![]() I couldn't agree more with what this Washington Post reviewer wrote about Marie Kondo's approach to “tidying up” in her new show on Netflix.
![]() That got me thinking about my attitude toward the gardens I create and then care for. Am I one of those “entitled” complainers on HGTV? It took mere seconds of reflection for me to conclude that no, I'm not. Real gardeners like me just don't see their gardens that way. Sure, I notice the tasks that need to be done but overall, I love being in my garden and appreciate the hell out of it, whatever condition it's in. But what about when my garden gets crowded, when plants start encroaching on pathways, when maybe something has to go? Here's where a super-declutterer like Marie has useful advice for me. The WaPo review continues, “She saves sentimental objects for last, and it's here where the owners must really buckle down and assess whether they are keeping something out of a sense of duty or true joy.” So the next time I'm making one of those yank-or-keep decisions about an unhappy or overgrown plant, I'll try asking myself if the plant is “sparking joy” for me. That's her favorite phrase and a really great one, I think. ![]() I'll also try following her advice and “thank” each plant before sending it to the compost (or to a plant swap or whatever). The sight of Marie holding a small piece of clothing reverently in her grasp and then quietly thanking it inspires me to give that a try. Beyond the Garden All this makes me wonder – is there anything else in my life that I need to thank and discard because it's not sparking joy for me? Certainly my constant checking for emails and Facebook responses comes to mind. And how about this: Do all my relationships spark joy or are some of them more joy-draining? Tidying Up on Netflix Naturally I'm all for decluttering and to Marie's fans I say “Go for it!” But I'm more of a minimalist than a clutterer, so I'll leave to others a real review of her advice. I also don't watch reality TV, so the super-scripted artificiality and the constant promoting of Marie and her method honestly drove me nuts. But on a final note, I love that two of the seven homes featured in the show are inhabited by gay couples. I try to notice and enjoy examples like that of things getting better in this country, because, you know. For our Feedblitz subscribers, the author is Susan Harris
Marie Kondo in the Garden, and Life originally appeared on GardenRant on January 4, 2019.
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