Does it spark joy? By asking us this simple question, Marie Kondo successfully catapulted herself from organizational expert to lifestyle guru status. 

Marie Kondo was born in Tokyo, Japan, making her first connection with the study of neatness at age 5 while flipping through her mother’s lifestyle magazines and admiring the beautifully organized spaces within them. This sparked a curiosity within her that would eventually lead to best-selling books, Netflix deals, and building an (organized) empire. 

The principles of her eponymous tidying system, the KonMari Method are well documented in Kondo‘s many books, including ‘The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up’. Kondo has also starred in two Netflix series, ‘Tidying Up with Marie Kondo’ (2019) and ‘Sparking Joy with Marie Kondo’ (2021) where she brings these teachings to life.

Since the birth of her three children, Kondo has been open about the shift she experienced in her philosophies around messiness, and the difficulty of maintaining a perfectly tidy home with a family of five. In her new book, ‘Kurashi at Home,’ Kondo is embracing the mess of life while always asking, ‘Does it spark joy?’

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As the new season quickly approaches, we chatted with the woman who literally wrote the book on tidying up to get all her tips and tricks for embracing a fresh start with a stress-free spring clean.

Spring is a season of renewal. What are some tips for tidying and organizing our homes to embrace a fresh start?

“To begin with, reimagine your ideal way of life. Before you begin tidying, take some time to reflect on your ideal lifestyle. This is always an important first step in the KonMari Method, but spring—when our moods lighten and we often step into a new chapter of life—is a perfect time to envision your life with a fresh mindset and perspective. Think about how you want to live after tidying, how you want to spend your days, and what kind of person you want to be.”

“I recommend you to visualize your ideal way of life so concretely that you can feel the happiness and excitement you would feel. This vision will give you motivation to go through the tidying process.”

“Next, set a deadline. The KonMari Method is not about tidying little by little every day—the important principle of the method is to complete tidying perfectly, all at once, in a short and focused period. Even if you start tidying with a fresh mindset, if you allow it to drag on indefinitely, your motivation will fade. Especially because tidying is not a job, setting a clear deadline and scheduling it properly is crucial. Mark the day you plan to finish tidying on your calendar, and embrace the new season as a refreshed version of yourself, in a newly organized home.”

Many people struggle with time management and the work-life balance. How can organization and tidying help create a more harmonious daily routine?

“Like many others, I sometimes struggle with time management and work-life balance. However, I’ve found that by tidying my surroundings—even little by little—I can cultivate a greater sense of calm and enjoy my time more fully.”

“Tidying gives you more time to spare on what sparks joy for you, such as family, hobbies or a more intentional way of living. This is something everyone who has completed their tidying process with the KonMari Method says. The reason is not just the physical organization of the home, but also the mental clarity that comes with it. If you have a busy schedule, tidying is even more essential.”

In today’s digital world, clutter isn’t just physical. What are your recommendations for digital decluttering?

“Start by organizing your digital files, emails, apps, and photos by category. Sorting by category prevents overwhelm and makes it easier to compare similar items, helping you decide what to keep. I recommend starting with an easy category. For example, apps on your smartphone are a great place to begin because they are limited in number and can be easily re-downloaded if needed.”

“As you go through your documents, emails, photos, and apps, choose only what is useful or meaningful to you. If something no longer serves a purpose or doesn’t spark joy, thank it and delete it. Unsubscribe from unread newsletters, and remove unused apps to free up space and reduce digital clutter.”

“Because digital files accumulate daily, setting a regular schedule for maintenance—such as once a week or once a month—is important. Personally, since my children’s photos pile up quickly, I try to organize them by the end of each day when possible. Throughout the process, remember: instead of focusing on deleting unnecessary items, focus on keeping what sparks joy.”

Japanese organization methods emphasize simplicity and mindfulness. What key principles from this tradition can help women create a more peaceful home?

“One of the key principles of the KonMari Method is the idea of showing gratitude to your belongings. As you tidy up, you choose items that spark joy, reflect on the role each item has played in your life, and thank those that have served their purpose before letting them go. By repeating this process, you naturally develop a deep sense of gratitude for the items and home that continuously support you.”

“When you begin to interact with your belongings and your home with gratitude and affection, simply being surrounded by things that spark joy creates a sense of security and comfort. A home that gives you peace and reassurance—this, I believe, is one of the greatest effects of tidying up.”

What are the biggest mistakes people make when tidying and cleaning?

“The first mistake I see is tidying by location, If your space keeps getting back to a cluttered state, try tidying by category instead. For example, when organizing clothes, gather all your clothes from around the house in one place. This helps you see the total amount and gives you determination to choose only what sparks joy.”

“Another mistake would be buying storage items first. Tidying is not the same as storing. First, decide what to keep. Only after that should you think about storage solutions. This way, you’ll know the right size of storage items needed and avoid unnecessary purchases.”

“Don’t throw things away carelessly. When letting go of items, do so with gratitude. Acknowledge what you’ve learned from them to avoid making the same shopping mistakes in the future.”

“Also, it’s important before cleaning, to finish tidying first. If your space is cluttered, dust accumulates, making cleaning take longer. Complete your “tidying festival” first, then start your spring cleaning in a refreshed and organized space.”

For people balancing work and family—how can small, intentional tidying habits make a big impact on their daily lives?

“Small, daily tidying habits are important, but before that, it’s essential to complete your “tidying festival”—choosing all of your belongings and assigning a designated place for each one.”

“When you go through a tidying festival, you tidy all at once, realize the sheer amount of things you own, and experience the dramatic transformation of your home. This process creates a powerful feeling—you never want to go back to the cluttered state again. As a result, you become more intentional about maintaining small tidying habits. These habits—and the time required for them—become significantly smaller compared to before. Since every item has a designated place, all you need to do is return things after use.”

“For example, in my home, I have made it a habit to tidy up with my children before dinner, putting away toys and restoring the living room to a tidy state. Involving the family makes tidying more efficient and strengthens our shared intention to create a joyful home together. I truly feel that these small daily habits contribute to a peaceful home and lasting family happiness.”

If someone feels overwhelmed by clutter, where is the best place to start, and how can they stay motivated throughout the process?

“Celebrate small successes. Even small steps bring you closer to a home filled only with items that spark joy. Don’t forget to acknowledge your progress! For example, after finishing tidying your clothes, treat yourself to a special dessert. You can also create a tidying checklist in a notebook and mark off completed tasks. This helps you see your progress and keeps you motivated along the way.”