The KonMarie method

Blue_Doggy · 26 May 2015 at 11:48AM

norfolkdream wrote: »

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* This is going to take a LONG time!
* It is going to get worse before it gets better (stuff that is not clothes is just getting moved around the room and it all looks worse than before)
* It took me 8 HOURS just to sort my clothes and I still dont feel finished and I ache all over.
* with ref to the above I feel guilty using a day off work to do this rather than take the kids out somewhere (I am off today and tomorrow as well and really want to carry on but will take the kids out somewhere with the dog as the weather is nice but in the back of my mind I want to carry on with this)
* It is tempting to carry on with the rest of the room rather than follow the KM way and do things by category - has anyone done a room at a time?
* It makes me scared to carry on
* It does feel better having a wardrobe not overflowing
* Previous clothes sorting were useless as I kept things 'just in case' and have still never worn them, this time I have been very ruthless - but have also found tops I had forgotten about. I only used about 25% of my wardrobe it seems
* I have no idea why I was keeping the kids old school uniform (I had about 30 white shirts!!
* My room is/was being strangled, I never open the curtains or windows, just doing both yesterday it felt better
* I need to start loving my house again but I am already worried about keeping it up

It sounds as though you are making good progress already, letting light and air into your room will make you and it feel better and you will start to love it again because of that.

The problem with doing the sorting by room instead of by category is that you don't get the full picture. There may be items of, eg clothing, lurking elsewhere, and when you find them two rooms later it feels like you're back to square one. You might find it helps to do the clothes by category - tops, skirts & trousers, shoes, etc. - and even do one sub-category at a time. Give yourself treats, too, like taking the kids out when you've finished a category. The Marie Kondo method isn't an exercise in making yourself feel bad, it's about finding and keeping the things which give you joy and letting the others go where they can do some good and bring joy to other people (including your teenage daughter

).

Others who have finished kondo-ing have posted here saying that they find it easy to keep the whole house in order; I've only really finished my clothes, but I find them so easy, even after a month, to keep properly kondo-folded and put away. Shoes go back into the bottom of the wardrobe, and the handbags got a new home on the wardrobe shelf along with the keys and dog-walking purse. It's really easy to put things away when they've been tidied.

iQueen · 26 May 2015 at 12:18PM

norfolkdream wrote: »

- has anyone done a room at a time?

On the kondo threads that I follow, a number of people have attempted this, and had to start again!

If you want to get you bedroom straight, I would say:

treat it as a separate task;

leave kondoing categories for a couple of days;

using the 'sparking joy' principle, discard unnecessary stuff in the room;

when your room is tidy and tranquil, go backto the KM method!

Although 'doing rooms', is against the MK principle, I am all for getting the bedroom into a clear, peaceful state, as a sanctuary.

So, that room aside, just follow MK's rules for the rest of the process - it works because you focus on one specific category at a time, in one place, and we don't get distracted by other Stuff, in the room/s.

ivyleaf wrote: »

I Kondoed a load of paperwork a few days ago and must have inspired OH as he did a load of his own on Saturday! I never thought I'd see it happen!

I'd like to ask you all what you think I should do with some Open University course books.

Congratulations on inspiring OH to get stuck in!

If the OU books don't sell on eBay or Amazon, Freecycle or Freegle will probably find them a new home.

Susan1962 · 26 May 2015 at 1:31PM

I'm so looking forward to reading her book when the library finally gets it to me - it's been an overdue return for some time which does make it seem worth hanging onto! Anyway it's good to pick up bits and pieces and it seems I accidentally started kondo-ing yesterday with the right category - clothes. Got about a third into donation bags. The rest are being put away as they come in from the line so I'll take a proper look at them - no strays allowed back into the wardrobe!

norfolkdream · 26 May 2015 at 1:32PM

Thanks guys, I really do think sorting out my junk in my bedroom first is the better option for me, to get this place tranquil (i like that word, it almost feels it as you say it)
My DD does not want to do her clothes today and so rather than force her and her not be in the right frame of mind I will try and sort my room out. I dont want to take a load of clothes out until they are all ready to go if that makes sense?
Although I am thinking to do it every other day or a couple of times a week so it doesnt weigh me down and I resent the process, it is supposed to be enjoyable.

greent · 26 May 2015 at 1:37PM

norfolkdream wrote: »

My DD does not want to do her clothes today and so rather than force her and her not be in the right frame of mind I will try and sort my room out. I dont want to take a load of clothes out until they are all ready to go if that makes sense?
Although I am thinking to do it every other day or a couple of times a week so it doesnt weigh me down and I resent the process, it is supposed to be enjoyable.

As soon as you get a couple of bags worth to go, take them away - it's all part of the lightening process - honestly! You'll find that clearing *stuff* and having it actually GONE makes you want to sort and clear more stuff.:D If your unwanted items hang around then you may stop seeing them and feel less of the benefits of MK x

drusilla · 26 May 2015 at 1:44PM

The car is full of stuff to take to the recycling centre. The bins are so full that I will have to take card to the centre as well.

More stuff put on freecycle. They are all bits of random Komono so no categories. However they were all cluttering my bedroom so in an an attempt to get tranquility they must go.

I have decided to pass on all my knitting stuff as well. My mum goes to a knitting club so she will share the stuff there. I am also thinking about getting rid of the sewing machine. Not sure yet. If DD2 moves out as she is threatening to then there will be some room shuffling and I might find some space.

Sorry about the rambling but it helps if I write it down.

tibawo · 26 May 2015 at 1:52PM

norfolkdream wrote: »

. This is one of the reasons I am doing this along with wanting to invite friends over and start having a social life (also the kids keep pestering me for sleepovers but I am too embarrased about the state of the house)
I have let the house get into this state for far too long and just ignored it, you dont really see what is right in front of you and as my ever so clever DD says, if there is clutter then you dont mind adding more to it but if it is all clear you are more likely to put something away there and then. Well thats the plan anyway.

I have to totally agree with this as when people call I stand at the front door and talk as I am too embarrassed to let them in. I have half finished jobs as well, these include one curtain up as I ran out of rings and sewing. Would love to just get the sewing machine out knowing I would be tying ip loose ends but table to full of... What for it.... Junk!

Igamogam · 26 May 2015 at 1:52PM

I started with categories - the ones I found easy - clothes, books,bedding,household lined, toiletries but TBH they all need a second round but this will be easier and I will leave until I have sorted rooms. Have to say the clothes/linen have stayed tidy/folded and rolled. I went onto rooms and started with kitchen then conservatory as far as I am concerned both are a 'category'. After that things came to a standstill because of Phase 1 of The House Project which initiated the de clutter in the first place - the kitchen and conservatory having most of work done. I also had a spell of illness in hospital during all this and we are now in the middle of exam fever in the house so dining room has been given over to a revision station for the next few weeks:eek:

Whilst the building work/illness/revision has been going on I have been adopting what I call a 'swoop and swipe' method - swooping onto something as I seen it and swipe it either to a bag or box to be passed on via Fr**cycle/CS/recycle/Eb*y..........lots of things have gone this way:rotfl:.

For me sorting rooms/areas/cupboards suits me and my house with a little bit of categorisation ( paperwork will be my next category) Think what I am saying is that you find a method that best suits you especially if its for the long haul when you can easily get disheartened/bored/distracted - I have got about another 14 weeks of it as my goal as to be finished by start of Autumn term. For motivation I keep looking at knickers and sock drawers to remind my why it will all worth it in the end - it was the first thing I tackled and they have remained neatly folded/rolled and organised ever since:D

So keep going anyone who is floundering and overwhelmed. Find a method best for you. Keep posting on here for fab advice, stories anecdotes and information. The essence of KM, for me, is the whole sparking joy thing.......get that mantra under your skin and you cant go wrong!

bunbun2 · 26 May 2015 at 1:55PM

greent wrote: »

As soon as you get a couple of bags worth to go, take them away - it's all part of the lightening process - honestly! You'll find that clearing *stuff* and having it actually GONE makes you want to sort and clear more stuff.:D If your unwanted items hang around then you may stop seeing them and feel less of the benefits of MK x

I am finding this with the books I have sorted. There are two huge piles and I just want rid. I need the space and I need them gone so I stop thinking how much has been spent. This is especially true of the ones I am "selling" as I am getting next to nothing for them and the ones they don't want I keep thinking "shall I just keep them". There are a couple of cookery books they will give me pennies for that I am tempted to keep but I have looked at them for ages. When OH gets back with the car they are going...

mrs-moneypenny · 26 May 2015 at 4:17PM

I agree r getting rid as soon as you can. We've been visiting the CS most weekends for a couple of months now. And the space created is wonderful and inspires you to go now further.
I'm finding the kondoed areas that I've done properly like wardrobe, clothes drawers, towels and bedding are staying tidy.
I've dabbled in other areas but they need doing again as I know there is more to kondo in those.

I've got some clothes and books I've promised to my mum and I can't wait for them to go. She does want them I checked.

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The KonMarie method

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