Have you heard of tidying expert Marie Kondo, a.k.a. KonMari? Her first book was printed in 2014, but only this year did I find out about her personal philosophy and life-hacking clothes folding method.
Well-known among lifestyle bloggers, KonMari’s popularity is now growing to mainstream levels as her themes of gratitude and minimalism have struck a chord with people worldwide. Fellow models may find her decluttering methods effective and her perspective on possessions refreshing, so I’d like to share some of KonMari’s magic here.
For background, Kondo is a tidying consultant recognized for her bestselling books, Netflix show and her brand, KonMari Media, Inc. Kondo has had a knack for organization since childhood and founded her own tidying consulting business as a college student in Tokyo. Now in her 30s, she is demonstrating The KonMari Method on a mass scale as a solution to the staggering demands of her business that could not be accommodated without a larger platform.
Lesser known about Kondo is that her trademarked tidying method has roots in the Japanese Shinto religion, which explains practices such as greeting homes before entering them and tapping on old books to wake them up. Kondo spent five years of her life as a Shinto shrine maiden and acknowledges that kami, the spirit of life, is in everything.
Recognizing the spirit in all objects may not be easily understood by audiences outside of Japan, but it is a respectful reverence for all, and we are encouraged to observe it in our own homes and lives.
When it comes to the magic of KonMari, it starts with her decluttering method.
The KonMari website explains: “The KonMari Method encourages tidying by category – not by location – beginning with clothes, then moving on to books, papers, komono (miscellaneous items), and, finally, sentimental items. Keep only those things that speak to the heart, and discard items that no longer spark joy. Thank them for their service – then let them go.”
Maybe you’ve heard about “sparking joy” sarcastically, like via a meme perhaps, or maybe you have heard about it in earnest. Regardless of how you may have been introduced to the concept, in this context, joy is a central part of the KonMari methodology. She wants joy to be the meter that helps you keep items that facilitate your journey to manifesting your ideal life. In the spirit of productivity and self care, why not try a “Tidying Festival” — or, KonMari decluttering process — and see what this joy sparking is all about?
Cam models and content creators have a special category of items they can include in the KonMari process: work gear. Outfits, toys, props, decorations, lighting, cameras, computers, cords and even related paperwork can all take up a significant chunk of space. Maybe it’s time to declutter?
There are some “rules” associated with this Tidying Festival. Let’s take a moment to consider KonMari’s 6 Basic Rules Of Tidying.
1. Commit yourself to tidying up.
2. Imagine your ideal lifestyle.
3. Finish discarding first.
4. Tidy by category, not by location.
5. Follow the right order.
6. Ask yourself if it sparks joy.
My cam-reward suggestions based on the above rule set are:
1. Sort Your Items By Category
Sort your items into categories: cam stuff, clothes, books, papers, komono (miscellaneous items), sentimental items. Not mentioned categories that also work for a full home decluttering are: kitchen utensils/tools, bathroom toiletries, all household towels/linens, holiday decorations, recreational/hobby items.
2. Use The Joy Meter To Sort Each Category
Start with the one category and complete it before moving on. Go through all of the items in each category one at a time and pause to feel if they spark joy or not. If an item sparks joy, put it in the “keep” pile. If an item does not spark joy, thank it for its service and place it in the “discard” pile.
If something is essential to your life but doesn’t spark joy, keep it. Aim to go through clutter and excess, not the things you need each day to function.
3. Lovingly Clean And Store Each Kept Item
Take the time to clean or prepare your items before putting them back. Let this be a process where you reconnect with your items, expressing appreciation to them for their ongoing service. Feel the textures as they pass through your hands.
YouTuber How To Get Your Shit Together made a wonderfully detailed video demonstrating how to fold almost every type of clothing in the average wardrobe the KonMari way. Currently, it has over two million views!
4. Mindfully Discard The Rest
With gratitude, discard the discard pile, but see what can be given a second chance before sending it to the trash. The KonMari website has a page on Mindful Discarding, which includes links to places where you can donate, sell or recycle items.
The KonMari method is more than just an organizational guide, though. It’s also a life philosophy. You can carry these principles into daily work and apply it to all you encounter.
Consider…
Generate joy as often as possible: Do what makes you feel good and consume media that makes you feel good. “Discard” online negativity by avoiding social media drama, trolls on cam or clip sites or other forms of toxicity. Blocking, banning, ignoring, abstaining and distracting are effective ways to filter out negativity. As human as it is to be curious, limit the time you spend browsing other people’s drama too, so you can spend more time on your goals.
Visualize your ideal life: Get explicit about what you want in life and use creative thinking to put yourself in a winning mindset. Make a work-related vision board complete with “fake” versions of paychecks, industry awards, contracts or other accomplishments you hope to earn.
Practice gratitude for what surrounds you and supports you at work: Your webcam and PC help you broadcast to the world, your social media platforms allow you to connect with fans and colleagues and your fans and colleagues are there to support you. Take time each day to appreciate the inherent presence of life that is all around.
In Kondo’s own words, “Tidy your space, transform your life.” The experience is yours.
Have you tried anything KonMari? Let us know on Twitter if you do!
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Anouk Gilmour is a registered yoga teacher at the 200-hour level. Eight years after trying camming in college, she is an amateur adult model again. Find her on Twitter at @anoukgilmour.
Screengrab by the author. Images via Pixabay (here and here) and Pexels.
