The Jungalow

This photo series in collaboration with Rebecca (@yebeccayoo) is inspired by the rich hue of terra cotta and earthy atmospheres.

I wanted these images to reflect the importance of being intentional with our surroundings. The things and memories we hold onto makeup our life. Going back through these images almost a year after during the recent focus on “tidying up”, it’s comforting to know that this idea did not lack validity. In case you’re new to this term or aren’t familiar to Marie Kondu, here’s a little recap:

Kondu is a Japanese organizing consultant and author who is pretty much an expert in creating intentional homes. She has a method that involves gathering together all of one’s belongings, one category at a time, and then keeping only those things that “spark joy” and choosing a place for everything from then on.

It’s something that takes time. In western culture, it almost seems like we start collecting things from the moment we are born. So by the time we are adults, our homes are filled with childhood memorabilia, old school papers, and a plethora of other things. Now, I’m not saying that all these things are bad, it just presents the question, what’s really worth keeping? In Japanese, the term “spark joy” translates to tokimeku (ときめく ) meaning “flutter, throb, or palpitate”.

I can name very few things in my home that make my heart flutter: family photographs, surviving houseplants, and a couple of knick-knacks associated with good memories are a few to name. This would mean that there are a lot of things that I continue to hold on to that don’t serve a purpose in my life. They aren’t important documents or treasured items… it’s just stuff, and some of that stuff makes me feel weighed down. You know, the things that we keep out of obligation or that are associated with a sad memory.

When I started applying this concept to my life, I found that the hardest things to give up were the ones I felt indifferent about. “I don’t need it now, but maybe I’ll want it in the future.” At first, it seemed like a harmless feeling, but once the indifferent pile grew bigger and bigger, I realized that I have a lot of expectations for myself in the future. I’m going to reread that college book that I was interested in Junior or finally finish that craft. Just thinking about all the “should’s” or “will do’s” makes me feel suffocated just thinking about. So, let’s make room to breathe. And with that I leave you with these considerations:

What am I choosing to have influence over my life?

And is it enabling room to grow or leaving me suffocated?