Community Chat

[Trinity11]

A lot of her book is very similar and a re-tread of Don Aslett's books on clutter. He wrote "Clutter's Last Stand" many years ago and I adapted a clutter free life back in the 80's. I bought his books for re-inforcement and I consider his books the bible of living a clutter-free lifestyle.

As as far as Kondo's advice regarding sparking joy from material possessions? Joy for myself comes from family and friends not inanimate objects.

I did buy her book, read it and donated it to the library the next day. 

[stevieb]

She's made a career out of her verbiage... Maybe her perspective works for some people but at the end of the day I have to believe anyone who wants to downsize can do so without paying her for her advice... I'd also guess that one can downsize without fondling all of one's possessions to see which ones bring them joy... Frankly, if I handled every one of my possessions to determine its joy-quotient, I'd never have time to actually downsize... I'd still be working my way through the joy assessment... Her whole premise has always struck me as yet another flavor of the month for those compelled to subscribe to flavors of the month...

[Snoopp]

There are only a handful of clothing items I own that might spark joy.  I would be very underdressed if I got rid of everything else. 😂 

I've her show and it's ok but she does seem quite childlike at times with her hopping around. 

[occasionalrain]

I don't care for austere places and find open fields that reach to the horizon depressing.

I like heirlooms and imagining those who had them in their lives before me. This morning I had cake on a plate that had the initials of the person who hand painted it and the year 1914 on the bottom.

I like clothing, the feel of cashmere and silk. I may not wear something more than twice in a year but I like having the option. I own 12 red cashmere sweaters, different styles, different shades and I wouldn't consider discarding any of them. 

Gracious living requires lots of stuff. You can't set a beautiful table without a linen table cloth and napkins, china, crystal, candles, a minimum of two forks, three spoons, and one or two knives. 

My home isn't cluttered but it doesn't look like  I'm in the process of moving half has been loaded on the truck.

[beach-mom]

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@occasionalrain wrote:

I don't care for austere places and find open fields that reach to the horizon depressing.

I like heirlooms and imagining those who had them in their lives before me. This morning I had cake on a plate that had the initials of the person who hand painted it and the year 1914 on the bottom.

I like clothing, the feel of cashmere and silk. I may not wear something more than twice in a year but I like having the option. I own 12 red cashmere sweaters, different styles, different shades and I wouldn't consider discarding any of them. 

Gracious living requires lots of stuff. You can't set a beautiful table without a linen table cloth and napkins, china, crystal, candles, a minimum of two forks, three spoons, and one or two knives. 

My home isn't cluttered but it doesn't look like  I'm in the process of moving half has been loaded on the truck.

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@occasionalrain - THIS is what makes things special to me too. I am my parents' only surviving child (younger brother died at 28), and my mom's twin never had children, so I have EVERYTHING! 

When my aunt gave me my great-grandmother's pitcher, I told her I was going to use it. I remember it sitting in my grandmother's house, but it was never taken out of the china closet. So I do. Every time my friends come over and I take it out with tea or cider in it, I think about my GG using it for her friends! I have a beautiful cake plate that my uncle's college girlfriend brought to my grandmother the first time she visited them. I use that too. I have a lot of things like that! And my friends know. When the dishes come out they know there's a story behind them! 

[Free2be]

I've been working on cleaning out what I don't want to leave for my kids to have to deal with after I'm gone which requires a serious look and decision about future use.  On the other hand, some things are pure pleasure to own and those I won't give up.

I jokingly tell them "Say "thanks, Mom!'" and I give them every opportunity to take what they want now.  There are a few things I've given away that I now regret.  It's better to put nicer things in storage if you can, within reason. 

Marie Kondo's TV show is helpful to those who want what she offers, she's too exacting for me.  I long ago began folding t-shirts so they lined up where you could see the design but they didn't stand on their own.  That wasn't necessary.

[SunValley]

I see the sense in cleaning closets, cupboards, and pantries regularly to keep things organized and pass along items no longer needed or useful to free up space. That has always been part of my housekeeping routine. If MK’s book sparks someone to get a handle on their “stuff” that’s a good thing so I respect the viewpoint even if I would not need something to spark joy to keep it (I need my bowl cleaner, but joy, no) nor thank it as it gets the heave ho. How much we surround ourselves with is a personal choice and I do what works for me.

[blackhole99]

All I can say is , it's a good thing my son is the Master when it comes to selling product on Ebay because when I'm gone he'll have loads of stuff to sell. LOL My stuff sparks joy or I wouldn't buy it, I want to read that book though.

[chiclets]

A George Carlin once said, my stuff is my stuff and my stuff is good stuff.

Now people may not like my stuff that is all around but still it is my stuff.

It is not clutter to me, it is my stuff.

My stuff does not make me feel sparkly, but I do on occasion say stuff to my stuff.

Some of my stuff give me memories that make me smile while other stuff can bring a tear to my eyes, but either way it makes me happy.

Because I have stuff that does not make me a hoarder.

I am neat and clean and there is stuff around me, it is good.

If I did not have that then my home would be staged. I rather be stuffed than staged.

I guess Marie Kondo would not feel comfortable in my surroundings.

[sidsmom]

Kinda funny there are 2 posts active as of this writing:

”I’m Not a Fan of Marie Kondo”

      And 

”Self-storage is big business”