Thinking About Moving or Improving Your Home?
Take a Page from Marie Kondo
“Think about what kind of house you want to live in and how you want to live in it. In other words, describe your ideal lifestyle. If you like drawing, sketch out what it looks like. If you prefer to write, describe it in a notebook. You can also cut out photos from magazines.
When you imagine your ideal lifestyle, you are really clarifying why you want to tidy and envisioning your best life. The tidying process represents a turning point – so seriously consider the ideal lifestyle to which you aspire.” – Marie Kondo (konmari.com)
Maximizing Joy
I recently came across the work of Marie Kondo, an expert in ‘tidying’, and it got me thinking about a process that many homeowners go through: Deciding whether to improve their existing home or move to a new home. Her words struck me as really relevant to anyone considering a change in their living situation.
Her point is that by envisioning the kind of home you want to live in, and how you want to live in it, you’re really envisioning your ideal lifestyle. It’s a powerful way of looking at your home, and what you’d like to change about it.
How would I apply her philosophy to the process of deciding what to do about your home?
I’d start by looking at what spaces in your home that spark joy: The kitchen space where everyone seems to gather by default, or the quiet nook by the back door where you find yourself curling up with a book. What is it about those spaces you love?
Next, look at the spaces that don’t serve you as well. Perhaps the formal dining room you rarely use. Are they necessary? Perhaps not. Just because everyone else you know has a dining room, doesn’t mean you need or want one in your home.
Once you’ve decided what spaces give you joy, and what spaces don’t, consider the layout of your existing home. Could it be reworked to maximize the ‘joyful’ places, and get rid of the unnecessary ones? If so, perhaps improving is the best option.
If not, is there another home on the market that is more compatible with your ideal lifestyle?
If neither option works, perhaps building a new home is the best choice for you.
It’s a process, talking about your ideas and dreams, and exploring all the options—much like peeling the layers of an onion to get to the core of what you really want and figuring out how to make it happen.
I think that properly applied, Marie Kondo’s approach to tidying could help you focus in on what you want out of your living space, and what you don’t need.
Interested in exploring your options?
A big part of what I do is help clients meet their goals and understand their options. I work to guide you through the entire process so that at the end you will have looked at your ideas and options, and are able to make a decision that’s right for you.
I’d love the opportunity to discuss your goals with you. Please feel free to contact me anytime.
Happy New Year!
Lou Sagatov, Realtor®
571-305-2405