Declutter Guide - Tidy Lifestyle

Step by step guide for how to declutter using the KonMari method©

Define your goal by visualizing your Ideal lifestyle

Clarify why you want to tidy and identify the lifestyle you want to live once you have finished.

Step 1: Visualize in detail the ideal lifestyle you dream of
Step 2: Identify why you want to live that lifestyle
Step 3: Dive into the specifics of how you want to live day by day.

When we skip this step it delays the whole tidying process and puts you at higher risk for rebound.

Focus on what to Keep, not what to Discard

How do you know if an item sparks joy and you should keep it?

A feeling of thrill, often a full body experience
A pleasing design/look that makes you feel peaceful
An item with a high degree of functionality that makes life easier
A sense of rightness
An items thats useful in daily life

Examples of Joy

How do you don’t love an item and should say goodbye?

you feel heavy
your hands pause
you tilt your head slightly and frown
you have to think
you feel guilty
for essential items that don’t spark joy, think about the purpose

Prepare to Declutter

Pick an easy category to start with – I recommend clothing.

Pile all items in one spot so you can see everything in that category at once. Example: pile ALL shirts throughout the home/car/office/storage unit on your bed.

Creating a physical pile gives us that “WOW” moment and helps us make informed decisions once and only once.

How to Reduce Duplicates

Pick out your Favorite(s)

Find one item in the pile that you love.

You know you love something because the instant you see and hold it, you feel warm and fuzzy inside. Sometimes items are less about happiness and more about practicality, usefulness, and function. Example: the blue shirt that goes with everything and is always washed regularly.

“Does it Spark Joy?”™

Step 1: Pick up one item at a time
Step 2: Hold it.
- Ask yourself:
  - If this got stained/torn would I fix it?
  - If I lost this, would I buy it again?
  - Does this item enhance my life?
  - Do I feel like my best self with this item?
- If you’re unsure if it Sparks Joy hug it close to your heart!
- Gaze at it.
- If it is clothing, please try it on!

Be Present

Be aware of how your body reacts to each item. You know you love something because that feeling is immediate. If you pause or have to think about an item – ask yourself, why?

Was it a gift?
Was it free?
Have I used this? Why haven’t I ever used this?
What was I really trying to buy in that moment?
Does this item fit into to my ideal lifestyle?

Pain Points & Solutions

“What if I’m Struggling?”

Pick 2-3 similar items and compare them.

Really feel the item in your hand and think deeply about what purpose it plays.

Be Mindful.

Have the courage to let go and stop all thoughts of “What if-?” Remember your goals and think of how each item you keep or discard contributes to your ideal lifestyle.

Try not to focus on-

reducing
efficient storage methods
feeling wasteful
giving items away

Instead focus on-

choosing belongings that inspire joy
enjoying life according to your own standards
appreciate how the items you discard supported you in your life
what role each item has in your life

Reframe Letting Go & Declutter

Every item you keep is a possession that brings you joy and/or makes life better.

Every item you discard is an opportunity to learn more about yourself and who you are today.

If you let go of something you’ve used until it’s broken and worn out: appreciate how its helped to enhance your life
If you declutter something you never used: it taught you a lesson in how you shop, that it did not have a purpose in your life
Think consciously about each item you discard: how will you choose to live moving forward? how you will acquire new things?

Keep items with Confidence

If you keep it then…

Use and appreciate it.
Create a forever home for every item: find it and know exactly what you have.
It’s natural to not put away everything all the time. No one is perfect. Organization is NOT about perfection! Make it a priority to create positive habits. Maybe you won’t put belongings back all the time, every day, but commit to putting things away.