My clients often ask me: "Do you wear the same thing every day?"
The answer is .... Sort of.
I don't necessarily wear the EXACT SAME THING EVERY DAY, but yes, I have about 4-5 outfits that I wear ALL THE TIME.
Why do I do that?
When helping my clients to simplify their homes, we inevitably find a treasure trove of gifts that have been given to them that do NOT spark joy. You name it - candles, soaps, scarves, trinkets, souvenirs, the works. You can probably think of the ones in your home right now.
We feel an obligation to hold on to these items, even though we don't find them beautiful or useful, for fear of offending the giver. The thing is, they are weighing us down.
One of the questions my clients often ask is: "After I've cleared out so much clutter, how do I make sure that I don't just go out and buy a bunch of stuff again?" I love this question because it really gets to the heart of why this work is so important.
Starting in the 80s, with the arrival of cheap imported goods, Americans began consuming at an unprecedented level.
The New York Times just published an article about how "buying time" (aka outsourcing or delegating) can increase your happiness level. Whether it's ordering take-out on a stressful weeknight or paying someone to clean your house, outsourcing specific tasks in your life can significantly reduce burnout and increase happiness.
So why don't we do it more?