Minding Our Memories

When it comes to decluttering, nostalgia is not our friend. Last week we talked about headspace. We are what we see, what we think. 

We can’t go too long talking of cleaning up that space, without addressing the wonderful Marie Kondo. Let's all breathe a sigh of relief.

This Japanese author has got this tidying thing down to a fine art. Kondo is not a fan of nostalgia. How many of us have started opening boxes, rooted down through letters abandoning all hope of clearing anything? Tripping ourselves up on days gone by. Eventually abandoning all hope of creating any space at all. Clogging up the closet for yet “some other day”s work.

Clearing out, does not mean saying goodbye. Look at what space you do have. How much of this do you truly want to lend to the past? Set a time limit. Grab a box and place those dear and small items inside. Bigger items;  an old wedding dress, a dusty telescope and that strange board game you don't recall how to play. Take some snaps of them. Place those snaps in the box. Then get rid of them. Its not harsh, its healthy.

Respect your life today. We can access memories in a moments breath, but we can't live and think clearly in the present when there is no space to breathe.

The past isn’t going anywhere. Forgive yourself for wanting to live in today, and allow yourself make way for tomorrow. 

Tip of the Week: Tackle a particular item that is taking up space. For example; an item of clothing  or an old tea set with sentimental value. Come up with a way of keeping a small part of this item. A corner of this material,or one part of this tea set to pop in your box or into a drawer. Be brave. Your memory is more then just material. Good luck!

Our Must Read: Marie Kondo - “The life-changing magic of tidying”