I stumbled upon the KonMari Method in 2016. I picked up her first book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, during a business trip to Japan.
Although I admittedly had a lot to learn about keeping my things organised (I was a shopaholic), my reasons for reading this book were: 1) to practice my Japanese and 2) see what all the hype was about. Little did I realise just how life-changing this book would be.
Intrigued and inspired by what I read — and admittedly a bit skeptical about my ability to tidy — I decided to give it a go. The method was simple, the steps were clearly explained, and I had nothing to lose.
What my Russian books taught me
As I started to choose what to keep (instead of what to discard, as I had done previously) and let go of what no longer served me, things started to shift inside of me.
For example, for several years, I was convinced that the only reason I was not getting a permanent contract at the United Nations was that I did not speak enough languages. So, I studied Russian — my fifth language — for three years.
During my tidying festival, I held my Russian books to my chest and felt…heaviness. Pressure. Hurt. It was a physical reaction that opened my eyes to what I truly thought : the unfairness of the UN system, having to prove myself repeatedly, sacrificing my time and energy for an objective that didn’t actually resonate with me.
So, I let go of these books. Not with resentment or anger, but with gratitude. I thanked them for having shown me that I was desperately chasing a long-outgrown goal. I let go of the books and of the unworthy UN dream.
A few weeks after this revelation, my former manager called me and offered me a contract. To her great surprise (and indignation), I declined without hesitation.
Rethinking my impact
Taking a step back. My cosmopolitan upbringing and my calling to make the world a better place naturally led me to study international relations and pursue a career in international organisations, specifically the United Nations.
In 2016, when I encountered the KonMari Method, I was burned out from chasing contracts at the UN. Far from being a light read, Marie Kondo’s book and the ensuing tidying festival, was a balm for my soul.
It was much more than a way to fold clothes or clear clutter. It was a philosophy that touched on how I wanted to live my life. Tidying transformed my home and who I am forever.
After my tidying festival, I got what was then my dream: a permanent contract at an international organisation, this time the World Economic Forum.
But sitting behind my computer every day and travelling around the world for conferences, I started to wonder how much of an impact my work was having on the everyday lives of people. A reflection that turned into an unease, and then a doubt, as the Covid pandemic hit.
At some point, the question became more concrete: if tidying had brought me so much peace and joy, wouldn’t sharing this gift with others make the world a better place?
When talking about tidying wasn’t enough
After my tidying festival, I couldn’t stop talking about how impactful it was, and friends and colleagues would often ask me for tidying tips. I did my best, but I always felt I was only scratching the surface. I could explain what I’d done, but not guide someone else through the same transformation.
That was my turning point. I didn’t just want to talk about the KonMari Method, I wanted to learn how to teach it. I wanted to bring joy into other people’s lives through tidying.
Why I chose to certify as a KonMari Consultant
Over the years, I’ve met many professional organizers and home organizers who admire Marie Kondo and her work, yet chose not to certify. Some found the investment too high, others were held back by language barriers or the perception that certification was restrictive.
For me, certification opened a door to much more than just applying the method. The training goes deeper into the emotional and psychological dimensions of tidying. You learn how to support clients as they identify tokimeki (spark joy) and make decisions that are not only practical but deeply meaningful.
Everyone feels tokimeki, but not everyone recognises it or is comfortable taking decisions based on it. This is where proposing different exercises, including those taught during the certification course, are so valuable. Knowing how to explain and sensitise a client to tokimeki is a unique skillthat makes tidying not only more joyful, but more efficient and sustainable.
Therefore, two things
If you are looking for support to tidy your space according to the KonMari Method, reach out to an officially certified consultant (you can check the list here). Simply put, it’s the difference between hiring someone who has learned how to teach the method and someone who’s just read the book.
And, if you feel the desire to deepen your understanding of the KonMari Method, even learn to accompany others to experience it, think about the KonMari training course.
Much more than just a training course
Un aspect du cours de certification de Marie Kondo qui m’a surprise a été le soutien en matière de développement professionnel. Le programme ne se contente pas d’approfondir la Méthode Marie Kondo et la philosophie qui la sous-tend : il aide à la transformer en activité pérenne. Grâce aux interventions de consultants expérimentés et de conférenciers invités, nous apprenons à construire une activité ancrée dans la philosophie Marie Kondo : one that is joy-focused, supportive, and reflects who you are.
I certified in 2020, and I’ve renewed my membership every year since. What’s remarkable is that although the membership fee has stayed the same, the benefits have multiplied, from continuing education, to community events, to mentorship opportunities.
In April 2025, I had the honour of joining Team KonMari as a Certification Coach. Today, I support consultants-in-training as they complete their practice client sessions and progress towards certification. It feels full-circle: once I was the one searching for guidance, and now I get to support others on their journey.
Welcoming the next generation of consultants
In addition to becoming a Certification Coach, I was recently selected as an Ambassador for the certification courses at KonMari.
You can find all the details about upcoming courses, including the in-person course in London in October 2025, at events.konmari.comAs an Ambassador, I have the pleasure of sharing a referral code that gives you USD 250 off the course fee. Simply enter YURI at check-out.
If you feel called to bring the joy of tidying to others, I’d be honoured for you to use my code.
An invitation to you
Becoming a KonMari Consultant has been one of the most meaningful choices of my life. It allowed me not only to deepen my own practice but also to guide others through life-changing transformations.
If you’ve ever felt the pull to go beyond tidying your own home and step into teaching the method, certification may be the path for you.
Don't forget to use the code YURI to get 250 USD off!
