Hit a small snag with going all KonMari on my stuff: allergy-induced asthma attacks.

Yay.

I was fine while going through most of my clothes, but then I began digging into the coat/shoe closet… 

Once I cleared out the shoes I vacuumed the floor and thought all was fine, until my chest got tight as I was putting away the vacuum. I always have an inhaler handy, so I just took a couple puffs and tried not to think about the fact that we are living through a pandemic where “difficulty breathing” is a major symptom.

Because I was on a roll and didn’t want to slow down when I was finally doing what I needed to with the de-cluttering, I kept at it.

I began gathering books from shelves where I had also stored random paperwork and knick knacks and oh my god I do believe entire universes had been created for dust bunnies to live in harmony with all of their families, friends, and even enemies on those shelves (and in the boxes).

I mentioned last time that I had already gone through and packed most of my books, but not all because I have a lot of books. I had a lot of books before I pared them down, and I still have a lot, so… Lots of books means lots of dust means I was considering hanging my inhaler on a lanyard around my neck.

Did it occur to me to wear a mask?

Oh sure.

Did I?

No.

Let me just say that I am a big believer in wearing a mask outside of the house. I’m having entirely too much fun on Etsy looking for fun masks, actually, but apparently common sense flies right out the window when it comes to wearing a mask inside the house when dealing with dust.

These past months of working from home has been a fun time of nighttime panic attacks, nightmares, unexpected daytime naps, brain fog, lack of motivation…to have finally reached a point where I was making progress moving forward only to have to stop, even temporarily, until the band around my chest loosened was incredibly frustrating.

I probably shouldn’t mention the full day I could barely walk because I was sitting cross-legged on the floor and reached up to swipe at a fly and pulled a muscle in my back because apparently my body thinks 45 is the new 90.

Stretching morning, noon, and night is now part of my life and I foresee yoga in my near future.

Throughout the last couple of weeks I have also experienced an interesting side-effect of the KonMari method, one that Marie Kondo mentioned but I wasn’t sure I would have myself. By acknowledging the past, finding an appreciation for the good and the bad and then letting go of the bad, I am feeling even better about my present. 

That probably sounds odd, it felt strange to type, but what I mean is that I am someone who constantly looks ahead or behind. Either I can’t escape what I had done to bring me to “this point” or I am thinking about what can/should be done to move beyond “this point.” I don’t think I’ve taken enough time to really appreciate how I am and what I feel now until, well, now.

The good, the bad, and the ugly of who I am now.

And despite the back strains, the asthma attacks, and the fact that currently I am unable to absorb everything I need to know to speak Chinese so I can learn and sing the words to my new favorite song by pressing my tablet to my head while the video plays on Youtube, I am content with my now. No, I’m happy with my now.

Yes, I miss seeing my family and friends beyond the walls of my house, and there’s so much in the world that needs to change, but putting that all aside for a hot minute to make it all about me?

I’m good.

And because I’m good, I think I can tackle what’s ahead like a NFL linebacker with a grudge.

The best part is that I’m barely half-way through the de-cluttering, so how many more awesome personal realizations will I have?

The KonMari Method might not be for everyone. Believe me, if Kondo-san was helping me herself she’d probably run screaming from the house because of how loosely I’m following her rules, but she did say everyone will use her method in the best way for themselves.

Long story short, my new motto is slow and steady wins the race. In a mask.

Until next week, stay safe everyone, and wear a mask!
Oh, and if you’re wondering what the song is, check out 王一博/Wang Yibo’s “无感” (No Sense).

There have to be easier songs to start with but nooooooo, I like this one! Go big or go home, I guess. LOL