Kondo thread 10

[SnozzberryMincePie]

Just noticed the old thread was full, so hope no one minds me starting the new one

[JustWonderingZ]

It would be very helpful if the links, apps, videos etc people found useful could be pinned at the beginning of the thread. I remember somebody sharing a mobile app for electronic filing or online companies who buy used books, but there's no hope finding it amid 9000 posts

[Zippidydoodah]

If you search for the first kondo thread or the other earlier ones, links are on the original posts.

[Leviticus]

I've just finished the book and am in the middle of clothes. I'm finding it so hard. I just don't want to discard some things, even if I don't find them joy sparking (which I've interpreted as favourites in the pile, can't live without). I particularly struggled with bags (my love) and shoes and am still eyeing up the discarded pile.

I'm nowhere near down to a third of my original stuff, which is what she estimates in the book. I do regularly chazzer stuff anyway so I'm hoping that means I haven't completely failed.

Honestly - by how much have you reduced your stuff?

[QuerkyJo]

I think it takes a few goes round to let it go. I used to put stuff in boxes to see if I need it or miss it. 6 months down the line, I am finding it easier.

This is supposed to be a pleasurable thing, so if an item is giving you angst, I believe it is telling you that it has not reached it time to go.

[stumblymonkey]

Sold my VW dress for £150!

Still lots to sell...though the rest are 'normal' clothes but I reckon I will make at least £600 selling things I no longer need/use/want.

Which is just in time as we've had to pay £900 unexpectedly for DP to have a new old car as his broke and is beyond the point of it being economical to repair.

[stumblymonkey]

Levitcus...I reckon I've reduced by about 30-40% but I wasn't much of a hoarder to begin with.

I also do some more as I'm going...for example...if I pick up a book I haven't read yet and it's not 'sparking joy' after a chapter or two I get rid instead of just putting it down.

If I wear something that has been kept but realise when I'm wearing it that it really is not sparking joy for whatever reason it goes in the sell/charity pile as soon as it's been washed.

[Leviticus]

That's interesting Jo. I was thinking the angst was a sign it needed to go. I'm getting it in so many ways though. You know how sometimes you really want to like something you have but something about it pisses you off in the back of your mind? Like when it doesn't fit exactly how you want it to or there's some damage to it that only you know about but really takes the shine off it when you think about it? I think these things are telling me they should go. The things I keep shouldn't make me feel bad/sad should they? So easy written down...

[QuerkyJo]

I do know what you mean. I have a really nice soft, comfortable blouse. It looks so nice on. It fits perfectly BUT for some reason the buttons keep opening. So the only way I can wear it, is Open over vest top.

It nearly went this time round, but it is still there, laughing at me!

[Leviticus]

Can you see them shut and lift it over your head?

[Leviticus]

Sew of course.

Somebody's recently been paid billions for their autocorrect product you know!

[Zippidydoodah]

I would probably try making the button holes smaller with a couple of stitches in each one?

[ayria]

Can I jump on?
I read the book last year and did it at the end of Summer. I pretty much got through everything, including sentimental. But things happened and I lost track.

Just feel like I want to do it again as I am noticing things I want to get rid of and sort out. I feel like I'm ready to throw whatever I find unless I really love it, want it or need it. We're also meant to be moving at the end of the year so I guess it helps to know what things we're taking or not.

Also... I've read some people saying they couldn't afford to replace their wardrobe and clothes. Recently I have been buying second hand from ebay/charity shop, I never delved into it before but I have spent so much less on perfectly fine clothes than I would have if they were retail price. Now I pretty much buy what I can second hand and have saved so much.

I took down my old wardrobe last year and replaced it wth a clothes rail which made my room look bigger. It's easier to see what I have as well, and my rail is now full of clothes I'll wear rather than clothes I try to avoid if there's nothing else to wear.

Anyway, today more toys for the charity shop, more of my son's clothes, listed items on ebay, if they don't sell they're going off to the charity shop.

I have a question though!! I sat down and put all of my son's tracks together - he has no storage. There's no storage in the house whatsoever. Where do I put them? His room isn't the biggest. I wanted to see how many he had and whether there were any to get rid of or throw... turns out every little thing is still there so had no excuse to throw them. There are 2, though, that I may ebay or take to the charity shop if he pays no attention to them.

[Alwaysmaking21]

Been doing Kondo for a few months now- feeling less anxious- clothes folded in drawers is brilliant- echoing PP whose son loves his folded tee shirt drawer, mine does too, he chooses different tee shirts for different days, saving his particular favourites for certain activities- result. Paperwork was always cluttering my mind - my DH is pants at anything admin, doesn't put stuff away, but leaves letters/ papers randomly around or in bags. We did have a system of box files which worked in as much as things were largely filed in the right boxes- but we never discarded old/ irrelevant stuff- like old car insurance policies- the 20 page things they send you, or home insurance policy docs.. Or appliance manuals for appliances no longer in the house, or expired warranty documents- now however- I bought a double drawer low level filing cabinet with drop in folders and tadaaaa- made time and gathered all documents together- burnt loads, filed the test in tabbed folders- amazing- almost feel in control....... Desperately need to convert my husband- he admitted to friends this weekend that he has just been going through his tool collection and has 9 saws!! Eek

[CutYourHairAndGetAJob]

Whoever asked about toy storage - dd has an expedit unit in her room with the matching boxes, it holds loads.

I'm doing toys and kitchen stuff at the moment. Definitely gone out of order now but lots of stuff I need to do with dp around. Dp just wants to shove everything in the loft 'just in case'.

[WutheringFrights]

Have been lurking on the Kondo threads for ages and have finally bitten the bullet.

I ordered the book this morning but on the back of all the advice here have sorted my clothes.

I didn't think I had a huge amount as I gave a load to charity back in November.

Ir turns out I was wrong, and using the 'joy' method it got rid of a whole lot more.

I have loads of scarves, decorative rather than woolly, and I never ever wear them because they accentuate my double chin. I've just charity shopped all of them and regained an entire drawer!

Tights, Spanks, pop socks, old slightly holey socks, cardigans that have lost their shape, jumpers that make me look like a weeble, jeans that will never fit me again...all gone!

Then I started on the medicines and toiletries...I am bored rigid and all I am doing is wondering what lovely storage solutions I could buy to make them tidier.

Hmmm I think I need a cuppa!

[WutheringFrights]

Thanks Lions I've sorted the boring stuff into two baskets: medicine in one, toiletries in the other.

It probably needs further tidying as it's all a bit thrown in, but I've got rid of loads of stuff thats out of date, or half used and icky!

The top of my chest of drawers is now empty apart from a mirror and a coaster for my morning cup of coffee.

All my make up and hand creams etc are now tidily in the drawers where my underwear used to be - I haven't thrown all my undies away (as having a cold arse and saggy boobs does not bring me joy) but they are nearly folded in a different drawer

I feel better about that stage now that I've got through it a bit further.

This is so much fun!

Wondering how I am going to get DH enthused about it though. I've kondo'd his t-shirt drawer....baby steps...

[WutheringFrights]

Oh, and I put DH's hand cream, hair brush, spare watch etc in a basket on his chest of drawers...I can't see that going down well but it's tidy!

[Zippidydoodah]

I'm thinking of kondoing my dp's underwear drawer, as its a massive jumble! He'll love me for it, and will then jump right on the kondo wagon! (That's the plan, anyway!)

[IsItMeOr]

I've strictly followed MK's advice and not touched any of DH's stuff. However, we have reorganised the bathroom cabinet so that we have a shelf each, rather than both being shared shelves, and his is much tidier than either of them were before.

DH then suggested we did the same with a couple of drawers in our bedroom which we shared half & half. So I have a lovely tidy one (and his will barely shut...).

DH was worried when I was tidying books. Turned out he thought I might tell him he had to throw some of his away. My usually mild-mannered DH became very stressed until I was able to reassure him that I wasn't after his books.

So be warned - ignore MK's advice at your peril.

[WutheringFrights]

Ah. I will take heed...as soon as my book arrives in the post!

[Chottie]

Just to say hello again I'm busy MKing and am so happy with the results.

[building2016]

DH and I have just kondo'd our suitcases. Several going to charity shop tomorrow along with a ludicrous number of suit carriers. We NEVER wear suits.

Couldn't quite bring myself to pass on my gap year rucksack. Am not quite hanging onto it for my children's gap years. I do think it might be useful in time. But may let it go in time.