The Disconnect Between The Kondo Method And Decluttering
I have been noticing a disconnect between the Kondo Method of decluttering and decluttering. Less is more are words I can get behind – for my lifestyle, not necessarily yours.
Organizing and decluttering have become hot topics again, and it’s hard not to notice the buzz around the methods that sparked the decluttering movement—like Marie Kondo’s famous “keep what sparks joy” approach.
While Kondo herself has been busy with motherhood in recent years, her ideas remain central to discussions about living a clutter-free life. But something about the entire decluttering and organizing industry feels off. Let’s break it down.
Why Decluttering Feels Incomplete
Decluttering teaches us to identify what we love and let go of the rest. Sounds perfect, right? For some, it is. But the minimalistic, almost sterile spaces showcased across social media can create unrealistic expectations. For families with kids or just busy people in general, those pictures of pristine, all-white rooms don’t match reality.
Trying to recreate those staged aesthetics can make people feel like they’re failing—even when their own homes are filled with treasured, meaningful things. Decluttering should be about living comfortably in your space, not striving for a magazine cover look.
Worse yet, successfully removing a few items doesn’t necessarily deal with the bigger issue: understanding why the clutter exists in the first place.
The Problem With the Decluttering & Organizing Industry
Another frustrating layer comes from the organizing solutions industry. From expensive storage bins to scented candles, the market is flooded with products designed to “help” us declutter. But isn’t buying more stuff to control your existing stuff just… counterproductive?
Decluttering ‘gurus’ selling more clutter to organize your clutter annoys me. Go to the top decluttering websites if you don’t believe me. You do not need Japanese Matcha Bowls to declutter!
On the contrary, to declutter you must purge the clutter and organize your remaining possessions.
In 2023 alone, the organizing industry earned over $15 billion, with a growth rate projected to climb nearly 5% annually through 2031. This endless cycle of purchasing “solutions” often fuels ongoing consumerism and leaves people stuck in the same cluttered patterns.
Instead of solving the problem, people end up reorganizing clutter rather than reducing it—and that’s not living clutter-free. It’s just shifting piles around and calling it progress.
The Root Cause of Clutter
The truth is, clutter isn’t just about physical things; there’s often an emotional or mental component driving those tendencies. Without addressing the underlying cause, any attempt to declutter is temporary.
Consider these scenarios:
- Loneliness and Shopping: Some people accumulate items because shopping fills an emotional void. Buying becomes a way to cope with feelings they don’t want to confront.
- Financial Scarcity: Others grow up feeling they never had enough. Over time, they might hold onto every item they acquire because they fear they’ll need it later.
- Body Image: Clothes can stir deep emotions. For some, trying on old clothes inspires memories of awkward dressing rooms or self-esteem struggles, making the decluttering process even harder.
By digging deeper and figuring out the emotional “why” behind the clutter, it becomes easier to break the cycle. For instance, recognizing that a feeling of scarcity drives accumulation can be a powerful shift toward change.
Get started on your decluttering journey by learning how to declutter and stop organizing your clutter with the Free Clear Your Mind, Clear Your Clutter Challenge.
This challenge teaches you how to find your ‘Why’, why you have clutter, your fears, and your habits – and how to walk through them.
Facing the Fear of Letting Go When Decluttering
Decluttering isn’t just about tossing things out. For many, the process is emotional. It requires people to face fears about scarcity, waste, or memories tied to their belongings.
That’s why it’s not uncommon for people to procrastinate—decluttering and letting go can be overwhelming because it forces decision-making, something many find challenging.
But here’s the good news: once people confront these fears and understand their patterns, they can build new habits to sustain a clutter-free life. And these changes don’t just stay within the home. They often spill over into other areas, leading to improved mental health, better decision-making, and even stronger social connections.
The Myth of Minimalist Perfection
Decluttering doesn’t mean you have to live in a showroom-perfect house. Those minimalist aesthetics common in organizing ads aren’t realistic for most people, especially families. Hell, I live alone and it is not realistic for me and I consider myself clutter-free!
It’s fine to admire these antiseptic looking rooms but important to remember they’re not the goal. A truly clutter-free space is one that feels right for you—filled with items you love and enough room to welcome future experiences.
Decluttering also brings renewal. Clearing your space can symbolize letting go of stagnancy and making room for new beginnings. This process helps us adapt and move forward instead of staying stuck in old habits.
A Sustainable Approach to Decluttering
The organizing and decluttering industry often tries to sell quick fixes, but the real solution takes patience and introspection. Instead of tossing items into a dumpster year after year, figure out your “why.” Why do you hold onto certain items? What behaviors or experiences have shaped your relationship with stuff?
By addressing the root causes, you can stop the cycle of clutter for good. It’s not about a one-time “tidy up” but creating a lifestyle that prioritizes mindful consumption, emotional balance, and genuine appreciation for the things you surround yourself with.
Decluttering, Minimalism, Intentional Living
Decluttering isn’t about chasing minimalism. It’s about transforming your mental and physical spaces to fit your life and priorities. Real change happens when you stop trying to match someone else’s aesthetic and focus on what works for you.
I live the way I want to live, clutter-free for the most part. A minimalist may disagree. Living an intentional life is my goal. I do not pay attention to what Pottery Barn and Crate and Barrel display in their showrooms.
My home is filled with the things I need and love, which these days include a few comfy pieces of furniture, my art supplies, and puppies. These are the things that fill me with joy. My home is always ready for friends to drop in and if it is a little messy my friends would not care, after all, I do live here.
By understanding your relationship with clutter and addressing its root causes, you can create a home that feels open, welcoming, and filled with the things that genuinely make you happy. That’s the kind of clutter-free life worth striving for—and no overpriced organizational system can give you that.
Marj Bates is a life long ridiculously organized declutter-er and artist. Less is more are words Marj lives by in everything she does except collecting dogs. “Dogs are like potato chips! Can’t have just one.” says Marj. Marj wonders if growing up with a fanatically clean Jewish mom means her decluttering and organizational skills are in her blood.
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