What It’s Like to Work with a KonMari-Informed Home Organizer
If you’ve ever thought about working with a home organizer but felt unsure, nervous, or overwhelmed by the idea, you’re not alone. You may hesitate because inviting someone into your home means being seen during a season that might feel unfinished, sensitive, or deeply personal. When you’re already stretched thin, even something meant to help can feel overwhelming.
This post is here to answer the question many people are often too nervous to ask out loud: What would this actually be like?
As a KonMari Consultant-in-Training, I’ve been helping clients through Marie Kondo’s KonMari Tidying Method while earning my certification hours. What I keep learning is that the way the work is done matters just as much as the result.
What People Worry About Before Starting
Before a first session, I often hear some version of the following:
“What if I need that?”
“I’m nervous about being vulnerable with a stranger.”
“I know this will be emotionally taxing, even though I want the outcome.”
“I feel embarrassed about the state of my home.”
“I struggle with decision-making, and I’m afraid I’ll get overwhelmed.”
One practice tidying client shared that she felt both excited and anxious — excited at the possibility of relief, and anxious about having someone witness the weight she’d been carrying. She was afraid of how organizing might feel.
These worries are completely valid. Tidying isn’t just about objects — it’s about memory, identity, fear, and hope. The KonMari Method® explicitly acknowledges this, which is one reason it resonates so deeply with people going through life transitions.
How Sessions Actually Feel
Contrary to what many people assume, sessions are not quick, intense, or high-pressure.
They are slow, unrushed, and calm.
I purposefully pace sessions to support your energy and nervous system. There is time for breaks to drink water, grab a snack, stretch, or take a few deep breaths when emotions surface. Overwhelm isn’t something to push through; it’s something to work with.
Sessions are also informative and transparent. At the start of each session, we discuss what we’ll focus on that day to avoid any surprises. At the end, we review next steps — including whether there’s anything you want to do between sessions (but never anything you have to do).
Most importantly, the work is empowering. I’ll explain the KonMari concepts relevant to what we’re doing — like the idea of tidying by category instead of by room, or learning to recognize what supports your life now — but the decisions are always yours. You’re given time and space to reflect, notice patterns, and learn about yourself through the process.
In sessions, there is no commentary on what you should keep or how your home should look unless you ask for input. You’re free to move at your own pace, change your mind, and talk openly about what’s coming up.
Emotional safety makes honest decisions possible.
The Pace, Tone, and Structure of the Work
Many organizing methods follow a room-by-room approach. The KonMari Method, however, differs and encourages tidying by category, following this order:
Clothing
Books
Papers
Komono (miscellaneous items)
Sentimental items
Each category is divided into smaller subcategories to make decision-making easier. For example, clothing might be organized into tops, bottoms, dresses, outerwear, undergarments, accessories, and shoes instead of going through everything at once.
Before each session, we talk through:
Which category or subcategory to focus on
How it fits into the larger process
Any adjustments needed based on energy, health, or life circumstances
Some clients enjoy having “homework” between sessions, while others prefer to only work together during our scheduled time. I always ask what feels supportive. Homework might include finding a donation drop-off location or joy-checking a small category like shoes on your own.
What a Session Typically Looks Like
For those who are not familiar with the KonMari Method, here’s a quick overview of what a typical session with me looks like:
We review and confirm the service agreement to ensure expectations are clear.
We discuss the subcategory we’ll focus on that day and how it relates to your goals and ideal lifestyle.
We start by “greeting your home” — a KonMari practice that encourages you to pause, acknowledge your space, and set a positive intention for tidying. Marie Kondo explains this as a way to show respect for your home and bring mindfulness to the work ahead.
With your permission, I take before photos or short videos. These are necessary for business documentation and client records, but sharing them for marketing or education is always optional. Any shared images and videos are anonymous and do not include any identifying details. When I do share, it’s to educate others — often people in similar situations — and help them better understand what this work can look like.
We’ll decide on the location for our work area. Usually, a larger cleared surface, like a bed or a table, works best for sorting. You’ll collect every item from that subcategory in your home. Once they’ve been gathered and brought to the work area, you will touch each item and decide whether it supports your current life, aligns with your goals, and brings you joy.
I support the process by holding space, answering questions, and helping with sorting and organizing after decisions are made, so you can focus on the joy-checking itself.
How Long the Process Takes
A full KonMari Tidying Festival, which involves going through all categories, typically unfolds over weeks to months. Marie Kondo recommends completing the process in one go, ideally within six months, to experience the maximum benefits of tidying your home. I do offer KonMari Tidying sessions for people who want to go through one or more categories but not their entire home.
The exact pace depends on your life, energy, schedule, number of belongings, decision-making time, and more. Some people meet weekly, while others space out sessions more. The goal is to stay consistent and committed to the process long enough for meaningful, lasting change to happen.
A Supportive Starting Point
Working with a KonMari-informed organizer is an opportunity to learn how to listen to yourself and create a home that supports your life, thoughtfully and at a pace that respects where you are.
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If you’ve been curious but hesitant, I hope this offers clarity and reassurance. This work is a practice of self-trust. If you're ready to begin your tidying journey in Lewis or Thurston County, feel free to explore my website to learn more about my services and contact me with any questions.
