Tired of tidying up? Consider the KonMari Method

Tidying up may be the last thing you feel like doing after a long day. But what if you only ever had to do it once? Though it might seem too good to be true, Helen Youn, Calgary’s only KonMari Method certified consultant, is living proof that it’s possible. On May 2, she’s sharing the secrets to her organizational success at UCalgary.

“I was never an organized person, but when my husband and I moved to Calgary in 2012, we downsized to a place about half the size of our previous home and had to declutter,” Youn says.

“We thought we did such a great job, but after we had our son, the addition of one more person made our place overwhelming and cramped. I didn’t realize how cluttered my mind was and how disorganization was preventing me from living my best life until I discovered the KonMari Method.”

More than decluttering your space

Created by tidying expert Marie Kondo, the KonMari Method is highlighted in the international best-selling book The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up and more recently, in the Netflix series Tidying Up with Marie Kondo. 

According to Youn, the basis of the method isn’t just about being clean or organized, but instead centres on identifying your ideal lifestyle and creating a home that supports it.

“The first step is to think about what your ideal life looks like — what makes you happy? By determining what’s important to you, you can organize your home to support the activities that bring you joy and let go of items and remove the barriers that are in your way,” she says.

“I tidied four years ago, and have saved time every day because of it. My house still gets messy, but it’s not overwhelming to tidy anymore — it only takes a few minutes to put things back because everything has a place. Over the years, being organized has freed up time for things that I didn’t think I’d ever be able to do, like taking cooking classes, dancing classes, attending workshops and even starting my own business.”    

Tidy up on May 2

On May 2, Youn will share the method as part of the Get Organized pillar of RenewFest 2019, a time of wellness and renewal for faculty and staff.

“People can expect to walk away from the event with a strong understanding of the KonMari Method and the next steps. It’s a great starting point that gives people the tools to confidently start the process on their own,” Youn says.

“I hope to inspire people to think about their lives in a different way and to consider how transforming their home and work spaces can help them live more joyfully. I felt a strong pull to do this work because I know how much it changed my life for the better and I want to help others do the same. It’s much more than organizing your home, it’s being mindful and intentional about achieving your ideal life.”

Visit the RenewFest webpage for the full list of events and activities happening across campus from April 30 to May 3.

RenewFest 2019 is a time of renewal and wellness for faculty and staff. Sponsored by the Campus Mental Health Strategy, from April 30 to May 3, faculty and staff are encouraged to participate in a variety of events focused on renewal, wellness and growth. Each day is dedicated to one of the four themes — get connected, get moving, get organized and get inspired. Visit the RenewFest webpage for more information and event registration.