The Internet is buzzing with Marie Kondo these days. If you’re not familiar, she’s a Japanese woman who wrote the viral book, “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying up” in 2014. After this book, so many of us were “KonMari’ing” our homes…using her methods to declutter and organize.
She now has a show called “Tidying Up with Marie Kondo” on Netflix, where she enters into homes and guides people through her methods to get their lives on track.
I’d highly recommend the show for so many reasons. Marie is so darn adorable for one. She’s very kind and empathic, yet she lays down the law and makes sure that the homeowners accomplish their goals of an organized, clutter-free life. I love when the organizing is done, the homes still look real and lived-in, unlike many renovation shows, where the homes look unrealistically perfect.
My favourite part of the show is the fact that people’s lives are changed. Their relationships become closer and deeper. They remember key moments in their lives and why they kept their precious belongings. This is the true power of organizing and decluttering:
It uncovers what’s truly important to you.
If I’ve worked with you as a client, you read my blogs or you know me personally, you might already know that I’m a huge fan of minimalism, which goes right along with Marie’s guidance. When I say minimalism, I mean only buying what we truly need, and overall, not buying very much. I also love decluttering and I’ve always got a donation box on the go at home.
But it wasn’t always this way. In my early 20s, I thought shopping was a hobby! I’ve come a long way.
A number of years ago, I set a goal of no frivolous spending for 6 months. It was truly life-changing, as I found out how much I was spending on stuff I didn’t need. I also realized that I spent a lot of time going shopping for unnecessary things, opening emails from stores and shopping online for this or that. When I stopped this habit, it opened up so much mental energy that I put toward other activities that I enjoy. It also helped me to realize that there are certain things that I really love and I’m much more inclined to buy them now because I know they bring me joy.
I’m telling you this because I know that so many lives are weighed down by too many things. We get lost among our belongings and lose sight of what our core values are.
I want you to think about how much time you spend shopping. Trying to find a spot for the newest thing you’ve bought. Searching around for something and can’t remember where you’ve put it, because it’s lost in a mountain of stuff. Working to pay off the money you spend on “keeping up with the Joneses.”
What I recommend is a new way…
A lifestyle where you only buy what you truly need and a few keys want. Spend more time with your loved ones and less time shopping. Consider Marie Kondo’s “spark joy” factor…which means that you only keep our purchase things that truly bring pleasure to you.
Most people who follow a minimalistic lifestyle buy less, but buy good quality and keep it longer. When you’re not buying much stuff, you can typically afford to spend a bit more on quality items.
As you do this, you want to become more aware of your core values. Mine is spending time with my family and maintaining good health. Along those lines, I’ll spend money on items that go along with those values (board games, my juicer) and less on other frivolous things (trendy toys and clothes, the latest gadget).
Think about what you want to use the money you save on. Do you want to save for your children’s education? A vacation? Retirement? By setting a goal to achieve with the money you save, it can keep you motivated to keep going.
So here’s what I recommend to you:
1. Either read Marie Kondo’s book or check out Tidying Up on Netflix. The book is tiny and I found it a really easy, fast read. Warning: she’s so motivating, you’re going to want to begin decluttering right away!
2. Think about what types of things you’ve been buying that you really don’t need and don’t bring more joy into your life.
3. Set yourself a challenge to stop buying these items for 6 months (unless necessary).
4. Set a goal for what to do with the money you’ll save.
Sounds doable, right?
I’d love to hear what you think about all of this! Comment below and remember, I read every one!