The KonMarie method

PollyWollyDoodle

GreyQueen wrote: »

Funny how things keep crawling out of the corners, holding up their hands in surrender and going meekly to the chazzer, isn't it?

I love that image!

My PITA moments; linen trousers. They only look good when they're not actually being worn (although I do have some linen/poly mix ones which are fabulous and don't crease too much). I don't believe in dry cleaning, either - if I don't think it'll be washable, no matter what the label may say, then it's not coming home with me. Winter coats are the exception but even they can get away with a good brush and a steam!

That article is really good - a lot of truths in that.

june89

GreyQueen wrote: »

I'd like to share a link with this article; http://www.becomingminimalist.com/blank-spaces/

I read it and its comments just now and was almost air-punching. Yes, yes. yes, I get this.

I posted upthread about slowly getting past the anxiety of having empty spaces, with my bathroom cistern's top being one case in point. But I did get past it, and it's so soothing on the eye. And when I need to clean it, it's a two-second wipe, not a fandango with moving stuff, wiping, wiping stuff, repositioning etc etc.

I've always loved empty spaces. Even when I've had a lot of stuff, it's had to be put behind closed doors. Things out on display has always had me running in the opposite direction.

I have six potential stuff holders (aka furnitures tops) in our lounge. Three of them are completely clear, the TV unit obviously holds the telly (but nothing else) and then two side tables have lamps and coasters. That's it. I went years with blank walls as well until I found art that sparked joy.

I do have a few framed photos dotted in our bookcase (a compromise in itself since DH insisted the DVDs couldn't live in drawers) that are there because they "should" be, rather than sparking joy when I look at them. I'm quite tempted to clear them and condense the stuff down for an empty shelf. I'm sure the cat would love it, she frequently tries to climb up the bookcase enough as it is. :rotfl:

LavenderGrove

GreyQueen - just wanted to thank you for your posts which I find inspirational and enjoyed the link you posted.

I've loved reading all the posts, thank you to everyone.

I've just read a uk minimalist at twolessthings dot co dot uk which I found interesting so thought I'd post on here. I'm not sure if the link will work, here goes : - http://www.twolessthings.co.uk/finding-your-why-why-i-became-a-minimalist/

Igamogam

Loving the empty spaces idea

There is going to be a huge 'empty space' tomorrow when my much loved and constantly used Ag* is removed. Of course the space it leaves will be filled but we are in no rush. Cats will be unhappy;)

Weirdly I have created an 'empty space' inadvertently in the bedroom which I didnt even know as there or at least forgotten! I have had to remove a lot of stuff that is stored in the space behind our hanging space for clothes ( dont have wardrobes as ceiling/eaves/beams/ come down just below head height ) now a lot of that stuff is boxes of photos, some books, some fabric, 2 laundry baskets (never used and have now been moved on ditto some toys), suitcases, winter sports gear, pillows, spare duvets and my childhood desk which FC brought me one year ( its not going BTW:D) I can now see an empty space. I can see the floor running the whole length of the bedroom and the wall beyond the lowest beam........and I quite like it!! With the exception of photos and desk not all of that stuff is going back once building work is over so i hope I will be able to keep seeing that Empty Space:D

Thanks for the links Lavender and GQ:D

GreyQueen

Wow, LavenderGrove, thanks for that linkie, I've never encountered that blog before but have started reading it avidly. Plenty of material there to savour and it's looking really good. Ta muchly.

Wasn't back from work in time to do a chazzer run but will ready the bags and do it tomorrow after working. Have mentally tagged a couple of other things for the bag, or what will be the second bag this week, I suspect. They reflect an aspiration which I no longer aspire towards, in one case (£3 spent at one chazzer) and a mistaken purchase which I don't feel like warehousing for some possible need in the future, which hasn't been used yet (sub £4). If it isn't right now, it won't be right then, and keeping it risks the dreaded died-in-storage affair. Best to liberate it to be sold for someone who'll be happy to have it.

I've also decided that when another item has gone through the wash it can be donated. It was given to me last year, but I have come to recognise a shortcoming in myself whereby I feel obligated to accept the discards of family and friends, and even friends' families. It's partly a hangover from times when I was as poor as a churchmouse, partly a fear of giving offence. So that I feel I have to take stuff, unless it's completely unsuitable or simply will not fit into my life.

But, I have come to the conclusion that I need to rein in this feeling, whilst being sensitive to the feelings of others. I can't spare too much energy to keep track of Stuff, I envisiage it as if each item has a filament of fishing line attaching itself to my body so that, even if it's out of sight, it's a burden day and night. You don't feel light until it's gone.

I wonder if that's why going on holiday is so pleasurable? We get to take only a small selection of our Stuff with us, and move temporarily into limited quarters, with only the essentials, and we just get on with it.

Here's the wonderful late George Carlin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvgN5gCuLac

freyasmum

Oh no, going on holiday I wait till the last minute and then just shove everything I see into the case

GreyQueen

freyasmum wrote: »

Oh no, going on holiday I wait till the last minute and then just shove everything I see into the case

Lol, I'm an OCD travel light type of person, a woman who has roved the world with a small rolling case or a backpack. I spend simply ages planning my packing and feel a bit wibbly just thinking about doing it your way - no two people go about things the same way, hey?

I was thinking about a large rolling holdall I have, which I'm going to donate and just keep my ruckie and small rolling case.

System

GreyQueen wrote: »

Lol, I'm an OCD travel light type of person, a woman who has roved the world with a small rolling case or a backpack. I spend simply ages planning my packing and feel a bit wibbly just thinking about doing it your way - no two people go about things the same way, hey?

I was thinking about a large rolling holdall I have, which I'm going to donate and just keep my ruckie and small rolling case.

Me too
It comes from being restricted to a rucsac or 1 motorbike pannier for a week away :rotfl:
My 3 small wheely cases got hoofed out when I did the loft and I don't think I'll miss them tbh.
I'm enjoying the TwoLessThings blog, thanks whoever posted that link - especially this post:
http://www.twolessthings.co.uk/minimalism_how_to_start/
Rx

VJsmum

I'm the same, for two weeks business trip to Hong kong and Singapore, I took a cabin bag sized suitcase and a small rucksack. When my colleagues saw it coming off the luggage belt, they said "have you just come for the day?" :rotfl:

But careful packing, and mix and match clothing, meant that I was fine- a bit sick of it all after two weeks, but fine. A couple of scarves (samosa'd of course) also can transform outfits.

Just can't be arissed dragging it all around

GreyQueen

When I was in New Zealand, I met a British woman who inspired me. She was 80 and was hostelling and bussing solo around the country. Our paths crossed and re-crossed several times over several weeks in different parts of both main islands. What impressed me (apart from the guts in travelling solo around the world at an age when most people are ready to stay at home) was that she was travelling with only a small wheelie suitcase, the size that you can usually get away with as a carry-on on Air NZ. She wasn't scruffy or unkempt and seemed to have everything she needed in that small space.

Years later, I was able to get my travel routine down so that I could do that, too. And you know what? Every single person tasked professionally with handling luggage remarked on the smallness and lightness of my case with surprise and gratitude; the airport staff both incoming and leaving, every bus driver etc. It made me feel really good about my choices.

I genuinely look at these mega rolling suitcases, plenty of which are big enough for someone like me to curl up and sleep in, and wonder what the heck people are filling them with.