The KonMarie method

iQueen

clippy_girl wrote: »

Can I ask what people do with bookcases once they get rid of the books? I dont want to get rid of the bookcase as I have alcoves on either side of the fireplace in the living room and the bookcase is in one and to unit in the other. Room will look empty and mismatched without it. Also I have some nice souvenirs from hols that I display I'm front of the books but think it will be too bare without the books!

Alcoves don't have to match. A decent-sized picture would create a good focal point, if you remove the bookcase.

Otherwise, you can use the bookcase to display your holiday souvenirs, together with any other attractive, joyful, and interesting items.

When I finish kondoing (miles off yet,) I shall be displaying my grandmother's carpet beater on a wall! She would have been 125 this September! :rotfl:

mrs-moneypenny

Love your post iqueen, takes me back to when mine were young. We started off with good intentions but when the younger two were little we had starting going to car boots so the kids starting buying plastic tat toys and stuff that caught their eye, and because it was so cheap we ended up with too much stuff. Lots of it is still in the attic awaiting it's turn to be kondoed

iQueen

mrs-moneypenny wrote: »

Love your post iqueen, takes me back to when mine were young. We started off with good intentions but when the younger two were little we had starting going to car boots so the kids starting buying plastic tat toys and stuff that caught their eye, and because it was so cheap we ended up with too much stuff. Lots of it is still in the attic awaiting it's turn to be kondoed

For most of their childhoods, I was a lone-parent, so I couldn't afford to give them much pocket-money, or buy random 'treats'. I also educated my children about tat and cynical advertising, from an early age.

More importantly, there was no ethos of excessive spending in my family, as I grew up, so it didn't cross my mind.

mrs-moneypenny

I'm determined not to be one of those grandparents who gives presents rather than presence when the baby finally arrives.
We realised that we unfairly offered a bookcase to DD2 (her partner rolled his eyes and said not more stuff) but DD insisted she could find room for it, they haven't got the space and I'm sure she's taking it rather than letting it be thrown, DHs has come up with the idea that, we put it outside not realising it would rain and the mdf swelled rendering it useless. She doesn't need or really want it so I shouldn't have offered it.

Igamogam

mrs-moneypenny wrote: »

DHs has come up with the idea that, we put it outside not realising it would rain and the mdf swelled rendering it useless. She doesn't need or really want it so I shouldn't have offered it.

So glad we have a log burner! In the last 25 years we have got rid of an entire kitchen, a garden shed, fencing panels and gates,12 window frames and various bits of furniture we bought from junk shops or were given to 'keep us going' when we first moved here. I know how your DD feels though - I would do the same:D

iQueen

mrs-moneypenny wrote: »

I'm determined not to be one of those grandparents who gives presents rather than presence when the baby finally arrives.
We realised that we unfairly offered a bookcase to DD2 (her partner rolled his eyes and said not more stuff) but DD insisted she could find room for it, they haven't got the space and I'm sure she's taking it rather than letting it be thrown, DHs has come up with the idea that, we put it outside not realising it would rain and the mdf swelled rendering it useless. She doesn't need or really want it so I shouldn't have offered it.

Good thinking about the bookcase, Moneypenny! :T

MK says it is wrong to saddle others with the [STRIKE]crap[/STRIKE] things we [STRIKE]never[/STRIKE] no longer need or want.

I felt really good, turning down (kindly) the silver ring I mentioned in an earlier post. If I had taken it, as I didn't like it, I would have accepted it only to be kind to my friend, for her generosity. OK, I deprived her of a warm feeling, but it is still free to find a home where it will be (hopefully) appreciated.

Working on MK's principle of 'joyful objects', the ring wouldn't have been happy, lying unworn in a drawer, and it would have brought me negative feelings, whenever I noticed it!

Loving presence for your grandchild, physical or otherwise, the best gift! :T

As for the other presents, (looking at my list of toys), mindfully chosen, if they lack bells, whistles and momentary glamour, they bring lasting pleasure over many years. Instant, short-lived gratification, sets up our children for continuous disappontment. I believe that the never-ending search for happiness, via material things, is the reason for many of our social ills.

I'm currently reading Selfish Whining Moneys: How We Ended Up Greedy, Narcissistic and Unhappy by Rod Liddle. It takes a serious look at the current human condition, and how we got in this pickle, but it's also hilariously funny. I'm laughing out loud nearly all the time - the neighbours probably think that I've progressed from eccentric to demented! :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:Who cares? I'm happy!

DawnW

mrs-moneypenny wrote: »

I'm determined not to be one of those grandparents who gives presents rather than presence when the baby finally arrives.
We realised that we unfairly offered a bookcase to DD2 (her partner rolled his eyes and said not more stuff) but DD insisted she could find room for it, they haven't got the space and I'm sure she's taking it rather than letting it be thrown, DHs has come up with the idea that, we put it outside not realising it would rain and the mdf swelled rendering it useless. She doesn't need or really want it so I shouldn't have offered it.

Why not advertise it for free on one of the local facebook pages or freecycle, if your family don't want it? It might help out someone starting out in their first flat or whatever

I have recently got rid of excess kitchen stuff, a bed, a bag of plastic plant pots, books, and some old futons (a lady who has large dogs had those for them to sleep on ) this way, and the recipients seemed pleased to have them

mrs-moneypenny

It's been in freecycle and it stood out during the last week of term with a sign on saying "free please help yourself" that's when DD spotted it and DH asked if she wanted it.
It's a decent looking bookcase grey, I'll try freecycle again


Edit
Kondoed the kitchen drawers this afternoon. Carrier bag of stuff we don't/won't use earmarked for the CS
Considerable amount of small plastic tat binned
Choppeing board and an oven chip mess retrieved from behind the cupboard where it had fallen and got covered in cobwebs and gunge binned.
Drawers washed out and ll items that are keepers have been washed and put back neatly.

PenniesMake£s

I have brought nearly all the toys down to the conservatory today (as mk says to make a pile of like items) will bring the rest down tomorrow....I got sidetracked by some potty training accidents (my 2 year old, not me). I will sort them out at the weekend (the toys, not the potty training accidents). I am thinking of using the conservatory as a playroom and keeping the kids bedrooms for sleeping and dressing. Of course they can take toys, books or whatever up to their rooms to play but having a place just for toys seems kondo appropriate....what do you think of this idea?

allybee101

Try it and see PenniesMake£s - perhaps you will need a rule about toys coming back downstairs.
Is the conservatory comfy enough for a playroom? If it gets too hot/ too cold, has a hard floor your kiddies may not want to stay in there and you might find that toys creep around the house. Best of luck with the play room, and the potty training!