See this this where I’m an oddball. I despise clutter and but, I am not hardly a minimalist. I enthusiastically support those who are because we’re all different. But, I like variety and change and new so I enjoy having a number of things in categories I love.
I just don’t want “extra”. If I’m not using and / or enjoying it then it needs to go. And, what I have needs to be orderly and in its place.
So I’m in the middle...sorta.
I totally get it. I felt much the same way at first.
But, it’s not that fluffy. Lol! I’ve not yet read her book so, I’ll let those more knowledgeable correct me. But, from what I understand, her approach is that things should fall in one of
two categories, one being those things that spark joy and the second being those that are necessary and functional. So, she would probably say people should keep things like ironing boards, lawn mowers and floss because they serve a real need even if there is no “joy sparking” when using them. But, for everything that is optional, we should only choose items that spark joy or in other words make us happy.
This thought process was useful for me because while I’d spend a looooot of time trying to get the perfect things for others, I would too often buy things for myself because they were on sale / easily accessible and serviceable. When
I heard of the “spark joy” thing and thought about it, I realized I was cheating myself. Beyond the aforementioned category of necessary functional things, why not have every other thing, experience, moment (dare I say person), etc. I bring into my life be flat out, make me giggle, amazing? Why compromise?
When I started actually thinking about it that way, it was transformational but, admittedly, a hard standard to hold. (I have to say I started this process before I heard of Ms. Kondo. Her principles gave a little bit of structure to what I had already started doing.) The more I move in that direction, the happier I am. So, I push myself.
Like with my loungewear. I have a thing for Hello Kitty. (Hello Kitty, Star Trek, Sparkly things, and the color pink. Yes, I am a big kid! LOL!) I finally said - stop the dumb stuff. I want Hello Kitty socks. So, Mr. S buys them for me in colors to coodinate with my grown up girl lounge wear.
I’m soooooo happy toddling around my house in my HK socks! Ok. I admit it. I even wear them out and about when I’m wearing boots.
A little thing but, more happy!
We have a couple that were suggested - and I need to figure out where I wrote them down.
If you have a suggestion let me know. And if someone else has suggested one, please remind me!!!!
But, don’t forget, we are going to be doing our color weeks starting in Feb!
When we have our challenges and color week info, I’ll ask the moderator to switch out our tagged post.
