Need Kondo-esque inspiration

[PorthCove]

So much to sort, piles of stuff I've accumulated and never use. Mainly clothes but also old old documents and ancient rubbish. Today's the day. I need some inspiration to get me through it. Any useful Kondo-y mantras I should keep in mind?

Have you read Marie Kondo's book? Truly life changing and amazing. The premise is very simple, sort by category not location. So for example start with your clothes, gather them all together in one place (yes seriously!), then pick up each item one by one, and decide if it 'sparks joy'. Sounds daft, but that's it! Don't buy any storage until you've finished, as generally you end up getting rid of so much, you don't need more storage. Keep any things like shoe boxes as you go along, as these can be used for things like drawer dividers. Good luck!

Thanks Nuzzle - I started to read it a while ago and gave up because the task seemed so overwhelming and I couldn't connect with Kondo's overzealousness. But I really need to take some lessons away from her. I think on the Kondo spectrum (with her at the top) I'd be happy to sit in the middle. But I'm at the other end!!

I read the book and found it useful. I then found it really useful to have the audiobook on (available on YouTube) whilst I actually decluttered.
The biggest thing she said, for me, was about gifts. Throwing it away (whether that be to the bin, recycling or donating) doesn't diminish the joy you felt at receiving it, or the fact that it symbolises someone cared enough to give it to you. It really helped me get around the fact that I don't need a reminder that in the run up to Christmas of 2011 my great aunt Marjorie cared enough to buy me a plastic vase - I know she cares, so I don't need the vase as proof. (Marie Kondo words it much more eloquently and convincingly - there's more to it but it's been a long time since I read the book).

Good luck :)

One thing that helped me to get rid of loads of unwanted gifts was 'the purpose of a gift is to be received' - so once you have thanked the giver and all that ceremony is over, you can release the item (if it doesnt spark joy for you) as it has fulfilled its purpose.

Also, clothes you never wear have fulfilled the task of teaching you what doesnt suit you - so you can 'thank them for their service' and send them on their way.

Other people dont feel the need to stuff their lovely homes with junk they dont want so you dont have to do it either. It is okay to get rid of something just because you dont want it. That is a good enough reason.

Great advice on the clothes. I'm really terrible at hoarding clothes I'll never wear. And shoes. And products (body creams etc) that I've bought, not liked and replaced. Don't get me started on the boxes of old work documents! Do you all have totally uncluttered houses post-Kondo and have you managed to maintain it?

I'm in the process and I find the house so much easier to stay on top of. And because I am enjoying our home again, I am very careful of what I bring in. And this means that I am thinking and spending more thoughtfully, iyswim.

My husband's guitars being out used to drive me mad, but now I see that it was just all the other things which, added together, became overwhelming and made me resent items. Now that we've decluttered the living room, his guitars look lovely being out and it sparks joy for both of us - he loves his instruments and I love watching him play.

MK method has let me reclaim the peace and joy in our house, as hippy-hippy as that seeounds :/

I've decluttered and maintained it. Oh has spaces (his office and sheds) where he can be messy. I also allow my "office" (sewing mostly) to be a little messier, but I don't allow the accumulation of unwanted crap or doubling up on things and regularly sort through wardrobes and cupboards nowadays. Go for it op, but don't expect to do it in a day - I did it over the course of about 14/16 months because I found it hard to learn what to let go of!

I've only dipped into it, but the bits I've done have stayed sorted for months if not years. I'm just not very good at getting on to the harder bits. But hey, it's better than nothing.

I'd say we are halfway through kondo-ing our house and it has been life changing and is definitely destressing me! I've not long read the book and I discussed it with DH as I read along and he is a convert too!

I haven't read the book but have read a lot of threads on here to know about it.

Pick up item A, um and ah about if you really need it... Then put it in a place where it should live (and put it back thee each time you have worn/used it). Or chuck* it.

That's it. The 'sparking joy' bit is too twee for me, the 'thanking it for it's service' is too beyond wanky, for me. For me. As is getting all my clothes out on the bed at once - too overwhelming, and I don't own much!

Start with a drawer or shelf. Have some boxes/bags handy: charity shop/recycling/re-gift/bin. I took photos of loads of things in good condition and whatsapped friends: do you want this vase? These cookie cutters? Scarf? I gave LOADS away to grateful friends - some of those things ended up as gifts for others (eg friend took scarf, gifted to her mother).

I wouldn't hold anything back to put on Ebay as you'll never get round to doing it. Unless you could invite a couple of friends round for cheese and wine, one takes ohotos, you dictate the description, other friend types it all up.

• "chuck it" to me means charity shop/regift, not necessarily bin.

I'm trying to do a big clear out at the moment. It takes ages. Paperwork is the worst for me.

What's the advice on storage boxes for little bits (wires, random stuff that has no specific place)? And any tips on storage? Really getting loads out of the advice on here - cheers!

Don't buy storage first.

In fact dont buy storage afterwards but use what you have : shoe boxes were a favourite!

I think she is suggesting that the focus be on reducing the possessions down to what you need / love, not what can fit in a particular storage box.

See Jona that's where I'm always going wrong! I want to buy more stuff in order to declutter

I think it takes a while to get into the proper mindset. As a staunch Kondo follower I will give you, what I have found the 3 most useful tips which have kept me clutter free for 3 years.

the same thing in the same place is really useful. Especially when I discovered that my very healthy DH had 7 bottles of cough mixture all the same. All with one or two doses taken out. Also scattered around the house, were enough remedies to start a pharmacy. Now we have one small first aid box.

It is ok to buy storage but go back to it every 6 months as the process will make you stronger. I bought a pretty box for stationery. We had various writing pads, loads of envelopes, staplers, staple removers, various clips, a hole punch and files. I stored them In a beautiful box, but never used any of the contents. The box just made tidier clutter. At first I could not throw all the stuff out, but later came to realise I needed only 1 pad and a few envelopes. This stuff had not been used for years. The pad and envelope that was saved has not been used for 2 years, but it takes up so litttle space.

Finally, and I should have put this first, download and print the 200 Marie Kondo declutter list and put it somewhere prominent. No one who runs a home and works and has a life can possibly follow the book religiously. Taking every item out of your wardrobe takes forever. Find a small category from the list and work on that. It gives you an unbelievable sense of achievement. The space it frees up is a joy to behold. Gradually you get better and more ruthless and it becomes a joy not a chore.

My favourite place in my whole house is my cupboard under the stairs. Every time I open it I get a smug self satisfied glow over me.

I think the only place I successfully emptied and decluttered in one go was the small hall closet which is home to seasonal coats and other bits we use regularly.

Doing the wardrobes that way would be too much mayhem.

I found the quickest way to do clothes was by item or colour. So everything that is black or every cardigan. I started with, only fit for housework/gardening - bin it. Does not fit or does not suit charity shop.
Really like it back in the wardrobe. Not sure - into a box for later sorting.
Never once have I gone to my wardrobe thinking I wish I had not given away such and such. I am also much more restrained now when I buy clothes. I ask my self do I absolutely love this and does it go with any thing else I own. I try also, when I add something new to take something for the charity shop.

Also, if you haven't used something for a year or so (barring seasonal stuff, like Xmas decorations, fans, portable heaters etc), but are saving it for 'just in case' ask yourself if it can be easily replaced for under £20 when you actually come to need it. If the answer is yes, then let go of it.

And chances are you'll never end up replacing it anyway!

A bit different for clothes though - maybe you have a handful of outfits you know you would definitely wear again for a formal occasion that may not happen yearly - I.e. Black tie/weddings/funeral/job interview

Gruumbleweec - where can I get the '200 Marie Kondo declutter list ' from ?

I am no good a links but if you just google Marie Kondo Declutter list I think it comes up.

Or try KonMari declutter list

It sure if this link will work jershaanddup.com konmari checklist

Thanks for the link. I just need to get off the sofa and actually do something now!

I've just about finished. Few bits in the kitchen left to do, but honestly it has made my life so much better. I have got rid of probably 3/4 of my stuff - you don't have to go this far of course, but now everything has a place.

It is an absolute joy to be able to find things immediately when you need them. Putting on clothes is nice because I can see what I have an I like them all. It has made me more mentally relaxed too, I think it's just the environment.

Be ruthless. I haven't missed anything, and it much more mindful about what I buy now, which has also saved me some cash!