Clearing a Space This Summer
By Yuriko Beaman, M.S.
Summer is a time to lighten. It’s the ideal season to spend more time int he sun, eat lighter foods, and make our homes lighter. As a professional organizer certified in the KonMari™ method, I guide my clients through a process which helps them to focus on what they want to keep in their lives. Once a decision is made about what to keep and treasure, it’s easier to make our homes lighter and let go.
This process is different from simply storing winter sweaters. It’s about asking ourselves if we want to wear that sweater or use that item next fall. When we decide to keep something, we make a choice. We fold it and create a place for it so we can find it easily. Perhaps we might even go a step further and take a moment to thank it – to recognize that this item has brought something to our life, that it has helped in some way, and that we are looking forward to using it again.
Information from studies, books on decluttering, and documentaries can be motivating. However, sitting down to work through a pile of papers or a mound of T-shirts feels stressful. We don’t realize how emotionally attached we have become to the items in our home. These items are everywhere, from the magnets on the refrigerator to the bottles of hair products we intended to try. We realize that we aren’t just decluttering; we are confronting aspects of ourselves.
There are a variety of helpful decluttering concepts. However, it is most important to create an intentional and thoughtful process that will provide motivation and establish a purpose when we feel the weight of the items we are about to sort through.
Choosing what to keep is an important part of the KonMari™ method. Recognize that while many things are nice, there are certain things that really speak to us or to who we want to become. These items are the ones that spark joy. When our decluttering journey is focused on keeping and enjoying the items that spark joy, it’s easier to let go of both the objects and the feelings in our lives that just don’t fit.
Just as we recognize that clutter is stressful, it’s important to recognize that we need to practice good self-care when clearing some space. When tidying or decluttering, create a plan, which includes breaks, and set start and end times. Certified KonMari™ consultants are trained professionals and guides. As I guide my clients through this process, I encourage them to take a break after working through something difficult. I also help my clients to tune into their responses to certain items. This practice helps my clients to recognize how much these items influence their lives.
Yuriko Beaman, M.S., is the owner of Joy & Space, LLC and a certified KonMari™ consultant and yoga teacher (RYT-200) located in Reading, PA. For more information, email her at [email protected] or visit JoyandSpace.com . You can also follow her on social media @JoySpaceYuriko on instagram or @JoyandSpace on Facebook.
