Releasing

by Janet M. Shlaes, Ph.D.

“A major clear out is essential if you truly want to have passion, joy and happiness in your life.”          

~ Karen Kingston

Releasing is essential for freeing the requisite space in life for allowing what is better suited for us to emerge. Although I tend to be a minimalist in nature with regard to “stuff,” a book from my daughter-in-law, a kindred spirit in minimalism, propelled me into a completely different space around possessions. Let me explain…..

There are countless books around minimalism and decluttering, but this one is unique in a manner that moved me. The author, Marie Kondo, in her small yet hugely powerful book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, challenges prior approaches to organizing and eliminating clutter. Unlike most methods that dictate doing a little bit each day and gradually eliminating stuff, her approach goes beyond the surface to your relationship with your life, self-esteem, values and surroundings. According to her KonMarie Method, every item that you own and wear should provide form, function and, most importantly, joy. It was the joy aspect that rocked my world. Perhaps it will rock your world too. Imagine what your experience would be if every item you owned provided you with the experience of joy. After reading her book and applying the KonMarie Method, my minimalist home shed many items that no longer provided current value and enjoyment; surprisingly, many never did.

Imagine living in a home surrounded by items that provide you with pleasure and joy – through function, aesthetic, usefulness and/or comfort. It’s pretty amazing!

Janet

For addition insights and observations, check out the following posts:

Playing the Hand You're Dealt

Quitting

Small Adjustments, Big Results