GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. — Does it spark joy?
That is the one important question Marie Kondo has used to build an organizational empire.
And in her new Netflix series, she still teaches the gospel of ditching things that don’t bring joy. But sometimes letting go leads to pain - the opposite of joy.
Kristin Dahl, the Clinical Director of Health Wise Behavioral Health and Wellness in Maple Grove, says it can be difficult.
“You can put logic around it all you want but sometimes when we are connected to our things through an emotional connection, it just becomes a little tougher for us to make those decisions,” she said. “It is kind of a crazy thing, but it is true. Those emotional connections can be varied and varied intensities. You can have something in your closet that you had during a fun time in life and when you look at it and see it kind of brings back those memories."
Dr. Kaz Nelson, the vice chair for education at the University of Minnesota, says belongings and objects have carried meaning to people.
“Some psychologist feel certain sentimental objects or important objects your brain and body might actually incorporate as part of one’s identity or body map,” she said, using a vehicle as an example.
When it comes to letting go, she said people should give themselves space to let go or not let go.
She recommends breathing exercises or yoga to facilitate a mindful frame of mind, rather than impulsive or urgent.
“Those combinations might decrease the changes that someone might feel regret after discarding,” Nelson said.