A Different Kind of Joy

Queen of clean Marie Kondo says she's had to embrace the chaos and clutter that comes with having kids

- By Maxine Peters

She made a name for herself as the queen of clean, teaching people how to get their homes in order and create a more serene living environment that “sparks joy”.

Japanese decluttering guru Marie Kondo built an empire out of encouraging others to “file fold” their clothes, bin their old books and pack the perfect suitcase for a holiday.

And she herself was the picture of organisation, tidiness, and simplicity – she was a haven of calm in a chaotic world and millions aspired to be like her.

But what a difference a few years can make.

“Up until now I was a professional tidier, so I did my best to keep my home tidy at all times,” Marie tells The Washington Post. “I’ve kind of given up on that. Now I realise what is important to me is enjoying spending time with my children at home.”

Because kids, it seems, are the great leveller. And since the arrival of her third child in 2021, Marie has more pressing things to do than fold socks.

Marie (38) has now written a new book, Marie Kondo’s Kurashi at Home: How to Organise Your Space and Achieve Your Ideal Life.

She once again delves into exploring the Japanese concept of kurashi, which means “way of life” or “ideal way of spending our time”.

But her priorities are different.