Thoughts on The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying by Marie Kondo
January 05, 2016
New Year. New Start …
one that will last? Hopefully! Habits are so hard to change. Requiring grit and
determination and a will power so strong as to overcome ‘I’ll do it later.’ Or,
better still, tomorrow.
My Santa stocking
(well, pillow case - the stockings are packed away in boxes since the move; eight
months ago – don’t ask) contained Marie Kondo’s book: “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying”. By the look on her face and worried comment, my daughter clearly
wondered at the wisdom of giving this to me, despite my request.
I enjoyed reading it.
It resonated. I have cleared out before. Seriously cleared out, throwing all
but a few prized items, in order to move countries. It felt SO good.
Liberating. It made me aware of how little I need and at the same time
seriously reduced my insurance requirements.
Living for ten years
in the same house, with a growing child, I have accumulated stuff. And no
matter how hard I try, piles of papers grow everywhere - sometimes better than
the plants. You just never know when you are going to need something.
Marie Kondo advises to
do it all at once. The whole lot. Starting with clothing, sorting by category. Gather
them all together. One by one hold them and ask ‘Does this spark joy?’ ‘Will
keeping it make me happy and bring me joy?’
I started. I just had
to. Only able to pile up some tops on the bed, due to the boxes, I finished
with a large carrier bag of clothing. H&M exchanged it for a £5 voucher,
promptly spent on a top. It was on sale. And will bring happiness and joy! The
purchase was only possible as my daughter wanted something too so we reached
the minimum amount. More stuff!
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