Tackle spring cleaning with a plan to organize, declutter every area By M. Gillan Ritchie
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pring is around the corner and for many homeowners, that means they’ll be reaching for cleaning supplies to help make their space sparkle. For some, the annual event goes beyond the simple acts of opening windows for fresh air, power washing, and cleaning the floorboards. It’s about decluttering their life — literally and metaphorically. Marie Kondo, born Kondo Mariko in Japan, became a cultural phenomenon in 2011 when her book, “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing,” was published in Japan. The book was published in the U.S. in 2014 and has sold more than 8 million copies worldwide. Since the launch of her book, Kondo has landed two Netflix series, “Tidying Up” and “Sparking Joy with Marie Kondo,” and published a follow up book titled, “Spark Joy: An Illustrated Master Class on the Art of Organizing and Tidying Up.”
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But what makes Kondo stand out from other professional organizers?
Her approach to decluttering and reorganizing space is almost spiritual. She tells individuals and families that they should focus on items in the home that “spark joy” and eliminate the rest. Greeting the space, recognizing sentimental items, and thanking unwanted objects are all part of her philosophy to a more organized life and home. “My mission is to spark joy in the world through tidying,” she says in the Netflix introduction for “Sparking Joy with Marie Kondo.” “[Marie Kondo] is known for basically giving clients the confidence to organize their own spaces,” says Marie Mandeville, owner of Atlanta-based TailorMySpace. “Bottom line [is] if the item doesn’t bring joy, get rid of it.” Like Kondo, Mandeville’s love for decluttering and organizing started at a young age. Growing up in the military, Mandeville’s father taught her that everything has a home and her mother taught her how to clean. “My mom says it started at 4 years old when I would clean my brother’s room so he wouldn’t get in trouble,” she says. As a young adult, Mandeville worked at Express as a visual merchandiser by creating appealing visual displays to enhance the customer’s in-store experience. She loved fashion but she knew that she didn’t want to 18 | 400 LIFE | March 2022
