daisydonna
Full Member
Posts: 265
Sept 5, 2015 11:45:16 GMT
|
Post by daisydonna on Oct 12, 2015 2:39:45 GMT
Has anyone read The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo? I'm almost done with book...definitely think her method can be helpful.
Anyone done this? Been able to stick with it?
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
May 8, 2024 10:38:35 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 12, 2015 3:08:00 GMT
I'm about two thirds of the way through the book. Although I can't say I'm totally on board with everything that she proposes, I really think that she's on to something in terms of significantly reducing the amount of stuff most of us have.
And in terms of keeping what gives you joy, I also think that there's something to that as well. I know that I don't feel very good when I look at clothes that don't fit me anymore, books that I feel guilty about not reading or purchases that I never used.
I did a major decluttering the summer of 2014, and although it was a good start, there's still plenty more to do and I think that this approach will re-energize me for what needs to be done.
Looking forward to hearing from others who have used this methods outlined in the book.
|
|
|
Post by annabella on Oct 12, 2015 3:10:03 GMT
There was a big thread on the book, check that out.
|
|
|
Post by epeanymous on Oct 12, 2015 3:12:54 GMT
There was a big thread on the book, check that out. Yup. I would do a search for that thread -- lots of contributions. Nutshell for me: it was really motivating and useful, and I junked literal truckloads of stuff in preparation for moving this summer. However, if there are other people in your home, you can't guarantee that they will not continue to see every level surface in your home as a gathering place for useless items.
|
|
|
Post by katlady on Oct 12, 2015 3:34:16 GMT
I read the book and liked it. I didn't take all of it literally, but did apply it in more general terms. I try to look at my stuff now to see if it does bring me "joy".
|
|
daisydonna
Full Member
Posts: 265
Sept 5, 2015 11:45:16 GMT
|
Post by daisydonna on Oct 12, 2015 3:39:17 GMT
I apologize I will do a search.
|
|
|
Post by mommc23 on Oct 12, 2015 4:10:55 GMT
Don't apologize!! There are often multiple threads on topics...ask away. I think you were just pointed there for additional info.
I read the book and really like the idea of keeping only the things that give me joy. I was able to get rid of so much stuff on this principle alone! It also helps me in what I bring into my house, for example, does this shirt make me feel happy about the way I look or am I just buying it because it's a great deal.
I also like the principle of organizing things in one spot...like having cleaning supplies in one place instead of all over the house. It seems like it would be more work, but the opposite has been true for me. It's also freed up space to organize this way.
Some of the things are a little too much for me. Like, I don't empty the contents of my purse every night so that my purse can breathe! Lol. I also don't like the idea of ripping out pages of books with quotes you want to remember and then tossing or donating the book. But, overall it was worth the quick read and motivated me to pare down.
The author lives alone and its got to be much easier to keep everything aligned and tidy. I live with four other people who have different ideas about what tidy is and what gives them joy, so I work around that and do the best I can.
|
|
akathy
What's For Dinner?
Still peaing from Podunk!
Posts: 4,546
Location: North Dakota
Jun 25, 2014 22:56:55 GMT
|
Post by akathy on Oct 12, 2015 4:16:06 GMT
Don't apologize!! There are often multiple threads on topics...ask away. I think you were just pointed there for additional info. I read the book and really like the idea of keeping only the things that give me joy. I was able to get rid of so much stuff on this principle alone! It also helps me in what I bring into my house, for example, does this shirt make me feel happy about the way I look or am I just buying it because it's a great deal. I also like the principle of organizing things in one spot...like having cleaning supplies in one place instead of all over the house. It seems like it would be more work, but the opposite has been true for me. It's also freed up space to organize this way. Some of the things are a little too much for me. Like, I don't empty the contents of my purse every night so that my purse can breathe! Lol. I also don't like the idea of ripping out pages of books with quotes you want to remember and then tossing or donating the book. But, overall it was worth the quick read and motivated me to pare down. The author lives alone and its got to be much easier to keep everything aligned and tidy. I live with four other people who have different ideas about what tidy is and what gives them joy, so I work around that and do the best I can. I live alone and it is a lot easier to keep my place junk and clutter free than it was when I lived with three other people.
|
|
styxgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,871
Jun 27, 2014 4:51:44 GMT
|
Post by styxgirl on Oct 12, 2015 4:18:33 GMT
I posted on that thread and I will this one too ... I hated that book.
Most of it is her telling how great she is. Not how to actually "tidy".
Waste of my time and money.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
May 8, 2024 10:38:35 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 12, 2015 4:39:06 GMT
I read the book and was very inspired by it, but haven't implemented it yet - due to lack of time more than anything.
I'm SO over having lots of "stuff" and buying new containers for it all. I feel like over the years, I just keep re-organizing the same things and so much of it isn't being used. It brings me the opposite of joy.
But I struggle with feeling like it's wasteful to get rid of things that I spent good money on and should be selling instead of donating, like books, etc. Which leads me back to feeling like I don't have time. Sigh.
|
|
|
Post by rst on Oct 12, 2015 4:48:52 GMT
The author recently married and is supposedly doing a new book about life with family, which should be interesting.
I like and use her technique of folding clothing and "filing it" so that it is uniform and visible -- that alone is a great take away for me.
|
|
|
Post by anniefb on Oct 12, 2015 4:50:06 GMT
I read it, found it really helpful, and am in the process of transforming my house. I've de-cluttered clothes, shoes and books, kitchen stuff, taken numerous bags and boxes to goodwill and am just getting round to my craft room. I definitely feel 'lighter' as a result of the process, and it's a lot easier to keep everything tidy. Plus cleaning takes less time - a definite bonus. I inherited quite a lot of stuff from parents and realised I was keeping some of it from s sense of duty. I've found the 'does it spark joy' concept a really helpful one to work through. I still feel like there's more to clear out and am looking forward to ending up surrounded by fewer things that I really love and use
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
May 8, 2024 10:38:35 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 12, 2015 6:22:25 GMT
I found some things very helpful. Some things not so much.
Totally agree that like things should be in one place so I've been working on it. Doesn't work so well though if you don't have enough space in that one place. The quick answer is then you haven't whittled it down to those things that bring you joy. It sounds like she had better storage than I have had in some rooms/houses.
I also have to say there are things that I absolutely need that don't bring me joy. I'm very grateful for my meds, but they don't bring me joy. I can't just get rid of them
I agree with her that you need to do it all at once to be effective, but even as a homemaker I just don't have the big blocks of time needed to get it ALL done once, especially when much of what needs to be done needs to happen alongside my hard working DH who is also going to school.
Overall though the keeping what you love thing has made a big difference in what I want to keep and what I want to bring in. I love that I can be ok with getting rid of things I used to feel guilty about because now I realize that it is ok they gave me joy for a short time.
|
|
LeaP
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,939
Location: Los Angeles, CA where 405 meets 101
Jun 26, 2014 23:17:22 GMT
|
Post by LeaP on Oct 12, 2015 6:23:36 GMT
I read the book and the implementation is a work in progress. Kind of a two steps forward one step back. We moved a year ago and will be moving again next summer. I feel we did a pretty good job of lightening up before we left, but can do even better before our next move.
|
|
|
Post by bc2ca on Oct 12, 2015 7:11:34 GMT
For full disclosue, I haven't read the book, just the reviews. We have made significant moves (international then interstate) and they were the perfect opportunites to implement many of her ideas. I work very hard to stop new stuff coming into our house and limit how much accumulates for me and the kids (mostly clothing). DH is finally getting on board and getting rid of stuff he has been moving for 20+ years. The kids & I declutter our closets twice a year. It is so freeing to say "I won't ever wear this again" and give it away without any guilt. I think Peter Walsh's declutter books are really good too.
|
|
|
Post by not2peased on Oct 12, 2015 10:51:55 GMT
I read an article about the book and then implemented her ideas-I cleaned every closet, cupboard, etc and got rid of TONS of things. I am not one to over accumulate to begin with, but I found lots of things to get rid of. it'was very freeing.
|
|
|
Post by Bitchy Rich on Oct 12, 2015 11:36:59 GMT
The author recently married and is supposedly doing a new book about life with family, which should be interesting. Oh, man. I will want to read that. I bet it is hilarious.
|
|
desertgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,646
Jun 26, 2014 15:58:05 GMT
|
Post by desertgirl on Oct 12, 2015 11:58:19 GMT
The key to this type of thing is to modify to suit your needs. I have 3 bathrooms on 3 levels and refuse to tote cleaning supplies up and down stairs from one central place. So I have cleaning supplies where they are used, not just in one spot.
I also like her method of folding t-shirts. I used to wear only two or three all the time and now I wear others.
I also did not take out all of my clothes at once. It took me a weekend to do all of my clothes. No others were home that weekend hahaha!
|
|
|
Post by monklady123 on Oct 12, 2015 12:18:49 GMT
I haven't actually read the book yet although it is on my Kindle. But, I have a friend who read it from cover to cover in one sitting and now quotes it to me regularly. lol. So I have done my closet using the idea from this book, based just on what my friend told me. I had four days without my dh here so I pulled EVERYTHING out of my side of our closet. Dh not being here was the key because I can never finish a project like that in just one day, so I left lots of stuff lying around on the floor, his side of the bed, and everywhere else. lol. I ended up with bags of clothes for our church clothing bank.
Then I moved on to the linen closet and that was even better -- I threw out SO MUCH stuff... things like all those bottles of almost-empty cold medicine, or blister packs of allergy pills with one pill left, or empty bandaid boxes. Etc. Lots of old towels that I gave to our animal shelter -- I realized we just wash and use the same towels over and over so I'm not sure why we needed all those others. Same with sheets. I found sheets for a full bed and no one here has had a full size bed in years and years (it was the bottom fold-up-to-a-couch part of ds's bunk bed). They went out. etc.
Very freeing.
So I just went out to breakfast with the friend who quotes the book to me, and now I'm eyeing the book shelves on either side of the fireplace in the living room. Not only do we have books there but also knickknacks and projects from back when the kids were younger and took art classes, and birthday cards (the kids and dh were back in August, mine was the end of September, so why are the cards still there?), etc. I bet a lot of those books can go, and I'm thinking of boxing up some of the kids art stuff and keeping out only a few pieces that I particularly love.
I guess now I should actually read this book. lolol
|
|
|
Post by monklady123 on Oct 12, 2015 12:22:50 GMT
Okay, can someone please help me find the other thread that some have mentioned? I searched for "magic" and got too many hits, then I search for "tidying" and got only this thread. sigh.
|
|
|
Post by maryland on Oct 12, 2015 12:26:44 GMT
I have the book but haven't read it. I think it would be depressing! Because I would be able to use some strategies to help me, but my 3 kids and husband don't part with anything! I really feel like our house could be beautiful and well organized if they purged some (not all) things. Keep the important meaningful things, but they don't want to part with anything.
My 16 yr. old has a very messy room (and if it was clean, it could almost look like a pottery barn ad)! I was helping her clean it (meaning I did all the work and she sat on her phone). Well, one drawer had 10 pairs of tights for dance. She was having me buy her new ones all the time yet she had perfectly good ones in the drawer. She is too lazy to look herself, and can't part with a pair of tights. Then she had 8 pairs of pointe shoes that she can't part with. They are unuseable, but she can't pick one to put in her memory box (gross, her shoes smell)! I feel like she has hoarding tendencies and it really makes me nervous! Once she has her own house, she can hoard all she wants, not my problem! But I want our family house to look as beautiful as it can with some reasonable cleaning out.
|
|
|
Post by maryland on Oct 12, 2015 12:27:13 GMT
Okay, can someone please help me find the other thread that some have mentioned? I searched for "magic" and got too many hits, then I search for "tidying" and got only this thread. sigh. I have had a lot of trouble on this new site when searching for a thread. Never had problems with the old site. I wasn't sure if I was doing something wrong?
|
|
|
Post by monklady123 on Oct 12, 2015 12:29:49 GMT
Okay, can someone please help me find the other thread that some have mentioned? I searched for "magic" and got too many hits, then I search for "tidying" and got only this thread. sigh. I have had a lot of trouble on this new site when searching for a thread. Never had problems with the old site. I wasn't sure if I was doing something wrong? Same. I put "magic" in the search (for the title) and had it display by thread title only, not actual posts, and there are no other threads about this book. Well I mean, they don't show up. So either the other thread had something entirely different as the thread title or the search function is broken.
|
|
|
Post by genny on Oct 12, 2015 12:41:46 GMT
At the time of the last thread I was reading and implementing her method. I got through my closet and shoes and gave away at least 3 yard bags full of clothes. I did the coat closet - which is kind of a catch all - and my laundry room which had also turned into a catch all kind of room. It WAS very freeing to get rid of so much stuff and I don't miss a bit of it honestly. My plan was to do one category or area per weekend. I never got any further, I guess I'm immune to the magic LOL. But seriously, life started getting busy and I just didn't have the time I needed to start a category and finish it (or maybe I didn't have the energy, or some combination of the two…) I do very much like the idea of questioning how much joy each item brings me. Seriously, do I ever plan on reading the Twilight books again? No, they can be gone. But I will read Harry Potter again and again, so they will stay. DH bought me a Carhart coat 4 or 5 years ago that is SO not me. It's stiff and not very stylish, but it is very warm and practical for outside work. I kept it because I don't want to hurt his feelings, because it was expensive, and because the world might come to an end (Walking Dead style) and I'll need something warm and practical to walk the earth in . I was finally about to let it go after reading that book. So yes, it's got some good benefits to it, even if you only take away one or two things. I fold my pants the way she recommends and I do like it much better than the way I did it before, I can see everything this way and don't forget what's at the bottom of the drawer. I also purged all my sad socks.
|
|
MorningPerson
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,506
Location: Central Pennsylvania
Jul 4, 2014 21:35:44 GMT
|
Post by MorningPerson on Oct 12, 2015 12:43:58 GMT
Okay, can someone please help me find the other thread that some have mentioned? I searched for "magic" and got too many hits, then I search for "tidying" and got only this thread. sigh. Here's a thread.
|
|
|
Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Oct 12, 2015 12:47:20 GMT
|
|
|
Post by annaintx on Oct 12, 2015 13:20:34 GMT
I just couldn't get past the fact that she'd "tidy" her family members' rooms and throw out their stuff without their knowledge!
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
May 8, 2024 10:38:35 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 12, 2015 13:28:39 GMT
I've not read the book, but I've been in a major "de-cluttering" frame of mind while going through divorce. I cannot tell you how freeing it is to get rid of years and years of CRAP that you don't need, won't ever need. Without reading the book, when going through things in my house, I asked myself two questions.
1) Do I want to move/pay someone to move this?
2) Do I want to make room for it elsewhere?
Answering these two questions really sheds new light on what's important to keep and what is simply clutter. It may be nice clutter, but at the end of the day, it's still just clutter.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
May 8, 2024 10:38:35 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 12, 2015 13:33:17 GMT
I read the book, and I enjoyed her voice and style. It was very cute and cheerful and Japanese. I used what I thought would work, and skipped a lot. I found that discarding things that have "done their job well" or didn't bring me joy was very freeing. I cleaned out my clothes and my daughter's (she hasn't lived at home for two years.) It really was easy to do once I had a reason to get rid of things I didn't like or didn't need. Now my closet only contains things that "give me joy" or at least things that I like and look good i. With her vertical storage ideas, it turns out I have plenty of storage space, can see everything at once, and don't lose things anymore. I don't need the closet redo anymore, so it saved me a lot of money. It also helped me figure out my fashion style a little better, and where the holes are in my wardrobe.
I did not try to fix the rest of my family, although DS worked on his clothes too. I focused on me, and it really helped. I didn't do the whole thing in one day or weekend. I took one little category at a time -- underwear, workout clothes, tops, jackets, pants, skirts and dresses...It took me about a week at an hour a session. Not only did I get rid of a lot of unused clothes, but I also got rid of a lot of storage containers. I don't need them anymore.
Next I tackled my accessories: jewelry, scarves, handbags, shoes. It's amazing how everything fits in my dresser and closet now. I found some jewelry that was broken, ugly, and unused. I sold some of it and fixed some of it. Now I love everything in the box.
Now I'm working on my scraproom, and hope to be done in the next couple weeks. Then it will be on to books, paperwork, linen closet. I figure it will take me 6 months to a year to get through all of it. After a couple months, I've been great with the upkeep. My closet and dresser are as neat as the day I organized it, and it's easy to keep it that way.
So for me, it's been a great success. I didn't bite off more than I could finish in a short amount of time (got that from flylady) so I didn't get overwhelmed. But it went surprisingly quickly when I had a clear picture of what I was doing and didn't get bogged down in trying to justify the keeping or getting rid of individual items. Everything went out the door as soon as I was finished with that session, and I haven't missed a single thing. I feel more relief that I don't have to wear that blue/white polka dot shirt that didn't look as great as it did on the hanger. I'll be a lot more careful to try on Every.Thing. before buying.
|
|
|
Post by monklady123 on Oct 12, 2015 14:08:46 GMT
Okay, can someone please help me find the other thread that some have mentioned? I searched for "magic" and got too many hits, then I search for "tidying" and got only this thread. sigh. Here's a thread. Thank you. The thread is called "how one anti-organizing book changed my life" which explains why I couldn't find it by searching for "magic" or "tidying". lol. I see it's five pages long so I'll read it a bit later.
|
|