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Original poster

I've been Konmari-ing my clothes ...

36 replies

SonnyNoChance · 21/09/2015 14:47

For 30 mins and I've got 5 bin bags.

A couple things I felt bad about ... So I extra thanked them.

This is so fun ! I've wanted to minimalise forever.

OP posts:
ThereGoesaTenner · 22/09/2015 17:03

I've only just heard about this woman and started reading about her (am a bit tempted to get her book?) I already did my clothes and my son's a couple weeks ago and did have bit of a clear out of some other things. Now have a big bag of clothes and 2 smaller bags of misc stuff and some chunky things I don't know what to do with. I thought I did a good job until I came across her! Hmm

I do find I keep clothes and things out of habit though.

RedMapleLeaf · 23/09/2015 20:47

What are her principles when it comes to sorting out your wardrobe then?

poocatcherchampion · 23/09/2015 20:51

Oh it is great fun. I more than halfed the newborn clothes the other day in only about 20 mins . what joy!!

Original poster
SonnyNoChance · 23/09/2015 20:56

You catagorise everything (tops, bottoms), hold each peice and see if you can feel joy.

I have read the book and doing it all by the letter.

OP posts:
RedMapleLeaf · 23/09/2015 21:00

I was certainly not expecting that answer!

Original poster
SonnyNoChance · 25/09/2015 14:05

Most people aren't ! It works ! I had a lovely expensive sequin party top!
It's heavy! It's uncomfortable ! No joy!
CHARITY SHOP!!
Simples Wine

OP posts:
hookedonamoonagedaydreem · 26/09/2015 08:34

I did the kondo book in January. It's brilliant. I think once you have had the initial clear out the trick is to do it continuously. There are a few items that sparked joy in January but have now served their purpose, so they have had to go.

I also do it in the shop changing room, if it doesn't spark joy then I don't buy it in the first place, the old me used to buy stuff that just did the job.

With the kondo method you have the excuse to keep stuff you love rather than follow the 'not worn for 2 years' rule. I was a bit cold yesterday though as my cardigans all sparked despair, so that all went...

Sapele · 26/09/2015 08:37

LOL at the cardigans!!! Grin

First time I have read about this, it sounds epic.

I kind of already do it though; emotional decluttering. I keep old stuff if it makes me happy.

randomsabreuse · 26/09/2015 08:41

How does it work for practical things? Can't really see the joy in a cagoule/waterproof trousers but wouldn't be without! Assume it doesn't apply to undies either. Or uniform.

Need to bully my DH into serious decluttering - already working on me but don't own 5 bin bags of clothes!

hookedonamoonagedaydreem · 26/09/2015 10:45

Apparently if we read the book in Japanese we would understand the 'bringing joy' concept better, the Japanese word that is used is meant to mean more than just joy, but also that the item sort of 'fits' or 'feels right'.

Some of my practical items did make me feels really un-joyful (or sparked despair, as my pp), either because they fit badly, made me look awful or because they bought back negative memories. Other practical stuff just felt right iyswim.

I definitely applied the joy concept to undies!

ThereGoesaTenner · 26/09/2015 21:57

I'm taking this very seriously and am applying it to everything! Obviously you have to keep essentials, but if they aren't used frequently, they can be kept away. Everything in your home has a purpose, does that purpose bring joy? Basically.
Eg. If you don't have work clothes, you can't necessarily work, and if you can't work, you can't get money.

My cooker doesn't "spark joy" as I hate food and cooking, but it's nice to have my son eating, ha!

I only got the bloody thing to fill in the gap in the kitchen!

GardeningWithDynamite · 26/09/2015 22:19

I've read the book and got rid of loads of my clothes and stuff. However, I can't help but think that she lives alone and doesn't have to factor in the randomness of small children. For instance, does she have to check the washing machine/oven/drawers/cupboards for stray toy cars? Does she have a small person handing her blocks at random points throughout the house. Does she have to constantly move her possessions to a higher shelf to avoid said small person breaking them/hurting themselves?

I do agree that a lot of the things I've got rid of I would never use anyway.

ThereGoesaTenner · 26/09/2015 23:09

I questioned that. Obviously you put things away in an appropriate place where kids can't get them. If you have a small house you don't have to think about the traffic flow of rooms as it'll take a second to get them. I've ended up getting rid of 2 more bags of clothes.
I sat there reading the book from page to page last night. Blush

Original poster
SonnyNoChance · 26/09/2015 23:10

I'm dreading the odds and sods purging if got billions Blush

OP posts:
GardeningWithDynamite · 27/09/2015 10:32

I think we need to put child catches on all our drawers and cupboards then. There's just no space otherwise because I'd be leaving 6 drawers and 5 cupboards empty in the kitchen.

LittleRedSparkle · 27/09/2015 12:13

I've just done my wardrobe. ...
Shattered now
Thrown loads but still feel cluttered

Original poster
SonnyNoChance · 27/09/2015 12:38

It is a bit exhausting but worth it, isn't it Grin.
I'm quite lucky it won't take me 6 months like the book suggests.

OP posts:
hookedonamoonagedaydreem · 27/09/2015 13:36

I wonder if she will ever have DC's and then write anther version of her book!

Neddyteddy · 29/09/2015 05:42

I have 4 boys and Marie kondo'd my house a year ago. It was drastic and left us with about half the amount of stuff and 1k in my pocket. We sold lots on FB and through NCT sales. The initial declutter/getting rid of stuff took three months of 15 hours a week. I would often go through a category two or three times to really stream line it. Camping gear, present cupboards, the garage, every item of clothing stored for present/future use, the horrendous kitchen drawers of clutter, the kids toys, the bedding, the boxes photos, the boxes of paperwork and so on. We now each have three drawers of clothes each! Once completely decluttered, I could work out what storage was needed and what furniture we could sell. It was a completely life changing experience

I had a second sweep through the house more recently and managed to get rid of 4 black bags with of stuff. Mostly small kids clothes. Made another £100 selling through an NCT sale

DiamondoInTheSky · 29/09/2015 05:50

I just don't understand the theory - so many items of clothes wouldn't bring joy because they are practical - but you have to have them. Also a lot of clothes don't bring me joy but that's because of my body doesn't bring me joy - nothing I put on would every bring me joy.

Ditto the house - spare buttons bring no joy but you need them, same with tool boxes or whatever!

Sorry it just sounds daft.

BarryMerry · 29/09/2015 13:43

Combine it with the William Morris philosophy of have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be useful. "Sparking joy" alone doesn't work with mundane practical things, as you recognise.

BarryMerry · 29/09/2015 13:50

*believe to be beautiful, doh.

Moodykat · 29/09/2015 14:15

My friends were mocking me about it - until they saw DS2's clothes (the only ones I have had time to do!). I am about to change jobs and my new part time hours mean I can Kondo the rest of the house and I CANNOT wait to get it done!!

It might sound daft but reading the book makes it much easier to understand!

poocatcherchampion · 29/09/2015 16:54

My jar of buttons brings me joy. It is displayed in my kitchen.

ThereGoesaTenner · 29/09/2015 20:52

hooked She would only keep the one that sparked joy, then shove it in a shoe box on the bookshelf in the cupboard. Organised!

My DP is so dismissive about it, he also thinks it's ridiculous. But I am tempted to prove him wrong and make him STFU! It's worked so far, I'm just starting the komono tomorrow.

His tools bring me joy (I guess) as he puts my pictures, shelves, mirrors and towel rails on the wall. Smile

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