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

999 replies

TheSporkforeatingkyriarchy · 23/12/2014 18:09

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

Thread 3

OP posts:
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48
themummyonthebus · 26/12/2014 20:08

Oh Milly that sounds tough for both of you. But it sounds like you have a plan and if she also recognises that some things aren't 'her old self' hopefully she'll be open to talking about it and finding coping strategies. Bless you both.

Violetta999 · 26/12/2014 20:10

Recognising the problem is a huge step in itself Smile

PonderousTortoise · 26/12/2014 20:17

Ooh just spotted this on most active - might I squeeze into the thread too? 2015 is going to be the Year of the Kondo here. I read the book last year, loved it, zoomed through clothes and books, then got stuck on papers for weeks and tailed off. But am going to start again and Just Get It Done this time. Apologies haven't read whole thread but shall mark place now and read back soon.

MILLYmo0se · 26/12/2014 20:23

Thats where I get in a muddle about doing the right thing, I don't want to suggest things to do in an attempt to distract her that may then become habits in themselves if that makes sense ? Or I can distract her sometimes but that doesnt solve the problem in itself.....was nearly going to give her a special stone at Xmas (she loves fossils and gems ) that she could keep in her pocket to rub, but what if she lost it ? Or it just got added to the listof' things I have to do @ :( . The chewing one sounds good though

ItIsntJustAPhase · 26/12/2014 20:28

Oh, Milly, just adding my support for your dd.

IAmNotDarling · 26/12/2014 20:40

Checking in from previous threads. Have been applying KonMari to Xmas things - wrapping and tags immediately disposed off to the recycling to removed temptation to reuse (I never reuse despite best intentions with wrapping paper) - excess packing from gifts removed and new smelliest sorted out into their homes so they get used and not forgotten about.

DD(3.5) ticked off MIL who was trying to get her to keep so packaging for 'crafting' by saying - "No Grandma, recycling not for keeping!" So proud! Grin

anzu66 · 26/12/2014 21:11

Milly, I also have a hard time with my son.
I hope I'm not adding to your problems by suggesting this, but have you considered ASD with daughter?
Her issues sound awfully like my son, who's part-way through formal diagnosis at this point (and which may mean that I am too ready to see the same issue in others even if it is not actually warranted IYKWIM).

In the meantime, I've found getting rid of his stuff (such as stones, beads, random bits of paper and so on, worked best by putting each type of item in a dedicated container. Like one box that printing paper came in for paper items, a decorative box for stones, and so on. The container stays in a cupboard so that it is not too salient in his mind. And when it gets too full, items very quietly disappear from the bottom of the container. Nothing is ever overtly thrown out in front of him, and it may take several months between it coming in and going out, but at least it ends up OUT of the home.

I actually feel bad for doing this, but don't know how else to do it...

For self soothing, I give him things to fiddle with. The most recent one was an Indian key ring thingy which has a mirror and tiny little bells, and therefore makes very pleasing (to him), reflections and sounds when fiddled with. And I've found an upfront discussion with hime about how some things WILL break or WILL be finished with or WILL be gone after their appointed time is (only sometimes) helpful.

Back on Kondoing - DH read the book himself! I thought he'd sneer, but he was actually impressed by her insights, and has removed bags and bags of books and papers over the last few days!

MILLYmo0se · 26/12/2014 21:25

I dont think she is within the barometer for a specific diagnosis or 'label' as such, but I'm basing that on the fact that I have done similiar-ish things in my life but wouldnt be considered to be on the 'spectrum'. In reality tbh I think there are aspects of everyones behaviour that if considered in isolation would put us on the spectrum, I think DD is in the unfortunate position of having to much time spent around adults, too much time to consider the 'but what ifs' of life, combined with a flair for the dramatic, a fantastic imagination and an overdose of logic :). I honestly think it's a case of being over-whelmed and letting it all burst out when she feels safe ie when with me/at home...........Normally we can talk about things breaking/being out-grown etc and she may not be overly happy but she isnt upset, this level of distress literally erupted one day I picked her up from school, and I dont know of any specific even that triggered it .

Ohhelpohnoitsa · 26/12/2014 21:58

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Ohhelpohnoitsa · 26/12/2014 22:02

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Violetta999 · 26/12/2014 22:38

Ohhelp can we officially take down the decorations now? If you guys are doing it, i might crack on too - although I might have to wait to New Year's Day if the kids have their way!

Milly I agree chat to the teacher and then also the GP if you feel its necessary? Let us know how you get on. Do you remember what helped you when you got stressed? What about some kind of relaxation thing at random times - breathing or yoga DVD, classical music.

MILLYmo0se · 26/12/2014 22:38

Yes, I def feel the time of year has triggered it, it was also the same week that her dad stopped picking us up to take us home and we went back to travelling by bus- that in itself can be stressful with trying to make the bus, weather etc so I think it all just culmanated in a disaster .Looking back though the issues have def been escalating very slowly over the last 12 months and I feel it's time to try and get some coping mechanisims into place for her - now I just have to find out where I find such things, I ll start with GP I suppose.

MILLYmo0se · 26/12/2014 22:41

Well my 'routine' helped me :) , but it was more of an internal thing than DD s so it was fine to use it as my crutch the whole world wasnt aware of it.
Might ask MNHQ to delete these posts, Ive dragged us all miles off-topic

Violetta999 · 26/12/2014 22:42

Reflexology or massage? Learning breathing techniques? Camomile tea maybe?

Planning a super chuck out-come-clean sat/sun. Can't wait. The garage is a disaster zone!!

MuddlePuddle · 26/12/2014 23:16

Just got this book for Christmas, marking my place for 2015 - excited!

Justgotosleepnow · 26/12/2014 23:29

Milly it's ok you don't need to ask for posts to be deleted. I think maybe it's clarified for you that she might need a bit of help. Which could well do her well for the rest of her life, and not need to kondo in her 30s etc

I'm seeing such a strong correlation between messy house and me being depressed, it's actually scary. And I have the worlds messiest DH so it is stressful. If I don't sort stuff out, it just doesn't happen Hmm
Kondo has to be the way forward- so there is less stuff to mess up. Then I have less to do.

Doing my clothes next week while DH takes dd out. It is quite a big job. I have a lot of clothes in the loft & maternity clothes to go through.

Iggi999 · 26/12/2014 23:30

Hello, can I ask a wee question? Looking at this book on Amazon and obviously the reviews repeat a lot that you've to get rid of what doesn't bring you joy etc.
The biggest messes in my home are child related, piles of (especially today!) toys everywhere. Will this system have any impact on that type of clutter, given that none of their toys bring me joy yet I can't really chuck them all out!
Thank you Smile

Squirrelsmum · 27/12/2014 06:03

I'm coming in late to the art of Kondoing, I'm still reading through the first thread. I've started on my clothing, with only my winter wear and handbags to sort. Next will be DD's room, we are looking at moving soon and she is keen to offload before we move, so that's a win.
I think my biggest hurdle will be DH, the man is a hoarder and a tip rat to boot. He is sooo messy it drives me insane sometimes. Any pointers will be appreciated, he can be bloody difficult at times. Although I have put him on notice that his wardrobe will be done before we move.
I am happy to just donate most of the cleared stuff to charity, but I have boxes of shop stock that I need to go through, I had an eclectic type of shop with crystals, fair trade goodies, jewelry, prayer flags, insense - you get the idea, some I will take to my local OP shop as they sell a lot of similar items, but my rocks and crystals... What to do what to do, I can have only so much on display in my home. I think I will leave them until last.

NeverFreezeTurkeys · 27/12/2014 06:12

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NeverFreezeTurkeys · 27/12/2014 06:13

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leeloo1 · 27/12/2014 06:43

Oh no neverfreeze I guess your mum didn't read the part about not dumping your stuff on others!

colleysmill · 27/12/2014 06:51

My dsis has been kondoing now for a few months and bought me thus book for Christmas (I think I probably desperately need it! !!) I'm about to start reading today so I will probably be back! :)

leeloo1 · 27/12/2014 07:01

Iggi999 - there are posts on earlier threads about how to deal with kids' clutter (KonMari doesn't really mention it), sorry I can't remember which one now - perhaps someone else can? Basically it seems to be a combination of

  • leading by example
  • trying to get your kids on board with keeping what they love/make space for what they really want to play with
  • toy rotation, so having some stuff in storage that comes out on a rota
  • sneakily getting rid of baby stuff/broken stuff/stuff you think they won't notice

Be warned though, some hoarders seem to hoard as a result of parents wholesale-ly binning their stuff, so go easy on what you 'lose'. Wink

leeloo1 · 27/12/2014 07:14

Oh and I forgot - good storage systems are imperative, so tidying up is possible - and hopefully easy for kids to do themselves.

Toy_Storage

  • Some people rave about Ikea Expedit/Kallax, whilst others think the drawers are too deep to be helpful as stuff gets lost & shelves can look messy
  • Most people like Ikea Trofast - as it can be customised with small/med/deep trays, or shelves as needed.
  • KonMari is keen on using what you have, instead of buying new storage, but if you have no storage then you should get some that'll work for you, but its important to try and do the Kondoing first, so you can clearly see what needs storing. (I've been v guilty of this in the past and created large and elaborate storage systems for unworkable amounts of toys).

Also, don't be afraid to lose some of a set - e.g. ds(6) had gallons(?) of wooden train track, so we went through it together and he decided on some trains he didn't like as much and I helped him decide on rational amounts of each item - so out of 30 odd straight bits of track we decided 15 was enough etc etc

Hope that helps. Someone posted good links about toy rotation etc, if I can find them I'll re-post. :)

leeloo1 · 27/12/2014 07:18

Toy rotation

More toy rotation

Which toys to keep

Happy reading Grin