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Housekeeping

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Original poster

Konmari converts 2019 assemble!

140 replies

BasinHaircut · 03/01/2019 14:10

I’m almost done with Marie Kondo’s book and I am buzzing with excitement about transforming my home by letting go of old belongings.

This morning I went through my clothes (not shoes, bags coats or scarves yet) and got rid of 2.5 100L bin liner’s worth! I already can’t believe how much space I’ve created.

Planning to do the second half of clothes tomorrow and then convince DH to do his. I’ll do DS’s one day next week when he is back at school (will be impossible with him in the house).

Going to try and go through the categories in strict order and devote at least one of my 2 free afternoons a week to it until I’ve been through everything in the house.

DH has agreed to watch the Marie Kondo series on Netflix with me and I’m hoping he will get involved.

I really think this will improve my mental health and make me calmer and happier.

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Original poster
BasinHaircut · 13/01/2019 14:13

PFB1 I’d say if you are coming across something you know you don’t want then get rid straight away. If you know you want to keep it or not sure then put with similar items and come back to it when you do that category.

I’d make a box specifically for sentimental items you might come across though

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Original poster
BasinHaircut · 13/01/2019 15:02

2 more bin bags of DH’s stuff gone and he has an entire empty drawer!

Considering he was storing stuff shoved under the bed until this morning this is amazing.

It’s funny because even though on the surface our bedroom looks the same, knowing the wardrobe and dresser are not bursting at the seems and only filled with stuff we want and need makes me like being in there more.

There are some sheets and towels under the bed but they are for another day!

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littlecloudling · 13/01/2019 21:00

@BasinHaircut I know how you feel about looking the same on the surface but doesn't it feel so much lighter?!

PFB1 · 13/01/2019 21:08

Here's my pile of stuff from today that's going! Unfortunately I ran out of bin bags so it's all stacked in this unit for now, which I'm also getting rid of! Can't wait to get it all done. My house feels so messy just now though 😩

Sounds like good progress today Basin.

Thanks for the advice on the miscellaneous stuff earlier. The problem I have is that we don't have much storage in the house so when I'm having to remove miscellaneous stuff from a drawer, there's no space to put it elsewhere until i get rid of other stuff. It's a catch 22 which is making my house feel so cluttered just now 👎🏻

Konmari converts 2019 assemble!
PFB1 · 13/01/2019 21:10

That's full of clothes of mine and my 2 kids and also a load of kids toys!

OhGuessWhat · 14/01/2019 12:53

Just discovered this and whilst the idea sounds good...stares as t-shirts on bed...
I don't quite get how to fold them properly. If you're folding to a third of the width, then the collars will surely get wrecked? Or do you fold shirts to the edge of the collar meaning you have all different height and width packages which aren't compact enough to stand up?

Original poster
BasinHaircut · 14/01/2019 15:46

I’ve just folded in half, but anything with an actual collar is still hanging up.

DS’s clothes done. 1 black sack gone of stuff that was in his wardrobe/drawers.

Under the bed was outgrown stuff which has been bagged up to pass on to various people, so may take a week or so to actually leave the house.

Was a bit sad doing that but as although DS is 5.5 and we are 95% sure there will be no DC2, I’ve found it hard to get rid of the clothes up until now. I’ve lent them out but asked for them back (just in case). To be honest though he had so much as MIL used to work in retail, that even if we had another I wouldn’t allow that much stuff into the house next time.

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Original poster
BasinHaircut · 14/01/2019 17:58

Oh and a full black sack of hangers bagged up to go too.

We’re up to a total of 9 black bags plus 2 bags for life of books gone so far. It’s not the biggest amount ever I know but in proportion to the amount of things we had, it’s probably 50% of mine and DH’s clothes and books, and about 20% of DS’s current wardrobe.

Got to do DS’s books next and then I can move onto paperwork. Not looking forward to that if I’m honest! But following Marie’s order is helping me a lot. I’ve probably wanted to do a big clear out for a couple of years but literally didn’t know where to start. Nothing seemed like the right place and so I did nothing.

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OhGuessWhat · 14/01/2019 21:48

Thanks Basin, sounds like you've been busy!
I don't really have hanging space, I have shelves, 2 of which are above my eye height where I lob my jumpers and then take pot luck when I try to grab whatever I can!

What about zipped things? Can't find any mention of folding things with zips e.g. cardigans. I was always told never to fold a zip as it will keep the fold and stick out weirdly when you wear it.

Original poster
BasinHaircut · 14/01/2019 21:50

I don’t think I’ve folded anything zipped but maybe fold with the zip undone?

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Original poster
BasinHaircut · 16/01/2019 08:22

Morning all! Anyone got any tidying updates?

I haven’t but tomorrow I’ll do DS’s books and then that’s the first 2 categories fully done. Can’t wait!

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Riddo · 16/01/2019 09:20

I've Kondoed my underwear drawers, they look really pleasing. I'm trying to bring DH on board but it's an uphill struggle. He thinks the "sparks joy" thing is silly so I need to find a different approach.

I've done most of the kitchen and it definitely looks clearer and is easier to use.

There is a huge pile of bags waiting to go to the charity shop 🙂

PFB1 · 16/01/2019 09:26

My sorting is going well. We have an SUV so decent sized boot. Ive filled the boot completely with stuff for the charity shop. Feeling a bit disheartened though that no rooms are done as I'm still working through the clothing stage (although I did clear out toys also because they were driving me mad). I suppose I just need to trust the system!

I think part of my problem is that now I can see all the things around me that I want to get rid of whereas before I was probably a bit blind to the clutter.

WellTidy · 16/01/2019 09:36

I am starting, having read the book, watched the tv programme and prevaricated. Now I am ready!

As instructed, I am starting with clothes. I have the same problem as trillion in that I have masses of clothes that simply do not fit me. I have lost some weight, but am a stone and a bit away from getting into them. I am going to pack them away into the attic and just keep what does fit me. I have the huge supermarket bags, some sticky labels and a stapler to keep the stickers on the bags. I have plenty of things that fit me, as my solution to my clothes being too small for me has always to just keep buying bigger clothes.

I am looking forward to feeling more in control of what I have.

I have done pyjamas, undies and socks and am pleased with where I am.

Clothes and shoes (mine) and childrens toys are my downfall.

SemiAquaticEggLayingMammal · 16/01/2019 20:17

First chance to do any Kondo-ing is coming up this weekend whilst the children are with my exh. Clothes first- but I can't do as she says and get everything all in one pile as I don't have enough room in one place! It would also entail a massive sort through the huuuuge pile of clean laundry in the garage- and that's a job in itself! So am going to Kondo my room, in categories as per her method, just in micro. 1 room at a time. So starting with clothes my bedroom, then books in my bedroom, and so on. Just getting my room decluttered would be a massive step tbh.

And then the garage, but that's for another weekend. Full of sentimental stuff and kimono.

OhGuessWhat · 17/01/2019 15:36

I've done my clothes. Had to give up on the standing up method for my shirts with collars, viscose clothes and sports clothes as they just don't stay in place. Also on the shelves, I've come to the conclusion that it's not suitable for shelves! I've got two bags out. Can't quite bring myself to do my underwear drawer, seems an utter wast of time to fold pants! What I really need to sort out, is the attic with all of the kids old clothes. I spent the day watching Netflix to show me how to do it ... Blush

Original poster
BasinHaircut · 17/01/2019 20:05

Did DS’s books today. About a third gone and I’ve put them in baskets standing up like they do at the library so they should stay neater and are more easily accessible for DS. He was pleased with it when he saw it and didn’t notice any had gone which is a bonus!

I also managed to book my summer holiday, get my hair cut and sort out a new mortgage deal today too so a productive day all round!

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Emmeline50 · 18/01/2019 21:04

So I thought I would join this thread. I have watched the Netflix series and am currently reading the book, we are planning to get started next weekend.

No DC but we have had a tough couple of years and the house has gotten off track and is depressing us both. I am hoping doing this will help us get back on track.

I told DP the plan and the expression on his face did not imply that this "sparked joy" Grin but he is on board. He recognises that something needs to be done.

Awesome work on everyone who has gotten started, you are all inspiring me! Smile

BrassicaBabe · 19/01/2019 18:52

@Emmeline50 I think if I explained the "spark joy " concept to DH Hmm is the best I could hope to achieve!

Original poster
BasinHaircut · 19/01/2019 20:35

My DH was dismissive of the ‘spark joy’ thing verbally, but I think he secretly considered it when he was going through his stuff.

Welcome to the thread, let us know how you get on!

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NamedyChangedy · 19/01/2019 22:12

I roped the DCs in today to do their books and toys, and they were amazing at it - DS1 even took to properly thanking every item. DS2 was slightly more reluctant, and kept on fetching soft toys back from the Donate box for a cuddle, but he managed to whittle them down eventually. But we ended up with 2 bin bags going to the skip, 3 to the charity shop (or rather to the boot of the car, hopefully en route to the charity shop at some point). They actually enjoyed it by the end and have played with some toys that they hadn't seen for ages.

Thanks so much for the inspiration, it's made a big difference!

NamedyChangedy · 19/01/2019 22:18

And I do think it's worth folding underwear, socks etc in the way Marie suggests - it might take a few seconds longer but it's great for being able to see at a glance what you have. I did clothes a few years ago and once you get the knack of it it's quite quick and easy to maintain. There's lots of YouTube videos if you need help...

Crimson72 · 20/01/2019 08:38

I would like to try the Marie Kondo method, but always end up feeling horribly guilty when throwing stuff out - mainly about all the money I’ve wasted buying these unnecessary items (clothes, usually) in the first place! How do you get past that?

Also, I chucked out a spare tin-opener that had been sitting in my cutlery drawer for years the other day, because who needs two tin-openers, right? Well, lo and behold, the one I did keep broke last night, which means I will now have to buy a new one! I’m kicking myself for not keeping the spare. Do I just not have the right mindset for this or something? Sad

Original poster
BasinHaircut · 20/01/2019 12:45

crimson you have to keep in mind that you have spent and ‘wasted’ that money whether you keep the item or not. By keeping it if it’s not useful and doesn’t spark joy is just robbing you of space to otherwise enjoy or more easily store other items.

DH had half a wardrobe of clothes for this very reason- they were too small and he kept them for ‘when he lost weight’. But every time he opened the wardrobe they made him feel like shit, hanging there and judging him. So he got rid and now can see exactly what he has and knows that’s what is there does fit him.

He is losing weight now and maybe those clothes would have actually fit again this time next year, but I don’t think he would have achieved the mindset he was in now (for losing weight) without getting rid of those clothes.

Sounds a bit wanky written down but it’s how it works! Have you read the book? If not I’d recommend it.

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PFB1 · 20/01/2019 17:02

Well today we have done the hardest part... cleared through our girls old clothes in the garage. I'm so sentimental about so many of their things, especially the newborn clothes. It's harder still because I desperately want another child but can't afford to have one and it's so painful saying goodbye to all the clothes we would have kept a hold of for a future baby.

Anyway, it's done! We have gone through about 12 bin bags and have 3 left that are staying. It's mainly clothes that are too small for my eldest and too big for my youngest, which youngest will grow into soon enough but there's a bag of things I want to keep. A few outfits for each child that I feel too attached to to disregard.

3 bags is a hell of a lot better than 12 though so it's a huge step forward. So very nearly finished clothes. Can't wait to get on to books.