The most challenging aspect of decluttering often isn't sorting through your belongings but rather grappling with the emotions that come beforehand. Feelings of anxiety about starting and attachment to items can make the process quite taxing mentally.
Fortunately, Marie Kondo offers a refreshing perspective to ease this challenge. The celebrated Japanese organizing expert is renowned for her minimalist approach to tidying. Ahead of her appearance at the Clean and Tidy Home Show in London, Kondo shared invaluable tips in a recent discussion.
When addressing individuals who feel apprehensive about decluttering, she suggests an intellectual exercise designed to confront emotional discomfort. Kondo advises, 'First, I would encourage them to envision their ideal way of life. It's understandable to feel nervous when focusing solely on the task of tidying up.' Her point is that tidying is about more than just organizing; it's about creating the life you desire. Imagine what your life could look like if you could get the clutter under control.
She elaborates, 'Tidying is a means, not a goal. Before you commence tidying, visualize the ideal life you aspire to achieve through it, joyfully and freely. Try to imagine so vividly that you can see yourself in a tidy room and sense the excitement and happiness that brings.' Instead of fixating on the stress and challenges of decluttering, shift your mindset to focus on the positive outcomes of the process. This positive approach can lead to the realization that a clean home can enhance your happiness.
Kondo also encourages rethinking the fear surrounding decluttering. Instead of viewing it as a matter of discarding items, consider it as an opportunity to decide what truly brings you joy. She explains: 'Another piece of advice is to select what sparks joy.' This mindset transforms tidying into a more enjoyable and less daunting task, allowing you to make cleaning enjoyable and lessen tidying anxiety.
Kondo emphasizes: 'Focusing on what sparks joy is crucial to turning tidying into a rewarding experience. While tidying, it's common to feel you must discard or reduce your possessions. Instead, think of it as a constructive process to choose what makes you happy. This shift can make tidying far more pleasant.'
For further insights from Kondo, consider her book Spark Joy. This compact guide is filled with the organizing tips you didn't know you needed.
To alleviate your nervousness about tidying, try organizing in small steps to minimize cleaning time. This method helps make decluttering and tidying feel less daunting and allows you to prioritize the most essential tasks first. With the guidance of Marie Kondo, you're set up for success, so why not check out Marie Kondo's tips for tidying before hosting next?
・Marie will present at the Main Stage of the Clean and Tidy Home Show on October 19.
・In collaboration with the Clean and Tidy Home Show, KonMari will host an In-Person Consultant Course, marking the first of its kind in Europe in five years. Registration closes on September 30. Why not take the plunge and transform your life in three days?
