COMPARE AND CONTRAST – PUT IT THERE AND MARIE KONDO

She’s everywhere!  Not a day goes by that a friend or client doesn’t ask me what my opinion is of “the Japanese organizer”.  I’ve read articles about her effect on consignment stores being flooded with items that no longer spark joy.  I’ve read opinions from my colleagues.  I’ve watched the show myself.

First and foremost, I believe, as do my fellow Professional Organizers that any publicity which drives attention to our industry and the benefit we and our services bring to our clients is a good thing.  From here, there are aspects that I both agree and disagree with.

AGREE:

Marie’s coined term “spark joy” is her trademark.  I, along with most of my colleagues, share in that philosophy.  It may just be worded a little differently.  “Do you feel good/pretty/handsome in that outfit?”; “Do you enjoy cooking with that pot/utensil/etc?”; “Does that object evoke positive, happy memories?”  I listen to my clients as we sort through their possessions. The minute I hear anything negative or witness negative body language, I offer purging options, and I guide them to only keep items that are indeed special, needed and wanted.

DISAGREE:

There is not a “one size fits all” approach to organizing.  Every person/family lives in their home differently.  The spaces are not only physically different but also routines and purposes vary immensely.  My game plan, methodology, time frame all vary– a lot.  I, therefore, have an issue with her applying the same technique across the board.

DISAGREE: 

“Tidying” and organizing” CAN be synonymous but not always, just as “neat” and “organized” do not always mean the same thing.  Yes, I can “tidy” or “straighten up”.  It will physically look better but it in no way addresses the deeper issues of how and why the clutter appeared in the first place.  Without digging deeper and changing habits, which is by far the harder part, many will backslide right back to where they started.

DISAGREE:

Paper management is by far the #1 reason people call for help.  I do not think Marie does an adequate job in addressing this struggle and sharing solutions for how to manage it better.  Additionally, time management for regular maintenance and managing the hectic lives we all lead is also not addressed in her shows, yet I have these conversations regularly with my clients.

DISAGREE:

I have a hard time sorting by category versus space or room.  My goal in working with clients is to work one space at a time, based on an agreed upon game plan and list of priorities.  Once we get one space, albeit a corner of a room, a shelf, a drawer, and eventually a whole room is seen through to completion, it serves as motivation for the next space.  Having half started rooms and projects throughout the house spawns a lot of angst and is very hard to see visible progress, which is needed for motivation and inspiration.

AGREE:

While I may not kneel and introduce myself to the house, I do believe in taking time at the outset to have the client set a vision for what they want their home to look like.  I have had times where I ask my clients to close their eyes and share their vision with me, which I will then revisit with them as we work.

DISAGREE AND AGREE:

Marie comes from an entirely different culture, one that is much more minimalistic in nature.  America is a consumeristic society whereby many feel the need to have stuff for the sake of owning it and as a sign of success.  Marie’s Feng Shui-like methods may not resonate with some.  That being said, we need to revisit our relationship with our possessions and shift our focus to what is important, which I highly doubt can be accounted for in what is contained in our closets or garages.

AGREE:

Like Marie, I have a varied clientele, and I appreciate the show highlighting those different scenarios.  I am currently working with 2 women who have lost their husbands.  I have helped many families adjust to adding children into their homes.  I have helped many clients downsize.  Many of my clients are busy families juggling careers, families, homes, activities and the like.  Every day is truly different and every client and project is unique.

DISAGREE:

I highly doubt that Marie’s approach would work for the ADD, chronically disorganized population or those whose clutter is representative of mental illness which they struggle with.  At the very least, I need to be much more involved in the process with them. We have to go slower, addressing the deeper issues along the way.  Decision making is a very difficult process for them and throwing entire categories together in a giant heap would likely backfire, or at the very least lead to even more anxiety and paralysis.

AGREE:

While I do not have my clients thank their donation and trash items, I do try to point out that the item has served its purpose, the client has gotten his/her money’s worth out of it, it’s going to better use somewhere else, etc.  It does help with the guilt associated with letting the items go.

DISAGREE:

While I like the idea of folding and storing clothing so you can see it, I can’t imagine my clients (and definitely not my kids) folding their clothes so meticulously.  Laundry is a huge problem for many.  I see backlogs of it in many houses.  The most successful solutions involve as few steps as possible.  If all the clean t-shirts end up in a bin or drawer together, it’s a win!

AGREE:

Organizing does bring a sense of calm to one’s physical surroundings as well as the mental peace that comes with knowing where things are when you need them.  The ease of maintaining, more mindful shopping and greater purging ability are goals which I truly aspire to reach with my clients.  Seeing their shoulders physically drop, the ability to enjoy the parts of their life that matter most and an overall sense of calm makes it all worthwhile!

In summary, Marie is cute, supportive, calm and nurturing and provides an invaluable service to her clients.  Is it new and different?  No.  Most Professional Organizers use similar verbiage and we all have the same goal in mind.  Her culture and sorting by category versus room are different.  So, while I could never work in a skirt and can usually be found in comfy jeans and even workout clothes for messier spaces, I too told my client today, “I love a mess” – as long as it’s not in my own home!