The KonMari Method®
Marie Kondo. Photo courtesy of KonMari Media, Inc.
What if tidying wasn’t about getting rid of things—but about learning how to choose what truly belongs in your life?
If you’ve heard of the KonMari Method®, you’ve likely heard the phrase:
“Does it spark joy?”
Perhaps you haven’t heard of the KonMari Method, though—in which case, let’s take a moment.
Where the KonMari Method Comes From
The KonMari Method is designed to be done as a “tidy festival”—a focused, once-in-a-lifetime reset of your home, completed by category rather than little bits here and there.
The method was created by Marie Kondo, a Japanese organizing consultant and author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. The name “KonMari” comes from her name—Kondo Mari—following the Japanese convention of placing the family name first.
Marie’s interest in tidying began early—she fell in love with it at just five years old, continued studying organizing as a teenager, and began working as a professional consultant at 19. What started as a personal pursuit grew into a global movement, with her books reaching millions of readers and her philosophy resonating in homes around the world.
But what makes the KonMari Method so impactful isn’t just its popularity—it’s the perspective behind it.
At its core, the KonMari Method is not solely about organizing.
It’s about learning how to listen to yourself—and building a life that reflects what you hear.
It’s Not About Tidying. It’s About Choosing
The KonMari Method is a decision-making practice.
It asks you to first envision your ideal next chapter, then gather your belongings by category and consider, for each item:
Does this spark joy?
Does this support the life I want to live?
Joy looks different for each of us, and no two people will arrive at the same outcome. While the result is a home that supports you, the point is not perfection.
The point is awareness.
Why Tidying by Category Changes Everything
Growing up, I organized by location—a drawer, a closet, a room.
The KonMari Method flips this completely.
Instead of tidying by location, you tidy by category.
Because only when you see everything you own in one category can you truly understand:
how much you have
what you actually use
what you’ve been holding onto out of habit
Seeing everything you own at once shifts something.
Not just in your home—but in your awareness.
The Order Matters (More Than You Think)
Marie Kondo’s method follows a very intentional sequence:
Clothing
Books
Papers
Komono
Sentimental items
You begin with items that are easier to evaluate, building your “spark joy” decision-making muscle over time.
By the time you reach sentimental items, they feel less overwhelming—and you’re better prepared to navigate them with clarity.
Rooted in Something Deeper
In Japan, there are long-standing traditions—particularly within Shinto—that emphasize respect, gratitude, and a sense of connection between people and the objects that support daily life.
You may see this reflected in small but meaningful practices:
thanking an item before letting it go
caring for your belongings intentionally
creating spaces that feel calm and supportive
It’s about cultivating awareness—and a relationship with your environment that feels aligned and respectful.
Joy Is a Skill You Can Practice
I’ve often heard people say that the idea of “joy” in relation to their belongings feels unfamiliar.
But as you move through the process, something remarkable happens.
You begin to notice:
a lightness in your body
a sense of ease
a quiet sense of clarity
That awareness ripples outward—shaping not just your home, but how you move through your life.
A Practical Kind of Magic
Marie Kondo’s bestselling book is aptly titled The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.
She’s not wrong: The KonMari Method is a form of practical magic.
Not in a whimsical, unrealistic way—but in the way small, intentional changes compound into something meaningful:
A drawer that opens easily.
A closet that feels calm.
A document you can find when you need it.
These changes may seem small—but together, they create a life that feels more present, more intentional, and more aligned with what matters most.
So… What Is the KonMari Method?
It’s a time-proven method of organizing, yes.
But more than that, it’s a practice of:
awareness
intention
and choosing what matters
It’s a way of declaring—both to yourself and the world—who you are, through what you choose to keep and what you choose to let go.
Curious What This Looks Like in Practice?
If you’re wondering how this process unfolds—and what it feels like to go through it with support—
👉 [Read what it’s like to work together]