How to Marie Kondo Your Belongings for a Move
Published 28th of April, 2022
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Moving to a new house is an exciting event. However, packing up and relocating can cause a fair amount of stress. Small moves are much simpler and quicker than large ones. Therefore, moving house is a great excuse for you to evaluate your belongings. Here is how you can use advice from world-famous author and organizing expert, Marie Kondo.
What is the KonMari Method?
The KonMari Method is Marie Kondo’s guided approach to decluttering your space. This minimalism-inspired way of curating your possessions was popularized in Kondo’s book "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up" and has since inspired people from around the globe to horde less and live more. According to the KonMari Method, there are six basic rules of tidying.
Rule 1 is to commit yourself to tidying up. Affirming your resolve to expend time and energy on decluttering is the foundation of successful tidying. Rule 2 is to imagine your ideal lifestyle. When you do so, you create a mental image of what your best life should look like. This will provide the sustained motivation to maintain your tidying efforts over time.
Rule 3 is to finish discarding first. Letting go of unnecessary items is an essential aspect of decluttering. With gratitude, look back on why you obtained the item and use that information to frame your future purchases. Rule 4 is to tidy by category and not by location. Tidying by category will allow you to view the volume of your items by category and truly address the scale of your belongings.
Rule 5 is to follow the right order. The KonMari Method was developed after years of tidying expertise and it has been proven to be extremely effective and efficient. The formula works, so follow it! Finally, rule 6 is to ask yourself if an item sparks joy. This is the most widely-quoted aspect of Kondo’s approach. By asking yourself if an item brings you joy, you can surround yourself with only the items that you love and need.
KonMari Before Your Move
Start by applying the first step, which is to commit to tidying. It is a better idea to declutter before you move than transport a large number of unnecessary items a long way. Carefully consider your items by category. According to the KonMari Method, you should split your possessions into the following categories: clothing, books, paper, miscellany, and sentimental items.
Try to stick to this exact order. The order is designed to develop your ability to evaluate your items as you move through your things toward the sentimental items that are the most difficult to part with. You may have to go through each category multiple times before you settle on the final list of items to leave and keep.
Tidying by category has another perk when it comes to moving. It allows you to start packing your items based on their respective categories. This will help you when you need to unpack in your new home. Try to limit each box to one category of items. You may need certain items before or during your move, so be sure to keep them in a separate area for later.
The KonMari approach is more than just theory. It comes with a special method of folding clothes that compacts apparel items into small spaces. If you master this folding technique, you will be able to fit much more items of clothing into a packing box or crate. You can apply the KonMari folding method to anything from fitted sheets to socks.
KonMari During Your Move
On the day of the move, you can contract specialized furniture shipping services to transport your furniture items separately, especially if you have antique or sentimental pieces. If you are moving all your belongings together, apply the KonMari principles of organizing by size. The bulkiest and heaviest items should be loaded towards the front and bottom of the vehicle.
As you load your items, try to visualize the truck or trailer as having distinct sections and further divide those sections into tiers. Secure each section and tier before moving on to the next one. Maximize the use of space by filling in gaps to ensure that the items do not shift during transport. If you have hired a moving company, they generally take care of the loading for you.
For those who have managed to trim down your belongings, you can save a significant sum by hiring small movers instead of conventional movers. Most conventional moving companies are geared towards large moves and charge by the truckload. Small movers, however, calculate their costs on your actual inventory so you only need to pay for what you move.
Finally, say goodbye to your old home with gratitude. Thank the house for being your shelter and make peace with leaving the space. When you get to your new abode, greet it with an open heart. Respect your new space. Give yourself a few weeks to get to know the house before you rush to fill it with more stuff. Try to keep up this mindful lifestyle as you enjoy your new home.