Unfortunately, dealing with burdensome relationships aren’t as easy as dealing with burdensome belongings.
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Updated 6 years ago,January 18, 2019
Does this spark joy?
Thats what tidying expert Marie Kondo wants you to ask yourself when looking at your belongings.
And if the answer is no, the solution is simple: get rid of it.
What matters is keeping those things that bring you joy.
Its a pretty effective rule, if you ask me.
Do those old concert tickets spark joy?
What about the dress I havent worn in two years?
Thisbook I read in middle school and havent picked up since?
Why am I spending money at restaurants I dont love?
Discussing the functionality of the people in your life can seem callous or even problematic.
After all, people dont exist to serve you or to guarantee your happiness.
Theyre not objects sitting in your home, waiting to be used whenever you feel like using them.
At the end of the day, do the people in your life make you happy?
And if they dont, where do you go from here?
The first step is to identifywhycertain people in your life dont spark joy.
Is there a friend whose drama brings more stress than enjoyment into your life?
A family member who criticizes you the moment you walk through the door?
A peer who consistently goes out of their way to make you feel less than?
Figure out what is it that leaves you feeling weary by the end of each social interaction.
Make lists if you have to.
Its only when you begin identifying the problems that you might start taking steps toward a solution.
Unfortunately, dealing with burdensome relationships arent as easy as dealing with burdensome belongings.
But that doesnt mean you cant doanything.
Once you know exactly whats bothering you, its easier to cross that bridge.
If the friend is someone you feel comfortable confiding in, sit them down and discuss the problem.
Its okay to say, This aspect of our relationship is making me a little uncomfortable.
Its okay to be clear about your emotions and set boundaries with your loved ones.
In fact, sometimes its absolutely necessary.
And if its someone youdontfeel comfortable discussing the problem with?
Find alternative ways to handle the situation.
Dealing with precarious relationships doesnt have to mean burning bridges if you dont want it to.
After all, as Marie Kondo said, Discarding is not the point.
You dont have to throw out every friendship that doesnt make you happy all the time.
You owe that to yourself.
After all, just as an uncluttered living space is important, so is an uncluttered heart and mind.
