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| How Marie Kondo Declutters During a Pandemic | How Marie Kondo Declutters During a Pandemic |
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| The tidying guru Marie Kondo built her global lifestyle brand by developing a system for how to impose order over relentless chaos. “My dream is to organize the world,” Ms. Kondo has said. | The tidying guru Marie Kondo built her global lifestyle brand by developing a system for how to impose order over relentless chaos. “My dream is to organize the world,” Ms. Kondo has said. |
| With her trademarked KonMari decluttering method, Ms. Kondo has led millions of acolytes to purge their closets, basements and pantries. Her first book, “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up,” sold more than 10 million copies. Its success begat an empire of orderliness that includes a popular Netflix show, “Tidying Up with Marie Kondo,” a children’s book and graphic novel, a consulting firm with more than 400 “certified” KonMari advisers, and, somewhat counter-intuitively, an e-commerce store, where converted neat freaks who have emptied their cluttered homes can fill them up again with robes, slippers, candles and other items curated by Ms. Kondo. | With her trademarked KonMari decluttering method, Ms. Kondo has led millions of acolytes to purge their closets, basements and pantries. Her first book, “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up,” sold more than 10 million copies. Its success begat an empire of orderliness that includes a popular Netflix show, “Tidying Up with Marie Kondo,” a children’s book and graphic novel, a consulting firm with more than 400 “certified” KonMari advisers, and, somewhat counter-intuitively, an e-commerce store, where converted neat freaks who have emptied their cluttered homes can fill them up again with robes, slippers, candles and other items curated by Ms. Kondo. |
| Now, like every mogul in every industry, Ms. Kondo is trying to figure out how to run her business during a profoundly chaotic and unsettling moment. Many of her travel plans and events to promote her new book, “Joy at Work,” which she co-wrote with Scott Sonenshein, a business professor at Rice University, have been canceled. Her children’s school has shut down, so she and her husband, who works as the chief executive of KonMari, are working from their home in Los Angeles and caring for their daughters, who are 3 and 4. | Now, like every mogul in every industry, Ms. Kondo is trying to figure out how to run her business during a profoundly chaotic and unsettling moment. Many of her travel plans and events to promote her new book, “Joy at Work,” which she co-wrote with Scott Sonenshein, a business professor at Rice University, have been canceled. Her children’s school has shut down, so she and her husband, who works as the chief executive of KonMari, are working from their home in Los Angeles and caring for their daughters, who are 3 and 4. |
| “It is a challenging and uncertain time, but it may also be an opportunity to express gratitude for your space and to tidy up if you’ve been wanting to,” Ms. Kondo said. | “It is a challenging and uncertain time, but it may also be an opportunity to express gratitude for your space and to tidy up if you’ve been wanting to,” Ms. Kondo said. |
| I corresponded with Ms. Kondo this week, with the translation help of Kay Amano, the director of publishing and corporate planning at KonMari Media. | I corresponded with Ms. Kondo this week, with the translation help of Kay Amano, the director of publishing and corporate planning at KonMari Media. |
| 6:30 a.m. The first thing I did was light incense to purify the air and energy in my home. I went into the yard, stretched a bit and then picked some lemons. I made myself a cup of fresh lemon and hot water and then meditated to start my day. We just introduced some new self-care items in our online shop, and I’ve been using the meditation cushion. | 6:30 a.m. The first thing I did was light incense to purify the air and energy in my home. I went into the yard, stretched a bit and then picked some lemons. I made myself a cup of fresh lemon and hot water and then meditated to start my day. We just introduced some new self-care items in our online shop, and I’ve been using the meditation cushion. |
| 7 a.m. I started preparing a Japanese breakfast for my family. I first cooked rice in my donabe clay pot. Then, I heated up the vegetable soup I made last night and made a couple more dishes — stewed chicken wings and broccoli. | 7 a.m. I started preparing a Japanese breakfast for my family. I first cooked rice in my donabe clay pot. Then, I heated up the vegetable soup I made last night and made a couple more dishes — stewed chicken wings and broccoli. |
| 8 a.m. We all ate breakfast together as a family in our dining room. I tidied up the house after our meal — this is my favorite time to tidy because it kick-starts my work day. | 8 a.m. We all ate breakfast together as a family in our dining room. I tidied up the house after our meal — this is my favorite time to tidy because it kick-starts my work day. |
| My children’s school is closed, so it was less hectic for everyone than a typical morning, when my daughters are getting ready and we’re scurrying out the door to get there on time. | My children’s school is closed, so it was less hectic for everyone than a typical morning, when my daughters are getting ready and we’re scurrying out the door to get there on time. |
| 10 a.m. I went to my dentist for an appointment that I had booked a while ago. My schedule for April had looked quite full, to promote “Joy at Work,” so I wanted to see the dentist beforehand. But now it looks like my visit to New York will be canceled. I called to ensure that the office was still open and seeing patients, and they reassured me it was OK to come in. | 10 a.m. I went to my dentist for an appointment that I had booked a while ago. My schedule for April had looked quite full, to promote “Joy at Work,” so I wanted to see the dentist beforehand. But now it looks like my visit to New York will be canceled. I called to ensure that the office was still open and seeing patients, and they reassured me it was OK to come in. |
| My husband dropped me off at my appointment, so that while I was there, he could grocery shop. I organized my fridge last week as a part of an online tidying salon I conduct in Japan, so I knew exactly what we had and what we didn’t. I don’t want to waste any food unnecessarily, especially at times like this, when others may need it more. | My husband dropped me off at my appointment, so that while I was there, he could grocery shop. I organized my fridge last week as a part of an online tidying salon I conduct in Japan, so I knew exactly what we had and what we didn’t. I don’t want to waste any food unnecessarily, especially at times like this, when others may need it more. |
| 1 p.m. I reviewed our global communications strategy. We want to be sensitive to what people are experiencing around the world. I recorded a few short video clips to cheer on people who are at home and might want some tidying advice or motivation. | 1 p.m. I reviewed our global communications strategy. We want to be sensitive to what people are experiencing around the world. I recorded a few short video clips to cheer on people who are at home and might want some tidying advice or motivation. |
| 3 p.m. I replied to emails, responded to messages on Slack, etc. I also reviewed the copy for an email newsletter for our Japan audience. We have a global community, but I am a little more involved with the day-to-day of our Japan business because it comes so naturally to me. | 3 p.m. I replied to emails, responded to messages on Slack, etc. I also reviewed the copy for an email newsletter for our Japan audience. We have a global community, but I am a little more involved with the day-to-day of our Japan business because it comes so naturally to me. |
| 4 p.m. I took a little break. I made a cup of tea. It was raining, so I stayed indoors and relaxed my mind. | 4 p.m. I took a little break. I made a cup of tea. It was raining, so I stayed indoors and relaxed my mind. |
| 5 p.m. I played with my kids. They sang their favorite songs and danced around the house. | 5 p.m. I played with my kids. They sang their favorite songs and danced around the house. |
| 6 p.m. I started to prepare for dinner. I decided to make a nutritious Japanese-style stew, a recipe based on the five elements of the Yin and Yang philosophy. It’s warm and has lots of vegetables. Because of the virus, I wanted to prepare a meal that will keep my family’s immune system up. I actually think about this on a daily basis. | 6 p.m. I started to prepare for dinner. I decided to make a nutritious Japanese-style stew, a recipe based on the five elements of the Yin and Yang philosophy. It’s warm and has lots of vegetables. Because of the virus, I wanted to prepare a meal that will keep my family’s immune system up. I actually think about this on a daily basis. |
| I listened to Sarah Akiyoshi’s bamboo flute concert while preparing the meal. It was a recording of a show she held last week in Japan. Because of the lockdown, she had to perform without an audience and share it on YouTube. | I listened to Sarah Akiyoshi’s bamboo flute concert while preparing the meal. It was a recording of a show she held last week in Japan. Because of the lockdown, she had to perform without an audience and share it on YouTube. |
| 7 a.m. I woke up and lit incense, my daily ritual. | 7 a.m. I woke up and lit incense, my daily ritual. |
| 7:30 a.m. I cooked rice in my donabe pot and made miso soup using last night’s leftovers, including burdock roots, carrots, onions, tofu, shiitake mushrooms, natto (fermented beans) and edible chrysanthemum with sesame seeds. | 7:30 a.m. I cooked rice in my donabe pot and made miso soup using last night’s leftovers, including burdock roots, carrots, onions, tofu, shiitake mushrooms, natto (fermented beans) and edible chrysanthemum with sesame seeds. |
| 8:30 a.m. Time for my weekly yoga lesson. | 8:30 a.m. Time for my weekly yoga lesson. |
| 9:30 a.m. I got some housework done. I did the laundry and tidied up the kitchen. Ranunculus are in season, so I cut the stems under water (this helps them last longer) and placed them in vases around the house. This sparks joy, especially now that we’re spending more time at home. | 9:30 a.m. I got some housework done. I did the laundry and tidied up the kitchen. Ranunculus are in season, so I cut the stems under water (this helps them last longer) and placed them in vases around the house. This sparks joy, especially now that we’re spending more time at home. |
| 10:30 a.m. I joined several online meetings to discuss my schedule and upcoming projects. I’m revising my calendar because of the travel restrictions — many of the interviews I’d planned to do in New York next month will be conducted online. | 10:30 a.m. I joined several online meetings to discuss my schedule and upcoming projects. I’m revising my calendar because of the travel restrictions — many of the interviews I’d planned to do in New York next month will be conducted online. |
| 12 p.m. I prepared lunch for the kids, and we ate together. Today’s lunch was seaweed and spinach noodles. | 12 p.m. I prepared lunch for the kids, and we ate together. Today’s lunch was seaweed and spinach noodles. |
| 12:30 p.m. I enjoyed time with my girls. They’re usually at school during this time, so I’m adjusting my schedule to be with them more. | 12:30 p.m. I enjoyed time with my girls. They’re usually at school during this time, so I’m adjusting my schedule to be with them more. |
| 1:30 p.m. Back to my desk for emails, writing, etc. | 1:30 p.m. Back to my desk for emails, writing, etc. |
| 4 p.m. It stopped raining, so my husband and I went for a stroll on a hiking trail near our house. This is an important time for us as business partners. Rather than sitting in chairs, we prefer to walk and talk out our ideas. We went over upcoming projects, global business strategies and shared takeaways from interesting articles that we’ve read. We have a team Slack channel dedicated to market trends, and it’s helpful to discuss these — they spark great conversation. | 4 p.m. It stopped raining, so my husband and I went for a stroll on a hiking trail near our house. This is an important time for us as business partners. Rather than sitting in chairs, we prefer to walk and talk out our ideas. We went over upcoming projects, global business strategies and shared takeaways from interesting articles that we’ve read. We have a team Slack channel dedicated to market trends, and it’s helpful to discuss these — they spark great conversation. |
| 7 p.m. Takumi, my husband, picked up sashimi from a restaurant. The dine-in part of the restaurant is closed, but we were able to get ingredients to prepare our dinner. | 7 p.m. Takumi, my husband, picked up sashimi from a restaurant. The dine-in part of the restaurant is closed, but we were able to get ingredients to prepare our dinner. |
| 7 a.m. I woke up and lit incense. | 7 a.m. I woke up and lit incense. |
| 8 a.m. I cooked a Japanese breakfast as usual. Today, I started by making veggie broth. This is a weekly routine to minimize waste and maximize nutrition from the ingredients — vegetable peels and skin have phytochemicals that boost immunity. I’m extremely conscious of what I prepare and feed my family, so we can all stay healthy and I can continue doing what I love. | 8 a.m. I cooked a Japanese breakfast as usual. Today, I started by making veggie broth. This is a weekly routine to minimize waste and maximize nutrition from the ingredients — vegetable peels and skin have phytochemicals that boost immunity. I’m extremely conscious of what I prepare and feed my family, so we can all stay healthy and I can continue doing what I love. |
| 9 a.m. I prepared for a full day of virtual interviews to promote my new book. We’re also introducing a new office category to our online shop — organizers, paper goods, tech tools, tidying supplies and accessories designed to keep your work space productive and joyful. I reviewed everything — from pricing to product names — and meditated briefly beforehand. | 9 a.m. I prepared for a full day of virtual interviews to promote my new book. We’re also introducing a new office category to our online shop — organizers, paper goods, tech tools, tidying supplies and accessories designed to keep your work space productive and joyful. I reviewed everything — from pricing to product names — and meditated briefly beforehand. |
| Updated June 1, 2020 | |
| Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home. | |
| States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. | |
| Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. | |
| Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. | |
| If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) | |
| More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said. | |
| Yes, but make sure you keep six feet of distance between you and people who don’t live in your home. Even if you just hang out in a park, rather than go for a jog or a walk, getting some fresh air, and hopefully sunshine, is a good idea. | |
| Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications. | |
| The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing. | |
| If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. | |
| If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. | |
| Charity Navigator, which evaluates charities using a numbers-based system, has a running list of nonprofits working in communities affected by the outbreak. You can give blood through the American Red Cross, and World Central Kitchen has stepped in to distribute meals in major cities. | |
| 11 a.m. Several hours of interviews conducted via Google hangout and Zoom. Several of the journalists asked for tips on how to keep their work spaces tidy at home. They were all curious what my work space looked like, and I obliged. Everyone was particularly fond of my Zen egg, a wooden totem symbolizing balance and self-awareness. | 11 a.m. Several hours of interviews conducted via Google hangout and Zoom. Several of the journalists asked for tips on how to keep their work spaces tidy at home. They were all curious what my work space looked like, and I obliged. Everyone was particularly fond of my Zen egg, a wooden totem symbolizing balance and self-awareness. |
| 2:30 p.m. Lunchtime. The girls had vegetable and bacon chowder and I had sautéed daikon radish, carrot rapé and some rice. | 2:30 p.m. Lunchtime. The girls had vegetable and bacon chowder and I had sautéed daikon radish, carrot rapé and some rice. |
| 3 p.m. My husband and I went for a walk. Usually we spend this time talking about our company, but today was our wedding anniversary. So we took a break from discussing business and reflected on what we love about each other. | 3 p.m. My husband and I went for a walk. Usually we spend this time talking about our company, but today was our wedding anniversary. So we took a break from discussing business and reflected on what we love about each other. |
| 4:30 p.m. I checked in on our Japan business. I had filmed a talk show and tidying segment last month and it had just aired there the night before. | 4:30 p.m. I checked in on our Japan business. I had filmed a talk show and tidying segment last month and it had just aired there the night before. |
| 6:30 p.m. I prepared dinner. We would have been at a restaurant to celebrate our anniversary, but we tried to make it a special night at home. | 6:30 p.m. I prepared dinner. We would have been at a restaurant to celebrate our anniversary, but we tried to make it a special night at home. |
| 7:30 a.m. Friday is Vernal Equinox Day in Japan. It signifies a new cycle for the year. In astrology, it’s also the first day of the year. I spent the morning tidying the entryway to our home. I lit incense throughout the house and put flowers by the front door. The entrance to your house is the “start” of the house, so focusing on this area is important. | 7:30 a.m. Friday is Vernal Equinox Day in Japan. It signifies a new cycle for the year. In astrology, it’s also the first day of the year. I spent the morning tidying the entryway to our home. I lit incense throughout the house and put flowers by the front door. The entrance to your house is the “start” of the house, so focusing on this area is important. |
| After tidying, I had a cup of hot water and lemon from my yard, and then I prepared breakfast for the family. | After tidying, I had a cup of hot water and lemon from my yard, and then I prepared breakfast for the family. |
| 9 a.m. I was supposed to film television segments this morning to promote the book — plus two photo shoots in the afternoon — but they were all canceled. I’ve been focusing heavily on books, digital content and our online shop this week, so I used this time to turn my attention to the entertainment part of the business. | 9 a.m. I was supposed to film television segments this morning to promote the book — plus two photo shoots in the afternoon — but they were all canceled. I’ve been focusing heavily on books, digital content and our online shop this week, so I used this time to turn my attention to the entertainment part of the business. |
| 11 a.m. I continued working until lunch time. I shredded some documents that I no longer needed. | 11 a.m. I continued working until lunch time. I shredded some documents that I no longer needed. |
| 12 p.m. I cooked lunch for the kids — rice noodle and baked salmon with potatoes and zucchini. I also made amazake (Japanese sweet rice sake). Fermented foods are great to improve your immune system, and they can be preserved. | 12 p.m. I cooked lunch for the kids — rice noodle and baked salmon with potatoes and zucchini. I also made amazake (Japanese sweet rice sake). Fermented foods are great to improve your immune system, and they can be preserved. |
| 1 p.m. I joined a meeting with our Japan team. We discussed a variety of topics, including the certified KonMari consultant program there and potential online seminars. | 1 p.m. I joined a meeting with our Japan team. We discussed a variety of topics, including the certified KonMari consultant program there and potential online seminars. |
| 2 p.m. I had a meeting with Takumi about different parts of the business and what we can do to help people in this challenging time. We reviewed digital content that we’ll be shooting at home for social media. Because we are social distancing, the filming will be just us. We also reviewed some entertainment contracts. | 2 p.m. I had a meeting with Takumi about different parts of the business and what we can do to help people in this challenging time. We reviewed digital content that we’ll be shooting at home for social media. Because we are social distancing, the filming will be just us. We also reviewed some entertainment contracts. |
| 3:30 p.m. I decided not to go on a walk today, which is my daily routine. Not many people are out on my usual trail, but I wanted to be cautious about being out and about. I worked out (planking) inside the house, while my kids played around me. | 3:30 p.m. I decided not to go on a walk today, which is my daily routine. Not many people are out on my usual trail, but I wanted to be cautious about being out and about. I worked out (planking) inside the house, while my kids played around me. |
| 5 p.m. I prepared dinner for the kids. Tonight, I made kabocha squash potage, veggie stir fry and rice. | 5 p.m. I prepared dinner for the kids. Tonight, I made kabocha squash potage, veggie stir fry and rice. |
| Interviews are conducted by email, text and phone, then condensed and edited. | Interviews are conducted by email, text and phone, then condensed and edited. |