Five Marie Kondo Quotes Explained
sparking inspiration
Here at Avance, we follow the Marie Kondo Method of home organization. Marie Kondo’s approach to building a simplified lifestyle is through the process of decluttering and tidying of the categories of our life.
Organizing doesn’t just take place in the closet. When we organize our routines, living spaces, vehicles, offices, electronics etc. we can gain a new control over our time.
Here are five quotes from Marie Kondo explained:
"The question of what you want to own is actually the question of how you want to live your life."
The process of assessing our lifestyle can bring us closer to decluttering the items that detract from it. Oftentimes owning too many items can hide away the things that actually add to the smoothness of a daily routine.
Clutter amplifies decision fatigue and distracts us from caring for our things in a proper way. Next time you are organizing try not to focus on whether or not you like an item, rather on what it is bringing to your life.
"If you are going to buy clothes, choose them with the intention of welcoming them into your home and caring for them.”
In our modern society filled with fast fashion and a constantly evolving trend cycle it’s never been easier to refresh your wardrobe.
Shopping can be a wonderful experience but it is best to think through every purchase beyond just the price tag.
Ask yourself: will use this purchase for years in the future?
If it were to be damaged, would you be able to fix it?
Would you want to fix it?
When you welcome a new item into your home contemplate whether it will become clutter in six months’ time.
"Storage experts are hoarders."
Storage systems can cause more stress for the organizer. Instead of bringing in more unnecessary items to your home, first spend your energy by decluttering.
For business or work purposes, storage expertise may come in handy, but when it comes to your home it might be time to just declutter.
“Clutter is caused by a failure to return things to where they belong. Therefore, storage should reduce the effort needed to put things away, not the effort needed to get them out.”
In tandem with the last quote, Kondo explains that storage can help with day-to-day clutter but it still might not be worth the energy.
The lingering space that storage takes up in your home and inner mind will ultimately not be worth the effort. If you find yourself never going into those storage boxes it could be a sign to let go.
“Start with clothes, then move on to books, papers, komono (miscellany), and finally things with sentimental value.”
Here Kondo urges us to organize by categories. This helps us compartmentalize the different areas of our home lives.
