The more we own, the more we have to maintain, which takes time away from what brings us joy. The minimalists have known this for a long time. Perhaps the time has come for us to evaluate what is and is not, essential in our lives.
Making do may spark joy
by Elyse Umlauf-Garneau
A thoughtful op-ed piece in the Globe and Mail addresses the challenge of having too much stuff – clothes, books, electronics, appliances, cooking gear, and so forth.
While the battle cry of Marie Kondo, the Japanese purging guru and author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, is spark joy, writer Benjamin Leszcz’s message is distinctly old-school. Make do.
It’s also one that may have particular resonance for boomers and seniors who are staring down a lifetime of acquisition and need to purge and downsize.
Making do means repairing clothes – even Prince Charles does it — shunning the latest “it” clothing item or electronic toy, thinking carefully about whether something is a need or a want, and opting for durable goods instead of throwaway objects.
The approach has financial, environmental, psychological benefits, he points out.
Admittedly, the latest, shiny new objects beckon from everywhere and they’re hard to resist. But Leszcz argues that our stuff distracts us from what actually make us happy –community, family, a sense of purpose, and good books and meals.
Making do just might be the thing that sparks joy.
