Skip to main content

Be a gatekeeper



"You are the gatekeeper of your home." L. Rosenfeld


Today I was thinking about the small shift that I am noticing in our societal message of consumerism.  It is the notion that we should treasure each and every one of our possessions & surround ourselves with things that evoke joy.  Marie Kondo talks about this in "The Life-changing Magic of Tidying Up" and L. Rosenfelf & Dr. M. Green agree in "Breathing Room."  Both books have some great insight on how to break out of the cultural norm of More = Happiness.

They passionately believe that we need to evaluate how we want our space to feel and then surround ourselves with the things that evoke those feelings.  This notion feels a little crazy when you look at our cultural track record!  We have been asked to consume!  Buy, buy, buy!   Everything we need is right there for the taking, so go ahead... buy whatever looks good.  And when you get tired of it, you can throw it out.  

It's no big surprise that things can pile up and get forgotten when there is always more ready to come in.

I understand our cultural message and have had my own struggles with succumbing to it.  It's hard not to want the latest new thing.  It's even harder to talk back to the hidden anxiety that says if I don't buy the item then I will be lacking.  It's especially difficult to be strong when it comes to decisions for the family.    

But, I believe there is a way to make some small changes that can lead to becoming a more conscious consumer and create spaces that feel like they match your values.  

These changes involve taking stock- digging in and seeing what is underneath the piles, what is crammed in the drawers and closets, and what has sat forgotten in the storage room.  But before I do that, I have to ask myself what I want my space and life to be about.  I take a time to pick a word (or words) that I can keep as my guiding light.  The words for my kitchen could be Nourishing, Conscious, Creative, Healthy.  The words for my living room might be different;  maybe something like Shared, Comfortable, Peaceful.  

These words can guide the decluttering process.  When deciding to keep, donate, repurpose, or recycle, I can check in to see if the item reflects my intention.  The words can also become the shield that I need when I am faced with a trip to the store.  When temptation is strong, I can take a minute to think about my guiding words and it might offer more clarity around the purchase.

Thinking of a word/words might sound simple, but the effects can be profound.  It offers you a way to say no and let go of things from a place of positivity.  You have your best intention in mind.  And it creates a little gate to distance yourself from the many options that are tempting you to bring them into your home.

I am so grateful that there seems to be a small shift happening.  I know that the more people start to look into their cluttered spaces the more room will be created for the things that are really important- And that is when the real excitement can happen!



Are you taking time to contemplate the things that you surround yourself with?  Do you have trouble fighting the temptations of the media and cultural expectations?  What is the biggest roadblock to you creating the space that feels like it reflects YOU?
Let's start the conversation!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Art of Organizing

"Be daring enough to tell us-your customers, your fans, your people-about your ambition  because we'll be the ones to help you fulfill them."  -  Danielle LaPorte It is a new year.  A time of new beginnings.  A time to clear out the old and make way for the new and I am ready for it.  I have been inching forward in my new business and now it's time to push the go button and let things begin.  I am ready to see where this leads. Just the other day, I was listening to Oprah interview Sue Monk Kidd, the best-selling author of "The Secret Life of Bees."  She was talking about her transition from being a nurse to becoming a writer; something that she had wanted to be since she was a child.  She was speaking about listening to what is calling from the bottom of your heart.  Hear it and then proclaim it. Last year I proclaimed that I was done teaching in the classroom or in a traditional "teacher" way.  I know there is somet...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Holiday Shuffle

This time of year, I always find myself struggling to keep the holiday spirit as I contemplate my lists of things to do in order to get to every event on our calendar with all of the required food, gifts, smiles, and energy.  It is the same every year.  Every year I say to myself, "how could I do this differently next year?" and every year I find myself in the same place.  The holiday bustle is starting earlier and earlier and it seems like that only creates more pressure for performance. In my house I am the bah, humbug of the family.  I am not ready or willing to start thinking Christmas until Thanksgiving is on the books.  I usually don't listen to Christmas music until that day, and I don't get the tree or the house decorated until after that day.  I'm the scrooge who lives with a husband and kids that would (and do) listen to Christmas music year-round!  I feel guilty for being this way, but I also try to honor each day, and I guess for me ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Strong and Gentle

This week I have been reverting back to the old habits of do, do, doing. Man, it gets tough when I get in one of these ruts. I become consumed with my list and getting things done.  My day is run on high, my adrenaline coursing.  I push and push to get one more thing done.  I don't sit until the kids get to bed and then I grab a glass of wine and collapse.  Too tired to feel peaceful or content. What gets me to this place? Why do I let myself go this far? Here's what I know...   I have taken a break from yoga and moments of quiet.  My journal has only been opened to collect quotes that I will look at "when I have time."  My daily walk has been another thing to check off the list and is more about my dog's energy level than my happiness.  I am searching blogs and checking out books from the library for answers instead of listening to my own wisdom. Resentment and overwhelm build and build when I am in this space, which makes it hard to li...
Post a Comment
Read more