Marie Kondo, author of the bestselling book Magical Cleaning, published in Russian translation by Exmo Publishing House last year, has changed the mindset of cleaning and organizing space. According to the KonMari Method, we don’t need to hold onto the things we usually use to clean up the house. She believes that we need to keep only what brings us joy. Her approach has been to the liking of many: more than three million copies of Magic Cleaning have been sold worldwide, and the book has been translated into 35 languages.
Now the Japanese tidying specialist has written the next volume, Spark Joy (Ten Speed Press). In the new book, the author provides answers to questions about his method, offers more tips on how to organize a household, and tells what to do with a hammer that you need, but which you do not like. We publish the main ideas from the book, including instructions for storing clothes.
Anne colby
Illustrations: Masako Inue Photo: Natsuno Ichigo
In the new book, Kondo explains the basic principles of cleaning.
Make cleaning a duty.
Imagine your ideal lifestyle.
Get rid of unnecessary things first.
Clean by category, not space.
Follow a routine.
Ask yourself if you are enjoying it.
According to Marie, such cleaning should be carried out at a time, and not stretch indefinitely. She sees it not as an end result, but as a means to achieve a specific goal: a happier life, surrounded by the things and people you love.
How to do the cleaning? If you are ready to clean up, then Marie advises you to start with the simplest categories and move on to the more complex ones.
Clothing.
Books and magazines.
Papers (study materials, bank statements, instructions, cards, magazine clippings).
Small objects (for example, discs, writing utensils, medicines, napkins, kitchen utensils, household chemicals).
Things of symbolic value (relics, children’s drawings and crafts, notes, letters, photographs).
Throw away unwanted items and put the rest. Start with clothes and get all of your outfits and shoes out of the closets. Hold each item in your hands to see how it makes you feel. Leave only those that give you joy. It will be easier to decide if you compare things.
After you have selected the things that you want to keep, and put aside those that you want to give or sell, you can proceed to the next step – put everything down and put away.
Folding method Kondo Arranging clothes in rows so you can see each item and save space is one of the key principles of the KonMari Method. Marie herself compares this method to making origami.
Fold things on both sides towards the center to form a rectangle.
Fold the rectangle in half or thirds.
Do the same for the new rectangle.
The same principle applies to long sleeve shirts or sweaters. Marie folds the sleeves as shown on the left to reduce the volume. Likewise, you can fold items with unusual sleeves or items with shoulder straps: fold the sleeves and shoulder straps, then fold the garment into a rectangle. Silk items can be rolled into a cylinder.
Kondo suggests folding cotton trousers – like jeans – and storing them on a shelf, but hanging suit trousers and any trousers with arrows. To fold the pants correctly, place one leg on top of the other, fold them in half towards the waist (however, the ends of the pants should not touch it), and then fold them again. If the back of the pants is bulging, you can fold them as shown above.
Dresses and skirts can be hung or folded. The underwear can be folded or rolled up.
In the video, Marie offers instructions on how to fold these and other things.
Marie applies these principles to tidying up her entire home. Before you start cleaning the kitchen, take a look at the dishes, utensils, and food to see what makes you happy. She suggests storing all things in drawers and cabinets so that the countertop remains free, this is especially important for the space near the sink and stove, so that nothing gets dirty with oil or splashed with water. Marie came to this conclusion when she noticed that restaurant chefs organize their workspace to be easy to clean, not use.
If you store certain utensils for special occasions, start using them regularly. Dividers and bins will help you separate and keep your kitchen utensils tidy.
What about purely practical things that don’t make us happy? Marie advises to look at them differently. A simple design that you like, functionality that makes your life easier, or an awareness of the importance of a thing can also bring joy.
Do you really not like any object in the household? Praise and appreciate him: “The things we really need make life happier. Therefore, it is worth treating them with love. ” However, if nothing changes, it is worth giving up this thing. You will find something better.
“Remember that you choose what you want to keep, not throw away,” writes Marie. – Leave only those things that bring you joy. And when you get rid of the unnecessary thing, thank her and say goodbye. By letting go of the things you have used with a sense of gratitude, you begin to appreciate and care more about other things. “
READ ALSO … Can cleaning your home miraculously change your life? Vacation Ideas: Organize Your Home It’s OK: Five Tips to Get Started with Your Big Cleanup
Hello! My name is Silke and this is my travel blog. I want to show you fascinating places off the beaten track, give you a gentle introduction to history and culture, and help you get around Berlin. After 13 years in Sydney and Andalusia, I now live in Berlin, Germany. I am a travel writer, translator and book author. Read more about me here.
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