The Life-Changing Magic of Bagging a Netflix Series
Marie Kondo’s KonMari approach to organizing a home started to make waves across Europe and the US when her book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up was published. From the start, Kondo has emphasized the relationship between owner and object, and on joy. Now, a new Netflix series based on Kondo’s book, and hosted by Kondo herself, shows how the KonMari method impacts individuals and families who follow her guidance.
Whether it’s a New Year’s resolution, or just something you have wanted to start in on for some time, cutting through the clutter can be a joyful experience. Below, we outline some of the ideas from The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up to show where to begin.
And, if these ideas catch your interest, you can find the rest of the key takeaways for Kondo’s book in the Blinkist library. Whether you choose to read or listen to them, it will only take you around 15 minutes!
Visualize your spaces
Decluttering often seems like a daunting task. There’s just so much stuff there. Picturing how you want the bedroom or office to look in the end can help you figure out what stays and what goes. If an item does not help you realize your vision or have a specific emotional value, then it can be removed.
Objects “spark joy” and tidying cures indecisiveness
The KonMari method relies heavily on intuition to decide whether something stays or not, especially the feelings of joy a particular object creates. This helps to foster a deeper appreciation of the things we do keep. Parting with items we hold onto for no particular reason also becomes much easier. Plus, cleaning out feels less like a chore when joy is the motivator.
Learn to respect objects and self-reflect
Kondo’s method cultivates an appreciation for the objects you decide are worth holding on to. Sorting through old belongings can reawaken previous passions or let us realize that the spark is just no longer there.
Nothing should be kept that is not cherished. Get rid of everything that doesn’t manage to make you feel good. Every discarded item deserves a gracious exit from your life, and you should take a moment to appreciate how significant it once was to you.
Marie Kondo even verbally communicates with objects, and shows gratitude when she enters a home. This ritualistic method may seem extreme, but always showing respect, even if it is to the lowliest item such as an odd sock, is a valuable sentiment.
The Method to the Magic
KonMari encourages tidying based on categories. From clothes to books to documents to miscellaneous and sentimental items, such an approach helps you to perceive how everything fits together in the bigger picture of your life.
Orderly spaces with easy-to-access items cut out the chaotic moments of rummaging around. This sense of control encourages a calm mindset. Arranging your remaining precious joy-sparking pieces in a neat, folded, color and size-ordered way pleases the eye and invokes a feeling of “lightness” according to Kondo.
Tidying has a positive effect on self-perception
Achieving your desired living space reinforces a positive self-image. Achieving what may seem impossible builds your confidence. Success in this area may also inspire you to take on other areas of your life.
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up
- 14 min reading time
- audio version available
Marie Kondo’s approach cleanses your life one gracious keeping or parting at a time. The KonMari ‘once-in-a-lifetime tidying marathon’ may take months, but the process is as beneficial as the end result. Learn to appreciate everything that brings you joy. Then you will achieve a sense of serenity by removing unnecessary stuff that doesn’t make you happy. This holistic tidying method teaches you how to respect your environment.
Kondo’s message is simple: by learning to value the things around you, you will learn to value yourself more. And, whether in her book or show, she demonstrates that through getting rid of many things, we have a lot to gain.
