KonMari! – “Kon-vinced” this is therapy for my soul.

We have 3 shredders in our home. One in my home office. A tiny one lives under my kitchen sink – to instantly shred incoming mail. The 3rd one is in my husband’s office which occupies the entire top floor of our home.

And still…..I managed to work my poor shredders to, well, shreds. Overheated motors! I bagged up mountains of “valuable” documents which were reduced to confetti in a matter of hours.

I actually had to laugh out loud at some of the paperwork that I deemed so very important. Realizing that I find peace in holding onto paper, I had to re-read Marie’s words of wisdom. Many Times.

Notice the corrugated box on my plaid, comfy, reading chair? Now, that’s some toxic paper in there.

As I told you last week, ‘paper’ is my toughest category to pilfer through. Paper conjures up some great feelings…and makes me confront some very dark times in my life.

After my younger son went away to college, I desperately wanted to return to the workforce. I wanted that high-level job with uber amounts of responsibility…. and to wear nice outfits, daily. Well, I should be very careful for what I wished for – because it all came true.

I got that coveted title and the corporate, creative latitude of a marketing director that I thirsted and hungered for….dreamed about….hmmmmmm. But I didn’t plan on having a person – who worked closely with me….threaten me.

Yes, you read that correctly. There was a man who began making both overt and subtle threats almost immediately. He threatened early upon my arrival and uncomfortably often.

After numerous benign attempts to gain the attention and respect from Human Resources, I decided to seek help from a higher source – the regional corporate office. My concerns were quickly dismissed and was told, “Let me play devil’s advocate. Perhaps, you just don’t get his sense of humor.”

This sickening situation caused me to document every troubling detail…..with none other than PAPER. Emails. Written reports. Complaints.

So when I tell you that paper is powerful in my life. This is a great example of what I am writing about.

___________________________

Conversely, my heart is full when I read the handwritten letters from former students. It is one of my greatest joys to have tutored so many dyslexic students over the past 2 decades. I loved looking at the crayon drawing of my portrait with my name misspelled as a caption: Miss Leza.

I could not believe (nor would I admit) what nonsensical paper garbage occupied some of the most precious real estate in this home office.

It is exciting, for sure, to be able to display – in full sight – the truly important and time-sensitive paperwork that needs my full and immediate attention. This achievement alone gives me JOY!

If all goes well, I will F*I*N*A*L*L*Y complete the paper category tonight or tomorrow morning and move on to Komono.

I am, indeed, Kon-vinced that KonMari is therapy for my soul.

Wishing you JOY in your journey of tidying up your own home….and soul.