Sublime

During the selection process, if you come across something that does not spark joy but that you just can’t bring yourself to throw away, stop a moment and ask yourself, “Am I having trouble getting rid of this because of an attachment to the past or because of a fear for the future?” Ask this for every one of these items. As you do so, you’ll begin

the best way to choose what to keep and what to throw away is to take each item in one’s hand and ask: “Does this spark joy?” If it does, keep it. If not, dispose of it. This is not only the simplest but also the most accurate yardstick by which to judge.

attachment to the past, desire for stability in the future or a combination of both.

Don’t throw away things that bring you joy simply because you aren’t using them. You could end up taking all the joy out of your home. Instead, get creative and find ways to utilize those seemingly useless things.

That’s right. By handling each sentimental item and deciding what to discard, you process your past. If you just stow these things away in a drawer or cardboard box, before you realize it, your past will become a weight that holds you back and keeps you from living in the here and now. To put your things in order means to put your past in order, to

Keep only those for which there is a clear purpose – those you are currently using, those you will need for a limited period and those that you need to keep indefinitely.

One theme underlying my method of tidying is transforming the home into a sacred space, a power spot filled with pure energy.

Even someone like my father, who had avoided tidying for a whole decade, can do it very quickly once they set their mind to it and can witness the dramatic impact it has on their life.

the work of tidying should be completed once and for all within a single period of time.