Forget New Year’s. Decluttering guru Marie Kondo may be the inspiration for millions of Americans to clean the house and ditch unused swag. But how do you get rid of stuff that you love and has so many emotional connections to family and friends? Clothes and even books may be easier to ditch, but what about those letters from your parents and birthday cards from your beloved children?
Kondo, who wrote the best-selling household organizing guide “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” in 2012, is the focus of a Netflix NFLX, -3.99% original series released earlier this month.
The voyeuristic show, called “Tidying Up with Marie Kondo,” features the author walking disorganized families through the steps to finally clean their homes and toss clothes and other items they might not have worn or used for the last decade. She then teaches them how to properly organize what’s left and fold clothes to make the most space.
Kondo’s strategy, known as KonMari, requires declutterers to place all similar items (like books or clothes) on the floor and then touch them one by one. If an item doesn’t “spark joy,” when it’s touched, the person should thank it for being a part of his life, and then donate or trash it.
(Some critics have asked if Kondo doesn’t, in fact, appreciate that owning lots of books might be a good thing, whether they spark joy or not. On the other hand, donating the books will mean that other people can read them.)
See: Marie Kondo says this one thing could be holding you back from falling in love
Decluttering can be daunting, and it’s a process that requires a lot of time and energy. “Clutter is delayed decisions,” said Marina Mahnken, a professional organizer and owner of Declutter My Clutter in Matawan, N.J., referencing a well-known phrase coined by Barbara Hemphill, author of “Less Clutter, More Life.”
The length of time necessary to clean out a home depends on numerous factors, including how much stuff there is to give away, how hard it is for someone to make decisions, and how much rest he or she got before starting a project, according to the blog Mindful Decluttering & Organizing.
Also see: What NOT to do when you are selling your unwanted swag (and gifts) on eBay
Kondo’s Netflix show appears have had a motivating effect on Americans to rid themselves of clutter. Thrift stores have been flooded with sellers hoping to shed unwanted belongings, partially because of the show, owners say.
Carrie Peterson, president and founder of New York-based thrift store chain Beacon’s Closet, said her stores have seen a surge in foot traffic. “People have been selling and mentioning the show a lot now,” she said. “It’s definitely a thing.”
The store has seen 15% more sellers than usual for this time of year. Other declutterers are simply donating their unwanted items. Chicago-based Ravenswood Used Books had 30 boxes of books donated over the weekend, compared to the half dozen it normally receives, according to nonprofit news organization Block Club.
But the KonMari method doesn’t work for everyone. Some people may find the process too tedious, or think it’s sacrilegious to throw out new, albeit unused, goods.
Organization enthusiasts shared five other ways to declutter a home:
Don’t do it all at one time
Kondo’s method requires going through everything in a category (like books, clothes or kitchen tools) in one burst, but that could be exhausting or impossible, said Sarah Mueller, blogger of Early Bird Mom and creator of the “Decluttering Club” page on Facebook FB, +1.17%
Mueller suggests starting in the kitchen because it’s easy for most people to throw out mugs and old food storage containers. “When you have those easy wins, then you get the momentum or confidence and you get on a roll,” she said. She also advises her online community use 10-minute spurts instead of trying to accomplish too much in a short time frame.
“To look at an entire category is just way too overwhelming and they would probably quit before they got started,” she said.
Narrow down categories
Kondo’s method separates belongings into five categories: clothing, books, papers, miscellaneous items and mementos.
Miscellaneous is too broad of a category though, Mahnken said. Instead, clients could break down items by room, or subcategory, like CDs and DVDs or souvenirs.
People sifting through their belongings may find it easier to focus on one narrow category at a time, she said.
Kondo’s method has organizers pile up all their clothes in one spot, but Mahnken said clients should divide piles by type, where sweat shirts go in one pile and pajama pants go in another. That gives them the opportunity to see how much they have of each item, and decide which ones from that group “sparks joy.”
Also see: 6 tricks to help runners Marie Kondo their race bibs, medals and merch
Ask ‘would you buy it again?’ (You might)
Instead of asking yourself if an item sparks joy, ask if it’s something you’d buy again, or if it’s easily replaceable, Mueller said. This is an especially helpful question when wondering if the item will be needed later in life — sometimes people keep stuff because they’re worried they’ll need it “later,” she said. Mueller has the “20-20” rule: If you could replace the item in 20 minutes for $20 or less, it’s safe to let go.
Get support from an online community
Facebook groups not only offer support, but guidance in reaching a goal. There are a handful of pages on Facebook dedicated to decluttering, and some are specific to the KonMari method. One blog called “We KonDo It!” breaks down how to accomplish Marie Kondo’s strategy for tidying up, and includes questions to answer before getting started (including “I want my home to look like (blank)” and “If my home was how I wanted it, I would spend more time (blank).”)
Another Facebook page, called “365 Decluttering Days,” has suggestions for its users, including throwing out items on a Saturday that make you sad, or “Free Yourself Friday,” where you throw something out that will make you lighter.
Use a photo book to remember discarded cards
Karla Emery, a decluttering enthusiast in Charlotte, N.C., shared her Marie Kondo-inspired journey on her Facebook page, “Tackle Your Mess.” Emery, who was a professional organizer while in college to pay for her education, said it was time-consuming, but worth the effort.
She also had a few tips of her own, including framing a few sentimental notes, birthday cards and children’s art and then taking a picture of the rest to store in a photo book. She also keeps a “catch-all bucket” in her home for the daily essentials, like keys, wallets, headphones and coupons. “It’s not the most tidy bucket,” she said, “but it’s definitely our most important.”
Though the process of decluttering may be grueling, it’s one that should be filled with gratitude, Emery said. “Having the opportunity to declutter is a privilege,” she said. “Working through a large quantity of items is a tangible example that you have a life that may be a dream to others.”
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