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Original poster

'The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying' - Marie Kondo

999 replies

FrancesHB · 07/09/2014 15:46

Has anyone else read this? I did a search but couldn't find any previous threads.

Marie Kondo is a Japanese expert in tidying and decluttering and her book has been translated into English and is best selling. It's wonderfully eccentric and inspiring and in some ways rather a breath of fresh air compared to other books on the subject (have read 'em all and my house is still messy...).

She asks us to ask if an item brings us joy and if it doesn't we thank it and out it goes. A bit like fly lady 'you can't organise clutter', but in a less annoying and at times quite endearing way.

I wondered if any MNers had used her technique and if it helped them 'get their house in order'.

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Everstrong · 18/09/2014 20:36

I have finished the book!

Slightly Hmm about the idea of getting rid of things that don't make me feel joy but are practical. For example I have loads of plastic plant pots in the shed that I use for seeds. The don't give me joy but need to plant the seeds somewhere until they can be planted out.

I am also dying to start with my makeup first but I am scared she will somehow know I am doing the method wrong and come to my house and tell me off!

Lala83 · 18/09/2014 20:50

Everstrong the pots are bringing you joy if the little seedlings and eventual flowers bring you joy! But only keep the pots you use. Not twenty million extra pots.

I did shoes and coats today. I let go of some suede boots that brought me a lot of joy over the years but look very tired and have water marks now. Thanking them did help but I'm one of those weirdos who already used to come home and say hi to the house!

Also let go of my wedding flip flops that were grey and dilapidated after several summers of use. It was so sad! So i really hope they do get rebirthed soon like her Buddhist approach to objects seems to suggest.

Tomorrow, baby clothes! Boxing these up though whatever she says a I want another but I'll be brutal with keeping only the pristine stuff.

StripyBanana · 18/09/2014 21:01

Everstrong - I started with my "Pj drawer" and my jewellery. In truth some areas of our house are already done. She wanted us to start with things that are the easiest..... I decided its a "pre-start sort". Similar to starting to get "like with like" in the house. My actual clothes start tomorrow :D

I'm starting a list of little things that need replacing....

Baby clothes - I realised that really I didn't need to save all the "10 for 7 quid" type white vests as I really could afford new vests this time and they were a bit grubby. I kept the expensive to replace and/or things I loved! That was pre THE BOOK though, but did keep it down. Also as my bigger one grows I don't keep EVERYTHING anymore.

Stuffofawesome · 18/09/2014 21:08

Thought I didn't have any socks. Turns out I have plenty and a bag full of odd or worn ones to chuck. Total expelled from house 4 bags clothes and 2 of books in presort

Planetwaves · 18/09/2014 21:31

Joining the thread as I'm trying to do a big declutter and read the Marie Kondo book the other day. Am currently mired in sorting vacuum-packed bags of clothes (lots of mine are put away as I was a size 8-10 pre-baby and am a size 16 now Sad - really hoping one day I'll fit back into them so need to go on a proper diet!!)

I thought I had lots of lovely clothes put away, but I was surprised to get them out and realise that though there are some I do still really like, there are very few clothes that look nice after they've been in storage. Actually, there are few clothes - apart from maybe some very expensive, well-cut ones I suppose - that really look nice if they're not being worn and given a bit of life. They seem to lose their spark or spirit if they've been in storage - maybe that's why she advises not to store clothes out of season! Grin

I am struggling though with pruning them. I used to be a very firm declutter, but it makes me sad to get rid of the evidence of my pre-baby life, even if I don't like or have a use for lots of the clothes any more :(

Everstrong · 18/09/2014 21:45

I've decided...I'm going to tackle my jewellery box first. Thanks for the inspiration Stripy

I have tried explaining the book to DH, he looked slightly scared and then looked nervously at the large bookcase filled entirely with his books!!

holmessweetholmes · 18/09/2014 21:50

My dh is all in favour of ruthless decluttering but would be very Hmm at the idea of needing a book to help you do it Grin.
I'm going to finish putting my clothes away now, and then finish reading the book as a bit of bedtime reading.

StripyBanana · 18/09/2014 22:15

Planet - I took a photo of the ones I'd kept from my slim stage. Realistically I wont be quite back there, and by the time I am what I want to wear will be different. The photo holds the memory, without all the physical stuff. its so nice not having boxes and boxes of clothes of each size in the loft/spare room"!

homeaway · 18/09/2014 22:26

Been following with interest. Have veen getting rid of loads. How does she fold socks and bras and knickers ? I have to tackle that tomorrow.

holmessweetholmes · 18/09/2014 23:21

I keep going and opening my wardrobe just to look at its loveliness Grin.

holmessweetholmes · 18/09/2014 23:23

Oh and I arranged my hanging clothes in colour order (regardless of type of garment). It really makes a difference - looks soooo tidy.

Everstrong · 18/09/2014 23:26

Holmes I think we need a cheeky picture of your newly organised wardrobe!

holmessweetholmes · 19/09/2014 07:54

Oh yes, I might manage that! I'm on the app normally but will brave the annoying new mobile site later. .

FoxtrotOscarBackToEconomy · 19/09/2014 09:12

I was a bit Hmm at why earlier in the thread people were saying she's a bit bonkers in the nicest possible way. This morning I got to the clothes chapter this morning and I now understand why she can been seen to be a bit bonkers - but it does makes sense! Grin

I'm going to finish the book before I start - plus I have got to finish the baby clothes first. I am making a pile to put on our version of Gumtree (I'm not in UK) but I will price stuff to sell. I think it's a bit easier than eBay. I'm going to make a strict deadline where if I haven't listed or sold stuff by a certain date it will go in the charity box that is conveniently located outside DS's school (so no excuses).

holmessweetholmes · 19/09/2014 09:24

I think her reasoning seems a bit bonkers at times, but that may be partly cultural (she compares her attitude to the house and its contents to how she would behave at a Shinto shrine) but I think her methods are great.

Everstrong · 19/09/2014 09:28

Holmes those clothes should make you feel amazing! We shall marvel at the organisation of your wardrobe.

I have hit a stumbling block already- I have today off but DDs childminder is poorly so I'm not sure how it will go with a toddler rooting through everything!

I can't get away from the fact that I want to put it all on eBay or do a car boot sale! I feel so wasteful that I am just getting rid of things I could sell!

I did giggle when I was putting dishes on the drying rack this morning, Britain really doesn't have the kind of weather to put your dishes outside! and the neighbours will think I've finally cracked

BeCool · 19/09/2014 10:02

I have another child free weekend approaching (rare). Lots to do including choosing new glasses/frames which I have been putting off for a year and is now URGENT. From past experience this will take most of Saturday.

Plus I need to make a large spider costume for Roald Dahl day next week.

But I am inspired by this thread to keep going on the decluttering front and this weekend I will attack :
the box of misc wires,
jewelry,
tool box

and apply the KonMar method.

BeCool · 19/09/2014 10:05

everstrong would it help to think of your excess as a charitable donation? The charity you give them to will make money from them and people will get a bargain - so it's not a waste at all.

Besides the money is 'gone/wasted' at the point of purchase not when you get rid - you are actually gaining space in your home.

Coughle · 19/09/2014 10:06

My "bottoms" drawer. Not finished yet as some things are in the wash, but look how pretty! And I had no idea I had so many pairs of jeans, in my mind I have one or two that I wear all the time.

'The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying' - Marie Kondo
holmessweetholmes · 19/09/2014 10:41

Voilà!

'The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying' - Marie Kondo
'The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying' - Marie Kondo
evertonmint · 19/09/2014 10:46

Looks great! Here's my winter tops and scarves drawer. And my happy unballed socks :)

'The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying' - Marie Kondo
'The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying' - Marie Kondo
CecyHall · 19/09/2014 10:48

All looking lovely!

holmessweetholmes · 19/09/2014 11:03

Lovely, Coughle and Evertonmint! I have a further single wardrobe section next to that one, with dresses etc hanging but didn't do a photo of that bit because it's still got a jumble of shoes in the bottom!

Everstrong · 19/09/2014 11:27

Wow Coughle Holmes and Everton those are some lovely looking wardrobes and drawers.

I am ridiculously excited about the idea of getting rid of "stuff".

I had already sold a bathroom cabinet and a playpen on gumtree, those were collected last night so the pre organisation has started!

holmessweetholmes · 19/09/2014 12:09

Is Gumtree easy to use? I have a piano and a large Ikea storage unit I'd like to get rid of.