Decisions, Decisions

A move precipitates countless decisions: what possessions to go to the next home, what to sell, and what to give away. In many cases people become paralyzed about the number of decisions. This is where the concepts in “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying up” by Marie Kondo become a fabulous resource. Kondo’s clarifying question is: “What sparks joy for you personally? And what doesn’t?”

In many cases I have found people have become burdened by all of the stuff in their life. The desire and purpose of moving can sometimes be to force the decision process on what to do with many of the possessions. The reverse is the case as well, many times people get stuck and can’t or won’t move or even take the next step because are weighed down. According to Kondo the act of taking good care of your things leads to taking good care of yourself.

The question “does it bring you joy” is an easy one to remember. The stager on our team use it to help a seller make a decision on a piece of furniture or item. If her eyes light up, a smile erupts and the person starts telling the story of how it was acquired and what it means to her, then by all means it should stay. The opposite expressions usually reflect there is no meaning to the item or it has been something he has always wanted to get rid of and only kept because of family obligation. These are indicators that it should be released to the universe to find a different owner. Allow that item to become something special in someone else’s life and home. This method helps to alleviate “decision fatigue” which can set in when people begin to feel overwhelmed with the process. Simplification is in most cases the best cure.

Many times people hang on to possessions because of the memories associated. Yet in their next move it isn’t possible to take everything with them. This is often the case in the senior population. The source of the memories is the experience which can easily be recalled with a photo. So what I suggest is to to take photos of the items and the room and create an album of the home. The best memories are in one’s mind and the photos will help them treasure those people and moments. One of the closing gifts we present to seller clients is an album of the photos our professional photographer took of the home and property.

Apply “tidying up” to your life, doing so can also bring joy. Kondo says that taking action can reset your life. Change of your surroundings is an outward sign of an inward dynamic. The magic art of tidying up can serve as an inspiration, doing so you can reset your life. The first step is to commit. As you go through the process you are likely to “experience steadily rising joy.”

Karen Briscoe and Lizzy Conroy as well as their team of agents at HBC Group at Keller Williams are market experts in the Northern Virginia, suburban Maryland and Washington, DC market place. Whether selling or buying a home, our group of professional Realtors® are delighted to be of service. Please contact via the means most convenient for you: www.HBCGroupKW.com, 703-734-0192, Homes@HBCGroupKW.com.