Finding the Threads
“At their core, the things we really like do not change over time. Putting your house in order is a great way to discover what they are.”
Why did I keep finding Valentine’s Day themed socks when I completed my own tidying festival?
When you tidy up, you learn about yourself. Parts of yourself come part back, themes emerge. In the thousands of decisions you made, in all of the transitions you’ve been through, there are threads. What parts have you’ve forgotten that you’d like to incorporate more of now?
I was born on Valentine’s Eve. The day after my birthday, I wake up to a holiday focused on love. What’s better than that? As a kid, I loved the craftiness and the drama of the day at school. The bags we decorated to receive cards from each other were hung by the chalkboard, and maybe you’d get something interesting from a secret admirer. Conversation hearts, those chalky, not at all delicious candies, seemed a little bit magical if you closed your eyes, shook up the box, thought about your crush and picked a heart to see what it would say.
Having a special someone on Valentine’s Day has had no impact on the joy it brings me. Over the years, my best friend, bless her, pulled boyfriends aside to clarify that my birthday and Valentine’s Day are two separate occasions, and a combo gift will not do. Good friends help you find your threads, and so does tidying up.
How to find your threads as you’re tidying:
· Pause to notice themes that emerge in each category (clothing, books, paper, miscellaneous, sentimental).
· Are there times of year when joy seems to be all around you, easier to access? What are the items in your home that support that time?
There are no rules about what sparks joy for you. You’ll find the rebel, Aquarian side of me wearing the Valentine’s socks all year round.