If you are a frequenter of lifestyle blogs, then chances are, you’ve come across posts about this tiny aqua book titled the life-changing magic of tidying up by marie kondo. Translated from Japanese, this quirky little gem has become a New York Times Bestseller because it offers simple and effective ways to decrease clutter and turn your home into the calm space you’ve always dreamed of.
While the book offers quite a few tips and tricks to paring down, the most significant piece of advice that I’ve taken away is to touch each and every item and determine if it sparks joy? If the answer is no, then thank that item for whatever it did teach you — perhaps it taught you what you don’t like or want in your life — and discard it without guilt or remorse. It’s so simple. And so effective.
This weekend, I am planning to apply this concept ruthlessly to my fabric collection. I will no longer feel burdened by the guilt of having paid full price for a yard, having received fabric as a gift, or having purchased fabric for a project I no longer want to pursue. Because I can thank the fabric for what it taught me — that I like small-scale prints in fabrics rather than large; that I like fabrics that are monochromatic or solid; and that I can have ideas for projects and not want to actually make those projects.
I feel calmer already. What do you think? Would you ever consider destashing based on the simple concept of joy?
Happy Friday! I hope you have a great weekend!
Audrey
March 6, 2015 at 4:19 pmI heard about this book the other day! The blogger who suggested it said it has completely turned her life upside down for the positive. I keep meaning to see if my library has it. I’d love to hear how it goes with your fabric!
Yvonne @ Quilting Jetgirl
March 6, 2015 at 4:58 pmThat sounds like such a freeing experience! I think I might be just about ready to do the same with my stash. Enjoy!
Kirsty@Bonjour
March 6, 2015 at 5:31 pmThat sounds pretty darn awesome to me. Such a great perspective to look at things and it makes it easier to let it go. I’d really like to do this with my stash, and some of my other crafty hoardings, too (I have a lot of beading tools/supplies from my last obsession). Maybe at the end of the year I’ll make it a process to welcome the New Year in with.
Good luck and make sure you let us know how it goes.
Linda
March 7, 2015 at 12:08 amI’m not sure if I could. I’d like to, but………. I’ve come to believe that I buy the fabric to try to fill the hole in my soul that is missing something/someone…..I don’t know for sure.
xo Linda
Kelsey
March 7, 2015 at 7:03 amI like this approach. I feel bucketloads of guilt for getting rid of things when I try and de clutter, but this method sounds like it would work for me! De cluttering of gifts, though, might still be a challenge…
Michelle @ From Bolt to Beauty
March 7, 2015 at 7:28 amI pride myself in my purging tendencies (the result of being the daughter of a hoarder), but I do approach my craft supplies with less enthusiasm than I do ridding my house of the clothes/toys/other stuff we no longer need. I recently was given the stash of someone who no longer sews — free fabric, and lots of it! It was all pretty dated. I took a few yard cuts and passed the rest on to someone else, cutting off the guilt of neglecting fabric before it took root in my craft room. Best wishes on your project, and you know where to send fabric you no longer want — HA! ; )
Chelsea Huckins
March 8, 2015 at 4:16 pmDestashing, and decluttering is the best feeling in the world. Just brought 4 bags of clothes to be donated. Felt so good, moved onto he hall closet and then donated a bunch of fabric to the sewing teachers at my middle school. Go you!
Sandra Woods
March 9, 2015 at 2:19 amI read this book and found some of it useful. Other parts, not so much. I’m not sure how I would manage folding my clothes vertically!
I think part of the problem is that the book needs to be updated for North Americans–the author lives in a society/country which has different space concerns.
I like the joy approach–but for some it might mean getting rid of their husbands! lol
I give my fabric away, routinely. I have come to realize that I need to shop more carefully and sew more often.