KonMari 2017 - The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up

silvasava

VJsmum - Ive been going to yoga classes for about 20 years now & just find it such a stress reliever for me. Your candlelit yoga session sounds absolutely idyllic - what a wonderful idea.

Slinky

2017 for us has brought preparations for our future move and my early retirement. We bought a house in the area we will be moving to, spent time effort and money doing it up to rent out and now have a tenant in place. We plan to move within 3 years.


In September I started Tai Chi classes which I have wanted to try for some time. I think I have finally found my 'thing'. There's so much still to learn but I'm really enjoying it, and fortunately I can continue with the same branch of Tai Chi when I move as classes take place a 5 minutes walk away.


Kondoing has been sporadic. Yesterday I went to put clean bedlinen on the spare bed for our visitor, and I can't find a set of linen. I'm not sure if this is because I've got rid of it or have misplaced it. I think it must have been given away as the only 2 places it could be come up blank. I don't recall getting rid of this particular set though. Does anybody else go searching for something you've forgotten you've parted with? Fortunately the set that came off the bed yesterday has dried overnight. I won't buy more for this room as when we move we may get rid of this bed as it's quite large. I'm quite pleased that OH has bought into this plan as he bought this bed just before we met, so it's still sort-of his, rather than ours, if you know what I mean. We have a very good quality sofabed which will become our guest bed instead of the dumping ground it has become in my 'ironing' room.


Paper has gone down quite a bit, but still more to do. I think I need to re-read the book to kickstart another session as I really didn't get through all the categories.


With a move in the future, we need to reduce what we've got as there's plenty of junk we don't want to pay to be moved. Plus our new house is smaller. We plan to extend it but we will need space in the house for the builders to work.

pavlovs_dog

I got married and we spent our honeymoon on a roadtrip on the US west coast. That was a joyous 2017 highlight.

As for 2018, I am determined to get a handle on Pavlov Towers this year. There is a lot of physical clutter still to sort and a huge list of DIY frogs which are long overdue. I aim to get 60 items out of the house and tackle 4 frogs this January.

Wednesday2000

I think 2017 has been bluddy awful in a lot of ways!

If I think about the best thing for 2017 it would have to be the improvement in the health of my husband and I. He is finally back at work after being off sick. I am taking lots of steps to improve my physical and mental health as well as taking time for myself with self-care. :A

Kondo-wise - I bought quite a few "new" CS clothes this year, but have already realised that a few things aren't flattering to me. One green jumper makes me look about 15 months preggers! I think it must be maternity wear, lol.

In fact, I might go through my wardrobe later and be brutally honest looking in the mirror so to have a totally fresh start for the new year. They will be off (back) to the charity shop in the New Year.:)

Slinky wrote: »

In September I started Tai Chi classes which I have wanted to try for some time. I think I have finally found my 'thing'. There's so much still to learn but I'm really enjoying it, and fortunately I can continue with the same branch of Tai Chi when I move as classes take place a 5 minutes walk away.

I want to try and find a suitable exercise in 2018. I was thinking about Tai Chi and I know there is a class a bus ride away.

Is it hard to learn?:o I would be going on my own and would feel silly if it is difficult.

PollyWollyDoodle

Yes, Slinky - while I don't think there's anything that I've Kondoed that I regret, I have found myself missing a few things and wondering if I threw them out or found them new storage places. One is a rather garish beach towel that's been used for generations of cats when they need wrapping up, transporting to the vets etc. I can't believe I'd have thrown it out but I'm blowed if I can find it anywhere!

It's nothing compared to the hours of my life spent pre-KM, searching for stuff that I knew I possessed but couldn't find amongst the clutter.

wort

Unfortunately, 2017 held no joy for me, the sudden death of my husband was the worst thing I've ever endured. I suppose the fact that I was kondoed, helped me sort through his possessions. Paperwork was easy to find and I realised more than ever how lucky I am to have a supportive and loving family.
I've taken down all decorations except for the tree and the front door wreath.
I've thrown some decorations away, that haven't been used the last couple of years and I won't want to in future.
Wishing you all a peaceful and happy new year.

Pooky

My most joyful thing this year is the arm chair I’m sitting in. I went to collect some dining chairs from a lovely freecycle lady and in her front garden with a “free to a good home” sign was a tatty arm chair but a gorgeous shape with turned wooden legs and brass castors.....she was delighted that I offered to take it home with me as well as the chairs (said chairs have now been stripped, reupholstered and painted and are DDs pride and joy).

Said armchair was scrubbed and sat in the sunshine drying whilst I pondered what I’d use to make a new set of covers for it and then it struck me that I’d kept a chair cover from an old set, I dug it out and it fits perfectly and blends nicely with my other furniture.

It’s the comfiest chair I’ve ever owned.

GreyQueen

:T Well done, Pooky, I love hearing about items being rescued and appreciated.

It also reminded me of a cartoon shown to me (and this is key to the joke) by a furniture designer from a trade magazinbe; it was two furniture desginers standing by a traditional wing-back armchair, captioned; We're researched the most comfortable design for armchairs and, unfortunately, this is it.

I love trad styles in furniture especially chairs.

Some light kondo-ing going on at the family homestead, chiefly by kid bruv in among his book inventory. He bought a job-lot of books from a private householder 10+ years ago, the deal was £40 the lot but he had to take the lot. It was two cars rammed to the gunwales. He's made quite a bit of money off the lot over the years but what's left is sticking, he thinks the remaining titles are too commonplace. They are being wheedled out and will go to charity.

I'm assembling the bits and bobs I will be taking back to my flat tomorrow afternoon, including some of the books from the parental collections, plus two gifted books which have already been read and enjoyed. My place will, it its turn, be surrendering some bits and bobs for the family home, mainly consumables. Fair exchange is no robbery, hey?

Other than that, we've collectively finished a bottle of sherry and one of the cats has hacked up a hairball, so I guess both just about count as decluttering........?:rotfl:

kaz13

So sorry wort, to hear about your husband, it must of been a great shock and a sudden change in your life, nothing can ever prepare you for such a shock.
I hope 2018 brings you good health and surround yourself with your friends and family. X

*Jellie*

I might have missed it but are their plans for a 2018 thread or are we sticking with this one?