Scattered coins, months-old receipts folded and shoved into pockets, old membership cards you don’t use anymore, unorganized bills...does this sound familiar? This clutter-filled visual is what a lot of us see when we open our wallets! Inspired by Marie Kondo’s KonMari method as explained in her book, The Art of Tidying Up, we break down how to apply the method to creating more minimalistic maintenance of your personal wallet!
Take Everything Out of Your Minimalist Wallet
First thing’s first! Remove each item currently living in your wallet and place it in one pile. That’s right, dump it all out! It’s important to see everything you’ve been carrying around with you to get an accurate idea of all the things you don’t really need! Step one is to take a look at the wallet itself. Is it in good condition? Are there any holes or worn out areas? If so, it might be time to look into replacing it. We’d suggest choosing a minimalistic style like our slim wallets. Once you’ve determined the status of your wallet, it’s time to take a look at the contents of it. Sort through the pile and throw away any items that belong in the trash (like old gum or candy wrappers or receipts you don’t need). Once you’ve completed this step move on to number two!
Determine Which Items ‘Spark Joy’
A big part of Marie Kondo’s KonMari method is only keeping items that ‘spark joy’. What does ‘sparking joy’ mean? Kondo suggests holding each object in your hands, closing your eyes, and taking note of the feelings that emerge when you consider that object. If you find a smile on your face, or positive and joyful feeling inside, you keep the item. If you feel dread, ambivalence, or general displeasure, you can part ways with it. Unfortunately, Marie Kondo is all about taking responsibility for your possessions and your life so even though paying off your credit card debt doesn’t ‘spark joy’, you might still want to hang on to that one.
Say ‘Thank You’ to the Items You Throw Away
Another key part of the KonMari method is gratitude. Expressing your thanks to items you will be throwing away is a vital part of maintaining a peaceful and grateful energy- and keeping your feng shui in check. Give a genuine and verbal ‘thank you’ to each object for its service and impact in your life before sending it into the trash bin.
Organize Your Minimalist Wallet According to Need
Now that you’re down to only the necessities, it’s time to arrange the items in an organized fashion in your wallet. One of Marie’s tips is to organize items based on the amount of use they get. Thus, if you use your debit card nearly every day, but only use your favorite store’s reward’s member card once a month, it’s a good idea to keep the debit card in a front pocket and the member card in one further back.
Maintaining Your Minimalist Wallet
Now that you’ve enacted ‘The Art of Tidying Up’ on your minimalist wallet, it’s important to keep in mind that maintenance is key to ongoing cleanliness and organization. Next time you’re asked if you want a receipt, answer realistically. And if you do take a receipt, don’t let it add to your wallet clutter! Make note of the information you need and then store it elsewhere or dispose of it. It’s a good idea to make reviewing the contents of your minimalist wallet a regularly scheduled activity to keep everything in order.
Maximize Minimalism with Paperwallet’s Origami-Inspired Wallets
Here at Paperwallet, we’ve discovered that achieving the KonMari method is easier when we’re using the right kind of wallet. Each Paperwallet product is made with minimalism in mind, featuring origami-inspired folds to make each wallet slim, yet sturdy. The Tyvek material is flexible while also being highly durable, making this a wallet that will last. Though seemingly small, these wallets can pack a lot of punch, ensuring you can carry all your cards and cash while keeping organized, tidy, and hopefully, ‘sparking joy’ wherever you go. Did you apply the KonMari method to your Paperwallet product? Has it inspired you to live a more minimalist life?
