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Original poster

To Be Completely Obsessed With Konmari?

181 replies

SheDoneAlreadyDoneHadHerses · 10/02/2016 20:42

It's a revelation!

I'm a convert and am spending 2-3 hours a night decluttering, thanking things for their use and their service, and binning them letting them go.

It's so utterly freeing and pleasing.

I've hated my house and it's complete inability to be clean and tidy for YEARS and this is making me think I can actually live somewhere peaceful and lovely.

OP posts:
Original poster
SheDoneAlreadyDoneHadHerses · 11/02/2016 20:58

I started with the bathroom cupboard and chucked more than I expected (75%).

Then went on to shoes (66%), handbags (75%), and books(90%!!)

OP posts:
BertieBotts · 11/02/2016 21:01

I love it. I'm a bit evangelical about it too Blush and like to explain to people why they are totally wrong about the fact they won't like it.

I totally stalled though. Somewhere in kitchen stuff. And then we moved house. I think I might just start all over again...

BertieBotts · 11/02/2016 21:02

No you have to start by reading the book. Sorry. The book is the gospel and you don't stray from it.

LovelyFriend · 11/02/2016 21:54

Facebook group is called KonMari UK

nebulae · 11/02/2016 22:09

Sorry. The book is the gospel and you don't stray from it.

Sorry. The book is the gospel but sometimes straying is necessary. I'm a KM convert but I draw the line at emptying my handbag when I come home each evening. That's a recipe for disaster. You can guarantee I'll forget to put something in my bag the next morning.

And I'm not putting my pots outside on the patio either!

I was obsessed with it at first but once the house was finished the obsession faded as there was nothing else to do. I'm having a go at my Mum's kitchen in a couple of weeks though and I can't wait to get stuck in.

BertieBotts · 11/02/2016 22:14

Okay okay you have got me there. But the general principles - I do think that you need to read it to understand it properly, rather than just reading blogs etc.

nebulae · 11/02/2016 22:25

Agreed, reading the book is a must.

donajimena · 11/02/2016 22:41

Bertie do you think this will revolutionise your life? I'm hopeful and I have ADHD. Forgive me if I have the wrong poster but your name rings a bell when it comes to.. ahem..housekeeping Wink

stiffstink · 12/02/2016 03:15

It WILL change your life. I can't recommend it enough.

I have seen so many positive changes from Konmari that its hard to know where to start:

Tidy house (still have to do paperwork again)
Lost weight
More productive at work - got a pay rise
Realised DH was miserable at work - made him just quit! He did and got a great new job
More time to be outdoors or with family - 4 hols/breaks last year
Our finances are less chaotic
New baby (both kids now have their own room because the junk is gone out of the spare room)

I am a Konvert - buy the book then come find us on Kondo thread 10 in housekeeping.

thebestfurchinchilla · 12/02/2016 14:48

Wow that's some recommendation! I did a quick google on it yesterday and spent the afternoon sorting my CDs and paperwork and bookshelf!!!

thebestfurchinchilla · 12/02/2016 14:50

What's the book called?

IceBeing · 12/02/2016 14:55

I thought the 'thanking them for their service' was nonsense...but actually it really does help you to let go of clothes you will genuinely never wear again but that you really liked at the time.

I got all the clothes I don't wear out of my draws and into recycling - now I have space for my clothes I do wear to live somewhere other than the bed/sofa.

MAGIC.

thebestfurchinchilla · 12/02/2016 15:00

What about things that are practical but don't bring joy? Like medicine and cleaning products?

Katarzyna79 · 12/02/2016 15:30

i've never heard the term konmari where have i been?

I gather from the posts it's about decluttering?

Pigeonpost · 12/02/2016 15:51

I downloaded the book last year but never finished it as the practicalities of my wardrobe stumped me. I have a big hanging rail which is fine but anything else that doesn't need to be hung so jumpers, jeans, vests, underwear, nightwear etc goes on open shelves (behind sliding doors). Supposedly folded but the shelves are v wide and v deep and it's hard to find things if nearly folded. Smaller things go into deep storage boxes. Konmari method seems to prefer shallow drawers and I got stumped. Any suggestions please?

Pigeonpost · 12/02/2016 15:52

Neatly folded even..

Original poster
SheDoneAlreadyDoneHadHerses · 12/02/2016 16:54

bestfur I saw an interview with Marie where she said you tell the thing (medicine, school book, etc) that you appreciated it and understood it's purpose and that act begins to grow a positive feeling toward said item.

OP posts:
Chottie · 12/02/2016 17:15

I'm another convert too.

I sorted out my workroom and gave two bags of stuff away. It's gone to someone who works with residents of care homes and they were thrilled with everything. :)

I love the calm and peace in my home.....

Pigeon I have deep shelves in a cupboard too. I've been looking everywhere for some shallow plastic oblong containers and have been unsuccessful so far too.... :(

thebestfurchinchilla · 12/02/2016 17:18

Ok was just pondering the spark of joy I might get from threadworm treatment......Hmm

thebestfurchinchilla · 12/02/2016 17:19

Apart from the lack of an itchy bottomed child, obvs!

Pigeonpost · 12/02/2016 18:00

Actually Shottie oblong shallow plastic crates might be the way forward. I used to get them from a cheap high street shop where we used to live but Wilko or The Range might work. I need to take measurements. Something I can pull out is key. And maybe if I roll things and stand the rolls on their end like I think she says to do with socks then that night prevent things getting buried at the bottom.

TheRattleBag · 12/02/2016 18:24

I would really like to have a go at this, as part of a declutter prior to re-decorating and re-carpeting. Not sure I can embrace it wholeheartedly though, as I can't imagine ever tearing pages out of a book and throwing away the rest. But I'm going to give it a go. Kon Mari light perhaps!

I'd also love to get DP on board with some of the principles, but I fear that if I say he need only keep clothes which spark joy, he'll end up with a wardrobe entirely full of jeans, t-shirts and jumpers, and will joyfully throw away his suit and dinner suit! So how do I get around that?

BettyBi0 · 13/02/2016 11:59

Can I ask you converts about the books? I was thinking of just getting Spark Joy, but do I really need to read the other one first of does it just cover the same stuff and Spark Joy is just the newer version?

LovelyFriend · 13/02/2016 12:39

Betty definitely start with the first book^^

GruntledOne · 13/02/2016 13:06

I find it ridiculous that you should throw away something that you value and that it would hurt you to throw away (like photographs or children's drawings) just because a book tells you to. There's decluttering and then there's having a life.