So we all know Left brainers are planned, decisive, structured, and organized, while Right brainers are adaptable, flexible, open to new ideas, and generally messy people, right? If you answered “yes”, you may want to slow down a bit. We don’t want to fall into the personality-driven stereotypes, which often casts “J”s (or Judgers) as vastly one way and “P”s (or Perceivers) as another, particularly when it comes to orderliness and cleanliness in the home. Sure, Left brain dominant people tend to shun chaos and embrace structure in their life, which then tends toward organized surroundings. However, this particular area is arguably the most malleable of any other when it comes to inborn design, not only based on parenting, but culture.
If you haven’t heard of Marie Kondo by now, you probably will very soon. Her Netflix show, “Tidying Up With Marie Kondo,” is steadily growing in popularity across the country. In fact, various organizational companies are seeing their profits soar because of her influence as people get rid of their old junk and keep items that only give them joy. Yes, joy. This is Marie’s criteria for keeping your old t-shirt you’ve had since the 80s, or tossing it. But wait! Don’t just toss it away. Tell the shirt, “Thank you,” and then kindly place it in the dumpster.
Now what Brain Type would tell their clothes “thank you” and focus on “joy” as their main criteria? To be sure, a creative and imaginative one, as well as Animate. Marie bubbles with excitement as she skips from room to room helping bogged-down Americans rids themselves of their excess. If you haven’t guessed her Brain Type by now, Kondo is a #9 FCAR. Yes, arguably the most organized woman on the planet is Right brain dominant. So much for stereo types! Of course, Marie is Japanese (yet now lives in LA and is married with children), being raised in a structured culture. We also suspect she had one or two organized parents. She says she used to love coming home and tidying up her room after school!
Marie has kept her parents and upbringing confidential except for a few items that tell of her passion for tidiness. She wrote on Reddit: “Japan has more limited space, maybe some people in America might not have that space issue, so maybe they need a different way of thinking to de-clutter the space.” She also told Fast Company, “Children in the U.S. have more toys, and that makes it harder for my American clients to tidy up.” Let’s not forget that #9s love to please others, especially those with whom they regularly live, or associate. And, they try to avoid conflict (and fear), much less verbal chastisement from others, particularly parents. Was part of Marie’s penchant for tidiness related to these?
Wikipedia writes: “Kondo says that her (organizing) method is partly inspired by the traditional Japanese Shinto folk religion. Cleaning and organizing things properly can be a spiritual practice in Shintoism, which is concerned with the energy or divine spirit of things and the right way to live.” Marie was quoted: “I was obsessed with what I could throw away. One day, I had a kind of nervous breakdown and fainted. I was unconscious for two hours. When I came to, I heard a mysterious voice, like some god of tidying telling me to look at my things more closely. And I realized my mistake: I was only looking for things to throw out. What I should be doing is finding the things I want to keep. Identifying the things that make you happy: that is the work of tidying.”
Another of Marie’s tips is to provide “homes” for your items. Are your belongings all strewn out on your desks and counters? Give them a home, whether that’s a box or cabinet or drawer. By giving them a place to live, your actual home will become transformed without even knowing it.
Yes, she barely speaks English, but be sure to try and catch an episode of “Tidying Up” to see a perfect example of a #9 FCAR in action … cleaning up! If you can’t wait for that, catch this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkPOMezkHsk
Written by: Staff
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