Page 35 - Cosmopolitan India (January 2020)

The Tidying One The Zen One The Celebrity One

The Gentle
Art of
Swedish
Death The Gift Of
Cleaning by Silence by Calm by
Margaretta Kankyo Fearne
Magnusson, Tannier, Cotton,
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Why should I listen to her? Why should I listen to him? Why should I listen to her? Because she’s
Döstädning (Swedish for ‘death cleaning’) is People talk about spirituality a lot these days, a lot like you (apart from being famous—
a Swedish phenomenon that has been going mostly while Instagramming pictures of she’s a British television and radio presenter).
on for hundreds of years. Instead of asking, trees. But Kankyo is the real deal: a French She’s juggling her career with friends, dull
‘Does this spark joy?’, you think of the impact Buddhist nun who spent more than 15 years admin...but she also knows she needs time
your belongings have on others—asking, living in a Zen monastery. Her advice is for herself.
‘Will anyone I know be happier if I save this?’. probably more substantial than a YouTuber
who tells you to ‘self-care’ with a bubble bath. Who is it for? Those of us whose schedules
Who is it for? Those who are going to die. are packed with ‘must-dos’, and heads are
Spoiler alert: that’s all of us, at some point. Who is it for? Those who made ‘calm the thick with worry.
Basically, Döstädning is that awful process f*ck down’ their New Year’s Resolution.
of cleaning out a loved one’s belongings What’s actually in it? Interviews with
after they’ve died. Margaretta says we What’s actually in it? Plenty of exercises to experts and friends, for their precious
should all practise death cleaning. incorporate calmness into your life. nuggets of wisdom.
Best piece of advice For immediate calm, Best piece of advice Got a job interview or
What’s actually in it? Chapters for each
section of your house, with tips on what to practise ‘sound travel’—where you sit and have to give a presentation? Slow everything
keep and what to chuck. listen to every noise around you, hearing the down. And by that, she means everything.
different frequencies. After a few minutes, So not just your breathing, but your
Best piece of advice? Save your favourite you’ll notice your breathing slows down, and movements, too. If you slow down your body
sex toy, but throw away the other 15. you feel more present (we tried it, it works). and words, your beating heart will follow.

The Girl-Power One The Coping One The Inspiring One

Creativity, Inc.
Overcoming The
Moment of Notes on a Unseen Forces That
Lift by Nervous Stand In The Way Of
Melinda Planet by True Inspiration by Ed
Gates, Matt Haig, Catmull (With Amy
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Why should I listen to her? In her Why should I listen to him? Because it’s an Why should I listen to him? Ed Catmull,
impressive debut as a writer, one of the earnest, human guide, a ‘how to’ of sorts to Co-Founder (with Steve Jobs and John Lasseter)
most powerful women in the world makes a deal with the social and technological of Pixar Animation, lets you in on his trade secret
strong case for her gender’s empowerment. pressures of modern times. It promises to on how to build a unique creative culture.
touch a chord.
Who is it for? Every woman (and man) who Who is it for? Managers who want to lead their
wants to make a difference to the society, Who is it for? Anyone looking for some clues employees to new heights—it’s a manual for
wants to push for one that is all-inclusive and (not panaceas!) to the numerous mental anyone who strives for originality.
equal, and hopes to see gender-bias in all its health problems that exist.
forms, eliminated. What’s actually in it? Pixar movies—Toy Story
What’s actually in it? A mix of trilogy, Monsters, Inc., Finding Nemo, WALL-E,
What’s actually in it? Among other things, autobiographical portions and researched among others—are a lesson in what creativity
Melinda offers some shocking data and lists, covering a multitude of subjects, issues, really is. In this book, Ed takes you to the nerve-
moving anecdotes (including some advice, and many small (but big) good things centre of Pixar—their meetings, postmortems,
interactions from her visits to India), and to remember in life. and ‘Braintrust’ sessions that led to the birth of
talks about how all of us can get involved some of the most successful films in history.
and do our bit, too. Best piece of advice “A completely
connected world has the potential to go mad, Best piece of advice? “Give a good idea to a
Best piece of advice? “If you want to lift a all at once.” Also, instead of telling you to mediocre team, and they will screw it up. But give
society up, invest in women.” We couldn’t ‘toughen up’, he encourages to accept a mediocre idea to a great team, and they will
agree more! vulnerabilities, and seek help. either fix it or come up with something better.”
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