Does your orchid plant spark joy? Do buying yourself flower arrangements spark joy? Do you have to get rid of your large collection of succulents and indoor plants if you get into the KonMari method? These are just some of the main questions running through our head as we, self-confessed plants and flower lovers, binge-watch Netflix, Tidying Up with Marie Kondo. If you have the same questions as we do, this article is for you.
Who is Marie Kondo?
First of all, Marie Kondo is a Japanese organization expert who is currently taking the world by storm by sharing her life-changing tidying habits. She has written four bestselling books: "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up," "Spark Joy," "Life-Changing Magic: A Journal," and "The Life-Changing Manga of Tidying Up: A Magical Story." Based on Kondo’s official website, the books have sold roughly 7 million copies all over the globe and have each been translated into more than 40 different languages.
Apart from her books, Kondo also has her own mobile app that shows step-by-step instructions on how you can apply the KonMari Method into your everyday life. She also holds seminars and training programs for organization consultants who want to master her method. Right now, her new show on Netflix, Tidying Up with Marie Kondo, is making waves.
The KonMari Method
The KonMari Method is Kondo’s signature process of simplifying and decluttering your personal spaces, such as your home or your office. The method involves sorting all your stuff, letting go of the things you no longer need or have in excess, and in the end keeping only the things that spark joy or make you happy.
Everyone’s Konmari journey is one of a kind and different from one another. This is mainly because different people value different things, which may be based on their own unique backgrounds and experiences in life. The whole process can take anywhere from a few hours to half a year.
Aside from coming home to a clean and organized space, the KonMari also boasts of creating positive effects on people’s emotional well-being. They feel lighter, happier, less stressed, and more productive. Some also admit to committing to a more minimalist lifestyle, which has solid financial benefits, let’s be honest, after discovering that they don’t need much to be truly happy.
Do flowers spark joy?
The answer is yes. It turns out Marie Kondo is just as big as a flower lover as we all are! We just saw Marie Kondo herself buying fresh flowers for her hotel room for a little more joy plus several other posts featuring gorgeous flowers. Check out her posts on Instagram.
Fresh flower arrangements and plants have long been proven to provide instant positive effects on a person’s behavior and emotions. A 2005 study from Rutgers University confirmed that recipients of beautiful flower arrangements automatically feel happy and grateful and have lower levels of anxiety, agitation, and stress. Floral arrangements are also effective in creating an emotional connection between two people. No wonder flowers have been used to woo ladies since the olden days.
When used as a decoration, flower arrangements can make any space become more inviting and inspiring. This probably explains why we see orchid plants in building or hotel lobbies. They are there to create a welcoming ambiance for the guests.
If you are worried whether you are following KonMari by the book by keeping something, whether it’s flowers, plants, or books, this is what Kondo has to say: “The most important part of this process of tidying is to always think about what you have and about the discovery of your sense of value, what you value that is important.”
Have you tried the KonMari method? How was it? Share your experience and tips in the comments below.
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