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8.2.17

Keeping up with that Kondo way of life is easy — once you know what needs to be done daily. At least, that’s what Marie Kondo herself recently told us – and we’re sticking to it.

This (adorable) Japanese organizing guru has transformed closets and lives alike with her cult-followed bestsellers, The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up and Spark Joy, showing us how to command joy by killing clutter. Marie taught us that if we don’t love it, we should get rid of it; and if we do love it, we should fold it and make it looks pretty. While the Kondo Method requires a little time and attention to put into practice initially (just ask a friend who’s tried it!), the upkeep can be a very simple, calming part of our daily routine.

We were thrilled to talk to Marie about this very subject as she launches her third book: a graphic novel that brings her method to life through the story of a woman who transforms her life using Kondo’s technique. Try her simple tips below to keep your home – and your life – in a more joyful state…

5 Things You Should Do Daily According To Marie Kondo

Bring Fresh Air into Your House

First thing in the morning, invigorate your home by opening all the windows to let in fresh air. This serves as a “good morning” greeting to your house and to yourself.

Sip what sparks joy each morning

Whether it’s hot water, herbal tea, sparkling water, etc., decide what you wish to drink first thing in the morning, depending on your mood and what “sparks joy.” By becoming more conscious about the the “joy” your body is seeking, you will be able to be more conscious about what sparks joy for you throughout the day.

Give Thanks to Your Belongings

When you return the jacket you wore or the bag you used to your closet at the end of the day, do so with gratitude, saying, “Thank you for supporting me today.” You can, of course, say this out loud.

Return Each Belonging to Its Designated Place

Before you go to sleep, reset your mind and body by returning each belonging to its designated place. (It may be difficult, but it’s ideal if you can do this before you leave your house every morning too).

Reflect at The end of The day

At the end of the day, reflect on what sparked joy for you that day. It can be anything – including people you meet or events that occurred.

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Comments


  1. I only just read Marie’s book a few weeks ago and started putting things in to practice, but I would have to agree that once you have things done it’s a lot easier to spend a little bit of time each day just clearing up.

    Lillian | 08.02.2017 | Reply
  2. Please sign me up for newsletter

    Molly | 08.02.2017 | Reply
  3. I think calling a guru adorable sounds a bit sexist to me. You would never write like that about a man, would you?

    Betty | 08.02.2017 | Reply
    • It she is. I feel that your comment is unwarranted.

      Rose | 12.07.2017 | Reply
    • I couldn’t agree more. Going back thru previous editions, Chalkboard has used “adorable” only for women – Dana Veraldi, Alicia Silverstone, Ayesha Curry. No men. Synonyms for the word include mostly diminutive and/or infantilising words.

      Staying away from sexist verbiage is important, even when it seems trivial. It’s the accumulation of the slightest of slights that make it hard for women to achieve parity in our male-driven world. If Kondo wants to describe herself as adorable, that’s one thing, but for her to be repeatedly reduced to being cutesy diminishes the strength of who she is and what she has accomplished.

      Susan | 01.02.2018 | Reply
  4. Depends, does he look and behave like Marie Kondo? If so, I definitely would. In fact, I’d love to meet him.

  5. I agree with Betty that it’s sexist. I don’t care about whether Kondo is adorable, or whether she looks and behaves adorably, or what she looks like, or whatever. Adds nothing to the story and feels diminishing IMO. I’d rather the focus be on her books or her accomplishments. And no–I wouldn’t want to meet a man just b/c he’s adorable. Ugh.

    Becca | 08.03.2017 | Reply
  6. I agree, it tends to happen to people who are of Asian descent. I am Japanese and am small and thin so for some reason. Adorable and honey are what I hear most often although my friends who are Caucasian get referred to by their names.

  7. I think it’s a stature thing. I’m Caucasian but petite, and I get called adorable and cute, even at work! One time in a meeting, a woman referred to me as Polly Pocket and said she wanted to carry me around with her. I mind it less in a personal setting than a professional one so I think it’s up to Ms. Kondo only to decide whether or not she’s offended.

  8. Sexist perhaps but sometimes adorable is adorable and political correctness can often take the joy and spontaneity out of just about any description that was made with no malicious intent. Take a breath and perhaps accept that not every written word needs to be dissected. I think Kondo can be the judge here.

    diana | 08.03.2017 | Reply
  9. good grief why do people have to be offended by EVERYTHING, if you don’t like it move on, just like at the grocery store, I don’t like yellow apples so I walk right by them and get the red……………oh the horror!

  10. I enjoyed the article, her inspiration and guidance. Thank you for featuring her and the practices. Much appreciated!

    Erin | 08.03.2017 | Reply
  11. I would most certainly call a male guru adorable! If a person qualifies as adorable, they are adorable!

    Terry | 08.03.2017 | Reply
  12. Amen!

    Elena Nehles | 08.03.2017 | Reply
  13. Please sign me up for the newsletter – I need this!

    Kathy | 08.03.2017 | Reply
  14. I know what to call some of the people complaining on here…

    Bodina | 08.03.2017 | Reply
  15. Webster defines adorable as “extremely charming or appealing”…..how can this be construed as offensive and sexist?? Why must we always search for what is wrong & not what is right? Oy…

    Jill | 08.03.2017 | Reply
  16. So, no one enjoyed the article? They only read it to complain about what? Someone’s descriptive opinion about someone. If Marie Kondo has not complained or asked for it to be changed, why should you

    Rene | 08.04.2017 | Reply
  17. Newsletter please!

    kim vierkant | 08.04.2017 | Reply
  18. I mean, she’s got a book with a manga version of herself; if that’s not adorable then idk what is

    audrey | 08.04.2017 | Reply
  19. Her methods sound a tad OCD to me. She appears somewhat conservative or reserved. I fail to see the appeal, as I was born into an era when those similar 50s-evocative values & facades were being eroded by the boundless freedoms of the 60s & 70s & all were in awe of Joan Rivers & her belief that a man never yearned for a woman who kept a clean or tidy house.

    Michelle | 08.04.2017 | Reply
    • Michelle, I’m terrified at what your words could do to someone. “OCD” is not a cutesy way of saying organized. It is a serious mental illness – so serious that it has the highest rate of suicide of any mental illness (yes, higher than Schizophrenia or Major Depressive Disorder). People who have OCD have trouble seeking help because of people like you belittle or spread misinformation about the illness. You are either ignorant (you’re on the Internet, can you not look words up?) or a nasty vicious person. I don’t know which one you are, but either way your opinions are invalid at best and dangerous at worst.

      If you have OCD, please get help and do not give up.

  20. My opinion is her practices are rooted in Japanese culture, and should be considered in that light. That said, there is much there that we westerners could benefit from. Nobody including Kondo herself really expects we do things exactly the way she does but the concepts and the attitude are helpful.

    bunny | 08.06.2017 | Reply
  21. I love the article and am grateful that her new book has been shared here. I truly find her methods original and with meaning for those who want to find significance in what they work so hard to obtain. To feel an appreciation for our belongings gives meaning to the energy (work, money, time) that we have invested in them.

    Lydia Boswell | 08.06.2017 | Reply
  22. I have read both of her books. Very simple yet powerful concepts of decluttering to make room for more powerful forces (like joy) in our worlds. She has become a guru of sorts. That would make her adorable (the ability to be adored) for what she offers not for how she looks. No different from all the male gurus that many folks adore.

    Tina | 08.06.2017 | Reply
  23. Finished reading first book asked husband to read. Put method in place Immediately on my clothes. Wondering how to fold table linens, napkins and place mats?

    Elizabeth Quinn | 08.08.2017 | Reply
  24. Really? They only thing you got from this was “sexist”? It is really sad what this country has come to. Can we whine just a bit more?!?! Come on people, I so tired of this way of thinking. Grow up and put on your big girl pants!

    Kathy | 08.11.2017 | Reply
  25. just focus on her work and not her “adorableness”.

  26. Loved this article. Tips and steps shared here are damn good. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful article.

    buy Armodafinil | 08.24.2017 | Reply
  27. What’s wrong with being adorable? What’s sexist about the word adorable? With a well written story about helpful hints for living, why call that out? If it doesn’t suit you somehow……stop reading. Why distract anyone else with your personal opinion on an unrelated topic? It seems like your issue. It’s not mine. I enjoyed the writing and tips and didn’t have a thought about the use of the word adorable.

    robyn | 08.25.2017 | Reply
  28. Adorable article, thank you!

    Yvonne | 09.17.2017 | Reply
  29. Hi there, for all time i used to check website posts here early
    in the break of day, as i enjoy to gain knowledge of more and more.

    same | 12.18.2017 | Reply
  30. Why is everyone having a FIT about the word “adorable”? I have always been called elegant, exotic, eccentric, beautiful, etc, but NEVER “cute”. I always wanted be called “cute”. Then, some where in my 40s, I realized that it does NOT matter. They are all just words. By the way, because I have been over 6ft tall since my 20s and I am now 60, I guess maybe this is ONE reason I was never called “cute”, but always exotic. LOL! Bottom line? Who cares. People, the tips were superb. Get the lesson without getting caught up in all the words. Gee!

    Raw Law Girl | 02.11.2019 | Reply
  31. I love the idea of opening all the windows first thing in the morning, and I would love to be able to do that every day! But I live in Canada and it’s -21 degrees Celsius out there right now, and if my windows aren’t frozen shut (which they most likely are), I’d freeze to death pretty quick! So I guess I’ll have to save my morning house greeting for better weather. :/

    Tanya | 02.11.2019 | Reply
  32. 😀 Kondo is awesome. Thanks for the tips.

    Bonnie | 02.13.2019 | Reply
  33. As I understand and apply the koni Mari method to become a better professional organizer, this method give meaning to life for people who have issues with hoarding. Americans tend to over consume filling their homes to fill a void. This void is love and joy. Just like how people were so negative about wording early in the comments they are lacking compassion and love. The words are opinion but the methods are useful. The other may come across bias toward woman because they know women are the audience. Enough of that….I believe a clean house an organized life style leads to clearer thinking and a healthier spirit. I’ve seen lives transform with just cleaning. So kuddos to Kondo!!!

    Jordan | 03.02.2019 | Reply
  34. Spell check is overrated…
    Give =gives
    other=author

    Jordan | 03.02.2019 | Reply
  35. “Adorable”… another word to be offended by.

    Met ann | 03.22.2019 | Reply
  36. Adorable, likeable, pretty, handsome,
    So ???
    What’s wrong with you people. Concentrate on the really important things in life, like health and happiness. It seems there are trolls out there just waiting to pounce on any unsuspecting ordinary human being who likes to use adjectives. So here’s one for you ‘sad’
    Now, have a nice day.
    By the way I love Marie Kondo and her tidying up ideas.

    Pat M Fraserr | 03.28.2019 | Reply
  37. I love her tips also, I don’t use all of them but she helps keep things in perspective.

    Brenda | 04.20.2019 | Reply
  38. In my opinion the Mari Kondo application isn’t practical for working moms with young children like me. My kids are too young to be tidy and me constantly cleaning and organizing is an arduous task.


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