What is the point of organizing?

To put it simply, to be happy. We organize so that our space and the things in it can bring us happiness.

Why should I hire a professional organizer?

We all have the power to organize our own spaces. However, it is most people’s experience  that they have tried and failed repeatedly to maintain an organized space. Hiring a professional organizer trained in The KonMari Method™ gives you access to their knowledge of how to organize your space once and for all, for good. It also gives you accountability to make sure you are sticking to your goals, which has been proven to increase success in any challenging endeavor. Also, hiring a professional organizer ensures that you set aside dedicated time and energy to devote to the process. Ultra-connectivity and other pressures of modern society means that, at any point in the day, any number of things demand our attention. Hiring a professional organizer means that you have committed to spending time on the goal of getting your home organized. Finally, having a professional to work alongside you is fun!

Why do I organize by category?

The first step of The KonMari Method™ approach is to organize by category, beginning with clothes, then moving on to books, papers, komono (miscellaneous items) and sentimental items.

The second step is to determine a place for everything you keep.

You organize by category because most people don’t store similar items in the same place. In the majority of households, items that fall into the same category are stored in two or more places scattered around the house. For example, most clothing could be in the master bedroom closet, with coats in a hallway closet, and off-season clothing under the bed. Books may be in the living room and cookbooks in the kitchen.

If you start by say, organizing only your bedroom, after you’ve finished sorting and discarding everything in it, you are bound to come across clothes you kept in a different closet or a coat draped over a living room chair. You will then have to repeat the whole process of choosing and sorting, wasting time and effort, and you cannot make an accurate assessment of what you want to keep and discard under such conditions.

Repetition and wasted effort can inhibit motivation and you may be stuck in a vicious cycle of organizing over and over, if you don’t organize by category.

Is there a difference between organizing and cleaning?

There is a huge difference! Organizing and cleaning are two separate activities. Organizing with the Konmari Method means deciding what items to keep and designated a space to keep them. Cleaning is removing dirt, dust and other accumulations from the surfaces and items that you have.  

Is professional organizing expensive?

Professional organizing with the Konmari Method is a lot of things, but it is primarily a one-time investment into your time and emotional well being.

When the closets and drawers are organized, when all the clutter has been removed from your home, when your Konmari consultant heads out of your doorway for the final time, and when you are settling into your new lifestyle surrounding by only things that bring you joy - you want to be assured that that you have the skills and mindset to carry the lessons of Konmari with you forever.

With these skills, most people find they spend far less money of professional organizing than making continual mistakes with purchases, buying organizational gadgets.

Why do I organize all at once?

It is vital to experience immediate and tangible results when organizing, in order that you can shift your mindset.

Organizing all at once will empower you to maintain an ordered house.

Why do I “joy check”?

The philosophy behind the KonMari Method™ is simple: keep things that bring you joy and let go, with gratitude, those that don't. If you let your inner joy guide you when choosing what to keep, you will be left only with things that you love.

Will The KonMari Method™ affect how I buy clothing and other items in the future?

Absolutely. Once you have sorted all the items in your home, you will use your newly discovered knowledge of what sparks joy when making purchasing decisions. Determining what sparks joy is like building a muscle. By the time you have completed your house organizing, your muscle will be strong and will be an influence when considering new purchases.