5 Simple Things Marie Kondo Does Every Day to Streamline Her Life

Marie Kondo—organization expert, TV star, and author of the best-selling book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up— believes every possession should spark joy. "A tidy home is filled only with items you cherish, and I believe people thrive creatively in these circumstances," she says. "For me, tidying is also part of my creative process. Keeping my hands busy helps my mind find stillness." So how does the decluttering professional streamline her own life?

1. Yoga and Meditation

Marie believes in clearing the mind along with the home. Her personal prescription is yoga and meditation.

2. Lighting Incense

She likes to start each day by opening the windows and lighting incense. A tray of crystals, like this amethyst, sits on her bedside table.

3. Meal Prep

She packs her kids' lunches in bento boxes divided by cupcake liners and wrapped in a type of Japanese cloth called furoshiki.

4. Arranging Flowers

Having flowers throughout her house not only adds color but also "serves as a reminder to live in the moment," Marie says. Arranging flowers is one of her favorite ways to get creative.

5. Organizing Drawers

Marie recycles small boxes as drawer organizers and lines them with decorative papers. Folding clothes into packets and storing them upright in a drawer is a key part of her tidying method.

"It's important when it comes to creative hobbies that all the tools you use are stored in a way that sparks joy. It should be neatly categorized, and anything that could be stood upright should be done so. I always recommend storing things vertically so you can immediately see where everything is. That way you can get started right away. If you have to search for the things you need, you are wasting time."