does it bring you joy?

I don’t know about you but I love a good declutter.

I’ve always thought of myself as fairly ruthless when it comes to having a good old clean out, but recently I stepped things up a notch.

While I’ve never read the book, The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo, I do know her KonMari method of decluttering is all about keeping things that bring you joy and tossing the things that don’t.

It’s such a simple concept and over the Christmas break, it’s one I well and truly adopted.

“Does this photo frame that’s been sitting in the cupboard for a year because that thing on the back is broken and it won’t stand up bring me joy?”

No, it doesn’t. Out it goes!

“Does this Christmas ham bring me joy?”

You bet it does. Carve me two thick slices ASAP!

“Do these clothes that don’t fit you bring you joy?”

No, they don’t. Off they go to someone else!

“How about those old magazines sitting over there in a pile, looking pretty but basically collecting dust. Do they bring you joy?”

No, they don’t. They’re gone too!

And on it went. Until all the things that were never used but were filling our house for no good reason, were gone.

Except of course for all the things of sentimental value – you won’t see me getting rid of photos, love notes, the kids old school books or their drawings any time soon.

But things that don’t bring me joy? They’re done.

Which brings me to the new year. 2018. 

I’ve never been one for resolutions, but I do love a good phrase.

This year I’m going stick with, “Does it bring me joy?”

And if the answer is no, I’m not going to buy it, do it, eat it or be near it.

Which, if I had to write a quick list, would basically rule out the following:

• gym memberships – been there, done that. No joy given.
• learn to run programs – ran once when I was 12. Not interested in doing it again.
• toxic people – you’d be surprised at how many of them are out there.
• peas – haven’t eaten them since I was a kid. No need to start now.
• politely listening to people who knock on my door and want to sell me solar panels – thanks but no thanks, Gary.
• deep-sea diving – not likely to ever happen, but listing it here just in case.
• hot yoga – anything that makes me sweat does not bring me joy.
• kale chips – the only thing that makes a chip a chip is a potato.
• dark chocolate – I don’t get the point of it. If it doesn’t melt in your mouth and make you want to inhale the whole bar, something is very wrong.

How about you? Do you have a phrase or word for 2018? Does it bring you joy?