KONDO Thread 9

[Iqueen]

Kondo your Home and your Life. Live the JOY!

I've been reading the posts in this thread and I liked the idea with the cables and putting them in bags. I may need to do that!

I'm going through my sons toys and there's a couple electric ones that no longer work - should I bother donating these?
I don't know if I'd feel guilty giving them a toy that doesn't work, but I know they get checked and they will probably throw it... NO idea.

They're not broken, they just don't make sounds like they're meant to any more... So far I have 2 bags of toys to donate and don't know what to do with the Iggle Piggle that doesn't work any more. It's a stiff stand up toy that's meant to sing so it's not like it's a cuddly toy... (obviously I'm hung up on this issue, ha!)

I have now got rid of every piece of clothing that was handed down to me by my sister! She has been giving me her clothes from the age of about 10, so now it's all gone, plus I'm not in a good place with her right now. So yeah - bye bye!

I haven't got round to actually donating stuff yet, but the pile is growing. I should drop some round this week. I also have a lot to go to the tip! If only I could drive...

I have pretty much done all the categories. I wouldn't say I'm finished. Just need to sort the attic and I know that all I need up there is the christmas tree! And the outside cupboard but stuff in there is in the outside cupboard because it's lingering around before it goes. So I did sentimental.

SO...
I just ripped out the pages in the scrapbook I made during my pregnancy that I didn't feel happy about. I got rid of all the congratulations cards and the baby balloons. Ripped up anything with the hospital name on. I ripped it up so I couldn't dither over it. Then binned it all.

I came to a conclusion that my son wont care about his birth or my pregnancy necessarily so why have it there for years, causing me upset, for him to have a 5 minute browse through and then not look at it again when he's older? It's just upsetting that I had no idea what was going to happen to me.
I did it in anticipation for his birth. It kept me occupied. Now it's done. All I need is the things that bring happy memories of that time.

All that's left of sentimental now is cards from my nan, my son's baby wristbands, 1st birthday, his paintings and progressive hand/footprints. Obviously photos from when he was a baby. I can look at them now without the hurt. His cod clamp is in my pocket and I'm going to throw it in the bin...

I got rid of a load of old college work I hated seeing. I did a lot of research that I forgot about! Now I have 3 bags of recycling.

I have bags to sell or donate and bags to throw or shred. I don't feel like there's a bad presence lurking in my cupboard now. I don't regret it.

*cord clamp

Theregoes- great work, well done! If that's not the purpose of kondoing, to get rid of stuff/memories that drag you down, then I don't know what is. I can't wait to get to my study and get rid of the teaching crap;I'll feel a tonne lighter!

Phew, thank you! I was actually nervous, with butterflies in my stomach, approaching it. I really thought I would find it harder than I did, but I feel SO much better for doing it. With the left overs I'm going to make a new fresh scrapbook/photo album and I have A3 wallet folder things for the big stuff. Still a long way to go though, ha!

Hi all, it's missmakesstuff under a new username. Just caught up on the thread, I've been trying and failing to continue with the momentum since I did paperwork a few weeks ago. I did get to clear out my massive fabric stash, l realised that hoarding loads of fabric was just making me feel guilty for not making things! So I've just kept the bits I love, did the same with all my equipment and will soon move on to beads and unfinished jewellery projects. Hoping to get to a state where I can actually access the things I have and make things with them!
Just a bit stuck now as ds just will not sleep for longer than 20 mins if nor being held, plus is just miserable if I'm not lying on the floor with him playing, I find it so hard to get even the basic stuff done, let alone decluttering!
I really need to get the bags of things out of the house, to charity, to the dump, etc. I can never seem to finish a category properly.

Congratulations mrsursa on your news. Agree that babies really don't need that much but what they do need is often huge! But it's all outgrown very quickly, first time round, 5 years ago, we put it all away but this time I'm enjoying just giving it away as soon as we're done with it all. Luckily I know lots of pregnant people!
Well done too Theregoes I'm glad you found a bit of peace from getting rid of things. I'm just putting my sentimental items aside for now but I've bought two frames where I'll put just a few bits from both my children's births and then the rest can go. You're right, it's not going to be of interest to them and it can drag you down.

Once I've finished crafts I'm going to move on to dvd/cd's. We have tons. I'm pretty sure we can get rid of at least two thirds and the rest I'll rip to the hard drive.
I've got 10 weeks until I'm back at work, what are the chances of me getting every category done by then?

Hello, can I join in having not yet read the book ? I am trying to remove the sense of ' jobs undone ' hanging over me; that list of things to sort which never goes away. I want to achieve this and be fully living in the moment, I think this may be the way to go. My house got extended 2 years ago, I was disappointed to find that it did not become self-tidying ! ( I had thought more space meant less clutter somehow, how wrong I was )

Just read the Kondo book cover to cover after seeing this thread pop up on MN from time to time and got all inspired! So far I have kondoed (not exactly in her correct order but using the 'does this spark joy?' method:

• the biggest storage cupboard in the house full of kitchen stuff/paper/random items
• my clothes drawers
• the top of the piano
• the bathroom cupboard
• the shoe/entry bit to the house

All very cluttered with stuff we didn't really need. It feels good to have space and only have nice joy-bringing things in each space. Next stop is books.

Off to read the rest of the thread for inspiration!

Hello Breakfast and Mad!

Thank you Youcantscareme - just glad it's done now. It was niggling at me when I was doing the rest.

I haven't been doing much 'Kondoing' recently which is a bit annoying. I need to get unwanted stuff out really before I do anymore, but it looks like one of the charity shops near me has closed down! It was empty with blank windows when I walked past the other day, bit sad. Apparently there's a new open called Vista though. I've never heard of it before but it's meant to be the first opening here. It's a sight loss charity.

Oh, BTW, it's me, ThereGoes - I NC'd.

Just place marking - was on here previously with different name. Am mid-kondo - it's a work in progress :-) which is behind schedule due to illness and injury. But, just having kondo'do clothes, books, papers, DVDS and a few other small komono categories, my house and life just feel so much lighter, easier to organise and keep clean and on top of things. I just devised my own wunderlist category of 'things left to kondo' which has 27 categories on it- some are 10 minute jobs or less (can't imagine 'bathroom cleaning supplies' will take long!) others may take hours (equally dreading and really looking forward to 'sheet music'!). I have another 4 weeks signed off work, although am reasonably capable following recovery from injury- so am hoping to do as much as possible in the next few weeks!

Hello again everyone,

Youcantscareme I also tackled my fabric stash after reading your post. I had an enormous sack of off cuts, old clothes and other salvaged stuff that I was keeping "just in case" it came in useful. However, it made me miserable every time I saw it in a heap cluttering my dining room and reminding me I still haven't got round to making something with it.

So, I went through it this afternoon, only keeping the bits that really made me smile or were far too good to throw away. I now have a much smaller carrier bag of neatly folded, inspiring pieces that have a proper home on my craft shelf next to my sewing machine. The rest I will take to the charity shop tomorrow.

I feel so much happier and rather relieved I have made a decision about it all!

Good work this week - nearly £100 on Ebay including getting rid of the fire surround MrNC picked up on Freecycle but didn't work in our house, which is great as it kept being in the way. I have another dozen items to list, though many need to be hidden from the kids! I have gone through another paperwork mountain - anyone would think MrNC exhaled the stuff - and found a cheque for £35 which expires next week, so that is lucky!

Freecycle has led to some other things going, though annoyingly the old pushchair has not been collected - it's outside now and if it gets stolen, that solves that one. A lovely woman collected my bead collection, which made me very happy as I can't hold them any more and they wouldn't sell for much.

How many receipts and bills do people keep? I chuck clothes receipts after they've been washed, but now just had a pair of trousers wear through which I bought only 4 weeks ago...

Kondo magic is still going strong. DH had an appointment this week with a guy he hadn't seen for a few months. He too has quit a job that didn't bring him joy after being inspired by DH (who was encouraged by me after being inspired by KM)!

Currently 24 weeks pg now and still 2st lighter than when I bought the book! So without this large bump I will be even lighter. I

I am being critical with any aternity.clothes being loaned to me. I try them on and hand back immediately if they aren't joyful- politely of course!

Kondoed my clothes yesterday and took bags and bags to the charity shop collection bins today. I'd been holding on to some things for nearly ten years, just out of habit really. However they no longer spark joy so off they go, after being thanked for their service of course.

Konmari is right about the tidying rubbing off on people - DH spontaneously cleaned the kitchen for no apparent reason today and has sorted his clothes too. She is also right about not letting people see what you're chucking. My mum and sister spotted my charity shop piles and started sifting through the books and jewellery and I know they won't wear/read what they took!

Hi - can I join? I read the Kondo book last week and was really inspired - then came down with a nasty bug and haven't been able to do very much! But I finally Kondoed my wardrobe yesterday and took two binliners to the charity shop.

I did find though that there were clothes which - while not sparking much joy - had to be kept or I'd have nothing to wear! Price has been the main driver behind most purchases. But some - especially the big cardi I wear at home in the evenings- are on notice. I've faced the fact I don't like them - just need to wait to replace them...

We have now got rid of another huge wardrobe in our spare room! DH wanted to keep it "just in case" but we have had it for 10 yyears so we got our monies worth for the ?60 it cost in Ikea. DSis needs a wardrobe for her spare room so she is collecting it on Tues.

Our rooms are

Our rooms are almost all being used for their intended purposes and not just for unnecessary storage of unnecessary items! How joyful!

Dipping my toe in here, preparing for a plunge!

I was rereading the book this weekend and I think it's time to give it a go. I know it won't be totally done in 6 months (or ever to be frank) because of the other people in the house.

Its my birthday next week and so far I have received a duplicate kitchen item (I have lived away from home for 10 yrs so how does the gift giver think I've been cooking for that time?!) and a very brightly coloured accessory that doesn't go with anything I own. Apparently it will "brighten me up"

Hello, creeping back on after a long no time away to celebrate my husband Kondoing 3 massive bin bags of clothes! Huzzah!

I did some good kondo-ing yesterday- took an entire carload of cardboard boxes to the tip. I'd kept the box for every single electrical item or appliance I own. Why, I don't know! Even if/when I move, things like a radio or a blender do not need to be in their own box to move!

It's created more room in my storage space (so things like Xmas decorations and guest bedding can go up there now, rather than taking up useful everyday space), and my bedroom feels a lot more spacious because some were stacked/shoved down the side of the wardrobe.

I was a bit naughty in that I found a gorgeous purple glass vase in the bottle bin at the tip and bought it home - BUT 1. It gives me true joy, it is beautiful and 2. I will now throw away another vase which I've had for ages, but is now chipped and makes me a bit sad when I use it. So 'new' beautiful purple vase will replace old sad chipped vase. No extra stuff in my life, just more joyful stuff!

stiffsink my birthday is coming up too, it's difficult isn't it!

The duplicate kitchen item, does it give you more joy than your old one? As for accessory that just isn't you....I know the feeling . I keep them a short while and make sure she sees me wearing it once or twice out of politeness then it goes! Because all I feel when I look at them is guilt and obligation, not joy.

Stiff that's a bit of a backhanded compliment isn't it!

Argh I don't know how to kondo this set of fancy cups I was given by a close relative. They do NOT spark any kind of joy, but I know she spent a long time searching out the 'perfect' ones for me and I can't bring myself to just get rid of them

I completely get the unwanted or peculiar presents; the feeling of having to hold onto these things, at least for a while. However, I seem to remember KonMarie saying once the act of giving has taken place, the item has fulfilled its purpose. It has symbolised the giver's feelings for the recipient, the receiver thanks the giver and gives them pleasure in turn. It's the act of giving/receiving that is the thing to be treasured, you don't need the item to keep that moment real. Does that make sense? or am I sounding as crazy as KonMarie now?!

I'm pretty sure I have finished kondoing my clothes! I have so so much less now, but it just feels right

So, what's next?!

I'm still stuck on dvds, in fact I've not even started! I'm finding it so hard to get time to get everything out and go through it. Also, some things have to be run past dh, like the gazillion cables that I have no idea what to do with, as if I throw them away you can betcha one will be the important one....

Yup, Enabling it's other people who stop me getting my life kondo'd!