Kondoing this and kondoing that - thread 4 for Marie Kondo's lifechanging magic with tidying. All welcome!

[TheSporkforeatingkyriarchy]

Here's thread 4 for all the KonMario converts, wannabes, and guests to the magic!

Thread 3

I'm a bit the same Annersley...sometimes I have to get rid of things just to get to clothes! Plus my books will be going to my friend's second hand bookshop and I don't want to overwhelm her as I know I'll be getting rid of hundreds! So I think I may have to do the books in increments. :)

I cannot believe how much stuff I've accumulated in this house. I'm :( and . I think my "out of sight, out of mind" thought process has definitely contributed to it. I have an unused bathroom and a few large storage closets and they're full to the brim...because whenever I clean I just stuff things in there, shut the door, and call it good. No more!

Once I finish my clothes, I'm going to start on craft papers/colouring books,etc. Does anyone have any tips on where and how to store craft items. We usually do crafts at the kitchen table or at the coffee table in the sitting room.

cheerfulyank cute Tornedo.

You asked about clothes standing up, have a look at this video which shows you how to fold and put away.

Bearing in mind we are not yet drowning in craft items, these are my things. Colouring pencils and crayons are stored in tins but permanently out on a little table with paper to encourage.

What you can see is a Billy bookcase. Top 5 boxes are fabric/quilting/wool for me. Middle next to teapot is sewing control box plus knitting needle bag. Underneath is 1 box for painting, 1 box for embellishments, adult pastels, colouring pencils, 1 box for glues, sticky tape, cutting implements. Underneath that, colouring books and activity pack in one magazine folder, coloured paper in another, card making bits in another. Bags contain patterns in one and tablecloths in another. Play dough in pink box underneath, plus space next to that for colouring tins when they are put away. Sewing machine is on another Billy in same room. Large cutting board down side of Billy.

The small cardboard boxes are from ikea about 80p each or something ridiculous. Large ones are standard archive boxes.

This was kondoed out of order because I could do it easily with a toddler around.

Sorry that might have come off a bit smug but it makes me sooooo happy.

Just witnessed dh putting all of this years cracker prizes in the sideboard drawer with the cracker prizes from the previous 10 years arrrgghhhh! They won't last the week mwah ha ha!

ohhelp and starface thanks for the craft storing ideas I love the idea of sliding storage attached to the table and am very impressed with the cardboard boxes from Ikea. I'm off to measure spaces and see what I can fit in.

And starface you didn't sound smug - just full of joy and happiness. MK would be proud

Ok, I think I'm finally done with my clothes after going through them for a second time. I thought I had done a good job the first time, but then realised something was still bothering me - I got quite stuck on things that I wear but are a bit shabby. I compromised by getting rid of those that aren't in season, but keeping those that I am currently using with a view to replacing them soon (otherwise would have no knickers, socks, trainers etc). This leaves me with no spring/autumn coat, no summer sandals, 1 summer top, 1 pair of shorts, and no tops to go with 3 of my skirts. But my wardrobe looks lovely and joyful (if a little sparse). Some shopping will be in order in the coming months!

I can't believe she said that clothes are the easiest category

Next up: baby clothes.

Does anyone know what I can do with soft toys. I think we are probably going to have a couple of bin bags full when we get onto komono. My local animal shelter will take machine washable ones for the animals. I'm not sure a charity shop will take the volume we have.

Awww, Cheerful your baby is gorgeous! I'm glad she was a good helper for you. :)

Up
just divy them up between shops and the shelter. Actually i wonder if a womens refuge would take some?

Forgot also got rid of a huge vintage suitcase about half full of wool, fabric, thread etc.

Starting to get close to the position of having been through every category once, but two biggies - books and komono to go first.

You are all doing so well. I completed DVDs earlier. 2 supermarket bags full to go. I will be doing toiletries tomorrow which will include skincare, make up and anything in the bathroom. I am starting to see the difference but think it will only be when I move on to kitchen stuff and electricals that the change will be apparent.

Forgive me - have missed out on thread due to being off colour the last few days but just wanted to jump in with a few tips I picked up that I think may work perfectly whilst kondoing. Just want to add to thread before my fuzzy poorly brain forgets again!!

For those who are struggling to decide if they should let go of something practical - sticker it. There was someone saying they had issues with drinking glasses. Place a little sticker on the bottom of them all. Set yourself a date/timescale you are comfortable with and note it on your calendar/in diary. Each time you use one of the glasses remove sticker from bottom. When date arrives discard all of those with stickers still on as you simply don't use them!

For those struggling with clothes hung up - turn round all your coat hangers so open part faces you when you look at rail, so hook them towards you. Do this with all of them. Set yourself a timescale and note on calendar as above. As you wear wash and return items hang them back up with coat hanger the opposite (I guess 'correct' way). Again when date arrives discard all those still on hangers turned the 'wrong' way as you have not worn them.

This is something I read once somewhere and its come back to me.

There has been some mention of people wanting to hang on to 'practical' items because they have memories/bring some joy but on a practical note the person knows they may never use it/wear it again for some reason. The method noted above can be used for any group of items, it's about identifying what you actually use on a practical level - works well for your cups, glasses, untensils etc.

If an item truly brings you joy then keep it, no biggy, however if it's a case of no joy but what if ..... Then this method is worth a try. You can set your own deadline for the item and if it isn't used and your practical side kicks in then just discard.

Hope that helps someone - sorry if I have waffled but I really do feel like poo (think I may have vertigo or some wierd ear infection as I feel constantly drunk but haven't had any booze ).

Trotting off now to catch up on the rest of what I missed! This thread has been sooooo busy, nice to catch up on everyone's progress!!

inadaydream good tips. The glasses one will probably be needed here!!

Hope you're feeling better soon

So, how do you deal with kids stuff? I know we are to do our own, but baby is 18months so I'll have to help him out

We have different ideas of joy. For example he has this tatty old falling apart book, which I'd like to chuck. Whenever I pick it up his whole face lights up. He adores that book.

I suppose that one is easy, I know it's brining joy to him (then me) by his reaction.

Have I just answered my own question?

DH just did all the ironing and left it for me to fold and put away as a treat! What's worse is that I was actually quite pleased to get to do the folding

PS Great idea inadaydream, going to try it.

Pretty much lockie

I think KonMarie needs to emphasise (she doesn't enough in my opinion) that it's about everyone in the house their own joy, after all most of us do not live on our own. So what is joyful for me is not necessarily joyful to others in the house and vice versa. eg DP's games/books collections: they do not bring me any joy, in fact the opposite but hey ho, it makes him happy and I prefer a happy DP .

I enjoyed woman's hour today about having too much stuff. No mention of Marie kondo though sadly.

lockie I know the feeling. Put a book dd 15 months, loves in the recycling cos it was all torn. Felt a little bad but she does love other things just as much and I'm hoping that a nice calm home will be better for her in the long run... She did get extra tickles today though to help with the guilt;)

I had a great day today. DH back to work and I'm off till Wednesday so spent 2 hours while dd napped getting loads done. Honestly can't believe how good house looks. Way easier to clean as most surfaces clear. Have 14 pairs of shoes, another bag of clothes and box of ornaments in hall for charity shop tomorrow. I think I'm a little addicted to mk process!

Thanks Lockie!

I am a CM so toys are my forte!! 2 DCs of my own, DD is 5 and I made her go through her toys at Christmas to make way for the nice new ones Santa was going to bring her. She got rid of 5 large bags of stuff in the end - I was so proud of her! Charity shop we donate to is just around the corner and so I took her in last week - she saw so many of her old toys on the shelf and was so proud of herself. She is now happy to part with her unwanted items so it was a good lesson leant for her!

DS is same age as your LO so I am just trying to be sensible with him and we have just done out his bedroom with loads of ikea storage - if it doesn't fit in there it's gone!

As for the business toys I took the decision in the new year to donate it again to local charity shop! Most of it never touched and was a pain to store. I will get the odd key piece from same charity shop as and when I need it dependant on mindees needs at the time and donate when no longer needed again. Luckily my minded children are same age as my own children so they share their stuff nicely. And DD has a massive (but very organised) craft collection which again we raid for the minded children when needed. I feel after three years of being a CM and since starting MK I have finally struck the perfect toy amount with the perfect storage solution!

I have been wittering at DH since DD was born that ikea was the way forward but it took the birth of DS and a serious house clutter issue to see that I was right and he was wrong (by not letting me buy any of it) Hahaha!!

Oh and DDs fave book since birth is still around, it has no spine now and the heavy board pages are working themselves free. But I love reading it to her, she loves trying to read it back to me and I am hoping DS will love it too. It brings me much joy to read it to them and will treat them to a new one once it finally gives up the ghost - the tatty one will go in DDs memory box