The KonMarie method

greenbee

GreyQueen wrote: »

Your newish neighbour is pretty un-politic, isn't she, jinny? I must be a miserable so-and-so, too. I can't see any point in handing out Xmas cards to the office colleagues or the neighbours. We see each other all the time. And sending cards to people you don't see, what's that all about?

If you had a real ongoing relationship, surely it's worth more than a card saying To X and Y from A and B and the kids, love and all the best for the new year or something like that? Hell, you could write to them properly, ring for a chat or even arrange to visit.

I don't generally give/send cards to people I see. I can SAY 'Happy Christmas' to them. I tend to send them to people I don't see often and want to keep in touch with - but I also tend to write a short personal message. Maybe I should send postcards or letters at other times of year, but it doesn't seem to happen, so Christmas is when I focus on it and devote some time to it.

PollyWollyDoodle

Likewise, there are people I like to keep in touch with even though I don't see them often, and I usually write a letter or short note in those ones. I cut down significantly on cards a few years ago, and I don't give them to people I see regularly. I find elderly people in particular like to receive cards.

SilvaSava it's worth following MK's recommended order of doing things - definitely leave emotional stuff like photos till last. I think all of us have deviated from the order for reasons of convenience, but by doing the easier stuff - airing cupboard is a good one - you'll get better at knowing what feels joyful and what doesn't.

allybee101

Welcome to the klub, Supersaver! Sounds like you've got off to a great start with your decluttering.

Remember to keep focussing on one category at a time. And if you're not sure about an item then you can always review it again later. There are a few of us who found this to be the case and have reviewed categories a second time and removed more items that don't spark joy, even if they made the first cut. The further you progress the more space (physical and mental) you have and it becomes easier to look at belongings rationally.

supersaver1000

Thank you Allybee and Pollywolly

After I wrote my last post and then went off to start Kondoing, I realised I wasn't doing it in the right order and wasn't following the "does it spark joy process" . But you've both reassured me thank you and I feel I am making progress.

Have done a major sort of toiletries and I know I will be returning to them, but I do feel in a position to do that now. I'm glad to hear that others return to categories too. Strange thing is that although my bedroom feels very decluttered, it still feels like a work in progress. I feel like I've cleared the decks ready to start, things are popping out at me already.

I feel I've a long way to go, but that I am going to get there. What a relief! (I've been surrounded by clutter for far too long ) xx

Hollyboll

Hi supersaver 1000 … I have reached the conclusion that there is just too much stuff in too small a space to do the 'one off' full Kondoing for me. So I'm doing a bit of a declutter, and a major sort, both definitely influenced by MK ('kottering') and when there is space to think a little then I will go back for a full one Proper Kondo. That said, I do think the 'Proper' for everyone is a bit different, and as many others have said on this thread as long as you are feeling you are moving forward, no point or need in beating ourselves up to do it 'Right' in a strict military way … that's what I keep telling myself anyway

mrs-moneypenny

I think everyone has their own way of doing it and there isn't a wrong way as long as you follow the basic principles of the book. It's certainly making me think before anything new enters the house.

supersaver1000

Thank you Hollyboll, I'm in a similar place I think, thank you for your words of wisdom . I do feel that I am getting somewhere rather than just tidying away the junk (I've done that for years :eek:).

I think I'm also at the point of thinking twice before buying anything (or even taking any freebies) Mrs MP - I did buy a 'bargain' chair the other day and it was a disaster - that was my definite turning point

Well I just popped in to say that I dropped all my stuff at the CS and in between trips to the car absent mindedly smiled at someone who told me I had a lovely smile (:):):)). Then before I left said CS I had a quick look and purchased a beautiful lampshade - DS has been after one for ages - for 50p and it looks gorgeous. I really, really like this kondoing :):rotfl::):)

ps forgot to say that my hair was in need of a wash (but I've got aerobics tonight so wanted to wait for later), but I was able to easily find my clips and clip it up a bit, and then easily picked out a nice top and my trousers I like, plus I wore my nice sandals as all my yucky ones have gone.

DawnW

GreyQueen wrote: »

Tell ya a wee tale from RL. House I used to live in (or rented part of, with the owners living upstairs) used to receive an annual Xmas card addressed to people who did not live there and had not lived there for the 25+ years the owners had owned. It just had the first names of the addressees and the senders, so no way to let them know that Bob and Irene (I can't remember the real names) didn't live there.

After about 8 years, we got a change-of-address card from the sender couple which had an address and a telephone number on it. Aha! I rang them up, exp that their friends didn't live in our house and never had, as far as we could fathom. A conversation ensued - they'd got our house confused with another house (we identified the mistake by what was on the opposite side of the road) and genuinely thought Bob and Irene lived there. No more Xmas cards arrived.

What a waste of paper and postage. Perhaps Bob and Irene used to send cards to the other couple, too, whilst muttering under their breath that they never got one in return?:rotfl:

We get a Christmas card every year addressed to a 'Michael and Fay'. As far as I know, nobody of those names has ever lived here, we don't know a Michael and Fay, and I always end up just throwing the cards away I can't even return to sender, as they are always hand delivered - and I have never managed to see / catch the person who puts it through the letter box. It is spidery handwriting, so I am guessing that the sender must be quite elderly They must also be quite sprightly though, as I actually heard it come through the letter box last year, but couldn't get to the front door quick enough to head off whoever had posted it through :rotfl:

Blairweech

Hello everyone,

I am sure this has been answered before but how do people cope with 'Ebay' clutter? Tbh, my issue is not in deciding to get rid of things so much as actually getting rid of the things - I put them aside to Ebay and then don't get around to that for a while, or it takes time for things to be sold. In the meantime, they are still IN the house, usually shoved under the bed, or stacked in a corner. Do people simply not use Ebay, just take everything to CS/Freecycle etc?

DawnW

Blairweech wrote: »

Hello everyone,

I am sure this has been answered before but how do people cope with 'Ebay' clutter? Tbh, my issue is not in deciding to get rid of things so much as actually getting rid of the things - I put them aside to Ebay and then don't get around to that for a while, or it takes time for things to be sold. In the meantime, they are still IN the house, usually shoved under the bed, or stacked in a corner. Do people simply not use Ebay, just take everything to CS/Freecycle etc?

Perhaps you could try a car boot sale instead?