With the launch of her Netflix series on January 1 this year, Kondo sparked joy in the hearts of thousands of people right across the world and certainly Australia – inspiring a decluttering frenzy and overloading charity organisations and donation points across our cities with unwanted items – clothes, toys, homewares and collections of goods that had built up over years in our homes.
What has made it so easy to finally let go of so much collected clutter? Kondo would suggest the idea of “letting go with gratitude” of things that no longer “spark joy” as you come into contact with them is the key.
“You may be feeling too attached to the past… it’s time to move on.”
Marie Kondo
Saying “thank you” to items as you do away with them allows for both a process of a gentler letting go and a way of acknowledging the worth an item once held – a recognition of its value - removing uncomfortable feelings of guilt or sentimentality.
“Only by letting go of items, one by one, can you truly face your past, and begin to create your future.”
Marie Kondo
“So, when something doesn’t spark joy, give it a proper send off. Express your gratitude, and say goodbye,” she suggests in calm tones on her native Japanese on a recent blog post. It’s up to you where you take this method first – be it childrens’ toys, copious notes from a hard-earned University education, old shoes littering your front door mat or clothes hanging in your wardrobe – the process is the same and invites a little self-reflection – in some cases you may find yourself questioning the value of the object overall – give you pause when you next spy something in a sale or on the side of the road you didn’t know you needed until you discovered it. Think again.
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