Each year, I become more interested in simplifying my life. Acquiring fewer possessions. Slowing down. Getting my house (& studio) in order. I even see it in my artwork, with recent experiments in abstraction. There’s something appealing about paring down.
The point where simplifying becomes a struggle is dealing with clutter, particularly the flurry of paper that seems to invade my space on a daily basis. I often read books + articles about organizing. The prevalent theory is that you should organize a little each day. Make it a habit and eventually you will be organized. I don’t know about you, but that has never worked for me. I’m always few steps behind on the journey to clutter-free living.
So it was with great interest, and some trepidation, that I picked up the new best-selling book on organizing by Marie Kondo, “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: the Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing.”
Marie Kondo’s approach, known as the KonMari method, is radical in that she believes tidying up is an activity you need to do only once. Her theory is that if you organize thoroughly over a relatively short period of time (six months on average), the impact of doing so will have such a profound impact on your life, that you will stay organized. Marie Kondo’s primary business is as a consultant to individual clients. She claims that none of her clients who use her method ever rebound into disorganization.
Marie Kondo’s organizing technique boils down to two activities: getting rid of things and putting them away. That’s it! She offers tips on folding and storing clothing; and has some unusual ideas on communicating with your possessions. But her book isn’t really about organizing solutions. Marie Kondo’s main point, and what I found inspiring about her book, is her philosophy. Her criteria for deciding what to keep is if an item “sparks joy” for you. The process of going through your belongings, one by one, forces you choose, over and over, what is important to you. In the end, organizing isn’t about getting rid of things, but rather identifying what it is you really want. Therein lies the transformation.
Do you struggle with organizing?
Have you tried or read about Marie Kondo’s technique?
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