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This Filipina is training to become a Marie Kondo consultant

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ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/life/03/22/maria-1.jpg"/><figcaption>Renelyn Tan-Castillejos is a KonMari consultant-in-training. She owns her own decluttering business called Yorokobi. Photo courtesy of Renelyn Tan-Castillejos</figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA – Like most people, Renelyn Tan-Castillejos first learned about Japanese organizing consultant Marie Kondo through her best-selling book, “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up,” back in 2014. </p><p>But it was only last year that she got to use the KonMari method in her own home as she struggled to balance her career, marriage, and family life.</p><p>“In early 2018, I experienced a lot of overwhelming changes in my life,” Tan-Castillejos recalled in an e-mail interview with ABS-CBN News. “It was around that time that I used the KonMari method.”</p><p>“After fixing our condominium unit using KonMari, I was happily surprised to observe improvements not only in the physical state of our home – but more importantly, in my personal and professional relationships.”</p><p>Kondo and her tidying method left a huge impact on Tan-Castillejos that she decided to become a KonMari consultant. </p><p>Learning from the master does not come cheap, however, as a three-day certification course in New York costs a whopping $2,000 (or around P105,047).</p><p>All applicants are required to finish both of Kondo’s books, the other being “Spark Joy.”</p><p>“During the three-day course, I had the privilege of meeting Marie Kondo herself and it was such an amazing encounter,” Tan-Castillejos said of the tidying guru, who launched her <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/spotlight/01/04/19/review-tidying-up-with-marie-kondo-makes-you-want-to-be-a-better-human-being">Netflix show</a> early this year. </p><p>“When she first entered the room, it was as if she filled the whole space with so much positive energy. I realized then that the reason why KonMari works so well is because Marie Kondo lives and breathes the ‘spark joy’ philosophy,” she added.</p><p>Those who complete the three-day certification course will then be tasked to return to their home country and do a minimum of 10 hours of applying the KonMari method on home visits, according to Tan-Castillejos.</p><p>They will need to submit reports to be checked by KonMari International, and take a written online exam to check their knowledge of Kondo’s tidying method. </p><p>Tan-Castillejos has yet to complete her certification, which makes her a KonMari consultant-in-training.</p><p>“The journey toward being a KonMari consultant is long, but definitely fulfilling,” she said. “I am currently a KonMari consultant-in-training, and I am truly grateful for this privilege. The most important thing you need to have is commitment toward wanting to help other people live their ‘spark joy’ lives.”</p><div><strong>NEW OPPORTUNITIES</strong></div><p>While she has yet to become a certified KonMari consultant, Tan-Castillejos is already reaping the fruits of her hard work.</p><p>She was able to put up her own decluttering business called Yorokobi and share her knowledge with clients through home visits.</p><p>“The experience of face-to-face interaction is very different from what you see on the Netflix show in terms of duration because it can be shorter or longer for others,” she explained. “Sometimes, a session can be very emotional because it entails a lot of reflection and realizations from the client.”</p><p>On top of these, Tan-Castillejos also gets invited to talks and workshops for people who want to learn more about the KonMari method. “I also learn so much from the honesty and experience of my students,” she said. </p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/life/03/22/maria-2.jpg"/><figcaption>Renelyn Tan-Castillejos in a Yorokobi workshop with host Gretchen Ho.<em> Photo courtesy of Renelyn Tan-Castillejos</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>Check out some of the decluttering tips that Tan-Castillejos learned first-hand from Kondo below:</p><div><strong>SAY ‘THANK YOU’</strong></div><p>“When one decides to declutter, it is important to have an attitude of gratitude for the items that you will be removing from your home. Saying ‘thank you’ to each item is [important] because these things made you happy once upon a time, which is also why you find these items in your home.”</p><div><strong>ASK IF IT WILL MAKE YOU A BETTER PERSON</strong></div><p>“To those who are having a hard time discarding their items, they should ask themselves if that particular item can still make them a better person, or if it will contribute to their current life goal.”</p><div><strong>FOCUS ON YOUR OWN CLUTTER</strong></div><p>“The KonMari method is something very personal. This means that you can only move around and discard your own things. The principle is that if you are happy with your own things, the clutter of other people should not bother you.”</p><p>“In their own time, your other family member may (or may not) decide to tidy their things, but KonMari says that your joy should not depend on other people.”</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/life/03/22/maria-3.jpg"/><figcaption>A Yorokobi display by Renelyn Tan-Castillejos. Photo courtesy of Renelyn Tan-Castillejos</figcaption></figure></div><div><strong>TEACH KIDS TO LET GO</strong></div><p>“What can be helpful is for parents to talk to their children and explain to them the importance of letting go of toys that they don’t use anymore. The parents may even be surprised that kids today will understand and easily let go of their old toys and may want to donate to other children.”</p><div><strong>MASTER YOUR SENSITIVITY TO JOY</strong></div><p>“KonMari tidying is divided into five different categories – clothes, books, papers, miscellaneous items, and sentimental items. When decluttering, it is important to follow the right order, and you will notice that sentimental items are done in the last category. Following this order has a practical reason because by the time you finish the first to third categories, you have already mastered your sensitivity to joy and will find it easier and possible to let go of your sentimental items.”<br/> </p>

<p>Like most people, Renelyn Tan-Castillejos first learned about Japanese organizing consultant Marie Kondo through her best-selling book, “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up,” back in 2014. </p>

Like most people, Renelyn Tan-Castillejos first learned about Japanese organizing consultant Marie Kondo through her best-selling book, “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up,” back in 2014.