The Tim Ferriss Show
#234: Marie Kondo -- The Japanese Tidying Master
Episode guests
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Quick takeaways
- Organizing based on personal values and determining if items spark joy is essential in creating a space that aligns with one's values.
- Expressing gratitude towards belongings before letting go and allocating energy towards what truly matters cultivates a sense of harmony and put-togetherness.
- Understanding and respecting others' values, distinguishing between short-lived excitement and longer-lasting joy, and re-examining life goals through organizing can lead to clarity and fulfillment.
Deep dives
Pursuing Values and Organizing
Marie Kondo emphasizes the importance of organizing based on personal values. She suggests facing each item and determining if it sparks joy when held. Organizing is not just about discarding; it's about creating a space that aligns with one's values. Marie encourages gratitude towards belongings, thanking items before letting go. She advises people to allocate their energy towards what truly matters to them and not to put too much importance on things that don't bring joy.
Morning and Daily Routines
Marie Kondo starts her mornings by focusing on her home, saying good morning to her house, and opening windows for fresh air. She practices yoga for about 20 minutes and takes care of her family's breakfast. Other routines include wiping the floor at the entrance and communicating with items in her home, expressing appreciation for their service. Marie's routines help her create a sense of harmony and put-togetherness in her daily life.
Lessons from Failure and Buying with Intention
Marie Kondo reflects on a time when she discarded valuable possessions of her family, leading to arguments. She learned that understanding and respecting others' values is important when organizing. When it comes to buying, Marie considers whether an item sparks joy in her hands. She distinguishes between short-lived excitement and longer-lasting joy, training her 'spark joy' muscle through the tidying process.
The Purpose of Organizing and Clarifying Values
Organizing your space is not just about cleanliness, but also about clarifying your values and what is important to you. Through organizing, people have been able to re-examine their goals in life and gain clarity.
Dealing with a Hoarder or Messy Family Member
When dealing with a family member who is a hoarder or does not clean up, it is important to focus on your own tidying first. Surprisingly, when family members see you tidying, it can encourage them to tidy up as well. Setting clear rules for categorizing storage and creating designated spaces can also help in getting them to tidy up.
Marie Kondo (@MarieKondo, also known as "KonMari") is a Japanese organizing consultant, author, and entrepreneur. She developed a revolutionary method of organizing known as the KonMari Method, which consists of gathering together everything you own, one category at a time, and then keeping only those things that "spark joy" -- as well as choosing a dedicated place to store them. Going far beyond a typical tidying how-to, her method is a way of life and a state of mind. Marie captured the findings in her mega-best-selling books, including The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing and its follow-up, Spark Joy: An Illustrated Master Class on the Art of Organizing and Tidying Up. Her books have sold more than seven million copies and have been published in more than forty countries. Kondo's methods have become so famous that her last name has become a verb, 'Kondo-ing,' and people who share her specific values are referred to as 'Konverts.' She has been named one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential people. Marie is also the Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of KonMari Media Inc. ("KMI"), a US-based startup with a mission to "Organize the World" by combining the power of technology and a network of Konverts and partner organizations. KMI also recently launched a KonMari Consultant Training Program and certification process. We dig into Shintoism, Marie's upbringing, specific details of her method, and much more. Show notes and links for this episode can be found at www.fourhourworkweek.com/podcast. This podcast is brought to you by 99Designs, the world's largest marketplace of graphic designers. I have used them for years to create some amazing designs. When your business needs a logo, website design, business card, or anything you can imagine, check out 99Designs. I used them to rapid prototype the cover for The Tao of Seneca, and I've also had them help with display advertising and illustrations. If you want a more personalized approach, I recommend their 1-on-1 service, which is non-spec. You get original designs from designers around the world. The best part? You provide your feedback, and then you end up with a product that you're happy with or your money back. Click this link and get a free $99 upgrade. Give it a test run... This podcast is also brought to you by MeUndies. I've spent the last year wearing underwear from these guys 24/7, and they are the most comfortable and colorful underwear I've ever owned. MeUndies are designed in LA and made from sustainably-sourced MicroModal fabric 3 times softer than cotton. Even better, it includes free shipping. If you don't love your first pair of MeUndies, they'll hook you up with a new pair or a refund. If you love the product, they have a subscription offer where you can save up to 33% after your first pair. Check out MeUndies.com/Tim to see all the different options.
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