Find Joy in Your Smaller Space

Here are five tips for a more joyful home:

1. Imagine your ideal space, and make a plan. Don’t try to do it all at once. Define what you want to accomplish each day, and write down how you’ll think you’ll be able to achieve them.
2. Start with things that aren’t sentimental. Kondo suggests going through things by category— beginning with clothes, then books, papers, miscellaneous items, and, lastly, belongings that are sentimental. Open and empty drawers, closets and spaces that haven’t see the light of day in who knows how long.
3. Take inventory of what you have. Once you see everything you have, you can get rid of duplicates and things you don’t use anymore. This also help you prioritize the pieces you want to keep in your place.
4. Donate, pass things down and display your favorite things. Some things can be thrown away, and others can find new life with new owners. Or maybe there are items you’ve been holding on to that have special meaning to your family. Now is a great time to share them — especially if it has a great story as to why you have it. It’s also a chance to decide what’s going to stay in your space.
5. Be kind to yourself, and have fun. Marie Kondo believes in thanking our possessions for serving us well, regardless if you’re keeping keep them or not. This gives you a chance to celebrate the things that really mean something to you and say goodbye to the ones that have served their purpose. Involve your friends and family as much as you can. They may even have some great ideas on how to showcase your most prized pieces.

Don’t think of this as a daunting task, but as a positive transformation that gives you and your home new purpose.

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