The
era of searching for balance and meaning has generated a number of approaches that
fulfil our hunger for information and ideas - or simply generate joy and
excitement.
In
the interest of a best-seller, I read KonMari by Marie Kondo. What is it about
the KonMari movement that has made more than 20.000 Finns join the Facebook group
or more than 50.000 books sold in Finland?
The
KonMari movement could be described as finding joy for
life. Or at least getting your home organised. What Kondo does is link the
search of joy with something simple – by cleaning and organizing our homes. Getting
rid of unnecessary stuff concretises how one does not spend time on unnecessary
things one doesn’t like or you doesn’t pleasure. Looking at the stories on
KonMari movement, the method seems to work from shifting the logic from your
home to your whole living. KonMari is about creating an environment where you
see and use things that you appreciate. My friend is expressing excitement
about getting rid of 30 year old clothes and old childrens toys.
But
what when you have read the book and organized your home? What´s next? How can
we fulfil the search of joy for the Konmaris for the long run? What is the
“lifecycle” of these fans?
Marie
Kondo does not really take stand into where to take all the 30 bags of
unnecessary items from your home. Could this be a source for further
ideas?
As
much as you like food, groceries and goods being delivered right to your door, wouldn’t
be equally nice having things delivered out of your house, from your door?
In
Finland recycling has been arranged extremely well. There is a system where to leave
paper, glass, cardboard, metal and plastic. There are public recycling stations
which accept items free of charge. There are logistics services that collect
old used electronics. But are there turnkey solutions for recycling the full
stack of unnecessary items you want to let go?
If
we look at the lifecycle of an enthusiast who would like to maintain the life
of cleanliness, what could be the opportunities?
-
Somebody
to clean and organize. Including categorizing, providing packaging and storing
solutions and getting the job done. There are professional organisers but is the market full? How could one
differentiate from family homes to elderly homes or singles? People with different hobbies?
- Turnkey
solutions getting rid of things. Somebody to recycle, donate or sell. Take to
rummage sales or sell at online store. Take things for charity or recycling
stations.
- Ensuring
your home stays clean and organized throughout years to come. Making progress
checks and helping out at agreed frequency. Providing clear service intervals
or monitoring the condition of your home. Making health checks to your home and
yourself. The intervals may include highlights like “children leaving home” or “moving
out”.
- Generating
a memorable experience of things you may miss. Documenting, photographing
things you feel you may yet want to see again. Generating digital versions of
paper photos or old VCR videos. Making a summary of your favourite books or
scrapbooks you no longer need.
-
Etc.
In
the light of the movement and seeing all the existing options around us,
could there even be a Finnish version of it? “Siivoa ja iloitse”? “Desinfioi ja
nauti”?
