According to Marie Kondo, the art of decluttering means getting rid of things in your life that don’t “spark joy.”
A couple of years ago, I read her bestselling book “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.” I enjoyed the book but wasn’t interested in “tidying.”
(It was like reading a cookbook with no intention of making the recipes. But I know you won’t merely read my cookbook, because the recipes are easy and yummy. You can make an epic dinner of all appetizers.)
See what I did there? Oops. (sorry not sorry)
Okay, back to the art of decluttering.
Marie Kondo’s “KonMari Method” is a huge trend right now. Thanks to “Tidying up with Marie Kondo,” her new show on Netflix, there’s a sweeping frenzy of decluttering and organizing. And social media is all in (I’m looking at you,
Instagram.)
When the series started, I was curious to see what the fuss was about.
So I tuned in.
And there she was — Marie Kondo, a tiny woman whose sweet demeanor was immediately obvious. After greeting her clients, she sat on the floor in silence, and thanked the house. A serene ritual in preparation for the madness ahead — “the calm before the storm.”
The art of decluttering with the KonMari Method has five categories (and subcategories.)
1. Clothing, which includes accessories — bags, belts and shoes, scarves, underwear and socks, and so on
2. Books and magazines
3. Papers (Why am I hanging on to my high school SAT scores? Answer below!)
4. Miscellaneous — including household and kitchen stuff, food, valuables, makeup, etc.
5. Finally, sentimental items (this one isn’t happening—same answer)
Here’s how the art of decluttering the Marie Kondo way, works— one must go through each item and keep them if they “spark joy.” If not, “bye-bye.” But not before you tell the item, “thank you for your service.”
Marie Condo wants you to start with clothing.
One woman piled a Mt. Everest-sized mound on her bed. How could anyone have so many clothes? As usual, I was suspicious. Because — reality? Really? There’s a camera. So, no.
Did the the producers add some clothes to the massive mountain for effect? (Forgive my cynicism.)
And, folding is a big deal with the KonMari method. Her way takes up less space and items are easier to access. Rather than stacked, everything stands upright in a drawer or in a box, or in a box within a drawer. Or in a box within another box.
Boxes are key.
Things remain neat and organized when placed in a box.
I already fold socks in a similar way and have always kept things in boxes. Yay, me.
My boxes “spark joy.”
I have huge wood wine boxes, wooden cheese boxes, all kinds of cigar boxes, small paper boxes, tea and cookie tins, fancy pastry boxes (Ladurée, Paris!) So many boxes. They keep me organized and most of all, “spark joy.”
I’m obsessed with boxes. Always have been. I can trace this obsession back to a box I had as a child. It was red and made out of cardboard, and written on it was something like, “My treasure box.” (It’s likely still in the basement somewhere. Sorry, Marie.)
Marie Kondo and I have this one thing in common. Yay for boxes!
Am I a tidy person? I like to think so. My house isn’t cluttered. (Okay, fine — maybe the basement.) After watching, I realize anyone can improve their household, to some extent. And if the KonMari Method works, why not?
But for me, not so much. Maybe a little bit.
Clothing? Sure. I don’t own a lot of clothes or shoes. I can get rid of a few things — no problem. But my pile would be a hill, not a mountain. Some kitchen stuff? A few things, sure.
Books, papers, and sentimental stuff? Not happening.
For instance, I have a tall tin of random buttons. Sure, I’ll probably never use them. And they’re a mess. But the mess is in a tin box. The tin “sparks joy,” and so do the buttons. Which is why I would never get rid of it.
My mother and daughter each have similar tins. (It’s a weird family thing.) Once in a while I like to dump the buttons out and visit them. Is it clutter? NO. Pure joy.
Now about those SAT scores.
Why on earth would I keep those, and my old report cards, and my AP French test scores, to mention a few things? Why?
Because it’s my history. I have two children and someday, they’ll get to know their mother by looking at all the paper trails. They’ll have a sense of who I was before they knew me.
I’ve saved letters and cards from childhood. Not only will they get to know me, but they’ll have a better understanding of the era I came from.
So that’s why I keep those things.
What’s going to happen?
In our new digital age, there will be no paper trails, barely any cards, or photos. Is someone going to find an old i-phone or lap-top and search back-ups? And photos? Who has photos? Is the Cloud going to be any help at all?
So, no. I’m not getting rid of random papers I’ve saved. Even though looking at my embarrassing high school report card may not “spark joy.”
And “KonMari” my studio?
- Art supplies “spark joy.”
- Heck, shopping for them “sparks joy.”
- Every tube of paint “sparks joy.”
- Every surface — canvas, canvas paper, and wood boards “spark joy.” Oil painting paper, watercolor paper, acrylic paper, and bristol paper “spark joy.” Tissue paper, mixed media paper, and illustration board “spark joy.” (I won’t go on — you get the idea.)
- Brushes “spark joy.” (Well most of them — not the cheap ones I’ve ruined. Okay, Marie, you can have this one thing.)
- A gazillion finished, half finished, and empty notebooks “spark joy.”
- Pencils, pens, and colored pencils “spark joy.”
- Erasers and many pencil sharpeners “spark joy.”
- Even my ancient paint-splattered glass jar I use for water “sparks joy.”
- And books? Absolute joy sparkers. The best!
And speaking of books, when we moved a few years ago to a smaller space, I gave away lots of books.
But I have regrets.
Do you think it’s because I forgot to “thank them for their service?”
YES!!! Love this post and agree 110%! It made me smile to read this post. Thank you for sharing.
I’m glad you enjoyed it and that you agree. Thanks for visiting, Melissa!
What a keepsake. And a lovely post. Old photos are wonderful but old letters feel much more intimate. She once held the paper you hold. And so did your grandfather. You never met him but your fingerprints are mixed together now. A miracle of you really stop to consider.
A miracle, indeed, in so many ways. I must try and read the french letters now! Thanks for visiting, Mithra!
Beautiful post, Ani. How very special. I agree on saving those irreplaceable treasures.
Irreplaceable is right! It only takes a minute to make the wrong decision and throw something out. Thanks so much for visiting, Marcia.
You are such a special person to happen upon by accident on the Internet. I had commented on your studio last year because I love all the same things you do and still do not want to part with anything. Learning that the schools will no longer teach children how to write in cursive upset me so much. Who wants a love letter printed or typed or an email?
Your artwork is so pretty, and I think I bought the book last year and gave it to my daughter who takes care of me. She is a vegetarian so since she moved in with me 6 yrs ago I have become one.
Stay safe and well, and do not change. You are lovely just as you are.
Thank you so much for your comment, Marian. I couldn’t agree more that many of the older pleasures and ways of life will be missed, particularly by future generations. Sad, really. It brings me so much joy that you enjoy my work!
Best, Ani