KonMari 2016 - The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up

lessonlearned

Karmacat wrote: »

It's very interesting about kondo affecting what you buy ... and the "its just okay" thing as well. I've got a t shirt that I love, with a Felix catfood logo on (used to have cats, the t shirts were free) but the neck hem always stretches above my collar bones, and I really, really hate that. So, enough. I've cut the logo bit out, I'm going to iron it and play about with scanning it in different ways, then throw it (its not fit for a charity shop). Just paying attention to what I've got, and what I'm doing, because I'm reading this thread, is really helping

I have felt this recently too and I have hardly bought new clothes in months. I hAve resisted the sales and even the charity shops. It seems "it will do" or "its okay" is no longer good enough.

It has to spark joy or I don't buy it.......

I'm saving a small fortune........:rotfl:

Anyway I have already decided that "less is definitely more" and I shall be embracing full blown minimalism - well that's my goal ....capsule wardrobe and nice empty spaces in my house, the lot.

Shoes....... No more sore feet for me. If they are not comfortable then I won't buy them. I gave 7 pairs to the Chazzer last week. They did not give me joy - in fact they practically crippled me, some of them had only been worn a couple of times. A complete wast of money but hey a lesson learned......

I now have two of those big blue IKEA bags packed full of stuff for sale. I have a friend who kindly sells things for me. She does all the work so we split the profits. She is a stay at home mum and is really clued up on eBay and all the selling websites. I am clueless so she is doing me a big favour so I'm more than happy to share any money we make.

Isnt it strange how our mind set changes as we progress along our Kondo journey. I really am content with much less stuff. I still have loads more to part with but with every load that leaves the house it's like a huge weight lifting off my shoulders.

It's liberating.......

Slinky

Talking of handbags, does anybody really empty their handbag out every night? I tend to use the same one 99% of the time and always buy the same style (I know what I like and what works for me). Whilst my handbag doesn't get any time to 'relax', I'm not sure there's enough time in my life to keep getting stuff out and putting it away again in the same bag!

Igamogam

Right. I have 3 slow cookers. Large, medium and very small. I use to have 4..........one I used when we went away camping - with an electric hookup it seemed silly not to make use of it. Anyway I gave that one away on f**gle last year but the others I found very useful. Large for meals that would be portioned and frozen, medium for family meals and the tiny one is great for 'hot dips'. I love the tiny one so that is staying but now I have a sooper dooper wizzy new oven with a slow cook function I now realise I really dont need a slow cooker.......its taken me a while to come to this! Anyway I think I am ready to let go of the very big one and may try and sell on FB as its a good make and if it doesnt sell then it will be a giveaway:D

VJsmum

PollyWollyDoodle wrote: »

I buy all my handbags from T K Maxx, they usually have loads so it's a case of finding one that meets your needs - a lot of them are 'designer' but that means nothing to me, I just prefer leather bags and they're the cheapest source.

I Kondoed mine down to about six, I tend to use one bag all the time and then swap it when I want a change, and I kept one evening bag in case I ever go to a posh 'do' again - the smaller the bag, the more expensive it seems! I still have my mum's handbag, I love it but as I write this I'm just realising that the first emotion I feel is not joy but sadness as it reminds me of her. Perhaps it's time to go ...

Mine is from TK Maxximus too. For the same reasons. In fact someone the other day said "that looks like an expensive bag" and was a little amazed when i said it was about £25 from TKM.

I have three handbags - an everyday red one (goes with everything and nothing), a black "posh" one and a small green one, which i hardly ever use but which I love.

lessonlearned wrote: »

I have felt this recently too and I have hardly bought new clothes in months. I hAve resisted the sales and even the charity shops. It seems "it will do" or "its okay" is no longer good enough.

It has to spark joy or I don't buy it.......

I desperately need one or two pairs of trousers and can find nothing to "spark joy". i even abandoned my charity shop or ethical purchases only principles to find some - still to no avail. I got two pairs from Sainsbugs today, in the sale. They would be "OK" but they aren't right - they are going back and i am washing my existing ones more frequently (2 pairs jeans, one pair "casual" trousers).

silvasava

Igamogam - I have 2 egg cups I bought in JL - they have little feet with ankle strap shoes ( like old Startrite) they are really cute and give me great Joy! Handbags - bought a lovely hot pink nylon one last year in TKM for my holiday - I've been converted from leather as its so practical

aliwali

I was umming and aahing about doing a boot fair and I've decided I just can't be bothered! I have however sold some DS games, blu Rays and books online. The rest can go to charity, as I just need to get it out of the house now. Also a bit stalled on kimono, life is crazy busy at the minute, but I'll get back on it soon. This thread is a great support so thank you all.

Fen1

It is past my bedtime and I can't rest. I'm in the process of spending a lot of money on a special holiday ( significant birthdays for both of us). I've saved the money. It's there to be spent. BUT. I've spent my entire life counting the pennies and making do. Spending money, even when it makes my life a heck of a lot easier, is extremely difficult.

I can rationalise the small stuff and the occasional splurge, but seeing this big chunk of money disappear is giving me kittens.

Why can't I enjoy my life? Say sod it? I know too many people who've never had even the smallest adventure, put the money away, then regret it. They've gotten sick or just too old and frail to to enjoy the pitiful interest in the bank. A few I know died before they could enjoy their retirement and all the stuff they'd planned and saved for. Work scrimp work scrimp work dead.

I don't want to end up regretting what I haven't done. I already feel like that about my younger years. But I'm also a complete shaking and vomiting worry-wort control freak poverty-raised penny pincher.

It's a bit of a b*gger.

Charis

Fen1 wrote: »

It is past my bedtime and I can't rest. I'm in the process of spending a lot of money on a special holiday ( significant birthdays for both of us). I've saved the money. It's there to be spent. BUT. I've spent my entire life counting the pennies and making do. Spending money, even when it makes my life a heck of a lot easier, is extremely difficult.

I don't want to end up regretting what I haven't done. I already feel like that about my younger years. But I'm also a complete shaking and vomiting worry-wort control freak poverty-raised penny pincher.

Is your OH happy about your plans? If it's something you've budgeted for and dreamed about, do it, and while you're doing it, try not to think about the cost.

I went on the holiday of a lifetime in Australia a couple of years ago, having inherited some money. Like you I felt it was a great extravagance, having scrimped and scraped while I was bringing up a family. We had very few family holidays because there were always other, more important, expenses. My eldest son came with me and we stayed with my brother and his family, then we hired a car and travelled to many of the popular tourist spots in Victoria. We even spent four days in Sydney. Before we came home we had an early Christmas dinner with the extended family, Aussie style.

It was absolutely wonderful, and thinking about it still brings me joy. I will carry the memories of that holiday as long as I have the ability to do so, hopefully for a long time yet. The only thing I regret is that it took me three and a half decades to pluck up the courage to make the trip!

VJsmum

Holidays are my passion and I have been lucky enough to go on several "holidays of s lifetime". I can honestly say I don't regret a single penny spent on them.

But I have resented a lot of the pennies I've spent on stuff....

GrannyKate

I think the point of all this is to free yourself up from stuff, only have things you need or which bring joy and spend the money you have on what you want. Experiences are so much better than stuff. We could never afford overseas holidays until our children were grown up. Since then we have travelled extensively and I have nothing but good memories ( not all were perfect but I take things as they come). Off on a trip in USA in April meeting up with family. I have been putting away the spending money so holiday paid for before we go. Also had some fabulous trips with GCs - experiences which we hope they will always remember.
MKd wardrobe makes travelling so much easier. Packing done in 15 minutes and put away with in a couple of days of return.
Busy few days so not much decluttering or sorting - lots on desk needs attending to. Tidied small airing cupboard when I got up and rerolled my swimming towels which live in there. One spare empty shelf which DH uses for proving bread.