As I accept the payment for a branded top that was barely used for a small amount, I told myself “that will teach you to consider your purchases carefully next time, Cakes” About two weeks ago, a friend invited me to hold a garage sale somewhere in Marikina. A self-professed hoarder with passion for anything printed, he said he wanted to “let go” of about 3 boxes of shirts, pants and shoes and make room for something new for the next year.
“We have far more we need than we want.” I started reading Marie Kondo’s book Life-Changing Method of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing early this year but halted after a few pages to prioritize more important books. But this excerpt while nothing new rings more than ever especially after the awakening post about sustainability that I made here. Also, part of the reason for halting was the hesitation to follow her method to “discard all at once, intensely and completely”. Considering my schedule, side hustles and all, I wasn’t sure I have the time to do it all at once.
I mean, I’ve been selling my stuff more seriously since early this year in Carousell (follow me: Cassey_Cakes) after further refining and sticking to a certain style of dressing that’s distinctively my own but also as a means of providing spaces to an ever-flowing wardrobe for like since forever. 🙄 And even after holding the garage sale, the clutter problem still exists. After finishing the book lately, it’s clear more than ever why the action to discard the KonMari way is a must – a change is needed and perhaps a drastic one at that.
“Tidy a little a day and you’ll be tidying forever.” Being a pack rat all my life, in the past I can’t explain that little thrill I get whenever I discard of something – be it a little trinket that I have decided to be of no value anymore, travel memorabilia or anything that would free my room of even the slightest tiniest space (lol). I can’t imagine how much delight this course of action will bring me. Her clients can produce easily 20 bags of disposed items in a day. 😱And if I read the book correctly, I have 6-month ultimatum to complete it. 😅 Crossing my fingers to see that magic. Lol!
I’d have to agree that her approach contradicts conventional wisdom (errm, talking to things and saying thank you? 🤷 ) but I was able to extract a lot of gem from this book and inspired me to my quest to SIMPLIFY and lead a sustainable lifestyle. I like her passion about tidying since she’s been doing it at such a young age and have become an expert in the subject matter. Although the book is basically about tidying your home and getting your life in order, I feel like this also applies to other things in life (cough cough, getting rid of toxic people, men especially). Have you read this book? What’s your take on the KonMari method?