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Marie Kondo, Japanese organizing consultant and author, has stepped beyond being simply a proper noun. Her name has become a verb, and a very effective one at that. To “Marie Kondo” your life means to dispose of anything that doesn’t serve significant meaning or something that doesn’t bring you joy. “Marie Kondo-ing” sounds easy enough, but the very act of decluttering challenges our brain’s emotional and physical relationship with an object or concept in ways that are both profound and unexpected.

In this study, authors Joseph R. Ferrari and Catherine A. Roster, conduct research on how poor procrastination habits create problems with clutter, using samples from adults across three different generational groups. Through their findings, they note that virtually all adults have unused, unwanted or neglected possessions filling up space in their homes (and work desks). The study states that because disposing personal possessions can be stressful, especially for those who form close attachments to the objects, indecisive people may avoid throwing things away because they are afraid of making the wrong decision or regretting their actions later.

Dividing our procrastination habits into two categories: indecision and behavioral, the study proves that procrastinating is much more than just “being lazy.” This is exactly why the KonMari Method is resonating with people across countries, occupations and lifestyles. While the television show starring Marie Kondo has more to do with people’s closets and personal lives, her methodology influences people’s work habits and overall performance.

In this article about the KonMari Method, performance coach Brad Stullberg states, “Decluttering your life may be effective, but that doesn’t make it easy, especially in a world characterized by hyperconnectivity and endless opportunities to do more.” Applying this method to decision-making, scheduling and making life choices makes its challenging application incredibly pertinent. With a focus on a set of principles that has enormous impact on people’s relationships to objects on a universal level, everyone is scrambling to figure out how to actualize the process of decluttering.

In an age where physical space transcends technological boundaries, decluttering what is in your Google Calendar, clearing notifications or simply just organizing information on your phone and computer, is just as important as getting rid of the pile of useless files on your desk. Without freeing up this space, you overload your mind with information. And by consciously (or subconsciously) ignoring what literally surrounds you; you are decreasing your ability to be fully present in all aspects of your life.

Marie Kondo’s method starts with getting rid of objects that no longer “spark joy.” Yet the KonMari Method doesn’t have to be just a t-shirt or children’s toys, it can also be the event you don’t have the energy to attend, the stack of business books you don’t have time to read or your overbearing computer Desktop. Remember that if you get rid of the clutter, you’ll free up your mind.

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