One thing we can't buy more of...

It's an amazing start to the week.  

Why?

Because I organized the silverware drawer…

which led me to determining which of our 37 water bottles & travel mugs matched the 5 lids conveniently tucked under 23 baby spoons...right next to the stuff we actually use.  

(Turns out zero.) 

And before I knew it, the table & counters were covered with every storage container, mixing bowl, measuring cup, pan & Pampered Chef purchase I had ever made & forgotten.

The “donate” & “throw out” piles grew larger & larger as I “Marie Kondo’ed” the entire kitchen.

It’s been a while since I read Marie Kondo’s book, but I improvised & asked myself:

- Do I know what this is?

- Does this benefit me or ANYONE in any way?

- Have I EVER used it?

- Do I intend to have a chili cook-off requiring 4 various sized crock pots?

And ultimately...the most important of Marie Kondo’s question checklist...Does this bring me joy?

Owning 4 crock pots does not bring me joy.  

Owning 3 choppers of various sizes does not bring me joy.

Owning an unused artichoke steamer...yes, that’s a thing...does not bring me joy.  

Owning 12 lids without corresponding containers does not bring me joy.

So off they go…

The process & piles gave me an organization high only a few fellow organization nerds will understand.  (And for those of you who don’t, I’m sad for you.)

But what I love MOST about Marie Kondo’s “Does this bring me joy?” question is its simplicity & how easily it can be applied to other areas of our lives...particularly to our schedules.

It’s one of those “How had this not occurred to me earlier in life?” questions...And THOSE are my favorite.

Volunteering to create decorations for your daughter’s 2nd grade Halloween party at school but you hate crafts?

Meeting a “negative Norma” colleague for coffee this week because she keeps inviting you & she’s starting to question the number of dr. appointments & super duper critical meetings on your calendar?  

Serving on a Board for an organization whose values don’t align with your own?

Perhaps parting with some of these activities will ALLOW more joy in your life instead…

And allow more joy into the lives of others better suited for such activities.

Am I suggesting you only keep or do things that bring you joy?  

Absolutely not.

What I AM suggesting is that you ask yourself questions about each item/activity that takes space in your life...most importantly on your calendar.

I suppose it's possible to buy more space, but one thing we can't buy more of is time.