The KonMarie method

Clutterfree

VJsmum if it's not too late and you've not already discarded them, check out the price of Gameboys on eBay. You might be able to get a few quid for them because they are now considered "retro"!
I've also got the christening gifts stash for my boys - mugs, plates, silverware. They are all unused in a cupboard. I'll keep them though as sentimental items but no doubt they'll be binned once I leave this mortal coil. There are a couple of expensive solid silver items though, so I shall have to mark those up or they'll bin these too!

PollyWollyDoodle

This thread really is a lifeline, I am getting a lot of inspiration from other people's posts (especially the pictures) and I'm also finding it really helpful to hear where others are struggling.

I have done a massive job which is almost invisible - I have reduced my email inbox from 48 pages and over 1500 emails to 4 pages and just over 100 messages. My aim is to get it down to a single page, with everything else in folders. Most of the stuff I've deleted is just chat from friends/information that wasn't needed for more than a few days. It hasn't made a visible difference to the house but it's made me feel great!

I also (finally) tackled books this weekend, having procrastinated for weeks. I have a lot of books and many of them have emotional significance, and I was absolutely sure that there would be only a few that I didn't want to keep. I don't keep novels/detective stories/chicklit, I read it and pass it on straight away, so what I had on the shelves was mainly poetry, reference and classics.

I am astounded - I've cleared about 6' of bookshelf and it was easy. The point about books (and other stuff) that represents a former self, or someone we aspired to be, is very true and that helped me ditch a lot of foreign language and 'how to' books. I've still got enough books to stock a small library but it's absolutely true - the house feels lighter somehow!

off to the CS today to send them on their way in the world where they can help someone else.

sushistar

Morning all! Nice to see how everyone's doing.

I am astounded - I've cleared about 6' of bookshelf and it was easy.

Well done POllywollydoodle! I have rather drifted from Marie's order of decluttering, but maybe I should stick more to it. I've nearly done the books, but keep getting distracted and going on to other things. I think I will go back and finish books.

Last night I cleared my desk and sorted personal papers. I actually have a (reasonably) functional filing system, so it was mostly a case of USING it and filing away necessary paper from the last 8-9 months or so! :eek: I also came across lots of unnecessary paper which I have put in a heap next to the woodburner - SO much quicker than shredding with my very weak, old, tempramental shredder. In fact... I'm going to kondo the shredder. Burning stuff is even SAFER - and I can put the ash on the garden.

This morning I am going to organise my work papers, and update my task list etc - get a clear idea of where I am and what I need to do. I KNOW I am more productive and creative in a clear, calm space, so I think finishing this will really help me fell less overworked and more in control. See you all later!

See you all later!

Dustykitten

Martin on the radio at lunchtime saying we should keep statements indefinitely. I'd kept all mine for years and years until last week. Now I feel stressed that I've destroyed them all. This has taken my MK joy away! I now feel stuck in limbo of not wanting to carry on and do more 'damage'. maybe I could find some non-financial paperwork to do. Wishing I had done that first now aaaaaaarghhhh.

cpt574

Don't worry dusty kitten the chance of you ever needing any of it is very slim. The peace of living with space is far more valuable, Martin is probably more concerned with the chance of reclaiming PPi etc, you would have known if that was possible. The whole km magic is trusting that your instincts for your home and your possessions are right for you, it will all be fine.

sistercas

Dustykitten wrote: »

Martin on the radio at lunchtime saying we should keep statements indefinitely. I'd kept all mine for years and years until last week. Now I feel stressed that I've destroyed them all. This has taken my MK joy away! I now feel stuck in limbo of not wanting to carry on and do more 'damage'. maybe I could find some non-financial paperwork to do. Wishing I had done that first now aaaaaaarghhhh.

I've done exactly the same yesterday morning , then read on here not to shred them

PollyWollyDoodle

I gave this some thought before I did paperwork, but unless you have a PPI claim or something similar (and as said above, you'd probably know about it) it's unlikely that you have shredded anything you really needed. There is very little these days that can't be reconstituted from other sources anyway - please don't lose the joy of having freed yourself from all that paper!

determined_new_ms

Hi everyone don't mind if I join do you? I discovered this thread about 3 weeks ago. It was at a point where I had sat my oh down and said I felt life was out of control since having a toddler and working ft our house was a mess, everything took 10 x the time it should, I was missing appointments, not attending to things that needed attention. We decided to get organised.

I bought a calendar that is now on the kitchen wall, I sorted out our larder - which was a hellish experience every time we needed something and then I found this thread! Found the book and have been konmari ing since!

So far I have done clothes (me + baby), shoes, bags, coats, konmodo bedroom (I know she said everything at once but this is how I've done it) 90% of the kitchen. My life is soooo much easier now! Washing completely under control. 3 weeks ago we were thinking of once a week doing a service wash at a launderette as I just couldn't keep up! Today I have flyladied the whole house in about 1.5 hrs :j

I intend to move on to komodo proper next! Have 3 boxes of cables/dvds/freeview boxes/cameras and such stuff. Then casserole dishes and moving onto paper. Think that should get done this week.

Thank you for introducing this to my life, honestly feel so much calmer now

drusilla

Great to have you Determined.

Life does get in the way doesn't it. You are doing what we all seem to be doing - the Kondo method with a Twist. It seems to be working for everyone although paperwork seems to be a sticking point for lots of us as you have probably worked out.

Good luck with your journey! Welcome aboard.

MMF007

I managed a mini kondo yesterday in between cleaning the house from top to bottom and making marmalade....i did coats - 2 to charity shop today along with 3 items of komono. I still have a long way to go but i keep taking a look at the 2 cupboards and 4 drawers i have done and KEPT neat and tidy! They are my inspiration, along with everyones helpful input on here.

I must also let you know about the serendipity of Marie Kondo. On Saturday i was walking through town, weighed down with the week's groceries when i noticed a new book in Wstones window. I decided to treat myself. Popped into the store and picked up the book, went to look for one for hubby (anniversary this week) and there, completely in the wrong category, lying down, unloved and almost unseen was, you've guessed it, the life changing magic of tidying!! Well I felt I owed it to our great leader to buy her book as until now I have just snaffled tips from this forum. So i am going to read and inwardly digest the ideas and formula for putting my house in order.

i have to say that i was astonished to read, after getting really annoyed with every radio prog I tried while kondo-ing yesterday, that KM says you should not listen to music while kondo-ing because noise makes it harder to hear your internal dialogue. Well, for whatever reason I could not stand the extraneous noise and had to turn my radio off. I really enjoyed the quiet and I really got on with loads of things so it worked as Marie
said!! Amazing.