We only really see people from the outside. In fact, we only see what they want us to see. Whether it’s the barista at your local coffee shop or your friendly co-worker that always says, “Good Morning” with a huge smile on her face, what’s presented to us is never as telling as what’s on the inside.Read More

I once dated a guy who got really upset because I was eating my dinner one night with my hands instead of the “proper” knife and fork. He was so embarrassed and his mind boggled, sighing: “Why can’t you just eat like a normal person, Stephanie? It’s so gross.”

Now, this man had never traveled outside of the United States, particularly to places where eating certain dishes with your hands IS what “normal” people do. Places where people would look at him and think he was a crazy person for using utensils.

So often we become completely entrenched in the perspectives (and guidelines to how things “should” be done) of our home country, our education, our corporate training, and our culture, that we often see the world through a single, tunnel-visioned lens. We get set in our ways of doing things, stay inside our perspective bubble, and approach the world with a singular, often limiting, viewpoint. We get stuck thinking our way is the “right” or “only” way.

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I’m a BIG fan of Marie Kondo. I love her Netflix show, Tidying Up with Marie Kondo, because I think she brings a peace and serenity to people and their homes while encouraging us to be mindful of what brings us joy and learn to let go (with gratitude) of those things that no longer serve us. I think it was my mom that first told me about the show and I thought it was brilliant! The KonMari method really resonates with me. Personally, in my home, I try to declutter a few times a year. Especially because my apartment in Singapore is small. So limited space also sort of makes it a requirement. I do it almost seasonally, usually on a Saturday after a long week when I just want to chill but also want to be vaguely productive. But you know, like you and everyone else, I get busy. I travel a lot and things pile up and I tell myself, “I’ll deal with that later” and then when later comes, I’m like, “Why on earth do I still have this?!”

So… being introduced to the KonMari Method, I decided to do it according to her system.Read More