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Decluttering vs. being prepared during COVID-19? We should have a tidy balance of both.
As a Certified KonMari™ Consultant, I teach clients to tidy using Marie Kondo’s method. I ask them to visualize the life that they want to have, and together we declutter and make room for the person that they can become.
I help them choose what to keep by identifying items that “spark joy.” We should only be surrounded by things that we love and that we use. Then, donate or discard the rest. If a client asks “but what if I need this someday?” my pre-pandemic response would be “someday means never.” I would reassure them that most items can be replaced for less than $20 in a matter of 20 minutes.
Well, that was not the case during the quarantine. Were we able to just purchase another? Nope, the store shelves were bare for months. As the lock down was about to take place, people rushed to the stores and no hand sanitizer or toilet paper was to be found. In a state of panic, some folks rushed out and hoarded these items driven by fear.
This pandemic has adjusted my practice of teaching of the method – I have realized that it is okay (and smart) to hold onto things that we might need someday for an emergency and self-care.
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Prior to quarantine, I gave away so many travel sized bottles of hand sanitizer. You see, hand sanitizer is not something that I used, it did not spark joy and I would prefer to just wash my hands. Hand sanitizer sparks joy for me now because it makes me feel safe and prepared.
So, now after experiencing a lock down, I have adjusted my practice to take into consideration preparing for an emergency. We should all have a basic disaster kit, including toilet paper, face coverings and hand sanitizer.
Would a case of toilet paper taking up space spark joy? Hell yes, after what we have been through!
Here is a link to The Department of Homeland Security’s recommendation for a Basic Disaster Supply Kit, which has this note:
“Since Spring of 2020, the CDC has recommended people include additional items in their kits to help prevent the spread of coronavirus or other viruses and the flu.”
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On this list is cloth face coverings (for everyone ages 2 and above,) soap, hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes to disinfect surfaces.
Funny, they don’t list toilet paper.