Sparking Joy in Every Part of Your Life

Recently, the idea of “sparking joy” has taken the world by storm. If you aren’t familiar with the term, it stems from Marie Kondo’s organization method, called the KonMari method. This method is outlined in her popular book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing, and became even more widespread in her Netflix series, Tidying Up with Marie Kondo.

In the context of the show and book, the term “spark joy” is primarily used in reference to material goods. It is, after all, focused on organizing your space so that it is more serene and joyful. Marie Kondo instructs the people she works with to decide if the items that are cluttering their space (clothes, books, random knick-knacks, and so on) spark joy for them. If an item sparks joy, it stays. If it doesn’t, you thank the item for its part in your life, and then sell or donate it.

The beauty of this method is that it allows users to get rid of the clutter and put the spotlight on things that truly bring them joy. While the focus of the KonMari method is on physical items, the concept can easily be applied to other areas of life. We could all benefit from bringing more delight and happiness into our lives. Try these ideas to cultivate more joy in every area of your life.

Look at Habits That Aren’t Serving You

Do you have any habits that are holding you back from your full potential? Maybe you spend too much time on social media, taking away time from more productive activities. Maybe you’ve relied a little too much on buying lunch from the restaurant close to work, even though you could easily make a healthier and more wallet-friendly meal at home. Maybe you put too much of your energy into worrying about things, when that energy can be put towards taking action. Whatever bad habits you’ve fallen into, assess what you can change to make a shift in your lifestyle. Say goodbye to bad habits, and hello to a happier, more joyful you!

Make Time for a Hobby That You Love

We all have hobbies or activities that bring us delight. However, it can be easy to abandon those hobbies when life gets busy and obligations start stacking up.

In order to spark joy in our lives, we need to allow time for these activities that bring smiles to our faces.

Schedule time on a regular basis to fit your go-to hobby into your life. This act of putting a spotlight on the thing that brings light to your life will surely spark joy!

“Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy” – Thich Nhat Hanh

Organize Your Space

Of course, we can’t discuss sparking joy without throwing in its original use! Look at areas that can use a bit of organization. You don’t have to do a full-blown reorganization of your entire home (although you could if you’d like!). Marie Kondo recommends starting by category rather than room, so focus on clothes, office supplies, kitchen gadgets, or even just digital files on your computer. Go through those items, letting go of what doesn’t spark joy, and keeping what does. As you create more space for the belongings that bring you joy, you’ll come to appreciate these meaningful items even more.

You can also try sparking joy with our Monthly Intentions Program.

Try a new class, and meet with our highly trained experts for a quick assessment and suggestions to guide you toward achieving your goals. Find something that sparks joy in your life! Click here for more information.