KonMari 2016 - The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up

kboss2010

GreyQueen wrote: »

Evening all

I opened a drawer this morning to get a top out and I could see white melamine where there was this strange thing called 'space'. You may have heard of 'space' but it's seldom seen in this mini-flat. I grinned at it joyfully.

Hehe I thought I was going nuts yesterday when I opened our 'under eaves store cupboard' (looks like an understair cupboard but it's upstairs in our maisonette flat under the eaves rather than under our stairs) and admired the 1/4 of the visible carpet that I'd cleared and the rest that was tidy and organised - glad it's not just me who appreciates the sight of empty space lol!

I'm enjoying this kondoing lark, it's quite therapeutic for the soul!

GreyQueen

I just love space.

I was thinking back to my early-adult crush on traditional Japanese styles of dwellings, gardens, flower arrangements, what have you. I absolutely and fundamentally get that aesthetic, it speaks to me.

I remember reading about ceramics (have a side interest in pottery, do the odd class) and the value given to the imperfectly formed tea ceremony bowls, the ethos of something like a humble yukata being much worn and much mended and acquiring a quality through careful use.

I once had an acquaintance who is a major clutter-bunny around for a cuppa and she fixated on one of the walls in my sitting room. There is an area of wall which is about 5 ft square and empty. I like it because I enjoy the contrast between the side of the wall unit and the painted wall. I like to rest my eyes on it, as an alternative to the computer screen, the window, the small-bit-of-wall-with-the-art-calendar on it.

But it bothered the heck out of her, so much so that she offered to do me a picture to hang there. I politely declined and hoped I didn't give offence.

Lady_Bee

Judi wrote: »

Firstly see if they fit you. If they do, do they suit you/look good on you? Are there other occasions when you wont be able to wear jeans... like funerals etc or do you have other smart clothes that you can wear?

Thank you for this Judi, I tried them on and they both fit fine so I will keep hold of them for any occasions when I need something smarter than jeans. I also tried on the cardigan with fur collar and cuffs and that still fits and looks pretty snazzy! Now I've re-discovered it I will perhaps try and wear it sometime.

I pulled down a sack of cuddly toys off the top of the wardrobe and have managed to offload a few of those onto friend's children which is good. There are some to keep though, two of my teddies from childhood and also one of my sister's is lurking in there. Pleased some are going to a good home.

No further progress, perhaps tomorrow.

Interesting insights from you all recently, we were very careful with money growing up so that has definitely stuck with me. I've never really been a big spender yet I still find myself with a house full of carp! I think this money attitude is what makes it hard for me to get rid of unworn things or things that were expensive, I have to remember Marie saying not to feel guilty.

I'm hoping that once I've kondo'ed the house I can start to kondo my life. I'm stuck in a massive rut and feel like life is passing me by. Clearing the carp will hopefully clear my mind. I have a copy of 'Feel the Fear..' but I'm currently too scared to read it

Keep up the good work all :T

Igamogam

Large bin bag of bubble wrap and other packaging and small boxes gone to my regular fr**cycle buddy who has a side line on an auction site. Packaging mainly from new kitchen and small boxes I have been putting to one side as I found them during the ongoing clear out. Whenever I have a bin bag full of stuff I drop her text...... a good system that works fine and is a salve for my anti landfill soul:D:D

GreyQueen

:j Freegle pick up happened successfully today and a lovely thank-you message, so feeling all warm on the inside. Chip-chip-chipping away at the Stuff one bagful at a time.

kboss2010

Lady_Bee wrote: »

Thank you for this Judi, I tried them on and they both fit fine so I will keep hold of them for any occasions when I need something smarter than jeans. I also tried on the cardigan with fur collar and cuffs and that still fits and looks pretty snazzy! Now I've re-discovered it I will perhaps try and wear it sometime.

I pulled down a sack of cuddly toys off the top of the wardrobe and have managed to offload a few of those onto friend's children which is good. There are some to keep though, two of my teddies from childhood and also one of my sister's is lurking in there. Pleased some are going to a good home.

No further progress, perhaps tomorrow.

Interesting insights from you all recently, we were very careful with money growing up so that has definitely stuck with me. I've never really been a big spender yet I still find myself with a house full of carp! I think this money attitude is what makes it hard for me to get rid of unworn things or things that were expensive, I have to remember Marie saying not to feel guilty.

I'm hoping that once I've kondo'ed the house I can start to kondo my life. I'm stuck in a massive rut and feel like life is passing me by. Clearing the carp will hopefully clear my mind. I have a copy of 'Feel the Fear..' but I'm currently too scared to read it

Keep up the good work all :T

One of the hardest things for me to kondo was a hand-knitted jumper my mum gave me when she came out of hospital - the colour is lovely but it's too short, too wide and makes me look and feel like an abominable green snowman. I was keeping it because she made it for me but it lives in the wardrobe and never sees the light of day. I don't live in a cold, draughty rented flat anymore so I have no need for it.

I decided that kondoing it was me letting go of the time my mum was at death's door and realising that, now that she's relatively well again, I can just call her. I don't need to remember her by an ill-fitting jumper, she's given me lots of prettier, more useful things since (sorry, mum! )

maddiemay

Lady_Bee wrote: »

Thank you for this Judi, I tried them on and they both fit fine so I will keep hold of them for any occasions when I need something smarter than jeans. I also tried on the cardigan with fur collar and cuffs and that still fits and looks pretty snazzy! Now I've re-discovered it I will perhaps try and wear it sometime.

I pulled down a sack of cuddly toys off the top of the wardrobe and have managed to offload a few of those onto friend's children which is good. There are some to keep though, two of my teddies from childhood and also one of my sister's is lurking in there. Pleased some are going to a good home.

No further progress, perhaps tomorrow.

Interesting insights from you all recently, we were very careful with money growing up so that has definitely stuck with me. I've never really been a big spender yet I still find myself with a house full of carp! I think this money attitude is what makes it hard for me to get rid of unworn things or things that were expensive, I have to remember Marie saying not to feel guilty.

I'm hoping that once I've kondo'ed the house I can start to kondo my life. I'm stuck in a massive rut and feel like life is passing me by. Clearing the carp will hopefully clear my mind. I have a copy of 'Feel the Fear..' but I'm currently too scared to read it

Keep up the good work all :T

Great that you have re-discovered the joy of some of the clothes.

Do get stuck in and start reading fear the fear, when I was going through a major life crisis, and was pretty close to a breakdown a dear friend told me about it, I got the cassette version to use in the car too (long time ago) and it was a complete inspiration. In truth I ought to read it again if I can find a copy (mine was Kondoed a while ago) as illness and moving to a new area has made me less confident. (When I was young I wouldn't say boo to a goose:o)

mavvymoo

FLA27 wrote: »

Tibawo - I did set a deadline. That was the problem, she still made excuses! I am a little worried about things sneaking back. I have hidden some things in the shed but now that needs Kondoing too!

silvasava - Freecycle is a good idea actually. I think I might even have an ancient account somewhere too. We also have a local thing here called Streetlife, it's a social network thing based on where you live. I could advertise it all on there. There are some things I can move around in carrier bags but this is the last resort, I have promised myself that I will stop carrying heavy stuff all the time. My poor shoulders!

Welcome FLA27 I think Streetlife is a really good plan for you as a lot of people on ours sell for Charity. And just think when the lady finally turns up (if she does) You can say 'Oh sorry its gone' and kondo her out of your door


Mav x

GreyQueen

I'm brokering a freegle pick-up over the next few days and when the items are gone, I shall chazzer the container - win-win, I reckon.

Honestly, if people who have troubles with excess Stuff only knew how absolutely freaking JOYFUL shedding it is .......... well, there would be a lot of Stuff on the move and getting into the hands of those who really need/ would appreciate it.

Space, one small leap for woman, one giant leap for womankind.*

;) I use womankind as a generic term which is inclusive of men, of course. If it works the other way around, it should work this way, too.:cool:

mavvymoo

Talking space in rooms.

Treated myself today to a coffee in an Art cafe near us.

It is so relaxing in there just plain White walls, a White wood floor lovely plain wood tables well spaced apart. Stunning Art work placed perfectly and not too much of it so you can really see it.

You come out of there and feel refreshed and relaxed like you have just stepped off the real world for a short time.

I wanted to ask who 'stages' it if thats the right word to use. As they have really done a good job and GQ They have a plain White wall in there as well with no Art work on it at all.So I think you were right on keeping it how you like it.

I think I am going to do mine White and also as the ceiling is White no cutting in How joyful is that.:D


Mav x