Clutter, emotions, and folding our socks - Kondo thread 6. All welcome!

[SteptoeAndDaughter]

The Book: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo, Cathy Hirano

Summary of the process link from mipmop

Article of top tips by Marie Kondo

Thread 5
Thread 4
Thread 3
Thread 2
Thread 1

And BeCool's copy of Coughles list of ORDER from Thread 2 for everyone:

"ORDER TO DECLUTTER/LOCATE THE JOY*

Clothes folding by rummy
Books
Papers
CDs
DVDs
Skincare products
Make-up
Accessories
Valuables (passports, credit cards, etc.)
Electrical equipment and appliances (digital cameras, electric cords, anything that seems vaguely ‘electric’)
Household equipment (stationery and writing materials, sewing kits, etc.)
Household supplies (expendables like medicine, detergents, tissues, etc.)
Kitchen goods/ food supplies
Other (If you have many items related to a particular interest or hobby, such as ski equipment, then treat these as a single subcategory.)

KonMari stresses that sentimental items should be left till the end. So for example, when you are doing papers, don't include photos of your children, love letters, old school reports etc, leave anything with a sentimental connection for later."

*As discussed in previous threads, your order for decluttering and finding the joy/spark/recognizing may be different to recommendations.

But definitely read the book ASAP.

I did my pants twice - hated about 85% of them, big white functional things! Blurgh! So I went out and treated myself to functional colourful pants (not so big and no plain white or black) all flowery patterned and pretty. Have also started using the rotation method some others have mentioned - put freshly washed pant to the back and take new pair each day from the front. That way they all get worn and I can keep on top of them. If they get scruffy, uncomfortable or inpractical they go out ASAP!

Definitely recommend buying the book and if you have the time go back and read the other threads - not because you need to just purely because there are some really good ideas and you will see we have all struggled with things at times be it practical things or the emotional side that Kondoing can bring.

Hazy I was a bit like that when I started, not wanting to get rid of something cos triggered memories of a good day out, holiday, happy time etc... Defo thank and let go. The space you will gain from doing this will far far outweigh a few happy moments reminiscing, which you can do without the objects anyway. Reading the book does bring this point home, but make a start while you're waiting to get it. Every bit will help...
Was thinking as I was whizzing through putting away laundry last night, I sorted my wardrobe last October... Four months later, still perfect with no tidying since.. AMAZING!! In fact it's getting better as time has gone on cos every now and then I reassess something and off it goes to charity shop. MK rocks!

The house is 90% kondoed! Just need to create a workable cleaning rota for myself, now I'm not fighting with clutter daily.

Just checking back in, hi all newbies and returners.

Yes definitely read the book. Although MK describes it as a method, it's more of a philosophy and that's difficult to get from the briefer linked articles (helpful summaries that they are).

And re knickers, a few of us have found that the post natal period is not a great time to do clothes (see thread 4 for my nursing bra issues!). Start on a category like socks, or scarves, something that doesn't involve fluctuating weight and shape . Once you get the knack of feeling joy you can go back to the other subcategories.

Bring,

You will find the right path, it will suddenly become clear, I am sure it will. Sometimes I think we rationalize to much. Gut feeling is rarely wrong.

Bring me what's your gut feeling school wise? Agree its best to go with that.

It's hard if you like the life style but dislike being a second class citizen. Where do you see yourself living next? Is it worth putting a time limit on your present stay?

We have decided to move house too. The house/area itself is great but we want a slightly different set up.

In a blizzard of paperwork...

Ridiculously pleased that I have been able to renew my Kondo book for another 3 weeks! Given what some of you have said about the library waiting lists, I really thought I would have to return it.

Got the guy coming tomorrow, bring. Washing up by hand takes forever, I had forgotten!

Very interesting to hear about your acupuncturist, bring. I think we are all in a way kondoing our lives a bit ;) My DH has an appointment with a nutritionist tomorrow. Although he hasn't been kondoing his belongings (he doesn't have many, and I look after joint ones, ie. I make all decisions...), he is doing stuff now that he has been procrastinating about for a while.

Yesterday I Kondo'ed about 30 rechargeable batteries that no longer charge. Sigh!

Hope you are OK, bring. You and misscph have just reminded me (in a roundabout way) of the part in the book where she says people are sometimes ill after kondoing.
Strangely I suffered with IBS for years, usually as a result of stress although it usually struck just after the stressful event had finished. I've been fine for a couple of years but have had a bad tummy for the last few days. Whilst I am enjoying kondoing I wonder if my body is subconsciously dealing with some stress as a result e.g. of thinking about past events as a result of looking at objects/photos.

About knickers! I have a really tatty pair from the 1970s. The fringe has dropped off these tangas and the stitching is coming undone. They fitted when I was size 12 (modern 8) and they are now FAR too small to get near!

They are in my jewellery drawer. Why have I kept them? Dunno. I'm off upstairs after finishing this post, to thank them for whatever pleasure they gave me - can't remember - and put them in the bag for burning. Thank's everyone!

About changing I have never been 'the perfect housekeeper', but the recent comments have given me pause for thought.

My cluttering became really bad after my last children left home and I later retired. I perceived that I had no more goals to aim for - nowhere to go next.

Now, I can see that kondoing will give me space in my home, and space in my mind to re-route my life. Not sure where I will be going, but I'm excited by the anticipation. Off with the old; on with the new!

Thank you all, again!

bring can I strongly suggest you find a new acupuncturist if you can! You should come out feeling amazing not down and confused! I know it may be difficult given your situation but I don't think I, personally, would go back.

I used an acupuncturist once after some health issues and when I decided to try conceive DC2 - my therapist was absolutely amazing, understood where I was coming from completely. I had a treament once a week for 6 weeks and I felt fabulous after!

I read the book in October, & left a little note in it, before returning it to the library, hoping a MNetter would find it?

I wonder if they did? I think I put,
"Are you on the thread? I love MN"

Bringme - Canada would be right up my street! I love mountains and wilderness and wild weather!

We are thinking of putting our house on the market after Easter. Just need to finish tiling the bathrooms and complete some other smaller jobs first. We don't want to move far

Like the thought of you kondoing the acupuncturist, bring! Seriously though, it's interesting the way you notice how kondoing has an effect on the rest of your life and makes you start thinking more about whether things actually bring you joy or not. Living in a country where you feel like a second class citizen really doesn't sound great; I hope you can come to a decision that does bring you joy.

Really impressed with your 90% kondoed house, Violetta; I can only dream of being at that stage!

No kondoing here so far today; I was hoping to make a start on skincare products, but work-related stuff keeps getting in the way. I'm feeling slightly frustrated by how much clutter we still have but I know I'm still at the start of the process; the clothes drawers and bookshelves may look great, but I think that kondoing komono will have the biggest impact on the way the house looks.

Ladies- could you please just explain what komono is? Thank you!

Violetta- 90% complete is INCREDIBLE! Well done! How long has it taken you?