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Marie Kondo's method: order your life and your mind

Marie Kondo's method: order your life and your mind

March 29, 2024

The order method of the Japanese Marie Kondo has become a worldwide phenomenon through his interesting book The Magic of Order.

The young expert explains: "We believe that when we store something, we are placing things that we do not need in a closet or a drawer or a shelf, however, this is an illusion. In the long run the places where we have stored what we did not want will be too full and again the chaos will appear. "

Marie says that the true organization begins with the elimination , and relates it to a transformation that goes beyond the physical: "By organizing your living space and transforming it, the change is so profound that it seems that you live in a different place."


The relationship between order and well-being

This week, Sònia Algueró , Technical Director of the Psychological and Psychological Assistance Institute Mensalus, shares the essence of the Marie Kondo Method and opens a reflection on "letting go".

What does the Konmari Method reveal?

The fundamental pillar of the Konmari method (a play on words based on the name of the creator) is based on discarding the unnecessary and keeping only the essential that makes us happy. Marie explains that, physically undoing things that we do not want, subsequently, facilitates the establishment of limits to what does not satisfy us.

People accumulate objects without considering the meaning they have for us at the present time. Most, possibly, exercised their function in the past but, what role do they play now? For this successful author, discarding frees us from charge and leaves us with energy for the present.


There is a parallel between our current and past thoughts, behaviors and emotions. Many years ago, many had a function in our lives that, to this day, has ceased to exist. And not only that. His presence in the now decentrates us and generates confusion (between what we think-we do-feel), getting us to move away from our true essence.

Marie Kondo and her method for achieving greater well-being

What is the relationship between physical organization and mental organization?

Organizing ourselves physically has a direct effect on mental organization and goal planning. Focusing the attention and energy towards a goal goes hand in hand with the liberation that we mentioned.

Likewise, the Japanese author explains that putting things in order also means putting your past in order. It is something like readjusting life and "close chapters" to be able to take the next step. In fact, if we think about it, closing boxes and closing stages has a lot in common: in both cases we remove from sight what hinders us and steals space.


Leaving behind stages and integrating the sense that for us has had, as well as recognizing that which has contributed to us and is already part of us, allows us to advance towards our most essential self.

How do we decide to discard?

The method proposes to set aside the criterion of use or function, to enter into something deeper: "this object, what makes me feel?".

First of all it is not an easy question to answer given that it is something that we usually do not consider. Try it is revealing, I invite you to it. When we question whether that object makes us vibrate, when we express the emotion it transmits to us, it is then that we begin to feel to decide instead of just thinking. This information is what validates or invalidates the removal of the object.

If we finally choose to discard it, an interesting way to say goodbye is by thanking the service it has offered. Thus, we will reduce the anxiety generated by eliminating our belongings.

So, the first step is to investigate and put together everything we have in the same category (clothes, books, papers, etc.) to make the choice. To be able to say: "I do not want it anymore, it has already exercised its function, now it is not what I need" is a great exercise given that its effect does not end there; it has an impact on the rest of vital aspects.

On a psychological level, this process can be reproduced by focusing attention on our deepest self. It is useful and revealing to ask if that thought or behavior that we propose to discard, makes us feel good or, on the contrary, blocks us and does not allow us to move forward.

Likewise, it is especially interesting to question whether there is coherence between what we think or do and what we feel when we think or do it. In this way, our emotions will guide us towards our most genuine needs.

Is it easy to say: "I do not want this for my life"?

Many times it is more complicated than it seems. We are not trained to let go, just the opposite.Reeducate the mind in this sense through physical elements, facilitates the "release" aspects of our life unwanted: a relationship, a task, a practice / hobby, a job, etc. The weight of the obligation often obfuscates the capacity for self-listening.

That said, it takes courage and determination to set limits and move away from the fears that paralyze us and that distance us from our essential selves. For this reason I encourage you to respond: "What do I really want / need at this time in my life?"

What would you say to all those people who are reading this interview?

Introspectively speaking, accumulating anachronistic thoughts and behaviors leads to a blockage of the essentials, submerging us in confusion and discomfort.

The Konmari Method reconnects with the sense of the things that surround us and brings the person closer to a "click" that, until now, was costly. In the end, the outcome is very simple: "Take what you want and let go of everything that, now, no longer has a meaning for you."


Marie Kondo: Organize the World: Design Your Life to Spark Joy | SXSW 2017 (March 2024).


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