Tidying Up with Marie Kondo and Spark Joy

 

If you have heard of the famous Konmari Method by Marie Kondo, then you have probably heard over and over the concept of Spark Joy. In 2014, Marie Kondo changed the way we organize and declutter our homes with the book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. In this book, she reiterates that you should only keep the items in your home that give you joy. If you are new to the method, this might seem a little strange or even odd. Here is a deeper dive into the concept of Spark Joy and what it means, and how this relates to your home.

Konmari “tidying up” tv series can be watched on Netflix

Understanding "Spark JOY" on Tidying Your Home |

Understanding Spark Joy

In her books, her teachings, and in her show, Marie Kondo mentions the term Spark Joy often. She asks you to hold each item in your hands and asks, does it spark joy? She tells you to keep only the things that spark joy for you. In your head, you may be wondering what in the world this means. To help you understand the meaning of whether or not something sparks joy for you, we are going to do a little exercise.

Understanding "Spark JOY" on Tidying Your Home |

 

First, locate something in your home that you know you love. Once you’ve found that item, hold it in your hands. How do you feel while holding this item? Does it bring happy memories? Does it give you butterflies in your stomach or make you happy? The feeling I just described is what it means for something to spark joy. When you pick up an item, you should know immediately whether or not this item brings you joy.

Understanding "Spark JOY" on Tidying Your Home |

How it Relates to Your Home

Marie Kondo helps you create a home full of joy

Marie Kondo’s method has you sort through your items and keeps only the things that spark joy for you or your family members. This might sound like a controversial method, but as I found myself going through her process, I found myself more content with my home. When you fill your home with only items that bring you joy, you are happier.

Understanding "Spark JOY" on Tidying Your Home |

Tidying is merely a means to an end

Her method of tidying isn’t just to get rid of things you don’t need, but a means to an end. Marie Kondo even states that you should focus on what to keep, not what you will discard. Tidying and organizing is merely a way to organize the items you love and get rid of the things that you don’t. By eliminating these items, you can make room for the things you do love.

Understanding "Spark JOY" on Tidying Your Home |

Marie Kondo wrote on the first page of her book, “Life begins only after you put your house in order.” While this might seem like a little extreme to some, she has a point! When you take the time to tidy your home and get rid of the things that don’t make you happy, your life starts over. You will finally have the home you’ve always wanted, and you can create the life you ever dreamed of.

Read More of Marie Kondo’s Books found on Amazon.ca