If you have shopped in Est8te lately you have heard me say, “Does this outfit bring you joy?” I have been inspired by two books by Marie Kondo: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing and Spark Joy: An Illustrated Master Class on the Art of Organizing and Tidying Up.
The basic premise is to start cleaning out and organizing your environment one space at a time. Start small with a closet, a drawer, your desk before tackling a large space like the garage.
I started small with my closet. Taking each item off the rack I would ask myself, “Does this bring me joy?” It may sound silly but I received answers from these old clothes. One shirt had hung out for two years and it made me feel terrible because I have not lost the weight to fit in it. And one dress made me smile because I have worn it over and over to some of my most memorable parties. Quickly the “no joy” pile grew.
My closet became a happy space rather than a cramp suffocating place I dreaded every day.
Think about it: one of the first places you visit each day is your closet. It is also one of the last places you see before retiring at night. Shouldn’t this be one of the most joyful places in your home?
I hope you will put these two books on your summer reading list. They are simple and sensible. And please remember, you work hard for your money. Don’t waste it on anything that doesn’t bring you joy. Come see us at Est8te. We will always help you find those special outfits that will make you feel great on the outside and joyful on the inside.
xoxo Mary Ellen