For the past several years, Marie Kondo’s Konmari method of decluttering, organizing, and life coaching has helped countless people to find peace with their belongings. Originally her small book, The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, became a best-seller. This year, Netflix released a show called Tidying Up that took Kondo’s methods to a wider audience.

You likely already know the basic message, but in case you don’t, here it is. While going through every item in a category (in the order of clothing, books, paper, and, finally, miscellany) a decluttering person is told to hold each item while asking themselves if the item “sparks joy.” One example was to ask if an item gave the same warm feelings as holding a soft puppy. If the item did not spark feelings of joy, the item should be thanked and let go.

The Konmari Method can prove particularly helpful if you’re looking to sell a home or move. Whether you’re hoping to downsize or planning to size up, there are countless ways the method could be useful.

Here are five of our favorite ways the Konmari Method can help if you’re looking to move.

1. The Konmari Method Makes your home look great to buyers:

   Decluttering and simplifying will make it much easier to prep for house showings when you list. By following this method, you will have less to sift through and your home will dazzle buyers. Doing your own decluttering will make it easier for your agent or a professional stager to do their job. Potential buyers will always look through cabinets. If your closets are overrun with items, the home will feel cramped no matter the size! Making your home look open is one of the best ways to attract great offers.

2. Makes packing and unpacking a breeze:

   No one wants to unpack at their new home and realize they moved items they hate. Don’t waste your packing efforts on things that you never really loved. Packing is a great time to employ the tenets of the Konmari Method as you’ll be actually touching every item in your home as you pack. Although it may feel like decluttering is a waste, think about the time saved once you unpack in your new home. Knowing that each item is a treasured will make the process so much easier!

3. Gives you an outline for tackling to-do lists before your move:

   As you pack up and attempt to sell a home, the lists can be overwhelming. Categories like clothing, books, papers, and miscellany, can make it easier to tackle packing and household projects in a category. Having a clear plan can make things feel more manageable.

4. Makes downsizing or combining households easier:

   If you’re getting married or moving in with someone, the process of combining households can be daunting. Work together using these techniques to determine what should be brought to the new home. Following the process will also make downsizing easier. People downsize for a variety of reasons. Knowing that you won’t have to find places for unnecessary items in a smaller place is freeing.

5. Helps you to find a new home that will spark joy:

   Marie Kondo’s style of sorting through things is not limited to only decluttering. It’s a great method for taking stock of everything in your life. If a book you’re reading doesn’t spark joy, set it aside! If a relationship is taking joy away from you, move along. The same tips can be used for the process of buying. Find out what’s truly important and sparks joy. There are things that will be important and things that won’t. Knowing that location is more tied to your joy than an updated bathroom can make shopping for your dream home easier. Knowing that you love old homes with aged character versus newer homes with updated features may make it simpler to focus your search. Apply the tenets of Konmari to your home search to know that your next move is into a place that you absolutely love!

The tips from this process of sorting and decluttering are a great start for ensuring your life is filled with more joy. Finding peace with our belongings is a great place to start in the overwhelming moving process.

Have you used the Konmari Method? What tips do you have for those who are planning on using the techniques to make a move easier?

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