Sunday, October 28, 2012

30-day checklist for applying The KonMari Method


The KonMari Method is a popular tidying and organizing system created by Japanese organizing consultant and author, Marie Kondo.The KonMari method is based on sorting items by category, not by location, and only keeping things that "spark joy." The checklist breaks down the entire home into 5 main categories and 30 smaller, manageable steps. 30-day checklist for applying The KonMari Method (created by Marie Kondo) to declutter and tidy a home.

Explanation of The KonMari 30-Day Checklist

The checklist organizes the entire tidying festival into five sequential categories, which is the core principle of the KonMari Method.Marie Kondo outlines these six rules for a successful "Tidying Festival":

  1. Commit yourself to tidying up (all at once, not gradually).

  2. Imagine your ideal lifestyle (clarify why you want to tidy).

  3. Finish discarding first (do not focus on storage until you know what you are keeping).

  4. Tidy by category, not by location.

  5. Follow the correct order.

  6. Ask yourself if it sparks joy.

Proper Storage

Once you have only the items that spark joy, you move to the final step: organization.

  • Give every single item a specific, designated home.

  • Vertical Folding: Clothes are folded in a unique way into small, compact rectangles so they can be stored vertically (like files in a cabinet) instead of stacked, making every item visible.

  • Minimal Stacking: Items should not be stacked high, as this hides what is underneath and makes access difficult.

Category 1: Clothes (Days 1–5)

This is the recommended starting category. The key is to gather all clothes from every location in the house (closets, drawers, laundry piles) into one place before sorting.

  1. Adult Clothes

  2. Adult Shoes & Accessories

  3. Children's Clothes

  4. Children's Shoes & Accessories

  5. Seasonal Items (Gloves, Costumes, Swimwear, etc.)

Category 2: Books (Days 6–9)

Like clothes, gather all books from the house before starting.

  1. General Books

  2. Practical Books (Textbooks, Phone Books & Cookbooks)

  3. Visual Books & Magazines

  4. Children's Books

Category 3: Paper (Days 10–13)

Paper is notoriously difficult for many people, so the method suggests keeping very little. The checklist highlights the three main types of paper you should keep, and only for a limited time, or indefinitely for crucial documents.

  1. Medical Records

  2. Contracts, Insurance Warranties & Instruction Manuals

  3. Financial Documents (including Bills, Receipts, Coupons)

  4. Notes & Business Cards

Category 4: Komono (Miscellaneous Items) (Days 14–24)

"Komono" is the Japanese word for miscellaneous items. This is the largest and most varied category, often tackled over several days.

  1. CDs, DVDs, Video Games & Entertainment

  2. Skincare & Makeup Products

  3. Accessories

  4. Valuables

  5. Electrical Equipment & Appliances

  6. Household Equipment & Supplies

  7. Food

  8. Kitchen Utensils & Food Supplies

  9. Linens

  10. Children's Toys & Other Items

  11. Craft/Hobby Supplies & Gift Wrap

Category 5: Sentimental (Days 25–30)

This is the final, and most emotionally difficult, category. You save it for last because by this point, you've practiced your "spark joy" muscle on easier categories.

  1. Photos, Albums, Scrapbooks & Yearbooks

  2. Special Event Items (Wedding, Baby Shower, etc.)

  3. Journals, Cards & Letters

  4. Awards, Memorabilia, Souvenirs & Trophies

  5. Heirlooms & Passed Down Items

  6. Children's Art Projects & Keepsakes


What to Do with Discarded Items

The bottom of the checklist offers a crucial step: a guide for donating the items that didn't "spark joy." It emphasizes considering where the items will do the most good:

  • Animal Rescues & Shelters

  • Domestic Violence Shelters

  • Homeless Shelters

  • Local Library

  • Men's & Women's Shelters

  • Non-Profit Organizations

  • Police & Fire Departments

  • Veterans Organizations

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