Hunkered Down? Tidy Up! 6 Steps to KonMari Your Closet when You're Cut Off from the World

Turn your COVID-19 self-isolation into a productive time with this step by step guide to give your closet the KonMari treatment! Take some time to watch Marie Kondo’s “Tidying Up” series on Netflix, and then start your own tidying festival. Here are the 6 Steps to tackle your clothes as your first KonMari project:

1. Make time in your schedule when you can have 4-5 hours distraction-free. If your friend or spouse is helping, make it clear that their job is to help you stay on task, not chat.
2. Take a BEFORE picture of your closet and drawers. Then, collect ALL of your clothes and pile them on a bed. This includes your coats, off-season clothes, and “special event” clothes stashed in the guest bedroom or basement closet. Take another picture of the pile on your bed.
3. Subcategorize your clothing into t-shirts, long-sleeved shirts, dress shirts, sweaters, jeans, slacks, dresses, workout clothes, pajamas, lingerie, socks, shoes, purses, etc. Don’t get ahead of yourself and try to make decisions at this point; only subcategorize.
4. This step is the key to the “Magic of Tidying:” pick up each item of clothing and ask whether it “sparks joy” for you. How does it make you feel? Happy? Do you love to wear it? Or do you feel guilty, out of shape, or associate it with negative thoughts? If it doesn’t spark joy, thank it for its service and discard it in your Donations or Trash pile. If you need to create a Maybe pile, reserve that for things you really can’t decide on and might want to try on later. (At the end, you’ll probably let go of most of them because “someday” usually means “never.”) If you get stuck, contact me!
5. Put all donations items directly into your car. While you have them sorted, take inventory of your donations for tax time. Resist the urge to think about “selling” them. That usually doesn’t turn out: most consignment stores have extremely high standards for what they will sell, and discarded items that are still around clutter up your home.
6. Now that you are left with only clothes that bring you joy, hang up in the closet and fold neatly into drawers all those items that spark joy. (Learn Marie Kondo’s special folding method in this video.) Make your closet a special place where you can use the reclaimed space to hang up a cherished photo or display a family heirloom that brings you happiness. Now, step back and take your AFTER photos! You’ve done it!

 
A few tips for your 4-5 hour marathon:

• Get quick wins by starting with a small subcategory of items so you feel the satisfaction and build momentum.
• As you work, take notes of anything that needs mending, replacement, or upgrading.
• Take one break half-way through to drink plenty of fluids and have a light snack to keep up your energy.
• Don’t let sentimental items trip you up: set them aside for another day.
• In your final hour, assess what’s left to do and what needs to be your homework.

 
Now enjoy the beauty, satisfaction, and function of your tidy clothes! You did it!

If you need any help, don't hesitate to contact me!

Mrg Simon
605-929-1493
[email protected]