Marie Kondo Revisited: Thoughts on Tidying Up
If Marie Kondo hadn’t published her book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up in 2014, it’s safe to say that professional organizing would not be the thriving profession it is today. To be honest, I hadn’t read Kondo’s book when I started my organizing business in 2021 because I thought it might be “cheating” to use someone else’s methods and ideas. But recently, I thought I’d better read this book, knowing it has had such an impact on people. From a change-making perspective, I find this book especially important, considering that Ms. Kondo was bringing forth her information as a new idea at the time, talking about a process and identifying a need that wasn’t even considered in the West until she exploded onto the scene.
In my own life, I have found that the impact of asking the right questions– powerful questions, about the right things at the right time, can be an essential key to creating our best lives. And this is what Kondo’s book did, it asked a powerful but simple question, one that everyone understood deep down at their core: “Does this thing spark joy?” A question so powerful, it jolted us from our collective slumber, awakening us to the idea that our stuff can actually trap us, that our belongings can get in the way of our well-being. In the West, we’re so surrounded by stuff, that we hardly notice it. So Kondo’s permission to wake up to ourselves in this way turned out to be a far-reaching gift for which I am extremely thankful.
I believe that organizing the home can be a crucial tool for creating happiness.
And this is why the process of interior home organizing is more than just applying pretty labels and containers. Those of us who are working in this profession are interested in your happiness and the opportunity to provide that kind of impact to clients makes this process very meaningful. As far as I’m concerned, that’s the definition of a good job, and so I feel very blessed to be doing what I do.
Revisiting Marie Kondo's Philosophy
It seems to me that, at its core, Kondo’s philosophy isn’t really about things—it’s about relationships. Opening up to the idea that we are in relationship to our things just like we are with people in our lives, allows us to mindfully interact with what we own in a way that reflects our values, priorities, and even our sense of self.
In her book, Kondo has a quirky way of respecting physical objects by personifying them—treating them as if they have feelings, purpose, or energy. It’s a practice that may seem strange from a Western point of view but really works as a way to cultivate gratitude and care in relationship to our things. For example, she suggests thanking items before discarding them, acknowledging their role in your life. She also recommends storing items thoughtfully, like folding clothes with care, as a way to honor their service.
One of the most powerful aspects of this kind of respect for our things is awareness of our inventory and the health of our belongings. Cultivating awareness of what we have (and what shape it’s in) helps us make use of the items in our lives and feel gratitude for our abundance which, by the way, is a proven key to happiness.
On Being Flexible
Initially, Kondo’s method emphasized strict rules: tidying by category, handling each item, and letting go of anything that didn’t spark joy. She advocated for a very specific process of discipline and clarity, a way to create a clean break from cluttered habits for maximum impact all at once. I really love her assertion that this kind of work sparks a mindset shift that can create new habits. In my experience, the all-at-once method can result in an absolute rebirth. But Kondo’s philosophy has evolved to be less about rigid rules and more about self-discovery and adaptability. She invites us to align our spaces with our unique values and lifestyles, offering a more flexible approach. This kind of flexibility can help us release whatever pressure we feel, (perfectionism, anyone?) by accepting that our environments should evolve with us, meeting our needs and supporting our growth. Introducing flexible systems that are easy to adopt and run is a key to lasting change, and it’s important to come to terms with the fact that to flow, our homes need to have systems that can change as needed. Flow in the home is achieved by staying adaptable and willing to make things work without slipping into perfectionism. Kondo has taught us to honor the present and make space for what comes next by focusing on what matters to us now and then creating the conditions for the best possible outcome.
Cleansing Body, Home, and Spirit: The Energy of Open Spaces
Decluttering is a detox and its effects are far-reaching, not just for your home but for your mind and emotions. Just as physical cleanses remove what doesn’t serve our health, clearing clutter lifts weight from our lives. I appreciate Kondo’s focus on the invisible energy of the home and belongings, acknowledging that all things are electrical and energetic. By letting go of the outmoded junk, we create room for energy, renewal, and clarity.
And that’s what professional organizers seek to prove to every client we come in contact with— open spaces aren’t just visually appealing—they’re emotionally restorative. They invite positive change. Clearing physical space can have a profound ripple effect on human relationships, careers, and creativity by freeing up mental space for dreaming, problem-solving, and simply being present.
We may not recognize it, but this kind of change is a need, the same way that the body needs to continually detox itself to stay alive. Just as we must let go of old patterns, beliefs, or relationships to grow, so too must we release the possessions that no longer serve us– to grow into the future. Through this lens, tidying becomes an act of self-care, a declaration of who we are and what we value, and a quiet but powerful step toward harmony and balance.
Trusting Our Intuition - Getting to Know Ourselves Better Through Organizing
One of Kondo’s most profound lessons is learning to trust the body’s signals. The idea that we are disconnected from our bodies has become so true as to be a cliche in this age of intellect. Most of us are stuck in our heads, trying to think our way through life– going around in mental circles, worrying about making the perfect decision about every little detail. And because we have filled our lives with details, there’s more than enough material to keep the monkey mind busy and worrying about this, that, and the other thing all day every day. I suggest learning to give this “mind” part of yourself a break and trying something new.
By switching focus and training our attention on physical and emotional responses to each item we review in the decluttering process, we can begin to reawaken and refine our sense of self-awareness. Objects that “spark joy” often align with our values, memories, or aspirations, while those that create tension or unease may represent unmet expectations, outdated goals, or guilt. Without tuning into our bodies, these feelings can stay hidden in the subconscious, causing mysterious stress and overwhelm. Trusting the feelings that come up for us around our belongings allows us to let go of those subterranean feelings. As we tune in and quiet the mind, letting the wisdom of the body guide us, our intuition then has the space to come online.
In the process of making deep listening a habit, our inner knowing becomes stronger, brighter, and sharper in the face of life’s bigger decisions. Whether choosing a career path, setting boundaries in a relationship, or planning your next steps in life, the ability to sense what aligns with your well-being becomes a powerful tool. In this way, tidying transforms into more than an act of organization—it becomes a pathway to trusting yourself and shaping a life that feels authentic and fulfilling.
Thank You, Marie!
I feel so thankful for the gracious and profound work of Marie Kondo. First on the scene, she was the initial spark, a change-maker in the lives of those who are passionate about making a certain kind of practical change in their lives. I owe my client work to her, and the fact that I get to run a business doing this very satisfying profession is a gift she has given me.
By now, almost everyone recognizes the idea of “sparking joy,” whether they’ve read her book or not. It’s a concept so simple and instinctive that it inspires action without requiring much explanation. That’s the mark of true impact! Marie Kondo’s ideas about joy, energy, and the connection between our possessions and well-being have sparked a global transformation in how we view our homes and our lives. For that, I can only say: Thank you, Marie!