The Why of KonMari

Chances are, if you haven’t personally assessed every item in your home for joy-sparking, someone on your social media feed has. She’s evangelizing about her newfound freedom thanks to Marie Kondo, Japanese organizing consultant, and all-around delightful inspiration for former-hoarders. Few people can simultaneously judge your messy home and somehow make you feel good about your capacity to change.

For those who missed Marie Kondo’s Netflix show, take a gander. While I won’t promise that it will change your life—that’s a Jesus thing—it will definitely revolutionize your closets.

But, this post is not meant to encourage KonMari converts.

This post is for those of you already sold. Like me, your t-shirts are all neatly standing in little rows in your drawers, you’ve thanked and discarded half your possessions, and there is nary a stray paper to be found in your home. For those who love to keep a tidy home, my question for you is Why?

First, a little backstory. I learned of the KonMari method from an early-adopting friend, well before it went mainstream. It was actually quite perfect timing—I was on Spring Break while my children still had school, and we were planning to move in the coming year. Why not try a good clean out to lessen the load for our moving van?

I must say, as one who already finds affinity with things-organized-neatly, KonMari fit rather naturally with my own aesthetic. But more than that, I find quite a few spiritual reasons to consider a life of less. Not storing up treasures on earth, being content with food and clothing, not loving the things of this world, and so forth.

So, I listened to Marie on audiobook, dumped all my possessions, category-by-category, into the middle of the room, held each one, and gleefully released at least a third of our home from future service. Once we eventually did move, I found more to clean out. As we organized sections of our new home, I felt less and less attached to various items. Into the donation pile. Then, last November, I decided I would try teaching the concept to my children. “KonMari November” would be our annual precursor to gift giving at Christmas. Not only would it serve to clean out a bit before new items join our home, but it would also instill important lessons about valuing what we have, sharing what we no longer need, and staying organized.

Then, one day as I was tri-folding my underwear, I had a thought. You know what would look even prettier in my drawers? If I got rid of everything that didn’t match. I started to think about how my slightly older, but still perfectly useful items didn’t spark very much joy. Wouldn’t it look so much cleaner and nicer if everything was the exact same brand in an array of pleasing colors? I paused to consider.

No!! There’s a problem here somehow. I cannot just start tossing out perfectly useful clothing or home items because something else (or everything matching!) might bring me more joy. It’s one thing to roll towels in a way that makes them more accessible for use, and quite another to decide that the only towels that spark joy are the ones you saw on Goop.

So for those of you happily marching with Marie Kondo’s joyful army, what is your Why?

It’s a worthwhile question to ask, whether you are the type that tosses too quickly or holds on too tight. Why do I really think that it’s important to keep this item? Why do I find equally sized rows of t-shirts so satisfying? Why is it impossible to let go of certain books? Which eventually leads to—what is the appropriate place for sentiment in the life of a Christian? What impact do my choices have on the earth God has given us? Am I content with what I have? Do I try to prove my worthiness to God by personal restriction? Is tidying taking me away from time with the Lord? Is my clutter distracting me from a more focused life?

These questions don’t have easy answers, but we should ask them anyway—of ourselves and of each other. Next time you are folding or organizing, do it prayerfully. Ask God how he wants you to use these good gifts—or whom they might bless instead. As we read our Bibles and try to apply what we know of the gospel in our homes and with our possessions, I am convinced that we will spark more joy for ourselves than even our tidiest dreams could ever hope for.