Malaysia's first certified KonMari consultant, Rebecca Jo-Rushdy, shares her top tips to declutter this Lunar New Year
"Our homes have been working overtime during the pandemic," says Los Angeles-born Rebecca Jo-Rushy. "When the world outside isn't making sense, you can gain a sense of peace through decluttering and organising your space."
Cheerful and reassuring in her manner, it's not hard to picture Rushdy in the role of a KonMari consultant, guiding clients through the tedious process of decluttering their lives through the world-renowned method made popular by Marie Kondo. After launching her business Spark Joy and Flow in February 2020, the KL-based consultant has shifted her focus from home visits to corporate virtual wellness workshops and virtual consultancy sessions with private clients around the world.
This Chinese New Year, Rushdy shares five fundamental tips to inject gratitude into your spring cleaning routine à la KonMari and declutter your living space with purpose.
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1. Letting go with gratitude
"Gratitude is the foundation of the KonMari Method," explains Rushdy, admitting that she herself is a reformed shopaholic who learnt the benefits of decluttering very early on. "The mindful way of showing appreciation for the joy and beauty that surrounds you, as well as letting go with gratitude, changes your outlook on life."
Rather than tackling your spring cleaning from a position of stress, start with gratitude whenever you embark on the process of 'joy-checking' your under-used possessions.