Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Original poster

Life-changing magic of kondo-ing in 2018 ( Kondo thread 11)

71 replies

Gammeldragz · 07/01/2018 23:29

A new thread for a new year. Come and join us in freeing your home from clutter, keeping only those items which spark joy (in a practical or beautiful way) and keeping everything neat and tidy. It isn't essential to read the book, but if you can it is entertaining and endearing as well as helpful. Some great YouTube videos are available to show 'correct folding method' - I have actually kept my knickers neat and folded since my first Kondo effort several years ago and that part is indeed life changing!
Everything is tackled in categories, the focus is on gathering every item for that category together before sorting - each item must be held and the decision to keep or throw made item by item. Only once the fate of everything in the category has been decided on do you even thing about storage. There is a 'correct' order, but you can be flexible.
Info on the Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up - The KonMari Method konmari.com/
www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/nov/27/top-tips-to-joyfully-declutter-your-home-from-marie-kondo

OP posts:
DressAndGo · 10/01/2018 11:50

This morning, I wandered around my house thinking how nice it was that everywhere was tidy and now I have single handedly messed it up!

I've been going through old work items - what do I genuinely need to keep for furture jobs and what needs to go? I've kondoed about 2/3!

I'm also gathering books and stationery into one area (I had already done pens, but need paper and envelopes in the same place).

It's now what to do with it - sell, give away or charity shop...

DressAndGo · 10/01/2018 11:55

Thank you!

I've been through in her order, but these are the areas I think need redoing.

I've decided to do books (but incorporating work items) first. I have books in cupboards and I need to sort them to make space. I will need some when I go back to work properly, but I'm trying to work out which genuinely need keeping and which will never really be useful.

MessySurfaces · 10/01/2018 12:00

If you could replace the relatively easily- get rid of in doubt!

ShotsFired · 10/01/2018 12:13

I am scared. Last year I carefully roll-folded-whatever all my t shirts and similar tops.

That drawer is just as crammed full as it ever was, but I know I haven't gone beyond the top layer.

But what if I ruthlessly Kondo all which lies beneath in the undisturbed sediment; and then find out I DESPERATELY NEEDED one of those items? WHAT THEN? Shock Shock Shock

MessySurfaces · 10/01/2018 12:22

You will EXPLODE!

In reality you will:
-use something else
-buy a replacement

Probably the first option. Dullsville

MessySurfaces · 10/01/2018 12:25

In actual fact once you've got rid of most of it, your faves will shine like beacons and you will gaily skip to the drawer to dress, laughing merrily as you save time and headspace, reaching in for the perfect garment, effortlessly. Or something Grin

Original poster
Gammeldragz · 10/01/2018 13:39

I often wish I could bin all my clothed and buy a whole new wardrobe - none of my clothes really spark joy...
I may Kondo books this afternoon, I have an hour and a half. Need to vacuum first though.

OP posts:
Jubaloo442 · 10/01/2018 13:51

Ooh I missed this thread! Can I join? I’m finishing my training as a KM consultant at the moment so am happy to answer any questions anyone might have?

ShotsFired · 10/01/2018 13:55

@MessySurfaces You will EXPLODE!

Then there will be all kinds of mess to sort out. This is a vicious circle!

DressAndGo · 10/01/2018 14:06

I want to become a consultant after this Grin I don't think I'm there yet, though!

I wish I'd taken photos! I've gone through my wardrobe and bookcase (books and work stuff), currently I've got a large bag of books to try to sell (try for a month, then they go to the charity shop). One bag of rags, one box plus two bags of books for the charity shop!

I've realised that one barrier to charity shopping is something mentioned upthread - non of them have car parks! They are on a high street or a busy road - good for shopping, but less so for dropping things off.

I've dragged two bags of paperwork down to go through later. Paperwork definitely sparks the opposite of joy!

Sadly cleaning is less fun that kondoing. I'm having a break before hoovering and tidying around (items that have been displaced since this morning). Then the paperwork- I think I'm putting it off. I have to work tomorrow, so want to get to a good point today.

PeaceLoveAndDixie · 10/01/2018 14:18

Can I join too please? I got the book for myself at Christmas and have just finished reading it. Did my clothes straight away and dh was inspired to do his too. I got rid of about half and have been furiously eBaying and charity shopping.
I’ve also done some easy jobs like notice board, kids craft stuff and kitchen cupboards but I’m struggling with what to tackle next. Dh is a firm believer of never having enough books so I’m not sure what to do about that and kids clothes seem tricky as they need more than just the ones I really love.
Anyone else desperate to redecorate/buy new furniture?! I keep picturing my perfect hallway but rather than just being clear of clutter it also has a new front door, mirror, side table Blush

SuperDiaperBaby · 10/01/2018 16:48

still on clothes.....coats are tricky! Decided I am going to donate all the non sparklers to the charity shop to get rid of them quickly before I change my mind.

Original poster
Gammeldragz · 10/01/2018 16:53

Well I now have 4 boxes of books to donate but as dress says, dropping off is a pain. BHF will collect donations, so I may try that. Our local tip has a book depository but I don't know what happens to them...

OP posts:
Original poster
Gammeldragz · 10/01/2018 16:55

super I have a bit of a coat/jacket problem... I got rid of loads last year but still have too many and most are too big now so when I find a nice new one I will rehome some.

OP posts:
AgathaMystery · 10/01/2018 19:27

Did the coats this morning. 8 needed new homes so went to work & dropped them off at A&E as we have a store of them for people who don't have warm coats.

Had friends round tonight and moved on all DC ski clothes that have grown out of. Very pleasing!!

Next job is the mountain of laundry from Tuesday's marathon laundry day. Also KM all my DC clothes this evening. We did it super fast but I've done it before so not a daunting task . This was more post Xmas maintenance.

DressAndGo · 11/01/2018 10:03

I now have paperwork spread all over my living room floor!

I think this category is far harder than the sentimental one - which tends to either bring joy of sadness. None of this sparks joy (in fact, my of it's bills/ work stuff which spark sadness or stress!!!!)

I have to leave for work in 2 hours - I hope I get finished!

AgathaMystery · 11/01/2018 20:43

Did you manage? 3 yrs on I am still able to deal with paperwork as it arrives. Takes patience tho Confused

DressAndGo · 11/01/2018 21:55

Sort of. I've chucked out a load (including lots of paper work for a car I no longer have - I don't need to keep the old log book do I? I sent off the section I needed to).

I now have 5 piles to work through... not sure how to store it. Am I right in thinking she says store it together in a box file or something? It was in several ring binders etc, but they take up space when empty. I like the idea of it all being in a box together - all in one place and not in individual wallets - it just seems easier.

How do you do it?

healthyheart · 12/01/2018 07:30

dress paperwork is the easy part for me, I struggle with chucking out clothes!
Get an expanding file from amazon, tesco, etc and mark up the tabs ‘mortgage’, kids reports, bank info, medical info, car, employment info, etc etc and file away, keep pensions stuff for years but shred bank info etc after a year or so.hope this helps.

healthyheart · 12/01/2018 07:30

dress paperwork is the easy part for me, I struggle with chucking out clothes!
Get an expanding file from amazon, tesco, etc and mark up the tabs ‘mortgage’, kids reports, bank info, medical info, car, employment info, etc etc and file away, keep pensions stuff for years but shred bank info etc after a year or so.hope this helps.

ScattyMcScatty · 12/01/2018 09:40

We have the expanding file, it's fab. Everything in one portable place under its allotted section. Easy to keep on top of.

Tiddlywinks63 · 12/01/2018 09:47

Anyone know where I can take an embarrassingly huge stash of pens/pencils I've hordes over the years? And notepads? And office type totes - cba to do eBay - two are leather and barely used Blush Blush
I am also struggling with getting rid of smart office clothes..... Help!

DressAndGo · 12/01/2018 10:08

Into a primary school for their writing area?

Tiddlywinks63 · 12/01/2018 10:12

I will contact my local primary school this morning! Thanks DressAndGo , don't know why I didn't think of that!

DressAndGo · 12/01/2018 10:13

Glad to help! (Although I'm not working today and therefore should be finishing off my paperwork!)