By Cheryl Maguire
“Does this bring me joy?” I pondered.
As I held an apple spice candle, I took a whiff from the top.
The scent likely faded after being stored in the attic for 15 years, I mused. It certainly wasn’t evoking any joy.
I discarded it into the already overflowing trash heap.
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo had captivated readers for 86 weeks when I first stumbled upon it. That serendipitous find launched a month-long decluttering expedition throughout my home, resulting in eleven bags for donation and ten for the rubbish.
Despite considering myself a ‘neat freak,’ I realize that if I ever were to pen a guide on organizing, it would end up in the discount section. My three kids often express their irritation with my obsession with cleanliness. While they enjoy their meals, I am right there, wiping crumbs. I have labeled containers for their toys, clothes, and sports equipment, and if they neglect to store their belongings properly, they face my displeasure.
Initially, I couldn’t understand how a book focused on such a mundane topic could achieve fame. However, as I immersed myself in its pages, I found it far more engaging than the psychological thrillers I typically read. The central message became evident—the importance of examining one’s relationship with possessions.
Kondo asserts, “Putting things away creates the illusion that the clutter problem has been solved.” Although I neatly arrange and store all my belongings, I seldom part with anything. Like Kondo suggested, I had been under the misconception that I lived in a clutter-free environment.
“You will never use spare buttons,” Kondo claims.
She was spot on; I have never sewn a button back on, so why did I hoard a collection of them in my drawer? The clutter could no longer be ignored.
“If you spot an (electrical or cable) cord and wonder about its purpose, it’s likely you’ll never use it again,” Kondo advises.
As I glanced at my bag of mystery cords, it dawned on me that I hadn’t utilized any of them since creating that collection.
Her book prompted me to reflect on how I came to own each item and why I clung to them.I recognized a recurring theme in my habits: apprehension about needing items in the future or feeling guilty for not using them.
It was time to embark on step one of her method: “start by discarding, all at once, intensely and completely.”
Kondo emphasizes the importance of deciding “what we want to keep rather than what we want to discard.” She recommends holding each item, asking yourself, “Does this spark joy?”
Initially, this question felt absurd, yet I decided to give it a go anyway.
“By only retaining items that bring you joy, you will fill your life with happiness,” Kondo suggests. This reorganization can lead to significant changes in your life and outlook.
For me, the most notable shift came through letting go of unused items and unworn clothing. Kondo refers to this process as “the magic effect of tidying.”
She encourages expressing gratitude with, “Thank you for teaching me what doesn’t fit me,” which helped me part with an unworn red shirt still bearing its tags.
Kondo asserts that when the tidying process is complete, “You can clearly see what you need and what you should let go of.”
She explains that this process enhances confidence as it involves deciding what to keep, simultaneously prompting self-reflection on past choices regarding possessions.
Upon completing my tidying, I felt a deep sense of achievement. Finding a pen in a drawer clear of stray buttons instilled pride in my ability to remove unnecessary items. I also underwent a personal transformation. While cleaning, I rediscovered a book I wrote in fourth grade, which my teacher had typed on a typewriter with a cloth cover. It reminded me of my passion for writing—a hobby I had pursued intermittently over the years.
After decluttering, I chose to actively pursue freelance writing, leading to my work being published in renowned outlets like The New York Times, Parents Magazine, Chicken Soup for the Soul, Upworthy, Twins Magazine, The Merrythought, and various other publications.
Being a stay-at-home mom can be isolating, but writing has helped me connect with others in meaningful ways.
As Kondo explains, I organized my space in a way that has transformed my life forever.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Cheryl Maguire holds a Master of Counseling Psychology degree. Her pieces have appeared in The New York Times, National Geographic, The Washington Post, Parents Magazine, AARP, Healthline, Your Teen Magazine, The Merrythought Magazine, and various other platforms.
