断捨離 (Danshari)

22nd May –皐月

断捨離 (Danshari) is the new mindset of cleaning, consists of 3 processes:

断 (Dan) – stop buying stuff which is not necessary

捨 (Sha) – throw away the things which are no longer used at home

離 (Ri) – stop the obsession toward things / buying

This mindset was established by Mrs. Hideko Yamashita. She said that in order to live comfortably, the house need to have enough space. Therefore, conducting 断捨離 can make the life at home comfortable.

Nowadays in Japan, more and more people think less things at home is a virtue and aiming to become ミニマリスト (Minimalist). However, it is also true that Japanese are famous for keeping many things at home. Even the actual size of land for each houses are small, many Japanese know how to storage things well.

On the other hand, the houses where keeps way too many things at home, called ゴミ屋敷 (Gomiyashiki) or 汚部屋 (Oheya) has been a huge problem in Japan.

Those houses causes pests, terrible smells from the garbage and arson incidents. Therefore, people who live in ゴミ屋敷 need to conduct 断捨離.

Are you interested in doing 断捨離? Here is the method:

1. Taking all the stuff out and find out what you have at home.

2. Classify the items into “things you use” and “things you don’t use”. If you can’t decide, put them in “things you don’t use”.

3. Throw the things you don’t use. *Do not hesitate!

4. Put the things you use back in the storage.

One research found that the percentage of people who regret after 断捨離 was about 15%, so most people are satisfied.

Many people are now forced to stay at home those days. Why don’t you try 断捨離 in this perfect time?:)