“My criterion for deciding to keep an item is that we should feel a thrill of joy when we touch it.” – Marie Kondo The life-changing magic of tidying up.
To be honest, only one or two items of my clothing sent a shiver of joy up my spine. Most of them sparked a memory, a regret, a story. (Poor Barbara had to to me listen to me travel down memory lane when she came over to help me declutter on Friday afternoon. Thanks, BW!) I like my stuff. I just don’t love it.
So the process is this: hold an item of clothing in your hands, ask yourself, “Does this spark joy?” Yes? keep it. No? toss it.
So I gave or threw away about five or six garbage bags full of clothes. I have about one-quarter of the clothes I started with. 
This is before.
And this is after
It took me two afternoons. I have several empty drawers now. (I have two dressers and I think I am going to get rid of one of them.) I am trying to love what I have.
This is such an awesome concept — Keep what you love. I love these housekeeping movements. I was a big fan of Flylady. Because of her, I keep my sink clean and shiny (her first rule).
I do believe our culture is too materialistic. We have too much. And we think accumulating more will solve our problems. But our stuff needs tending. We have stuff and we have to think about it. Our stuff swamps us — does not free us.
I learned about Marie Kondo’s book and movement from a NYTimes article and from a friend in a writing group. Konmarie-ing is becoming national obsession. So is minimalism. I wish I were a minimalist. I have noticed when traveling — like when we were in California at Christmas-time — the less I have, the less I worry about. And the more time I have to read a book, walk in the park or ride my bike. It is, after all, experiences that delight us, not things.
Less stuff means less housekeeping and more time for Facebook. There is a popular Konmarie FB page – and a Flylady friend and I started a Declutter FB group to post our goals.
Incidentally, my blogging has been sporadic in 2015. I have felt ambivalent about writing without pay, getting too personal, and besides, I have had so much work — teaching, editing, writing. But this summer, I am aiming to post every Sunday morning. I am rebooting my business and my home life. I am trying to keep what I love and discard the rest. I love blogging. It sparks joy.
100 Days of Poems and Pics 
Well I for one will look forward to reading your writing every Sjnday morning😊
Thanks for reading my stuff! It’s a funny thing for me about blogging — I write for myself but also hope to be read.
First, your “After” photo is magnificent.
Second, did you record those stories of joy and regret? That history is important. Attention must be paid. We’d all like to share….
Third, I, too, look forward to Sundays for one more happy reason: your blog posts. No pressure. : )
ha. thanks. I felt Ugh, my dresser looks old in that “after” pic. But it is old. No, I just told my friends the stories of each item. I loved doing it w/a friend so I felt I had a witness! Thanks for encouragement on blogging regularly. I want to be a favorite TV show — you know when and what channel on which to find me!
I love reading your stuff too!
Thanks for this blog! It has helped to remind me that I really need to go through my “stuff”. I like the concept of whether I love it or not. Now I just need to start doing it and stop procrastinating on FB!