Decluttering? Questions to Help You Choose What to Keep

Are you having difficulty deciding what to keep in your life? As a professional organizer in Bowie, Maryland and Reading, Pennsylvania, I help my clients to declutter by focusing on what they want to keep in their lives and homes.

Spend a few moments reflecting on how you want to spend your time and energy? Start with this seemingly simple question... 

Do you want to take care of it? 

  • Is it worth your time and energy to create a space for it and to return it to it’s home after each use?

It takes time to create a space for the items you choose to keep. Investing the time and energy signals to you and others in the home that you are changing how you will use the space and the things in it. 

Create space for your phone and laptop with this charging station: https://amzn.to/2QzyIkX 

  • Could it be something you want to fold and put away?

This indicates that the object has a value attached to it, it means something to you, which is why you would take the effort to fold it and put it away rather than discard it.

  • How much time do you want to spend on it?

Your brain pays attention to everything in your visual field. Clutter is overwhelming to the brain and creates misery. You are spending mental energy on everything in your visual field. Many people find that seeing projects throughout the house is stressful.

Find a place to store pending items or projects, specifically, paper, that isn’t in your line of sight when you enter your home or office. Keeping these projects and papers organized and in one place will help to reduce stress until it's time to work on them.

I hope the questions above will help you as you uncover the joy in your space.


If you have questions or would like to schedule my mindful home organizing services, , contact me .

Contact Home Organizer

Start by Decluttering Paper?

Clients often contact me because they are overwhelmed by paper. Paper accumulates so quickly. It comes into the house six days a week and it’s often difficult to process. As Jane Austen says, “Letters of business too! How odious…” 

Take a moment to glance at a pile of papers in your space. If you had to guess, do you think those papers will bring a smile to your face? For most of us, the answer is no. 

Since paper isn’t typically a joyfully category, I strongly suggest that you don’t start to declutter paper. I’ve worked with a few clients who wanted to start out of the KonMari order and with paper. None of them moved on to the other categories. Paper appears to have sapped their motivation to declutter.

It makes sense that paper is a challenging category. You read each piece of paper to determine what it is and then are often left with an action item. The pile of papers represents a long to-list. It’s often easier to organize them and then move on to other more interesting tasks or experiences. However, you are reminded about those projects or bills each time you glance at the stack of papers. That’s why that paper is so stressful.

Give yourself permission to declutter or tidy two other categories first, clothes and books. You’ll build confidence in your decluttering skills and prepare for the paper as you work on the other two categories. Also, decluttering the other categories allows you to connect to your energy and sense of style. You’ll have a better sense of what spark joy if you start with clothes. When you are ready to start on paper, motivate yourself by finding some paper organizers that you love. It’s best to store items standing up, letter sorters and expanding files are great for this. 

The goal when decluttering paper is to let go of most of it. Yes, most of it! Paper is often a reminder to take action. Once you have completed the task, let the paper go. Look into online bill payment options so you have less paper to file. Remember, you are choosing what to keep in your life and how you want to spend your time. The more paper you keep, the more time you will spend on paper management.

If you have questions about decluttering paper, schedule a free consultation with me.

Cope with Burnout

Are you experiencing work burnout? 

  • Feeling no joy or interest in your work?

  • Have less patience with others than you used to?

  • Feeling overwhelmed by your responsibilities?

A recent study documented increases in meeting and email frequency since we all started working at home. In addition, the study demonstrated that virtual communication has extended beyond normal working hours.

How do you cope with burnout?

  • Reconnect with the “why” of your work. Connecting with your purpose and passion can give you energy and help to shift your mindset.

  • Take a vacation from your work email, even if it’s just one day. Move your email app away from the home screen of your phone. Set an email away message and spend a day sparking joy with family and friends.

  • Say “no” to the task but “yes” to the person. Saying no is hard, but we can ask questions about the request to get a better sense of what the other person needs. Even if you can’t help with the task you can offer support.

"I'm sorry, I can't take on doing this on a regular basis because Alexis wants me to prioritize development work. Do you know someone who is working on developing her Excel skills? Would you like me to show her how to extract the data so she can take this on?"

  • Create a daily gratitude practice. The KonMari method encourages us to thank items when we put them away. You can go a step further by keeping a gratitude journal. Write down at least 5 things you are thankful for each day for three weeks. (Request a gratitude checklist to get you started.)

  • Exercise! Take a walk every day or start a yoga practice. Sign up for online Spark Joy Yoga classes or schedule a virtual private yoga class with me.

P.S. Link to the study in case you’d like to read it. 

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Spark Joy At Work

Can you remember the last time you smiled when you thought about your work or while walking to your workspace?

When you think about your job what images pop into your mind?

Do you notice any tightness or tension in your body?

If your feeling stressed and overwhelmed at work, tidying up your workspace can help. Yes, tidying or decluttering can increase your efficiency, sales, and productivity, and make you happy at work.

Read the rest of the article on CityLifestyle.

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Hopeful for Change

“People cannot change their habits without first changing their way of thinking.” ~ Marie Kondo

I’m hopeful for the change that is so needed in our world 🌍.

Changing your thinking isn’t easy.

Changing your thinking requires dedication and support. You need a goal and someone to help you stay focused on the goal.

When you are changing your life with tidying, working with a tidy coach will help you to shift your mindset. The first step is to believe that you can change. Then, work with someone who can support and encourage you to make the shifts and changes that you are looking for.

Virtual Tidying with 𝗝𝗼𝘆 & 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 starts with developing a 𝘁𝗶𝗱𝘆 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗲𝘁. Similar to a growth mindset, this is a belief that you can change. You visualize the space and the life that you want and feel empowered to change. Working with a KonMari consultant is’t just about moving things around in your home and letting things go. Through virtual tidying, you’ll be guided through the Marie Kondo categories as you stay connected to your goals.

✅ You’ll start each virtual tidying lesson with a guided, letting go relaxation activity.

✅ Next we re-affirm goals and then we tidy.

✅ I’ll follow up with you after so you can keep shifting your thinking and changing your habits.

Changing your thinking to become anti-racist also requires dedication and support. Examine your biases with the 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘁 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁 from Harvard. Develop a growth mindset and believe that you can change. Let go of habits and beliefs that keep you from sparking ⚡️joy in our world. Choose joy and love! Love ❤️ is the greatest of all things. 

“𝗜 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 ...𝗛𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝗼 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗮 𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝗿.” 𝗠𝗟𝗞

People cannot change their habits without first changing their way of thinking. ~ Marie Kondo

People cannot change their habits without first changing their way of thinking. ~ Marie Kondo

Declutter Your Home + Clear Your Mind

Check out an article I shared with City Lifestyle on how KonMari and yoga can reduce your stress and increase your sense of control.

If you are ready to start using Marie Kondo’s method, download the free Spark Joy Reflection in the Spark Joy Store. It’s a great way to reflect and determine a path forward.

I also suggest reading more from Thich Nhat Hanh. “Letting go gives us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness. “

“Letting go gives us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness...png

Spark Joy In Your Life

Marie’s new book has inspired me! I’m excited to offer a 5-week series of talks designed to spark joy not just in your home but in your overall life. I’ve set up the course on Teachable and some of the description is below. You can view the full course and the free course preview (with a KonMari decluttering checklist) on the teachable course site. The link is available via my Spark Joy Store.)

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I’m so exited to offer this workshop series! Join me and three of my friends to...

  • Reconnect with your inner self and discover what is really important to you

  • Choose what to keep in your life rather than focusing on purging and discarding

  • Spark joy in your life with decluttering, career support, safe beauty, and financial advice

  • Connect to others who are interested in mindful personal development 

This 5-week series will help you to:

  • Develop a Tidy Mindset

  • Spark Joy in Your Closet

  • Spark Joy in Your Career - Led by Karen Rieker

  • Spark Joy with Clean Beauty - Led by Liz Gray

  • Spark Joy with your Finances- Led by Cleon Smith

In addition to the on demand talks, topics will include:

  • Guided meditations

  • Weekly challenges

  • KonMari decluttering tips for clothes, paper, and toiletries

  • Information from Marie's newest book, Joy at Work

  • Motivation and support from Yuriko and the Facebook community


Course Curriculum… (including the free course preview with KonMari checklist.)

Sign Up

Organize Your Day? Contemplating Productivity Pressure

Last week seems like a month ago; there has been so much to process and navigate. I’ve also experienced a mental shift as I took time to reflect on what was going on around me and internally. I had planned on using a few articles and interviews from Marie Kondo to make suggestions about how to organize your day. However, after pausing, reading, and checking in, I’d like to take a step back before we get into that.

Whenever we face a time of great change, it’s important to do so mindfully, to take a moment and ask what we really want out of the situation that we face. On the weekend of March 14-15th, I wanted to reconnect to some long-term goals. I set these without understanding, at least to the extent that I do know now, how much life in the time of the Coronavirus would change. I continued to work on those goals during the next week, distracting myself with tasks and approaching my new found free time with zeal.

The following week, I started to notice a shift. I felt off, overwhelmed, and confused. The organized type that I am, I made a very long list. Fortunately, my yoga practice provides me with much-needed balance, so the list included self-care items, such as “practice yoga” and “cook”. I slowed down and recognized that I was thrown for a major loop, but immensely fortunate to have my husband and health. I took time to settle in and accept what this quiet time will mean for me and my tidying/yoga business. As Dr. Aisha Ahmad stated in a recent article in The Chronicle, “…acceptance…will allow us to reimagine ourselves in this new reality.” (I highly encourage you to read the article!)

I’ll share my current thoughts on how to organize your day like Marie Kondo.

  1. Shift Your Mindset - Consider Developing a Tidy Mindset

    The first step of the KonMari Method is to picture your ideal life and space -to spend time asking yourself what you want to do in your home and determine what you want to focus your time and energy on. I love talking about this variation on Carol Dweck’s growth mindset and sharing it with others during my workshops and in my sessions with clients. It’s so important to pause and ask yourself what a life that sparks joy looks like for you. If you aren’t a minimalist, then a minimalist lifestyle and home is not going to bring you joy. Focus on building a life that will make your heart sing.


  2. Practice and Prioritize Self-Care

    A March 20th New York Times article gives a glimpse at Marie’s daily schedule. My overall impression was how intentionally she has built self-care into her day. From starting her day with lighting incense, to daily walks or exercise (planking), to making home cooked meals for her family, she prioritizes self-care.I suggest and hope you will do the same. Find a morning ritual that involves a moment of fresh air and perhaps a few stretches or yoga poses. Make it a priority to start your day in a way that will  fill you with positivity and the energy you need.


  3. Work and Take Breaks

    Marie’s daily schedule includes time for tea and meditation. Scott Sonenshein, co-author of Kondo’s upcoming book Joy of Work, states, “Figure out when you will work. Setting clear hours will help you keep your sanity. And take a break. Get up and stretch. Go for a short walk. The mind is still working, even when you’re not directly thinking about work.”

  4. Practice Gratitude

    Marie suggests, “As often as possible, seek out ways in which you can express gratitude or simply check-in with a coworker that allows you to hear and see the other person.”

Let’s start there.

If you are ready to tidy, I’m here but let’s focus on some self-care.

…acceptance…will allow us to reimagine ourselves in this new reality… ~Aisha Ahmad

…acceptance…will allow us to reimagine ourselves in this new reality… ~Aisha Ahmad

Work from Home Like Marie Kondo - Part 1: Tidy Your Space

Working from home has become the new normal for many people that I know. Fortunately, you can apply the KonMari™ method to your desk and workspace. This will help you to reduce clutter and distractions so you can focus on the work at hand. It will also help to reduce stress, which we all need right about now.

There are a few important things to remember before you start to tidy and declutter your desk/workspace.

Only Tidy Your Own Things

Yes, this means that you don’t start with your partner’s side of the office/workspace.
Focus on tidying up your area first and sparking joy in your workspace. In a time when we don’t have control over much, this is a golden opportunity. Also when your partner/desk-mate see’s your joyful workspace, it might spark them to start tidying their area. Tidying can be contagious too!

Only tidy your own things.

Only tidy your own things.

Picture Your Ideal Desk/Workspace

Take a moment to close your eyes and think about what would make your workspace perfect. A space that would allow you to tap into your skills and give you the energy you need. It might be a space that sparks creativity. It might be a space that enhances your sense of calm. Really start to picture this space. If you are a more visual person, you might create a vision board or a digital vision board via Pinterest. Personally, I love to journal and write out all the things I want in this space. (Check out Passion Planner’s free download to map our your desk game changer. )

Only Keep Items That Spark Joy

“When something sparks joy, you should feel a little thrill, as if the cells in your body are slowly rising. When you hold something that doesn’t bring you joy, however, you will notice that your body feels heavier.” ~ Marie Kondo

Some joy sparking questions?

  • Does this item brighten my day?

  • When was the last time I used this item?

  • When did I purchase it? 

Tidy by Category

The KonMari™ method gives some focus here so you don’t get overwhelmed. Also, the categories are arranged from easiest to hardest. Choose what to keep first and then think about storage.

  1. Clothes - many of my clients have obligatory work shirts. If they spark joy, determine the best place to store them. (Personal note: Many of my work shirts did not spark joy. I took them to my office at work or donated them. In the time of COVID-19 taking something to work isn’t an option but hopefully you can take the shirt to work later.)

  2. Books - If you have books related to work, determine which of these spark joy. Take them off the shelves or out of their spot and hold each one. How do you feel? If you don’t feel lighter knowing that you have this book, let it go with gratitude.

  3. Paper - This is the big one. We have a large quantity of paper. Gather all the work related paper in one or a few piles. (Maybe take a picture so you can post your before and afters.) You will determine to keep each piece or set of papers based on how you feel. If you feel lighter, keep it. If you know that these stapled papers help you in your work, keep it. If the extra handouts from 2006 are not bringing you joy, let them go. (Personal note: I had a large pile of handouts from the classes I taught.)

  4. Konmono - Miscellaneous - Gather like with like and keep the items that spark joy and help you to craft your ideal desk.
    Here are some sub-categories for you:
    Pens
    Sticky pad/note pads
    Scissors
    Paper clips
    Notebooks
    Staplers/Staples
    Stamps/Stickers
    Technology - cords, USB drives, calculators
    Things that belong in the kitchen, bedroom, and other rooms (keep like with like)

  5. Sentimental - This is the last and hardest category. You might have pictures, journals, and other meaningful items in this space. If you have already completed the KonMari tidying method in your house, you are ready to tidy this category. Choose what to keep based on it’s joy factor. If you haven’t completed your KonMari™ tidying festival , keep sentimental items on your desk that will give you joyful energy as you work. For the other sentimental items, store like with like.

Plan on spending no more than four hours tidying your workspace. Remember to take breaks. Enjoy a cup of tea and have a good snack. Once you’re through all the categories, notice the shifts in your energy and space.

If you have questions or get stuck, contact me at any stage of this tidying process for a virtual tidying session. Schedule a virtual tidying/coaching session today or contact me at Yuriko@JoyAndSpace.com 

I’ll post Part 2 : Organize Your Day later on this week.

Schedule Virtual Tidying

Embracing Change - Spark Joy Yoga

Corona virus has changed so much of my life. But I’m navigating these changes like a yogi!

Without further ado, I give you my first ever yoga video!

https://youtu.be/NMJDjWkh9jk 

Enjoy this 30 minute practice! It’s a joyful flow. No props needed, but blocks and blankets are always nice.

If you’d like to keep practicing with me virtually, check out my virtual private yoga and yoga on demand coming soon via double sunrise yoga!

Spark Joy Yoga Schedule

Joy & Space, LLC

Yuriko@JoyAndSpace.com
484-352-2844 in Pennsylvania
301-613-8983 in Maryland