If your handbags could talk, would they cry out for help? For many Australian mums and busy women, bags become a black hole of nappies, receipts, lip balms, and half-eaten snacks. That daily clutter doesn’t just weigh down your shoulder, it adds to your mental load too.

Meet the queen of intentional living. Marie Kondo's decluttering tips and organisation method has changed the way millions of people think about their homes, wardrobes, and even their handbags. By learning from her techniques and pairing them with a functional, stylish Tottie bag, you can spark joy every time you reach inside your bag and feel calmer in your day.

What Is the Marie Kondo Method for Decluttering?

Marie Kondo’s approach is more than just tidying, it’s about creating a life surrounded by things you truly love. Here are her key principles explained simply:

  • Spark Joy – Keep only what makes you feel happy, calm, or purposeful.
  • Tidy by Category, Not Location – Sort through all items of one kind at once (clothes, books, baby essentials).
  • Everything Has a Home – Assign every item a place, whether it’s in your cupboard or handbag.
  • Folding with Care – Her iconic methods, like the Marie Kondo folding pants technique or folding shirts into neat, stand-up rectangles aren’t just space-saving, they’re about respect for your belongings. You can even apply this to packing bub’s outfits in your Nappy Bag Backpacks. Fold clothes upright so you can grab what you need without digging through the whole bag.

Decluttering isn’t just practical, it’s emotional. Studies show that tidier spaces reduce stress and improve focus. For mums juggling multiple roles, this can be a real life-changer.

How to declutter your leather tote bag using Marie Kondo organising tips – contents spread outside before re-packing.

Why Organisation Matters for Mums and Busy Women

In reality, motherhood and modern life are messy. Between household chores, work emails, grocery runs, and playdates, there’s little room for calm. And too often, our bags become the casualty of chaos:

  • Searching for a dummy while your toddler screams in Woolies.
  • Digging past crumpled wipes and half-full bottles to find your keys.
  • Lugging around a heavy tote that feels like a bottomless pit.

Organisation isn’t about perfection, it’s about creating systems that work for you. With the right structure (thank you, Marie Kondo) and the right bag (hello, Tottie Tote Nappy Bags), you can lighten the load physically and mentally.

The Bag That Brings Joy

If Marie Kondo designed a bag for mums, it would probably look a lot like a Tottie.
Tottie bags are designed in Australia with the realities of mum-life in mind. Here’s why they’re a joy-sparking investment:

  • Multiple Compartments – No more digging around; everything has its own pocket.
  • Durable, Easy-to-Clean Materials – Because spills, crumbs, and sticky fingers are part of life.
  • Timeless Design – Chic enough for work, practical enough for mum-life.
  • Made by Women, for Women – An Australian-owned brand loved by thousands of mums across the country.

This is where style meets structure.. organisation without compromise.


Simple Decluttering & Packing Tips (Inspired by Marie Kondo)

To help you get started, here are practical ways to keep your bag clutter-free and calm:

1. Do a Weekly Bag Clean-Out. 

Empty your bag completely once a week. Toss out rubbish, check for old receipts, and reset your bag with only the essentials.

2. Pack by Category

Sort items into groups:

    • Baby gear (nappies, wipes, spare clothes)
    • Feeding gear (bottles, snacks)
    • Mum-essentials (phone, wallet, keys, lip balm)

3. Use Pouches or Organisers

Small pouches, colour-coded or transparent. Make it easy to grab what you need in seconds.

4. Apply Folding Techniques

The Marie Kondo folding method isn’t just for wardrobes. Fold baby clothes or spare outfits into compact rectangles that stand upright in your bag for easy access.

5. Respect the Joy Rule

 Ask yourself: Does this item truly serve me? If not, leave it at home.

Group of women at the park wearing Tottie nappy bags and handbags while sharing bag organisation tips using the Marie Kondo method.

What mums say about Tottie

"Absolutely love the Travel bag. Its perfect for work and can fit my 16inch Macbook pro (just can't close the clipin the laptop compartment, which i am fine with, it doesn't bother me). Love the zip pocket on the back of the bag, great for carrying your wallet and passport when going through the airport. I also went ahead and got the bum bag and wallet. Highly recommended getting all of these the quality is amazing, design looks great and is practical. I also love that I can use the travel bad as a nappy bag for my first baby. If you a still wondering if you should get this product, just do it!" – Rebecca G.

"So in love with my Tottie nappy bag. I didn’t purchase initially for my first child and had massive regrets. The bag I went with broke early on - almost 3 years later and my Tottie still looks new. I especially love the compartment at the bottom, has been a lifesaver during toilet training / to store muddy shoes on the way home from the park. It’s also been big enough to use for my 2 kids,  now 9 months & 3 years old."  – Mishani

"Love this bag, so glad I went with it! I wanted a second nappy bag for my newborn that could be used individually when the kids are seperate but also alongside my toddlers nappy backpack when together. Also wanted one that would stand on its own and be easy to grab from and throw things into instead of zipping and unzipping constantly, plus with plenty of room. Love the colour and slight sheen too, 10/10" – Nat E.

Ready to Spark Joy?

Decluttering isn’t just about clean spaces, it’s about peace of mind. When your bag is calm and organised, you feel calmer too. That’s the true magic of the Marie Kondo method: making everyday life lighter, brighter, and more joyful.

Want to bring that feeling into your daily routine? Explore Tottie’s beautifully organised nappy bags and women's bags today and discover how effortless organisation can truly be.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Marie Kondo method for decluttering?

The Marie Kondo method (or KonMari method) is a minimalist organising philosophy that asks you to work by category, not by room, to evaluate each item by whether it sparks joy. You first discard everything that doesn’t bring you joy, then assign a dedicated home for what remains. For mums, this approach can help transform chaotic bags and baby essentials into gears you actually enjoy using.

What is the best decluttering method?

“Best” depends on your lifestyle, but many people find success with KonMari’s structured approach–declutter first, then organise. Because it’s emotional (you honour items you discard) and systematic (working by category), it tends to create long-lasting order. In everyday life, combining KonMari with a well-designed bag like a Tottie nappy backpacks or tote nappy bags that gives every item a spot can keep clutter from creeping back in.

How do you organise and declutter a bag or backpack?

First, empty it out and sort by category (baby items, mum essentials, snacks). Use small pouches or clear organisers to group items. Keep the most-used items in front or side pockets for easy access. In a Tottie nappy bag backpack, for instance, the multiple compartments, built-in pram clips, and change mat pocket let you give every item its place so you don’t end up losing your keys or wipes again.

How do you fold baby clothes using Marie Kondo techniques?

Marie Kondo’s folding style turns clothes into neat, stand-up rectangles so you can see every item at once. For baby clothes (onesies, pants, sleepers), fold them into small rectangles and store them upright in a drawer or in a section of your nappy bag. This way, you can spot the item you need without disturbing the rest.

Four women carrying nappy bags and travel bags in different styles – perfect for modern mums and travellers.

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