In my previous blog post, I discussed the importance of tidying by category rather than by location. This leads us to the fifth principle of the KonMari Method – follow the right order. Marie Kondo encourages people to organize their belongings in this order: clothing, books, papers, komono (miscellaneous items), and sentimental items. I will explain why this approach can make the process more efficient and effective in the long term.
Common Organizing Situations
Over the years, I’ve noticed a few common situations that kept coming up with clients who approached organizing without a plan or a method:
When they tackled one area or room, there were so many miscellaneous items (many of which didn’t actually belong there) that going through them led to analysis paralysis. The client would be overwhelmed and stuck, unsure how to deal with them.
When their attention had to switch from one random item to another, they got bogged down by decision fatigue. A stack of empty notebooks, leftover fabric from a project, photos from their childhood, high school yearbooks, bank statements, and more. This added to their feelings of overwhelm.
The client lacked confidence about what to keep. When they saw their belongings in a disorganized pile or scattered around their homes, it was hard for them to know how much they actually had. So they decided to hold onto them, “just in case.” Often, they decided to keep everything because they didn’t know what to do with it or where to store it.
They were distracted by their belongings, losing track of time and momentum. This often happened when they found old photos, letters, souvenirs, or items they forgot about or didn’t know they owned. When faced with something sentimental, progress stalled because they weren’t emotionally ready to make a decision yet, or because it brought up feelings they weren’t expecting to confront.
Benefits of Organizing by Order of Category
The KonMari Method encourages organizing by category for several reasons:
It does not force you to make difficult, emotional decisions from the beginning. The organizing process starts with an easier category (clothing) and ends with a more challenging one (sentimental items). This natural progression is a more thoughtful way to approach your belongings.
It provides visible proof of progress. Starting and completing the first clothing category, which you interact with daily, is motivating and serves as a reminder of the work you accomplished.
It gives you opportunities to hone your decision-making skills. When you make decisions about what brings you joy or serves a purpose in your life, it builds confidence as you move into more difficult categories. Think of it as consistent practice that allows you to trust your choices more and more.
It is a morale boost. Completing and moving through each category fuels your enthusiasm to keep going because you can actually track your progress and know where you are in the process. There is an end in sight that you are working toward.
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This structured process is a chance not only to examine your belongings but also to become more connected with yourself. It is a clear, step-by-step way to work through your home, giving you a chance to focus your energy and attention on making mindful decisions.
