Kondoing away the chaos: Kondo thread 7 for yet more life-changing magic

[LinzerTorte]

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 6
Thread 5
Thread 4
Thread 3
Thread 2
Thread 1

Tips and links thread

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.

What I mean is that we hold on to some clothes because we want to be the kind of person who wears them; others remind us that we are not that sort of person; some remind us of happy times we wore them etc etc. So it did seem odd to me that she starts with them and leaves 'sentimental' things to the end; but then clothes do make a big impact if we have them organised and trimmed of joy-less items, so I can see why it's worth doing them first if you can.

Ohhelpohnoitsa Nope - wasn't me. Honest!

I was a late arrival at the party! Can't even remember where I stumbled on Marie Kondo, just days before Christmas. But she has certainly hit me hard - in the best possible way.

I was loath to 'fall' for yet another de-clutter self-help book, as I had stopped all stuff that was not essential for survival coming into the house, a few years ago. I did order The Book, after browsing the web and stumbling onto Thread 1, and all you lovely motivational people, with your energising inspiration.

Thank you.

It was me who started the original thread. My mum is to blame; she told me about it. I'm still going veeeery slowly though the list (still on paperwork but I have bounced around the categories a bit). But my house is so easy to keep tidy now. It's almost uncanny. I work full time,
I have depression, am naturally lazy, and have three children, so I should really be living in utter chaos. But somehow, I'm not.

My ten year old told me yesterday "we have too many toys, we really need to give some away". Ten.

I was anxious when I first did socks and knickers, but I've since edited them further, and it's fine. Now I'm more proactive about getting them washed, dried and back in the drawer, and now I can see what's left, I've found I rarely get through half of them.

I got rid of a couple more t-shirts last night. Hooked out one of the old ones I save for sleeping in, had a moment of disappointment and started looking for a nicer one, then the lightbulb pinged on, and I realise that I hated that top. Culled another as well in my moment of clarity. To be honest, I think I'm going to have to buy (or make) some new ones, but it's probably long overdue. I'm not massively interested in clothes shopping, so I've hung onto a load of old, misshapen, tatty stuff in the mistaken belief that having a lot of crap makes up for not having any good stuff.

In other news, I've been talking kondo with some friends in work, one of whom has already started on her clothes, and is planning on starting in earnest over the Easter holiday. She's a real collector, and I think she's surprised herself with how excited she is about thinning it out.

Frances, thanks for kicking it off - I started kondoing before I found my way to the forum, but these threads and their contributors have brought it to life, for me. I like having something to report to you lot, and I love hearing what you've been up to. Glad it's making your life so much easier!

Haha, true about washing them!

I did notice though that either I have really stubborn socks or Japanese socks must be really thin or Marie is better at folding than me. She reckons you can fold ankle socks three times? I could only manage twice and they kept pinging open. Trainer socks I only managed once.

just happened upon another reference article for MK
www.ikeafamilylivemagazine.com/gb/en/article/41996

Cant blame Ikea for collaborating as I already have plans for their laundry bags and baskets in my soon to be kondo'd home.

Hear hear hermione

Great to read all the progress that's being made I think I've finished clothes, at last, and books were done with dh a while back. So, I should be doing papers next. But.. all our papers are contained within one desk, and don't impact on the clutter much. Unlike the toy mountains in every single room! Would I be breaking the programme if I do toys? Tbh I'm dreading them as don't think they'll be as easy as clothes.

BrandNewIggi, I did the shared toys before clothes, while I was waiting for the book. We're still using a toy rotation, and even after 6 children have been running rampant, it only takes 10 minutes to put the toys away, quick hoover, and clear the dining table.

Mango, sorry if this has been done before but would you mind please briefly explaining your toy rotation? I'm stuck in a rut of everything downstairs in playroom (some stuff upstairs but mainly down), all comes out (my Ds in particular enjoys tipping out the boxes for no reason ) all needs a major tidy up.

Someone else posted this link about toy rotations It's fab. Also, if DD2 hasn't tipped the toy box out by lunch, I tend to do it for her! Takes seconds to throw it all back in, or a few minutes if I'm putting puzzles back together etc.

That's interesting about toy rotation. I've kondoed quite extremely in that department. We only have 9 baskets plus two ride on toys plus a few art projects/board games. Far too many teddies left but they bring joy to the kids!

I got halfway through the downstairs toys a while back then got distracted by RL.
Need to get back to them after halfterm.
Very interested in the toy rotation plan.

How's everyone finding the wardrobes over the holidays?

The boys are out of uniform and in casual clothes all week for the first time since I kondoed their clothes and it's highlighted gaps in their wardrobes - so DS 2 and DS 3 need another pair of jeans. DS 2 also needs some long sleeve tops.

Oh yes. Ds2 has too few trousers. And I'd put some in that's thought would fit but fall down. Which he finds v entertaining!
Have also been looking at uniform and there are gaps there too.

I've thought about toy rotation but can't really see a good way to do it with DD1's toys. She has so many sets with 6 million pieces each and likes to combine them in her play. Right now she's playing with some engines, has made them a railway from a set of blocks and has covered them in "mud" made from crayons and pencils. The mess is astounding. It's going to take some thought to do it properly.

Brain is in a whirl because we're possibly buying a house next week (crazy fast) and there's so much to think about. I need to do some Kondoing to help clear my brain but the children are both very demanding so I'm not getting anything done. Anyone want to come help out?

Grouchy, I really struggled to separate all the shared toys (well DD2s toys, mainly hand-me-downs from DD1 though) into sets, so I did it kondo style. Grouped ALL of them into a nightmare inducing pile of mess. Sorted by type, movement, thinking, role play. Went through each type and matched up sets, threw out broken things, out grown things, and sets with important parts missing. Then I sat there for about 30 minutes, in the middle of piles of toys, over-thinking it all! I wanted to make sure the things in each set worked well together, but I think the point is that the DCs find new ways to do just that. In the end I started with movement toys (our smallest group) and threw 2 into each box, and carried on from there.

I should be working but just wanted to say:

How exciting grouchy, we are also thinking of moving (and also have kids similar age to you) so I feel like I am living the excitement through you right now. Hope we can help with the stress virtually if not IRL...

Toy rotation freaks me out. I think its a great idea but am emotionally attached to many of DS1s toys as in either 'remember how cute he was with this' or 'I wish he would play with this ethical, wooden, educational toy'. In reality he just wants the Duplo and branded play figures with which he acts out stories based on his two favourite TV shows. Which of course also makes me feel guilty about his TV watching. I think the best thing in terms of mess would be to admit defeat and put all the toys away apart from teh ones he actually plays with, but then I'm stunting his play, aren't I?

If I rotate away the favourite toys he will ask for them back. If they stay out very few other toys get a look in....

Is it too late to join the Marie Kondo party bus? I know you've had threads going since the autumn, but I only discovered it relatively recently; read her book just after Christmas and have done (my) clothes - about four black bags' worth removed - and DP and I have made a good start on his kids' clothes, about 90% of which were lying unworn on their bedroom floors, for months. And months.

It felt great - liberating - to see a load of bags go out recently, but I have a long way to go in our messy, cluttered home with four kids, and a fifth due to arrive any day. I felt utterly overwhelmed and disheartened by the end of last week, but am more positive again now, having got DP more on board over the weekend and some more things out yesterday (charity shop). It feels too much if it's only me leading on it.

Very possibly over-ambitiously, I'm hoping to nail books (I don't have loads) and paperwork (I do have loads) in the next week, hopefully before baby makes an appearance. Paperwork is the big, daunting mountain for me - I keep putting it off. With books, what do you do with the ones you get rid of, especially those in good condition? Sell or charity? Selling would only work if not painstakingly one at a time on eBay or similar - any speedier options?

Anyway, thanks for all the inspiration on here - I found out about Marie Kondo on Mumsnet - and a massive well done for all your successes. I hope it isn't too late to join you all.

hi all grouchy how exciting ! Yes, I would very much like to come and help out sadly live across the world right now ...

littlebird these threads tend to go round and round. Welcome. Oh and hi again (as I haven't been in in ages myself!!). People journey in all different ways and speeds. Five kids ! Wow. Your house must be full of fun and laughter - getting rid of the crap will make it only more so.

We are midst sale of the flat - spent most of the time since I've last been on worrying about my lost marriage certificate. We were married abroad and nothing deposited into the FCO. Deeds in my maiden name. I am please to report that after stressing out for two weeks about this, I found the certificate ! It had slipped between the drawers where I used to wedge keep paperwork. I was most freaked out because I had already Konoded paperwork and knew it was missing ...

Little bird - welcome

Mango - I'm impressed by your toy sorting for rotation. I can well imagine me reaching the headache inducing mountain of mess. Just not sure I'd progress from there!

Grouchy - exciting. And stressful!

Boys too small clothes went this morning.
Have loaded the car for chazzer tomorrow - 4 big bags.
Also some work stuff in dh's car for him to take to the office tomorrow.

Am going to nail the music magpie stuff tonight I hope.
And freecycler coming later for heaps of old books.

Have also joined a local fb selling group to try and make a few £ even if only for the kids money boxes.
So have a box I need to photograph and list and see how it goes.

Upended the car box and ds2 was in heaven
Can't really see my way to getting rid of any yet. Let alone the rotation business.

Still. Steps have been made today

De lurking just to ask a question:
How many people have stuck to decluttering strictly by category and in Marie's order? We have a 4 bedroom house and 5 occupants, there was no way on earth I was going to pile up everyone's clothes or books together. So I've been doing a modified Kondo which has been more room-by-room as everyone's stuff tends to be in their own room. Then part way through I had to brave the loft and did various categories that were in there.

On the subject of toys this is one area we have always been really mean strict on so I'm not really too bothered about now.

Dd (3yrs) has a really small number of toys compared to any other children I know, but she plays with all of them loads and loads. She also does amazing imaginative play with random objects around the house.

All toys except art/craft things live in her bedroom and she has access to all of them as there are so few. We have some wire basket drawers and a set of shelves.

I personally think children get a bit overwhelmed with having tons of toys available all the time. Dd focuses much better and uses things in more imaginative ways when we have a smaller number. So I would absolutely disagree that removing toys restricts play, I think a smaller number of toys they love allows the space for much more exciting play then loads of stuff they don't really care about.

We do regular toy reviews when she gets new stuff. Dd is now so used to us taking old or unused stuff to a charity shop she will suggest things to go and specify which toys she wants to keep.