**The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up** by Marie Kondo, along with its Netflix series, became a hot topic of conversation earlier this year. Kondo’s method centers on determining whether an item “sparks joy.” If it doesn’t, it’s clutter you don’t need. Here’s how to apply Kondo’s organizing techniques in your own home:
1. **See Whether It Makes You Happy**
Kondo advises going through everything in your house, holding each item, and asking yourself if it makes you happy. If it doesn’t, like an old engagement ring, it’s time to part with it. You can give it to someone who will value it more or sell it. This applies to clothes, furniture, and trinkets.
2. **Sort by Category Rather Than Room**
Instead of organizing room by room, Kondo suggests sorting by category. This way, you’ll be able to see everything you own in each category clearly.
3. **Folding Vertically**
One of Kondo’s innovative ideas is the vertical folding technique. Folding and storing clothes upright allows you to see every item, as nothing is hidden behind piles.
4. **Spotless Containers**
Food often comes in brightly labeled cartons. Kondo suggests transferring your food to plain containers to create a calm and organized pantry.
5. **Apparel**
Kondo advises keeping track of every item of clothing you wear each season. Pair similar items and colors together to avoid buying duplicates.
6. **Handbags**
For handbags, Kondo recommends emptying your bag daily and transferring the contents to a designated box. Store bags inside one another to save space and maintain their shape.
7. **Photos**
Although parting with photos can be tough, Kondo suggests keeping only the most memorable ones. To see how Kondo saves and arranges her photos, visit this link.
8. **Books**
Divide your book collection into two sections: those you’ve read and those you intend to read. Donate the books you’ve read as they have served their purpose. If you haven’t read the others yet, consider donating them too. Keep only your all-time favorite books.
9. **Work Area**
Your workspace should be functional. Remove anything from your desk that doesn’t support your work. Kondo recommends storing important documents in vertical files.
By following these steps, you can implement Marie Kondo’s organizing techniques and create a tidier, more joyful living space.
