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.

Glad things are improving JKS

I have kondoed electrical cables and random electronic connectors etc with the help of my neighbours who can tell outdated electrical crap from current technological connectors that might be useful!

Thank you to those who gave ideas about how to store the army uniform. Having spoken to DP, he definitely does not want to frame it so the idea of a cloth bag really appeals.

So have done most of the sentimental things. I've whittled them down but the photos and cards need to be put away in albums/scrapbooks. At the moment they are in a box and plastic bag . Found some love letters from and to ex, which actually was weird but at the same time, there is so much information about the kind of person I was and the kind of life I had. It would feel weird to keep them but at the same time a whole part of my history is lost, or that's how it would feel. That got me thinking about who I was keeping them for - is it for me or do I have a need to keep things for DS or his future offsprings so that they have a sense of family history? It's tricky because my parents immigrated to the UK with next to nothing and they don't have anything from their prior life and I only have a couple of photos from my early childhood. DP's parents downsized last year and they threw away a lot of stuff from their life, without asking if anyone was interested in it. DP was gutted. He is a historian. Anyway, one to ponder over.

Oops, sorry for the long post.

Cool, I would keep them. Personally I don't have many love letters, as DH was my first and only long term boyfriend, before we met I had only had a few very short (less than 3 months) relationships. I never got that many love letters from DH, but I think I still have them somewhere. Which I guess means that I need to go through letters! But I haven't kep that many, and I think I would end up re-reading them all ;)

Anyway, I have taken a break from kondoing because of the halfterm break. We had a lovely time off, I think because I had a clear idea of what I wanted and because everyone in the family knew what it was (yes, I am usually in charge...). We had some lovely outings and did a lot of drawing, because the kids rarely do any drawing, so we had decided to do some, and they loved it!

And then I took up the filthy old carpet in the entrance hall. It was really hard work, the carpet was nailed down with staples and these horrible gripper boards. It was a bit much for me, I was completely exhausted the next 24 hours, but I am so pleased I did it. The floor boards are gorgeous, all ful length, no knots or gaps in between them, but here are some paint spill marks, so now I am trying to decide if I am going to have them sanded down and revarnished or oiled, but as it is a rented house, I am not keen to spend the money. Just having the carpet off is bringing me so much joy, it's fantastic to be able to properly clean such a high traffic area. And I am having the carpets in the living room and the dining room cleaned next week, can't wait! They were quite stained when we moved in, so I worry that they are permanent stains, but just knowing that they have been cleaned will make me so happy. As you might be able to tell, I hate carpets, I grew up with wood flooring, and that is one thing I can't get used to about houses in England ;)

Now I must get some ebay listings done, as I haven't got any active at the moment.

I'm working at home today so spent a bit of time between work bits to do the airing cupboard. It looks amazing! I now also have a box for 'things that are long and need standing up'. I can also now use the back of the door to stick up stuff for my new job kondoing plan :)

I have decided to start a project plan for possibly moving to freelance work (I'm a project/process manager so yes, I have a colour coded spreadsheet). If it works out I would like to drop hours at work at the end of the year and start taking on some freelance process consultancy work. I have been told that I am being recommended for promotion at the end of my current secondment so this would make part time affordable. Then hopefully have a enough money coming in to drop my current job completely when dd starts school next September.

This would also mean I would be more flexible and have time freed up to continue with the counselling training if I wanted to do that as well.

Well I have chucked out:
Clothes
Bags
Shoes
Scarves
Jewellery
Makeup

which resulted in seven binbags to go.
I have put back 90%, I reckon I need 15 minutes more on it which is driving me a bit crazy, but I needed to get the child from pre school.
Yey!
I'm now itching to get on with the rest of the house.

Oh and I did toiletries too!

Well done Rogan! That's taken me weeks!
Actually haven't done the bathroom cabinet yet so toiletries is unfinished.
Also didn't make it to the new clothes swap over.

Baked a cake for a friend but am disappointed in it so the kids are having it!
Then spent hours online trying to get help with some wifi boosters I've brought. Still not working properly. Hours of wasted life. Grr.

Ds1's swimming then kids tea bath and bed.

Then decide what to take when visiting terminal friend tomorrow instead of slightly overdone cake. Hmm.

Welcome Rogan sounds like you have made a great start.
Pleased things are a big better today, JKS.
I'm exhausted today, might just have a bath and an early night and leave kondoing for tonight.

Nothing happening at my end, having been away for the last few days. Oh, except I stayed with my sister, and talked her into getting the book. Not sure she's interested in a complete declutter, but even if it just helps her rationalise the paperwork, it'll simplify her life a bit.

Marking my place while I catch up with what everyone's been up to.

I quickly redid my clothes while the dc were in the bath. Got rid of less than I bought but I'll give it time especially re underwear as in sure it'll be clear soon what I don't wear.

Also unearthed a pile of stuff/unwanted extras I got with ebay purchases/stuff my sister passed to me for Dd.
So lots for chazzer hopefully tomorrow.
And lots to Freecycle I think over the weekend. Another 4 plastic crates worth.

I started on clothes and have filled four bin bags for charity, emptied a quarter of the wardrobe and depleted the ironing pile to a mere shadow of its former self. It's fantastic. Why didn't I do this years ago?

It worked! Getting back on the thread made me list 4 ebay items and photograph a load more. Also realised I have filled a charity bag over half term without really noticing - it's truly becoming habit!

Glad things are getting better JKS.

I've got bag of socks and pants to give to nursery in the morning (about 40 pairs of socks!), then will give pile of children's books to school on Friday - it's easier than anywhere else and they immediately appreciate them!

2 more recycling bags of old magazines chucked out, and I have a nearly-full archive box for MrNC's sentimental stuff from uni and before, plus all my old theatre programmes in a nearly-full box, so both of those can be easily stored and perhaps chucked or displayed in a decade.

Quiet here today.

I took in a bag of crafty bits for preschool - they seemed happy with them. Seems only fair when dd uses tonnes whenever she's there!

Have done the bathroom cabinet!!
Have binned or recycled loads and I though I'd done it relatively recently but some stuff I was just keeping in case. We live around the corner from a chemist and not far from a 24 hours asda I think we'll manage without out of date medicines etc.

About to tackle the bath toys and other assorted crap that lives in there. I may even clean too

Dh really into it and has got boxes and bags ready for the chazzer.

I'm still tempted by freecycle and/or local selling fb pages so want to give that a go in the next few days.

Finished the bathroom and gave it a good clean which it really needed
A few bath toys gone but not many I wasn't very ruthless as the dc love playing with them.

So, next on the list is Accessories. I remember this being talked about a few days ago. What did everyone decide it meant?

I'm so much more inclined to clean the bathroom these days, now I don't have to tidy it first!

Accessories: scarves, gloves, hats (wintry and weddings); jewellery and watches; umbrellas; handbags and shopping bags; hair clips; glasses and sunglasses... Think that's all I can think off right now.

Hope you found something nice to take for your friend, JKS. You seem to be getting it from all sides at the moment

Haven't done much this week, though the clothes are still staying tidy, which is good. TBH I think I'm scared of starting to go through paperwork - I did a bit today, but really it was mostly just putting magazines in to be recycled. Paperwork makes me anxious for some reason. I did a bit of self employed work for a while and I can't wait until the 7 years since I did it are up and I can start throwing stuff out! I think I hang onto a lot of stuff through fear that I'll need it, when I probably won't. I'll try and make a better start tomorrow...

I feel Kondo is altering my mindset though! I am actually trying to use up the ends of moisturiser etc so I can throw the bottle away. My hands haven't been so soft and lovely since summer. :) I really need to tackle my mountain of half used bottles of sun cream next...

Well done JKS on the bathroom. It sound like you're making great progress.

I managed to put away a week's folded laundry today without having to pile stuff everywhere. That's so much easier. I also sorted the sewing box. I must do the kitchen but I am dreading it...

I'm taking today and Monday as leave: today because I'm burnt out (work is particularly draining at the moment), Monday because I'm getting my new (old) shelving unit delivered. My long weekend won't be all Kondo, but largely in the spirit of Kondo... Finding myself getting things done at I've been putting off for months/years.

1. Prewash and press the fabric for sofa covers
2. Finish making and adjusting the pattern
3. Cut (and start assembling?) the covers themselves
4. Call BHF to try to arrange collection of unwanted furniture
5. Empty aforementioned furniture ready for collection
6. Dispose of contents of furniture
7. Hopefully dispose of furniture!
8. Take delivery of new, joyful furniture
9. Fill holes in wall where joyless coat hooks have been removed

10. Arrange quotes for work on garden

Think that's enough to be getting on with!

Thanks Hermione. I think jewellery is the main bit for me in that list.

Nanny is in hospital with pneumonia People are calling this the house of doom!

Off to PTA meeting then will start in accessories.
Loads of recycling went this morning. Dh really starting to see the benefits and commenting on how good areas are looking.

The bathroom really shouldn't reach the point it had reached yesterday. Dusty and cobwebby if nothing else!
I do need to strip and reseal the bath though there are some nasty mould patches yuck.

Good morning! Been reading back through the thread and think I've been over folding my socks. I've got used to the way I'm folding and now not sure I want to change...

Right - today I want to do more paperwork, but also need to do loads of laundry, wait in for food shop, and sort out outfits for the kids for world book day... I need to attack the ironing which is threatening to take over the spare room, but have to wait til the little one is asleep to do that. He's a bit wild this morning - let me know if anyone wants any cupboards or toy boxes emptying and I'll send him round.

Well, I've just booked a BHF collection for a few pieces of furniture, including two enormous ones, an old radio (big), and a bag of CDs. Off to bag up som CDs before I forget that aspect of it!

Hiya - I'm still kondo'ing bit by bit!

Couple of questions:

How do you store and where do you store your 'tea towels' please?

Also - I have a cutlery set that we were given as a wedding gift - it comes out every Christmas. I'm tempted to just start using them daily - what do you think?

Thanks!

Tw1nkle, I fold/roll my tea towels and put them in a kitchen drawer, like clothes. Its fabulous opening the drawer and seeing the neat rows of tea towels (I have 12 identical).

Definitely use the cutlery set every day if it brings you joy. Only using things for special occasions often means it rarely gets used, and that is a shame, I think.

A few months ago I decided to keep a skirt that I have never worn and that has been in my wardrobe for more than 5 years. I decided that I can only keep it if I find a top that goes with it and I shorten it to above the knee. It's a formal skirt, and it's nude in colour, quite hard to find a top for. Thankfully I have a wedding to go to in May. I think I might have found the perfect top, I bought in on ebay, and I can't wait to receive it! So exited about getting to not only keep, but use this skirt - it's an expensive designer brand, and my auntie got it for me in the sales.

Hello everyone. Still here. Just. Finding it hard to keep going but I think because I am doing paperwork which I am not enjoying.

My own was fairly well sorted. DH is useless. Last night I handed him his pile to work out what to do with, and he may have found some ppi paperwork... for a house sold about 3 years ago. I have previously queried whether he had any (not my house). It annoys me. We live frugally, and then he does stuff like not check his tax code and consequently overpay (noticed by me when I needed to sign on). If we get the money back it's sort of ok, but uncancelled subscriptions etc, aargh. Here's hoping we get some compensation.

Also, jks, before resealing for mould, try this mn-gleaned tip. Make up a paste of Bicarb and bleach. Leave on mould overnight. Then clean. Did WONDERS for my sealant. Was planning to redo previously. Large boxes of bicarb in wilko cleaning section for £1.50.

I have a day off with babe in childcare today to do paperwork. I am procrastinating .