How Much Is Enough?

As I continue my "life-changing art of tidying up" adventure, I am noticing that most of what's in my house does not "spark joy". My inclination is to start removing furniture and other big (and not-so-big) items everywhere rather than follow the process prescribed in the book. This is probably a shameful thing to admit, but there was so much junk on my bedroom floor that this afternoon, as I dusted and waxed my bedroom furniture, I couldn't remember the last time I had done it. This has been my problem, and apparently (from reading the aforementioned book) I am not alone: I don't put things where they belong, and they end up all over the place. Then I can't find what I need when I need it, and depending what it is I either give up or buy more.

Completing only the first stage of the going-through-and-discarding-what-doesn't-bring-joy process -- shirts -- freed up enough space to let me really notice what a mess my whole room was. I'm happy to say that I cleaned an entire corner of my room that I had ignored for quite some time. In addition to polishing a beautiful handcrafted Thai cabinet that I use as a nightstand, I vacuumed and steam-cleaned the carpet, washed the window, and pulled back the curtain. Now the sun is streaming in and the cabinet is gleaming. As is often the case, small changes encourage bigger ones. The next step in the clothing category is bottoms, but I'm breaking that into two categories -- skirts and pants -- because I have a lot. Most of what I'm saving fits me now, but I'm holding onto a few items I really like that are a bit too small. Lately I've been doing well with my weight-loss efforts, and I may be able to wear them again soon. One blouse I saved is a size eight; I'm pretty sure I'll never wear it again but it's hot pink with white polka dots and looking at it makes me happy. While it's nice to have clothes that fit and "spark joy", I can see the value of this particular blouse as art. In that way, it still sparks joy.

Where I have found the worst waste of all is in items I bought because either they were inexpensive or for a fleeting moment I thought I needed them. The latter applies mostly to items I bought online, especially in "last chance!" or "free shipping today only" type situations. For the past two weeks, I've cut myself off from online shopping. (I did buy some pillows from Overstock today, but those truly were on my "need-to-restock" list.) I have reached the point of not only enough but way too much. I won't spend a lot of time feeling guilty about the excess, but I also won't feel guilty about giving away things I paid for. After all, if I don't wear/use them, wouldn't they be better off somewhere else, and wouldn't I be better off not having to look at them and think, "That was a dumb thing to spend money on!" And I really do think that when I look at a lot of what I own.

I'm excited about the day -- and I realize it may not be soon -- when I can look at everything in my house and be grateful for the beauty or function it brings to my life. Just the thought of reaching that point sparks joy.