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Exclusive: Marie Kondo starts every 'tidying journey' with this simple rule

The world's most esteemed organizer shares how to organize a home that fits your 'ideal lifestyle' – and the simple way to bring instant calm to your space

Marie Kondo
(Image credit: Courtesy of Marie Kondo)

Marie Kondo is the most famous organizer of our time, and her portfolio keeps on growing. The Japanese-born consultant already has two Netflix series', and several New York Times best-seller's to her name, but she isn't stopping there. Marie (who is also known as KonMari) is set to release another book, Kurashi at Home – the latest asset to her empire – that we expect you're about to see everywhere soon.

Few home-organizing ideas hold the same prestige as Ms.Kondo's famed KonMari method, so when she sat down with H&G, we were inevitably quick to take note of her teachings. And while Marie has already addressed some of our biggest questions (including Marie kondo's top five tips and tidying mistakes to avoid), we couldn't help but ask, what is her secret to organizing a home quickly?

Whether you're organizing small spaces or you're tackling your entire home, Marie's teaching is simple but rewarding. Here's how the master begins every tidy. 

How Marie Kondo starts every 'tidying journey' – and what it means for your home

Marie Kondo

(Image credit: Courtesy of Marie Kondo)

Kurashi at Home primarily teaches us how to transform our spaces into places that are 'calm and tranquil', but how can we bring this teaching into our lives? Marie explains that the first step is found in an internal dialogue with yourself.

'There are many steps to tidying your home properly when using the KonMari Method. That said, the first two steps of the process include committing yourself to tidy up and imagining your ideal lifestyle,' says Marie. 

'I discuss this further in Kurashi at Home,' but having this initial dialogue with yourself and dedicating time to the first couple of steps will help you hone in and understand what you are looking to get out of the process. While all steps of the KonMari Method are important to follow, these two will help you kick off your tidying journey on the right foot.'

Marie Kondo

(Image credit: Courtesy of Marie Kondo)

As the guru explains, an organized home begins your mindset. Though, there is a physical way to promote 'kurashi' – and make your space feel calmer instantly. 

'If you are looking for a quick and easy way to enhance your space and the calmness it offers without embarking on a full tidying journey, I recommend opening windows or doors to let fresh air in,' says Marie. Beyond these window treatment ideas, Marie also recommends striking a tuning fork 'to help awaken the spirit of your space or lighting a stick of palo santo.'

'By removing stale air from your home, you can make your space feel calmer and therefore feel more prepared to have a motivating day,' Marie Kondo adds.

Kurashi at Home by Marie Kondo, $19.69 on Amazon

Kurashi at Home by Marie Kondo, $19.69 on Amazon

Marie's new book expands on the Japanese concept of kurashi, or 'way of life,' that she references above. Her teaching invites you to visualize your best life from the moment you wake up until the end of each day, and we're adding it to our basket right now. 

Megan Slack
Head of Celebrity Style News

Megan is the Head of Celebrity Style News at Homes & Gardens. She first joined Future Plc as a News Writer across their interiors titles, including Livingetc and Real Homes, before becoming H&G's News Editor in April 2022. She now leads the Celebrity/ News team. Before joining Future, Megan worked as a News Explainer at The Telegraph, following her MA in International Journalism at the University of Leeds. During her BA in English Literature and Creative Writing, she gained writing experience in the US while studying in New York. Megan also focused on travel writing during her time living in Paris, where she produced content for a French travel site. She currently lives in London with her antique typewriter and an expansive collection of houseplants.