I have not read the book, but I have followed through on some of the suggestions my yoo toob ladies have mentioned they read in the book. The information tends to work on the spirit as well as the home environment.
Yesterday I watched a video by 'Living Like Julie' (Video below) where she admitted she does follow the method outlined in the book, but tweaks it to match her personal needs. She moves slower in the decluttering process because she wants to maintain her efforts. Julie is currently going back through items she decluttered in the winter to see if there were items she didn't use. This is brilliant! She has inspired me to do the same.
While following this train of thought a realization flashed before me this morning. I keep things 'in case' I will need them in the future. I thought I dealt with that glitch a few days ago while watching Julie's video, but it appears that I only dealt with the obvious things like holding on to children's clothing in case I needed it. I did this for a number of years because I knew we couldn't afford to replace an item that we 'may' need.
This morning I realized I still cling to this mentality, but with smaller more practical items such as toiletries and even food.
As an example I have a bottle of my favorite perfume. I thought I was forgetting to use it because it was in a drawer in the bathroom. So to remedy that I got a tray and set it up in my closet where I choose clothing for the day as a reminder that I have it and can use it whenever I want. Still, I don't use it often. This morning I realized why. I'm afraid to run out of it and never be able to purchase it again. This is absurd because I can purchase it any time I want. Or not, if I choose. The mentality that developed when we were broke is still haunting my spirit dragging down the joy that that item could bring.
Who knew that our consumer habits are formed by emotional set backs? I knew the obvious, but not the hidden secrets behind the things we don't pay attention to. Armed with this new information my spirit is a little bit more free and joyful. All of the little bits add up to reveal a complete picture of joyfulness. I like joyfulness!
I have asked myself what brings joy to me. Top of the list is a clean and un cluttered environment. That's a no brainer. My pup brings a smile to my heart whenever I look at her under bite and uneven eyes. (One is a boxer breed eye and the other is a bull dog breed eye.) She is beautiful to me and makes my heart melt when I look at her.
A small thing that brings joy is the clear squirt bottles I purchased on amazon with credit card points to fill with condiments in the refrigerator. They are clear and match in size and shape. A small thing, but joyful to me.
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| How meat is this? These are the items I use most with meals. I have two more that I can fill. I'm thinking one will be for home made salad dressing. |
I think I'm liking the joyful transformation I'm currently going through. My smile is becoming more relaxed and real because of the small things in life.
Stay safe.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8p4U0mWY_Q
