Have you decided to declutter your home once and for all? Then you may have had a chance to take a glance at both what the Konmari method and minimalism have to offer. In this article I'll walk you through how minimalism and Konmari are related, how they differ and pros and cons of both approaches, and you'll also get a guide to which method might work for you when you decide to declutter your home.
The philosophy of both approaches is that we should take care of our homes and create an environment without visual noise. But they differ both in terms of principles and some techniques for how best to proceed.
Minimalism: here's how it works:
Minimalism is more than just clearing out your belongings. It is a lifestyle and philosophy centered around living with intention and focusing on what really matters in life. The essence of minimalism is to get rid of things that weigh you down and drain you. It can be about everything from possessions to beliefs, toxic relationships etc.
Part of the minimalism and simple living lifestyle is about clearing your mind with mindfulness and really questioning what matters to you. But it's also about consuming sustainably and not more than necessary.
The principles of minimalism:
Intentionality:
Minimalism advocates intentionality, i.e. always making conscious decisions and act with intention. It can take some time to relearn, but with a little practice you'll get the hang of it.
Simplicity:
Many minimalists have noticed the huge benefits of getting rid of as many distractions as possible. The more you declutter your home, the easier it is to focus and maintain concentration. The minimalist principle of simplicity can be applied to a lot of areas of life: items, the workplace, images on your phone, how to dress, what to eat, who to hang out with, etc.
Mindfulness and meditation:
Another core principle is that you constantly strive to be present and consciously examine your decisions and what they might lead you towards. Meditation is a go to method for many minimalists.
If you find yourself panicking a little when I mention meditation, just going for a walk without your phone can be enough. Notice what it is you're really thinking about. then allow the thoughts to arise, and then let them go.
One way to improve mindfulness is to keep a journal. Start writing anything and see where it leads. It doesn't have to mean anything. Just write down any thoughts that come to mind. After a while you can go back and read your thoughts. Your subconscious will help you come up with mental clutter that you are ready to clear out.
Quality over quantity:
Minimalists always favor quality over quantity. Here, too, you can apply it to most things in life: what books you read, your diet, clothes, etc.
As a minimalist you only buy things you need, so you can also save a lot of money by not buying unnecessary junk. When you buy something, you want to look for options of a higher quality that lasts year after year instead of going for the cheapest shiny object.
No unnecessary stuff:
If you start by clearing out all the unnecessary stuff that doesn't bring you any joy, you're well on your way to becoming a minimalist. If you want to start with minimalism, you often start with the physical stuff. (Getting rid of outdated limiting beliefs and ideas that no longer serve a purpose come at a later stage!)
Related article: The principles of minimalism + checklist >>
The Konmari method
Marie Kondo's Konmari method has achieved great success and popularity worldwide thanks to the unique principles that Kondo advocates and teaches when it comes to organizing your home.
The method has its roots in the Japanese philosophy of Shintoism, which stresses that you should have a respect for the items you surround yourself with, and to be grateful for the objects and what they contribute to your life.
"Spark Joy"
The Konmari method has probably become best known for the expression "Spark Joy". Here's how it works: you hold each item and "hang out" with it for a while. Ask yourself if the item "sparks joy" before deciding whether you want to keep the item or respectfully let it go.
The principles of the Konmari method:
Always declutter categories of items
Find every item you own that falls into the same category before you decide what to do. The categories (in order) are:
- Clothes
- Books
- Paper
- "Komono" i.e. miscellanious
- Sentimental items
Spark Joy
Evaluate each item based on whether it "sparks joy", and keep the items that make you happy.
Gratitude
Feel grateful for both items you decide to keep and items you want to get rid of. When you get rid of an item, always take a moment and gratefully reflect on what the item has contributed to your life.
Vertical storage and folding techniques
The Konmari method has specific, efficient methods for how to fold clothes, sheets, fabric, etc. to take up as little space as possible. The methods also make it easier to get a clear overview of what you have, for example in your wardrobe.
Esthetically pleasing
According to the Konmari method it's also important to strive for an aesthetically pleasing home. The method has lots of hacks on how to sort and organize in an esthetically pleasing way.
Similarities and differences
Both minimalism and the Konmari method advocate decluttering regularly and striving to do things with intention. But the methods also differ: While minimalism emphasizes owning fewer things to simplify life, the Konmari method focuses on identifying items that make you happy.
Minimalism is more about encouraging a shift in mindset where the goal is to consume less, while Konmari offers specific organizing methods.
Pros and cons with Konmari vs minimalism
Pros with minimalism:
- Emphesizes mindfulness and conscious consumption
- Intentionality
- Prioritizes experiences and relationships över material possessions.
Cons with minimalism:
- Can be a touch challenge if your'e used to excessive consumption
- Requires quite a bit of discipline to maintain
- Can lead to feelings of guilt over owning too much stuff. You should of course NOT feel guilty! You own as many things as you want! Minimalism is here to make you more aware of your consumption, not to make you feel guilty.
Pros with the Konmari method:
- A very structured approach towards decluttering and organizing
- Focuses on what sparks joy. You can find that this approach makes it easier to decide what should stay and what should go.
- A beautiful way of showing gratitude and respect towards your belongings.
Cons with the Konmari method:
- Different people in a household can feel that different things "spark joy". In the worst case, this can lead to conflicts.
- Time consuming, especially if you have hoards of items to go through.
- Doesn't really address the underlying reasons why people consume the way they do.
Get started:
- Set goals: Decide whether you want to become a minimalist or go with the Konmari method.
- Start small. Go though one category at a time.
- Follow the method: whether you choose to become a minimalist or want to declutter your home according to the Konmari method, it might be a good idea to do a little research and stick to the methods available. You have greater chances of succeeding if you do what others have done before you.
- Reflect and Iterate: Sit with it for a while and then reflect on your experience, if the method is right for you or if you need to adjust.
- Practice gratitude: This is good in all areas of life. As you go through the process of decluttering your home, it's always a good idea to practice a bit of gratitude, whether you choose minimalism or Konmari.
Conclusion
Both minimalism and Konmari are good frameworks if you want to simplify your life by getting rid of things. What you choose depends on your preferences and what you like, your conditions and lifestyle goals.
While minimalism is a more overarching philosophy and approach to how to live your life, the Konmari method can offer a great system for starting out with decluttering, and also offers tips on how to maintain and keep your home tidy going forward.
Whatever you choose, remember that it's the journey that counts. In today's busy society, becoming a full-fledged minimalist is not done in the blink of an eye. But maybe you can start sorting through your sock drawer and go from there!
Minimalistic coaching
My name is Theresa, and I am a professional organizer. I help people create a simpler lifestyle with focus on minimaism. I provide tools to help you detect your own consumption habits and start living a simpler, more meaningful life without stress and distractions.
If you want you can book a free consultation (20 min).
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