How To KonMari, Ikigai, & Wabi Sabi

Personal notes & lessons on how to KonMari, Ikigai, and Wabi Sabi your belongings and life.

They say the eyes are the window to the soul BUT your ROOM and what it contains is the most authentic reflection of your inner & outer self. There’s a psychology behind how we keep our personal spaces. Based on a simple observation of our belongings: the kinds of things we have; reasons for why we keep them; and how they are arranged, we can identify our values, ideals, priorities, and goals.

No wonder these Japanese concepts of KonMari, Wabi Sabi, and Ikigai are appealing as we sometimes get caught up in the complexities of social noise: news & politics, social media & the Internet, relationships, work, leisure, etc. We forget what is essential to us and how to live in happiness—all this bluntly translated into is the status of our room.

Ultimately, we go back to these concepts in the hopes of living a more peaceful, organized, and happy life because probably you've realized you want to change or that you've changed and want to live a little bit better.

Sharing personal notes & lessons in this blog post on how to KonMari, Wabi Sabi, and Ikigai- tidying up not only your belongings but also your life.

On Clothing

Choosing pieces that can be STYLED, PAIRED, and WORN in MULTIPLE WAYS will allow you to 1) stick to your style; 2) be resourceful with what you have; 3) experiment on accessories, and 4) save money. How it integrates into concepts:

KonMari: “Does it spark joy?”

Anything can spark joy if you find it beautiful or that which you think you need or fits your style BUT also ask yourself: is it SUSTAINABLE and FUNCTIONAL? The only time something can be joyful is if you recognize its value. You’ll never get tired of seeing that thing and know that it won’t end up as clutter or out of style.

Ikigai: In essence, it’s about finding balance.

Think if you’ll be able to wear it when you travel; As a smart casual outfit; As your everyday wear; Can you pair it with other clothes and shoes? Do you have ideas on how to style it? If you’ll be able to answer these, then keep it or buy it!

Wabi-Sabi: Appreciating what is; celebrating the way things are.

Considering what you already have, is it still necessary to purchase something new? Maybe you can be resourceful instead of needing to buy.

Style Example: Casual & Smart Casual outfit

Same pants styled in 3 ways (as is, one fold, 2 folds)

2 blouse tops

Slip-on sandals & sneakers

Key accessories: multipurpose bag (can be a sling or handbag) and pearl earrings

Blazer

On Social Media

What we consider our safe space evolved from the confines of our room/home into the online environment: social media. While our room contains valuable possessions and is something we keep for ourselves, social media’s become an avenue for SHARING parts of ourselves, leaving traces here and there. In time, both of these become cluttered if not well managed.

Your social media consumption and usage: Know the features, function, and content of your go-to app(s) so you can filter, select, and curate what you consume and publish. Our goal is to preserve our peace and sanity amongst the social clutter but we should also be considerate of what we share so as not to disrupt the peace of others. Being expressive is okay as long as we too know our boundaries. What we all seek after all is community, love, peace, and happiness, right?!

KonMari says: “will this app and everyone I follow in it bring me joy?”

Ikigai can tell you: “will this be useful in my personal AND professional life?”

What to learn from Wabi-Sabi: “I can only control so much in my social media platforms but the end, how will I receive and react to its content?”

CHANGE

I’m not sure if it comes with age, collective experience, time, or all of the aforementioned combined but I hope you won’t be afraid of change around you and within you. Since last year, Morgan Harper Nichols’ writings impacted my life in ways! Sometimes they’ve been spot on, other times, enlightening. Recently she wrote: “So much is changing around you, and you are changing too, through all of the waiting and all of the struggle, you are unfolding into your bloom.”

'Tis the seasons of change (hello BER months!) and you know what, I think you can go and embrace whatever is changing and all that is changing with you. There’s much to learn and grow from and that could be one of the best things that could ever happen to you!

It’s okay if you think that you’ve transformed along with everything else. I’m certain you’re not the same person as you were 2 years or 5 years, more so 10 years ago! You’ve grown in mindset, world views, and preferences; you know more of who you are; what kind of relationships you want to surround yourself with; and what your goals and priorities are—because these too, change with you.

So be fearless! Like flowers, we’ll have those moments of bloom. Remember that it’s in the unfolding that will liberate us and mold us into the persons we ought to become. This is what it also means to “tidy up our life”—when we acknowledge change and embrace it.

F•R•I•E•N•D•S

*instrumental intro* So no one told you life’s gonna be this waaaayyyyyyy *clap sequence*✨ F•R•I•E•N•D•S *in Chandler’s voice* oh, it’s funny... and REALatable! (see what I did there?)

This is the perfect Wabi Sabi show to watch, tbh, and then you’ll be inspired to KonMari and Ikigai later on.

All seasons available on Netflix.*

TRAVEL

On a December 2019 beach trip: “sky above, sand below, peace within.”

I just thought of how I konmari-ed my way in packing for this trip; Ikigai-ed my time in finishing work before heading off; and had a wabi-sabi experience all throughout.

It then hit me that traveling means exactly these and I’m grateful for the peace, joy, and clarity it has brought me.

JANUARY 2020 WORKBOOK

Brief: The 7-page workbook is a contemplative guide that can help you process experiences through the mentioned concepts. In it you’ll find a space for: 1) contemplating on the past year; 2) digesting each Japanese concept & its relation to relevant life topics; and 3) setting your 2020 mindset.☺️

Feel free to download: