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Original poster

Kondo thread 8

993 replies

Isisizzie · 25/03/2015 12:02

New thread for Kondo addicts.

Sorry I can't do all the links that were on the top of thread 7.

OP posts:
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36
prettymess · 09/04/2015 09:53

Found this article on Pinterest: medium.com/@davehaynes/a-lesson-in-finding-joy-and-letting-go-688e5920fff5

It sums up well how the Konmari goes over from tidying to an attitude to life.

Iqueen · 09/04/2015 11:02

prettymess Thanks for highlighting that article.

For more than 10 years I have been bemoaning the the fact that 'people' have far too much stuff, and the disposable income to buy waste on waste on it.

This really hit home when I retired on a tiny income and had to cut my spending down to only essentials, although I have rarely been extravagant.

At that time, I also began to consider all the unnecessary shite in my cluttered house - much, much more than my childhood home, in the 50s and 60s. Obviously, some increase is necessary, as technology has advanced, but a helluva lot isn't.

I began to browse various Minimalism websites and found some really interesting writers. They convinced me that with less stuff, I would have a tidy home, more space and less cluttered thinking, although no way did I want to become a true minimalist - my name is not Steve Jobs!

But how to clear the excess? MK definitely came to my rescue, with her mantra. Thank goodness.

prettymess · 09/04/2015 11:12

Simple living and minimalism was a bit of an obsession with me a couple of years ago. I was reading all kinds of blogs and books. Somehow it never clicked with how to apply it to my life and my stuff though. I can see a difference with MK as I see what's MY stuff and therefore MY clutter. I am going through that as it's my responsibility and baggage.

My daughter (13, who is home for Easter and is "helping" me with Konmari) is grabbing all my items that I discard at the moment, which is bothering me a bit. She might need to read the book!

Gibble1 · 09/04/2015 11:13

I am nearly onto paperwork!
Tonight I really must clear the ironing as it's taking over the world and my poor DH has nowt to wear but then I shall collect all the paperwork and sort it. I have a spare laundry basket, perhaps I shall use that and DH and I could sort through it all tomorrow evening.
The black bin men are coming tomorrow and I am so excited, it's overflowing!

Iqueen · 09/04/2015 11:55

prettymess Somehow it never clicked with how to apply it to my life and my stuff

Exactly, all previous books and websites, seem to start from the guilt we feel, and confirm it. We latch on to (more) new storage solutions and the strict routines with household chores, like drowning people.

MK has shown us that it is simply a matter of keeping in our lives, only things which bring us JOY.

I'm housework averse, but now, I get pleasure out of cleaning! Shock

prettymess · 09/04/2015 12:33

I have exactly 9 novels (and most of those I have in Kindle versions too!), 3 recipe books and 2 books from my childhood. DH, however, has hundreds of books. I love reading and have a library degree so I don't quite know how we are this way around. The recipe books are now going in the kitchen so I might actually use them.

Does anyone feel a bit confused with digital and analogue versions? e.g. CDs, books, video games ... I feel quite old fashioned and like the 'proper' version, but digital versions reduce the clutter. Plus you can trade in or sell analogue stuff. Digital versions are limited and it feels like you don't actually own it. Unless it is near the end of the book, MK doesn't address this much.

BertieBotts · 09/04/2015 13:19

It's sort of addressed in the books section.

Basically, what brings you joy? The item, or the content? If it's the words/music/film that you want to keep and the actual item isn't important then digital wins. But if it's the process, the feeling of a real book, the ritual of choosing a CD, the beautifully illustrated box set, then keep the item.

I finished the book this morning. She says everything we struggle to let go of is about fear for the future (your worry that digital media can't be sold - in reality, CDs, DVDs and books sell for pennies anyway, so I wouldn't worry too much about the value) or being stuck in the past. Also, she talked about buying items (especially clothing) in advance, and reasoned that the space in the home is effectively expensive - we think we are being economical by buying in bulk but actually it can be more economical to allow the shop to store the items until we actually need them.

prettymess · 09/04/2015 14:46

Brilliant reply. Thanks so much!

BertieBotts · 09/04/2015 15:23

:) I have to say I am a total Konvert and am more inspired than ever, if only I wasn't so tired!

Zippidydoodah · 09/04/2015 18:42

I can't download the list on my silly phone!! Maybe because it's running out of storage?!

Oooooooh.... The irony Hmm

BrandNewIggi · 09/04/2015 18:59

Bertie I'm rereading your words to stop me from the bit of internet shopping I'm about to do!

KnappShappeyShipwright · 09/04/2015 19:21

I've done some it in the wrong order, but today I have emptied the airing cupboard and been brutal. MK is right about spare duvets & pillows - mine were musty smelling so it's all gone for ragging. We haven't had overnight guests since I can't remember when, so I don't think it will be missed! The DCs are too old for novelty duvet covers so we all now have just one spare set of bedding and the remainder has gone to the charity shop. The local animal shelter will be getting a couple of bin bags of old towels (why do old towels bunch up along the edge?!). My airing cupboard is now a thing of beauty!

Clothes, shoes, handbags & accessories are all done. Downstairs bookcases have been done (just a few nice hardbacks, books that genuinely read regularly and some that DH is convinced bring him joy...). I've still got the understairs Cupboard of Doom to tackle, which will be coats, shoes, PE kits, shopping bags and goodness knows what else to sort. I may need a large gin & tonic afterwards. Wine

I'm really enjoying it so far, it is very liberating when you realise most of the contents of the house is just 'stuff'. We go camping every year and spend two weeks in a tent that is smaller than our lounge, and everything in it fits in the boot of the car.

JKSLtd · 09/04/2015 20:06

Tackled cookery books after printing out that fabulous list and realised they were the first thing I couldn't tick.
I've put a pile of nearly all of them for DH to decide on.
Ive got a few loose recipes i want to type up and laminate to add to my current most used ones I've already got.
The only book I've kept is a Kane Asher cake one. And even then I've googled most recently made cakes.

Iqueen · 09/04/2015 20:31

prettymess I'm a qualified Librarian (as well as a teacher) and I shocked myself several years ago. I have hundreds of books, but when someone asked me which I would choose, between my books and my computer, I said, without thinking, my computer! Eek!

I am happy to re-home the novels that I read, but kondoing any non-fiction (by far, the majority!) will be very difficult. Hmm

KnappShappeyShipwright Your comment on camping chimes with my experience of holidaying in mobile homes. It always confused me - I had no problem keeping a caravan tidy (even with my 3 youngest DC in tow), and it took no time at all to pack up all our stuff and clean round when we left... so why couldn't I do that at home? Grin

Today, I had another go at the 'maybe' clothes. Not as ruthlessly as I intended, but I've since had 2 LB moments... 1) the insurance premium that I was paying till last week, can be used to buy good quality replacements, if necessary; and 2) I have, at least, 4 lots of quality wool knitting yarn in my stash, earmarked for 'me' sweaters! Tomorrow, I shall stick all the 'maybe' garments in the CS bag, along with (most of) the fear of the future! Reeeeesult!

Iqueen · 09/04/2015 20:36

Kongratulations, JKSLtd, on konverting Jane Asher to The Kult! Grin

JKSLtd · 09/04/2015 21:09

Haha, good one!

ShootPeppaPig · 09/04/2015 21:20

RejoiningBlush I fell off

Thought y'all were quiet the past week Grin

Iqueen · 09/04/2015 21:57

ShootPeppaPig Welcome back.

Posts have slowed here, but it was bloody hard to keep up just after Christmas! The fervour was very exciting and inspirational... but it left little time to do much kondoing! Grin

Some of us are still plodding on, and newbies join. No doubt you have been out with your gun, trying to catch some pork! Wink

Gibble1 · 09/04/2015 22:08

I have done precisely nothing today!
Maybe tomorrow. DS is off on scout camp and DD will be home from sea cadet camp and off on sea cadet camp(!) so I will be stationed at the ironing board (yay, says DH) and whipping out to buy DS a head torch if his hasn't arrived. So perhaps I can get something done then?

prettymess · 10/04/2015 09:10

I folded socks Kondo way. Whoa!

I still fold towels like Anthea Turner showed in Perfect Housewife and I just laughed at most of that show, but the towel folding actually made sense and worked!

Iqueen · 10/04/2015 09:26

I was throwing out orphaned socks, but now realise that they can be usefully balled, individually, used for mucky jobs, and tossed!

CycleChic · 10/04/2015 18:05

Not sure if I'll finish the papers this weekend- DH has said that Konodo ing is "moving too fast" and that he's fed up with the papers :( I am, too, but I've gone through more of them! Still, only the laundry basket full of his/our papers and half a box of mine and then I am out of this stage! even if he isn't Grin

IQueen, I did indeed thank the ty notes! Grin

Gibble1 · 10/04/2015 21:22

How does he mean it's moving too fast? Won't he be relieved that the papers are all done?
It's difficult innit?

CycleChic · 11/04/2015 07:44

I believe that translates into "I'm not into this Konodo thing and want to spend my spare time on something more fun so please can you stop asking me to deal withjoint papers? "

And yeah. Way difficult. Almost there with this stage! How's things going for you? Will you have more time today?

Gibble1 · 11/04/2015 09:07

I agree with him CycleChic but I would like my house to be liveable in one day so I am wading through the jobs in order to get the house done!
DD has brought much washing home so I get to plod on with that today.
My DH has no interest in kondoing either but he did actually clear the dining table the other night. Not that you can see it now.
I still have to educate people to not pile the table high with stuff and to put things away after themselves.
DS had 4 opportunities Thursday to put away his xbox stuff. He didn't so I warned home that anything I found left out would be bagged up and put away until the end of the month. So I did.