6 reasons to Marie Kondo your life

Marie Kondo, the tidying machine who has sold millions of books worldwide, has recently taken over Netflix. ‘Tidying increases good fortune … and dramatically transforms our lives,’ she says – and really, who doesn’t want some of that? Here we unpack how applying a bit of Kondo-style tidying to your life (and bedroom) is the kind of boring self-care that can make a huge difference to your wellbeing.

1. Take control

It can sometimes feel like everything is out of our control: school, friends, parents, money, politics, global warming, the end of Game of Thrones… All that uncertainty can get a bit much, amiright?

It might seem silly, but taking control of where you live can have a massive impact on how you feel about the world. Whether it’s tidying up your side of a shared bedroom or giving your sharehouse a serious scrub-down, organising your personal space can make you feel like the boss of your domain – and that can be totally empowering. You might not be able to control your exam timetable, but you can choose what sparks joy for you. And sometimes, that’s enough.

2. Sort out the chaos

Life feels seriously messy sometimes. When you have a million things on your To-Do list, it can seem impossible to get everything done. Giving your space the Marie Kondo treatment will leave you feeling like you’ve really accomplished something. Plus, coming home to a clean and organised physical space can help you to feel like you’ve got the mental space to deal with the rest of the chaos.

3. Take a screen detox

Our lives revolve around screens, so taking a break every now and then can be really refreshing. We admit you’ll need to watch a few YouTube clips to learn how to fold your tees Kondo-style, but then you can tuck your phone away and get tidying. You’ll be surprised how an hour or two off your screen can leave you feeling relaxed and more connected to the real world.

4. Have you seen my keys?

If you’ve ever been late for something because you can’t find your keys, wallet or phone, then you’ll benefit from the Marie Kondo treatment. Mornings are stressful enough without having to turn your house upside down looking for the stuff you need. Keeping your room tidy, with all your stuff in its proper place, will keep your mornings are calm and set you up for a good day.

5. Thank U, Next

Ariana Grande was onto something with her song ‘Thank U, Next’. We need to take the time to thank the past before we can move on to the future. Marie Kondo teaches us to be grateful for objects and clothes from our past – they got us to where we are, after all!

Clearing out your baggage (real and emotional) creates space in your life for whatever amazing thing you’re going to do next. Plus, practising gratitude is a fast ticket to living a happy, FOMO-free life.

6. Give Planet Earth a bit of TLC

As we’ve seen on Netflix, at the end of your Kondo-ing you’ll likely have a big pile of stuff to get rid of. Now is a good time to brush up on the three Rs of recycling: reduce, reuse and recycle. Put aside the good stuff you no longer need and see if any of your mates want it, or donate it to your local Salvation Army or St Vincent de Paul shop.

Unfortunately, you’ll probably have stuff that will end up in landfill. In this way, a big cleanup can be a useful reminder to think before we buy. Everyone is guilty of impulse-buying occasionally (no seriously, I needed those roller skates), but the planet will thank us if we’re all a little more mindful of our purchases.