The KonMarie method

GreyQueen

Congratulations on your 6-month-a-versary!

I have it easy compared to many of you; am a singleton so don't have to negotiate other people's Stuff inside the home, which is itself a tiny flat and not a proper full-on House.

I'd've thought I would have long-since been finished with the kondo-journey and it's true that it has slowed up dramatically, but Things are still slinking out of nooks and crannies. It's as if kondo-ing has premanantly reset my brain and I find myself looking hard at things which are loitering on the premises and even harder at things which I might be tempted to bring home.

Some things are genuinely useful to me, like my Pyrex casserole dish. The bottom half has been in the fridge for days holding a pie, and the day after the pie was finished, the dish was used for the intended purpose. It made it into the cupboard for all of 10 mins before it came out again. I have long-since decided that if/ when this breaks, it's on a fast-track to replacement like for like.

Some other things? Useful and used, but not so important to the running of the household, and will be reconsidered before auto-replacement.

In my job, I talk to people about rubbish and recycling, about picking up bulky items (and paying for the same), about clearing out homes which are hoarded and the hoarders are alive, if not actually well. I also talk to the families of the deceased hoarders who have left unbelievable mounds for Stuff for their next of kin to process. It's enough to make you meditate long and hard on the futility of much of human endeavour. And to try to do everything possible not to leave messes around to be handled when alive or by the relatives after I've passed.

supersaver1000

Jo4 wrote: »

Thanks! :beer: :j

I was wondering how long it should take as someone said it would only take one day. :eek: I was worrying how long it was taking me , I started last week. :rotfl:

I've just looked back and my first post on here was the start of July and I'd already got the book and been reading the thread. I reckon I'm 2 and a half months in. RL does get in the way, but I also think it's not just about enough time. I find I get stuck, but then suddenly I get an idea and just have to do it - swap cupboards, containers etc.

I'm kondoing the shed this week, but I know that will trigger change elsewhere so, frustrating though it is sometimes not to be done and dusted, I just know it's an organic process (not sure if that's the right word but sounds right)

ali-t

This weeks closer magazine had a review of different self help apps and books that are around just now and MK was one of them. This will open the kondo doors to loads of new people and we could have loads of newbies soon.

my kondoing has pretty much ground to a halt. I started in april, did another traunch in july and ongoing little bits since then. I dont think the job will ever be done, for me it is a process that turns intoma lifestyle continously weeding out things that no longer bring joy.

mrs-moneypenny

Morning all
Well done to all of us where ever we are on our Kondo journey, it is a brilliant and life changing experience.

I'm sort of between categories at the mo, I think that's because I don't fully think paper is done yet so can't move on.

But I'm weeding out joyless stuff quite regularly so haven't fallen of the rails.

Have a joyful day all

mavvymoo

Hello konverts

Feel a bit stiff today after the mammoth wood session yesterday.
Will re-hang Dads curtains today as didnt get time to do it yesterday.

Talking about how long a full kondo takes is like saying how long is a piece of string and I think in most homes that string is pretty long

I am there and done but you are always doing bits to improve storage or moving stuff as its not quite right once you have lived with it a while.
But you only have a cupboard or a drawer to do at a time so its quite easy to keep on top of.If something is put back and its not quite right then I will sort it straight away. So I think this is why MK works as you never seem to slip back to your old ways.

It is life changing and you are never the same after a full kondo and its almost like you are one step ahead of clutter where as before you would be at least 10 steps behind and always chasing your tail.

It makes you think very hard about bringing 'stuff' back into the house and when people say 'Oh I have got something for you which I am sure you will love' It fills me with dread and out comes another chicken salt and pepper shaker :mad: I bring it home where it gets put somewhere for about a week and then makes its way out again:D

With clothes I have found the best way is only having so many hangers and not allowing any more into the house and refusing point blank to hang 2 things on a hanger :rotfl:That has worked for me really well and folding clothes so there is no gaps in the drawers so if anymore were put in it would ruin the system When I got my new(to me)jeans NYDJs I got rid of an old pair and moved the next best ones down to cleaning out chickens jeans and this is what I have found works best for me but you may find something else works best

So as I have said before I dont believe you every finish the journey and I am quite joyful about that as you are always learning things about yourself and others with every little setback or idea.

I am happier,calmer, less stressed, less bothered, less worried, and a better person than I was before starting this journey. I see more as I take time to notice and I talk less and listen more as well

Hope all this makes sense but dont think MK is ever finished so dont even think that:o as it doesnt and I dont want you to think the moment you are done thats it ! and life will be perfect. Its not but its a damn sight better than it ever was

Good luck to everyone.Be joyful and enjoy it

Mav x

silvasava

I joyfully wiped out a Pringles tube for my needles iqueen ......and my needles were too long. I was gutted!! Then remembered I'd had some decals made that came in a stout cardboard tube - just right and I'd never have thought of it if you hadn't mentioned it AND it holds all my needles as I had some loose with elastic bands round them! Pringles tube out the door 'cos if I need another DH can supply!
Taking the vases and artificial flowers to the CS today so that's a bit more gone &I'll have a scout round for any komono that can go too
Have a joyful day all x

mrs-moneypenny

I bought an electronic fish tank last week at the boot only £1 but when we got home the fish didn't swim. It was meant for my DD1s step DD who only stays weekends, it's sat on the patio table all week from where I had a fiddle to try and get it working last Sunday, I was reading mavvys post when I heard the glass man collecting so nipped out into garden emptied water out and dashed after him to check it was the right glass (it's too big for the bottle bank) so that has been recycled the box is in the cardboard recycled instead of sitting on the dining table, the batteries are back in the battery stash and the plastic fish, weed and lid are in the bin.
Thinking about it I don't really think DD1 would have appreciated a plastic fish that eats batteries when in her lounge she has a perfectly good aquarium full of joyful live fish.

Going to put some codes in off cereal boxes and newspapers now so they can be recycled as well.

Smoosh

Morning!

Today I'm going to sort my makeup out and put it into my new dressing table as it's currently shoved in a load of makeup bags on the windowsill. Then I think I'll do my jewellery which has a new jewellery box waiting for it

juliebunny

Wow, big step kondo'ing the job JUNE89- sending you many 'prosperous wishes' for your way forward'. Some days I would like to do same, but in the line of work I do, it's pretty much the same everywhere and I have 8 years service now so the benefits do build up.

Its food for thought VJSMUM though about income vs outgoings and one which I've embraced in the opposite direction - since i have to come to work each day, I'm about to book a holiday to enjoy some of my hard earned money. Coming from a maternal side where i was brought up as if we were in the war years ('keep that, it will come in handy' and 'save don't spend/why have you wasted your money on THAT') this is a breakthrough for me...I still have guilt issues with spending even my own money, even after all the mortgage and bills are paid...I think this was part of my hoarding, bulk buying 'bargains' and then the whole MSE mindset - it's finding a balance now that is tricky...

PollyWollyDoodle wrote: »

Thank you to everyone who's inspired, sympathised and accompanied me on here, I couldn't do it without this thread. I think a finish by Christmas is possible!

Ditto that sentiment! Christmas was my goal too, but that seems to be coming up really quickly now, and with only weekends to really do anything, 'fun times' and 'chores' do get in the way

As others have said though, it becomes more of a way of life than having a deadline. It's done when it's done, and I've already experienced a lot of 'freeing of my mind'. So much so, that I'm trying something new between now and Christmas (related in part to my inability to treat myself as above, and a chronic illness, which has made me aware that you need to do things whilst you still can, both physically and financially, and balance saving for the future with the fact that today is yesterdays future that I was saving for!)

So, I've decided that I'm going to 'do it if I want to and can pay for it without borrowing money'. For example, starting small, last month, I joined the RHS, so i could go to the shows and I get to take a friend for free to the small ones (Wisley here I come!), I ordered some alternative meds I wanted to try, I signed up for a canoe course (which frankly I didn't enjoy that much, but no regrets with trying it out) and I'm about to book a holiday (I don't need to buy much for it, so it wont' result in a follow on shopping requirement.) Edit - it's a solo group activity holiday, in case this inspires anyone else who like me, is single and most of your friends are married, or don't share your holiday aspirations etc.

mavvymoo wrote: »

Hello konverts

With clothes I have found the best way is only having so many hangers and not allowing any more into the house and refusing point blank to hang 2 things on a hanger :rotfl:That has worked for me really well and folding clothes so there is no gaps in the drawers so if anymore were put in it would ruin the system When I got my new(to me)jeans NYDJs I got rid of an old pair and moved the next best ones down to cleaning out chickens jeans and this is what I have found works best for me but you may find something else works best

So as I have said before I dont believe you every finish the journey and I am quite joyful about that as you are always learning things about yourself and others with every little setback or idea.

I am happier,calmer, less stressed, less bothered, less worried, and a better person than I was before starting this journey. I see more as I take time to notice and I talk less and listen more as well

Hope all this makes sense but dont think MK is ever finished so dont even think that:o as it doesnt and I dont want you to think the moment you are done thats it ! and life will be perfect. Its not but its a damn sight better than it ever was

Good luck to everyone.Be joyful and enjoy it

Mav x

Wise words as always - I completely agree about the hangers, thankfully I started the 'one in one out' a few years ago or I would have been in a MUCH worst state.
However, the mistake I made was to go out and replace all my fat space stealing plastic hangers with the lovely velvet skinny ones BEFORE doing my clothes, so I now have more hangers than clothes to put on them, ooops!

One think I have found though is that it takes my longer to put my washing away - last weekends wash it STILL on the clothes horse, because I know it will take me longer to put it all away nicely - anyone have any inspiration here or is it just lazyitus!?

Off to the tip this weekend, a friend who was working in the area this week very kindly not only replaced my deteriorating garden fence for me but also broke down the old one which is now staring at me from a pile in the back garden. Shame I'm not nearer Mav you could have it for your burner!

carolbee

Finally got to the top of the library list and picked up my copy. So much really resonates with me.

Have been reading along with the thread and always did like a bit of a clear out, so not too much to do.

My problem is being on a pretty low income, discarding stuff that I would need to replace, thinking in particular of a winter coat I don't like, but need, how did you tackle that?

We do have quite a lot of charity shops and a dress agency where I live, so I guess I could replace it pretty cheaply if I decide to dispose of it.

Loving reading about your journeys.