'Sip & Savor!' Celebrate the truly special in your life

Here's a ticket to your own personal hall of fame ...

Marie Kondo. You know her, right? She's the Japanese organizer who's made breaking up with piles of stuff an American pastime. First a book. Then a Netflix series. 
 
She's clearly struck clutter gold and people are joy'd up on what's she selling. But for some of us, playing that kind of hardball with our possessions induces overwhelm and anxiety. Mine, mine, mine.
 
Don’t get me wrong. I love a tidy home and want to bust the crap out of clutter. I think about it. I obsess about it. I write about it. Yet, based on hard evidence I’ve been collecting for years, I appear to enjoy the idea more than the act.
 
And if you’re like me, you hold on to certain items because they have special meaning to you—but then, sadly, they sit gathering more dust than glory.

Today, I bring you a kinder and happier approach to facing the things you own. This is a feel-good chores game, no heartache required.

With “Sip & Savor,” you linger and love on the items that mean the most to you. At the same time, this game helps you recognize the not so special and what really can go.
 
How it works
 
1. Do a little tidying up. You’ll enjoy this experience more if your space isn’t a total mess. In fact, this game makes a lovely reward for playing Company is Coming!
 
2. Treat it like a party. Here comes the sip part … pour a favorite beverage. Maybe that’s a glass of wine, a cocktail, a cold beer (mine, mine, mine), or a cup of tea if that’s your cup of tea.
 
This isn’t a drinking game, but you want it to feel like a relaxed, special occasion. If it’s mid-morning, well, I am not judging (and you can always blame me).
 
3. Stop and savor. Start at your front door. As you slowly move through your space, pause and take in the items you’ve curated in your life. Linger with your prized possessions, maybe that’s framed photos, gifts from loved ones, favorite books, artwork and trinkets from your travels.
 
Think about where they came from, the memories they bring up and the way they make you feel. Soak in the goodness with awe and gratitude.
 
I told you this was going to feel good! If you shed a tear or ten, that’s OK too.
 
4. Notice outliers. As you go about this journey, you’ll likely come across things that you’re not attached to and serve no real purpose in your life.

Do they deserve a spot in your personal hall of fame? Would someone else enjoy the item more? Set these things in a designated spot to donate to others. (If you're into drinking games, here's your shot! Chuck it, chug it. Me, I'll be sipping like a proper lady.)
 
Again, this is about pleasure not pain—so no pressure. Don’t wrestle with your emotions. Send sweaty anxiety and ugly uncertainty to their rooms. Remember, this is your party and you won’t let anything spoil the good vibes.
 
If at the end of this game, you’ve gotten rid of nothing, so be it.

You won the game. You appreciated the sweet things in your life. You took time to remember good times and good people. And your most meaningful possessions got a chance to do their job—to bring you joy and contentment. Glory days! 
 
What I like about this game:

• It helps me appreciate my home and possessions.
• It conjures up warm thoughts of the people I love the most.
• It brings back trips and occasions that were significant in my life.
• It reminds me how very blessed I am. I may not be wealthy, but I am rich in love and luck.
  
  

If you're having a gaggy hashtag-blessed moment, I get it. But it ain't a bad reminder and sometimes my negative-bias brain needs it. So don't hurt yourself choking on my behalf. 

These are a few of my favorite things

My luck started with these two.

My hubby made this cool wood piece and the little cards were hand-painted by a friend.

My daughter wrote this Irish blessing for her grandfather shortly after he passed away. I handpicked the shell off the most Northern tip of Ireland where his grandfather was born.

The story of our family.

My son made this gorgeous board and the sweet dish is a gift from a friend.

My granddaughter painted this. Clearly, she's gifted.

Six beautiful couples, six wonderful weddings, countless hours of planning and a few brewsister freak-outs.

The pure joy of grandparenting.

This writing desk was in my parents' kitchen for decades. A piece of home.

My photo book bowl. Priceless.

My happy place shrine tucked in a corner of my bedroom.

Two recent gifts that spark joy.