Does it Stay or Does it Go?
/When using the KonMari method to process and tidy up our belongings, one consistent action is essential to all items in each of the 5 categories: The decision to keep or let go.
This decision will be an easy one to make for many items, however there are likely to be a number of belongings which present harder decisions for us to make.
Remember, when using the KonMari method the “litmus test” or “rule” for deciding on an item is not defined by a set instruction such as “get rid of all items you have not used for the past 2 years”. Instead, we use the feeling of “spark joy” as a guideline to help make our decision. So what does the question: “Does it spark joy?” really mean?
“Spark joy” refers to the feeling or identification of joy that you will notice when using or considering an item. These feelings may include happiness, nostalgia, comfort, security, purposefulness, necessity. An item can spark joy because it is aesthetically pleasing, fun to use, or sentimental for you. But an item can also spark joy in a utilitarian sense, such as a soup spoon that fits in your hand perfectly or your raincoat which does such a good job at keeping you dry.
When faced with a difficult decision regarding one of your belongings, use the following questions and prompts as guidelines to help you identify if the item sparks joy for you and continues to support your ideal lifestyle:
Is this an item that I continue to use in my life (either on a regular, occasional, or seasonal basis)? If not, your decision will be: a) let go or b) incorporate the activity or action into your life again so that the item may be used in a desired context.
If the belonging is a clothing item or personalized utilitarian item and your answer from question #1 is b, then you will additionally need to examine if the item will still fit and be functional once you re-incorporate the context into your life. For example, if your item is a pair of soccer cleats and you plan on returning to play soccer, try them on now and make sure they fit comfortably and are functional. If they are not, let them go and add a replacement pair to your shopping list.
Is this an item that sparks joy for me in the sensory classification? Do I like the color, aesthetic, sound or noise it makes, the smell of it, or the feel of the material or fabric? If yes to any or all of these, then you might choose to keep. If no, your options are: a) let go or b) keep even if it really doesn't spark joy for your senses but if it does spark joy in a utilitarian way as a specific item that is useful either frequently or occasionally.
Is this an item that is very special to me in a sentimental, memorabilia, or other meaningful way? If yes, you have two options: a) let it go even if it is meaningful to you, as you may feel the desire to do this if you are ready to move past whatever experience, relationship, or situation that is represented by the item, and in this case you may thank the item for holding a special place in your life and say goodbye or b) keep the item and make an effort to incorporate it into your daily life so that you may interact with it on a regular basis, therefore sparking more joy for you, such as displaying, framing, or repurposing photographs, artwork, letters, momentos, family heirlooms, special clothing.
