KonMari 2017 - The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up

"Does this spark joy?"

This question is not simply or solely about the object, but asks"Who are you?" And that is a very deep question, with profound ramifications. How many of us really know who we truly are? Not the labels: the daughter, the wife, the organised-one, or the ditzy one.... Who - truly - am I?

Who am I?

How do I feel? About myself? Others? The world?


How do I feel about this object? Where do those feelings originate? Why does this object mean this? What does it signify?


Recognizing our true selves ( our joys, sorrows and fears ) is vital for our own emotional, mental and physical health. Choosing joy and letting go of fear ( and acknowledge those whys and wherefores) is incredibly powerful.


Me and my joy can tell Mr Sanctimonious to push off 😉

Yes, so just - yes!!

I have spent so much of my life trying to decide who I "am". And I have about four different personae and they all needed shopping for!!

Something as simple as deciding whether something sparks joy is really all about catching our real selves reacting

((((charly27)))) I'm very sorry to hear about your Dad and sending you and your siblings all good wishes at this sad time.

I've been reading the becomingminimalist blog for some years but have become a tad disenchanted by it, for the same reason that I have drifted away from The Minimalists.

I do not have a fancy, celebrated or exciting life. I'm more than OK with that, I'm a homebody who's never happier than at home with a cuppa and a book, or pottering about on her allotment, or hanging out with pals in one of their homes.

I don't want to save the world (impossible aspiration anyway, and a hiding to nowhere in terms of personal happiness) and I don't want to be made, even by implication, to feel bad for not wanting to try.

Here's a linkie to a lovely article, found via the simplicityvoices consolidation site, which I find uplifting and which some of us may enjoy: https://tinybuddha.com/blog/stop-chasing-success-start-enjoying-life/

Today, I am spending a few hours with another pal, the one with the juntique shop, which has more than ample opportunities for kondo-ing and a superior quality of clutter; marble busts, brass shell cases, swords and bayonets, old crockery, crystals and horsebrasses and a whole category of Misc unlike any Misc most of us will have seen before. He recently told me he has an ultrasonic jewellery cleaner, which I have not seen in any of the rooms inc the cellar, so I thought I might try and find it as I've never had a go with one before and one ought to play with new toys when one gets a chance, hmmm?

Wednesday, I went to a taster Tai Chi event that was held outdoors and was surprised to find that
i) the hour went very quickly (I mean it was all so tranquil but when we stopped I assumed it was half-time but no, an hour had gone by!),
ii) although it was not at all 'energetic' and the positions did not strain anything, I could feel that I had worked my muscles the next day, which was interesting in itself.
iii) there is one movement that feels soooooo good to my back muscles, it is spot on.

I just bought 2 dvds that introduce the various stances (the 24 to start with, there are more, but I struggle to remember the 24 !). It is a really lovely form of exercise and watching the introduction was a real eye-opener. The starting stance is nothing like you expect, and is all about having a relaxed stance as opposed to 'standing up straight' as one might imagine.
I think the principle is to keep moving and stretching because while you may concentrating on moving your arms from one stance to another you are also changing your balance and moving your feet. You don't stand still, but move from one shape to another throughout the session.
It is quite fascinating. *
* With profuse apologies to those who really know about Tai Chi. I have not studied it and am an absolute beginner, these are my gut reactions!

I loved tai chi, last did a course over 15 years ago. Something I will be taking up again after moving, so good for body and mind

A quick removal of all bar one, gardening books and paleo books that I tried for a very short time. Into the cs bag with them and driving to dd to offload some things, soon. I lost another lb on the scales this morning, I don`t weigh myself often but a total of one stone now, very slowly, down to cycling, being busy and my food eg I ate the rest of my divine chocolate months ago and now only have one small bit of 85% chocolate, which zaps any choc craving. I used to order a box of 12 bars (cringe)

All this kondo has very much helped me mentally, to say goodbye to this house, I never thought that would happen but the whole process has been about letting go. I so want to find that new house, there is nothing coming on the market but like with MK, I will put myself in the hands of the karma flow, call it fate