There are various Japanese methods and techniques for tidying up our homes, ranging from those made famous by Marie Kondo, to the year-end oosouji cleaning tradition and the Lean Method for eliminating obstacles from our work and other spaces. All are based on the principle that if a home is filled with unnecessary objects, it blocks the flow of energy and creates stress. After all, harmony, order, and minimalism are core concepts of Japanese culture, expressed in people’s personal lives and in their surroundings, including their homes.
Japanese minimalism can serve as a source of inspiration for anyone who wants a greater sense of focus in their life. Often when we’re stressed or overwhelmed, a good starting point for regaining calm and refocusing on our goals is to tidy up the spaces where we live. A cluttered home filled with objects that often serve no purpose creates visual noise that can exacerbate stress, especially at a time when what one really needs is greater mental clarity.
To achieve this, however, we need to shift our perspective: Instead of thinking of getting rid of unnecessary objects as depriving ourselves, embrace it as an opportunity to focus on what we truly need and what holds real value for us. To reach that goal, we can draw inspiration from Japanese minimalism and some of its simple rules that can easily be incorporated into our daily lives.
9 rules of Japanese minimalism that will help unclutter your home and reduce stress
- One in, one out: When we buy a new item, we must get rid of an old one. It’s a simple rule that helps maintain balance and avoid clutter.
- Focus on functionality: Only purchase items that serve a purpose. If you want something that is purely decorative, choose it very carefully. It should reflect who you are or evoke an emotion. And there should only be one, or at most two, of these objects in any space. No more.
- Quality over quantity: When you feel the urge to buy something, stop and think about its quality. Always choose natural, durable materials.
- Ponder your purchase for a week before buying: Have you seen a new dress that you like but don’t really need? Wait a week. If you find yourself still thinking about it, then buy it. If you’ve forgotten about it, it means it wasn’t important.
- Hide what you can: Minimalism is easier in an orderly home. Think about how to hide from view even items that you use every day. A coffee maker behind a cabinet door will still be easily accessible, and you’ll have more space on your kitchen counter.
- Understand the value of empty space: In Japan, the concept of ma is extremely important because it emphasizes the value of empty spaces on walls and in rooms. You don’t have to fill every square inch of your home, as empty space has its own reason for existing.
- Value the essentials: Having fewer possessions—such as fewer clothes—eliminates the hassle of having to choose what to wear or use and saves mental energy every morning.
- Learn to be emotionally detached: This is perhaps one of the hardest rules to learn, but also one of the most valuable. Don’t attach emotions or, even worse, your sense of self to your material possessions. In the end, they are just objects, and that’s true for even the ones that you’re most fond of.
- Approach cleaning as a spiritual ritual: Tidying up and getting rid of unnecessary items should be seen as a moment of self-reflection, helping to clear the mind and reveal one’s true self.
