Marie Kondo’s latest book “Spark
Joy: An Illustrated Master Class on the Art of Organizing and Tidying Up” is a fascinating
perspective on clutter control. The
KonMari tidying method is based on understanding what items spark joy in everyday
life. The book opens with instructions
on how to hone your sensitivity to what brings you joy. The core of her decluttering strategy is to
only keep the items that spark joy. Her detailed directions help the reader
follow the clutter busting program carefully and in sequential order. Ms. Kondo
explains the difference between cleaning and tidying. She says that “Tidying is the act of
confronting yourself; cleaning is the act of confronting nature. “
Contrary to the methods used by many
organizers today, she encourages people to touch their items and hold them
close to “feel” if an item sparks joy.
Her sequence of sorting always begins with clothing and then proceeds to
books, paper, miscellaneous and finally, to sentimental items. Instead of organizing room by room, she
instructs the reader to gather all items in one category and sort them. All clothing in the house is gathered in one
room and sorted as a category. As daunting
as this may sound, it forces one to really be sure all clothing is accounted
for. No piles left untouched! For those who have lots of clothing, this
session could be a marathon!
Ms. Kondo likes to store
items based on what they are made of.
Paper files, stationary and books create the category of items made from
trees. Her sensitivity to how the product is created allows her to thank the
item for its service when she choses to let that item go. This reverence for items reminds me of the
teachings of Feng Shui which also gives inanimate objects a life-force called
Chi or energy. Thanking the item before
discarding is a method that allows the person who is organizing to proceed without
guilt when items are no longer needed or wanted. Departing items can be given a second life
with a new owner.
The Japanese attention to
small detail and beauty is apparent in this book as Marie encourages her
readers to have their drawers look like Japanese Bento boxes. “The bento
(colorful and beautifully packaged lunch boxes) encapsulates Japan’s unique
storage space aesthetics. Key concepts
include separating flavors, beauty of presentation, and close fit.”
The main part of the book
gives illustrated examples of folding techniques so clothing will line up beautifully
in drawers. Marie likens folding
clothing to folding paper in origami.
The last quarter of the book
gives tips on how to make various areas in the home feel joyful and welcoming. “Spark Joy” provides a different way to view
the organizing process. Marie invites us
to embrace and treasure the things we own.
When we truly value our belongings, we must take great care of them and
involve them in creating a beautiful home that nurtures and delights. Western organizers can glean some nuggets from
“Spark Joy”. Silently thanking items
that depart from the home can only bring a nice sense of closure to the often
painful process of sorting. Taking the
extra time to make a beautiful bento box drawer will hopefully encourage us to
maintain that beauty and order and not toss items willy-nilly in a heap or over
stuff our drawers! All organizers have
their unique way of helping clients find peace and order in their spaces. Ms.
Kondo’s tidying method offers us a refreshing new way to say goodbye to the
clutter in our lives.
