“The space in which we live should be for the person we are becoming now, not for the person we were in the past.”
— Marie Kondo
Ohayō [Good morning].
Don’t mind us — we’re just practicing our Japanese. We learned a little from Marie Kondo, you know, the strong, brilliant, elegant woman who has taken the cleaning and organizing world by storm. Have you heard of her?
She has a hit Netflix show called Tidying Up and before that she published a book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.
She has been talk of the town lately around here — the way she folds clothes, gives thanks to old clothes before donating, and silently talks to each house.
Time Magazine named her the one of the top 100 influential people of 2015.
We can’t argue. Japanese isn’t all we have learned from her. She is transforming people’s lives and that speaks to our mission too. The organizational systems and self-cleaning techniques she shares powerfully change lives. It’s inspiring.
Whether you follow her habits, or are more of a wave-your-magic-finger-Mary-Poppins type, or prefer another technique altogether, the point is to take care of your space properly for it to serve you properly.
The Magic of Tidying Up: Systems
So, where do you start, you ask?
We suggest creating systems to set yourself up for success. Have a system for everything — laundry, dishes, filing, emails, etc.
The more organized you are, the more focused you will be. It will take some time in the beginning but, trust us, you will also save time in the long run. Being organized also makes it easier to delegate tasks. It is a lot easier (for everyone involved) to be able to explain a system rather than a hodgepodge, irregular method of doing something.
First step is prioritizing. Start either with the most important task on your list or the one that takes the longest time to complete.
We find that email correspondence is a daily task that a lot of professional women struggle with. Reading and responding to each one takes up a lot of time and inevitably pushes other projects to the side.
Try categorizing them. We suggest using keywords that mean something to you so you aren’t taking more time later trying to decipher what your code words mean. Words like “Urgent”, “Wait”, and “Delegate” are good ones to start with.
We also like having an Archives folder to hold emails you have completed. This leaves your Inbox clear for fresh new emails.
Spark Joy: Self Care & Spring Cleaning
We not only want you to take care of your spaces properly, but yourself too. In fact, the two are connected.
Have you noticed that your environment affects your mood? Think about it… in your home, your office, or your car. If your space is messy and unkempt, you feel messy and unkempt. You probably don’t have as productive a day as you could have if your environment was clean.
You know — that is why they say to start each morning by making your bed! That simple act will set you up for a successful day.
Everyone needs a clutter-free space where they feel inspired and motivated.
Ms. Kondo’s approach is to get rid of what does not serve you anymore. It has been a sensational success. This can help with your cluttered workspace (at home and at the office) while at the same time do some good for your cluttered mind.
Even if you are not a hoarder per se, you can still benefit from a little spring cleaning. Tidying up is advantageous for everyone, not just those who have excessive things.
Tidy Up: Reevaluate Relationships
We encourage you to do a little spring cleaning to your friends list too. Don’t be afraid to say goodbye to someone who no longer enhances your life. Now, we do not want you to turn around and delete half of your facebook friends just because we say so.
What we mean is — if there is a specific relationship that you constantly lose sleep over, analyze why you have the relationship in the first place and decide if it is one that “sparks joy” as Marie would say.
You might be surprised at how therapeutic and cleansing it is to be rid of clutter both physically and mentally.
Spark Joy: Home, Office & Spirit
Now that we have cleared your spaces of clutter and toxicity, there are a few ways to boost the positive energy you have invited.
For your office, adding a plant can help clear your mind and the air, literally. Plants have rejuvenating properties that enhance your mood and the air your breathe (bonus!).
For your home, burning a lovely soy-based candle can lighten the mood and lift spirits. Soy-based contains no toxins, carcinogens or pollutants. It lasts longer than other candles and is better for the environment. We love the Capri Blue Volcano candle from Anthropologie. It’s timeless and instantly boosts our mood!
Your own body (spirit) isn’t excluded from this either.
As we mentioned before, taking time for yourself is important. That means taking 30 minutes for yourself each day and going for a massage, going for a walk or meditating. Find something that you enjoy doing and incorporate it in your day-to-day life. It can also mean buying a new outfit!
Your body is your temple after all; we say take pride in it and dress it well.
The Joy of Tidying: Spring Wardrobe
Ah, the joys of putting away one season of clothing and bringing out another. It is like the thrill of buying new clothes without spending a single penny.
Did you know there have actually been studies on the psychology on people shopping for comfort? The Journal of Psychology and Marketing found that retail therapy “has lasting positive impacts on mood”.
Admittingly, we are biased but that is exactly the feeling you have with a Mercury Clothiers piece. So, if you are in the market for a new outfit that which you like the look of and the feel of, we are the perfect fit.
We offer timeless pieces that are made well and comfortable. From blazers to skirts and dresses. You will reach for them time and time again.
We venture to say you will have it forever.
Happy spring cleaning!
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