If you’re looking for some inspiration to get your house decluttered and spring-cleaned this January, Netflix has a new show that may be able to help you with that.
In a series of inspiring home makeovers, world-renowned tidying expert Marie Kondo helps clients clear out the clutter from their homes – and choose joy – in a brand new Netflix Original TV series called Tidying Up.
Marie’s KonMari Method for tidying up (which has become such a big thing worldwide that it has been trademarked) is very simple. The idea is to look at every item you own, and if it doesn’t spark joy, to chuck it out. The method also believes you should acknowledge belongings for their service and thank them before throwing them out.
Here’s the trailer…
I watched the first episode this afternoon. All in the name of Happy Magazine research, you see 😉
I love home TV shows and I also love this kind of “reality TV” so I figured this would probably be something I’d enjoy. I found myself an hour for the couch, got myself a bowl of coconut yogurt with some granola (my favourite snack at the moment!) and then it was time for me.
What I liked about the first episode is that the show is unscripted – so it’s very real and true to the people in the show with a lot of honesty – and Marie Kondo herself is incredibly warm and heartfelt (no easy feat when you’re communicating with a translator simultaneously).
Plus, it was hard not to be inspired to get stuck into decluttering my kitchen drawers as soon as it was over!
Decluttering and spring-cleaning my house is definitely in my plan this January.
My goal is to try do a little bit every day. Today I cleaned the bathrooms in my house and bagged up some of my little boy’s old baby toys and some of my books which I have read and am happy to pass on. Tomorrow I’ll do a bit more and the plan then on Friday is I’ll bring the bags down to our local charity shop.
As much as I’d like to completely blitz my house in a decluttering frenzy of one or two big days of action, I think it would be too much for me – I’d be so tired afterwards! Plus, big days of action are just not possible with a toddler in the house! So, this way, I’ll get things done, albeit slowly, but they’ll get done and I’ll feel better all round about it – and not exhausted. It felt really, really good today getting a few things done around the house (I’ve written before about the joys of cleaning, yes really) and I’m looking forward to doing a little more tomorrow. The key will be sustaining it for more than a few days – I’ll let you know how I get on with that.
Have you started watching the show? Or, have you read any of Marie Kondo’s best-selling books? I’d love to hear what you think of her methods in the comments below.