If you’ve had the pleasure of watching Marie Kondo’s new Netflix Series, Tidying Up, then you’ve likely learned by now that, when it comes to material possessions, less is more. But if you’re a normal human, living by Marie’s minimalist mantras –regardless of how much joy they’re supposed to spark– is much easier said than done.
Nevertheless, we persist. Because at the end of the day, we all know that when it comes to home cleanliness, organization, and ultimately, the simplification of our overcrowded lives, Marie knows her stuff– and her tips, when implemented well, can impact just about every aspect of our lives for the better.
Not only is it a tremendous de-stresser to come home to a tidy, well-organized, joy-sparking space, simplifying our lives via the KonMari method can also save just about anyone loads of time.
This is especially true for young professionals who need all the help they can get to make busy morning routines less stressful and time-consuming. So with that –and the spirit of Marie Kondo’s minimalism — in mind, here are three tips to simplify your weekday mornings.
Clean Out Your Closet
Now, you might be thinking: sure, it would be nice to have a tidier closet, but will a more organized closet really make my mornings that much smoother? To answer your question: absolutely.
When we get into a rhythm of trying on several outfits before our work day, we can easily lose 20 minutes of our morning without even noticing. So– by finally taking the time to get rid of the clothes in your closet that no longer spark-joy, you run a much lower risk of trying on several outfits before deciding what to wear… Think of all the time you’ll save!
Keep Your Fridge Tidy
There’s nothing more annoying than trying to get out the door in the morning and not being able to find what you need in the fridge. Whether it’s the yogurt you planned on having for breakfast or the leftovers you packed for lunch, it’s no secret that having food ready to go ahead of time does absolutely no good if you can’t find it. That’s why it’s so important to regularly clean out your fridge. By throwing out old food, or food that you have no intention of finishing off, you’ll be able to find the items that you need more quickly.
Be Smart With Your Foyer Space
This one isn’t technically courtesy of Marie Kondo, but it can be a game-changer on busy mornings, so it’s definitely worth mentioning.
Whether or not you have a formal “foyer,” in your home, you likely still have an entryway. You might know this as the space where you store a random conglomeration of shoes, outerwear, and the occasional umbrella. Sound familiar? If so, then it’s time to make some major changes to this space in your home. You can start by tossing or moving excess items, like shoes, jackets, purses, or other miscellaneous belongings that you rarely opt to wear. Instead, keep only the items that you tend to wear multiple times per week. For most people, this will likely mean a few pairs of shoes, 1-2 pieces of outerwear, and maybe an umbrella or two. And, for organization purposes, it’s also not a bad idea to get some kind of storage system in place. This Hall Tree from Wayfair, for example, is relatively small, so it doesn’t take up as much space as a clunkier storage system would. But at the same time, it also gives you adequate space for the handful of belongings that you do decide to keep in your entryway.