Let it go
You never know just how much stuff (or junk) you own until you have to pack it all up.
After our apartment fire, our insurance company packed all our stuff for us. Now, those boxes lay in basement storage, out of sight and out of mind. I consider this a problem for my future self to tackle when it’s time to move back. But, I can’t escape the ongoing struggle that is my closet space. I have too much clothing and there are items I haven’t worn in years, but I refuse to let go. Why is that?
A friend of mine had similar issues to tackle last year. Luckily, her mother passed along a little book that opened her eyes, “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up“. If you’re unfamiliar with Marie Kondo‘s tidy guide, I suggest you borrow it. Don’t make my mistake of buying it, only to add it to your clutter. HAHA!
Without giving too much of the book away, Kondo shares her method on how to properly tidy up. Many people chase a messy cycle, hoarding and purging throughout the year. This gets the job done but the effects don’t last long. Kondo’s clients swear her method works best and after one massive clean up, they break the cycle. But, that’s not where the magic stops! Kondo’s clients claim the effects extend beyond their homes, they impact their lives too. People realised their clutter symbolised bigger issues in their lives, once removed they felt free to pursue a happier path. Some people went as far as losing weight, divorcing, or starting businesses.
This sounds drastic but it makes sense! When people hold on to clutter, they hold on to a memory, a piece of nostalgia. I’m definitely guilty of this. While trips down memory lane are great, too many start to hold you back. You long for “the good old days”, find yourself unsatisfied or paralysed to move forward.
How we present ourselves (in person or at home) is a reflection of our inner selves. “The mess” you surround yourself with is no different. Well, I say “no more!” This year, I’m learning to let go of items and the symbolism behind those items (ie. thinner bodies, self-doubt, insecurities, failure, etc).
I’m excited for the revelations beneath the “fortress of things” I’ve built for myself. Because, while the things we own are an expression of ourselves, they do not define us. To let go of something is not to let go or lose yourself in the process. To partially quote one of my favourite books from back in the day:
You are not your fucking khakis
Stay tuned for a follow-up post with any results. Even if it’s just bags of stuff I’m donating, I will share the journey. I know I can’t be the only one, do you struggle with letting go?
