Recently I reread a book that was the starting point for so many changes in my life.
I still remember how my dear friend kept talking about a particular book. Time and time again she seemed to mention it. After about the fifth time I asked “What is this book you keep mentioning?!”. It was of course The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo.
I read the book and got very busy tidying. I was obsessed and I couldn’t stop. Category after category, I went through possessions that I had acquired and never let go. Marie Kondo gave me permission to let go of old textbooks I would never revisit, the beautiful European design toaster that didn’t work in the US, the clothes I didn’t like to wear, and the high school photo that brought me bad memories. Why was I surrounding myself with things that didn’t enhance my life? Before reading Kondo’s book, I never stopped to think about it.
It seemed mainstream to acquire things. Normal to shop for fun. But stuff was not making me happy.
I have always loved clean, well-organized spaces. As a kid, I actually played “secretary” which was basically me organizing things in my room. I loved organizing my parents’ pantry (admittedly I continue this habit to this day during my visits). But I disliked cleaning. With too much stuff it was too much work! I was also missing some key habits but more about that later.
9 ways that Marie Kondo’s Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up changed my life:
1. Better decision-making skills
Going through the KonMari Method honed my decision-making skills. I realized I am the one who needs to decide about my things and postponing a decision making won’t make things any better. If I don’t want to wear a t-shirt now, I need to stop and think - why? Will I want to wear it next week? If not, why am I keeping it? The questions and the answers have a lot to teach.
2. Keeping like items together makes it impossible to fool yourself
As long as I was keeping pens all around the house, I never knew how many I had and it was easy to bring new pens home. Once I collected them all in one spot, the reality became clear. I did not need new pens for years to come.
3. Building gratitude
After finishing with the tidying festival, as Kondo calls it, I became acutely aware of all the things I had. I realized I didn’t need anything. I would be covered for at least the next six months with everything I needed except food.
4. Shopping with a purpose only
The realization of just how abundant my life was made me stop and think why do I still shop? Why spend time in an area that is meant for shopping and eating out if you’re not hungry and not in need of anything?! This realization had a profound impact on me and I made a promise to not buy anything for a month.
5. Does it spark joy?
I started to use the question Kondo begs us to ask, does it spark joy, with everything in my life. If something wouldn’t bring me joy right then, I would ask if there’s anything I can do to make it more joyful. With fewer things, I even found joy in cleaning.
6. Surrounding myself with like-minded people
After reading Kondo’s books, I began searching for more information about living with less. I was obsessed. I watched a documentary about minimalism, read any books I got hold of, and started following people who write about living with less. I unsubscribed from all marketing emails and subscribed to emails about simplicity. The effect was instant and dramatic.
7. Living more sustainably
I have cared about living sustainably all my adult life (at least) but part of me was worried about being somehow “different”. But we are all different! Why did it take me this long to truly comprehend? I don't know, but the first book I read and put into practice after Marie Kondo’s books was Bea Johnsson’s Zero Waste Home.
8. Living within my values
By removing the excess I started to see what I like and value and what is important. I permitted myself to follow my own values. I started grocery shopping zero waste style and felt like a winner! Even if I knew how small my personal changes would be on a global scale, I now also knew how detrimental it was to not listen to and follow your own heart.
9. Thriving to be the best version of myself
After I got my home in order, I had more time to focus on other things. One by one I started to remove habits that didn’t serve me and build better ones. I prioritized doing yoga every day. I learned how to best keep my house clean on a daily basis. I learned about the power of now. I learned about calming breathing techniques. I continue to learn.
None of these may be life shuttering changes on their own but together they have changed the course of my life.