I'm an artist at heart, performer and songwriter, and a lover of all things creatively & artistically beautiful. In this little corner of the internet, we talk about how to live an artistic lifestyle, fit with the tools, techniques, tips, and community. Get comfy and cozy.
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August 17, 2023
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Organize. Reorganize. Spring cleaning. Sunday donations.
It seems like organizing never ends.
A few years ago, I was in the same boat. I felt like I gave so much away, but still found t-shirts crumpled in the corners of my closet, loose bras shoved in the backs of my t-shirt drawers, and piles of “stuff” loaded into closets that I hadn’t touched in years but didn’t think I could get rid of.
It wasn’t until I happened upon her Netflix series, Tidying Up with Marie Kondo, (a must-watch for sure!) that I realized there was another way to organize my things more efficiently.
A way that didn’t require rules like giving away 1 item every time you purchase 1.
Or getting rid of anything if you haven’t worn it in 6 months.
It was a way to be more sustainable with the clothes I had so that letting go of things wouldn’t be a puzzle piece to solve, and so a big organization day would actually be worth the effort (and not something I’d need to do when spring cleaning season rolls around).
For the first time, I’d found a way that worked. And if you’ve noticed on the blog, it’s something I talk about all. The. Time.
A Japanese organizing consultant, Marie Kondo created her KonMari method after years of trialing and erroring organization herself.
As a young girl, while others were playing outside or getting lost in video games, little Marie looked for hundreds of ways to organize her room. As she grew, she kept experimenting over and over again, trying to find the best ways to keep her room functional and her clothes comfortable.
Honing in on her method might seem crazy simple: everything in your home should spark joy.
But what does this mean?!
Well, if you pick up an item and it doesn’t make your heart flutter or bring a tiny smile to your lips, then simple: it no longer serves you, and you can thank it for being in your life and let it go with love.
I know it sounds like a fluffy fairy tale, but it’s actually quite deeply rooted in practicality.
When our surroundings are filled only with things that bring us joy, we inevitably feel more joyous and less cluttered, both physically and mentally. I went from stomping around my house to gracefully gliding around it after I turned to my left and right and subconsciously felt perfectly at peace. It’s real.
When you think about it, her method makes sense on so many levels. It’s not just about decluttering; it’s about appreciating the items in your world that truly matter.
So, let’s learn how to fold clothes with the KonMari method!
1. You should be able to see every clothing item when you open a drawer or closet.
Okay, confession time: I used to be a notorious stacker and roller. Yep, guilty as charged. My drawers had balls of clothing in the corners of them from being thrown around after trying to find an item under the stack. In a store, it makes sense. In our homes, it doesn’t.
Here’s the issue: when you’re stacking clothes instead of folding them, you can’t see everything you have! And if you’re anything like me, out of sight means out of mind. Which essentially means wearing the same three shirts on rotation, while the others just sit there, sad and unworn.
With the KonMari method of folding, your clothes are folded in a way that allows you to see every item at a glance. That means no more forgotten tees, crumpled jeans, and bralettes stuck between the back of the drawers.
2. Clothing should be able to stand upright on their own.
I know it sounds like some sort of clothing sorcery, but it’s true! When folded the KonMari way, your clothes will stand tall and proud, just like a line of cute little fabric soldiers. This not only saves space but makes it a breeze to select your outfit for the day. No more digging through messy drawers!
3. You shouldn’t need any fancy organizers, bins, or tools in order to work it!
Here’s where the true beauty of the KonMari method shines. There’s no need to run to the store and splurge on all those fancy-schmancy organizing gadgets (that is, not until you’ve lived without them for a few years and know you don’t need them to be organized.)
All you need is a little patience, some practice, and your two hands. The method emphasizes using what you already have in your home— shoe boxes, small containers— to help keep things neat and tidy. After all, the goal here is to declutter and simplify, not add more to the mix!
Related: 33 reasons why KonMari is the best way to organize your home
Before we jump into the beautiful world of KonMari folding, there’s a vital step we shouldn’t skip: the decluttering process.
If you’re attempting to fold clothes that don’t make your heart do a little dance, you’re not on the true KonMari train. So, before you know how to fold using Marie’s delightful techniques, embark on a joy-sparking journey before you begin, so you can organize your clothes in a way that fully adheres to her process.
Hold each item, ask if it brings you joy, and if it doesn’t? Thank it for its service and part ways. Only then can you truly embrace the magic of the KonMari method.
Once your wardrobe consists solely of joy-bringers, it’s time to learn the art of folding.
Marie Kondo loves her rectangles, and you’ll see why. Every item, when folded right, will become a neat little rectangle that can stand on its own. That’s the magic we’re aiming for!
Forget about turning socks into tiny balls in your sock drawer; it stretches them out, essentially eliminating their full potential. Instead, do the same thing as your other clothes, and see how it magickally creates much more space for your little foot-huggers to breathe!
It’s so easy to let our underwear drawers go crazy. Without a folding system, those tiny little creatures love running rampant in and around your dresser drawers! Here’s how to use Marie Kondo’s folding method to get these little buggers organized.
1. Fold one side towards the center and the sleeve inside its rectangular width.
2. Do the same thing with the other side.
3. Fold that in half or thirds.
For those super bulky, chunky knits and hoodies, consider storing them lying flat in a drawer or on a shelf. Folding them might be challenging and can cause unnecessary stress on the fibers.
In the KonMari world, we want all our items – from tiny socks to bulky sweaters – to feel loved and cared for!
The core principles of the KonMari Method can be adapted to almost any space in your home, even ones that don’t technically require you to fold and store like you might your clothes.
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Creative lifestyle
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I'm an artist at heart, performer and songwriter, and a lover of all things creatively & artistically beautiful. In this little corner of the internet, we talk about how to live an artistic lifestyle, fit with the tools, techniques, tips, and community. Get comfy and cozy.
BACK TO THE BLOG
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