I’ve been doing a massive declutter using the book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo. I have a bit of time right now since this is the first time in over 2.5 years when I haven’t been running a program (or two). It’s so strange!
In the spring I realized that I wanted to let go of a lot of my things but felt completely overwhelmed by the enormity of the task. When I found Marie Kondo’s book, it was the swift kick I needed.
The principle is that you keep only what brings you joy when you hold it. She instructs that you hold every single item you own and ask yourself if it brings you joy. I love the intuitive and energetic nature of her system!
I’ve learned so much about myself and about joy in the process. I’ve been doing it for 10 days and am about half-way through (I think/hope). I’ve been sharing my journey over on social media so you can see what I’m talking about. If you’re thinking about doing it yourself, I’ve included some tips below!
Here are My 10 Joy Declutter Tips
1. Make sure it’s a good time to begin before you do. It’s not always a good time to do this work. Other parts of your life may be more pressing, and if you’re grieving or having a tough time right now wait until the waters have calmed.
2. Get in touch with your own sense of joy before you begin sorting through your things. Think of a time when you felt really happy or at peace. Then begin. Having an anchor of joy will help keep you going and connected to the feeling of joy.
3. Have a bigger purpose for doing it than just decluttering. The process is not always easy or joyful. Somedays it’s downright exhausting so you’ll need a reason to keep going that’s so much bigger than a clean and tidy home. For me, I want to let go of all the weight I’ve been carrying around. I want to open myself up to new possibilities, let go of the past, and make space for the present.
4. Stay hydrated and it’s okay if you need to order a pizza. You’re going to be surrounded in stuff. You’ll be tired. Go easy on yourself.
5. Speaking of going easy on yourself, you don’t have to sit on the floor!I made this mistake with my books and I spent the morning in pain, not connected to joy, because I wasn’t comfortable.
6. Remember the mess is temporary. You will get through it!
7. Talk to your things. Let them know you’re grateful for the role they played in your life. Bless them and let them go. Marie talks about doing this in the book and it’s been so helpful!
8. It’s okay to let go. It’s okay to release the money you may have spent or the memory you have. There will most likely be some tears. That’s part of the releasing process. Thank the tears for helping you let go.
9. Talk to yourself. Let yourself know you are worthy of joy in every aspect of your life!
10. You are not your things. When we connect to our essence, our things are not what’s important. In the end, it’s not about things. Your spirit is much vaster than any of the stuff.