THERE was a time — and not too long ago either — when it seemed like everyone was talking about Marie Kondo-ing this, and Marie Kondo-ing that.
De-clutter according to the KonMari Method (gathering everything one owns by category and keeping only those things that “spark joy”) was all the rage. Suddenly, even friends were posting up videos on YouTube showcasing their efforts at “systematic de-cluttering”.
To the uninitiated, Marie Kondo a.k.a. Konmari (the woman who triggered all this excitement) is a Japanese organising consultant, author and TV host.
Her method of organising goes beyond the typical “tidying how-to” as it aims to cultivate a lifestyle that encourages us to cherish the things that bring true joy.
The organising guru recently released her latest book, Joy At Work: Organising Your Professional Life, co-written with organisational psychologist Scott Sonenshein, which explores how to “spark joy in your career”.
And no one’s more thrilled about this book than Malaysia’s first certified KonMari consultant and entrepreneur, Rebecca Jo-Rushdy.
“I’m excited to help corporate clients as well in this area and am hosting workshops for clients seeking alternative wellness programmes for their employees, particularly during the MCO period when everyone’s at home,” gushes the pretty mother of two who recently shared a six-day KonMari Closet Challenge for people keen to kick-start their KonMari journey at home.
There were tips aplenty, ranging from how to fold and store, to where to donate goods locally.
Asked to describe what a KonMari consultant is, Rebecca replies: “We’re similar to personal trainers. We aren’t going to do the actual heavy lifting for you but we’ll be there to coach and guide you. For some fans of KonMari, they may read the book or watch the Netflix show and be self-starters and tackle it themselves. This is great. I also have a Facebook support group so people can share their achievements.”
So how did this all start for Rebecca, a self-confessed typical third-culture kid who grew up around the world due to her architect-father’s job?
Having held various roles, from retail consulting to Events & PR, KonMari’ing had been a hobby of sorts for the 33-year-old for the last five years, specifically since reading Kondo’s The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.
“I find it really therapeutic,” she concedes enthusiastically, adding: “Gratitude is the foundation of the KonMari Method. By showing gratitude for your belongings, even the items you’re letting go, it rewires your mind-set and outlook.”
KonMari, says Rebecca, isn’t about minimalism — getting rid of everything or having a home that looks like a catalogue.
Elaborating, she explains: “It's about re-evaluating your life through the lens of your belongings to authentically cherish and surround yourself with belongings that truly bring you joy -- as a result creating a home that is a wonderful sanctuary for you to live your life to the fullest.”
Having been exposed to various tidying methods from a young age (her mother’s also a consultant but of a different Japanese method), Rebecca confides to being personally drawn to the KonMari Method as the principles resonated deeply.
“It ultimately changed our life with joy-sparking moments beyond our wildest dreams — which is how we ended up in Kuala Lumpur.”
A pause ensues before she continues: “One of the many benefits of KonMari is that it helps you to develop what you personally define as joy and in turn, builds confidence in decision-making — which is why I'm very passionate about instilling these principles in young kids too.”
In fact, Rebecca also hosts parenting workshops around this. Chuckling, she confides: “My kids have been KonMari'ing since they were two!” Upon seeing the life changing moments for her friends and family, she realised that creating space for joy in people’s lives was indeed her true calling.
Asked whether she’d always been quite a systematic person to begin with, Rebecca deadpans: “I’m a reformed shopaholic! I used to indulge in mindless shopping. Through de-cluttering my own belongings, I’ve been able to confront and let go of that aspect of myself and peel back the layers to reflect on the cause and effect.”
THE JOURNEY UNFOLDS
Rewinding back the years, the Los Angeles-born Rebecca shares that she studied at Parsons School of Design in New York City and majored in Design Management — the business of design.
“I always thought I’d pursue a career in fashion merchandising, but when I graduated in 2008 the financial crisis hit and I ended up working in Events & PR in Shanghai, which never was on my radar but turned out to be a blessing in disguise because of the incredibly steep learning curve,” she recalls.
It subsequently led her to a role in luxury retail management consulting for a few years in Hong Kong.
When she was pregnant with her first child, Rebecca, who spent her formative years in Japan, Hong Kong, Shanghai and New York, decided to take a leap of faith into entrepreneurship and launched a gifting platform for new-born babies, targeting people who had no clue what gifts to buy for babies.
“And this is the point where my personal KonMari journey began,” remembers the doting mother, the younger of two sisters.
“Once I read Kondo’s best-selling book, it truly had a life-changing effect on me and the process of self-discovery led us to KonMari'ing the city we lived in.”
Continuing, she adds: “My husband and I decided to take our young kids (one was nine months, the other, barely three) around the world on a year-long family sabbatical to do some soul searching and figure out where we wanted to raise our family. We didn't know where we’d end up, but decided that life was too short and that it was important for us to spend precious time with family and friends spread across the world.”
The young family undertook a year of slow travel, spending on average a month in each place — from Taiwan, Japan, Scotland, Ireland, Canada, Kenya, and several months in various parts of the US, road-tripping along the coast of California, and spending time in South Carolina and Montana.
Barely nine months into their travels, Rebecca’s husband — who’s half Irish, half Egyptian and was born in England — received a potential job offer in Kuala Lumpur.
“Although it was never in our plans, we decided to make a week-long pit stop,” recalls Rebecca, adding: “We spent a few days in KL to check it out and a few days out in the jungle. And in that tranquility of nature, we decided then and there that we’d take the plunge.”
Continuing, the art-loving entrepreneur says: “During our year of travel, I knew it was time to sell my business as well, and thankfully everything wrapped up and we moved to KL.”
Malaysia’s bustling capital has been home for the family for the last two years now.
LIFE DURING MCO
Just like everyone else, this period of Movement Control Order (MCO) has been challenging.
But, ever the optimist, Rebecca confides that the family is adapting well. “We just need to be kind to ourselves. I read a quote recently that we’re not currently ‘working from home’, but we are ‘at home, during an extraordinary time in history, trying to work from home’. I like that!”
The self-confessed introvert admits she’s somewhat fortunate in that she and her husband are able to take it in shifts (him working in the morning, and she, in the afternoons) and they’re able to juggle all the other aspects, from housekeeping to entertaining kids between the two of them.
Concedes Rebecca: “I know so many families who don't have this luxury while trying to work and then of course, there’s the added pressure of home-school. What's been keeping us grounded is having a loose schedule; we have a few items that are set in stone, especially snack and meal times, otherwise we won't have any food left!”
Continuing, Rebecca shares that she read a tip from a fellow KonMari consultant in New York City whose focus is on families and kids.
“She spoke about connecting with the kids first thing in the morning. So I’ve been playing card games or doing activities with them for the first hour. And you can see that once their cup is filled, they’re able to go off and play independently and peacefully.”
Chuckling, Rebecca adds: “We've set up various ‘stations’ in the house with building blocks, books, colouring and so on, so that they're able to bounce around, choose what they want to play with and do it independently.”
Returning to her favourite subject — decluttering — Rebecca says that it has truly helped them prepare for the MCO.
“Having a mental audit of all the crafts and toys we have on hand means that we can think of activities and pull things out quickly (and not panic buy!). For the adults, we reflect and talk about our emotions, fears and worries — especially since our families are scattered around the world.”
On what she misses most since this whole MCO period started, Rebecca replies: “My precious alone time. I’m an introvert at heart and really miss having my breakfast and coffee at my favourite cafe after I drop the kids off at school.”
That said, she’s swift to add that the MCO has taught them some important lessons.
“We’re spending more quality time with each other,” enthuses Rebecca, adding: “The kids have been so responsive to the changes, and understand the collectivism reasons behind the MCO. We’re all taking away the lessons of adaptability and resilience, which are incredibly powerful for kids to learn from a young age.”
WHAT MAKES REBECCA TICK
What drives you?
My kids. They’re the greatest teachers of my life. They’ve taught me the true meaning of unconditional love and to continually heal so that I can be a better human and make a difference every day.
What are you passionate about?
I'm passionate about helping people live their best lives. I had a tumultuous and rebellious time growing up, and without the support and knowledge I received, I wouldn't be here. I want to encourage people that they too can overcome hurdles by removing self-limiting beliefs.
What do you consider to be some of your memorable achievements?
Pushing past my fears, taking the plunge to go to New York City (NYC) to take the course and becoming the first KonMari consultant in Malaysia. Enduring five years of long distance relationship with my husband during our younger days (him in Shanghai, and me in NYC). Last but not least, bearing through 51 hours labour with my first child.
Causes close to your heart?
When we first moved to KL, I didn't know what I wanted to do next with the career aspect of my life. So I decided to not rush into it.
During that time I, started volunteering at Dignity for Children where I still help out with their fundraising and marketing — Dignity is based in Sentul and is an incredible school for underprivileged and refugee children. They currently serve nearly 1,800 kids ranging from age 3-18.
The education they provide is truly special, and they have transformational enterprises where secondary school students can learn skills from hair cutting, sewing, F&B, woodworking, urban gardening to name a few.
Because not everyone can afford or have the right to attend college after they’re done with school, hence Dignity empowers them with skills.
What do you like to do in your down time?
Reading — everything from thrillers, crime novels to self-development books, and also trying out new places to eat or play with the family.