+ What is the KonMari Method™?

The KonMari Method™ is a tidying philosophy created by Japanese tidying expert Marie Kondo. Rather than simply organizing the clutter in your home, the KonMari Method™ focuses on keeping only those things which truly spark joy -items that truly help you live your ideal life - and discarding the rest with gratitude. This method is not only effective in tidying up your home once and for all (known as a tidying festival), but also in helping you hone your ability to practice mindfulness and gratitude in all areas of your life.

+ How does it work?

The KonMari Method™ is about tidying by category rather than by location in one swift go. Always working in the order of clothes, books, paper, komono (miscellaneous items), and sentimental items, the method focuses on what to keep in your home and in your life, rather than what to discard. The only criteria used to decide which items to keep is the simple question, “Does it spark joy?”.

+ What the heck does “spark joy” mean?

When it comes to the objects in our lives, they all create a physical reaction when we think about, touch, or use them. So what do my favourite book, my black designer heels, and my Philips screwdriver all have in common? They all spark joy in my life.

-My favourite book sparks joy because it reminds me of the lessons I learned reading it and how it brings me to another world every time I read it.

-My black designer heels spark joy because they give me confidence, are in line with my love of classic style, and remind me that I work hard for my money and am allowed to treat myself.

-My Philips screwdriver sparks joy because it allows me to build and fix various things around my home with ease.

This, my friends, is what it means to spark joy. It is the only criteria needed to know what we truly need in our lives.

+ What is the process like?

When you’ve decided that you're ready to transform your life and start your tidying festival, we have a free phone consultation to assess your needs and make sure we’re a good fit.

We’ll then schedule an in-home consultation to assess your space, discuss how many sessions I feel your festival will require, and to envision your ideal lifestyle. This last point is important as it will be your guiding factor along your tidying journey.

Your tidying festival will then begin! Together, we’ll tidy up by category (not location!), in order of clothes, books, papers, komono (miscellaneous), and sentimental, joy checking each and every item in your home. Yes, each and every one.

We’ll separate items that no longer spark joy into bags to be recycled, donated, or discarded. The items that you decide to keep will be stored in their temporary homes until you’ve finished all five categories. The final step of your tidying festival will be to find every item its forever home, ideally using storage solutions you already have (such as cell phone and shoeboxes). And yes, of course, I’ll teach you how to fold everything from socks to skirts to sheets KonMari style ;)

+ I’d like to surprise my partner/parent/teen with a tidying festival! Can you help?

Yes and no. The philosophy behind the KonMari Method™ is to see which individual items spark joy for each individual person. Because of that, the journey is a highly individualized one. Simply decluttering your partner/parent/teen's things will not only upset them, but also will not make a real change in the end. The only way for the magic of tidying up to really take hold is for the individual to want to do it themselves. That being said, if they have been telling you how much they want to do this process, then please reach out and contact me! Just know that they must be present for all consultations and tidying sessions and that they must be the one to Joy check each item. Most importantly, they must be the one who is truly excited and ready to embark on this journey!

+ Do I have to throw out all of my books?

Of course not! I will never make you throw away anything, let alone your beloved books. You are the only one who decides what to keep and what to remove from your home - all on the premise of what sparks joy and what doesn’t. If all of your 378 books truly bring you joy, then all of your 378 books shall stay.

+ How long will it take?

That all depends on you, your energy, and your enthusiasm (and of course how much stuff you have!). Some people can complete their entire tidying festival in one day, while it may take others over one year. The average client usually takes about 3 to 6 months when completing one 3-hour session per week. We’ll work out the hours required per week based on your schedule and goals.

+ Can we do it any faster? I’m moving in two weeks!

Of course! If you’re willing to put in the time and commitment required…

+ Can you just come do it for me?

Unfortunately not. As someone who follows the The KonMari Method™, I believe that going into your home and putting away your things will not give you the full results I offer. If this is what you would like/require, there are fantastic professional home organizers in the Ottawa area that would love to help.

+ When is the best time to have a tidying festival?

Whenever you are fully ready and committed to the process! This can be before, during, or after a specific life transition such as an upcoming move, a recent divorce, a new job, or the loss of a loved one, or simply because you saw Marie’s show on Netflix and would like to get your life in order.

+ How young is too young?

You can never be too young or too old to KonMari your life! Have you ever noticed that some babies love certain toys while others will completely ignore them? It's because babies have the truest form of knowing what sparks joy for them. The only difference is that before a certain age, children haven't developed their ability to think critically. Because of this, parents are encouraged to work with their children under the age of 3 to 5 years, while children over 3 to 5 years are fully capable of completing their joy checks on their own. You'll be surprised how quickly children make decisions on what they truly love. I found that children are the most excited about the donation process as they receive joy in knowing that other children will enjoy their unwanted toys and clothing.

+ So my child can just throw away anything they no longer want?

Of course not. You are their parent/caregiver and know that children require more than their favourite Batman t-shirt in order to survive or be healthy and comfortable in this world (such as their toothbrush and winter mittens). this is where the borrowed Montessori philosophy of freedom within limits comes in. For example, you could set the limit that your child requires a minimum of 8 shirts (especially so you don't have to do laundry every day!), but give them the freedom to choose which 8 spark joy for them. You may be surprised which ones they decide to keep!

+ You don't have any children. How do you know what it's like to tidy up with them?

Although I do not have any children of my own, I am a trained AMI Montessori guide, come from a large Dutch family, and have worked with children all of my life, including being a live-in nanny overseas in my early twenties. I have experienced first-hand the difference the KonMari Method™ can make in the lives of children, and their parents of course!