Simple and Helpful Ways Marie Kondo Inspires Mindfulness not Minimalism
Is Marie Kondo just about minimalism? Not at all! Explore how her KonMari method inspires deep mindfulness, appreciation, and a more intentional life.
Spirited Earthling is reader-supported. This page includes affiliate links. If you click and purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Marie Kondo was introduced to most of us through her Netflix shows Tidying Up with Marie Kondo (based on her book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up) and Sparking Joy with Marie Kondo (based on her book Joy at Work: Organizing Your Professional Life). It felt like everyone was hooked on decluttering! But here’s the thing, I think a lot of people have missed the real heart of her method. For Marie, it's not simply about owning less; it's about so much more: it's about mindfulness.
Yes, minimalism can be a lovely by-product of her approach, because naturally, if you're only keeping what brings you joy, you’ll likely end up with less. But her core message? It's all about bringing intention and awareness to the way we interact with our belongings and our living spaces. It’s a bit like a gentle nudge to really think about what serves you and what truly sparks that inner glow.
The KonMari method, as it's called, encourages us to truly assess our possessions. To toss/donate things that don’t bring joy, and to keep the things that do bring joy. This whole process is a brilliant way to cultivate mindfulness and intentionality. When we focus on what brings us joy and gently release what doesn't, we start creating a life that feels more meaningful and fulfilling.
Marie even teaches her clients to approach their belongings with such gratitude and respect, thanking each item for its service before it moves on. It's a beautiful practice, isn’t it? It helps us appreciate what we already have and encourages us to be more mindful consumers in the future.
What is the Difference Between Mindfulness vs Minimalism?
Sometimes these terms get used interchangeably, but there's a clear distinction.
Think of it like this:
Mindfulness is about being fully present and aware, really noticing your thoughts, feelings, and experiences in the moment, without judgement. It's a state of being fully 'there'.
Minimalism is more about a style or technique characterised by simplicity and sparsity, often related to possessions.
Marie Kondo's message isn’t about living with next to nothing. It's far from a philosophy of scarcity or limitation. Instead, her books really highlight the importance of consciously choosing what you want to keep. This is perhaps the message that gets a little lost in translation during the TV series or discussions online.
As Marie herself says in The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up:
“We should be choosing what we want to keep, not what we want to get rid of.” ~ Marie Kondo
Related read: 6 Mindful Habits for a Mindfully Minimalist Home
6 Simple and Helpful Ways Marie Kondo Inspires Mindfulness
So, how does Marie Kondo truly inspire mindfulness, rather than just minimalism? Well, with the following approaches to life:
1. Surround Yourself with Things that Spark Joy
This is probably her most famous catchphrase. "Does this spark joy?" It's a question that’s absolutely central to the KonMari approach. It sounds simple, but asking yourself this about your possessions is truly transformative.
“Does this spark joy?” If it does, keep it. If not, dispose of it.” ~ Marie Kondo
Her philosophy is beautifully straightforward: the things you own, the clothes you wear, the art you look at – all of it should add real value to your life. When you surround yourself with things that genuinely spark joy, you create little pockets of happiness in your everyday. Imagine feeling gorgeous and comfortable in your clothes, radiating confidence. Picture your home as a calm sanctuary, filled with things that make you smile. When you truly appreciate what you have, you stop longing for things an advert tells you you “need”.
"Now imagine yourself living in a space that contains only things that spark joy. Isn't this the lifestyle you dream of?" ~ Marie Kondo
Interesting and related reads: Promising Ways to Understand and Explore Self-Expression and Revealing Creative Ways to Spread Joy Daily
2. Adopting an Attitude of Gratitude
Developing an attitude of gratitude is all about appreciating the good things in life, big or small. It’s a mindset where you actively acknowledge and give thanks for the people, experiences, and possessions that bring positivity into your world.
Research has shown that cultivating gratitude can do wonders for your mental and physical health. It can boost happiness, ease stress, improve sleep, and even support your immune system! Additionally, expressing thanks to others can really strengthen your relationships.
Bringing gratitude into your daily life can be as simple as jotting down a few things you’re grateful for in a journal, taking a moment to thank someone who’s helped you, or even just reflecting on the positive aspects of a challenging situation. By focusing on the good, you shift your perspective towards abundance and appreciation, which naturally leads to feeling happier, more optimistic, and more fulfilled.
When you consciously appreciate the positive aspects of your life, the things you own hold more noticed value. Decluttering and organising your home can be a powerful reminder of how much you already have, perhaps even things you've taken for granted. Keeping only what genuinely holds value for you (and I’m not talking about money here!) truly deepens your appreciation for it. The KonMari philosophy beautifully illustrates this by encouraging us to be grateful for items that have served their purpose, allowing us to let them go with a thankful heart or pass them on to someone else who needs them.
“By acknowledging their contribution and letting them go with gratitude, you will be able to truly put the things you own, and your life, in order. In the end, all that will remain are the things that you really treasure.” ~ Marie Kondo
Related read: How to Start Gratitude Journaling and Why It Matters and Why Comparison is Inevitable – and How to Make It Work for You
3. Letting Go is Okay and Necessary
Letting go of things can feel incredibly tough, even when you know deep down it’s important for your growth and well-being. It’s okay to acknowledge those feelings and take a moment before moving forward.
It's hard to let go because of the emotional attachments we form – to people, memories, and yes, even our possessions. There might be feelings of loss or even grief (leaving behind something that holds history), fear of the unknown (what will life look like after this change?), or holding onto hope (even when you're just clinging to potential). Perhaps you're worried about what others will think, or what these changes mean for your sense of self. For some, letting go can even feel like admitting defeat.
But remember, history doesn’t equal value. You’ll become more comfortable in your newly expanded comfort zone, and trust me, the universe has your back when you surrender to divine timing. Aligning with your authentic self is far more important than anyone else’s opinions or perceived judgements – this is your life, after all! Being tied to an identity can really limit your personal growth, because earthling, you are capable of being so many wild and beautiful things all at once. Ultimately, letting go is a sign of immense strength and courage. It takes real bravery to admit when something isn’t working and to take those steps forward.
“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
Acknowledging your feelings is crucial, but spiralling in them can be debilitating. Sometimes, a simple 'thank you and goodbye' can be strangely healing. When something no longer serves you, it’s absolutely okay to release it with a grateful heart. You can apply this concept to so many areas of your life, not just your wardrobe!
“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
Related read: What to Let Go Of and Embrace to Be Happier and Strategies To Regulate Emotions That Will Make Emotional Intelligence Stronger
4. Respect Your Spaces
One of Marie Kondo's signature practices is greeting each space as she enters it. She treats a home with the same reverence she would a Shinto shrine. Greeting a space might seem like a tiny gesture, but it can have a huge impact on how you connect with your environment.
When you acknowledge and show respect for a space, you start to develop a deeper connection to your surroundings and appreciate them more fully. Respecting your space is important because it cultivates a more positive and healthier environment, both physically and mentally. It also helps you feel more in control and instils a sense of pride in your home or workspace.
The state of your environment directly impacts your mental and emotional well-being (environmental wellness). A clean, organised, and well-maintained space can promote a sense of calm, reduce stress, and genuinely improve your mood. A clutter-free workspace can truly enhance your ability to concentrate and be more productive. And of course, keeping things clean and tidy contributes to your physical health too.
What's more, taking care of your living and working spaces is a wonderful act of self-respect. It shows that you value your own comfort and well-being. Cultivating habits of tidiness and organisation can even spill over into other areas of your life, fostering a sense of discipline and responsibility.
“Tidying is an opportunity to express appreciation for your home and all it does for you. Create a dialogue with your space – thank it for protecting and nurturing you – especially if you’re about to embark on a tidying marathon!” ~ Marie Kondo, KonMari Website
Ultimately, respecting your space is about recognising the deep connection between your physical environment and your overall quality of life. It’s an investment in your well-being, your productivity, and the comfort of everyone around you. Your home and workspaces are places for you to grow and thrive. Bring positive and grateful energy to them daily. Set yourself up for success in both your personal and professional life.
“The space in which we live should be for the person we are becoming now, not for the person we were in the past.” ~ Marie Kondo
Related read: 6 Mindful Habits for a Mindfully Minimalist Home
5. Clarity Brings Peace and Confidence
Gaining clarity in your life can truly bring a sense of peace and confidence to your daily routine. Decluttering helps you feel more in control and masterful over your environment. It can be such a cathartic experience to let go of things that no longer serve you, and it genuinely frees up mental space for other, more important things in your life. In a wonderful way, clearing and cleaning your home can spark a clearing and cleaning of other aspects of your life: your thoughts, your feelings, and even your relationships.
“It’s a very strange phenomenon, but when we reduce what we own and essentially ‘detox’ our house, it has a detox effect on our bodies as well.” ~ Marie Kondo
Organising your belongings in a logical and efficient way can also save you so much time and energy in the long run. Once you have a system in place, you spend less time hunting for lost items and more time focusing on what truly matters to you. Plus, when your space feels 'in order' or 'under control', you often feel a surge of confidence to do more and become more.
"Just because you dispose of something does not mean you give up past experiences or your identity. Through the process of selecting only those things that inspire joy, you can identify precisely what you love and what you need." ~ Marie Kondo
Related read: What You Need To Know About The Art Of Spring-Cleaning The Soul and Practical Gentle Housekeeping for Better Peace in Your Space
6. Take a Moment
In one episode of Sparking Joy, we see Marie Kondo intentionally scheduling time for things that bring her joy, like slowly sipping tea. By taking the time to be present and mindful, you can cultivate a greater sense of calm and inner peace, and develop a deep appreciation for the beauty and wonder of the world around you.
Mindfulness practices aren't limited to things like forest bathing or journaling. Think about it: when you're working at your desk and sipping on a cup of coffee, it's often an almost habitual motion rather than an intentional act. Stop. Take a moment and breathe. On your next sip, actually taste the coffee. Really smell it. You are present. This is a simple mindful practice you can do in any situation.
Related read: Mindfulness Made Easy using the Days of the Week and 7 Achievable Mindfulness Practices to Start Doing Today
Marie Kondo: All About Mindfulness, Not Just Minimalism
So, fellow spirited earthlings, while minimalism can certainly be a wonderful outcome of Marie Kondo's teachings, her true inspiration really lies in the practice of mindfulness and intentionality. By embracing her philosophy, we're not just tidying our homes; we’re also tidying our minds and hearts, creating more fulfilling lives and contributing to a more sustainable future.
What's one small item in your home you can take a moment to truly appreciate today? Or perhaps, what’s something you can let go of with gratitude, making space for something new to sparkle in your life? Let me know in the comments below!
Get your copy of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up (Amazon US; Amazon DE) and Joy at Work: Organizing Your Professional Life (Amazon US; Amazon DE). On a similar note, try Kindle Unlimited.
Affirmations: I am grateful for all I have. I confidently release what no longer serves my highest good.
To-Do: Take five mindful minutes today. Pick one everyday item (perhaps your favourite mug, the pen you're holding, or a plant in your home) and simply observe it. Notice its colour, its texture, its purpose - without judgment. Thank it.
Journal Prompt: Reflect on an item you own that you initially thought you should keep, but upon deeper reflection, doesn't actually spark joy. What emotional attachment or past story is holding you back from letting it go? What might it feel like to release it with gratitude?
Connect with Spirited Earthling on your favourite social platforms and say hello 🌻
Resources for mind, body, and soul growth are available in the Shop 🌿
Learn practical, gentle housekeeping strategies to create a functional home for better mental health and environmental wellness. Understand what gentle housekeeping might look like based on the wisdom shared in "How to Keep House While Drowning" by KC Davis. You are deserving of a space that brings you peace.