A question about : The KonMarie method
I read this book a few days ago having heard about it late last year.
There is a lot of nonsense in this book (of the possessions have energy, thank your handbag every day for working so hard variety), but amongst all that there are a few principals that do make sense, and I'm stunned to say have actually rubbed off on me! I've started this thread as the insights from this book would get lost within the decluttering thread (which I think is brilliantly inspirational, btw).
- firstly, discard. Hold the item and ask yourself, does this item bring you joy? If not, get rid. I struggled with this one at first because something can be of use and I can remember how much each and everything cost me! So I removed of some superficial stuff and then got a taste for it, I just kept on going for a couple of hours but didn't venture anywhere near my clothes. Despite this resolve, I suddenly found myself going through my wardrobe this evening and letting go of expensive items of clothing that do me no favours and I wouldn't actually miss so do not risk buying again.
- secondly, forget about additional storage solutions. This does make sense - law of supply and demand, etc - because it means that you just buy more stuff. From bitter experience, I know this to be true.
- store things differently. Vertical storage means everything is more visible, storing things stacked in top of each other means space gets taken up inefficiently. Aim to create a rectangle of the given item of clothing and then fold and store like a sushi roll (nothing on top of it), Every piece of clothing has a give point at which it will stand up (thinner materials will need more folds). Search for Marie Kondo folding on YouTube to see how it's done.
- tidy in one go, rather than a room at a time. One go could mean over 6 months - the point is tidy all the same family of objects (eg clothes, books, kitchen utensils etc) together in one go. The key here is having everything of that group in one place rather than scattered around in different places.
- ensure everything has a designated place. That way you're not lumbered with tidying all the time, you automatically return any given item to where it belongs. Strangely, this has really worked for me, from encouraging me to do the washing up to itching to clear all surfaces! Weird but true.
- don't stockpile. I can't help this, esp with toiletries - the thought of running out of toothpaste, deodorant, shower gel and handwash fills me with dread, and I love a bargain. The truth is its not a disaster if you do run out, we have 24/7 supermarkets (in cities and suburbs, at least) so nothing is too far out of reach. Where stuff is in units, I can calculate how long it will last me...but really, what is the point? This stuff belongs in a shop. What was anathema to me after a lifetime of hoarding such items seems to have rubbed off on me 
What is even odder is that getting rid of stuff in this way is inducing a sense of well-being! Try it for yourself before you admit me to a psychiatric unit.
So well done, Marie Kondo. For all my skepticism it is paying off 
Best answers:
- Thanks will take a look at the book.
I've posted on another declutter thread that I cleared all stuff out of my kitchen and piled it in the dining room.
My kitchen is tiny and a don't enjoy cooking in there at all.
However when I made a chilli in the slow cooker for last nights tea I noticed a pleasant light feeling when in there. I enjoyed tea more and put some nice music on to wash up afterwards. I don't know if it's my fancy but I slept much better.
Funnily enough when I did a bit of sorting out in the dining room full to the brim of the kitchen stuff my mood was very anxious and it felt stifling so it may be right about stuff effecting energy in our homes.
I use you tube to learn how to fold stuff usually the military style of folding clothes
The how to fold socks was a revelation to me
Ive just gone in the kitchen for my morning cuppa wow it lovely so clean and tidy.
Will finish off the clutter I dining room soon. - Update
Well looked at the book on kindle clicked to buy.... Message said I purchased this book already oops!
Need to declutter kindle books I guess
So re downloaded it and before the first chapter was read I got up and de cluttered my huge mountain of kitchen clutter
3 bags of rubbish/recycle and box for CS
I need to scrub out the kitchen first before I run out of energy but so pleased with myself. Warped plastic lid city be gone!
Your right she is a bit off the wall the bit about how a waterfall can be refreshing????
However she is Japanese so translations and cultures may not transfer the same.
Very inspirational indeed. There was a Japanese lady at my kids school when they were young she and her kids manners were immaculate
I invited her to english afternoon tea she wore pearls and twin set for the occasion delightful lady - I'm reading this at the moment! I'm always moaning about needing to get rid of stuff, and find the book really helpful. I actually quite like all the random Japanese madness (and I really want to try standing under a waterfall!)
- Ha ha me too I love some quirky Japanese customs
I did image that all Japanese people would be extremely tidy
and neat. I was surprised to find she found a market for her skills there.
I'm afraid I will have to do with a nice refreshing shower for now.
There's not many waterfalls in the North east of England.
Not in these temperatures anyway.
I find her quite charming
I have watched her interview on you tube
With subtitles
Her words are very motivating - Thank you so much VfM4meplse for starting this thread. We are decluttering (or so I thought) in preparation for moving house. And thanks Jinny for further encouragement to get started.
I'm going to get off the laptop now and actually go and do some proper tidying and decluttering. After I check out on ebay to fold stuff and google where the nearest waterfall is... - I've been doing this last couple of weeks.
The folding has been great, (t-shirts,socks and underwear, and carrier bags) have two extra drawers!
getting rid of the tat/just in case/someone bought this for me stuff has been very "lightening".
And it is so much easier to relax and get better sleep now, think I,ve de-cluttered my head a bit too.
got a few friends now folding their carrier bags too - It was a real eye opener realising that it made much more sense to fold tee shirts so that they could be stood up on their side. I fold them so that they are the depth of the drawer and line them up. No piles to be disturbed if I want the one at the bottom, I can see at a glance what I've got and it makes so much better use of the space I can fit everything in where I couldn't before
- I need to watch more videos but I'm delighted to report that I did the bathroom. It looks great and felt so good doing it!
Thank you! - Just downloaded the ebook as the paperback is sold out. So a day of decluttering for me. Will read a chapter a day and have a sort out. Still have loads of stuff from when I had to clear an aunt's house and also my mum's house when she died. It's difficult to get rid of what they loved and collected but maybe someone at the charity shop could love them too.
- thanks for this thread, googled the KonMAri method - some great ideas on there.
I have been steadily Decluttering for some time now and I'm gradually getting there.
One thing I try to do is copy the Japanese style of only displaying a few special items at a time, rather than the more traditional Western idea of having groups or collections of items on display.
What I do is just have a couple of items out, then every so often I put them away for a while and have something else on display. So for example I might have just one vase on a window cill or shelf rather than half a dozen different items.
I usually theme my displays and ring the changes by following the seasons.
I definitely seem to be becoming more minimalist. It does simplify life and makes housework a lot easier.
I too hAve got to tackle my parents house I'm dreading it and keep putting it off. - As for inherited things, thankfully I have inherited my mum's dislike of ornaments. She called them dust-collectors and I have to say that I agree. Definitely makes things easier to clean. My friend loves fancy plates and ornaments and every surface has something on it and all over the walls too. I just would look in amazement and gratefulness that I didn't have to clean it all! While trying not to let my toddler touch anything!
I managed to sort out my tubs cupboard today too. Usually I keep anything that has both tub and lid. This time I held each thing and got rid of stuff that I never use and don't even like but had been holding onto because they were potentially useful. I now have lots of space to store what I actually want to keep.
Thanks again OP! - I was reading this book in bed last night and got up and organised my socks ( how mad is that). I have read as far as the handbag sorting and thought if she said to only have 1 handbag this wasn't for me as I love my handbags and they always fit whatever size I am. But she seems to also have loads of handbags when she gives such good ideas to store them inside each other and leave out the straps so you can find one in a hurry. The idea of holding each item and seeing if it brings you joy is great and surprised myself when so many of my mum's and aunt's ornaments brought back so many memories. So they are washed and put on display in a wallunit which was originally a unit for CDs that 1 of my sons threw out. So I can see the hummel figures every day and enjoy them.
- This is by far the best decluttering organizing book I have read and boy Ive read loads. Some motivated me for a while but then it was back to procrastination. I even bought a hypnotherapy download... listened to it once. The one I used the most was a book called shed your stuff. That was ok but didnt keep it up or clear your clutter with feng shui
Ive only got as far as my kitchen at the mo. I came down with this cold thats going around so still feel yukky
Still it means I can finish the book this weekend when hopefully
this cold will have done one! Glad to declutter that alright
maybe my body is detoxing along with my home. Its a thought eh?
Tiny kitchen still gleaming and streamlined love being in there now.
my mother didnt like lots of ornaments either. Her clutter was hidden in cubhoards ect. She had a few pieces she liked there was one figurine of a lady, not really my type of thing.
so I took a picture of it and keep that instead.
its really hard to let go of their stuff, but we have to remember. Things arent memories they are just things.
perhaps a memory quilt or pillow made with their clothes. I have seen a teddy bear made of a wooly cardigan.
thank you op for starting this thread - I am quite interested in this book since I followed a link somewhere and saw her folding technique. I folded all my undies, socks and pajamas, then did all my parent's drawers as well (tops and trackies, I drew the line at their undies and socks). I can't wait to read it...
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