101 Marie Kondo Quotes & Sayings to Spark Joy in Your Life
This post may contain affiliate links for your convenience. That means that if you make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read more here.
If you are looking for powerful decluttering quotes to inspire and motivate you, these Marie Kondo quotes and sayings are a MUST-READ! As one of the most famous decluttering gurus of all time, her words have helped MILLIONS of people around the world tidy up their homes and lives with the KonMari method.
What’s more, her message of joy and simplifying one’s life has resonated with many.
If you’re looking for some inspiration to declutter your home and life or just want some feel-good quotes, you are at the right place.
Here are 101 Marie Kondo quotes and sayings that will spark joy in your life.
Remember, the secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new. When you put your house in order, you also put your affairs and past in order.
Marie Kondo Quotes about Clutter
“Clutter obscures what’s most important. Discarding that which doesn’t support your ideal lifestyle creates space for treasured possessions to truly shine – and leaves room for future joy-sparking additions.” — Marie Kondo
“Clutter is caused by a failure to return things to where they belong.” — Marie Kondo
“When people revert to clutter no matter how much they tidy, it is not their room or their belongings but their way of thinking that is at fault.” — Marie Kondo
“The question of what you want to own is actually the question of how you want to live your life.” — Marie Kondo
“Don’t you think it is unnatural for us to possess things that don’t bring us joy or things that we don’t really need?” — Marie Kondo
“We amass material things for the same reason that we eat—to satisfy a craving. Buying on impulse and eating and drinking to excess are attempts to alleviate stress.”— Marie Kondo
READ MORE: Why Always Wanting More is Bad for You – and How to Quit!
“Human beings can only truly cherish a limited number of things at one time. As I am both lazy and forgetful, I can’t take proper care of too many things.” — Marie Kondo
“Clutter has only two possible causes: too much effort is required to put things away or it is unclear where things belong.” — Marie Kondo
“When surrounded by clutter, our brains are so busy registering all the things around us that we can’t focus on what we should be doing in the moment, such as tackling the work on our desk or communicating with others. We feel distracted, stressed, and anxious, and our decision-making ability is impaired.” ― Marie Kondo
“Clutter also adversely affects health. According to a study by scientists at UCLA, being surrounded by too many things increases cortisol levels, a primary stress hormone.” ― Marie Kondo
“People who use the KonMari Method never revert to clutter again.” ― Marie Kondo
“The process of assessing how you feel about the things you own, identifying those that have fulfilled their purpose, expressing your gratitude, and bidding them farewell, is really about examining your inner self, a rite of passage to a new life.” ― Marie Kondo
“Activity clutter comes from the things we do that take up precious time and sap our energy but don’t make a meaningful difference to our personal, professional, or even company’s mission.” ― Marie Kondo
“One of the reasons clutter eats away at us is because we have to search for something just to find out whether it’s even there, and many times, no matter how much we search, we cannot seem to find what we are looking for.” ― Marie Kondo
“If you use the right method and concentrate your efforts on eliminating clutter thoroughly and completely within a short span of time, you’ll see instant results that will empower you to keep your space in order after.” ― Marie Kondo
READ MORE: 10 Things Marie Kondo Got WRONG – Agree or Disagree?
Marie Kondo Decluttering Quotes
“Letting go is even more important than adding.” — Marie Kondo
“To truly cherish the things that are important to you, you must first discard those that have outlived their purpose. To throw away what you no longer need is neither wasteful nor shameful.” — Marie Kondo
“All you need to do is take the time to sit down and examine each item you own, decide whether you want to keep or discard it, and then choose where to put what you keep.” — Marie Kondo
“Just because you dispose of something does not mean you give up past experiences or your identity.” — Marie Kondo
“The work involved can be broadly divided into two kinds: deciding whether or not to dispose of something and deciding where to put it. If you can do these two things, you can achieve perfection.” — Marie Kondo
“I recommend you dispose of anything that does not fall into one of three categories: currently in use, needed for a limited period of time, or must be kept indefinitely.” — Marie Kondo
“The process of deciding what to keep and what to discard will go much more smoothly if you begin with items that are easier to make decisions about. As you gradually work toward the harder categories, you will be honing your decision-making skills. Clothes are the easiest because their rarity value is extremely low.”— Marie Kondo
RELATED POST: 10 Decluttering Mistakes to Avoid (if You Want to Succeed)
“Start with clothes, then move on to books, papers, komono (miscellany), and finally things with sentimental value.” — Marie Kondo
“Never discard anything without saying thank you and good-bye.” — Marie Kondo
“Reducing the amount of stuff in our space also reduces the amount of dust, and we actually clean more often.” — Marie Kondo
“The best way to choose what to keep and what to throw away is to take each item in one’s hand and ask: ‘Does this spark joy?’ If it does, keep it. If not, dispose of it. This is not only the simplest but also the most accurate yardstick by which to judge.” — Marie Kondo
“Through the process of selecting only those things that inspire joy, you can identify precisely what you love and what you need.” ― Marie Kondo
“Now imagine yourself living in a space that contains only things that spark joy. Isn’t this the lifestyle you dream of?” ―Marie Kondo
BE INSPIRED: 20 Things to Let Go in 2022 (for a Happier & Better Life!)
“But when we really delve into the reasons for why we can’t let something go, there are only two: an attachment to the past or a fear for the future.” — Marie Kondo
“Keep only those things that speak to your heart. Then take the plunge and discard all the rest. By doing this, you can reset your life and embark on a new lifestyle.” — Marie Kondo
“When your room is clean and uncluttered, you have no choice but to examine your inner state.” — Marie Kondo
“To throw away what you no longer need is neither wasteful nor shameful.” — Marie Kondo
“Discard first, store later.” ― Marie Kondo
Organizing Marie Kondo Quotes
“We may think that we have stored things to suit our behavior, but usually we have unconsciously adjusted our actions to match where things are stored.” — Marie Kondo
“If you are aiming for an uncluttered room, it is much more important to arrange your storage so that you can tell at a glance where everything is than to worry about the details of who does what, where, and when.” — Marie Kondo
“If you live with your family, first clearly define separate storage spaces for each family member.” — Marie Kondo
“The key is to store things standing up rather than laid flat. Some people mimic store displays, folding each piece of clothing into a large square and then arranging them one on top of the other in layers. This is great for temporary sales displays in stores, but not what we should be aiming for at home, where our relationship with these clothes is long term.” — Marie Kondo
FIND OUT MORE: The Marie Kondo Folding method is Life-Changing – How to Do it Yourself!
“There is no need to buy dividers or any other gadget. You can solve your storage problems with things you already have in the house. The most common item I use is an empty shoebox.” — Marie Kondo
“Your storage space is your private paradise, so personalize it to the fullest.” — Marie Kondo
“I have yet to see a house that lacked sufficient storage. The real problem is that we have far more than we need or want.” — Marie Kondo
“The essence of effective storage is this: designate a spot for every last thing you own.” — Marie Kondo
“Storage, after all, is the sacred act of choosing a home for my belongings.”— Marie Kondo
“Therefore, storage should reduce the effort needed to put things away, not the effort needed to get them out.” — Marie Kondo
“Warranties are only used once a year if at all. What point is there in carefully sorting and separating them when the odds that they will be needed are so low?” — Marie Kondo
“Never, ever tie up your stockings. Never, ever ball up your socks.” ―Marie Kondo
“If you have reduced your possessions but feel no joy at home, try gathering selected items that you really love in one spot to create your own special space.” ― Marie Kondo
“A person’s awareness and perspective on his or her own lifestyle are far more important than any skill at sorting, storing, or whatever.”— Marie Kondo
RELATED POST: 10 Memory Boxes That Are PERFECT to Store your Keepsakes
KONMARI QUOTES ABOUT Cleaning and Tidying Up
“I begin my course with these words: Tidying is a special event. Don’t do it every day.” — Marie Kondo
“I believe that tidying is a celebration, a special send-off for those things that will be departing from the house, and therefore I dress accordingly.” — Marie Kondo
“Although we can get to know ourselves better by sitting down and analyzing our characteristics or by listening to others’ perspectives on us, I believe that tidying is the best way.” — Marie Kondo
“When you’ve finished putting your house in order, your life will change dramatically. Once you have experienced what it’s like to have a truly ordered house, you’ll feel your whole world brighten.” — Marie Kondo
READ MORE: 100 Ways to Simplify Your Life and Be Happier – A to Zen Life
“The lives of those who tidy thoroughly and completely, in a single shot, are without exception dramatically altered.” — Marie Kondo
“Tidying orders and relaxes the mind.” — Marie Kondo
“Tidying your physical space allows you to tend to your psychological space.” — Marie Kondo
“The first step in my tidying method is to imagine your ideal lifestyle. For some, this vision might be to surround yourself with the bare essentials; for others, it could mean living in a home teeming with beloved art, books, collections and heirlooms.” — Marie Kondo
READ MORE: 15 Life-Changing Konmari Method Tips to Tidy Up In 2022
“Many people have equated my tidying method with minimalism, but it’s quite different.” — Marie Kondo
“It is only when you put your house in order that your furniture and decorations come to life.” ― Marie Kondo
“One reason so many of us never succeed at tidying is because we have too much stuff.” — Marie Kondo
“Tidying is the act of confronting yourself.” — Marie Kondo
“People who can’t stay tidy can be categorized into just three types: ‘the can’t throw it away type’, ‘the can’t put it back type’, and ‘the first-two-combined’ type.” — Marie Kondo
“I’m sure most of us have been scolded for not tidying up our rooms, but how many of our parents consciously taught us how to tidy as part of our upbringing?” — Marie Kondo
“Our parents demanded that we clean up our rooms, but they too, had never been trained in how to do that. When it comes to tidying, we are all self-taught.” ― Marie Kondo
“Your past will become a weight that holds you back and keeps you from living in the here and now. To put things in order means to put your past in order, too.” ― Marie Kondo
“From the moment you start tidying, you will be compelled to reset your life. As a result, your life will start to change.” — Marie Kondo
“Tidying is just a tool, not the final destination. The true goal should be to establish the lifestyle you want most once your house has been put in order.” — Marie Kondo
“What was it that motivated you to tidy in the first place? What do you hope to gain through tidying? Before you start getting rid of things, take the time to think this through carefully. This means visualizing the ideal lifestyle you dream of.” — Marie Kondo
“Your real life begins after putting your house in order.” — Marie Kondo
“Putting your house in order is the magic that creates a vibrant and happy life.” — Marie Kondo
“The ultimate secret of success is this: If you tidy up in one shot, rather than little by little, you can dramatically change your mindset.” — Marie Kondo
“Tidy a little a day and you’ll be tidying forever.” — Marie Kondo
“When we disperse storage of a particular item throughout the house and tidy one place at a time, we can never grasp the overall volume and therefore can never finish. To escape this negative spiral, tidy by category, not by place.” — Marie Kondo
“You could say that tidying orders the mind while cleaning purifies it.” — Marie Kondo
“In essence, tidying ought to be the act of restoring balance among people, their possessions, and the house they live in.” — Marie Kondo
“To quietly work away at disposing of your own excess is actually the best way of dealing with a family that doesn’t tidy.” — Marie Kondo
“Don’t forget that the “god of tidying up” is always on your side as long as you are committed to getting it done.” ― Marie Kondo
Quotes ON HOW TO Spark Joy in Your Life
“Follow your intuition and all will be well.” — Marie Kondo
“As for you, pour your time and passion into what brings you the most joy, your mission in life.” — Marie Kondo
“People with large book collections are almost always diligent learners.” — Marie Kondo
“The true purpose of a present is to be received.” — Marie Kondo
“The purpose of a letter is fulfilled the moment it is received.” ― Marie Kondo
“The meaning of a photo lies in the excitement and joy you feel when taking it.” ― Marie Kondo
“No matter how wonderful things used to be, we cannot live in the past. The joy and excitement we feel here and now are more important.” — Marie Kondo
“If you are going to buy clothes, choose them with the intention of welcoming them into your home and caring for them.” ―Marie Kondo
“Cherish the things you love. Cherish yourself.” — Marie Kondo
“Taking good care of your things leads to taking good care of yourself.” ― Marie Kondo
“Caring for your possessions is the best way to motivate them to support you, their owner.” ― Marie Kondo
“Even if we remain unaware of it, our belongings really work hard for us, carrying out their respective roles each day to support our lives.” ―Marie Kondo
“Only you can know what kind of environment makes you feel happy.” ― Marie Kondo
“Being surrounded by things that bring joy makes you happy” ― Marie Kondo
“The real tragedy is to live your entire life without anything that brings you joy and never even realize it.” ― Marie Kondo
“The best method is to experiment and enjoy the process.” ― Marie Kondo
“Be sure to completely finish the first task before starting the next.” — Marie Kondo
“We live in this moment. Who you are now is more important than memories of your past. Be good to yourself.” ― Marie Kondo
“When deciding how to spend your time, remember: Don’t trade an activity you’d love to pursue for a reward you don’t value.” ― Marie Kondo
“Everyone needs a sanctuary.” — Marie Kondo
“A joy-filled home is like your own personal art museum” ― Marie Kondo
“It’s far more important to adorn your home with the things you love than to keep it so bare it lacks anything that brings you joy.” ― Marie Kondo
“If you want to meet a beautiful home that is just right for you, take good care of the one you live in now.” ― Marie Kondo
“In Japan, we say that “words make our reality.” The words we see and with which we come into contact tend to bring about events of the same nature.” ― Marie Kondo
“Believe what your heart tells you when you ask, “Does this spark joy?” ― Marie Kondo
Final thoughts on Marie Kondo Quotes
These Marie Kondo quotes and sayings can be beneficial when we get stuck or need a little direction and encouragement during our decluttering journey. I hope they bring you some joy!
LOOKING FOR MORE RESOURCES ON ORGANIZING & DECLUTTERING:
- 18 Best Books on Minimalism to Completely Transform Your Life
- 25 Powerful Organizing Tips From an NYC Professional Organizer
Pin these Marie Kondo Quotes to read again!
