Getting towards the end of Kondoing and some thoughts!

[ApplePizza]

It's taken over a year!! I've had to do it in waves - whole house, then again, then again.

The only items I've regretted sending to a charity shop have bee not practical items, so have had to rethink what 'regular use' - sometimes biannually is still regular (thinking decorating items and suchlike).

'Sparks joy'. I was really, really (really!) sceptical about the idea of an item sparking joy. What I've found is that it's not often I get e feeling of pleasure (often it's a 'happy neutral' feeling), but I've been so surprised at the sheer number of items that spark a negative feeling! Often clothes that I don't wear, or memorabilia that has a negative emotion attached (I don't even know why anymore).

I've felt a weight lifting (that I didn't know existed) the more I've decluttered.

My house feels happier - I'm not surrounded by stuff with a negative emotion attached. It's easier to keep tidy - not minimalist, but no clutter and space to put items.

I have more energy, not being surrounded by baggage.

I'm buying less - the realisation of how much stuff is just not necessary has been an eye opener. I'm much more conscious now that I don't have to go through this process again.

I'm not quite finished, but for the first time, I can see that I'm nearly there!

I hope this inspires other people

Have been practical items, not bee not

And this was supposed to be in Good Housekeeping, not chat. I'll ask for it to be moved

Ooh that's interesting, thank you for the update. I need to re-read the book and start again I have an entire room upstairs that I can't even open the door on because it's so full of stuff.

I need to start a big declutter, and these MK threads always inspire me to give it a go. So:

• Do you need to read the book first?
• If so, is it the sort of book that works on a kindle (eg some picture-heavy books don't, ime).

It would be ironic if you needed to add to your clutter by buying the hardcopy book first!

The sparks joy thing actually works. I got rid of everything related to my ex, eg jewellery he gave me, even a pair of socks I got for Christmas. It all went!

I didn't buy the book (as I'd have to decluttering it later ), I googled blogs - there's loads out there. Plus threads on here (which is why I've added my own thread).

There might be something I missed, but there's certainly enough out there to get going with.

I have it on my kindle. I don't remember there being any books. I started and then stopped. I must have another go.

I mean, I dont remember there being any pictures. Sorry!

We did it nearly to the end (sentimental didn't get done) and it made a massive difference for all the reasons you said. I could do with starting over TBH.

Thanks for this OP. I am in need of decluttering.
I have the Marie Kondo book. I've borrowed it from the library again.
It doesn't take long to read and you can get the advice on folding on MN.

I've just in the process of the sentimental (finished for now, but I know I'll need at least kne more go).

The sentimental items that have gone have given (maybe bit surprisingly) the most emotional relief.

I had a pile of old letters that I couldn't get rid of until now. I kept them in a box hidden away and never looked at them because they made me feel sad (about death of a family member etc.). They've now gone and I can't believe how happy I feel about that. The content also such that I wouldn't want anyone else reading - not bad, but just personal. Future generations can look through my old emails/ online content! I can remember the good things about that's member without the letters bringing back all of the bad emotions (some of which I had forgotten until looking at them).

Maybe not for everyone, but I do feel better for it.

I've kept 95% of photos - got rid of blurry/ cut off ones. But now, I they are organised - I could sit through them and look at them now. I never did that before. Any photo that sparked a negative feeling has gone.

I really wish I'd done it years ago.

I did it 18 months ago.
The book is brilliant and very easy reading.
I have no regrets at all.
The only thing is that it has made shopping almost impossible as nothing sparks enough joy to purchase it!!

The only thing is that it has made shopping almost impossible as nothing sparks enough joy to purchase it!!

Yes that's so true! I'm much more pragmatic about what I buy now. (Wish that applied to food as well, though).

I started last year and ran out of steam (working full time, toddler DS etc) but I have next week off and I'm keeping DS in nursery for 3 days so I can crack on again. I'm really excited.

I am mid Kondoing. Just dropped 4 bags of clothes, shoes and handbags off at the charity shop and already feel so much lighter. Why did I have so much crap I didn't even like?!

Does anybody else find the folding methods really satisfying?
Especially rolling tights up like sushi, it gives me a thrill to see them in the drawer, all coiled and ready to use, instead of tangled in a 6 legged knot.

Hmmm... DP sent me a Houzz article on how to live with a messy person me

I need this book, dont i?

My house used to get messy as soon as people woke up, now the default setting is more or less tidy! I think it's because by clearing out clutter, I've got space to put stuff.

I'm going to do one more round of the kitchen this week, but I've just about finished there.

The bathroom is as good as done.

It's just to go through toys again, but that's the sticking point - I think I'm down to the things they play with and can't get rid of them, but the space doesn't work yet. Not sure how to go about that.

I've done the paperwork, but need to sort work paperwork (that comes home).

It feels so good to see the end in sight!

I did my clothes a couple of months ago and they are still being folded neatly. I have also done some elements of the kitchen and some books but I need to continue (I went on holiday) now.

I've done similar, and the thing which made me feel a lot happier was getting rid of purchases which had been a mistake. These were mainly clothes & shoes - heels which were too high for me, a dress which didn't suit me etc, and I'd keep spotting them in my wardrobe & thinking 'that was such a waste of money'. But once I'd acknowledged my mistake and then ebayed/charity-shopped then all, I've got rid of that negative emotion. I'm also a lot more mindful about what I buy now, I hate to think how much money has gone down the drain from clothes which I rarely wore.

I love reading about people who have got to the end of KM. I have been on paperwork for ages now, but still plodding on. I'm trying really hard to be disciplined about doing it the right way because I'd love to just get on with komono, but I know getting papers sorted will be a huge relief. Only thing I haven't followed so far is doing books second - partly because I culled books quite recently, but also because they are really a sentimental thing for me and I know will be hard to do, so am leaving the rest for the sentimental category.

MamehaSan personally I like having the book as I go back to it now and then to re-read bits and look for more inspiration. I have both books but Life Changing Magic is the one you need - I found Spark Joy a bit repetitive and not really necessary, whereas LCM is really inspiring.

It's interesting what you say ApplePizza about doing it again and again, as already I can see that some of my remaining clothes don't get used and don't really spark joy, so I'm sort of looking forward to re-doing them when I've finished.

The big light bulb moment for me was realising that I could never sort out the mess unless I got rid of at least half of it. I would 100% recommend KM to anyone. Already my stress has decreased and my life is easier, just from having clothes and half my paperwork done.

I've only really got as far as the sock drawer and even that has now regressed - I have stopped rolling..

I have the book on Kindle so tend to forget about it but don't want to buy a hard copy as books are a problem area anyway.

But kids toys are getting cut down massively so I think it's a kick start for a proper attempt.

I have stopped buying clothes and other random stuff that I don't need and that's a big plus.

Can someone give me a rough idea of the concept please?

Overall the plan is get rid of all the stuff you don't need and / or don't like!

She has an order she thinks is best to do this in.

Begin by collecting together all the items you own in one (sub)category.

My specialist area is clothing, sub category: socks. So I collected all the socks together, the hiking or ski socks get gathered in too . Then discard what doesn't spark joy! ( Even if that joy is simply that of a non holey pair that will keep me warm!)

She gives some good ideas on storing your remaining "joyful" stuff.

It's meant to be done once to reset your way of living with your possessions.