Marie Kondo, the global icon of decluttering, has built an empire teaching people how to live with less, find joy in the simple, and keep only what “sparks joy.” But now, in a twist that surprises even her most devoted followers, she is embracing something new — a little mess.

The once ultra-minimalist queen recently opened up about a life change that has brought both chaos and transformation: motherhood. With three young children now filling her home, Kondo is no longer folding clothes with surgical precision or spending hours organizing books by energy level. Instead, she finds herself in a new kind of reality, where Legos on the floor and crayon drawings on the walls are part of daily life — and strangely, they too can spark joy.

“My home is messier than ever before,” Kondo admitted with a warm, knowing smile. “But my heart knows what sparks joy now, and it’s different from what it used to be.” Her words, simple yet powerful, resonated deeply with parents and fans worldwide who have long admired her discipline but also wondered how she balances it all.

She described how parenting has reshaped her outlook on tidiness. “Before kids, I had the time to maintain perfect order. But children bring their own rhythm, and I’ve learned to flow with it instead of fighting against it.” That realization didn’t come easily. Like many parents, Kondo struggled at first, trying to hold onto her old routines. “I thought I had to keep everything neat to be in control. But I was missing the moments — the giggles, the spontaneous hugs, the joy in chaos.”

There’s something disarming about hearing a woman known for discipline speak so vulnerably. It breaks the illusion of perfection and replaces it with something far more comforting: relatability. Her message is no longer about folding techniques or categorizing kitchenware. It’s about presence. About being in the moment. And about choosing joy over control.

Her journey is not one of abandoning her philosophy but rather evolving it. She still values order, but she no longer measures her worth by the state of her cabinets. “I realized joy doesn’t always come from structure. Sometimes it comes from the unexpected — a child’s laughter, a messy meal shared together, a toy left behind because playtime was more important.”

As she shared her story, you could sense the relief and liberation in her voice. Letting go of the need for perfection allowed her to experience a deeper kind of fulfillment. “There’s beauty in the mess,” she said, “if you’re willing to see it.”

Kondo’s fans were quick to react with love and support. Many parents praised her for being honest and vulnerable. “This makes me feel so seen,” one follower commented. “Thank you for reminding us that we don’t have to be perfect to be happy.” Another wrote, “Even Marie Kondo is embracing the mess. Maybe I can, too.”

What Marie Kondo offers now isn’t just advice on organizing physical spaces. She’s giving permission — to breathe, to pause, to not have it all together. In a world obsessed with curated perfection, her pivot is refreshing. It reminds us that life isn’t about living in showroom homes but in homes filled with real moments.

Her new approach may not have step-by-step instructions or neatly labeled boxes, but it’s honest, emotional, and deeply human. She’s no longer just teaching us how to fold our socks. She’s teaching us how to let go of expectations and truly live.

As she continues raising her children and navigating the unpredictable journey of motherhood, Kondo says her heart is more aligned than ever. “I used to think joy came from having less. Now I know joy also comes from love, noise, and a little mess.”

In the end, Marie Kondo’s evolving perspective is a reflection of life itself. Neat, chaotic, ever-changing — and if we’re lucky, filled with sparks of joy in every corner.