No Marie Kondo Required

Now I suspect that a substantial number of submissions to this Vocal Challenge will include descriptions of Marie Kondo’s work. This one won’t. Don’t tap or click away just yet. Let me explain.

Over the past few years, Mrs. Kondo has expertly arranged, reset, folded, and neatly placed all sorts of household goods and clothing. She has become an inspiration to millions. Marie Kondo should be applauded for her valiant efforts helping people organize their lives.

I keep things squared away because I’m a retired lance corporal of the United States Marine Corps, and the grown son of a once-single father. Even as a civilian, I keep my living quarters clean and tidy.

In my closet, the shirts, jackets, and trousers all hang separately, and neatly. My bed is made to standards that would challenge any turndown service. I can assure you that. They say a cluttered desk betrays a cluttered mind, but mine is empty, with pen and pencil holders, a laptop, letters and books in their proper places.

I have a little piece of furniture adjacent to my desk that just displays a picture of my dad and me and a mechanical American flag that waves and plays “The Star Spangled Banner” with the press of a button.

My room definitely has a patriotic feng shui. I’ve got a painting of a bald eagle transitioning into an American flag my Dad painted.

On the wall there’s a huge USMC blanket displaying humvees in action, stars for a general, and the phrase “Once a Marine, always a Marine.”

My room is my habitat. I can relax with a good book, go through the day’s mail, watch the flat screen TV, and drift off to sleep. It is my own ecosystem. It supports the daily functions of my existence, and I am quite calm and content with it just as it is.

I have done all the straightening and cleaning to keep my own sanity. When clothes pile up like used cars in a junkyard, I feel more agitated and distracted. When I don’t quite make my bed to a T, I get antsy looking at it. So it’s no big deal to make my bed, it’s a bigger problem not to. I choose to make my living space the best it can be. Additionally, I use plugin fragrances to make my room aromatherapeutic.

With smells, sights, and the touch of the wooden furniture in my room, my living space is delightful enough for all my senses, and I always feel free and right at home.

I try to harmonize the fabrics and textures of the room, and keep it completely clutter-free and welcoming. I think anyone can develop a sense of understanding of their own power to rearrange their living space, like an architect making changes to a project still confined to the drawing board. Down to the Ayn Rand swag bags, I try to keep my belongings together.

This is my personal headquarters. It is my refuge and sanctuary, the place where I feel most myself, and most at ease.

Each day as I wake, I remind myself of how fortunate I am to reside in such an ordered living space. I feel charged to know that I can call this area mine and be inspired to think, write, and grow.

So no, Miss Kondo did not inspire, empower, or motivate me to complete the daily tasks of keeping a clean room. I commend and respect anyone who has achieved what I have under her guidance. Who knows? If I ever lose my mojo, and my place begins to look unrecognizably cluttered and disorganized, I’ll probably buy all of her books or tune in to watch Marie Kondo at work.