15 Mistakes You’re Making Following Marie Kondo

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Marie Kondo’s tidying philosophy was a breath of fresh air. Her mantra of sparking joy and her tidy folding techniques made us wonder why we’d been shoving socks in drawers for years without so much as a second thought. It looks way too easy in her books or in Netflix show, but we stumble a lot to put her advice into practice. And those missteps? It’s what keeps your closet feeling chaotic, even after your best efforts.

Tried the KonMari method and your home still falls short of its joyful promise? The most motivated tidying enthusiasts find themselves tripping over common pitfalls with misinterpreted advice to flat out skipping steps. So, let’s explore a few of the most common mistakes and how to fix them.

Skipping the Thank You Step

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Thanking items before you let them go is one of the most heartfelt parts of Marie Kondo’s method. Talking to your old T shirt might feel a little odd at first, but it’s such important step. When you skip it, you feel guilty for getting rid of things and decluttering becomes more difficult. This is closure for your relationship with stuff, it’s not weird, it’s transformative.

Keeping “Just in Case” Items

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Oh, the trusty old “what if I need this someday” trap. It’s the bane of tidy living. Many people fear letting go of these items but Marie Kondo gently nudges us to do so. The blender you might fix “someday” but is broken? Let it go. Know that if you really do need something, you will find a way to replace it.

Misunderstanding the Joy Test

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It sounds so simple: hold an object and ask whether it sparks joy, but here’s the catch: joy isn’t always fireworks. Joy sometimes looks like quiet contentment. This step is often misunderstood and many people end up keeping things they don’t love or getting rid of things they may miss. Sometimes joy is loud — but other times, it whispers, too.

Not Tidying by Category

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Marie Kondo tidies by category, not room because it’s much more effective. Still, so many people are not aware of this and end up decluttering haphazardly. You can put all your books, clothes, or kitchen gadgets together so you can actually see exactly how much you have. Once you realize that you own 10 can openers or 300 pens, you will be shocked.

Half-Heartedly Fold Clothes

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It’s not just Kondo’s signature folding technique for aesthetics. It keeps things together and allows you to see everything in a drawer at once. If you’re skipping it, or sloppily folding, you’re missing the boat. Her folding is like origami for your wardrobe. It’s worth it. Just put in the effort.

Skipping the Visualization Step

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Marie suggests imagining your ideal lifestyle before you begin to tidy. Sounds cheesy, right? Skipping this part is like driving without a destination. You’ll lose steam fast. Visualization is the tone setter and aligner. Want a calm, serene space? As you work, keep that mental picture front and center.

Sentimental Items Are an Afterthought

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The trickiest part of tidying are sentimental items, which is what Kondo saves for last. You can rush through this category and regret it. However, it is not an excuse to hold onto everything, take your time. That random flyer from a concert 15 years ago? It’s okay to let it go.

Failing to Respect the Limits of Your Space

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Marie Kondo won’t promise you endless storage. If you cleaned your home up, many people expected that your home would magically expand, but the truth is, space has boundaries. And if your bookshelves are full, don’t try to cram in more. A home with too much storage is actually a home that hides things away, and so it’s harder to tidy.

Failing to Take Into Account the Maintenance Phase

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It’s not a one and done. Once you have tidied, you will need to keep your space tidy. It doesn’t mean to obsessively organize it daily, but little habits like putting things back in place contribute a lot. Skipping this step will make your once neat home a mess again quicker than you can say ‘spark joy.’

Expecting Perfection

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You may be inspired by the Instagram worthy homes of KonMari devotees, but aiming for perfection can be demoralizing. Your “joyful” space may look different, but tidying is personal. Instead of trying to follow an aesthetic that’s out of your reach, embrace what works for you. And anyway, who’s judging your sock drawer, if not you?

Trying to Let Others Decide for You

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Tidying, according to Marie Kondo is about you, not anyone else. However, a lot of people carry around things because of family pressure or guilt. It doesn’t matter if that ugly vase on your shelf was a gift from Aunt Linda; it doesn’t have to stay there. Your happiness should be what your home reflects, not someone else’s expectations.

Decluttering Alone

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Tidying is a journey we each travel on our own, but doing it all on our own can be overwhelming. Kondo herself suggests having a supportive presence around, even if it’s just someone to cheer you on. Having a friend or family member to hold you accountable is a great idea too and it can be more fun.

Throwing Away Everything

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Tidying isn’t about becoming a minimalist overnight. Kondo’s advice has been mistaken by some as a command to throw away everything, but it’s not. It’s about finding balance. Keep that vintage camera, even if you don’t use it every day, if that vintage camera sparks joy.

Ignoring the Emotional Impact

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Decluttering brings up nostalgia, it brings up joy, it brings up sadness. If you ignore these feelings, you open yourself up for burnout or regret. Feel free to acknowledge the emotions that arise within the process and give yourself grace. Don’t feel bad if you need a break or if you need to come back to tough categories later. Also, know that it is very helpful mentally as a study found that decluttering can help lower anxiety and increase mental clarity, so it’s not just a chore, it’s an act of self care.

Not Reading the Book

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One of the biggest mistakes is relying on Marie Kondo’s show and not reading her book. The book goes into more detail, and provides more detailed steps, while the show provides inspiration. If you consider yourself determined to tidy up, then you can get a copy of The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up. It really feels like Kondo is by your side helping you through it.

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

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