Any environment that we spend the most time in becomes our dominant influencer. For most of us, this tends to be our home, which makes it worthwhile to discuss the KonMari method – created by the organizing consultant and author Marie Kondo, with one primary objective: How to change the environment for a positive life?

Having discovered the impact of surroundings on our life by the age of 15, Marie has spent life understanding and organizing spaces. In an instant gratification society, where we hoard items even if we do not need them, the KonMari method asks a simple question for our possessions: “Does it spark joy?”

Marie explains her philosophy in the book “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” as:

“The concepts underpinning feng shui are the dual forces of yin and yang and the five elements (metal, wood, water, fire, and earth). The basic belief is that everything has its own energy and that each thing should be treated in a way that suits its characteristics… The philosophy of feng shui is really about living in accordance with the rules of nature. The purpose of my approach to tidying is exactly the same. The true purpose of tidying is, I believe, to live in the most natural state possible. Don’t you think it is unnatural for us to possess things that don’t bring us joy or things that we don’t really need? I believe that owning only what we love and what we need is the most natural condition.”

The Process

Marie proposes that we all need a sanctuary, a place to unwind and connect with ourselves, and our homes should be this place. The KonMari method can be summarized as a 3-step process:

1. Tidy in one shot, as quickly as possible:

  • For a change to impact your life, it must be drastic. This is the foundation of the KonMari method – change your space as quickly as possible

  • Do not stretch the change to be one item per day or throw old items when you get new ones. Rather tidy up the whole living space in one go, quickly

2. Sort by category, not location:

  • Marie cautions against the common practice of tidying up by location, as we decide to tidy up the kitchen today, living room tomorrow, and so on. This usually turns into a never-ending loop

  • Instead, tidy up by category, where you sort all the items of the same type together. Categorize your items like clothes, books, papers, etc.

  • For the highest impact, pile up all things of the same category in front of your eyes, so you can see how many unnecessary things you possess

3. Ask yourself, “Does it spark joy?”:

  • After step 2, once your categorical pile is ready, it is time to start organizing the things you need

  • Hold each item in hand and see if it sparks joy in you. If it does, put it into a suitable spot. Try to keep all things of the same category together, like all clothes in a cupboard.

  • Feeling joy is very important and Marie stresses that you should hold each item in your hands to see if you feel a positive connection to them

  • By the end, as you go category by category, you would end up with a pile of things that did not spark joy. Get rid of them and you’re done

A Word of Caution

Marie also cautions of a subtle mindset difference. The goal is not to throw useless things away. Instead, your goal is to only keep things that “spark joy.” Simply hold each item in your hands and keep it if it brings positive energy to you.

When we start with the mindset of throwing things away, we get stuck between past attachment and future fears. We find it hard to throw things that could still be useful (functional value), that contain helpful information (informational value), and that have sentimental ties (emotional value)

Tidy Space, Clear Mind

In the end, it is not about a cleaner and minimalist lifestyle, but more about organizing your mind. Reducing chaos in the environment also cleans up the mind. The act of letting go of possession that add no positive energy in the present, even if they could have some past or future value, makes us more authentic.

The KonMari method tunes the mind to feel the “spark of joy” or positivity across all aspects of life. A mind thus tuned is no longer a slave of attachments. It becomes a force of positivity, keeping only the authentic relationships. A life thus lived becomes unburdened and free.

In the end, Marie says, “There are three approaches we can take toward our possessions: face them now, face them sometime, or avoid them until the day we die. The choice is ours.”