Cope with Burnout

Are you experiencing work burnout? 

• Feeling no joy or interest in your work?

• Have less patience with others than you used to?

• Feeling overwhelmed by your responsibilities?

A recent study documented increases in meeting and email frequency since we all started working at home. In addition, the study demonstrated that virtual communication has extended beyond normal working hours.

How do you cope with burnout?

• Reconnect with the “why” of your work. Connecting with your purpose and passion can give you energy and help to shift your mindset.

• Take a vacation from your work email, even if it’s just one day. Move your email app away from the home screen of your phone. Set an email away message and spend a day sparking joy with family and friends.

• Say “no” to the task but “yes” to the person. Saying no is hard, but we can ask questions about the request to get a better sense of what the other person needs. Even if you can’t help with the task you can offer support.

"I'm sorry, I can't take on doing this on a regular basis because Alexis wants me to prioritize development work. Do you know someone who is working on developing her Excel skills? Would you like me to show her how to extract the data so she can take this on?"

• Create a daily gratitude practice. The KonMari method encourages us to thank items when we put them away. You can go a step further by keeping a gratitude journal. Write down at least 5 things you are thankful for each day for three weeks. (Request a gratitude checklist to get you started.)

• Exercise! Take a walk every day or start a yoga practice. Sign up for online Spark Joy Yoga classes or schedule a virtual private yoga class with me.

P.S. Link to the study in case you’d like to read it. 

Spark Joy At Work

Can you remember the last time you smiled when you thought about your work or while walking to your workspace?

When you think about your job what images pop into your mind?

Do you notice any tightness or tension in your body?

If your feeling stressed and overwhelmed at work, tidying up your workspace can help. Yes, tidying or decluttering can increase your efficiency, sales, and productivity, and make you happy at work.

Read the rest of the article on CityLifestyle.

Hopeful for Change

“People cannot change their habits without first changing their way of thinking.” ~ Marie Kondo

I’m hopeful for the change that is so needed in our world 🌍.

Changing your thinking isn’t easy.

Changing your thinking requires dedication and support. You need a goal and someone to help you stay focused on the goal.

When you are changing your life with tidying, working with a tidy coach will help you to shift your mindset. The first step is to believe that you can change. Then, work with someone who can support and encourage you to make the shifts and changes that you are looking for.

Virtual Tidying with 𝗝𝗼𝘆 & 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 starts with developing a 𝘁𝗶𝗱𝘆 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗲𝘁. Similar to a growth mindset, this is a belief that you can change. You visualize the space and the life that you want and feel empowered to change. Working with a KonMari consultant is’t just about moving things around in your home and letting things go. Through virtual tidying, you’ll be guided through the Marie Kondo categories as you stay connected to your goals.

✅ You’ll start each virtual tidying lesson with a guided, letting go relaxation activity.

✅ Next we re-affirm goals and then we tidy.

✅ I’ll follow up with you after so you can keep shifting your thinking and changing your habits.

Changing your thinking to become anti-racist also requires dedication and support. Examine your biases with the 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘁 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁 from Harvard. Develop a growth mindset and believe that you can change. Let go of habits and beliefs that keep you from sparking ⚡️joy in our world. Choose joy and love! Love ❤️ is the greatest of all things. 

“𝗜 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 ...𝗛𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝗼 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗮 𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝗿.” 𝗠𝗟𝗞

People cannot change their habits without first changing their way of thinking. ~ Marie Kondo

Declutter Your Home + Clear Your Mind

Check out an article I shared with City Lifestyle on how KonMari and yoga can reduce your stress and increase your sense of control.

If you are ready to start using Marie Kondo’s method, download the free Spark Joy Reflection in the Spark Joy Store. It’s a great way to reflect and determine a path forward.

I also suggest reading more from Thich Nhat Hanh. “Letting go gives us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness. “

Spark Joy In Your Life

Marie’s new book has inspired me! I’m excited to offer a 5-week series of talks designed to spark joy not just in your home but in your overall life. I’ve set up the course on Teachable and some of the description is below. You can view the full course and the free course preview (with a KonMari decluttering checklist) on the teachable course site. The link is available via my Spark Joy Store.)

I’m so exited to offer this workshop series! Join me and three of my friends to...

• Reconnect with your inner self and discover what is really important to you

• Choose what to keep in your life rather than focusing on purging and discarding

• Spark joy in your life with decluttering, career support, safe beauty, and financial advice

• Connect to others who are interested in mindful personal development 

This 5-week series will help you to:

• Develop a Tidy Mindset

• Spark Joy in Your Closet

• Spark Joy in Your Career - Led by Karen Rieker

• Spark Joy with Clean Beauty - Led by Liz Gray

• Spark Joy with your Finances- Led by Cleon Smith

In addition to the on demand talks, topics will include:

• Guided meditations

• Weekly challenges

• KonMari decluttering tips for clothes, paper, and toiletries

• Information from Marie's newest book, Joy at Work

• Motivation and support from Yuriko and the Facebook community

Course Curriculum… (including the free course preview with KonMari checklist.)

Organize Your Day? Contemplating Productivity Pressure

Last week seems like a month ago; there has been so much to process and navigate. I’ve also experienced a mental shift as I took time to reflect on what was going on around me and internally. I had planned on using a few articles and interviews from Marie Kondo to make suggestions about how to organize your day. However, after pausing, reading, and checking in, I’d like to take a step back before we get into that.

Whenever we face a time of great change, it’s important to do so mindfully, to take a moment and ask what we really want out of the situation that we face. On the weekend of March 14-15th, I wanted to reconnect to some long-term goals. I set these without understanding, at least to the extent that I do know now, how much life in the time of the Coronavirus would change. I continued to work on those goals during the next week, distracting myself with tasks and approaching my new found free time with zeal.

The following week, I started to notice a shift. I felt off, overwhelmed, and confused. The organized type that I am, I made a very long list. Fortunately, my yoga practice provides me with much-needed balance, so the list included self-care items, such as “practice yoga” and “cook”. I slowed down and recognized that I was thrown for a major loop, but immensely fortunate to have my husband and health. I took time to settle in and accept what this quiet time will mean for me and my tidying/yoga business. As Dr. Aisha Ahmad stated in a recent article in The Chronicle, “…acceptance…will allow us to reimagine ourselves in this new reality.” (I highly encourage you to read the article!)

I’ll share my current thoughts on how to organize your day like Marie Kondo.

1. Shift Your Mindset - Consider Developing a Tidy Mindset

   The first step of the KonMari Method is to picture your ideal life and space -to spend time asking yourself what you want to do in your home and determine what you want to focus your time and energy on. I love talking about this variation on Carol Dweck’s growth mindset and sharing it with others during my workshops and in my sessions with clients. It’s so important to pause and ask yourself what a life that sparks joy looks like for you. If you aren’t a minimalist, then a minimalist lifestyle and home is not going to bring you joy. Focus on building a life that will make your heart sing.

2. Practice and Prioritize Self-Care

   A March 20th New York Times article gives a glimpse at Marie’s daily schedule. My overall impression was how intentionally she has built self-care into her day. From starting her day with lighting incense, to daily walks or exercise (planking), to making home cooked meals for her family, she prioritizes self-care.I suggest and hope you will do the same. Find a morning ritual that involves a moment of fresh air and perhaps a few stretches or yoga poses. Make it a priority to start your day in a way that will  fill you with positivity and the energy you need.

3. Work and Take Breaks

   Marie’s daily schedule includes time for tea and meditation. Scott Sonenshein, co-author of Kondo’s upcoming book Joy of Work, states, “Figure out when you will work. Setting clear hours will help you keep your sanity. And take a break. Get up and stretch. Go for a short walk. The mind is still working, even when you’re not directly thinking about work.”

4. Practice Gratitude

   Marie suggests, “As often as possible, seek out ways in which you can express gratitude or simply check-in with a coworker that allows you to hear and see the other person.”

Let’s start there.

If you are ready to tidy, I’m here but let’s focus on some self-care.

…acceptance…will allow us to reimagine ourselves in this new reality… ~Aisha Ahmad

Work from Home Like Marie Kondo - Part 1: Tidy Your Space

Working from home has become the new normal for many people that I know. Fortunately, you can apply the KonMari™ method to your desk and workspace. This will help you to reduce clutter and distractions so you can focus on the work at hand. It will also help to reduce stress, which we all need right about now.

There are a few important things to remember before you start to tidy and declutter your desk/workspace.

Only Tidy Your Own Things

Yes, this means that you don’t start with your partner’s side of the office/workspace.
Focus on tidying up your area first and sparking joy in your workspace. In a time when we don’t have control over much, this is a golden opportunity. Also when your partner/desk-mate see’s your joyful workspace, it might spark them to start tidying their area. Tidying can be contagious too!

Only tidy your own things.

Picture Your Ideal Desk/Workspace

Take a moment to close your eyes and think about what would make your workspace perfect. A space that would allow you to tap into your skills and give you the energy you need. It might be a space that sparks creativity. It might be a space that enhances your sense of calm. Really start to picture this space. If you are a more visual person, you might create a vision board or a digital vision board via Pinterest. Personally, I love to journal and write out all the things I want in this space. (Check out Passion Planner’s free download to map our your desk game changer. )

Only Keep Items That Spark Joy

“When something sparks joy, you should feel a little thrill, as if the cells in your body are slowly rising. When you hold something that doesn’t bring you joy, however, you will notice that your body feels heavier.” ~ Marie Kondo

Some joy sparking questions?

• Does this item brighten my day?

• When was the last time I used this item?

• When did I purchase it? 

Tidy by Category

The KonMari™ method gives some focus here so you don’t get overwhelmed. Also, the categories are arranged from easiest to hardest. Choose what to keep first and then think about storage.

1. Clothes - many of my clients have obligatory work shirts. If they spark joy, determine the best place to store them. (Personal note: Many of my work shirts did not spark joy. I took them to my office at work or donated them. In the time of COVID-19 taking something to work isn’t an option but hopefully you can take the shirt to work later.)

2. Books - If you have books related to work, determine which of these spark joy. Take them off the shelves or out of their spot and hold each one. How do you feel? If you don’t feel lighter knowing that you have this book, let it go with gratitude.

3. Paper - This is the big one. We have a large quantity of paper. Gather all the work related paper in one or a few piles. (Maybe take a picture so you can post your before and afters.) You will determine to keep each piece or set of papers based on how you feel. If you feel lighter, keep it. If you know that these stapled papers help you in your work, keep it. If the extra handouts from 2006 are not bringing you joy, let them go. (Personal note: I had a large pile of handouts from the classes I taught.)

4. Konmono - Miscellaneous - Gather like with like and keep the items that spark joy and help you to craft your ideal desk.
   Here are some sub-categories for you:
   Pens
   Sticky pad/note pads
   Scissors
   Paper clips
   Notebooks
   Staplers/Staples
   Stamps/Stickers
   Technology - cords, USB drives, calculators
   Things that belong in the kitchen, bedroom, and other rooms (keep like with like)

5. Sentimental - This is the last and hardest category. You might have pictures, journals, and other meaningful items in this space. If you have already completed the KonMari tidying method in your house, you are ready to tidy this category. Choose what to keep based on it’s joy factor. If you haven’t completed your KonMari™ tidying festival , keep sentimental items on your desk that will give you joyful energy as you work. For the other sentimental items, store like with like.
   

Plan on spending no more than four hours tidying your workspace. Remember to take breaks. Enjoy a cup of tea and have a good snack. Once you’re through all the categories, notice the shifts in your energy and space.

If you have questions or get stuck, contact me at any stage of this tidying process for a virtual tidying session. Schedule a virtual tidying/coaching session today or contact me at Yuriko@JoyAndSpace.com 

I’ll post Part 2 : Organize Your Day later on this week.

Embracing Change - Spark Joy Yoga

Corona virus has changed so much of my life. But I’m navigating these changes like a yogi!

Without further ado, I give you my first ever yoga video!

https://youtu.be/NMJDjWkh9jk 

Enjoy this 30 minute practice! It’s a joyful flow. No props needed, but blocks and blankets are always nice.

If you’d like to keep practicing with me virtually, check out my virtual private yoga and yoga on demand coming soon via double sunrise yoga!

Spark Joy Yoga Schedule

Spark Joy Yoga

Spark Joy Yoga with Yuriko

Let Go of Mistakes with Gratitude

Just because it was expensive, does not mean that it spark joys.

Sometimes we keep items just because we remember how much we spent on them. They don't fit with our life or our style anymore so we put them back in the closet, drawer, or the basement. Think about something in your home that you are keeping just because it was expensive. Take some time to sit with that feeling. Stop!… Pause… Feel…   

Yes, it's icky. Now forgive yourself. We all make mistakes. That is how we learn. 

Spend a little bit more time thinking about how that expensive item became yours. Perhaps you were online shopping because you couldn’t sleep. Perhaps you were looking for a mood boost and you went shopping instead of going to yoga. Perhaps …..

What can you change so you don’t make another expensive and non-joy sparking purchase? Take a moment and promise yourself that you are going to make this change.

Ahhh, you’re another step closer to a tidy mindset!

The next step is to start your KonMari journey. Thank each item that is no longer bringing you joy. Then let it go.

KonMari & Minimalism

Both the KonMari™ method and Minimalism provide an opportunity to step back and think about how you want to live your life. They are an invitation to pause and consider your home and life. Personally, Marie’s method of choosing joy spoke to me. I was so inspired by reading her book that I changed my life. The KonMari™ method reminded me of Joseph Campbell’s phrase, “follow your bliss”. It gave me the experience of a lifetime. It encouraged me to live a life that sparks joy and to intentionally choose items and experiences that speak to my heart..

I find minimalism to be an overall source of inspiration, but it didn’t click for me in the same way. There is value in both methods and practices. I appreciate practices which encourage reflection and an opportunity to check in with current values. There are so many ways to live an intentional life. I’ve found mind through KonMari™ and yoga.

Intentional living is a choice. I encourage you to find your path! I’ll keep sharing mine.