Marie Kondo Quotes

Powerful Marie Kondo for Daily Growth

About Marie Kondo

Marie Kondo (こんどー マリエ, Kondo Marië; born October 31, 1984) is a renowned Japanese organizing consultant, bestselling author, and global influencer whose unique method of decluttering and organizing homes, known as the 'KonMari Method', has inspired millions worldwide. Born in Tokyo, Kondo developed an early interest in Shintoism, a traditional Japanese religion that emphasizes the importance of the relationship between humans and their possessions. This influenced her approach to tidying, viewing each item as having its own spirit and requiring gratitude before being discarded. After graduating from the Faculty of Sociology at Tokyo's Komazawa University in 2009, Kondo began offering organizing consultations. Her first book, "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing" (2011), became a worldwide phenomenon, selling millions of copies in dozens of languages. The book introduced the KonMari Method, which emphasizes tidying by category—not location—and keeping only items that spark joy. In 2015, Kondo launched her own Netflix series, "Tidying Up with Marie Kondo", further popularizing her methods. Her subsequent books, including "Spark Joy: An Illustrated Master Class on the Art of Organizing and Tidying Up" (2016), continued to inspire readers to declutter their homes and lives. In 2020, Kondo opened her first physical store, the KonMari NYC, in New York City. Today, she continues to advocate for a simpler, more joyful lifestyle through her books, lectures, and online presence. Her impact extends beyond tidying, as she encourages readers to reevaluate their relationships with their possessions and cultivate gratitude in all aspects of life.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Does it spark joy?"

Marie Kondo's famous phrase "Does it spark joy?" is a question intended to guide individuals in deciding whether an object should be kept or discarded. It encourages people to evaluate their possessions based on their emotional connection to them, rather than practicality or sentimental value alone. By focusing on the joy an item brings, one can create a more mindful and purposeful living environment that fosters happiness and contentment.


"Keep only those things that you need and love."

This quote by Marie Kondo encourages minimalism and mindfulness in personal belongings. She suggests keeping only items that are necessary for one's well-being, as well as cherished for emotional value or utility. By adhering to this principle, individuals can reduce clutter, streamline their living spaces, and develop a deeper appreciation for the things they own, leading to overall mental and physical harmony.


"The best way to clean house is to hold each item in your hand and ask: 'Does this spark joy?'"

Marie Kondo's quote emphasizes a simple yet profound method for deciding which items should be kept while decluttering or organizing one's living space. The idea is that an object should bring joy to the person who owns it, so if it does not, it should be discarded or donated. This approach encourages people to surround themselves with things that bring happiness and value in their lives, fostering a more positive and efficient environment.


"Thank everything you own before discarding it."

Marie Kondo's quote, "Thank everything you own before discarding it," emphasizes gratitude and mindfulness when dealing with our possessions. It encourages us to appreciate the role each item has played in our lives, acknowledge its purpose, and express gratitude for it before letting it go. This practice fosters a sense of respect and connection with our belongings and helps us declutter not just physically, but also mentally and emotionally.


"Tidy a little at a time, and the task will not feel so daunting."

Marie Kondo's quote emphasizes the importance of taking small, manageable steps towards organizing and decluttering one's living space. By tackling tidying tasks bit by bit, rather than attempting a massive overhaul all at once, we can make the process less overwhelming and more achievable, thereby reducing feelings of stress or discouragement. This approach not only makes organizing more manageable but also helps instill a sense of ongoing maintenance, leading to a consistently tidy and clutter-free environment.


I had been so focused on what to discard, on attacking the unwanted obstacles around me, that I had forgotten to cherish the things that I loved, the things I wanted to keep.

- Marie Kondo

Obstacles, Been, Discard, Cherish

If you fold your clothes in the formal spark of joy, you can actually make the joy last longer.

- Marie Kondo

Formal, Longer, Actually, Fold

For kids, it's best to teach them how to fold their clothes first. Kids will be able to fold their clothes at about three years old. You don't want to teach them how to put away toys first because it's difficult. Clothes are something kids wear every day, so it's easy for them to have a sense about their belongings.

- Marie Kondo

Every Day, Away, About, Fold

It's human nature to take the easy route and leap at storage methods that promise quick and convenient ways to remove visible clutter. Putting things away creates the illusion that the clutter problem has been solved. But sooner or later, all the storage units are full, and the room once again overflows with things.

- Marie Kondo

Away, Been, Quick, Convenient

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

Rest, New, Discard, Plunge

There's no need to let your family know the details of what you throw out or donate. You can leave communal spaces to the end. The first step is to confront your own stuff.

- Marie Kondo

Own, Need, Confront, Communal

The objects you decide to keep, the ones that gave you the spark of joy? Treasure them from now on. When you put things away, you can actually audibly say, 'Hey, thank you for the good work today...' By doing so, it becomes easier for you to put the objects away and treasure them, which prolongs the spark of joy environment.

- Marie Kondo

Good Work, Doing, Away, Spark

I had a slight hope the phrase 'spark joy' might become popular, as it was the keyword that I wanted to put forward in the first place.

- Marie Kondo

Forward, Might, Slight, Spark

It's going to be labor-intensive and time-consuming, but you need to take all the books down and put them on the floor. Take them down and spread them in one area. Physically pick each book up, one by one. If the book inspires you, keep it. If not, it goes out. That's the standard by which you decide.

- Marie Kondo

Book, Decide, Standard, Time-Consuming

I recommend tidying by category, not by place. For example, instead of deciding that today you'll tidy a particular room, set goals such as 'clothes today, books tomorrow.'

- Marie Kondo

Tomorrow, Set, Recommend, Goals

I have an image in my mind of what I want, whether it's a light jacket or a one-piece. I can tell if what I want is in the store right away.

- Marie Kondo

Mind, Away, Image, Right Away

To truly cherish the things that are important to you, you must first discard those that have outlived their purpose. And if you no longer need them, then that is neither wasteful nor shameful. Can you truthfully say that you treasure something buried so deeply in a cupboard or drawer that you have forgotten its existence?

- Marie Kondo

Purpose, Buried, Discard, Drawer

I'd like to tidy up the entire planet. I would go anywhere if there were something that needs tidying.

- Marie Kondo

Like, Needs, Planet, Tidy

My head was full of tidying tips, and I had complete, albeit misguided, confidence that I could tidy any place.

- Marie Kondo

Confidence, Could, Had, Tidy

The best way to find out what we really need is to get rid of what we don't. Quests to faraway places or shopping sprees are no longer necessary. All you have to do is eliminate what you don't need by confronting each of your possessions properly.

- Marie Kondo

Best, Best Way, Confronting, Shopping

I will only purchase what fits me. If I want to lose weight, I do that first and then go shopping.

- Marie Kondo

Lose, Want, Will, Shopping

Attachment to the past and fears concerning the future not only govern the way you select the things you own but also represent the criteria by which you make choices in every aspect of your life, including your relationships with people and your job.

- Marie Kondo

Govern, Select, Criteria, Represent

In my case, my size is so small that if I want it but don't buy it, I might miss the opportunity.

- Marie Kondo

Small, Want, Might, Case

Have gratitude for the things you're discarding. By giving gratitude, you're giving closure to the relationship with that object, and by doing so, it becomes a lot easier to let go.

- Marie Kondo

Doing, Giving, Go, Let Go

It's important to understand your ownership pattern because it is an expression of the values that guide your life. The question of what you want to own is actually the question of how you want to live your life.

- Marie Kondo

Values, Question, Expression, Guide

The process of facing and selecting our possessions can be quite painful. It forces us to confront our imperfections and inadequacies and the foolish choices we made in the past.

- Marie Kondo

Process, In The Past, Made, Foolish

Effective tidying involves only three essential actions. All you need to do is take the time to examine every item you own, decide whether or not you want to keep it, then choose where to put what you keep. Designate a place for each thing.

- Marie Kondo

Own, Decide, Examine, Essential

Changing lifestyle habits acquired over many years is often extremely difficult.

- Marie Kondo

Habits, Over, Extremely, Lifestyle

Quite a few books about decluttering are published in a year.

- Marie Kondo

Year, Books, About, Published

I used to clean my brother and sister's rooms. And I would go to friends' houses and clean their rooms, too.

- Marie Kondo

Go, Used, Rooms, Sister

Being packed all the time, even when not in use, must feel something like going to bed on an empty stomach.

- Marie Kondo

Bed, Like, Going, Packed

The objective of cleaning is not just to clean, but to feel happiness living within that environment.

- Marie Kondo

Cleaning, Environment, Objective

The inside of a house or apartment after decluttering has much in common with a Shinto shrine... a place where there are no unnecessary things, and our thoughts become clear.

- Marie Kondo

Thoughts, Clear, Unnecessary, Apartment

About tidying up a toy box, you should let your kids experience the selection process by touching all of their toys. It's also important how they throw away their toys. They can earn a stronger sense of valuing things when they throw things away with respect and appreciation.

- Marie Kondo

Box, Away, About, Appreciation

It's easy to get rid of things when there is an obvious reason for doing so. It's much more difficult when there is no compelling reason.

- Marie Kondo

Doing, Reason, More, Easy

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