MariKon Challenge

“Does this spark joy?”

Marie Kondo’s iconic question has captivated people around the world—including Exonians—for more than six years. As a Japanese organizing consultant, Kondo has spread her ideology on getting rid of clutter through her 2012 book: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. More recently, she has been hosting her own Netflix show named Tidying Up with Marie Kondo, where she guides families through efficiently cleaning up their houses while rebuilding relationships in the process.

Commonly known as the KonMari method, Kondo’s approach to tidying is to pick up each one of one’s items individually and to discern whether the item “sparks joy” for them or not. Through this process, the idea is that there will be fewer items cluttering the room when one has finished sorting. However, each piece one does decide to keep makes them feel content and increases their gratitude for the item. Kondo has also introduced specific approaches to folding and storing clothes, as well as organizing other aspects of a house ranging from kitchen utensils to office papers.

Many Exonians apply the KonMari method to their dorm room as a stress reliever. Upper Elizabeth Kostina, who practices other forms of minimalism as well as Kondo’s approach, connects the lack of clutter to a peaceful state of mind. “My room is pretty clean all the time which makes me less stressed. I know where everything is,” Kostina said.

Kostina said that minimalism was also helping her lifestyle be more environmentally ethical. “A huge part of [deciding to do the KonMari method] for me was reducing my footprint; fast fashion is an enormous hazard to the planet as well as the social conditions of workers,” she said. “By reducing the amount of purchases I make and becoming more conscious about what I choose to purchase, I know that I'm saving resources instead of throwing them away.”

Lower Bea Burack believed that the method allows her to manage her time well and has emphasized for her the necessity to quickly accomplish everyday tasks in order to keep up with Exeter’s hectic schedule. “I think it’s made me much more organized, which is helpful because Exeter’s so busy,” she said. “It’s much easier to get dressed in the morning.”

In addition, Burack credited the KonMari method with helping her reflect on the necessities in her life. “It makes you more aware of what you have and what you need in terms of physical items, so it helps you save money and be less wasteful,” she continued.

Lower Bizzie Lynch claimed that the practice aided her during her process of moving into Exeter. The KonMari method not only increased the amount of free space in her room but also helped her realize the significance of each item in her life. “I found that a lot of my stuff wasn’t making me happy, and most of it wasn’t necessary,” she said. “By donating it, I was giving it a life and allowing it to spark joy for somebody else.”

Exonians were enthusiastic when asked about KonMari. “I live [and] breathe...KonMari,” senior Hanna Pak said. “Every item I have down to the smallest sock, down to my no-show socks that are basically strips of cloth, I fold them the KonMari way.”

Pak also noted that the approach could be extended to activities or even personal relationships. “To some extent, the concept [of keeping things that spark joy] has translated into the rest of my life,” she said. She advises other Exonians to try integrating the philosophy into their own lives. “Be around people who spark joy! Do the things that spark joy! If you are doing something just to get into college and it doesn’t spark joy, don’t do it.”

Lynch attested that Kondo’s wisdom was a motto for any aspect of life. “Now...I feel as if I should do things because they make me happy,” she said. “Do the things that are necessary in life and do the things that spark joy in your life. Anything else that you’re adding on is not necessarily needed [to be happy].”