Marie Kondo has ‘given up’ on a perfectly tidy home and that’s OK

Marie Kondo became a household name three years ago through preaching the tidying gospels of keeping only what “sparks joy.” Now, the best-selling author and television personality — who once taught us how to fold our socks — is taking a step back and embracing the mess.

Kondo shared her thoughts on priorities and her new book at a press conference that preceded it. “My home is messy, but the way I am spending my time is the right way for me at this time at this stage of my life,” Kondo said, via an interpreter, as reported by The Washington Post.

“Up until now, I was a professional tidier, so I did my best to keep my home tidy at all times,” Kondo added. “I have kind of given up on that in a good way for me. Now I realize what is important to me is enjoying spending time with my children at home.”

Marie Kondo was a household name for teaching people the skill of organizing their homes. She led with the idea of identifying and keeping items that “spark joy,” rather than the daunting task of simply deciding what to get rid of. Netflix’s shows she loves Marie Kondo: Tidying up2019 Marie Kondo: Sparkling JoyHer profile was raised and her ideas endorsed by 2021 only.

The shows caused a lot of controversy at the time. Some viewers misunderstood her instructions and claimed they were chastened for throwing away things. As she expanded her tidy empire to include organizational products people continued to shade her — even as other home network giants started their own inescapable product lines.

Kondo’s new book, Marie Kondo’s Kurashi at Home: How to Organize Your Space and Achieve Your Ideal LifeShe is more concerned with decluttering our homes than she is about decluttering how we live our lives. Judging by the book’s description, she has repurposed the idea of sparking joy out of physical space and into the rhythms of everyday life, which makes sense given her busy life as a parent.

This is part of what makes Kondo “giving up,” so delightful. She’s still doing what sparks joy for her; and honestly, raising three kids feels like the absolute opposite of anything you might consider “giving up.” We all deserve to reorient toward our joys, or to do less of anything that we have outgrown.