At the heart of the method is the belief that whilst tidying is a useful tool, it is not the destination.

The true goal is to clear away the clutter so that you may the live the life you want. To achieve this we need to examine every item we own and ask ourselves if it sparks joy; if it supports our ideal lifestyle. By examining each item in this way, we discover what is really important to us and in doing so, we are able to thoughtfully and intentionally curate our belongings, so that we are surrounded by the things we love. How magical is that?

one

Commit yourself to tidying up

The very fact that you are looking for support means you have taken the first step towards making a positive change. The next step is to apply the method. A key part of the KonMari philosophy is to tidy up in one go, rather than little by little.

But donating clothes every now and again or clearing out a drawer will only have a short-term effect. Soon enough, the clutter returns, and this can be stressful and upsetting. Whilst clearing up in one go might seem daunting, making space and time to do it properly is the most effective way to tidy up once and for all.

two

Imagine your ideal lifestyle

Clarifying why you want to tidy and what sort of life you want to lead is a critical first step in the method. What would your best day look like? What would you be doing and who would you spend it with? What would be your ideal morning or evening routine? Having these clear images in your mind will motivate and guide you in your tidying. 

three

Finish discarding first

For many, the answer to tidying is storage. There are many attractive storage solutions available to us, but this approach is akin to a sticking plaster. Dealing with the symptom, but not the problem. It will look neat on the surface, but it’s simply hiding the clutter inside. Soon enough your existing storage will become full and you’ll find you need to buy more.

Instead, you should only consider storage once you have completed discarding because you may find that, once you’ve tidied, you already have all you need. 

four

Tidy by category, not location

Traditional tidying methods advocate tidying room by room. The problem with this approach is that we often store the same type of item in more than one place.  So, we end up tidying similar items over and over again. Instead, the KonMari Method advocates tidying by category.

By gathering similar items together in one place, we are encouraged to confront just how much we have of any one thing. This is known as the ‘power of the pile’ and it’s hugely effective. 

five

Follow the right order

The order in which you tidy has been specifically designed to hone your ability to distinguish what sparks joy. Clothes should be tackled first, as they are considered the easiest to sort through and are therefore ideal for practicing this skill. After clothes, it’s books, papers, Komono (miscellaneous items) and finally, sentimental items (mementos).

By the time you reach the sentimental category, you should have mastered the art of choosing what to keep and be able to let go of items which do not.

six

Ask your self if it ‘sparks joy’

Unlike more traditional tidying methods which focus on discarding items, the KonMari method focuses on keeping what we love, what sparks joy for us. For that reason, tidying is a personal and unique journey and one that will result in a home full of belongings that support your ideal lifestyle and bring you joy.