Time for a Spring Declutter? Why Not Marie Kondo Your Life!

"The best way to find out what we really need is to get rid of what we don’t." – Marie Kondo

You are likely familiar with the name Marie Kondo.  In the years prior to COVID she had become an international sensation and her book “The Lifechanging Magic of Tidying Up” sold over 4 million copies in the US.  Her "KonMari Method" is a very intentional process that encourages people to declutter their living spaces by getting rid of items that no longer have a purpose (or no longer "spark joy") and keep things that are still useful and/or meaningful.  Many have described the application of her method as “lifechanging” for them.

Though I never became a “KonVert”, the process of creating deliberate time and space to “declutter” our lives makes great sense to me, and this transition into spring provides an incredible opportunity for us all to do so.  What if this year we extended the tradition of “spring cleaning” from our closets, garages, and yards to other areas, such as our emotional lives, physical health, relationships, calendars, and even our digital spaces? As healthcare professionals, we are often so focused on others that we rarely stop to assess what’s weighing us down.  Maybe a personal “life decluttering” of multiple aspects of your world is exactly what you need this spring to bring more focused purpose and meaning into your life.    

Not surprisingly, research supports the benefits of decluttering—not just physically, but emotionally and mentally. Studies show that clutter, whether physical or digital, increases cortisol levels, leading to stress and burnout.  Emotional clutter—such as unresolved conflicts, guilt, and toxic relationships—can also negatively impact mental well-being.  Likewise with “cognitive clutter” from information overload.  In contrast, simplifying our environment and commitments can boost focus, productivity, and overall happiness. When we remove what no longer serves us, we create space for what truly matters.

So how can we do this?  Consider starting with some small but powerful steps: clean your inbox, limit or even eliminate social media and “news”, allow yourself to release relationships that perpetually deplete your energy, set boundaries as to how people can contact you, and do a brutally honest assessment of your commitments and calendar.   Marie Kondo’s power question asks, "Does this spark joy?"  Apply this to how you use your time.  If a certain goal, project, or obligation no longer aligns with your well-being, it’s okay to let it go to make room for things that actually nourish your soul.    

Why not give it a try!  Sure, the closet, garage, and yard could likely use some “sprucing up,” but why not challenge yourself this spring to go beyond cleaning your physical space.  Look at your life with fresh eyes and ask: What is adding value, and what is just clutter?  Make a list and discuss it with your PeerRx buddy or another colleague to get even more clarity.  If you can't explain to them why you are doing something or what it is adding to your life, then maybe it needs to go.  When you give yourself permission to declutter your life, you will enter spring with a clearer mind, lighter heart, and renewed sense of purpose.  I’m KonFident you’ll be glad you did ....