The KonMarie method

maman

iQueen wrote: »

Fashion trends didn't come into it! Nor were 'jackets' invented - workmen wore Donkey Jackets,

Reminded me of an old joke that used to do the rounds when I was a youngster.


'The wife asked me to get her a fur coat. I got her a donkey jacket...shame it had NCB on the back'.

I've all but finished reading my MK book. I'm not sure I can go the whole hog straight away but it is changing my thinking and I'm definitely finding it easier to let go of things that have served me well. One problem is that it is quite difficult when I've had years of being mse. It would be so easy, for example, to throw out toiletries that I don't love (mainly gifts) and replace them with all my favourite brands. Instead I've satisfied myself with tidying and collecting together so at least I know what I'm working through and I always feel the joy when another empty container is binned.


I took to heart what she said about Japanese homes and fitted cupboards. I have a fair few around the house (wardrobes, airing cupboard, kitchen cabinets etc) so I'm working on getting things inside them so the house looks neat. BUT, first I must empty them out and send many items on their way.:)

DawnW

maman wrote: »

One problem is that it is quite difficult when I've had years of being mse. It would be so easy, for example, to throw out toiletries that I don't love (mainly gifts) and replace them with all my favourite brands. Instead I've satisfied myself with tidying and collecting together so at least I know what I'm working through and I always feel the joy when another empty container is binned.

I can't bring myself to just chuck toiletries out either, Maman A combination of MSE and green tendencies make (what I would see as) waste really hard for me I am also not that fussy - shower gel is what it says on the tin - isn't it?? If I really don't like it, OH will use anything, so it gets pushed in his direction :rotfl: I suppose it might be different if one had a huge stockpile, but I only really have stuff given for gifts etc, or the odd buy one get one free at the supermarket.

Speaking of coats, I got rid of loads of clothes a few months ago (before I had heard of MK) because I had taken early retirement and simply didn't wear many of the 'smarter' items any more. Some were donated, and some sold on ebay. Never forget, just because an item doesn't bring YOU joy, doesn't mean that it won't to others. One item I sold was a designer coat, bought at the end of the sales in desperation because I was going at short notice to a cold part of the US for work in February :eek:

I didn't wear it much after the trip, because it was formal looking and pale coloured, and didn't fit with my lifestyle at all. It just came out for the odd winter work occasion. I got as much for it on ebay as I had paid for it 3 years previously, and had such a lovely email from the lady who had bought it, saying how much she loved it and that it was her bargain of the year It certainly brought her joy, even though it wasn't for me :rotfl:

Igamogam

Not much done today but kondoing always on my mind. Friend called to say she was at a loose end so did I fancy a meet up. Thought I would give myself a day off but spent the entire day talking about getting my house in order. Good job she knows all about it and suggested she would be happy to help. I am still going it alone for now cos I am stubborn like that but there may come a time when I may take up the offer:D

Right off the shout out the answers for university challenge. Is it me getting brainier or are the questions easier??

pavlovs_dog

6.5GB sorted and transferred so far, with 1000+ blurry photos deleted. Methinks this will be an ongoing mission for quite some time!

RE toiletries, if you have a huge haul, the no buying toiletries thread on the health and beauty board is a vibrant community of aficionados looking to reduce their stashes. I haven't bought shower gel or moisturiser for years where I've been trying to reduce my stash. I must admit MK's comments about us saving sachets and samples for travels only to never use them, really struck a chord with me. Guilty as charged on this front!

VJsmum

pavlovs_dog wrote: »

I must admit MK's comments about us saving sachets and samples for travels only to never use them, really struck a chord with me. Guilty as charged on this front!

Me too - I have half a shampoo and one conditioner left. They aren't even all that great for my hair. I have some of those 100ml bottles that you can put your own shampoos in, for when i do travel. Last time I went to an hotel, I left the shampoos etc there (my boss shoved loads in his suitcase). I can see inroads into my stash in the drawers now. My make up bag now fits in the drawer. :T

OH has kondoed the car, I have sorted his tools basket into different categories for him to go through. Not sure how many ratchetty things a bloke needs...

Susan1962

MK is finally rubbing off on the OH. He voluntarily gave me an old pair of shoes to go to the CS. Now this is a man who will wear shoes (albeit in the garden/house) until there are holes in them. Giving me a pair that were still fit to wear is huge!

Igamogam

VJsmum wrote: »

OH has kondoed the car, I have sorted his tools basket into different categories for him to go through. Not sure how many ratchetty things a bloke needs...

Whatever it is I fear its never enough:D

bossymoo

Ooh coats. I'm in bed, so from memory:

1. Burgundy wool dress coat. Bought originally for DH funeral as I had nothing suitable. Beautiful but feels odd wearing it now. Plus it's too big. Must sell it really.
2. Winter parka-type coat. Warm and cosy, but really wish the sleeves were a rad longer!
3. Leather jacket - wear lots when going out, not lately of course!
4. Light summer jacket - currently wearing lots
5. Running jacket - I don't run any more, lol, but I do take it on holiday in case needed in evening - very thin and lightweight
6. Super flower print anorak which I adore!
7. Fleece jacket, often worn around the house


I had three gilets but finally admitted I look a git in them so thanked them for that and let them go :rotfl:

bossymoo

VJsmum wrote: »

OH has kondoed the car, I have sorted his tools basket into different categories for him to go through. Not sure how many ratchetty things a bloke needs...

my DH was electrician - I have all sorts of tools I don't even know the names of... He had a big cabinet (still in my garage). In one drawer is 3, yes 3 sets of identical wrenches, 3 of every bl00dy size! Crazy! He only had 2 hands - how could he possibly need 3.

Having said that, I didn't understand why I'd need 2 until I tried to raise the height of DS bicycle seat <insert lightbulb smiley)...

GreyQueen

bossymoo wrote: »

my DH was electrician - I have all sorts of tools I don't even know the names of... He had a big cabinet (still in my garage). In one drawer is 3, yes 3 sets of identical wrenches, 3 of every bl00dy size! Crazy! He only had 2 hands - how could he possibly need 3.

Having said that, I didn't understand why I'd need 2 until I tried to raise the height of DS bicycle seat <insert lightbulb smiley)...

That's the reason I have two 13 mm spanners - I need two simulataneously to adjust the bicycle seat. Bought the extra one for 20p from a bootsale to add to my spanner set once I realised the need.

In the interests of full disclosure - my personal coat inventory.

1. The waterproof shell jacket - the most used.
2. The classic trenchcoat mac worn in autumn/ winter.
3. The ankle-length lux black cashmere - for viciously cold weather or poshing it up. I don't wear it often but I feel joyful in it.
4. A classic wool jacket which I can't fit into atm - must diet.
5. A Roh@n jacket, which I forgot in the pile. Will be wearing it more this autumn/ winter.
6. A tailored Jacques Ve rt jacket - worn seldom but joyful-c.s find.

I do have two fleece gilets which I get a lot of use out of, in the right season, and I throughly enjoy them. I tend to think of them in the same category as jumpers, rather than coats, though.

Yesterday the household inventory shrank by two baking trays to a friend and temporarily expanded by a bag of packaging materials from her to my brother for his business online. They will be about for a few weeks until handover.

And Mum was raving about the book which I gave to her at last Friday which she's engrossed in. And it will go to the chazzer when finished.

Before work, I am going to run up to the allotment to declutter a large amount of courgettes, to offer around the department. Have got more than I can cope with and don't want to waste them.

ETA Back from the lottie and have left a couple of marr err courgettes on a pal's doorstep (we discussed this last night) and have many more to take into the office. Gosh, but it's a lovely morning here today, such a shame I have to earn a living and couldn't stay up there for hours. I guess you could call it a drive-by harvesting, lol.