The KonMarie method

iQueen

Clutterfree wrote: »

I recall on one of the hoarding programmes that I watched that the majority of us hoard for psychological reasons. The most common reason is fear of abandonment.

I definitely agree with psychological reasons behind clutter/hoarding.

I've spent the last couple of years self-analysing, and abandonment, with delayed or unacknowledged grief have been a big part of my problem. There are so many surprising contexts for these experiences. It was the breakthrough that gave me real personal insight.

springdreams

iQueen wrote: »

:rotfl:I read 4,000 posts on MumsNet's kondo threads over Christmas, before my book arrived. (They are into the 8th thousand now!) Like here, lots of brilliant tips and advice.

Well done, with your kondoing Knit Witch!

I interrogate everything that tries to get into my house! Been doing that for the last 5 years, but I'm even more ruthless since MK, from Christmas! My paper-recycling bag is by the front door, so no junk gets beyond the mat.

Yesterday, I discovered that I've kondoed 1.5 stones since Christmas. Proof that you don't have to engage in 'proper' exercise when eating low-carb - must be the de-cluttering! :dance:

Well done on the weightloss iqueen :T

Busymumofthreeplusdog

Oops forgot to come back and post, although I didn't see the reinforcements...
Paperwork was not as bad as I feared. Bank statements etc only going back 5 years or so. I did go through the two very large piles of papers waiting to be filed and ended up burning more than half of it! So much carp we get sent in the post!!
Anyway that's a good job done, just need to sort the rest of the office now...

tooties

Evening Konverts,

I have been keeping up with the thread, well done everyone on your progress and a very warm welcome to our new Konverts.

I am still beavering away in DS's bedroom!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today i concentrated on his piles of socks, i sorted through them all and i binned the ones with holes which led to a huge pile of dusters for me.
Then i paired them up and the odd ones went to the dusters pile, then if they were thin soled or faded then they went to the dusters pile too.

I have left a box of 41 pairs for him to further declutter on his return home. Some people may think that 41 pairs of socks isn't that many but he did take a huge amount of clothes, boxers and socks with him when he went away on his work trip.

I just know that he is going to have the same amount again when he comes home.

I have also made tidy piles of clothes on this floor so we can kondo them together when he returns poor little soul that he is considering that he will be 27 this year.

Mum is implementing new rules upon his return.

Keep up the great work everyone,

Regards

Clutterfree

Morning All,
I was out yesterday so no Kondoing done here and I have family over tomorrow so today I'll be cleaning and tidying rather than decluttering.

Apologies if I'm teaching a grandma to suck eggs here, but I found the best way to fold things like tops into the same size every time was to use an A4 magazine as a template.
I'd lay the item of clothing flat, then pop the magazine on top, fold everything over, then slip out the magazine. I used this method for about 6 months which worked well for me (although had to hide a magazine to prevent hubby from recycling it!).
Once I realised that my new folding technique was here to stay, I invested in one of these:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Adult-Clothes-Tshirts-Folder-Organizer/dp/B003W490U2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1428139088&sr=8-1&keywords=Clothes+folder

It isn't the sturdiest or products (you can get much more expensive versions which I should imagine are better quality) and I have had to tape the bottom flap back on, but it does the trick.

HTH.

Igamogam

Another KM day on the cards.

Weather will be dry today so planning to tackle shed number 2. OH will be going out later pursuing his extreme sport hobby. I am still KMing by stealth really - havent explained to him my 'methods'- dont know why. A guilty feeling of how I have allowed stuff to accumulate maybe? Although he also hangs onto things, things I wouldn't, its mainly my clutter and I am beginning to to see how and why it has almost got out of hand. Anyway he and DDs are happy with the results, but does anyone else find its easier to declutter when the OH is not around??:D

So 3 fr**gle offers already posted and 2 ready for collection today:) I sat up late last night sorting through paperwork and have burnt much - log burner still smouldering this morning - and filled recycle box. Found 3 cheques that need kondoing into bank:D. Planning on a CS hit by end of day if I have enough to justify drive into The Town -about a 20 mile round trip - otherwise I will wait until Tuesday for a drop off.

We are a household of teachers and academics and students but why oh why do we have sooooooooo much stationary,files,notebooks,post its, pens, pencils,rulers etc etc - I could open a small branch of WH Sm!th. Going to corral it all into one place then sort it out from there once the must go stuff is done:eek:

PollyWollyDoodle

It's so helpful to see everyone's updates on here, it keeps me going when I begin to flag - I still have a long way to go.

I really struggle with getting rid of paperwork but I have made good progress last night and this morning, too much for the woodburner so the shredder has been going. A quick question for you wise ones - I have several different pensions from various jobs over the years. Every year they send me a statement and (about six months later!) I religiously file the statement with all the others. Do I really need to keep them all - is it ok just to keep the last one? And do I need to keep the 'Handbook'/Pension Terms booklet?

They're definitely not sparking joy. My estimated pension gets less every year

Igamogam

PollyWollyDoodle wrote: »

They're definitely not sparking joy. My estimated pension gets less every year

I have kept mine on the basis that they just slide into a plastic wallet easily enough. The T&Cs booklet - I just keep the current one, then recycle when the next comes in.

iQueen

tooties wrote: »

Today i concentrated on his piles of socks, i sorted through them all and i binned the ones with holes which led to a huge pile of dusters for me.
Then i paired them up and the odd ones went to the dusters pile, then if they were thin soled or faded then they went to the dusters pile too.

At first, I thought, tootsies must have a large pile of dusters now... ! Then, I realised, what a brilliant idea! They can be used for dirty jobs and then just chucked! No washing. Thanks for that tip.

Igamogam wrote: »

I am still KMing by stealth really - havent explained to him my 'methods'- dont know why. A guilty feeling of how I have allowed stuff to accumulate maybe?

Having 'seen the light', explaining The Method, may relieve you of your guilt? It might also help your OH to recognise some of his excess? 'A trouble shared' etc!

I am beginning to to see how and why it has almost got out of hand.

Kondoing certainly clears our minds and helps us to address 'how/why it happened'!

...but does anyone else find its easier to declutter when the OH is not around??:D

I live alone... so I have few excuses for dragging my feet.

Good luck with the drop-offs etc - enjoy the new space!

...why oh why do we have sooooooooo much stationary,files,notebooks,post its, pens, pencils,rulers etc etc - I could open a small branch of WH Sm!th. Ditto! :eek: I blame it on education! :rotfl:

Igamogam

I know what you mean iQueen - trouble shared and all that......but for me I am as stubborn as they come and bl00dy minded when it comes to 'help' - My mess.I'll sort.Don't get in my way.........I am my own worst enemy:o

More burning and chucking going on but feel I need to concentrate a little more in one place - getting a bit kondo krazee:D

Have kondoed DD2 to our near neighbour 'up hill'. We are looking after their pampered cat whilst they are away so she has taken her revision and yoga mat to keep cat company and to get away from the chaos. I am hoping to have a LR with a clear floor, window sill coffee table and piano by the time she gets back:D