Lately I had been binge watching Marie Kondo’s show on Netflix. Alright, binge watching may be an overstatement because it literally takes me 3-4 installments to watch an-hour long episode.. hahaha! I am not into home or lifestyle kind of stuff but her show just really captured my interest, and has lately caused positive changes in my life. By the way, this is in no way an advertisement or promotion of her show. I am just out here to share my insights and hope that others can learn from it too.
Spark of Joy
For Marie Kondo, something is worth keeping if it SPARKS JOY IN YOUR LIFE when you touch it. She ask clients to touch each item of clothing one by one and if it stirs up happy energy, either because the clothes make them feel good about themselves or it reminds them of a happy memory, then it stays in their closet.
It may seemingly be funny at first, or may be ridiculous to some, In fact I have seen a lot of memes about this already and admittedly, they are hilarious when practiced exaggeratedly. But when I contemplated, it not only makes a lot of sense but it actually simplifies one’s way of deciding what is worth keeping in your life; may it be material possessions, relationships or emotional baggage.
As we grow old, we tend to hold on to a lot of things with a fear of letting go, not realizing that at some point it is weighing us down. And because we are to keen on keeping everything, it prevents us from enjoying or appreciating the few good ones that genuinely makes us happy. Even clients of Marie Kondo had a hard time. Some even cry about it sorting over their stuff. Mind you, it is not requirement to discard items because at the end of the day, it is them who gets to decide what stays or not. Despite knowing that it does not bring happiness anymore, there is still that unsettling feeling, even guilt to give it away. But afterwards, when the process is done, they all felt a sense of relief. Liberation.
In the KonMari method, before letting go of an item, one has to say “thank you” to it as a form of appreciation for serving its purpose and for a source of joy at some point. Parting ways need not be resentful, nor even sad. Letting go can be full of appreciation for all the wonderful memories shared and happiness brought at some point in our life. It can also mean that you are giving it a chance to be appreciated and a source of happiness to others.
Imagining your future with it
When deciding whether to keep an item, a second concept of the KonMari method is when you evaluate:
“Is it something that you want to take in the future with you?”
“When you envision you future life, do you see it with you?”
Sometimes you hoard stuff thinking that you will need it at some point. Later you will realize that you have accumulated so much of the same item, and of the same worth. Do you really need that much? Do you need all of it? Some yes, but you will be surprised of those you will realize that are not. If you do not see yourself being with it 30, 20 or even 10 years from today, then why hold on to it now?
The ones worth keeping
After the sorting comes the loving. Those you decide to keep are kept in an organized manner. It is like after carefully choosing what stays in your life, you are also deciding to give it the much needed care and appreciation. It is like looking at them in a whole new light! It is a two-way street, if it brings you joy, then care for it in a way that will bring you more joyful years together.
I honestly did not expect that getting organized can lead me to these realizations. I started organizing our closets last week and these concepts really helped me a lot. It has changed my mindset in a lot of ways. Even my family is influenced and are now slowly getting on it too. We became mindful and more responsible of our things. I am also adopting my learning through my personal space in the office. I am also excited to apply this concepts as we organize our entire home.
Oh and as proof that my family is loving the konmari method, Daddy S told me yesterday while holding an old pair of socks “Mommy, this no longer sparks joy in my life so i’m throwing it away alright?” 🙂