How Marie Kondo helped me lose twenty pounds

This is a true story. I tell it, not because you will have the same results if you do what I did, although you might. But because it’s true and was really the kick-start to my personal transformation.

The year: 2014. Two months prior I’d quit my job as a trial lawyer. (Quitting this job triggered a small weight loss. I chalked it up to a change in lifestyle, as I had more free time. Then, this happened.)

I read Marie Kondo’s The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up

Keep only those things that speak to your heart. Then take the plunge and discard all the rest. By doing this, you can reset your life and embark on a new lifestyle.

– Marie Kondo

So, I emptied my drawers, and my closet, and following Ms. Kondo’s method, I picked up each piece of clothing and ruthlessly evaluated if the item brought me joy. If it was too small, it went. Regardless of how beautiful it was when it fit. (except for my formal gowns because. . . well. . . because they bring me joy). If it wasn’t my style, it went. If I didn’t like the color, or it was worn in a way that was “too worn.” It went. Mini-skirts, fly girl tops from the 90’s, jeans, dresses, ugly maternity clothes. . . If it didn’t bring me joy, I was ruthless.

I filled twelve lawn trash bags full of clothes and shoes. (I like clothes and shoes.)

And I threw or gave it all away. Designer shoes, dresses, everything. When I was finished, my closet was Spartan. But I loved every single thing in it. I then organized my closet by color as Ms. Kondo suggests. Even better. Now, when I was feeling purple, I had my three or four favorite purple dresses right at my fingertips.

Practically, it was amazing for my organization.

Energetically, it was like a flush of my nervous system. As I picked up each item I was processing. I would remember where I got it, where I used to wear it, (if I ever did), and what it meant. I was reminded of good times and bad. I came to terms with my weight- in a very non-judgmental way, I said to myself- “you had a baby. it’s okay if your body isn’t the same. it’s okay if you are not the same.” Because I wasn’t the same. I was different, and I realized I had not accepted those differences. I was disparaging the new me, because she couldn’t fit into her old clothes, when the new me was a superhero, working mom, who didn’t need to fit into a size two in order to be a boss. I accepted myself as I was.

This was in December. By the new year, I couldn’t fit into anything in my closet anymore. My jeans were falling off as I got out of my car. My dresses were slipping down and I was regularly, unwittingly, “giving it to the people.” I dropped a dress size, and the losing did not stop. The next year, I quit a bunch of activities, lost more weight, I picked up yoga, lost more weight. By early 2016 people were telling me to stop losing weight. (not that it’s any of their business

So, you say? How did you lose weight in a weekend? I not only accepted myself as I was, I took concrete, tangible steps to let the universe know that I accepted myself. My vibration matched my intention.

Boogie and I went to T.J. Maxx, and I found a painting that said, “create a life you love.” So, I decided to do just that. To live a beautiful life. And my life would be beautiful regardless of what size I was, or what job I had. My life would be beautiful because it was mine, and I was blessed with so much. By letting go of the physical items that represented me before my daughter, I made room for the new me to emerge fully. And I loved her.

This did not happen overnight, the original purge took a weekend, but I was so encouraged by my results, it spurred me to continue my journey. The weight loss is done, but the self-acceptance is a daily meditation. I am physically, mentally, and emotionally stronger now than I have ever been in my life. I’m excited about that.