Have you watched the hit Netflix series Tidying Up with Marie Kondo? Or perhaps read the bestseller The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and felt that the KonMari Method® is so straightforward you could easily tackle it all on your own without any guidance?
The beauty of both the book and the show is that Marie Kondo inspired millions worldwide to declutter their living spaces. In the United States, KonMari decluttering became a massive cultural phenomenon — my American colleagues could barely keep up with demand. The series sparked a vital global realization: material possessions, and especially their mindless accumulation, do not bring true happiness.
It is truly wonderful when someone rolls up their sleeves and takes the initiative. However, there are a few common misconceptions worth clearing up before you dive in.
Myth 1: The KonMari Method® Equals Minimalism
What do they have in common? The KonMari philosophy generally leads us to reduce the number of things we own. The primary goal of the KonMari Method® is to keep only the items that spark joy. Similarly, the main goal of minimalism is not to own as few things as possible; it shares that exact same intention: living with a quantity of belongings that makes sense for you. Everyone has completely different interests and needs, so the right amount of items will look different in every home.
Marie Kondo has personally distanced herself from minimalism. You can read more in this article. This was largely because a widespread rumor began to circulate claiming Marie Kondo dictated that a personal bookshelf should hold fewer than 30 books.
This simply isn’t true — Kondo has never set an exact quota for any category of belongings. If you’ve come across that anywhere, it is misinformation. At the same time, her distancing from minimalism feels mostly like a matter of semantics. When you apply the KonMari Method®, you naturally reduce your belongings — exactly as you would when practicing minimalism.
Surround Yourself with What Sparks Joy
One of the central tenets of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up is that our belongings should cultivate joy, which then ripples across every area of our lives. Joy looks different for everyone: one person thrives on owning very little, while another finds fulfillment in a carefully curated collection. As long as it isn’t an unhealthy compulsion and your home hasn’t turned into a warehouse, both paths are completely valid. You definitely do not have to limit your bookshelf to 30 books.
Personally, I believe that the KonMari philosophy and minimalism go hand in hand and complement each other beautifully. Just as I don’t see minimalism as being primarily about numbers, it is really all about choosing what suits us and fits our lives best. It’s not about dogma!
Myth 2: KonMari Means Purging as Much as Possible in Record Time
It does not. While letting go of items is an essential part of the process, discarding without intention backfires. If we treat our belongings without gratitude and respect, we are far more likely to rush out and mindlessly refill those empty spaces. If you haven’t identified what truly brings you joy, newly purchased items won’t fulfill you either. We didn’t accumulate our belongings overnight. Sorting through them is a mindful journey that requires patience. Fortunately, clearing your space won’t take nearly as long as it took to accumulate everything over the years.
Decluttering takes time: we gathered our things over weeks and months, so we cannot expect to finish a major tidy-up in an hour
In the words of Marie Kondo from The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: “In my experience, ‘quickly’ means about half a year. That may seem like a long time, but it is only six months out of your entire life. Once the process is complete and you have experienced what it is like to have a truly tidy home, you will be free forever from the misconception that you are bad at tidying.”
If you work alongside a consultant, this process can happen much faster. It naturally depends on the size of your home, how many belongings you own, and how often we work together.
Myth 3: A KonMari Consultant Just Hands You a Checklist and Leaves
From the Netflix show, it may seem that consultants visit the home, give instructions, and leave. Clients then work alone until they complete the tasks. The truth is that the moment the door closed behind Marie Kondo, additional experienced KonMari consultants entered the home and guided the clients through the entire process. Sorting things is a big decision that brings big changes into our lives.
Watching the Netflix show might give the impression that consultants pop in, give brief instructions, and leave clients to do all the heavy lifting alone. The reality behind the scenes is very different: the moment the cameras cut and the doors closed behind Marie, a dedicated team of experienced KonMari consultants stepped in to guide the clients through every step of the transformation. Decluttering is an emotional and deeply personal milestone that initiates major life changes.
Tidying Is a Journey That Thrives on Support
That is precisely why consultants exist — to provide steady guidance and emotional support when decision fatigue sets in. Some people struggle most with sentimental keepsakes, while others hold deep attachments to kitchenware because cooking is their passion. For some, clothes are easy; for others, they are the hardest hurdle.
We are all unique, and that is completely natural. That is why this structured method works so reliably. And because Marie Kondo cannot personally visit every home, certified consultants worldwide are trained to bring that exact support directly to you.
Ready for Your Transformation?
In the Czech Republic, we were initially only two certified consultants carrying this work forward.
Whether you are looking for an in-person session in your home or an Online consultation Healing Tidying™, reach out today. Together, we can bring order, lightness, and lasting harmony into your space and life.
The KonMari Method® is an invitation to discover your true self and live authentically. Trends fade — true alignment with your space is what lasts. Be yourself!
