The KonMari Method - a Mindfulness Practice

Image credit: "Mind Full v. Mindful" by Forbes Oste is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

When I speak of the KonMari method, I often describe it as a mindful way of decluttering and organizing. This maybe too abstract for some to visualize, especially the skeptics. What is mindfulness? How does it relate to tidying and the KonMari Method?

The first word I associate with mindfulness is - awareness - intense awareness of something, anything, everything. Nothing is taken for granted, and nothing is simply because. We might say to someone ‘be mindful of your language’- What does that mean? Be aware of the words that you use, choose your words carefully. In the course of the day we hardly notice our breathing, but during yoga or meditation, we are mindful of every inward and outward breath we take. We feel, we focus, we observe and we experience every breath. That is mindfulness. Does the KonMari method incorporate elements of mindfulness in it? Yes, yes, yes! In the KonMari method, nothing is chosen or discarded ‘just because’. Any action we take, whether to keep something or to discard something, is intentional. Throughout the process of tidying we hone the skill of asking ourselves questions about seemingly mundane objects. It is, in reality, less about the object and more about the process and what it teaches us. Every time you choose to keep or give away something you are conversing with yourself, and as we hone this skill, we transfer it to other areas of life. You start being more aware and intentional about the choices you make. I saw this in action with one of my clients. As we worked through the clothes, she became intensely aware that most of her wardrobe was black. When we gather things together and sort in the KonMari manner, we start seeing patterns in what we wear, what we buy, what we own. It tells us something about the choices that we tend to make and creates a deepened awareness about our own selves.That is mindfulness. When my client was on holiday, she saw something at a store that she was tempted to buy. She told me proudly that she stopped herself and reflected- I have so many black things. Why am I buying this? Do I have anything else similar that I own? Am I buying this because it’s cheap? She then held up the dress and said “oh, I do like you, but no thank you!” That is mindfulness in action! Nurtured by the skills that the KonMari Method teaches us, it slowly becomes a mindset and a way of life.

The KonMari method creates a deepened awareness about all the things we surround ourselves with and leads to an introspective dialog helping us to shine the light on what is enriching us and what is limiting us. We acknowledge, appreciate and give thanks throughout the process, irrespective of whether something is staying or being sent away. KonMari is a class apart. It is unlike traditional organizing methods. There are no short cuts here, no camouflaging of clutter in fancy bins and boxes. It is intentional. It is revolutionary. It is life changing.

It is a mindfulness practice.

Sincerely,

Meera