Why is everybody crazy about cleaning and putting things up like Marie Kondo
'23.12.2021'
Source: Pink
Can bringing order from unloved activity turn into a source of joy and a tool of self-knowledge? Yes, says Japanese Marie Kondo, author of the best-selling book about “magic cleaning.” We understand how it works.
The psychological aspect
Have you ever had this: being at home, you don't want to do anything at all, procrastination won't let go? But what if you decide, for example, to turn on a series, and even on it you can't concentrate and really relax? As if something is still distracting? The reason, according to Marie, is just hiding in the cluttered space, writes Pink.
All people are prone to redundancy (even the Japanese) - with this Kondo begins his book. In her opinion, it is the abundance of things around you that can cause those very seemingly unreasonable experiences. In the Japanese religion - Shintoism - there is even a statement that "a clean house is a guarantee of good luck." Yes, a properly organized wardrobe will not solve our problems, but it will help us make an important decision more judiciously. Indeed, in a clean room we feel lighter, it is easier for us to concentrate, there is no feeling of anxiety, we sleep better. Therefore, cleaning actually allows you to lead a more productive life. “Before you start cleaning, take a look at the lifestyle you are striving for and ask yourself,“ Why do I need to clean? ”Marie instructs.
Real working tools
The KonMari method involves not only cleaning, but a house clearing process that needs to be done once and for all, and then simply maintain order. So this process will gradually become a way of life. And for this, Marie has real working tools.
- Throw out, can not be left. Parting with things is hard for many reasons. Marie suggests leaving only one question for making a decision: "Does this thing bring me joy?" If the answer is no, then it should be discarded. Agree, if only your favorite things remain, it will be much more pleasant to be in such a space.
- Get out by category. In the process of cleaning, concentrate on things of one type: first, disassemble all the clothes (all separately - trousers, skirts, dresses, etc.), then kitchen utensils, medicines, documents. And start analyzing with those things to which you are less emotionally attached. You must admit that cleaning up the dishes is easier and faster than commemorative photos: the process can take a long time with them. Storing things follows the same principle: one place - one category.
- Do not fold clothes, and roll with a roller. Roll things that do not hang on hangers and place them vertically in the drawers of the cabinet. Firstly, it is more convenient to get them out without crushing the rest. Secondly, this method saves space in the closet. Thirdly, it better shows the entire "assortment" of your wardrobe. “An important part of cleaning is understanding what you have and what is of value to you,” emphasizes Marie.
- Get rid of the papers. Marie against endless notebooks, old textbooks, stickers on monitors and diaries. In her opinion, all this can be replaced by programs in gadgets. Such an approach not only frees up space, but also helps to take care of ecology.
- Forget the storage system. In fact, this is also unnecessary trash, says Kondo. Such new-fashioned boxes can be replaced with simple shoe boxes.
This is the way of meditation.
Marie is sure that by putting things in order in the room, we are putting things in order in our heads. She even compares cleaning to Buddhist meditation, because it may well become a form of therapy - for many, the process of sorting things out is soothing. For others, it helps to find answers to exciting questions: for example, by throwing away things presented by a former lover, you can replay the situation in your head and better understand why this happened.
In addition, in the process of looking at the things that you possess, the realization comes whether you like this way of life or if you want to change something. This allows you to focus on yourself and your desires. “After cleaning, you clearly see what you need and what not, what should or should not be done,” Marie is convinced.
Another piece of advice from Kondo is to talk to things, because they, she believes, have a soul. Therefore, you should not put them aside in the category "what if it will come in handy" - it is better to remember what you owed them, to thank them for the service and say goodbye forever. Yes, it sounds strange, but it really helps to understand if you really need this thing.
The path to comfort
Every thing in the house should, firstly, bring joy, and secondly, lie in its place. According to Marie, you should clearly know where you have that red sweater or the same vase, in which drawer you have your underwear, and in which box you have buttons, so that even with your eyes closed you can find them. Such a clear organization of storage of things is convenient and helps to live comfortably. After all, when everything is in place, all things perform specific functions and there is nothing distracting, we spend less time searching, we don’t wind ourselves up about something lost. Accordingly, there is more time left for solving other problems and tasks.
The path to conscious consumption
Have you ever had such a thing that in the process of cleaning it happened to find things that you have already forgotten about the existence of? You accidentally bought them at a sale, or you just never figured out what to combine this wardrobe item with. Often, after such cleaning, an obvious conclusion suggests itself: we consume too much, which means it is worth buying less. How to do it? Looking at each such thing, remember how many people worked and in what conditions to create it, how much energy and your own strength were expended. Kondo advises asking yourself the question "Why do I need this?" Before making any purchase. and to the bitter end additionally ask "Why?" When there are only the necessary things around, you will no longer think about what else to buy.
New opportunities in life
Those who follow the KonMari Method say it inspires lifestyle change. After you have thrown out unnecessary things, the remaining surrounding objects stop distracting, and empty space helps to focus on important matters, frees up space for thought, and, accordingly, new opportunities. So, deciding the fate of things, we end up allowing our own: the cleaning process pushes someone to give up unloved activities (after all, there are no more books on this topic), to change jobs (there are no more suitable clothes in the closet for a strict dress code) or break off unhappy relationships (you do not experience the joy of viewing joint photos). And it was only worth it - to get out!
