Hello all! Liz Zadnik here with another Saturday post. I can’t believe it’s already November – I don’t know about you, but time is really flying! Today’s post is an update on my reading list post.
My first book was Marie Kondo’s The Life-changing Magic of Tidying Up, partly because I am an unabashed organizer and partly due to the fact I just moved into a new home. I really wanted to start off on the right foot. This book was an excellent tool to get the process going.
Lesson Learned: The primary goal of the KonMari method (that’s what she calls her approach) is not necessarily less stuff, although that’s definitely an outcome. It, honestly, never occurred to me: Only keep items that bring you joy. JOY! The logic…which I love… is that when you surround yourself with joyful things you will inevitably find a place for everything and your “sweet spot” of possessions. I can’t tell you enough how this has totally transformed my approach to just about everything.
Hot Tip: Being the evaluation enthusiast I am, my preparation for this process included developing criteria for “bringing me joy.” What feelings, conditions, or signals would indicate joy? How could I control for external factors (such as hunger or fatigue)?
I ended up with a consistent set of physical indicators and mental or emotional signs I gelt joyful about an object. I also have a few questions to help me double-check myself when assessing sentimental objects, pictures, and gifts.
I have to say that this has definitely been a successful process. I still have some work to do, but already feel the effects of this approach. It seems to intuitive looking back, but I guess years and years of organizing articles and books have really distracted me from the whole point of living: JOY!!
(Image created by yours truly using Canva!)
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