Marie Kondo isn’t just about tidying up—she’s about transforming the way we live.
Her approach to organization goes beyond decluttering physical spaces.
It’s a mindset shift that helps create clarity, focus, and a sense of calm amidst the chaos of daily life.
Stress often comes from feeling overwhelmed—too many commitments, too much clutter, too little time.
But by applying some of Kondo’s principles, I found myself not just with a cleaner space, but with a clearer mind.
Here are seven lessons from Marie Kondo that helped me become calmer and less stressed:
1) Let go of what no longer serves you
One of Marie Kondo’s core principles is to only keep items that “spark joy,” but this lesson extends far beyond physical clutter.
We often hold onto things—commitments, relationships, habits—that no longer serve us, simply because we’ve had them for a long time.
It’s easy to let inertia take over, keeping us stuck in routines that drain our energy rather than lift us up.
But just like cleaning out your closet, letting go of emotional and mental clutter creates space for what truly matters.
When I started applying this mindset to more than just my belongings, I found myself feeling lighter, calmer, and more focused.
The key is to be intentional.
Take stock of what’s in your life—whether it’s obligations, thought patterns, or even business strategies—and ask yourself: “Is this bringing me value?”
If not, it may be time to thank it for its role in your journey and move on.
2) Create a home for everything
One of the simplest yet most powerful lessons I learned from Marie Kondo is that everything should have a designated place.
At first, this seemed like just a practical organizing tip—keep your keys by the door, store paperwork in labeled folders, and so on.
But when I truly embraced this idea, I realized it was about more than just tidiness—it was about creating order in my life.
When everything has a home, there’s less mental friction.
Decisions become easier, stress decreases, and I feel more in control of my space and my time.
It doesn’t just apply to physical objects—I started applying this principle to my schedule, my priorities, and even my digital workspace.
Clarity comes from knowing where things belong, both in our environment and in our minds.
As Leonardo da Vinci once said, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”
3) Be intentional with what you bring into your life
Marie Kondo teaches that before acquiring something new, we should ask ourselves if it truly adds value.
This principle applies not just to physical objects, but to commitments, relationships, and even ideas.
For a long time, I found myself saying yes to too many opportunities, filling my schedule with obligations that left me drained.
However, when I started being intentional—only taking on what aligned with my values—I felt a new level of clarity and peace.
In a world that constantly pushes us to do more, buy more, and be more, slowing down and choosing with intention is an act of freedom.
The same way we declutter our homes, we can declutter our lives by being mindful of what we allow in.
If this resonates with you, my video on personal freedom explores this idea further and shares practical ways to reclaim control over your choices:
4) Your environment shapes your mindset
We like to think we have complete control over our thoughts, but the truth is, our environment plays a massive role in shaping how we feel and act.
If you’re surrounded by clutter—physically, mentally, or emotionally—it’s nearly impossible to think clearly.
Chaos breeds stress, disorganization drains energy and, when you’re constantly reacting to the mess around you, it becomes harder to focus on what truly matters.
Marie Kondo’s method isn’t just about tidying up—it’s about creating an environment that supports the life you want to live.
The same way a cluttered desk creates mental fatigue, toxic relationships or unaligned commitments can hold you back from becoming who you’re meant to be.
This is why I reject rigid dominance hierarchies that prioritize power over people.
When we’re trapped in systems that don’t respect our individuality, we end up absorbing stress that isn’t ours to carry.
But when we consciously shape our surroundings—physically and socially—we reclaim control over our own narrative.
As James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, puts it: “You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.”
5) Letting go is harder than we admit
People love the idea of decluttering, but few talk about how hard it actually is to let go.
We hold onto things—old possessions, outdated beliefs, unhealthy relationships—not because they serve us, but because they represent who we used to be.
There’s comfort in familiarity, even when it weighs us down.
Marie Kondo’s method forces us to confront this reality.
Every time you release something, you’re not just making space—you’re acknowledging that a part of your past no longer fits your present.
Clinging to what no longer aligns with who we are only keeps us stuck.
Growth demands that we loosen our grip on the past and trust that what we truly need will remain.
This applies to everything—business decisions, personal relationships, even the way we see ourselves.
6) More freedom comes from fewer choices
We’re often told that having more choices leads to more freedom but, in reality, too many choices can be paralyzing.
Marie Kondo’s approach isn’t just about tidying—it’s about simplifying.
By reducing the number of things we own, we reduce decision fatigue.
When everything in your space has a purpose, you don’t waste time searching, sorting, or second-guessing.
The same applies to life beyond our physical environment.
We chase unlimited options—more career paths, more projects, more social commitments—believing that casting a wide net will lead to success and happiness.
But at a certain point, too many options create noise; they dilute our focus and drain our energy.
True freedom comes from knowing what matters and eliminating the rest.
By consciously choosing what stays in our lives—whether it’s the work we do, the people we surround ourselves with, or the values we uphold—we reclaim control over our time and mental space.
As Steve Jobs once said, “Deciding what not to do is as important as deciding what to do.”
7) Joy is a compass, not a luxury
One of Marie Kondo’s most famous questions is: “Does this spark joy?”
At first glance, it seems simple—keep what makes you happy, discard what doesn’t—but, when you really sit with this question, it becomes much deeper than just organizing your home.
Many of us have been conditioned to prioritize practicality over joy.
We stay in jobs we don’t love because they’re “safe,” we maintain relationships out of obligation rather than connection, and we fill our schedules with tasks that drain us instead of energizing us.
Over time, we stop even asking ourselves what truly brings us joy.
But joy isn’t a frivolous indulgence—it’s a guide to a more meaningful life.
When I started applying this principle beyond my physical space, I realized how much I had been tolerating things that didn’t align with who I wanted to be.
The more I let go of what didn’t bring me joy, the more space I had for what did.
This is about recognizing that joy is an essential signal—one that can help us make better decisions and build lives that feel fulfilling rather than just functional.
If this idea resonates with you, my video on the illusion of happiness explores why chasing happiness often leads to misery—and how true contentment comes from something deeper:
The deeper meaning of decluttering
At its core, decluttering isn’t just about tidying up—it’s about transformation.
Marie Kondo’s approach goes beyond organizing our physical space; it challenges us to be intentional about every aspect of our lives.
The process of deciding what to keep and what to let go of forces us to confront our values, our fears, and even our identity.
When we clear away the unnecessary, we create room—not just in our homes, but in our minds and hearts.
In a world that often equates having more with being more, simplifying can feel like a radical act of self-liberation.
Perhaps real abundance isn’t about accumulation—it’s about alignment.
Aligning our surroundings with our purpose, aligning our commitments with our values, and aligning our time with what truly brings us fulfillment.
Because in the end, a well-organized life isn’t just about neat shelves and empty countertops—it’s about living with greater freedom and intention.
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