By One of the core principles of Marie Kondo’s method is to keep only items that “spark joy” in your home. This means being mindful of what you own and how it makes you feel. By letting go of things that do not bring you joy, you can create more space and clarity in your life.
The same principle can be applied to other aspects of your life, such as your relationships, your hobbies, your work, and your health. By focusing on what brings you joy, you can cultivate a positive mindset and a grateful attitude. Joy is a simple yet powerful emotion that can enhance your well-being and happiness.
There are different ways to bring joy
Marie Kondo acknowledges that different people have different preferences and tastes when it comes to what sparks joy for them. She encourages us to respect our own feelings and choices, and not to compare ourselves with others. She also suggests that we can find joy in various ways, such as:
- Expressing our creativity and individuality through our personal style and hobbies.
- Connecting with nature and appreciating its beauty and abundance.
- Sharing our joy with others and spreading kindness and generosity.
- Learning new skills and expanding our knowledge and horizons.
- Celebrating our achievements and milestones, no matter how big or small.
We don’t hang on to things; we hang on to emotions attached to those things
One of the challenges of decluttering is dealing with items that have sentimental value or emotional attachment. Marie Kondo advises us to thank these items for their service and let them go with gratitude. She says that we don’t hang on to things; we hang on to the emotions attached to those things.
By releasing these items, we are not discarding our memories or feelings. We are simply making room for new experiences and opportunities. We are also honoring the past and acknowledging its role in shaping our present and future. By letting go of the past, we can live more fully in the present and look forward to the future.
Fewer things you love is better than many things you kinda like
Marie Kondo advocates for quality over quantity when it comes to our possessions. She says that having fewer things that we truly love and cherish is better than having many things that we kinda like or don’t need. By having less, we can enjoy more.
This concept can also be applied to other areas of our life, such as our time, our energy, our attention, and our money. By being selective and intentional about how we spend these resources, we can invest in what matters most to us and avoid wasting them on what doesn’t. By having less, we can live more.
It’s not about what others think
Marie Kondo emphasizes that tidying up is a personal and subjective process, and that we should not be influenced by what others think or expect of us. She says that we should follow our own intuition and joy, and not worry about the opinions or judgments of others.
This is a valuable lesson for living a healthier and happier lifestyle, as it reminds us to be authentic and true to ourselves. It also helps us to develop self-confidence and self-esteem, and to respect our own boundaries and needs. It’s not about what others think; it’s about what we think and feel.