Today’s topic … organization. Love it or hate it, an organized space can be the difference in whether your room of choice feels like a chaos of clutter or a serene sanctuary. There’s a lot of methods to the madness out there, but one of the most popular ones is the KonMari Method.
So let’s dive into the KonMari Method pros and cons of whether it will “spark joy” in your next organization project.
The Positives
Joy-Centric Approach: “Does this spark joy?” I can clearly remember when Marie Kondo’s hit series dropped on Netflix and how four-word phrase, became a viral sensation. Whether said in jest or earnest, joy is the main premise of the KonMari Method.
Rather than mindlessly discarding items, the method encourages a more thoughtful approach to your belongings and focuses on helping you connect with your item on a deeper level. It’s a positive approach to an otherwise mundane process, ensuring that everything you keep truly adds value (and joy) into your life.
Decluttering by Order (Not Room): I, personally, love this tenet of the KonMari Method. No matter the room, decluttering and organization can be overwhelming. Following the premise of decluttering in a specific order gives you best shot to make more informed decisions about what to keep and what to let go.
For instance, start with the easiest category (clothes, books) and end with the more difficult (miscellaneous and sentimental items). Leaving the more difficult items toward the end keeps you from getting stuck (and not finishing your decluttering project).
Declutter First, Organize Next: Another favorite approach of mine. Kondo believes decluttering is the first step to “tidying” up. No matter how many cute containers or helpful bins and baskets you may have, if your space is full of stuff, they won’t be much help.
The KonMari Method hammers home the idea of “if you buy more stuff without decluttering what you have, you’ll need more containers.” Stop the cycle of acquiring more by decluttering.
The Infamous Folding: #IYKYK and if you don’t, let me share that Marie Kondo has the most perfect approach to folding. There’s a reason why clothes is the first tidying category of the KonMari method, we live in it.
The KonMari technique for folding clothing has transformed my way of folding. Focusing on folding neatly and standing items vertically (versus stacking) prevents wrinkles, saves space and allows for you to see exactly what you need (rather than making a mess by trying to find what you need). As the kids say, “I stan.”
The Cons
Time-Consuming: Let's be real; the KonMari Method can be time-consuming. Since the method requires big chunks of time devoted to decluttering everything at once, sorting through every item in your home category by category may not be the best fit for your lifestyle. It's not a quick fix, so be prepared for a substantial time investment.
Overemphasis on Joy: While focusing on joy is undoubtedly a strength of the method, it can also be a drawback. Some argue that it's unrealistic to expect every item you own to spark joy. What about the practical items like a plunger or a fire extinguisher? The method may not provide clear guidance for such necessities.
You Can Get Caught Up In the Details: From a specific way of folding socks to keeping only five photos per event, Kondo gets pretty detailed in her approach to organization. It can get overwhelming and, as I said before, so very time consuming. Not everyone has the time to think thoughtfully about the details of hanging your clothes so they “rise to the right.” Which leads me to my final point …
Not One-Size-Fits-All: The KonMari Method might not suit everyone's lifestyle or personality. Some people thrive in organized chaos and find comfort in their clutter. Some families are barely able to unload the dishwasher before running off to soccer practice.
Not to mention, wrangling your entire family to declutter (another tenant to the KonMari Method) may be entirely laughable (especially if you have teenagers). It's important to remember, as will all things, what works for one person may not work for another.
To conclude today’s post, I believe the KonMari Method is a unique and refreshing approach to organization. From focusing on a more mindful attitude when tidying your home to resetting the way you look at the items in your home, we recommend taking the bits that work for you and sparking “joy” in the way that makes the most sense for your lifestyle.
As always, the Bluebird Design Co is happy to take the lead in sparking the joy back into your home. Whether it’s organization or refreshing your interior, we have your back!
Until next time – happy decluttering!
Comments