Tidying Up with Marie Kondo – Episode 6 Review

Professional Organizer Susan Stewart of St. Louis, Missouri reviews Episode 6 of Marie Kondo’s Netflix series Tidying Up which deals with clutter and marital conflict as well as organizing baby clothes.

Clutter Causes Marital Conflict

Episode 6 stars Aaron & Sehnita Mattison in their battle to fight clutter. Aaron and Sehnita have different views of what is considered clutter and how much is ok to keep—a fairly common scenario I see working with clients. One spouse is bothered more than the other by the clutter, causing conflict in the marriage. Aaron points out how stressful it is to clean the house, yet Sehnita seems to have an emotional attachment to nearly everything. Often, an organizer’s work bridges the gap between two spouses and helps them find a solution where both feel at peace in their home. Marie Kondo seems to accomplish this.

Why Declutter?

One of the Mattison family’s motivations for clearing their clutter is to have another baby. Currently they don’t have the space to add another person. Having some reason to get organized is an essential factor because, as the producers show in this episode, it is NOT an easy process. We watch Sehnita struggle with letting go of 3-year-old magazines, books, outgrown clothes, and baby items. She even wrestles through the questions of whether her attachment to things is cultural, and at one point, we aren’t sure if she is going to make it through this process. 

Letting Go of Stuff

As an organizer for over 16 years, I have seen this situation often. That darned “what if” syndrome. It goes like this: “I don’t want to get rid of this time because what if I need it in the future?” Here are several things to consider in this situation:

First, clutter causes chaos and confusion. If you are unwilling to let go of things, even if you need something in the future, you may not be able to find it. Don’t let the fear of “what if” contribute to future frustration.

Second, is there another solution? If I needed those crutches again or wanted to read that magazine from 3 years ago, what other solution might exist? For example: if I needed a pair of crutches, I could ask my friends if anyone had a pair or look at a thrift store or buy another pair. 

If you want to read that particular magazine again, could I find it online? Also, be honest with yourself and consider how many times you have read those old magazines more than once. Often when magazines pile up, I find a big gap between how much discretionary time a person actually has and how much they believe they have. The piling up of magazines adds to the stress of something else they can’t manage.

Organizing Children and Baby Items

Finally, let’s address another common issue that Sehnita faces: baby clothes and items. This is an issue for women like Sehnita, who know they would like another child, women who do not plan to have more children, and those whose children have left the nest. What makes it so difficult to let go? Perhaps the nostalgia of an era that has been lost or the romantic idea that when the kids were little, life was a dream world. I get that. I really do. 

When I watch old home videos, I can almost reach into the screen and kiss that scrumptious little child of mine. 

So here’s my suggestion: if you need to keep a couple of outfits as keepsakes, do so, but holding on to bins and bins of baby clothes is just deferring decisions and taking up space. The reality is that elastic hardens and cracks, fabric disintegrates, and white garments turn yellow. Passing them on now allows someone else to use them. Holding onto them until they decompose robs you of that space and will force those very children you love so much to have to deal with the clutter when you are gone. Use the photos and videos of your kids in those outfits to spark memories of joy.

If you know you will be adding more members to your family, I suggest the 80/20 rule. Keep 20% fo the clothing your child outgrows for the next child and give 80% away. That sounds extreme, but do you know what? You may not have the same sex child again. If you do, they may be born in a completely different season and not wear the same size clothes as your other child. And if there are several years between your children, many of those clothes may become outdated or worn. Besides, sorting, storing, keeping track of that much clothing not only takes up space but is overwhelming and emotionally exhausting.

Overall, I thought this was a great episode. Near the end of the show, Sehnita had changed her perspective on things stating, “We don’t need a lot of things to be happy.” She and Aaron were now able to be intentional about their belongings and have peace in their home at last.

Are you ready to hire a professional organizer to help clear the clutter? Call us today at 636-686-0048 and schedule a consultation.