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By now, everybody knows the main tenet of Marie Kondo’s organizing strategy. So much so that the very notion of keeping only the things that “spark joy” have become a meme—even her walk on the Oscars red carpet spurred all kinds of tweets about how she’d clean up the mess that was this year’s Academy Awards and get rid of the categories that didn’t, well, spark joy in her.
But The Life-changing Magic Of Tidying Up author’s patented KonMari method goes well beyond folding clothes into little packets and sparking joy. Her books go in-depth in her philosophy, but there was one quote in particular that’s struck a chord with me lately: It’s her take on why we hold onto so many physical possessions in the first place.
“When we really delve into the reasons for why we can’t let something go, there are only two: an attachment to the past or a fear for the future.”
—Marie Kondo, Inc.
Looking back at the things I keep storing away in my basement or closet, both sentiments ring true: There are things that spark joy but don’t fit me right, yet I hold onto them because they remind me of who I was—or a time that’s passed. It’s a physical representation of a fleeting memory; something tangible I can hold onto. The latter is also true—there are certain things I hold onto out of a conviction that at some point, I could use it…for something.
I’ve been trying to look at things on a case-by-case basis. How likely will I use this again? How fond is the memory that item holds, and do I actually treasure the item, or is it just another thing taking up space?
On that front, the whole process of letting go and paring down has sparked something else in me—a wariness of being too quick to buy new things. And fill my home with things. Sure, we need dining room chairs, but until we find ones we love, the two old rickety chairs and the ottoman will do. Sure, another new dress would be great, but I have a closet full of nice options—do I really need another? It’s simple, but it’s so easy to get caught up in the “add to cart” culture. I’m trying to take a (baby) step back.
Photo by Edgar Chaparro on Unsplash
