Tidying Up

If you’re anything like me, you may have learned how Netflix can be a cruel friend. You click on the channel intending to maybe watch one or two episodes of a new show but end up spending your entire day binge watching the series! Recently this happened to me with Netflix’s new original series “Tidying Up with Marie Kondo”. Spoiler Alter: if you haven’t seen the show yet I may ruin some of the content for you.

The show revolves around Marie Kondo a Japanese organizing consultant who enters the homes of families in need of a tidying adventure. As Marie explores with her clients through their buildup of unmanageable clutter the viewer sees how stress and tension may rise. Through the fear of not seeing an end in sight Marie encourages each person to explore their items and decide does this “spark joy in me”.

In my own life, I describe our brains like the inside of a house. We’re experts at creating a beautiful living room where we feel comfortable having guests visit to see what’s inside. As we experience difficulties in life our brain can accumulate unmanageable clutter that we hide in different rooms where we shut the door, ignore and hope no one ever sees it. Like the guests on Marie Kondo’s show the clutter can begin to burst at the seams creating anxiety and stress for fear of what is behind those closed doors.

            As we walk into the new year maybe it’s time for you to explore your unmanaged clutter. Maybe you need to discard those items in your life that no longer spark joy. The commitment to tidying up your chaos can seem overwhelming but just like in the show the journey of tidying up is always better when it’s done together.