By acknowledging our attachment to the past and our fears for the future by honestly looking at our possessions, we will be able to see what is really important to us.
Draw a big Venn diagram in your journal and label each circle as:
- An attachment to the past
- Anxiety about the future
Then outside of those circles create another label that says
- Inspiration
Now as you look around your space, focus on one object at a time and record how each object makes you feel.
It’s important to understand what kind of things you tend to own because it’s a mirror for the values and principles that shape your life.
After you’ve had your fill, reflect on your list to see where your priorities have been. Are they accurate with the kind lifestyle you want to live?
This process helps us identify our values and reduce doubt and confusion while making life decisions.
In Marie Kondo's words, “Attachment to the past and fears concerning the future not only govern the way you select the things you own but also represent the criteria by which you make choices in every aspect of your life, including your relationships with people and your job” (Maria Kondo, 2019. The life-changing magic of tidying up. The Japanese art of decluttering and organizing).