Last night, I started watching Netflix’s “Tidying Up” with Marie Kondo. I smirked when selecting it to watch because I was only choosing it to see how the social media hype had snagged people into watching a show about cleaning their homes. It sounded ludicrous and so I set out on a mission to see just how ridiculous it was.
It was in the first episode that something switched. When Marie Kondo took time to sit in silence and “greet” the house, my entire concept changed. It’s about gratitude! I immediately felt an intense understanding and privilege as I sat in my warm bed, in a warm house watching my 32″ tv. I started to thank the Creator for all of my many blessings, including the swarms of clothes and things that I possess and no longer possess.
See, this process was all too familiar to me. I think that is why it struck such a chord with me. When I separated from my husband in 2009, I literally had to release all of the things I had accumulated in my life. Coming from a huge 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home- I was now reduced to a bedroom. A bedroom. It caused me to take the time to choose only the items that “sparked joy” in my life to keep. I understand what that process does. It literally teaches you to be in such gratitude not for the “things” per se, but for the experiences that are attached to them. And what you find is that many of the “things” in our life have no emotional attachment. They are just filling a void.
Happiness and joy come from moments, experiences, bonds, and the peace we find amongst them. With that, you find you are free to be you. I woke up this morning thankful for everything. I thanked my body for rocking with me for 39 years, instead of complaining of back and knee pain. I thanked the sun for shining through my window and waking me (no alarm today). I even thanked my Keurig for brewing me a delicious cup of coffee (Don’t judge me).
This is the gift of “Tidying Up”. People aren’t just intrigued to clean their physical living situations, but you are given the gift of gratitude and appreciation. Once you get that, you realize appreciation for “things” over people and moments is just silly. Purging at that point is really easy.
Have you watched “Tidying Up”? Have you heard of Marie Kondo prior to the Netflix show? What are your thoughts? Post in the comments and let’s discuss on social media @isis_thomas on Instagram or on Facebook.
