I recently came across an interesting book.
“Art Thinking from the Age of Thirteen” by Yukiho Suenaga, published by Diamond, Inc. (Sorry, the title is my translation.)
Since it is ranked high (as of January 2021), I am sure some of you have already read it. Through several famous artworks, it introduces a new way of looking at artworks from a new perspective, a new way of thinking and enjoying things that is not limited to art but also to all things.
You may be wondering why I would introduce such a book on a blog about tidying up, but what surprised me was the “before, after and beyond” category introduced there.
The familiar “before” and “after.
This expression of “before and after” has become so familiar that there is no one who has not heard it before. In fact, I’ve used it many times in other articles on my blog, and you often hear it on TV tidying up shows, variety show makeover sections, and famous house extension/renovation shows where masters remodel.
“Before” is the status what nothing is done. And “after” is the status what something is done to make a change.
In each case, the difference was so obvious that both the client and the people around the client felt very happy.
However, I felt something was wrong and uncomfortable. I wondered:
- When people lost weight and suddenly became slender, do they still maintain that shape?
- Those who lived in the trash house, do they keep properly throwing away the trash?
- The people who had their houses remodeled by the masters, are they still living neatly just like shown on TV? etc. etc.
When I changed these questions into slightly nasty way of looking, they would be:
- I think that is hardly possible to continue to train so hard and eat so little.
- The people who were fine with the piles of trash in front of them, will they ever develop the habit of disposing of trash properly? They could have done that if they can do now.
- The house remodeled by the master is wonderful, but I wonder whether they can live as neatly after they put in all their stuff. Perhaps the house was almost empty when unveiled.
So that’s what I was thinking.
A new perspective called “Beyond”
This is where the new perspective of “beyond” comes in. In other words, a new perspective that goes beyond the “before and after”.
“Before” is literally when nothing is done.
“After” is the state in which something has been done and changed.
And “beyond” is a state where you have gone beyond the “after” state and thought about it in your own way.
Yes, this is what I wanted!
“After” is not the goal.
Now, back to the original tidying, I thought about this “beyond”.
You’ve cleaned up your room because it was overflowing with stuff. You’ve rearranged your storage space as recommended by a professional advisor. You’ve decided to declutter and thrown away 10 bags of trash… All of these things are great. But that’s just the “after” level. If you stop at this point, you may not be able to say that this is a tidy-up that really suits you.
I believe that the “beyond” beyond the “after” is to bring it to a state that is most convenient and comfortable for you.
It should be more comfortable and long-lasting than any professional recommended state.
It will take a lot of energy to make it last, especially if the difference between the before and after is too big. If that’s the case, find your own way to make it last. That shouldn’t be perfect. Set your goals slow and easy, if that fits you and find your “beyond” state!
Tips to reach “beyond”
So, how can you tidy up in a way that suits you better? There are only two things you need to be aware of in order to reach the “beyond” level.
１．Know Yourself
It may be difficult to connect knowing yourself to tidying up after all this time, so try to be aware of the following points.
- Consider physical characteristics.
- Be aware of your daily habits.
- Remind yourself of your personality and habits.
When it comes to tidying up, being tall or short will affect which shelves you can reach. The length of your hands will determine where is easiest to store things. If you have back pain, you may want to keep everything within not-bending distance. If you are not physically powerful enough, you may want to avoid putting heavy things on high places. Left-handed people will have different places to put things even on the same shelf. Knowing your own physical characteristics and condition will surely change the way you store things.
Next is daily habits. Habits are something that only you or your family can understand. For example, if you use towels frequently, you may want to have several towel storage areas instead of just one.
Your personality and habits are also important points in order to keep organized. For example, if you are really tired with tidying up, you don’t want keep frequently used items in drawers or in the shelves. You want make it easier. If that’s the case, you should keep them out yet organized.
If you can’t help but leave your bag and jacket on the floor when you come home from work, you can use a pole hanger at the entrance. See?
２．Imagine your goal.
The second thing is to imagine what level you want to bring yourself to.
- Do you want to have a clean, uncluttered table?
- Rather than perfect neatness, do you prioritize ease of use even though things are out to some extent?
- Do you want to decorate it with your hobby items? If so, can you frequently clean around them?
- How much do you want to invest in storage? Do you mind spending a certain amount of money on appearance if it looks brilliant or do you want to save money as much as possible?
If you are aiming to create a space with a sense of unity that looks like something out of a magazine, or if you are aiming to “show off” your hobbies and passions, you may have to spend a certain amount of money and be prepared to do so. But whatever the case, if you can imagine a space that you are comfortable with, it will last for a long time.
Summary
I’ve written a lot, but I think the best tip is to first find a state that suits you from a small range.
It could be the kitchen, the bathroom, or the bedroom. Once you have decided that this is the place for today, stand in that place. See if there is anything that is bothering you, and if so, imagine what you can do to make it better. Don’t try to change it all at once! If you try to buy a lot of matching storage items or stylish furniture, you will usually fail.
Please start small and aim for your own “beyond” level.
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