Does it Spark Joy?

As you may know the Pole Hill Provisions brick and mortar store is closed for January and February as we bring in new product lines, make improvements and tidy up.  Aren’t we all focused on tidying up in January?  Every year I start the year saying that THIS will be the year that my home will be perfect and I will be well organized.  Of course that never happens.  But I still find my self drawn to KonMarie and watching episodes of Tidying Up on Netflix.

If you’ve lived under a rock for the past several years (or you’re my husband), you might not know what KonMarie is.  Marie Kondo is a Japanese organization guru.  She challenges you to put every scrap of clothing on your bed and go through the pieces one by one and asking yourself of each piece “Does it spark joy in me”? If not, out it goes.  Her goal is to create a peaceful, minimalist, joyful home.  I don’t think she has a dirty goldendoodle, but in any event, it sounds like a wonderful existence if you can get there.  Which I can’t. 

But the concept of sparking joy is not without merit.  As I put away the Christmas decorations, I do ask myself if I should keep or let go of certain things.  If I can get everything into one less box, I’ll be ahead of the game.

And sparking joy doesn’t have to only apply to letting things go.  Certain additions to your home can spark joy. As you know, we make hand painted pillows at PHP.  Over this “break” I have made a few for myself.  We have a house in Vermont which now has pillows marking our favorite ski areas nearby.  I made another to remind me of my favorite vacation spot.  When I see the pillows, I can say that they spark joy in me.  They remind me of good times and special events.  These good times are the glue that keep me balanced and happy and get me though the not so good times.

I have also been known to “shop” at PHP for that perfect accessory for a table that makes me laugh or even just smile or nod in appreciation.  Happiness and contentment are made up of small moments.  Don’t be afraid to add those bits and pieces to create your own oasis and glue to your tranquility.

PHP continues to be open 24/7 via our web site shop and our Etsy shop.  We are also open by appointment if you need a fix before March!

Now, back to my tidying up.

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