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"The Life Changing Magic of Tidying" continues to magically change lives (PT 2)

999 replies

BeCool · 14/10/2014 20:28

Come fold your loved clothes, and feel the spark of joy in every object you own (or thereabouts).

Continuing our journey on from the Original thread: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/good_housekeeping/2178442-The-Life-Changing-Magic-of-Tidying-Marie-Kondo?msgid=50091328#50091328

OP posts:
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7
VinoTime · 22/11/2014 16:24

I am so happy to have found this thread! May I please join?

I have never considered myself a hoarder. In fact, I can be utterly ruthless at throwing things out. I think my problem is I do little bits at a time and the time in between doing these little bits is far too great, which basically boils down to: I haven't seen my bedroom carpet for months and my whole house kind of looks like it's been burgled right about now. There is stuff everywhere. And then it seems like such a god awful chore to tidy/sort/clear out that I end up getting lazy and doing nothing Sad

I did a massive wardrobe cull 2 months ago. I got rid of 5 black bin bags of stuff. I'm now looking at it again and it is still crammed full. I think I kept thinking that I might wear X, Y or Z sometime, so I kept it all. But the truth is I pretty much live in the same 2 pairs of jeans and the same few jumpers/summer tops. I couldn't bear to part with some of my pretty shoes (insert eye roll here), but I've been thinking about the whole 'Do they bring me joy?' thing, and the answer is no, they cripple my damn feet! I bloody hate wearing them on the rare occasions that I do.

So, I've popped on here for a tidy boost and I'm off to go do another round with my bedroom. I am not leaving until I see carpet - lots and lots of lovely carpet! Grin

FrancesHB · 22/11/2014 18:03

I'm doing toys this weekend. Pre Xmas cull. It's going really well. I got a letter from the charity shop telling me my stuff has made >€100 so far which is fab and so motivating.

stilllearnin · 22/11/2014 19:02

Frances - that's really great.

Can anyone give me a pep talk perhaps? The clothes are great and have stayed done. I have done nearly all the books. Some dvd's and no cd's. Maybe because I am so aware of all the stuff in the house I am feeling overwhelmed by it all. My time is shrinking too and my dp is having some scary surgery this week. Anyone got a suggestion for something I can do that will make me feel like I've actually achieved something?

PeoniesforMissAnnersley · 22/11/2014 19:03

Hey all Smile o operation was a success (surgeon speak for I'm in agony, can hardly move and have excruciating post-op wind! Grin but ill be I'm hospital for another 10 days or so.
Have made many many lists -think DH is starting to hope they never let me home!

What is interesting is how I can live perfectly well for 2-3 weeks in hospital with a tiny suitcase of stuff. Now, I know obviously that's in a very special set of circumstances etc but I do think it's showed me how I shouldn't need mountains of clothes, shoes, make up etc and that actually all that stuff is actually slowing me down/getting in the way of me enjoying my home and my life.
I Kondoed my hospital room and all the nurses and Drs who come in have remarked on how tidy and fresh it is.
I hate it when stuff is left out of place now, poor DH gets ordered to move things around/put things away as soon as he gets here to visit.

FrancesHB · 22/11/2014 19:07

Stilllearnin - would say simply remember how many years it took to accumulate all the crap. I have it in my mind that I'll be finished by the summer. Which basically means I'll have taken a whole year. And that's ok actually.

Ohhelpohnoitsa · 22/11/2014 19:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ProveMeWrong · 22/11/2014 19:49

Stilllearnin the towels and duvets are pretty easy as long as you really stick with the joy rule. I.e. Is this my first choice towel out of the cupboard? Do I feel joy when I see my bed made with this cover and when I get in bed at night?

So glad to hear it all went well Peonies

stilllearnin · 22/11/2014 19:56

Thank you. Yes I too am thinking something I see or use a lot and also something I can realistically finish! Next summer? Noooooo...

Peonies (I've learnt to spell that specially!) Great news that your op went ok - not so great that you're in agony but I am hoping its worth it.

Asheth · 22/11/2014 20:02

I am in the process of Kondoing toys - it will be a long process! Still hoping for.an uncluttered house for Christmas.

On the subject of magic I know our leader says that our lives will be transformed.... Well since starting this process my work has really taken off. I've been trying to break into a freelance area for a while and in the last few weeks I seen to be succeeding! Coincidence?

MsBug · 22/11/2014 20:38

Ashesth well done on the work!

Still I find anything which is just mine easy - clothing, make up etc. Anything I have to discuss with dp is harder. Dd's toys were surprisingly easy and satisfying, she is small enough for me to decide for her and the reduction in clutter has made a big difference to her play, especially now we are doing toy rotations too.

Otherwise anything bulky like towels, bedding etc.

MsBug · 22/11/2014 20:39

Sorry asheth my phone autocorrected your name!

educatingarti · 22/11/2014 20:41

Peonies- really glad that things have gone as well as can be expected !

ALittleFaith · 22/11/2014 21:34

Peonies I'm glad it went ok. I've been thinking about you. Wishing you a speedy recovery. Don't be afraid to ask for the pain killers! I'm a nurse, can you tell?!

Toys, argh, need to do ours in the next week or so ready for Christmas. Big guilt on giving things away because so much were gifts but we have way too much and she's only going to get more at Christmas!

Progress in our loft today, I chucked all my uni work, DH was amazed as I chucked stuff I previously clung on to. I feel like I finally have permission to let it go :)

Justgotosleepnow · 22/11/2014 22:02

Peonies you are the new star pupil- kondoing your hospital room! Brilliant!

Still- I recommend you do a really visible area to give you a boost. Do you have a messy hallway? Washing up always drying & more to do? Makeup & hair stuff a big dusty disaster? Pick one and kondo it! Whichever will give you the most pleasure/ make your life easier.

The upstairs in my house is still tidy- this has NEVER happened before. DH tshirts are still rolled up & squashy lovely. Nothing is on the landing & the house feels twice the size. It's actually easier to keep clean & tidy now.

Keep going people, we can do this thing!

stilllearnin · 22/11/2014 22:33

Ok it's a slow night. I did the dvd cabinet! It looks lovely. what we have left are things we watch and everything is in its case. My dd has hers in her room - that's for another day!

leeloo1 · 23/11/2014 07:54

Wow Peonies - Kondo-ing your hospital room?! You really must be bored inspired! Really glad that the operation was a success!

My mum came this week to 'help' but suggested we move some furniture - which we did, then it looked awful, so we put it back and she said 'wow this looks so much better'... except it was exactly how it was to start with, with the exception that a spare cupboard had moved from the corner... but then that had to be put back again as there's nowhere else to put it until I can go to the tip! What a waste of time! Ah well, I guess at least we know stuff is where it should be. Hmm

NoMoreMissusNiceGuy · 23/11/2014 11:29

I just konmari-ed my email inbox.
6883 unread drivel non-essential emails gone! Grin

And yesterday I did another big bookcase - 5 carrier bags of books and 2 of bric-a-brac for the charity shop tomorrow!

FrancesHB · 23/11/2014 16:39

Finished the children's toys. Father Christmas you will not defeat me!??

redmapleleaves · 23/11/2014 18:08

This week we cleared our house after tenants pre hopefully exchanging contracts next week. I cleared from the loft 50 tins, dried pasta and water which I'd bought for emergencies, dutifully following the advice after 7/7. Make sure you have enough food to feed your family in case of a dirty bomb etc. Fortunately there wasn't. So the food stayed there. Am a bit p*ssed off to discover from my friends/colleagues raucous laughter that I am seemingly the only person in the wide world to have followed the advice and bought/saved these things. Ah well.

Onward and upward.

Gabor7G · 23/11/2014 19:02

This thread has inspired me to tackle the job I've been putting off for years - the wardrobe.

I've currently got all the clothes I haven't been able to fit into for at least 10 years (all size 10/12) in a pile on the bed ready to go to the charity shop.

Just about to start on the newer, larger, clothes that are still too small (I am almost at my heaviest ever now so there are no too big clothes!) by packing them away and throwing away anything that I don't particularly like.

Hoping that this will free me in some way and I can then tackle the body clutter in a more positive way. I have so few clothes that fit me right now the wardrobe is definitely going to look bare...

Justgotosleepnow · 23/11/2014 22:07

DH took to the tip today 150kg.
A whole car load from the garage. Yikes!

Ohhelpohnoitsa · 23/11/2014 23:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Hubb · 23/11/2014 23:25

Did a big charity shop drop in the car, but when I got back realised that I had left quite a bit of stuff by mistake. The house is such a tip that it all blended together and I didn't notice the piles of crap sitting next to my stuff in current usage. That saddened me!

And I don't even know if I want to admit this, but maybe it will inspire others to do food cupboards......but I went to dig out an unused pasta maker for the next Chazza trip, and found some sort of insect infestation...well insect egg Infestation....felt so sick and just spent my evening cleaning out the cupboards! Think it was cause a packet of rice had spilled and I just left it for ages as I thought dry rice couldn't be that bad Blush I had cleaned and sorted the cupboards about a year ago in my nesting for PFB phase so surprised it got that vile. Feel disgusting now like those people who kim and Aggie go to see who have animal poo on their kitchen counter. Except it's not quite that bad, and those people never have any shame do they!

Anyway lesson learnt and I now need to work out a way to sort food packets etc in a way that I can easily get to and take out to clean. Going to put all food on or in something inside the cupboards (like a tray or plastic tub) so if can take it out to clean..

How does everyone else store half used packets of stuff like flour (bread flour, self raising, plain, corn etc argh!) and sugar etc ?? I need help. I'm so Blush I would go out and buy a tonne of jars except MK won't allow it!

Hubb · 23/11/2014 23:27

Red that is impressive that you did do all that, and i never actually heard that advice, I think I would have majorly panicked if I had! Bet it felt good clearing it all out!

Peonies wishing you a speedy recovery :)

Woodenheart · 24/11/2014 04:15

Hubb I use the Kilner Jars, from Homebase,

I think its a needs must! After your find.

I keep my Tea & Sugar in them on the worktop.

Im sure Marie wouldn't mind you splashing out as a reward, & they will bring you joy every time you open the cupboard.

"The Life Changing Magic of Tidying" continues to magically change lives (PT 2)
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