Frequently Asked Questions
About Japanese tidying
Japanese tidying is an approach based on the idea of living in harmony with your belongings. Each item has a soul; we should choose them carefully, treat them with kindness, and store them in their place so they can rest. By letting go of what no longer serves us, we can better enjoy the present moment and stir stagnant energy. Much more than just a tidying method, Japanese tidying is a philosophy of life. By allowing ourselves to be surrounded only by what we truly love, we can begin to free ourselves from objects (and much more) without guilt. By learning to care for our belongings, we also learn to care for ourselves.
I am convinced that this method can adapt to everyone according to their own definition of tokimeki, or the spark of happiness. The only condition is to be open to a transformation of both your space and your lifestyle.
Marie Kondo is a Japanese tidying expert who gained worldwide fame with her book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up (2011). Her books have been translated into 40 languages and have sold over 10 million copies. She is the star of the hit Netflix series Tidying Up with Marie Kondo. Her name in Japanese is Kondo Marie, or "KonMari" for short.
The KonMari method is Marie Kondo's approach to tidying. The guiding principle is to surround yourself with items that spark joy. Simply put, the KonMari method codifies Japanese tidying, makes it easy to apply, and infuses it with a generous dose of happiness.
In short: no. The goal of minimalism is to drastically reduce the number of items you own, while the KonMari method is guided by tokimeki or "the spark of joy." For example, rather than choosing the three pairs of socks to keep, you are encouraged to keep all the pairs that you truly love and let go of the rest with gratitude. Often, people end up getting rid of a large portion of their belongings simply because they realise they don't feel tokimeki for them.
About tidying lessons
Tidying is like any other skill: you will get further and faster by hiring a personal coach than reading the how-to guide. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up is a great place to start your tidying journey and I highly recommend it. It will give you a good overview of the KonMari approach and how to apply it in your own home. However, for most people, this is not enough. Having a consultant guide you through the tidying process means having a caring, experienced ally by your side. A consultant teaches you the methodology step by step, answers your questions on the spot, provides motivation and reassurance, keeps you accountable and, above all, inspires you to succeed.
My services are tailored to your needs. That’s why the first step I offer is a 30-minute call to understand your situation and discuss how I can help you achieve your tidying goals.
My goal is not to make you get rid of your belongings but to help you carefully sort them so that each item sparks joy, or tokimeki. During a consultation, I will explain the method, teach tidying techniques, ask guiding questions, provide advice and tips, and help you stay motivated. However, the decision to keep or discard an item is yours. After all, only you can know if an item brings you tokimeki.
The number of hours it will take to tidy depends on each person and how much "homework" they can do on their own. My clients take around 20 to 30 hours of lessons to complete a tidying festival.
I offer both in-person and virtual sessions, according to your preference.
I would be delighted to answer your questions, so feel free to contact me.