10 Reasons Marie Kondo Might Be Wrong About Decluttering

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When Marie Kondo came onto the scene, she was cheerful, minimalist, and convinced that people should hold on to only what ‘sparks joy.’ The KonMari method has inspired so many people to roll their socks like sushi and bid an emotional farewell to old sweaters.

Now let’s be real, one thing can work for one person and not work for another. Life isn’t a one size fits all scenario and sometimes we just need more than a joy meter to know what stays and what goes. We’re going to take a look at why Marie Kondo’s decluttering gospel may not be universal.

Sentimentality Has a Role

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Objects are so much more than ‘sparking joy’ for many. You would want to replace your grandmother’s teacup in your décor, if it reminds you of Sunday afternoons and her famous apple pie. Sentimental things generally bind us to our personal history and though we are no longer who we were, rejecting them causes us to feel like we are erasing that part of ourselves.

Some People Need Controlled Chaos

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Einstein’s messy desk became iconic for a reason. A little clutter fuels creativity, for certain personalities. If you are the type who derives fuel from wall ideas, and stacks of books spur on your next big move, a bare bones workspace could actually be more of a hindrance than a help.

Minimalism Isn’t Always Practical

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Families with kids can attest: Minimalism isn’t always realistic. Have you ever tried “sparking joy” while tripping over a toy dinosaur? Kids acquire stuff and so much of it gets used (or seems like it should be). Functional clutter is what it is for busy households.

Cultural Differences Matter

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The KonMari method comes from Japanese culture where minimalism and tidiness are highly valued. But then, for many other cultures, abundance is seen as a symbol of prosperity or sentimentality. To some, a home filled with things is not clutter, it’s comforting.

Not Everyone Has the Time

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The KonMari method is serious stuff. Decluttering Kondo style can also become a full time project between holding each item and thanking it for its service, and then organizing your space. This time intensive process may feel like one more thing to do for people with jobs, kids, and life.

The Cost of Replacement

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Getting rid of something and find out that you need it again later can be costly. Maybe that waffle iron you have barely used won’t bring you joy now, but what if you wake up craving waffles six months from now? Decluttering often doesn’t have as many benefits as re buying things.

It Can Be Emotionally Overwhelming to Declutter

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It’s an emotional minefield for some. Memories—good and bad—can be stirred up by items that aren’t always easy to process. One person’s therapy could be another person’s Pandora’s box.

Hoarding vs. Collecting: A Study

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Decluttering can have unintended psychological consequences, according to an Integrative Psych study. It can be an anxiety provoking process for people with hoarding tendencies and for those with anxiety in general. Sometimes, you need professional help not a folding technique.

Stuff Can Be Your Shield

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Have you ever noticed how some things act as a safety net? That junk drawer of yours may have keys, spare tools, and a single battery that saves the day. Sometimes decluttering makes you feel like you can’t handle life’s little emergencies. A little controlled mess can be useful.

Over Decluttering Isn’t Eco Friendly

Environmental-Impact
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Clearing out the clutter in your home by throwing things away may help, but it just leaves more clutter in landfills. Americans throw away 11.3 million tons of textiles every year, says the Environmental Protection Agency. Often the more sustainable option is to rehome items or keep what you might actually use again.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.

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