The KonMarie method

chanie

oldstyle decluttering

To me, oldstyle is about reusing, repairing and mending. I'm struggling with how you can declutter and still be oldstyle. I've been decluttering but am scared I'm loosing my oldstyle ways.

We had to buy a new kettle as our old one stopped working. I tried the old kettle on the new base and it worked!!! I started using the new kettle and put the old one in a cupboard 'just in case'. I ended up throwing it out today as clutter. I don't know if that was the right thing to do. It brought me more joy than my new one. But, we only need one kettle and it doesn't make sense to throw away the new one, as the old one is more likely to stop working. I don't regret getting rid of it, but it does go against what I believe to be oldstyle.

Likewise, I have a small box with odds and sods in it like those ribbon ties you get in clothing and those elastic strings you get tying shoes together. I kept them in case the children needed them for school projects or crafts. It was only a small box, so didn't take up much space. But, when I looked in the box, I'd forgotten what I'd put in it. So, given that I didn't have a definite, intended use (again, another 'just in case' item), I got rid of them.

Am I loosing my oldstyle ways, or was this a sensible declutter?

YORKSHIRELASS

Well, I am amazed. OH refused to sort out his clothes, so I decided to just take them out, fold them Kondo style and put them back. He came in, picked up a sweatshirt and said "where did this come from, I really like this one". I then explained that doesnt wear half of his clothes because he has too many and they are all in a mess.

It was like something clicked. An hour and a bit later and we had 57 items of clothing on the bedroom floor (some his, some mine) to get rid of. Including the leather jacket I paid £60 for last year because it was half price in a sale - even though the colour is a bit dodgy and its really too short for me. I really struggled with this one before I read the book.

I am shattered now, but so happy. I still havent been through my lightweight cardigans and jumpers and work clothes yet.

I am itching to do the airing cupboard too.

lilahloo

lostinrates wrote: »

How do your beach towels compare with your dog towels? Would it make more sense to down grade the four towels to dog towels and clear dog towels?

That's a very good suggestion. Some of the dog towels are over 10 years old - they've served me very well. I think it's time to thank them and say goodbye.

lostinrates

lilahloo wrote: »

That's a very good suggestion. Some of the dog towels are over 10 years old - they've served me very well. I think it's time to thank them and say goodbye.

Glad I could help. My dogs now have mismatched designers guild towels:o and the floor has the mismatched towels from when I was a student.

As a side note we did kondo the car today. But not sure we have put enough back in it. E.g. No dog towel. Felt a bit scary.

MummyRivett

lostinrates wrote: »

Have to admit.

I'm still struggling.


I've just got in the book to how she deals with papers. Having just signed my tax return I'm wondering how this self employed woman handles such things with her attitude to paper work and if she has an accountant the accountant wants to kill her. ( no subdivisions or sorting...just stuff that cannot be thrown yet?!!)


I am feeling the desire to kondo clothes but despite enthusiasm I doubt I have the( physical) strength to do it all at once. I thought I might , a little lamely and contrary to the books advice, start with something like scarves.

Self employed, I would suggest getting an A4 folder and 12 pocket acetate punched slips, label each one as a separate month and put all your receipts in each month. I also scan in Daddy Rivett's receipts so we have them to hand. Yes it is work but I am an old school PA and have been doing this sort of thing for years.

Regarding clothes, suggest you do them in sub categories. I agree it was too much for me working full time. I just did shoes this week, next week it is going to be socks & underwear. Just keep with the programme, this thread will help motivate.

Good luck

YORKSHIRELASS

lostinrates wrote: »

lilahloo wrote: »

As a side note we did kondo the car today. But not sure we have put enough back in it. E.g. No dog towel. Felt a bit scary.

Mmm, I have a small holdall in the car boot which contains things like a couple of pak-a-macs, small towel, first aid kit, torch, spare socks, bottle of water, plastic cups and cutlery, wipes, and paper towels. We are quite an outdoors/sporty family and it has come in handy a few times but I could probably live without it in there.

I am going to cut a few of my old towels up for cleaning cloths. OH likes to keep some in his van for when he is out working so its a good way of recycling them. I have 3 dog towels which is enough.

tooties

I can'r read the book because i'm too busy on here reading and going to all the links. I have had several AHA moments watching the folding and rolling videos. They are pure genius!!!!

I can't wait to roll my cloths and towels.


Thank you so much everyone

Regards

lostinrates

MummyRivett wrote: »

Self employed, I would suggest getting an A4 folder and 12 pocket acetate punched slips, label each one as a separate month and put all your receipts in each month. I also scan in Daddy Rivett's receipts so we have them to hand. Yes it is work but I am an old school PA and have been doing this sort of thing for years.

Regarding clothes, suggest you do them in sub categories. I agree it was too much for me working full time. I just did shoes this week, next week it is going to be socks & underwear. Just keep with the programme, this thread will help motivate.

Good luck

Thanks.

Our paper work I have always considered minimal but is bit more complicated than that. . Invoices etc which need to be kept for a certain number of years in client specific files etc. because we both self assess and one is employed and financial situation is not always straight forward and paperwork needs to be kept for a number of years etc....various reasons I could not simplify this much without it impacting negatively.

drusilla

Thanks to whoever posted the ranger rolling technique for towels.

I have re rolled all my tea towels. I had folded them and put them into a basket (two actually). I have those wide tall drawers in the kitchen. I love the look of them but they are useless for storing anything.

So when I had re rolled my towels they fitted into the Quality street tub that I was chucking (all chocs decluttered ).

My son is very impressed. He went to get his cutlery at tea time and said. 'Oooh it looks like we are getting organised.'

Flaming OH said about bl**dy time. Mmmm wait till we start reorganising all his carp - tools, old clocks, trainers, car magazines. He has a huge garage to put his stuff but most of it ends up in my kitchen or bedroom or bathroom.:mad:

meames_2

Glad my drawers are providing inspiration on the Pinterest board! ��