The Philippines’ first Konmari consultant Christine Dychiao teaches us how to let go of unnecessary clutter and keep the things that spark joy
The less you have, the more you appreciate. This same philosophy is behind minimalism, a practise characterised by simplicity, clean lines and monochromatic palettes. Minimalist interiors have its advantages including a more spacious area where everything is a spark of joy.
In a dialogue with Tatler Homes, Christine Dychiao, a certified Konmari consultant, shares tips on organising and decluttering to achieve a more peaceful space. She explains how Filipinos, who are known to be maximalists or hoarders, can reconcile this penchant with the art of tidying up.
Dychiao is among the few Filipinos who decided to try the trademarked Konmari method. After successfully applying the approach, she decided to get certification in 2017.
The Konmari consultant also stresses how an organised home translates into a healthy and peaceful lifestyle. Read more of her takes below.
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Minimalist interiors are often regarded as the easiest way to organise things at home; how true is this and why?
This is true in the sense that with less items to deal with, there is plenty of space to work with when it comes to organisation and self-awareness is key. Know yourself well-enough to select only those things that inspire joy, so you can identify precisely what you love—and what you need storage. However, minimalism isn’t the only answer to living a clutter-free life. Minimalism advocates living with less, and to an extreme, a detachment from possessions.
However, what we should really focus on is living in a mindful way, surrounding ourselves with what makes us happy or what serves a purpose in our lives.
How can people start to declutter objects at home?
There are six Rules of Tidying in the KonMari Method. I wouldn’t call them strict rules, but rather a guide to help us get started on decluttering: 1) Commit to tidying up. Success in anything is 90 per cent mindset. If you think of tidying as a way to liberate yourself from clutter, then commit at least three hours of your time on a category; 2) Imagine your ideal life. Be clear in your head what you want to get out of tidying. Keep your goal in mind so you can power through the clutter; 3) Finish discarding first. Before organising, make sure to let go of things. Don’t declutter for the sake of decluttering. Make it a mindful process; 4) Tidy by category, not by location. This helps you grasp how much you have of certain things—be it clothes, books or supplies. This also allows you to focus on one thing if you have an end in sight; 5) Follow the right order. Start with clothes, books, paper, miscellaneous items and leave sentimental items for last; 6) Ask yourself if it sparks joy. Feelings should be the standard for decision making. Don’t think about function, think about how you feel. Stick to only what sparks joy, you’ll find that this is the easiest way to decide what to keep.
More from Tatler: How to Ease Into Minimalism: 5 Tips for Decluttering Your Life
