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Cleaning X Tidying. Cleaning professional Marcela Barraza joins us to explore the intersection between two essential household tasks that pair well to create a space that sparks joy.
Marcela Barraza is the founder and owner of MB Green Cleaning. She is a graduate of the hospitality administration and hotel management program. After working for an airline for more than 10 years, Marcela started in the cleaning industry in 2004 and she was inspired to switch to “green” cleaning after experiencing a series of maladies, including irritated skin and debilitating migraines, that she traced to the harmful chemicals in the cleaning products she used in her home. She then made it her mission to help others safeguard their environment so they can enjoy the comfort and contentment that comes with a clean and healthy home.
We want to hear from you! Tell us your burning tidying questions or share stories about how KonMari has impacted your life. Find us at www.sparkjoypodcast.com and click “Ask Spark Joy” to leave a question or comment for a chance to be featured on next week’s show.
While you’re there, sign-up to join our Spark Joy podcast community and get notified when each episode airs. You can also join the Spark Joy podcast community on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter at the handle @sparkjoypodcast.
Join The Spark Joy Club today!
In this episode, you’ll enjoy:
What led to Marcela’s start in the home cleaning business
The idea of Green cleaning and the benefits of going green
Learning why cleaning is such a challenge for most people
How cleaning and organizing differ and why someone who is well organized may not necessarily be good at cleaning and vice versa!
Discovering the cleaning style or schedule that will work best for you
Spring cleaning as a way to welcome the season
Managing cleaning with children. Teaching them good habits and skills
When it makes sense to hire help for your cleaning needs
Marcela's favorite cleaning tip:
What sparks joy for Marcela
To connect with Marcela, visit her website at MB Green Cleaning. You can find lots of cleaning tips on her blog MB Cleaning Blog and YouTube channel MB Green Cleaning YouTubeand her Instagram:@mbcleaning.
Gems:
"Cleaning is not a super fun thing to do. It's not like anyone wakes up and says, 'Yea, it's cleaning day!'"
"Asking for help is not a bad thing. It can be anything from a cleaning person every week to just a few times a year."
"Get rid of the clutter first and then do the cleaning. No matter how much time we spend cleaning it won't help is there so much stuff."
"If you commit to only one thing, make your bed every day."
You can find Karin Socci at The Serene Home
Special Guest: Marcela Barraza.
Physical and mental health safety considerations and our top 5 KonMari Tidying Tools to help you and your family declutter while social distancing and working from home.
If you’re listening to us today it is highly likely you’re inside your home, working from home, social distancing or even self-quarantined.
If tidying falls on your to-do list during this time, we designed this episode just for you. Today we’re going to review physical and mental health safety considerations and our top 5 KonMari Tidying Tools to help you and your family put decluttering your home behind you so you can shift 100% of your focus on navigating this challenging season.
We want to hear from you. Tell us your burning tidying questions or share stories about how KonMari has impacted your life.
Head over to Apple podcasts to subscribe and review the show, which helps us reach others along their tidying journeys.
To extend your tidying experience, you can join the Spark Joy Club!
Visit sparkjoypodcast.com and click “Join the Club” to become a member of the Spark Joy Community or join us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
In this episode, you’ll learn about:
Center for Disease Control safety tips
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• Stay home when you are sick
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
• Be prepared if your child’s school or childcare facility is temporarily dismissed or for potential changes at your workplace
• Remember to take additional precautions for those at highest risk, particularly older adults and those who have severe underlying health conditions
• Periodically check your regular prescription drugs to ensure a continuous supply in your home
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has a checklist for individuals and families to help get your home ready for what’s to come. The list includes tips like:
• Keep surfaces disinfected.
• Gather emergency and community phone numbers and emails so that you can stay in touch.
• Choose a room in your house that can be used to separate sick household members from others.
During a pandemic it’s important to store a two week supply of water and food and periodically check your regular prescription drugs to ensure a continuous supply in your home. For details visit ready.gov
***Keep in mind that the most up to date information may be found via your local government websites.
Here are a few suggestions that may help with your emotional well-being:
• The phone and FaceTime are social distancing friendly! You could do a group chat with Skype or Zoom. This is a great way to check in with your older relatives.
• Check whether you are more irritable with the people who share your home. This is very likely to happen when you combine stress, uncertainty and boredom. Forgive yourself and much as others.
• It’s ok to check into your social media accounts and little more than usual to stay current on the news, but avoid 24/7 news watching if possible.
• Volunteer! If you are symptom free, you could offer to pick up things from the store for your neighbors or even set up a phone-calling tree to make sure everyone in your social circle is doing ok.
• Take a walk! Taking a walk can be a great way to relieve stress and get some fresh air. Just remember to practice social distancing during your stroll.
• Don’t forget the basics. Try to maintain as much of a schedule as possible, even though things have changed. Getting dressed, making your bed and maintaining meal schedules can make a real difference.
• Reach out for help. Consider a virtual call with a therapist-or see if your current therapist will visit with you over the phone. Visit the American Psychological Association for resources.
Get Social At A Distance.
You can:
Tidy Tools:
Tidy Tool #1: The Spark Joy Podcast.
Also, as extreme cleanliness remains top of mind, check out Spark Joy Episode 82: KonMari Quick Tips on Spring Tidying.
For a limited time, we are making our coveted Spark Joy Episode Map available for a limited time to help guide you through your listening experience.
Tidy Tool #2: The Spark Joy Club.
To join the club visit [sparkjoypodcast.com](sparkjoypodcast.com) and click join the club.
Tidy Tool #3: The Tidy Home Joy Journal - Your #1 Tidying Companion
You can also recieve the Tidy Home Joy Journal by joining The Spark Joy Club at the Joy Sparker level. A copy of the journal is included with your membership. One of the many reasons you should join the club!
Tidy Tool #4: Virtual Tidying at For the Love of Tidy.
• Take a virtual home tour.
• And address decision-making or storage related tidying challenges.
To get a taste of what virtual tidying is all about, follow For the Love of Tidy this month on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn as I broadly share KonMari-themed tips you can implement in your home in 15 minutes or less
To instantly book your two hour KonMari Virtual Tidy which is accessible worldwide.
Tidy Tool #5: Virtual Organizing at The Serene Home.
The Serene Home newsletter: This can be delivered directly to your inbox later in the week with some additional ideas for making the most of this time. You can sign-up at The Serene Home Mailing List.
Special thanks to Spark Joy listener Kristine Rustia-Jourdan for suggesting we cover this important topic today.
You can find Karin Socci at The Serene Home
Today’s KonMari Quick Tips episode is all about building a healthy relationship with social media.
From Instagram to Facebook to Snapchat to Tiktok - whatever platform you use, there’s no denying social media is here to stay. We dive into 5 tips that will help you KonMari your social media, by viewing your activity through a lens of joy.
We want to hear from you. Tell us your burning tidying questions or share stories about how KonMari has impacted your life.
Visit sparkjoypodcast.com and click “Join the Club” to become a member of the Spark Joy Community or join us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
KonMari Quick Tips:
We are pleased to introduce the following new members of The Spark Joy Club, joining at the Joy Sparker level:
Vicky Peters
Join over 150 serious Tidiers who are making 2020 their very last year of being disorganized. We welcome you to extended conversation around taking action, living, and maintaining a tidy lifestyle. Please join the conversation by visiting sparkjoypodcast.com and selecting Join the Club
You can find Karin Socci at The Serene Home
Shelly Fuerte walks through how her 15 hour KonMari tidying experience with For the Love of Tidy impacted her family and the benefits of working with a KonMari Consultant along the way.
Shelly Fuerte is an arts administration consultant. She works with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra to program their non-classical concerts and travels the globe as a road manager for various artists including Jane Lynch and many other Broadway vocalists. Her husband Art, is an elementary music teacher and together they direct and perform with an LGBTQ community Latin Band.
Shelly...is also one of Kristyn's clients! They tidied for 15 hours over a few weeks, so she is a For the Love of Tidy Graduate of Tidy. Today we will take a deep dive into her KonMari tidying journey and the impact it’s had on her life.
We want to hear from you! Tell us your burning tidying questions or share stories about how KonMari has impacted your life. Find us at www.sparkjoypodcast.com and click “Ask Spark Joy” to leave a question or comment for a chance to be featured on next week’s show.
While you’re there, sign-up to join our Spark Joy podcast community and get notified when each episode airs. You can also join the Spark Joy podcast community on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter at the handle @sparkjoypodcast.
Join The Spark Joy Club today!
In this episode, you’ll enjoy:
What sparks joy for Shelly
Gems:
You can find Karin Socci at The Serene Home
Special Guest: Shelly Fuerte.
Spark Joy Club member Monica Ruiz joins us from Mexico to share the impact of her solo KonMari tidying adventure.
This year we’re trying something new. Welcome to our first ever Spark Joy Club Member Spotlight! We are dedicating a few episodes this year to shine the light on all of the progress our Spark Joy Club members on their tidying while listening to Spark Joy Podcast and leaning on the community.
First up is Spark Joy Club member Monica Ruiz:
Monica worked in Product Development for Corporate America for 15 years, after which she decided to pursue her passion start cooking school before retiring in Central Mexico. Currently she’s a mom of an amazing 15 yo girl and can always be seen with yarn and needles for creativity, relaxation, and learning.
We want to hear from you! Tell us your burning tidying questions or share stories about how KonMari has impacted your life. Find us at www.sparkjoypodcast.com and click “Ask Spark Joy” to leave a question or comment for a chance to be featured on next week’s show.
While you’re there, sign-up to join our Spark Joy podcast community and get notified when each episode airs. You can also join the Spark Joy podcast community on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter at the handle @sparkjoypodcast.
Join The Spark Joy Club today!
In this episode, you’ll enjoy:
How and when Monica first
The size of Monica's home, volume of her clutter, and her vision
The very first item Monica kept that helped her understand what "spark joy" meant to her
Monica's KonMari timeline (including some starts and stops!)
Tools that helped Monica crowd source information she needed: Udemy KonMari course, Pinterest, YouTube, Facebook, Spark Joy Podcast, The Tidy Home Joy Journal and the The Spark Joy Club
All the Monica was able to accomplish once Monica closed out her event after 2.5 years
How Monica has adopted KonMari into her lifestyle and its larger, long-term impact
Monica's favorite styling tip:
What sparks joy for Monica:
Gems:
You can find Karin Socci at The Serene Home
Special Guest: Monica Ruiz.
Joanna Lovering, Style Coach, shares tips and tricks to help you make the most of your closet as you build a style that sparks joy.
After a successful weight loss journey in 2011, Joanna founded Copper + Rise, a New York City-based style coaching service dedicated to personal and professional empowerment. A passionate stylist and trained executive coach, Joanna pairs her seasonal sensibilities with leadership development techniques to help clients rise to the next level.
We want to hear from you! Tell us your burning tidying questions or share stories about how KonMari has impacted your life. Find us at www.sparkjoypodcast.com and click “Ask Spark Joy” to leave a question or comment for a chance to be featured on next week’s show.
While you’re there, sign-up to join our Spark Joy podcast community and get notified when each episode airs. You can also join the Spark Joy podcast community on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter at the handle @sparkjoypodcast.
Join The Spark Joy Club today!
In this episode, you’ll enjoy:
How Joanna made the jump from organizational psychology to fashion styling
Joanna’s personal transformation that led to her style philosophy
The importance of closet editing as the first step in building a wardrobe that sparks joy
How letting go of clothing that doesn’t fit or doesn’t work for you turn getting ready in the morning from stress to joy
Learn fashion tips from Joanna that will help you find the perfect clothing items regardless of your body type
Learn about "The Line, The V and the Rule of Three!"
Joanna's favorite styling tip:
What sparks joy for Joanna:
To connect with Joanna, visit her website at Copper and Rise and her Instagram @CopperandRise
Gems:
“My ideal client is someone who just doesn’t have the time to think about what they are going to wear that day.”
“When you think about your closet, what percentage of your clothes that you actually wear?”
“My thought is that if you want to keep that sentimental dress, then let’s get a nice box and call it your ‘Nostalgia Box’! “
“How you feel and how you want to make other people feel should be the only consideration when it comes to what you decide you wear.”
“As Tim Gunn always says, “That’s a lot of look!”
You can find Karin Socci at The Serene Home
Special Guest: Joanna Lovering.
Sarit Sela, fellow KonMari Consultant, shares her favorite minimalist inspired buying and shopping strategies that can enhance your KonMari journey and help you maintain a clutter free lifestyle.
Sarit Sela is a minimalist mom, Bronze certified KonMari consultant and visual storyteller.
We want to hear from you! Tell us your burning tidying questions or share stories about how KonMari has impacted your life. Find us at www.sparkjoypodcast.com and click “Ask Spark Joy” to leave a question or comment for a chance to be featured on next week’s show.
While you’re there, sign-up to join our Spark Joy podcast community and get notified when each episode airs. You can also join the Spark Joy podcast community on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter at the handle @sparkjoypodcast.
Join The Spark Joy Club today!
In this episode, you’ll enjoy:
How minimalism has played an important role in Sarit’s personal journey and in her work with clients
What minimalism means to Sarit. It’s not what you may think!
Sarit's method of working with her clients using the KonMari Method and minimalism
How it's not about the number of things you own in any category. It's important to not focus on the number but on the joy and use of the items to YOU
The challenges, and JOYS, of being a mom in our consumerist culture and how to help your children be more focused and mindful
How Sarit has navigated setting up her business in both Sweden and Israel and the differences in both cultures when it comes to tidying
What makes a good KonMari Consultant in Sarit’s view
Sarit's favorite tidying tip:
What sparks joy for Sarit:
Sarit’s parting words of wisdom:
To connect with Sarit, visit her websits and blog Mimialist Me or follow her on Instagram
Gems:
You can find Karin Socci at The Serene Home
Special Guest: Sarit Sela.
Today’s KonMari Quick Tips episode is all about tracking habits that spark joy.
Tidying is a self-care activity. But, unlike heading to the spa or grabbing a box of chocolates, your KonMari tidying event is intentionally a bit uncomfortable, launching you into a layered growth journey that extends well beyond your closet.
This is where habit tracking comes in! Once you’ve tidied A-Z, literally making thousands of decisions about all of your greatest treasures, you officially enter maintenance mode.
Post-KonMari is the perfect time to start to take a more critical look at the behaviors that lie beneath the clutter. This includes both good and bad habits you’ve accumulated over time.
We want to hear from you. Tell us your burning tidying questions or share stories about how KonMari has impacted your life.
KonMari Quick Tips:
Why Karin doesn’t use analog.
Karin’s Favorite Apps:
Kristyn’s Favorite Apps:
Apps we both love:
We are pleased to introduce the following new members of The Spark Joy Club, joining at the Joy Sparker level:
And joining at the Joy Riser Level:
Join over 130 serious Tidiers who are making 2020 their very last year of being disorganized. We welcome you to extended conversation around taking action, living, and maintaining a tidy lifestyle. Please join the conversation by visiting sparkjoypodcast.com and selecting Join the Club
You can find Karin Socci at The Serene Home
Guest Linda Leyble, founder of A Beautiful Staged Home, explores the intersection of a clutter free staged home and KonMari and shares tips to help you stage to sell.
Our guest today is Linda Leyble. Linda has been in the home staging business for over 20 years. The owner of A Beautiful Staged Home, she specializes in creating warm and inviting homes for new construction builders and realtors. She also helps home sellers who still live in their homes by re-arranging and editing these homes to appeal to the target buyer in their area.
We want to hear from you! Tell us your burning tidying questions or share stories about how KonMari has impacted your life. Find us at www.sparkjoypodcast.com and click “Ask Spark Joy” to leave a question or comment for a chance to be featured on next week’s show.
While you’re there, sign-up to join our Spark Joy podcast community and get notified when each episode airs. You can also join the Spark Joy podcast community on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter at the handle @sparkjoypodcast.
Join The Spark Joy Club today!
In this episode, you’ll enjoy:
Hear how Linda got her start in home staging and how she founded A Beautiful Staged Home.
Learn the difference between decorating and staging and how the design choices you love may not spark joy for a potential buyer.
Linda shares the importance of decluttering a home before staging. Buyers want to see that there is plenty of storage for their family and it’s a challenge if there are cramped closets and overloaded cabinets.
What are some of the things that buyers are looking for when they are shopping for a new home?
The importance of neutrals and muted tones. How to create a soothing environment that will appeal to the most potential buyers.
How professional home staging, much like professional organizing, can be well worth the cost in time saved and the increase in your home’s sale price.
Check out Dr. Phil’s wild home décor:
What are some of the things that distract from a home’s appearance?
The differences between occupied and unoccupied stagings
What taste-specific decorating is?
What kinds of things can someone do to make their home more sell ready on their own?
Linda’s's favorite home staging tip:
What sparks joy for Linda:
To learn more about Linda and A Beautiful Staged Home, visit A Beautiful Staged Home and on FaceBook: FaceBook: A Beautiful Staged Home
Gems:
"You may love your style and taste, and that's wonderful, but a buyer may not and it could keep your house from being sold."
"I was so excited that my father-in-law's home sold so quickly after my staging. I knew it was my calling."
"Be sure to stay true to the overall style of your home when you are planning the decor."
"Neutrals are always a good bet. Light colored walls make a room light and airy."
"People are sometimes surprised at the cost of staging. But their home will almost always sell faster and for a higher price with good staging."
You can find Karin Socci at The Serene Home
Special Guest: Linda Leyble.
Kiki & Jax co-author and illustrator Salina Yoon joins us to discuss her collaboration with Marie Kondo, exploring the intersection of tidying and friendship for kids.
Salina Yoon is a Geisel Honor-winning author/illustrator of over a dozen picture books and nearly 200 innovative novelty and board books for young children, with over 4.5 million books sold worldwide. Today she will share insights about her latest release, Kiki and Jax, the life-changing magic of friendship, which is a picture book she co-authored and illustrated with bestselling author and queen of tidy, Marie Kondo.
We want to hear from you! Tell us your burning tidying questions or share stories about how KonMari has impacted your life. Find us at www.sparkjoypodcast.com and click “Ask Spark Joy” to leave a question or comment for a chance to be featured on next week’s show.
While you’re there, sign-up to join our Spark Joy podcast community and get notified when each episode airs. You can also join the Spark Joy podcast community on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter at the handle @sparkjoypodcast.
Join The Spark Joy Club today!
In this episode, you’ll enjoy:
Salina's favorite tidying tip: Finding more gratitude for each item by having less.
What sparks joy for Salina: Her family and creating books that spark joy for other families.
To connect with Salina, visit salinayoon.com or follow her Twitter or Instagram.
Exclusively for Spark Joy listeners, Salina is giving away a copy of Kiki and Jax that is signed by herself and Marie Kondo! This special copy also includes a how to fold the KonMari way origami guide! To win this special edition, email [email protected] by January 28, 2020 with Kiki & Jax Giveaway in the subject line. The first listener to email us receives this special gift that sparks so much joy!
Gems:
You can find Karin Socci at The Serene Home
Special Guest: Salina Yoon.
From the publisher's feed