KonMari Answers Your Questions
Marie Kondo has been tidying up all her life. Her method is inspired by a simple question: Does this item spark joy? Here she answers questions from readers of one of her magazine articles.
Q1 My parents give me presents I do not want. What should I do? How can I help them understand my likes and dislikes?
A1 First of all, receive the gifts with gratitude. Remember to say thank you even though you don’t really want that gift.
In order to keep this kind of thing from happening, it is important to ask yourself: “What sparks joy for me?” Then discuss your favorite things with your parents. That will help them make decisions about gifts.
Q2 Now that you’re popular all over the world, have you found a difference in attitude between America and Japan (and other countries) about tidying up?
A2 I was surprised to learn that no matter where you live, everyone has trouble tidying. We’re all the same in that sense.
But there are some differences. People from different countries have attachments to different things. For example, in Poland, books are not something to just throw away. In the United States, family heirlooms are treasured. In Japan, people often save empty boxes and wrapping paper from gifts they receive. It was interesting to learn about each country’s values and attachments!
Q3 I will retire soon and will have lots of time to make a positive change in my environment. What’s a good first step?
A3 A good first step is to imagine your ideal life after you retire. What will your house look like? How would you like to spend your time in your home?
When tidying, I recommend tidying by category, not by room. For example, when you sort your clothes, gather all of them and put them in a pile. Why is this important? By making a pile, you can see everything you own. By seeing and realizing how much you have, you will be able to choose what to keep and what to discard.
Tidying by category helps you learn more about yourself. Making big decisions like this gives you an opportunity to think seriously about your future.
Marie Kondo has been tidying up all her life. Her method is inspired by a simple question: Does this item spark joy? Here she answers questions from readers of one of her magazine articles.
Q1 My parents give me presents I do not want. What should I do? How can I help them understand my likes and dislikes?
A1 First of all, receive the gifts with gratitude. Remember to say thank you even though you don’t really want that gift.
In order to keep this kind of thing from happening, it is important to ask yourself: “What sparks joy for me?” Then discuss your favorite things with your parents. That will help them make decisions about gifts.
Q2 Now that you’re popular all over the world, have you found a difference in attitude between America and Japan (and other countries) about tidying up?
A2 I was surprised to learn that no matter where you live, everyone has trouble tidying. We’re all the same in that sense.
But there are some differences. People from different countries have attachments to different things. For example, in Poland, books are not something to just throw away. In the United States, family heirlooms are treasured. In Japan, people often save empty boxes and wrapping paper from gifts they receive. It was interesting to learn about each country’s values and attachments!
Q3 I will retire soon and will have lots of time to make a positive change in my environment. What’s a good first step?
A3 A good first step is to imagine your ideal life after you retire. What will your house look like? How would you like to spend your time in your home?
When tidying, I recommend tidying by category, not by room. For example, when you sort your clothes, gather all of them and put them in a pile. Why is this important? By making a pile, you can see everything you own. By seeing and realizing how much you have, you will be able to choose what to keep and what to discard.
Tidying by category helps you learn more about yourself. Making big decisions like this gives you an opportunity to think seriously about your future.