How To: Declutter your kitchen like Marie Kondo

Marie Kondo is a Japanese organizing consultant who has published 4 books that help others declutter and organize their space.

Image: spruced.com

Her philosophy is not focused on “what can I get rid of”, but rather on asking yourself the question: “does this item bring me joy?”

A few benefits of decluttering your space

  • Improves functionality as you view yourself as competent.
  • A clean space can actually improve your decision-making and problem-solving skills as there is no distracting clutter everywhere.
  • Cleaning and organizing are known to reduce anxiety.
  • Reduces allergens (especially in the kitchen where a clean space is essential for making food).
  • Decluttering is energizing. You put yourself into the “getting things done” mindset.

Kondo’s expert tips on how to declutter:

1. Focus on what you want to keep, rather than what you want to get rid of.
By switching your mindset, the process becomes empowering and positive.

2. Tackle categories, not rooms.
Now we have chosen the kitchen as a room, we can narrow it down even further by tackling one draw and/or cupboard at a time. Starting only with the utensils draw and then once that’s done, move on to the cutlery draw, and so forth.

3. Nostalgia = procrastination.
When decluttering, it’s easy to fall into the trap of opening boxes that contain sentimental items such as photographs and reminiscing about past times. Kondo suggests putting your blinders on and rather focusing on the task at hand before you’re procrastinating and wasting time by only focusing on the past.

4. Remove everything and place it on the floor.
This will make it easier for you to sort your items. Have boxes ready to sort your items into categories: donate, sell, trash/recycle

5. Clean your cupboards once they are empty.
Repack your items, always being conscious of whether that item brings you joy or not. If it doesn’t – get rid of it!

Practice recognizing the difference between attachment and joy!

Reference: https://www.thekitchn.com/

Article by: Cassidy Johnston