Trying Out That Fiona Clarke Thing
So, I kept seeing this name, Fiona Clarke, popping up everywhere. Everyone on those online forums was talking about her “Simplify Your Space” challenge. My apartment was looking like a disaster zone, honestly. Piles of stuff everywhere, couldn’t find anything. Figured, why not? What did I have to lose, except maybe a few tons of junk?
I got her e-book, or whatever it was, and the first step was tackling the wardrobe. Fiona Clarke made it sound so easy, you know? “Only keep what sparks joy,” she said. Sounded a bit airy-fairy to me, but okay, I’m game. I pulled everything out. And I mean everything. My bedroom floor disappeared under a mountain of clothes. My dog looked at me like I’d finally lost it.
Here’s where it got tricky:
- That “spark joy” thing? Half my stuff didn’t spark joy, but it was useful! Like my boring grey work shirts. No joy, but I kinda need ’em.
- Then there was the sentimental stuff. That old band t-shirt from a concert ten years ago? Zero joy in wearing it, it’s full of holes, but the memories! Fiona was pretty ruthless about that in her book.
I spent a whole weekend just on clothes. It was exhausting, I tell ya. Not the zen experience she described. More like a battle. I did end up with three huge bags for charity, though, so that felt pretty good. My closet actually had space. Who knew?
Next was the kitchen. Oh boy. Fiona Clarke’s pictures showed these minimalist, spotless kitchens. Mine looked like a science experiment gone wrong. She had this rule about “one in, one out” for new purchases. Seemed sensible, but hard to stick to when those new shiny gadgets call your name.
So, Did It Work? My Two Cents
Well, it’s been a few months. My place is definitely tidier. Not Fiona Clarke showroom tidy, let’s be real. I still have my moments of mess. But it’s better. I can find my keys most days, that’s a win.
The biggest thing I learned wasn’t really about “sparking joy” or having a perfect home. It was more about just being a bit more mindful of what I bring into my space and what I actually use. Some of her advice was a bit too extreme for me, like her ideas on digital decluttering – I need my 50 browser tabs open, thank you very much! It’s how I function, or at least how I pretend to function when I’m supposed to be working.
It’s funny, this whole decluttering kick reminded me of when my old boss, Mr. Henderson, tried to get us to do “lean office.” He’d walk around with a clipboard, pointing at people’s desk plants, saying they weren’t “value-added.” We all just hid our snacks better after that. Fiona Clarke is a bit like a nicer, online version of Mr. Henderson, but for your whole life, not just your stapler.
So yeah, the Fiona Clarke thing? Not a magic bullet. Some good ideas, some bits that didn’t quite fit my life. But it did get me to finally clear out that cupboard under the stairs. That alone was probably worth it.
