Because who doesn’t need more joy in their life?
I’m totally and completely over the moon excited to be teaming up with this amazing group of bloggers to bring you …
A Journey to Sparking Joy with:
Anderson & Grant
Making it in the Mountains
DIY Passion
Dwelling in Happiness
Zevy Joy
Cupcakes & Crinoline
Lost in the Found
The Happy Housie
*This post contains affiliate links. For more information, please see my disclosure policy.*
Let me just start out by saying: I knew it!
I just knew that tidying could have far-reaching, even life-changing effects!
the life-changing magic of tidying up
I may have picked this book up solely for the purpose of supporting my sometimes over the top tendency obsession with keeping every single space in my home neat & tidy at all times.
It’s often the topic of jokes in our family, but the truth is: having an untidy house causes me true and real anxiety. Leaving the house with dishes on the counter, coming home to toys scattered everywhere (I use that term loosely), seeing crumbs on my kitchen floor … it all drives me absolutely nuts!
To give people an idea, I often compare myself to Monica Gellar (a universal reference for sure, right?!), though for some strange reason, it’s a much less endearing quality in real life. My husband thinks I’m crazy, but bless his sweet heart, he does the best job he can of hiding it. Honestly, I can’t thank him enough for putting up with living up to my need to keep every area of our house looking neat and tidy – an absolutely exhaustive task at times.
So, when I saw this book, I just had to bring it home with me. I honestly couldn’t help myself!
Part of me (albeit, just a small part) wondered if I’d just be making things worse … you know, finding more reason to feed the anxiety and stress of keeping a perfectly tidy house. But most of me wanted to prove that I’ve been right along…
I’ve always believed in the power of a clean and tidy space. Not to fix everything that’s wrong in my life on any given day necessarily. I just can’t help but feel grounded and safe in my own, tidy space. And don’t even get me started on the anxiety I feel when something happens to be out of place.
Turns out Marie Kondo and I are two peas in a pod. Except that she’s found a way to make keeping things neat & tidy easier. Less exhausting let’s say.
A little work now to create a more peaceful life for years to come…
Even hubs was on board with this one!
the life-changing magic of tidying up
Honestly friends, it’s absolutely BRILLIANT!
The main idea behind the book is not just the importance of tidying, but the far reaching impact it can have on your entire life. Marie Kondo explains that tidying is not necessarily the final destination, but a means to get you there. In fact, she explains that “the true goal should be to establish the lifestyle you want most once your house has been put in order”.
This idea resonated with me.
It had me thinking.
I mean really and truly contemplating what I want my life to look like.
So, here’s what I came up with (keeping in mind that this was just me writing down every little thing that popped into my head!):
I want a beautiful home filled with just enough things to make it feel homey and cozy, our own, but not so much that it becomes overwhelming. And not just a beautiful home, but a peaceful one. One in which everyone who enters feels instantly comfortable and at ease. One that feels lived in without feeling untidy or cluttered. One that my husband, my son and myself can all enjoy in our own way and at the same time. I want a balanced home to reflect my balanced life. One where I find the time to do all of the things I love like spending time with my family, cooking meals, reading, writing, blogging, but still making time for those “extras” like running and yoga. I want to do yoga. I want to feel centred and balanced. For myself and for my family.
It’s incredible how eye opening this act of visualizing was for me. Clearly my life is lacking some balance. I think like most women, wives, mothers, men even – I’m having a hard time juggling it all. Really, I’m craving some simplicity.
So, here I am … ready to simplify.
The whole point to discarding or keeping is to be happy.
Being surrounded by things that spark joy, makes you happy.
I’m ready to make our lives easier. Less hurried. Less stressful. Happier.
I’m ready to make my home a reflection of how I want to live my life.
This book is not only brilliant, it’s truly inspiring!
I cannot wait to walk this journey – to tidy my home and change my life.
The life-changing magic of tidying up.
Have you heard of it? Read it? Believe in it?
What are you waiting for? Go grab your copy now and join in the fun as we embark on A Journey to #SparkingJoy and make the KonMari Method work for us!
The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up: {A Journey to Sparking Joy}
I am in the process of doing this and it really does free your mind and soul. We hang on to way too much stuff that really isn’t important. I love a home that is full of love, art and color but someone said to me one day that my house was just like walking into a country store. They loved it, but it made me think. TOO much clutter. So I started going room to room. I have taken 16 large garbage bags of goodies to the mission and have 4 more so far on the porch. I am with you all the way.
You are SO right Gail – it’s incredibly freeing to get rid of everything we didn’t even know was weighing us down! Good for you friend! That’s amazing progress!!!
Oh, we have much in common, my friend. I too am a bit nutty about keeping things in place but find I can’t quite keep up with it as perfectly as I would like to because of life being too busy and perhaps having too much stuff to mange – which makes life less joyful and unbalanced. Isn’t it funny that my vision includes yoga, too. I’m looking forward to taking this journey with you!
Ha, I wondered if everyone would think I was crazy when they read my story! SO happy to hear I’m not alone! I feel the very same way about the difficulty I have keeping everything the way I’d like with so much “stuff” in the way! Here’s our chance to clean up our lives for good make some time for that all important yoga! 😉
And I’m on board with both of you and want to do yoga, too! Maybe that can be our next series 🙂
You wrote a really beautiful and inspiring post, Kristi. It was so nice to get a glimpse into your life and your vision for where you’re headed. Thank you so much for coming up with the idea of this series and including me in it!
Oh Jamie, I could say the same to you! YOU inspired me to finally pick up that book and even more, to co-create this series my friend and I am so, so grateful for it! And I think a yoga series would be BRILLIANT! Count me in!!!
You worded it absolutely perfectly, Kristi! It is truly a matter of Sparking Joy. Years ago I had a better grip on it but only because I hid my clutter efficiently. Then, I became a single mom and started working 3 jobs….it was then that I had to LET GO of my constant desire for perfection – I was driving myself crazy and my kids so I stopped but then everything went totally out of control and I thought I would never get it right….but then came this book and this series….YAY – things are looking up. 🙂
Oh Mary Beth, I couldn’t agree more! I think this is really going to help me find an easier way to keep everything perfectly neat and tidy at all times without driving everyone around me totally nuts! 😉
Oh Kristi, we really have a ton in common here!! I’m totally Monica too, and my hubby sure likes to remind me of that from time to time. 😉 I can’t even go to bed with dishes in the sink. I just can’t! Clutter and messy houses really take a toll on our outlook on life, as well as our family. Can’t wait to get going on this journey with you!
Amanda, you have no idea how happy I am to hear that!!! I wondered if everyone that read this would think I was absolutely nuts and wonder why the heck someone like me would ever feel the need to tidy MORE … it means the world to know there are people out there that “get” me and that I’m not alone! Thank you!!!
I have heard of this book, and think it should be next on my reading list. Like you, I love a clean and tidy home. This past year I have been on a journey to really simplify my life and home by only bringing in things that I love and/or serve a purpose. I really enjoyed reading your thoughts on what you want your life/home to be and that you want it to feel lived in , but not untidy. Me too!
Thank you SO much Emily! It means the world to me to hear from someone walking the very same journey! Your thoughts sound so much like my own!!! Here’s to a simpler, happier life!!!
I’ve heard of the book but haven’t read it. I’m looking forward to following this blogging series.
It’s been a very eye opening read Marie! I cannot wait to see how this all works out 🙂
I haven’t read the book yet but have read a lot of about it on the internet. I am hooked. I have done my family’s clothes, our linens and have started in my office. I am starting to see the effects already.
That’s SO awesome Carrie! I really think this is going to be a life changing experience!!!
Decluttering and organizing really does make a HUGE difference! For me, taking time to make my bed and clean up a bit each morning makes for a much better day. Right now I’m in the midst of wedding planning and getting ready to move so my room is CHAOS! I’m realizing that it is having an effect on my mood. I am going to start decluttering and moving stuff over to my new house this week. I know it’s going to make me feel so much better.
You are totally right Jenna! I find that disorganization and clutter most definitely have an impact on my mood too! Moving is THE WORST! Hopefully you’ll be all moved and settled soon my friend!
I love the way you expressed all of this! I felt like a jerk because I started reading this book, and nearly half way through I decided I was never going to enjoy it. Everyone else was going on and on about how revolutionary and wonderful it is and I just wanted to burn it, but it belonged to the library, so…
Seeing the way you talk about it, minus all the author’s annoying anecdotes, I see it in a better light. I love the idea of the results, but some of the stuff she said made me so glad I’ll never meet her in person – and so glad she isn’t my sister!
I’m stopping by from Talented Tuesday
Ha! I actually remember thinking that very thought about being her sister too! I really think the idea behind de-cluttering and surrounding yourself with only things that make you happy (as much as possibly anyway) is BRILLIANT and I totally believe that a neat and tidy space can have far reaching impacts on my life, but I agree, a lot of her stories, explanations and ways of thinking are totally over the top, even for me! Thank you SO much!!!
I can’t wait to start this! I looked around the other day and realized I don’t use about half of the stuff in my house. I’m excited to start decluttering!
Isn’t that the truth?! I feel the very same way! LOVE your enthusiasm and so happy you’re as excited about this as I am! Thanks Caroline!
Hi there! I wish I was like that. For me, I can’t get a handle on the clutter and mess. One reason being my daughter took after her dad. Things end up where ever they may. Drives me nuts!! But I’m working on it. I’m ‘working’ with an organizer through her book. I can’t make a decision to save my life so when I have to decide what is going where, I panic, freeze up and nothing gets done. But past day or so the visions have come to me on what’s going where. Anyways, thanks for sharing this. Saying hi from #2usesTuesday
Kristine 🙂
Thank you Kristine! I really struggle deciding where things should go too – just today I was reorganizing my son’s playroom and had to walk away because I found myself just staring at a room full of chaos with no idea of where to start. After walking away and really thinking about how I wanted things to look and function, I did eventually find the “courage” to just start picking toys up off of the floor and setting finding a space for them. I’m sure I’ll be moving things around for the next few weeks until they’re just right, but if feels great to just make some progress. I’m thrilled we’ll be walking this journey together!
I have been feeling a real need to declutter and organize. I’m looking forward to this series from all of you talented ladies!
Awwwww, thank you SO much Alexis! I hope you find it as “life-changing” a process as I have!
I am about 1/3 into the book. Love it but just made a move back to my hometown in n. Al. From fl., after being gone 13 years. I have so much company that I don’t think I will ever get on the groove of anything. But remain ever hopeful. It just made my day and increased my determination when I found and read your blog. Thank you.
Congratulations on your move back Jan! SO exciting! We recently moved back to our hometown too actually! A move or any other big life change always throws things off a bit, but you’ll be settled soon and I’m sure you’ll make the time to start getting rid of those things that are weighing you down (even if you don’t know they are). I hope you enjoy following along with this series and that you are loving that book as much as I have! Thank you SO much!
I am so sorry I am just now getting a chance to leave a comment. Your vision for your home is spot on! Ahhhh to have a home that has the perfect balance of being homey but not overwhelming, that is also one of my goals. I am so excited to be a part of this series and can’t wait to see what other tips you share! 🙂
Awwww, well thank you Manda! Super excited about this my friend!!!
I read this book this past spring and LOVED IT! Kondo is so right about how we tend to cling to clutter to satisfy our supposed “needs.” Since my husband and I are currently renting, I have tried to apply some of her advice so that when we move we won’t have to pack up quite so much! Thanks for sharing!
Yes! Why does it take reading a book to make us realize?! I wish I had read it before our last move too 😉 Thanks Hannah!
Great post! Pinned and tweeted. Thanks for stopping by and partying with us! I hope to see you on Monday at 7 pm, so we can pin and tweet your masterpieces! Lou Lou Girls
Thanks for sharing Kristi!! I definitely sympathize with your compulsive need to clean, and your need to find balance! Hopefully I can grab this book sometime too! ps – you were our most popular link this week at Talented Tuesday 🙂
Thanks Lindi! It means so much to hear I’m not as crazy as my friends and family think I am, or at least I’m not alone in it 😉 And how exciting!!! I guess I’m not the only one looking to get organized!!!
That book is everywhere!
It is Melinda!!! I guess I’m not the only one looking to declutter and simplify my life 😉
I just got the book from the library … I love how she says “thank your items for their usefulness” … who’d have thought of that … amazing … I love it and I am starting to declutter everybody …
She has such a black and white approach to it all, really breaking it down. I think the most helpful thing for me has been thinking in terms of what I’d like to keep rather than what I can get rid of – if it doesn’t “spark joy” it has no place in my life. It’s been a wonderful journey!