Messy Monday -> Makeover Monday: Why Marie Kondo Doesn’t Live Here

Why Marie Kondo Doesn’t Live Here

Marie Kondo. The queen of tidiness, the guru of “Does it spark joy?” I want to love her. I want to fold everything neatly, thank my socks for their service, and live in a calm, minimalist paradise.

But here’s the reality: Marie Kondo doesn’t live in a house with six kids. She doesn’t deal with the endless influx of toys, papers, clothes, random sports equipment, and “I’ll just put this here for now” items that magically multiply overnight. She doesn’t have a kid who hides their art project in the pantry, crams wrappers behind the washing machine, or sticks Legos into the laundry basket.

In other words, Kondo’s magic doesn’t translate to real life with kids. Even if I follow every tip perfectly, my carefully folded clothes will still be tossed in a heap by dinner. My organized shelves will still get raided for “just one thing” that inevitably ends up on the floor. Chaos always finds a way.

And honestly? That’s okay. Most of the time. I’ve learned to let go a little, find joy in the small victories (like a cleared kitchen counter or a toy-free hallway), and laugh, (or cry) at the mess in between.

✨ Quick Clean Tip:Focus on one small area at a time instead of trying to KonMari your entire house. Even folding one basket of laundry or clearing one countertop can feel like a win—and it’s way less discouraging when kids inevitably undo your work somewhere else.