I know it’s Autumn, but I want to mention Spring cleaning.
I have been reading Marie Kondo’s book “Spark Joy” and even if I didn’t take any action, I think I would be enjoying the book as it appeals to my inner organiser. But the added bonus is that it has prompted me to clear out old clothes and books. I’ve even delved into organising paperwork and admin!
Maybe this newsletter will spark some enthusiasm for Autumn cleaning!
Enjoy😊
Sinead
Marie Kondo is best known as a Japanese tidying expert. She has trademarked her unique approach to decluttering, calling it the KonMari Method. Marie was influenced by her grandmother’s careful attention to her home and belongings as a child and always had a love of being organised and tidy. As a 19 year old University student in Tokyo, Marie started her tidying consultancy business.
Essentially Marie’s method focuses on keeping what you love, “sparks joy”, in Marie’s words. Marie has written numerous books, appeared in a Netflix documentary, been featured in many magazines and TV shows. She comes across as polite, modest and helpful. Her “tidying-up” movement has millions of followers worldwide.
I have just read her book, “Spark Joy” and I felt joy just reading the book. It’s easy to read and Marie’s gentle encouragement did help me declutter clothes and books. Also, her words instill a sense of respect for our possessions, even things we don’t normally give much attention to, like socks!
“Your feet bear your weight and help you live your life, and it is your socks that cradle those feet. The socks you wear at home are particularly important because thy are the contact point between you and your house, so choose ones that will make the time you spend there even more enjoyable.”
Marie offers caring advice on the best way to fold and store socks, proclaiming that “Balling your socks and stockings, or tying them into knots is cruel. Please put an end to this practice today.”
I loved Marie’s message about books.
“The energy of book titles and the words inside them are very powerful. In Japan, we say that ‘words make our reality’. The words we see and with which we come into contact tend to bring about events of the same nature. In that sense you will become the person who matches the books you have kept. What kind of books would you want in your bookcase to reflect the kind of person you aspire to be?”
Marie advises looking along the spines of the books in your shelves to see what words jump out at you. She goes so far as to suggest that someone who is looking for a partner may be unconsciously thwarting themselves if many of the words staring out of them include “single” or have messages like “cooking for one”.
This overlaps with areas of positive psychology and thoughts related to the Law of Attraction and other ideas as proposed by books such as “The Secret” by Rhonda Byrne and “Manifest” by Roxie Nafousi. Given the recent popularity of concepts about the power of our thinking, I think Marie’s book advice is worth noting.
| “The best way to find out what we really need, is to get rid of what we don’t.” Marie Kondo “Clutter obscures what’s most important. Discarding that which doesn’t support your ideal lifestyle creates space for treasured possessions to truly shine — and leaves room for future joy-sparking additions.” Marie Kondo “If you’re not using the stuff in your home, get rid of it. You’re not going to start using it more by shoving it in a closet somewhere.” Joshua Becker |
Sinead Huskisson 