot I had been searching for throughout the years. I haven’t returned to any of my old ways. It’s too obvious after you complete the process which habits make you unhappy and which spark joy.
more photos and captions…
One of the suggestions from the book I loved was that you likely have everything you need already to organize your possessions. You don’t need to run out to a container store and buy 25 different storage bins. I repurposed an old candle jar for my nail tools. The book suggests smart phone boxes make great storage bins and it’s 100% true. I, of course, had all my old iPhone boxes lying around. Now they’re organizing everything from baggu totes to beautyblender cleanser.
My cabinet used to be overflowing with skincare. Much of which I rarely used or didn’t even like using. Now I only have my trusty favorites. I do still buy new things and I keep it in a spot on the counter until I’ve made my verdict. If it becomes a favorite I find space for it. But oddly enough I’ve stopped frantically buying so much and don’t really have a space issue. Unlike before, if I’m not 100% happy with a product, I return it.
I used to keep my hair care and hair accessories in a bunch of different places. The book really reinforces centralized location for similar items and this has made my life a million times easier especially on mornings I’m running late and my hair is a mess. Now I always remember that I have nice accessories or dry shampoo when I’m rushing to get out the door.
I dedicated a basket to all “relaxing spa” items. A whole basket I can just pull out when I’m stressed and find something to treat myself.
I was skeptical about clearing off small appliances from countertops in the kitchen but it has worked out wonderfully. Pulling them out when needed and returning them when done has been easier than expected and it’s kept the counters from getting cluttered when cooking.
I went through every single plate, bowl, and glass I owned. I used to have cabinets overflowing with dinnerware that never got used.
I forgot I had these Hello Kitty dishes. I never used them really. They’re from a gift set I was given while in college and seeing them really brightens my day then I realized I could use them every day for a multitude of things and not just for holding sauces. I use them mostly to hold spices while cooking and it’s made cooking a lot more efficient!
I did our food as well. Surprisingly quick and simple I found a few better ways to organize the food we eat and I have a better idea of what we have at all times now. I used to accidentally buy an item I already had over and over again. One time I ended up with 3 bottles of garlic powder at the same time. Not anymore!
I used a mixture of repurposed gift box lids and Target storage solutions. The bag I keep rice and potatoes in is a $3 burlap bag Target sells in their dollar area.
Tags: home
51 Responses to “Marie Kondo in My Life”
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Ahhhh I know what you mean by personal experience! I am a very minimalist person myself but my husband is a hoarder… It drives me nuts! I’ll declutter the home but then he’ll come around and clutter it up again… Argh :(.
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I have her book and have yet to read it because I’m afraid it will push my OCD button and I don’t have time to do such massive cleaning at the moment :( it’s such a horrible excuse i know! But every short free time I have in my bedroom, I ALWAYS reorganize my makeup collection. It makes me happy to put everything back in place again. I need to do it with my clothing and books though…then eventually the whole house :-)
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I love this post. I’ve been trying to declutter my life for the past few years. First with clothes and then skincare and now books and desk items. And I noticed it always comes down to the same conclusion you had. Do I use it? Do I love it? Does it make me happy? And once I figured that out, it made all the decision making a lot easier, and now I look forward to moving next summer, just to go through all my things and declutter again haha
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Love this entry! I am about halfway through this book and your post made me even more excited about starting my own organization journey!
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THANK YOU!
I have been known to be a “neat-freak”, but after my cleaning, I would feel like I’m not completely done, if you know what I mean. I have also been told that there are several things I have in excess regularly (I stock up when I am about to run out of ____). I think this will work wonderfully for me!! Thank you for sharing!!
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This is a pretty personal post of yours so i feel kind of like a dick saying, “wow, your house looks beautiful!” first, but I’ll get it out of the way.
I’ve seen you mention it before, and I’ve started trying to look more at all my things that way (joy/not joy), especially as lately I’ve felt a bit oppressed by having too many things around . I haven’t devoted a ton of time to it, but it seems to help! And like you mention, I do think the joy approach feels better than the “get rid of things!” one. It’s good to read this and know that it was such a happy making thing for you!
(also, your makeup table is at one end of your walk in closet? good idea! *takes notes for future house*)
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I absolutely LOVE this post! I have always been loving personal post from you. Actually the very old ones, that nearly seems to be a journal. I have been ‘KonMari’ through the appartment the last few weeks myself and actually got in a big fight with my fiancee. He has always been a person, that couldn’t let ‘things’ go. So when he saw what dinnerware I gave away, he couldn’t take it anymore. So that’s why I could totally understand, why you shouldn’t let other people see, what you declutted. On the other side dinnerware are things that we both are using, so I should have been more considerate what he thinks about it… as mentioned in the book anyway. Cloth and make up wise I can totally feel the difference… but it is really much more… it’s a change in the thinking of your life. LOVE this post!
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Love this post! Book marking!!
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haven’t really commented in a long time but I want to say that I really love this post! trying to go through decluttering as well and you inspire me to pull up my socks and continue on with the process. and i must say that your house is beautiful!
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your home is so beautiful, i’m not usually a fan of yellow but i just adore your room. i’m glad you’ve found something that works for you! i tend to flip flop between wanting to just keep or bin everything, and it gets exhausting. i think i am a little bit of a hoarder though, eep! sadly i’m in a flat right now that does not spark any joy for me, but maybe one day when i live in a nicer building with a bit more control over my surroundings i will give this method a go.
i really like your pamper basket though, sometimes when i am stressed from work i want to relax but the thought of getting everything together just seems like too much effort. i think i’ll make my own!
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I remember a good friend in my past letting me borrow this book. It put into words the “relationship” I strived to have with my possessions, but more importantly, the relationship I wished to have with myself. There’s a lot more I have to do to cope with my ptsd diagnosis in healthy ways, but this book made me realize how much of those coping methods are tied to the home. Glad the book inspired you, as it did for me :)
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This post has come at such a coincidentally good time!! Since coming back from my trip to Europe a little over a week ago, I began to go on a frenzy of cleaning and purging – similar to the Marie Kondo method I guess, but without realizing it. I have to say cleaning and having less things really makes my life feel soooo much easier – I used to get anxious whenever I had to work on assignments at home… I would have to frantically tidy before beginning, maybe having too many things was part of the reason? Also I love your house’s new look Jenny, super simple and refreshing. ^^
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I am SO glad to see that you made a post on this! I love this book so much because it helped me realize that all my “stuff” contributes to my (severe) anxiety. I am super prone to clutter and much too sentimental, so letting go of things is hard for me. Realizing that having all of these “things” surround me does not bring me comfort or make me feel safe, and actually makes me uneasy, was revolutionary for me. I am not nearly done with my KonMari process, but I already feel so much lighter.
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Even the physical book itself brings me joy. The cover is just so beautiful. Although I feel like I need to reread the book and take notes or bookmark things because you mentioned tips that I had forgotten about. ^^;;
And thank you for sharing how you’ve implemented this throughout your house. Usually, I only see closets but it’s so nice to see how it’s applied to the bathroom and kitchen.
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Oh goodness, this post gives me life!
I absolutely agree with decluttering being a personal experience. In my case, my grandmother was a MASTER HOARDER, attaching sentimental value to literally everything. We couldn’t throw anything out (magazines, clothes, you name it). Her home was always organized clutter, but clutter none the less.
Now, cleaning and reorganizing are practically cathartic! I’m definitely checking out this book! Wonderful post. So glad I found your blog!
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I loved this book! & it really is life changing. Thanks for sharing your space, very inspiring :)
I have the same make up vanity & im curious as to where you got the red trays in the drawer from, I’ve been looking for something that fits! Thank you!
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I just found your blog through Bloglovin’ because I’m sick and tired of people always photographing products to offer me to buy next time I’m out, shopping.. I love reviews of course.. but I’m missing those real stories, personal journeys that blogging is use to be about! I’ve red enough stories about concealers and essie nail polishes.. so to find your blog is truly refreshing! I was so inspired by this post that sparked my interest looking into: who the heck is Marie Kondo and what is the KonMari method..? Your photos are truly inspiring, worth much much more than any photo in home style magazines, as we all know, those “homes” have nothing to do with real-life, everyday living. So your home… How is this even possible?! And so thank to YOU I did buy the Magic of Tidying book and wow! Now that’s a way to start a new year! I just want to write you, thank you for the inspiring photographs, and that you taking the time to write down your journey and experiences and I cannot wait for myself to be a more organized person by following your footsteps! Thank you for inspiring! <3
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What a great post! Everyone I visit your site I learn something new! I’ve been wanting to clear out my junk but haven’t been able to do so. Gonna go check out Marie Kondo now :)
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This was really interesting! I heard the name Marie Kondo a few times here and there but I never really read into it/her. That part about your mother finding out reminds me of a time I was trying to sort out old clothes to donate because my mom asked me to… She ended up taking most of it back because they were “perfectly fine” ide.
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Way, what a great post. Also, can I ask what is the name of your makeup mirror? I have been looking for something that size for a while?
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I love this blog post! I can practically feel your contentment (relief?). :)
I was skeptical of Marie Kondo at first, but the bits I got from you and another friend convinced me that this was a viable way to let go.
I may pick up the book for organizing tips. I am really particular about the way my environment looks and where things are placed or arranged, but I find it hard to actually achieve what I want. I’m also on a tight budget, so I’m especially pleased that the book tells you that you likely already have what you need.
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How wonderful! Thank you so much from this post. I’m currently undergoing psychotherapy and this strikes as a very therapeutic book to transition from the management of my hoarding symptoms to actually making my home a relaxing environment.
My bedroom and studio currently inhabit the same space (frustrating right?) and my simple aim is to prevent my work table from becoming cluttered with bedroom items everyday, so much that my mornings are spent tidying and reorganising or worse I feel hopeless and spend all day on my computer.
Would you recommend Spark Joy or Life-Changing Magic? Also I love that your office is bright yellow!
tl;dr: Thank you for inspiring me with this moving personal post :)
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Wow! I’m so impressed with how strictly you followed the book! I read it and really enjoyed the things she had to say, but I still haven’t been able to fully follow the method. I really hope to find the ability to follow through like this. Your house looks great! It must feel amazing to be surrounded by only the things that bring you joy.
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I am going through a process of what I call ‘cleansing’ my apartment. I have to do it a smaller periods because of how overwhelming it can be.
There are some things I cannot ditch because they are a few things that I have left of my father.
I applaud you for doing this! Hearing about your journey is inspiration for me to continue on with mine.