You may have heard about the cultural phenomenon sweeping North America that is Marie Kondo.
She is a delight.
Kondo is powerfully transforming our relationships to our stuff through her book “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing” and her Netflix show, “Tidying up with Marie Kondo”.
Many of you may remember this summer my ravings about a week long de-cluttering process we underwent.
At first, it’s a little difficult to face the volume of useless stuff we have. Unnecessarily wasted resources and money. In the end, it feels incredible.
Gluttony
The North American culture is gluttonous. Our economy and social status is driven by the accumulation of stuff. Stuff piling up in our cupboards, closets, and garages.
As the stuff piles up, we feel surrounded, overwhelmed, and burdened. It creeps into all aspects of our lives.
Kondo helps us begin to unpack our baggage. The relationships with our loved ones, our things and our homes.
We are taught not to think about it.
Focus on needing more.
During my training as a sales associate at an electronics superstore back in the early-2000’s we were taught to focus on what people need. Of course, people need very little from that store. They want a lot!
Tidying up
So, last night with Emily and the kids out. I watched my first episode of “Tidying up.”
It is so good. The timing of her appearance in our culture is impeccable, as is her personality, her approach and the result of her process.
Everything has a place. If it does not bring you joy, then get rid of it and move on. But, thank it first.
Wait, hold on. Back up. Thank it first?
North Americans are way too cool to be thanking stuff, never mind the useless junk we are getting rid of.
But, yes. Hold it in your hands, give it a moment of gratitude, thank it for it’s service to you, and then move on.
So, what is this whole joy thing about? Because, this concept also makes us feel uncomfortable. Kondo is asking us to explore joy in our homes, family relations and with our things. Weird.
It’s a revelation.
No wonder society is so unhappy, negative, confrontational, angry, frustrated and sad. That is what we focus on.
But, it feels so good to explore joy.
Slow down. Pause. Consider the parts of your life that bring you joy, and that parts that do not.
You have the permission to move on once you have shown gratitude.
Target the things that bring you joy.
Finally, we are not thankful enough.
We are not mindful.
Perhaps, the forces in our culture are training our thoughtlessness. Don’t think about that purchase, just do it.
Once Kondo has been introduced to the mess, and the unhealthy relationships her subjects have with their things, themselves and their closest loved ones, she deliberately begins her process with a few moments of reconciliation.
She asks the family to gather in a particular space in their house to thank it. To make it their home once more.
Yes, to thank their home for being there, for providing warmth and shelter for the family.
This is the most important step to do first. Because, we realize just how disassociated we are with our things, and yet how emotionally connected we are to them.
So, try it out.
Take a few moments to find just the right spot in your house.
Only you know where it is.
Kneel down on the ground.
Close your eyes.
Breathe.
Calm down.
Feel gratitude.
Embrace joy.
Thank you Marie!
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