The KonMarie method

skeeter93

I am looking at taking my medium sized suitcase on 5 weeks holiday to the UK, as opposed to the giant one. I think my stuff will fit, but the list of stuff to bring back (some for me, some for others) is getting longer.... This is always what happens, as I only come back every 2 years. I just thought this time my clothes are smaller and there are a lot less of them. Ah well, I will see when I actually pack it.

allybee101

Haven't been on for a little while to post any progress but I have been trying to keep up with you all - such busy bees! Been feeling off-kilter for a little bit with various carp going on in my life. I am planning to remove two big commitments by June which I hope will help me get back on balance.

I have been steadily accumulating a pile of stuff for the CS - just need to actually take it (down in lift to car and then to CS). I have been working slowly through paperwork and there has been quite a bit of recycling going out. Still feels like there's plenty to do but I feel like the speck of light at the end of the tunnel is gradually growing bigger.

I am trying to be inspired by a story that my Mum told me recently. In the 60s her family moved from London to Banbury as part of the London overspill project (not sure if this was it's real name, but the premise was that London was overcrowded so people were offered newly built council houses outside the city). The sum total of furniture from their place in London was 4 beds and a dining table and chairs for the 5 of them.
I don't think I'll ever be a 100 item person, but I'm really starting to appreciate how much less I need and that I've been using clutter as a barrier to hide behind for far too long to subconsciously protect myself.

mrs-moneypenny

iQueen wrote: »

"Changing the toilet roll does NOT cause brain damage". :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

But it can really really wind people up if you put it on the wrong way:mad: my confession now is that I have to swap it if it's on the 'wrong' way round even if I'm visiting people:o

My wool stash tends to migrate around the house as well iQueen, I did make an effort a couple of weeks ago to gather it together, so I think it's now contained to the cupboard under the stairs, an ottoman and there is some in the attic. I even managed to kondo all the mohair into the Cs bag as I never find joy knitting or wearing that so gave it away in the hope someone else would.
And now you've mentioned stitching, I think I need to live a little longer than 130 if I add that stash into the equation

tibawo

So a new week and with the bright sunny day I have, at the moment a positive attitude which is perfect for some KD! Another bonus is hat I am not at work until one so music on and off I will go!

Need to get my chores done first so don't have to do them later which means more time to talk with girls about their day etc. Then I will upload some more CDs, get Amazon parcel ready, put any others on ebay and KD the odd socks!

I would give away the bits I have KD but as I have outstanding debts have to use it to make a dent in them. However, least my mindset is improving about getting rid of them.

Will make myself a list later on my phone of seven things I want to achieve this week. I am a list person.

PollyWollyDoodle

Skeeter93, I haven't done a big holiday since I started this, but I have been away overnight twice recently. Packing my bag was really fast as I knew exactly where everything was, and because my underwear was neatly rolled it took up almost no space. Unpacking on my return was very easy too as I knew where to put everything away again.

Knitting wool ... and fabric. Hmm. All I can say is that when I finish Kondoing, I feel that I'm going to have the freedom to pick up and get on with some of my outstanding projects! I won't have to hunt for what I need, the kitchen table will be clear if I want to put the sewing machine up and I will have more time because I won't be cleaning, sorting, stashing and moving Stuff.

I can see why she starts with clothes though - I whizzed through the first few categories and I remember thinking 'this won't take me six months'. They were relatively easy. Paperwork has really dragged me down, and I'm beginning to see what a huge task it is to touch every single one of your possessions.

clippy_girl

Skeeter- have a look at some packing cubes like these- http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=travel+packing+cubes&!!!!!googhydr-21&index=aps&hvadid=34734328788&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14999738211836062580&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=t&ref=pd_sl_53cbb4coo1_b

I use them in my large rucksack and you can get lots in and it makes it easy to find stuff. Works well as it keeps your already rolled clothes nice and neat

Does anyone know where you can get some stacking crates bigger than the wilco ones? http://www.wilko.com/plastic-storage/wilko-stacking-baskets-silver-3pk/invt/0222518 I want some for under the sink for cleaning products but these are too small (would be good for cloths though)

iQueen

allybee101 wrote: »

I am planning to remove two big commitments by June which I hope will help me get back on balance.


I am trying to be inspired by a story that my Mum told me recently. In the 60s her family moved from London to Banbury as part of the London overspill project (not sure if this was it's real name, but the premise was that London was overcrowded so people were offered newly built council houses outside the city). The sum total of furniture from their place in London was 4 beds and a dining table and chairs for the 5 of them.
I don't think I'll ever be a 100 item person, but I'm really starting to appreciate how much less I need and that I've been using clutter as a barrier to hide behind for far too long to subconsciously protect myself.

I've found, with a wrangle going on, that kondoing has really changed my mindset. I no longer constantly ruminate over each letter/email. Like kondoing, everything has its place, and I refuse let this matter intrude into the rest of my life - I give it a specific 'appointment'!

Definitely talk to your mother about life in the 60's! I'm basing my de-cluttering aims on my experience of the 50s and 60s. Life was much simpler. People generally, had much less stuff, but also less pressurised work, and Consumerism had yet to raise its ugly head.

I'm currently reading Rod Liddle's book Selfish Whining Monkeys. It's a hilarious (but serious) look back to that era and how society has got where it (unfortunately) is now! Your Mum would probably enjoy it, if she likes reading, and it would be an eye-opener for you, too. :rotfl:

I realised a couple of years ago that my clutter was a barricade to the outside world, too. MK has changed that: I'm gradually beginning to peek out - cautiously. :j

mrs-moneypenny wrote: »

But it can really really wind people up if you put it on the wrong way:mad: my confession now is that I have to swap it if it's on the 'wrong' way round even if I'm visiting people:o

My wool stash tends to migrate around the house as well iQueen, I did make an effort a couple of weeks ago to gather it together, so I think it's now contained to the cupboard under the stairs, an ottoman and there is some in the attic. I even managed to kondo all the mohair into the Cs bag as I never find joy knitting or wearing that so gave it away in the hope someone else would.
And now you've mentioned stitching, I think I need to live a little longer than 130 if I add that stash into the equation

You are not alone! But, I've realised that my right way (next sheet on top, towards the front) may be the opposite to the householder's!

Oooooo! Mohair! :j If only I had known... love wearing it and don't mind knitting it... I might even have paid you for it! [Raps knuckles and reminds Self of the 2 sacks of said yarn in the Room of Doom! ]

I'm planning to store all my stash (hopefully) in a wardrobe in the [STRIKE]Mini-Room of Doom[/STRIKE] boxroom, later. I will be utilising those hanging sweater/shoes thingies and the shelf.

:eek: Needlework supplies! I have bales of Aida and Evenweave in the boxroom, (from my business in 2000) and an ottoman of quality (well, they were 25 years ago), fabrics from the 60s in the main Room of Doom! Crossing my fingers that at least some of it hasn't died in storage. That room is to be my reward for kondoing the rest of the house - it will be my own Calke Abbey, a time capsule - SO exciting! :dance:

Had a great time last night, (into the small hours ) browsing those (subversive) needlework sayings. I can't remember when I've laughed so much. "I laughed so much that tears ran down my leg!"

And one for us knitters and needleworkers:

"She laughed at my knitting/needlework, so I laughed at her stitches."

Keep laughing konverts - "Life's a witch, and then we fly".

iQueen

clippy_girl wrote: »

Does anyone know where you can get some stacking crates bigger than the wilco ones? http://www.wilko.com/plastic-storage/wilko-stacking-baskets-silver-3pk/invt/0222518 I want some for under the sink for cleaning products but these are too small (would be good for cloths though)

Search for stacking vegetable racks. Or similar, stacking storage for the garage.

iQueen

PollyWollyDoodle wrote: »

Skeeter93, I haven't done a big holiday since I started this, but I have been away overnight twice recently. Packing my bag was really fast as I knew exactly where everything was, and because my underwear was neatly rolled it took up almost no space. Unpacking on my return was very easy too as I knew where to put everything away again.

Knitting wool ... and fabric. Hmm. All I can say is that when I finish Kondoing, I feel that I'm going to have the freedom to pick up and get on with some of my outstanding projects! I won't have to hunt for what I need, the kitchen table will be clear if I want to put the sewing machine up and I will have more time because I won't be cleaning, sorting, stashing and moving Stuff.

I can see why she starts with clothes though - I whizzed through the first few categories and I remember thinking 'this won't take me six months'. They were relatively easy. Paperwork has really dragged me down, and I'm beginning to see what a huge task it is to touch every single one of your possessions.

It certainly is a bigger job than we thought. In my case, over 20 years of unnoticed accumulation - or rather, for some strange reason, absence of the normal discarding which obviously happened naturally in the past.

I have so many leisure activities that I am looking forward to, when the kondoing is finished, but can you imagine if she had suggested doing that category first? :eek: Life as we know it would have ceased - to a background of whirring of sewing machines, clicking needles, crunching pinking shears, and murmers of "Bu88er"! :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

System

mrs-moneypenny wrote: »

Have mackled an old washing line and the base of an old trampoline into a playmat/storage bag for a load of megabloks so they will be taken to the local primary tomorrow for playtime.

What a brilliant word, what does it mean please?

Well I've been dealing with RL lately but still reading along with you all and cheering quietly in the background :T
And I've finally managed to KM the last area of my house, the garage of doom. I knew there wasn't much in there, I don't use it because it's in a block and keeps getting broken into and the roof leaks. There's no point mending it until the local kids grow out of playing on the garage roofs! But I did know there was some old oil and paint and suchlike (left by the previous owners 10 years ago, and why I didn't get rid before is a mystery!), it was weighing me down and I wanted rid. Anyway, in I went, waving a broom handle in front of me to collect the cobwebs, to inspect...
Oh my word how revolting The oil and paint were in a plastic crate to prevent spillage - I hadn't counted on the crate filling up with rain so its contents mixed and overflowed, leaving a crate full of water with a scum of white oily stuff all over it and leaking onto the floor. Luckily I hadn't yet Kondoed an old plastic dustbin from the garden so I dragged that out and dumped the whole disgusting lot in it to take to the [STRIKE]tip [/STRIKE]recycling centre. I fully expected to be sent away with a flea in my ear but they took the lot :j
And the moral of that tale? Kondo any chemicals, oil, paint etc. as soon as you are done with it, don't leave it festering in a leaky garage for 10 years
So that's the house, shed and garage done, and I hope to move onto the garden and Kondo a stack of old paving slabs and lots of weeds! And maybe the front lawn
And then maybe start again at the beginning with clothes, I think I was too lenient on the first pass.
Back to lurking and cheering, thanks folks for keeping me going:D