KonMari 2016 - The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up

aliwali

Started on 1st Jan and so far I've completed clothes for 5 of us. Now on books which were proving easy until I got to my GoodFood magazines. I felt bad going against the book but I had to go through them and rip out recipes that I use a lot. Paperwork today, I feel a shredding session coming on.

I'm one of these people that can't quite bear to charity shop everything. But in the same breath I can't really be bothered to sell it online or have a car boot. I start a new job on Wednesday and really I just need to get rid, as I won't have much time spare then. I'm fine with the sorting but the getting rid is turning me into an emotional wreck!

MummyEm

I've been decluttering for what feels like several years. One hoarder DH and two kiddie winks throws lots of 'stuff' into the mix.

I love MK's approach and apply many of her principles when I'm clearing out. I'm following project333 for the first three months of the year (perhaps more if it goes well). I got rid of a big bag full of clothes when choosing my clothes for the first round but most I have stored away.

I've been through my books. I have very little as like to use library, kindle or by from charity shop and re donate. DH however buys lots of books. He is getting better and will at least buy many second hand nowadays. I did go through my cookery books yesterday and have gotten rid of 15. Still have a shelf full- many which are actually DH's so will probably revisit this at some point. A couple of the books I got rid of I had to run past DH as were his. He was reluctant despite having to be reminded that he's owned those longer than we've been together and has not used them in that time!

I had a big clear out of paperwork just before Christmas. The study still feels very full but and in process of changing some savings accounts/ isas etc so that will cause more to become redundant.

My major focus is a possible house move in around 4-5 years. Our options for secondary school for the kids is quite limited where we are now. We'd also like to possibly move back into a town or at least larger village. This is really helping me with clearing out as it provides a focus of 'do I love/need this item enough to spend energy packing it and moving it to a new home?' Trouble is I'm a minimalist at heart and would love to live in a near empty house (feel most at peace with no stuff) whereas DH gets comfort from being surrounded by books and stuff (but hates it messy!).

silvasava

Mummy M - maybe your DH could have a 'man cave' I do sympathise over the books though. My DH is an avid reader and will not get rid of any. He tends to read series and will reread many times! I read a book & then pass it on - maybe I need to give him a man cave lol!

nellis10

Hi Everyone! Happy New Year! :j

I've subscribed to this thread because one of my 2016 goals is to KonMari my house from top to bottom with a room each month!

So I will be needing all the help and support I can get lol

greenbee

silvasava wrote: »

Mummy M - maybe your DH could have a 'man cave' I do sympathise over the books though. My DH is an avid reader and will not get rid of any. He tends to read series and will reread many times! I read a book & then pass it on - maybe I need to give him a man cave lol!

I like re-reading too. And I like having books in rooms (they make good insulation too..)

Maybe the answer is to have some rooms clear and minimalist and some more 'cosy'. You don't have to have a consistent style throughout your house - homes are homes because they reflect the personalities of the people who live in them, not because they look like something from a catalogue or an interiors magazine.

I like my bedroom clear and uncluttered as I find it easier to sleep - I have some books in there, in shelves in an alcove. I also have pictures, but ones that make me feel relaxed. My office is very full, but organised (mostly), so that all work stuff is out of the rest of the house.

In the past I've built bookshelves into the downstairs loo - the wall behind the cistern wasn't much use for anything else :cool: I've also used them on the party wall when I've had noisy neighbours to help deaden the sound.

If you have the space, maybe a small cosy room could be full of bookshelves (friends recently built a bookcase over one wall of their 'snug' including over the top of the door), and maybe the TV and just a couple of chairs/sofa, and the main living space could be more open and clear.

It's worth discussing with your OH how you can manage the space you have so you both feel comfortable, and maybe have your own spaces to retreat to as well (if you have the space).

oceanspirit

Had a good day yesterday clearing papers off desk and kondoed two kitchen drawers. Starting on the first food cupboard today. I know it's supposed to be done a category at a time, but pacing is important for me so a bit of brain followed by something practical is the only way forward.

The papers are not part of the long term problem, but a build up from December when I was focussed on sorting Christmas and birthdays etc but progress has been made and more of the same will be done this afternoon.

greenbee - yes, will look out for spiralizers as am thinking of getting a secondhand one myself.

Joyfully_2

Hello all!
I need a bit of help with 2 things please.....
1. I have a corner cupboard I keep medicines in and it's a flipping nightmare to store tidily.
2. Years ago hubby helpfully bought me a treadmill which is rarely used. It's massive, in the bedroom, temperamental and very heavy. I've said several times that I want it gone but get excuse after excuse that's it's heavy/difficult to move and get rid etc. What can I do?
Many thanks lovely people!

greenbee

oceanspirit wrote: »

greenbee - yes, will look out for spiralizers as am thinking of getting a secondhand one myself.

I managed to get myself one in the sales just before xmas for £6.99 (using a voucher). So just the nutribullet (which I don't really need but would be easier to wash up than the blender which I could then get rid of) to consider...

Joyfully wrote: »

2. Years ago hubby helpfully bought me a treadmill which is rarely used. It's massive, in the bedroom, temperamental and very heavy. I've said several times that I want it gone but get excuse after excuse that's it's heavy/difficult to move and get rid etc. What can I do?

ebay/freegle and be clear that the buyer/recipient will need to help dismantle and remove from it's current upstairs location.

selement

Joyfully wrote: »

Hello all!
I need a bit of help with 2 things please.....
1. I have a corner cupboard I keep medicines in and it's a flipping nightmare to store tidily.
2. Years ago hubby helpfully bought me a treadmill which is rarely used. It's massive, in the bedroom, temperamental and very heavy. I've said several times that I want it gone but get excuse after excuse that's it's heavy/difficult to move and get rid etc. What can I do?
Many thanks lovely people!

I have no idea if it'll be what you are looking for or not, but I was thinking of having a trip to Aldi later to possibly get some for myself - they are selling storage caddys (2 large or 3 small for £2.49), might help tidy up your cupboard?
I know some believe in not buying storage until the end of kondo-ing, but I don't think buying stuff to increase tidyness hurts... I bought some drawer dividers from ikea for my underwear/socks etc drawer and it looks much nicer, it'd instantly go back to a jumbled mess without it!

wort

Hi joyfully re the meds cupboard is it big enough to put boxes or punnets (many of us have used these) to separate bottles and packets in separate boxes then slide them in and out of the cupboard?I did this with spices and packets in my food cupboard and find it works well :j it means you can just pull out the box you need take out the item then slide back into cupboard. So if a bottle is at the back you don't need to pull everything out!
The treadmill is more difficult, can you ebay it and say they need to take it out themselves!! Or would it dismantle? If you are on Facebook see if any of your friends need one, good time as people try to get fit after Xmas.